Wish You All the Best - Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Late at night, Pei You’an finally finished with his various affairs and stepped through the gates of the Duke of Wei’s mansion.
Even at this late hour, the mansion was still ablaze with lights. No one had retired for the night; the entire household was waiting for his return.
Having not seen him for over a year, Pei Quan and the Second Madam Meng brought their son, Pei Xiuluo, to welcome him. The couple beamed with smiles, showing great attentiveness, while Pei Xiuluo performed the rites due to an elder brother, bowing respectfully with a look of reverence on his face.
Madam Xin also made an appearance. She wore a smile, but no amount of rouge could conceal the sallow, haggard complexion that showed through from deep within her face.
Pei You’an completed the proper rites of a junior and finished his greetings. She managed a strained smile and said, "The whole family has been looking forward to your return. It’s just your second younger brother; he caught an illness recently and took his medicine this evening. He couldn't hold on and must have fallen asleep. Or should I have someone call him out..."
Pei You’an replied, "It is better for my second brother to rest and recover; there is no need to disturb him." Saying this, he turned toward Yuzhu, who had come out upon hearing the commotion. "Has Grandmother gone to sleep yet?"
Yuzhu approached and smilingly offered her greetings to Pei You’an: "The Old Madam has not slept yet."
"It is already quite late, and yet I have troubled Mother, Uncle, and Aunt to wait for me until now. It is entirely my fault. It would be best for everyone to retire early."
Pei Quan and his wife nodded with smiles, knowing he was headed to see the Old Madam.
Madam Xin watched his retreating back, her smile gradually stiffening.
"Sister-in-law, you are truly blessed. You’an is a favorite before the Emperor now; granting a title to Xiuzhi is just a matter of a single word. From now on, Sister-in-law, you can just sit back and enjoy the good life!"
Second Madam Meng said with a beaming smile, looking at Madam Xin.
Madam Xin perceived the true feelings hidden beneath her sister-in-law’s smile.
She was like a venomous snake hiding in a dark corner, surely having known something for a long time. She was mocking her, despising her, and taking pleasure in her misfortune. It was just that this cunning woman was always so skilled at keeping up appearances in public.
Thinking of the humiliation her own son was suffering, Madam Xin trembled all over, wishing she could pounce and tear that mask of hypocrisy right off the woman's face.
But she could do nothing.
Her fingernails dug deep into her palms. She moved her gaze mechanically, managed a strained smile, and said, "Yes, that is wonderful..."
...
Pei You’an knelt before the Old Madam Pei and kowtowed.
The last time grandmother and grandson had met was during the Old Madam’s grand birthday celebration. In the blink of an eye, times had changed and the world had been turned upside down. The fates of the people in this mansion had risen and fallen like the tide; one moment like duckweed tossed by the rain, the next, vibrant and dramatic. Life is like a play—one imagines it is mostly just like this.
Seeing her eldest grandson kneeling at her feet once again, the old woman was undoubtedly joyful and moved. However, she quickly steadied her emotions, her gaze sweeping over the robes of high office he had not yet removed.
Pei You’an looked up and said, "The matter I begged Grandmother to help with involved many complications. I knew it would put you in a difficult position. Even so, Grandmother still fulfilled my heart's wish. Aside from my guilt, I am profoundly grateful!"
For over a year, although Pei You’an was ten thousand miles away from Quanzhou, he had kept his promise to Jiafu; he had kept his own people secretly watching the Zhen family. When the Fujian governor arrived at the Zhen residence with the Imperial Decree and later escorted Jiafu to the capital, the news had already reached the Old Madam Pei while the party was still on the road.
It was a letter Pei You’an had left for his grandmother. In it, he stated that he wished to marry the daughter of the Zhen family, but he was unable to act for himself while drifting away from home. If his grandmother were to receive the letter, it would mean he was unable to protect her himself, and he begged her to intervene.
The Old Madam watched Pei You’an. At first, she did not speak, but after a long while, she said slowly, "You’an, in this matter, you truly did put me in a difficult position. The Zhen family and your second brother once had an arrangement. Now that you are the one marrying her, while it is slightly inconvenient, it is not an insurmountable issue. The truly difficult part is that she was involved with the Crown Prince. Attempting to snatch someone away from the Crown Prince is no small matter. Initially, I did not want to agree to your request..."
Her voice grew lower, and she became lost in thought for a moment, her expression desolate, as if caught in the memories of the past.
"I have lived until this day and have seen no small amount of things. Fortune may not be fortune, and calamity may not necessarily be a calamity. You have been sensible since you were young and are not a person who doesn't know the gravity of things. From childhood to adulthood, this is the first time I have seen you ask me to do something for you, and it is for your own marriage. Since you have opened your mouth to me, how could I have the heart to refuse to fulfill your wish?"
She let out a sigh, part helplessness and part relief.
A glimmer of tears welled up in Pei You’an’s eyes as he kowtowed. "I have been willful, and it is only thanks to Grandmother's great love that this has been fulfilled."
A smile appeared on the Old Madam's lips. She reached out and rested her hand on the head of her grandson, who had leaned in close, stroking it lovingly for a moment before bidding him to rise.
Pei You’an rose and helped her to the inner chamber. After she sat on the edge of the bed, he did as he had in the past, crouching down to remove her shoes.
As the Old Madam watched him, she suddenly asked as if offhandedly, "You’an, I remember that at the time of my last birthday, you and your cousin were still quite distant. Why is it that now you will marry no one else?"
Pei You’an’s hand paused slightly. He then took off the shoes, placed them gently on the floor, and helped the Old Madam lie down. "Grandmother, you do not know this, but I had fallen for my cousin at first sight back then. It was simply that the circumstances were too difficult at the time; how could I have let you know?"
The Old Madam watched him, unable for a moment to tell if he was speaking from the heart or giving an excuse. She shook her head. "Very well, you are excellent in every way, except that from a young age, you have always kept everything bottled up inside..."
She stopped halfway through her sentence and looked at her grandson, her gaze growing increasingly tender.
"As for that child Afu, I have always liked her. This time, the Emperor initially wanted to make her a concubine to the Crown Prince, but she was unwilling. Now that you have married her, you two should live your lives well together. I am at ease concerning you."
Pei You’an smiled and agreed. After tucking the blanket around her, he quietly exited the room.
...
Following the coronation of the new Emperor, rewards were bestowed upon the various old officers and generals who had served under the Wuding regime.
For his contributions, Pei You’an was appointed as the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat, bestowed with the honorary title of Pillar of the State of super-grade rank, and concurrently served as a Grand Scholar of the East Pavilion. Serving the Emperor at his side morning and night, he already enjoyed a reputation of great honor that made many envious. Now, not only did he receive an imperial marriage, but he was also granted the special favor of being married on the same day as the Crown Prince. Such glory and favor were truly unprecedented since the founding of the dynasty, and his status in the eyes of the Emperor was self-evident. However, regarding the arrangement to hold his wedding on the same day as the Crown Prince, the Ministry of Rites deemed it inappropriate and specifically submitted a petition. Pei Quan also submitted a memorial of gratitude on behalf of his nephew, while requesting a change of date to avoid the suspicion of exceeding his station.
The Emperor replied, "The Duke of Wei and I were like brothers during our youth and comrades-in-arms in our teens. The Duke of Wei gave his life for the Great Wei on the battlefield and died in the prime of his youth; this remains a painful regret in my heart. During the Wuding campaign, the military was in dire straits and I was in grave danger; Pei You’an led his troops in a surprise attack and saved me at the moment of greatest peril. Today, I specifically grant them the honor of marrying on the same day as the Crown Prince. There is no other reason: first, to honor the memory of an old friend; second, to acknowledge his great martial achievements; and third, in the hope that the Crown Prince and Pei You’an might continue the brotherly affection that existed between the Duke of Wei and me. Execute this decree as instructed."
Only then did the ministers understand the Emperor's painstaking intentions. In their sudden realization, all were moved and one after another submitted memorials of celebration.
On that day, in the front hall of the Duke of Wei's mansion, the Old Madam Pei, accompanied by Madam Xin and Second Madam Meng, knelt to welcome the imperial decree of reward delivered by officials from the Ministry of Ceremonies. In addition to her original titles, the Old Madam was bestowed with the noble title of "Old Matriarch of Filial Virtue and Well-being" due to her eldest grandson’s merits, and was granted the diadem and ceremonial robes of a noblewoman. Madam Xin was granted the title of First-Rank Grand Matriarch, and Second Madam Meng was granted the title of Fourth-Rank Lady. As for Pei Quan, who had been toiling in the Six Ministries for many years, during the Ministry of Personnel’s assessment of officials, he received the highest evaluation of "Diligent, upright, and meticulous, with years of hard work and rarely a mistake," and was quickly promoted to the position of Director of the Bureau of Construction in the Ministry of Works. Not only did he enter the fourth rank, but it was also a coveted and lucrative position that everyone envied.
The entire Pei family was bathed in glory, flourishing like flowers on brocade and flames consuming oil. Overnight, they not only restored the prosperity and prestige they held during the Tianxi reign, but even surpassed it. People at the time could not help but sigh that the rise and fall of a family truly depends on the success of its descendants. The Pei family was a prime example; who in the capital did not envy them?
As the Pei family basked in infinite glory, the profile of the Zhen family also rose along with them. The Emperor issued a decree bestowing the title of Seventh-Rank Matriarch upon Jiafu’s grandmother, Lady Zhen Hu, along with the diadem, ceremonial robes, and various gifts of silk and money, all sent via express courier to Quanzhou. The number of guests and relatives visiting the family was endless. It went without saying that the capital officials originally from Quanzhou all came to visit, and even many people who were barely related at all found ways to climb the family tree to offer congratulations. After they sat down, they all claimed to be one big family. The congratulatory cards and gifts nearly filled the house; there was nowhere to even set a foot.
Because it was an imperial marriage, many matters were assisted by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court, so Madam Meng had fewer things to manage. What she worried about most was the dowry she had prepared for her daughter. Although time was tight, fortunately, the dowry had been mostly prepared during the previous wedding arrangements and had already been transported to the capital. Everything was in place, and she took these days to check for any omissions, determined to have Jiafu married off with great splendor.
The wedding date approached in a flash. On the day before the grand wedding, it was time for the Zhen family to send the dowry and dress the bridal chamber. That day, Second Madam Meng brought Rongfang, and Old Madam Pei also sent Yuzhu. Together, they went to the Zhen family to help Madam Meng prepare. The atmosphere was joyous and busy. Everything went smoothly, and after finishing the arrangements in the Pei family’s bridal chamber, the next day was the day of the wedding. That night, mother and daughter slept in the same bed. Madam Meng accompanied her daughter, whispering soft words and teaching her many of the secrets of the bridal night she had never mentioned before, staying with her for her last night under her mother's roof before she married.
It was already the dead of night, yet Madam Meng still had no desire to sleep. Reflecting on the twists and turns of her daughter's marriage, it had truly not been easy. Fortunately, in the end, she had achieved her wish and was marrying a man after her own heart. She felt both joy and reluctance to let go. Suddenly, she felt an arm draped across her waist, and her daughter’s head rested against her chest. She realized she was also still awake. Thinking of how she seemed distracted when they spoke earlier that night—not showing the slightest bit of the bashfulness expected of a young girl before her wedding, and growing more silent the closer the date approached—she felt a bit confused. Thinking a bit more, she understood somewhat. She pulled her daughter into her arms and comforted her in a low voice: "Afu, Mother knows what is on your mind. It’s not that I haven't thought about how to find a way to cover up what happened during your wedding night, but on second thought, your eldest cousin knows you were abducted. If we make too much of it, I’m afraid it will only make him unhappy. Since he was willing to come to our house to propose, it shows that he does not mind that matter."
Jiafu had been unable to sleep. Hearing her mother's words of comfort in the darkness, her heart felt even more bitter.
The things that happened during those days she was abducted—thinking about them now, besides being unimaginable, were deeply shameful. She couldn't bring herself to say them even to the mother who loved her most. In these past days, watching her work busily preparing for her marriage, she couldn't help but always think back to the day Pei You’an came to the house to propose. When they were alone, the cold gaze he turned on her and the last words he spoke...
He said, "If I am lucky enough to return, I will keep my promise and marry you."
He was indeed going to marry her. But the impatience and perfunctoriness in his tone made Jiafu feel sad every time she thought of it, and even more ashamed of herself.
"I know, Mother, don't worry..." Jiafu buried her face in her mother's chest and said with a tone that sounded effortless.
Madam Meng stroked her shoulder and back. Suddenly remembering something, she signaled for Jiafu to lie down while she got up, lit a lamp, took out a key, and unlocked the cabinet. She opened a small box inside, and after opening a final small lock, she carefully took out a jade pendant hidden within and handed it to Jiafu. "I hadn't told you before, but the last time your eldest cousin came to your grandmother to propose, he left this jade pendant as a token before he left, saying it was something the Duke left behind before his passing. You are to be married tomorrow; keep this token well and bring it with you."
Jiafu was surprised. She sat up and carefully received it. By the light of the lamp, she saw that the jade was carved with intertwined vines, and in the middle, a single orchid was engraved, appearing as if it were exhaling fragrance. It looked as if it were a woman's accessory. The jade was also extremely smooth, as if it had been frequently caressed. When held in her palm, it felt warm, and the texture was as smooth and warm as a woman's skin.
"...Think about it, since it was left to your eldest cousin by the Duke before he died, he must have treasured it like his life. Yet, he brought it out that day to leave as a token for our family, which shows his true sincerity toward you."
Perhaps it was her mother's words that gave Jiafu some confidence, or perhaps it was this object in her palm that brought her some comfort. Jiafu lowered her head, her fingertips gently brushing the jade, and her previously low spirits suddenly improved quite a bit.
Madam Meng told her daughter to lie back down, and she lay down as well.
"...My daughter is so beautiful, which man wouldn't like her? After you marry, serve your eldest cousin well, and even the biggest troubles will eventually pass..."
"Afu, believe Mother, your eldest cousin will surely cherish you."
Jiafu gripped the jade pendant in her hand, and amidst her mother's constant chattering, she closed her eyes and finally drifted slowly into a dream.
...
The next day was the grand wedding.
All the excitement and celebration in the front hall of the Zhen residence during the day had nothing to do with her, the new bride. In the back hall, Jiafu was surrounded by a dozen servants and maids, bathing, having her hair combed, changing into a bright red wedding dress, and wearing a crown of jewels. Once dressed and adorned, her head covered by a veil, she waited until dusk when the auspicious hour arrived. Guided by the ceremonial officials, after tedious rituals, she was placed into a sedan chair carried by eight bearers. Under the sound of grand music and the gaze of countless eyes, she was carried away from the Zhen family residence toward the Duke of Wei’s mansion.
At the same time, the wedding in the Eastern Palace was also proceeding in an orderly fashion. After the ceremony was completed, the night grew deep, and the halls were layers upon layers. Xiao Lie stood alone before the steps of the Chengguang Palace, gazing into the pitch-black night sky to the north of the city, his figure casting a long, dark shadow on the ground under the moonlight.
His godfather had gone to the Duke of Wei’s mansion for the wedding feast. Cui Yinshui stood in a corner far away, watching that motionless figure in front of the palace, not daring to take a full breath.
At the Anding Gate, north of the Imperial City, a dull sound of the heavy gates opening echoed in the deep of night. A person sat on a horse, with guards accompanying him, and rode out of the city gate toward the north, his figure quickly disappearing into the thick night.
On the day of the Crown Prince’s wedding, the royal Cien Temple had also held a ritual for blessings during the day. At this moment, a monk was startled awake from a deep sleep, watching a mysterious man entirely enveloped in a black cloak as he entered the Zen courtyard that the Empress Tianxi had occupied in her final years.
The gate closed, and the man’s figure vanished behind it. He stood still on the dim, ruined path of the Zen courtyard, remaining motionless for a long time.
Tonight in the Imperial City, there was the ringing of bells and music of celebration, yet here, the only thing to be heard was the rustling of the night wind blowing through the wild grass on the walls.
As the night grew deeper andthe old trees cast dim shadows, his figure finally moved. He walked step by step toward the quiet room, reached out, and slowly pushed open the door.
No one had come to the Pei residence this year.
Accompanied by a faint "creak," a breath of stale dust rushed into his nostrils and drilled into his lungs.
"Ajing, I have returned."
"This is the only thing I could do for you. Do you hate me?"
In the darkness, he stood still and murmured. His eyes grew slightly hot. He closed them and took a deep breath.
The person was gone, and the fragrance had dispersed.
In the air, one could no longer smell the lingering scent of that orchid that had once haunted his dreams.
...
The Duke of Wei's mansion.
Pei You’an’s wedding chamber was set in a courtyard connected to the side of the north courtyard where Old Madam Pei resided. It had three main rooms and two side rooms, including a bedroom, a living room, and a study. Facing south, it was symmetrical and grand. The Old Madam had decided on it, and it was decorated accordingly.
Jiafu had kept her veil on all night like a puppet, being led to disembark from the sedan, perform the rituals, and kowtow. It was finally over. Now, a red silk ribbon was placed in her hand, and knowing that Pei You’an was at the other end, she could not help but feel her heart racing like a deer. Feeling as if in a dream, dizzy and dazed, she was led into the bridal chamber and sat on the edge of the bed, lowering her head to wait for Pei You’an to unveil her.
The room was filled with the laughter of women teasing the newlyweds. Besides the Pei clansmen, there were two Duchesses and five or six wives of Marquises and Counts—either familiar people from the past or distant relatives. Perhaps it was because the crown of jewels and the wedding robes were too heavy—weighing over a dozen jin, they had been pressing on her for the whole evening—that her neck and shoulders were aching. Or perhaps it was due to nervous unease; hearing the joyful words of the matchmaker and the women egging Pei You’an on to unveil the bride, impatient to see her, Jiafu felt so nervous she almost felt like fainting. Yet, the veil remained motionless.
Just as she was feeling lightheaded and struggling to breathe, suddenly, a light breeze brushed across her face, and the light before her eyes brightened. Jiafu’s breathing paused. Subconsciously, she lifted her eyes, and her gaze collided with the eyes of a man who was looking down at her.
Tonight, he was the only man in this room.
Pei You’an, dressed in bright red formal robes, a jade belt tied around his waist.
Jiafu had not seen him for over a year. She had only depicted his refined and noble image in her mind time and time again, yet she had never imagined him looking like this tonight. The ancient, auspicious colors and the solemn formal robes highlighted his exceptional handsomeness. She opened her eyes wide, looking up at this man who was so beautiful that she was stunned for a moment, until the gasps of the women reached her ears. She came to her senses, blushed, hurriedly lowered her eyes, and kept her head slightly bowed, not daring to look at him again.
Fortunately, the rouge on her cheeks was thick, but her jade-white earlobes and the stretch of neck exposed outside her collar were already lightly stained with a flush of crimson. It perfectly matched the bashfulness of a new bride, earning the enthusiastic praise of the surrounding women.
The bride was indeed beautiful, well worth any amount of praise.
Pei You’an’s gaze flickered slightly. Glancing at her lowered lashes, he followed the matchmaker’s instructions and, with a smile on his face, sat down beside her. They scattered the bed, ate sweet dumplings, and drank the nuptial wine.
Jiafu was extremely cautious. Amidst the laughter and the gaze of countless eyes, she did not make a single mistake, not even with a strand of hair. Just as she had been taught, she completed the entire process step by step.
After drinking the nuptial wine, the wedding ceremony tonight was almost complete, leaving only the final step: the bridal chamber.
Naturally, this was a private matter for the newlywed couple.
It was still early, and there were many guests outside. After finishing the wine, Pei You’an glanced at Jiafu, who kept her head lowered, set down his cup, and stood up from the bed. He smiled at the women who were still intent on teasing the couple: "She is tired today. Ladies, out of regard for me, please leave the room. If you haven't had your fill, I shall go and offer you a few more cups of wine, how about that?"
The Marchioness of Anyuan said with a smile, "Let’s go, let’s go. We haven't even really teased you yet, and You’an is already feeling protective of his new wife. Since he is the groom today, we shouldn't disregard his face. We old hags should be sensible, lest he not let us in when we visit next time!"
Amidst the giggles and laughter, the women finally filed out of the bridal chamber.
Pei You’an turned his head and said in a low voice to Jiafu, "You rest first; no need to wait for me. I still have guests to attend to." Having said this, he left the room as well.