Chapter 18: C18. Betrothal Gift, Welcoming the Marriage.

Chapter 18

Emperor Yuan Qing personally took charge as the matchmaker for Cao Xun and Yunzhu, delegating every detail of the wedding arrangements to the Ministry of Etiquette. This wasn’t some casual gesture—it was a deliberate move to emphasize the importance of this union.

Usually, the Ministry of Etiquette only oversees weddings for the imperial family. But let’s be clear: Cao Xun isn’t just any noble. As an Imperial Uncle with a track record of significant service to the nation, he earned this extraordinary privilege from Emperor Yuan Qing himself. And let’s not forget, the Dingguo Mansion has no excuse to overlook the fact that Emperor Yuan Qing personally handled the betrothal and wedding gifts. The level of extravagance here wasn’t just symbolic—it was equivalent to that of a prince’s marriage.

For context, a prince’s betrothal gift isn’t just expensive—it’s a spectacle. We’re talking fifty taels of gold, twenty taels of pearls, four hundred taels of silver, countless bolts of silk and satin, and so much more.

But this wasn’t just about numbers—it was about scale. The gifts were dazzling, featuring over 4,000 pearls and accompanied by twenty chests filled with gold and silver jewelry. And if you think that’s extravagant, there was also an additional four hundred taels of gold, one thousand six hundred taels of silver, fifty taels of pearls, and over three hundred pieces of silk brocade. By any measure, this wasn’t just a wedding—it was a declaration of power and status.

Now, let’s set the record straight: if Duke Dingguo had been left to handle this himself, it would’ve been a slow, tedious process. But Emperor Yuan Qing stepped in to make it seamless. The imperial edict for the marriage was issued on April 12 and delivered to Duke Ningguo’s mansion with grandeur befitting royalty. And yes, the groom himself was part of this procession.

The streets between Duke Dingguo’s Mansion and Duke Ningguo’s Mansion were packed with onlookers. People didn’t just watch—they marveled at the sheer opulence and splendor.

“Are those pearls? Just one of them could keep me comfortable for life.”

“That Yanju crown must weigh a ton! Would it snap your neck if you wore it?”

“Hand it over—I’ll take the risk.”

“Even the red silk on the pigs and sheep is finer than what the ladies at Yihong Courtyard wear!”

“Isn’t the Emperor showing favoritism toward Cao Xun?”

“Favoritism? Have you forgotten the incredible service the Great Imperial Uncle has given to the nation? If it were someone from your family with that kind of merit, wouldn’t they deserve this level of recognition?”

“Cao Xun is no ordinary man. But why marry the Ningguo Duke’s daughter?”

“Clearly, you don’t get it. This isn’t about love—it’s about strategy. The Ningguo Duke’s Mansion is a historic powerhouse, established during the founding of the empire over two hundred years ago. Their accumulated wealth is beyond imagination. But let’s not ignore the hard truth: most of the male members of the Li family have died in battle. The current Duke Ningguo has no other daughter—just her. Can you imagine the dowry she’ll bring? In this arrangement, it’s not just Cao Xun who gains. It’s a mutual consolidation of power and wealth. So yes, Cao Xun marrying her is a smart move—one that solidifies his position in every possible way.”

The Cao family may seem prominent now, but let’s not joke ourselves—it’s merely a three-generation dynasty. How could that fleeting legacy ever stand against the deep-rooted heritage of the Li family?

This person absolutely nailed it—no argument there.

Indeed, this wave of betrothal gifts might dazzle the common folk with envy, but let’s be real: aside from the Zhu Cui Yanju crown—something no ordinary noble could dream of wearing—everything else, from the gold and silver to the jewels, silk, and satin, was utterly mundane to Yunzhu. For someone from her wealthy background, it was hardly impressive.

Yunzhu thrives on the attention of those who mock her. She isn’t a victim anymore—she’s untouchable now.

"Look at Miss’s smile. Is she enchanted by the Yan Ju crown, or is it her fiancé that’s stolen her heart?"

Watching their Miss prop her chin and fixate on the Yan Ju crown for what seemed like ages, Shiliu couldn’t help but throw out a teasing remark.

On a fishing trip to Wanhua Mountain, Shiliu and Miss shared an unspoken understanding—there were hidden stories between her and the Great Imperial Uncle that no one else knew.

Yunzhu brushed her fingers over a pearl the size of a lychee and asked curtly, "Have all the guests left?"

Shiliu replied, "Listen to the commotion—it’s nearly over."

Finally, Yunzhu exhaled, feeling the weight of her family’s frenzied wedding preparations start to lift.

Meng shi, however, didn’t buy into the sudden rush by the Emperor or Duke Dingguo to make an appointment. She voiced her concern: Yunzhu was being pushed toward marriage too soon.

Li Yong scoffed, "The Ministry of Rites claims they’ll settle on a date after the Dragon Boat Festival. But let me be crystal clear—whether it’s the Emperor or Cao Xun rushing things, I will select a later, proper day. They will comply with my decision—end of discussion."

Sure enough, just days after the Dragon Boat Festival, the Ministry of Rites arrived, parading their formalities. They carried a tray with three pieces of red paper, each bearing a so-called ‘auspicious’ wedding date.

Gao, a name faintly recognizable from past encounters, stood before Li Yong now. Their paths had crossed before, faintly intertwined by the randomness of shared journeys.

With a deliberate bow, the official presented the Emperor’s decree: three dates handpicked by Imperial Astronomers. “Your Grace,” he declared, “the decision rests with you.”

Meng shi stood beside her husband, her gaze locked on the three dates etched in bold black ink on crimson paper.

Three dates, dripping with so-called auspiciousness, blazed against the fiery backdrop: May 18th, June 9th, and June 17th.

But Meng shi’s expression darkened as she realized the so-called "latest" date was barely over thirty days away. It was an insult, a deliberate squeeze on their time.

Li Yong, his voice thick with impatience, demanded, "Are there seriously no other good dates to choose from?"

Mr. Gao answered, his tone firm and respectful, "There are other dates, yes, but these three are the most favorable. Duke Dingguo and your daughter are both blessed, and they must choose a wedding date that aligns with fortune."

Li Yong's skepticism cut through the air, a cold edge to his words. "Is this some scheme of Cao Xun’s? Did that brat bribe you or something?"

Tension built in the room as Cao Xun inched closer to becoming Li Yong's son-in-law, yet the bond that had once been strong between them withered like snow under the harsh sun. The brotherly affection of "Li brother" and the shared aspirations of "wise brother" now seemed like echoes from a distant, broken past—irretrievably lost.

Mr. Gao, ever calm, clarified, "There has been a misunderstanding, Madam. Imperial Uncle is in no way involved here. His bachelorhood is a burden to His Majesty, who longs for him to marry soon. The Emperor believes that once he has a devoted wife, a major concern will be resolved. His Majesty assures you that once your family picks a suitable date, Imperial Uncle will be informed and will accept your daughter as his wife, following your wishes to the letter."

Li Yong’s face remained unreadable, offering no hint of the frustration boiling inside.

Meng shi, sensing the rising tension, gently pulled at her husband's sleeve, subtly urging him not to escalate the situation.

Li Yong, though aware of her concerns, still seethed quietly. He knew that had he not lost his previous battle, he would have had more sway in this matter.

"Fine, then June 17th!" he declared, his voice resolute.

At this point, he didn't care; the dowry had already been prepared long ago. Whether the wedding happened tomorrow or next month, it would be a grand affair regardless.

*

Marrying at any age is entirely up to the individual, and Yunzhu could care less about the timing of her wedding. The date was set, and it wasn’t something that would throw her off course.

She wasn’t about to get emotional over the fact that she was about to get married. Her husband's family was right there in the capital, so if she wanted to drop by whenever she felt like it, it would be a piece of cake.

Even if she had to answer to biological in-laws, Yunzhu was still the type who would show respect, no question. But with Cao Xun’s parents long gone and only his stepmother, Pan Shi, in the picture, who she had zero respect for, Yunzhu was quick to brush off Pan Shi. She may have kept a civil tone, but she didn’t consider Pan Shi anything but an outsider. In her world, Pan Shi’s attempts at any kind of authority wouldn’t be tolerated for a second.

Yunzhu wasn’t the least bit intimidated by Pan Shi’s potential for using the imperial censor to try and play the filial piety card against her. Her family’s reputation was solid—loyal to the Emperor, strong-willed, and unshakable. Yunzhu was born to carry that legacy with pride. If anyone thought they could stir up trouble with her in the court, they’d quickly find out that she could shut them down with a single word.

Meng Shi, clearly relieved, remarked, "Thank goodness you're a girl, otherwise you and your brother would have caused chaos in the capital."

Yunzhu wasn’t having it: "I’m way sharper than my brother."

Meng Shi shot back, "What good is being sharp? No matter how foolish your brother is, he’s safe in his own family. You, on the other hand, if you marry into another family, there’s no way you’ll ever be as comfortable as you are at home."

Meng’s eyes welled with tears as she spoke.

Yunzhu didn’t have an ounce of fear when it came to Pan Shi, but the one thing that did bother her was the possibility that Cao Xun might not treat her daughter with the respect she deserved. And only Cao Xun had the power to make her daughter’s life miserable.

With a firm tone, Yunzhu said, "Since you’re so worried, I’ll come home for half the month to be with you."

Meng's tears melted into a smile as she let out a laugh, exasperated but fond. She reached out, pinching her daughter’s soft, rosy cheeks. "Silly girl," she laughed, "All I want is for you and Cao Xun to fall deeply in love."

Yunzhu, seeking some comfort, nestled into her mother’s arms. "Don’t worry, Mom," she said softly, "As long as he doesn’t turn his back on me, I’ll love him forever."

Meng shi’s expression softened, but a flicker of doubt still lingered in her eyes. "Yunzhu," she began, her voice filled with concern, "Do you really understand what love means?"

Yunzhu tilted her head, radiating youthful innocence. "Isn’t it like you and Father? Treating each other with kindness and care?"

Meng’s breath caught in her throat. She looked into her daughter’s eyes—beautiful, yet still holding onto that touch of innocence—and sighed. The future ahead was uncertain, but in that quiet moment, she began the delicate task of preparing her daughter for the complexities of marriage.

That night, Yunzhu clutched a small, fragile booklet, its pages thin but full of her mother’s hopes, fears, and the things unsaid. It was more than just a book—it was her mother’s guiding light, illuminating the unknown path ahead in love and marriage.

*

In June, the Duke Dingguo’s mansion sent out invitations early to their relatives and friends’ homes.

Pan Shi, the mother of the Empress, held reputation as her top priority. Though secretly hoping for Cao Xun to fall in battle so her own son could inherit his title, Pan Shi still made plans for a lavish, joyful banquet to celebrate Cao Xun’s wedding. She wanted everyone to see just how deeply she cared for her eldest son.

Slowly but surely, the Duke’s mansion transformed into a spectacle of lights and colors.

No matter where Cao Shao went, he saw flashes of red—lanterns, silk flowers, everywhere.

Pan Shi pretended to be cheerful, but Cao Shao did everything he could to keep his true emotions in check. But within the Duke’s mansion, only Cao Xun seemed unaffected by the upcoming marriage. He continued his pattern of leaving early and returning late from his errands at the governor’s office. If Pan Shi hadn’t asked about the wedding banquet herself, it would’ve seemed like Cao Xun didn’t care at all.

The day before the wedding, Cao Xun summoned Cao Shao early in the morning for a sparring session.

Dressed in a simple white training uniform, Cao Xun wiped the sweat from his forehead, passed the towel to Ah Jiu, and said to Cao Shao, "You’ve chosen the civil service, but our Cao family has a strong military heritage. Don’t forget to maintain your martial skills."

His voice was steady and warm, as though speaking to a pupil he held high expectations for.

Cao Shao couldn’t bring himself to feel anything but admiration for his brother.

"Don’t worry, brother. If an opportunity comes up, I’ll join the battlefield too," he replied earnestly.

Cao Xun smiled and led Cao Shao into the hall. Settling into a chair, he sipped his tea before meeting his brother’s eyes. "Tomorrow’s the big day. As tradition goes, the groom will be joined by several clan brothers. You share a special bond with Yunzhu. If you wish to step aside, I can help you find an excuse and have Xie Lang and the others accompany me instead."

Cao Shao’s face paled just a little, and he lowered his gaze. "I don’t have a specific reason. I just don’t want to cause trouble or spark rumors for you, brother."

Cao Xun’s voice was firm and clear. "The past is behind us. As long as you stay forward-looking and keep your conduct clear, don’t worry about what anyone else thinks."

Suddenly, Cao Shao felt a rush of pride swell up in his chest. He lifted his head and spoke with determination. "Fine. I’ll go with you tomorrow to welcome the bride!"

*

The next morning, Cao Shao dressed himself in rich, crimson brocade robes. As he waited for his brother in the courtyard, he saw Xie Lang approach with three young military officers, all wearing identical outfits.

When they exchanged greetings, Xie Lang’s eyes betrayed a moment of surprise. He flashed a warm smile, then slapped Cao Shao’s shoulder, saying, "My good brother, let’s go and greet our sister-in-law today!"

If Cao Shao could get over it, then what weight did his own sorrow really have?

As for Cao Shao, he was genuinely happy for his older brother. Seeing Xie Lang’s beaming face, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy. Though he was reluctant to admit it, he engaged with the others in a lighthearted, easy-going manner.

When Cao Xun arrived in his brilliant scarlet wedding robes, he took in the sight of a group of young men with wide, joyful grins, as eager as children waiting for fireworks to explode. Their excitement added a spark of liveliness to the wedding atmosphere.

"Now that everyone's here and ready, let’s get going."