Chapter 20: The Marriage
"General, what on earth is going on? How could the emperor suddenly issue an imperial decree for a marriage, and for me and..." Jiang Chenghan never expected that merely accompanying his general to a birthday banquet would lead to such an outcome.
"Though I’m not entirely clear on the specifics, I do have a guess." Kou Shijun pondered for a moment before saying, "Do you remember when the Duke of Anguo visited and mentioned the Marquis of Yongchang? After the Duke and I clarified the matter with the Marquis, the rumors in the capital about the Second Young Master Yan shifted from involving him and Zhao Xian to involving you..."
At this point, Jiang Chenghan frowned slightly and immediately asked, "Did the Marquis of Yongchang spread it?"
Kou Shijun nodded. "Most likely."
Jiang Chenghan thought it over. "If that’s the case, could it be that the Duke of Anguo, seeing the rumors tarnish the reputation of his household, sought the emperor’s decree to quell the matter?"
Kou Shijun shook his head. "You and the Second Young Master Yan didn’t actually do anything. Moreover, the Duke’s eldest son has passed away, and his daughter will marry sooner or later, leaving only the Second Young Master Yan to uphold the family’s legacy. He wouldn’t easily marry him off. Besides, a marriage alliance is meant to unite two families—even if the Duke had such intentions, he would have discussed it with us first."
Jiang Chenghan wasn’t familiar with the Duke’s household, so Kou Shijun’s reasoning made sense to him. From this perspective, an imperial marriage decree, though an immense honor for most families, wasn’t necessarily a good thing for the Duke of Anguo’s household. But if that were the case, whose idea was this decree?
Kou Shijun, equally puzzled, waved his hand. "Enough. We’ll ask the Duke when we see him—he should know. For now, let’s discuss your marriage to the Second Young Master Yan."
The root of the matter still lay with the Duke’s household, and since the marriage was now inevitable, there would be plenty of opportunities to interact in the future. There was no need to rush.
At the mention of the marriage, Jiang Chenghan fell silent again.
By the standards of this era, he was already twenty-three—old enough to have children running errands. Yet he remained unmarried for two reasons: first, he had little interest in continuing the family line and found solitude more freeing; second, he’d rather stay single than settle for an unsatisfactory match, sparing both himself and others unnecessary hardship.
Though his general, colleagues, and friends had all tried matchmaking for him in the past, he had either declined due to lack of interest or refused blind arrangements. Yet now, against his will, he found himself bound by an imperial decree—the one authority he couldn’t refuse.
Seeing Jiang Chenghan’s lack of enthusiasm, Kou Shijun sighed inwardly but said, "What’s with that look? Don’t tell me you’re dissatisfied with the Second Young Master Yan?"
"Of course not!" Jiang Chenghan hurriedly replied. "It’s just... this is so sudden. I wasn’t prepared at all..."
Not only was he getting married abruptly, but to a man—well, not exactly a man, but a shuang'er, who resembled a man yet could bear children. To Jiang Chenghan, however, there was little difference.
"Good." Kou Shijun understood Jiang Chenghan’s shock, but the decree was final. Resentment would only harm Jiang Chenghan, Yan Jingshu, and both their families.
With that in mind, Kou Shijun continued, "What’s done is done. You were bound to marry eventually, and the Second Young Master Yan is exceptional in looks, character, and talent. Though a shuang'er, if heirs prove difficult, taking a concubine wouldn’t be an issue for the Yan family. Besides, this is an imperial decree—a heaven-sent match. No one can criticize it."
Jiang Chenghan wasn’t ungrateful. He respected Kou Shijun’s advice and said solemnly, "I understand, General."
Yet while he understood, the Duke of Anguo’s household might not. As Kou Shijun had said, the Duke never intended to marry off Yan Jingshu. And Yan Jingshu himself—who could have taken a wife, raised a family, pursued scholarly honors, or military achievements—was now bound by a mere decree, his entire future had now been bound by a few dozen characters. Who could tell how much bitterness lay hidden in his heart?"
"Good." Kou Shijun nodded, trusting Jiang Chenghan’s sincerity. "With your parents gone, the wedding preparations will be complicated, but I’ll arrange help for you. As for the matchmaker..."
Though the decree eliminated the need for formal matchmaking, a mediator was still required for exchanging birth dates, negotiating betrothal gifts, and setting the wedding date. But Kou Shijun, a military man, hesitated to assign such a delicate task carelessly.
"If my lord permits, perhaps I could serve as the matchmaker?" Jiang Shi, the general’s wife, who had been silent until now, offered with a smile, seeing Kou Shijun’s hesitation.
Jiang Shi, as the wife of the Grand General, also held an official title of nobility. Compared to Xie Shi, the wife of the Duke of Anguo, she was no less distinguished. If she could personally act as the matchmaker for Jiang Chenghan, the Duke of Anguo’s side would likely not dare to look down on him, and the marriage negotiations would not be too one-sided. Kou Shijun was also protective of his own, so if it benefited Jiang Chenghan, he would naturally be pleased.
"It would be most excellent if Madam does not find it troublesome," Kou Shijun said, his earlier look of hesitation vanishing as he smiled.
"You flatter me, General. What trouble could it be? Besides, I have little to occupy my time, and it’s rare to have such a joyous occasion to partake in. I’ll simply join in the excitement," Jiang Shi replied with a smile. As a wife, it was her duty to share her husband’s burdens, and moreover, she already had a favorable impression of Jiang Chenghan.
Jiang Chenghan stood up and bowed solemnly to Jiang Shi in gratitude: "Chenghan thanks Madam for her kindness and trouble."
"No need for such formalities." Jiang Shi gestured for him to rise before adding with a smile, "Speaking of which, I’ve sent off three daughters in marriage, but acting as a matchmaker for a groom is a first for me. There may well be oversights—Zhang Momo is most knowledgeable in these matters, so let’s have her explain the details. Chenghan, you should listen carefully so you have a clear plan in mind."
"Yes," Jiang Chenghan replied. Even if Jiang Shi hadn’t mentioned it, he would have sought guidance himself. Though Kou Shijun had promised to arrange helpers for the wedding and Jiang Shi was willing to be his matchmaker, he couldn’t simply wash his hands of everything and leave it all to others.
"General, Madam." Zhang Momo stepped forward at Jiang Shi’s instruction, bowed, and then began explaining the rules and procedures of marriage in meticulous detail.
Though Jiang Chenghan had never married, he had attended others’ weddings and thus had a rough idea of the process—sending a matchmaker to propose, presenting betrothal gifts, and finally the wedding ceremony itself, including the exchange of vows and the bridal chamber. But now, listening to Zhang Momo’s thorough explanation, he realized there were many more intricate rituals involved, such as presenting gifts, exchanging names, small betrothal, and setting the wedding date.
Fortunately, Kou Shijun would send people to assist him, and Jiang Shi was willing to act as his matchmaker. Otherwise, if left to handle everything alone, just untangling these formalities would have given him a headache.
"Alright, you may withdraw for now." After speaking for roughly the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Zhang Momo finished her explanation, and Jiang Shi dismissed her. She then turned to Jiang Chenghan and said, "Though these matters sound complicated, if followed step by step, they aren’t too troublesome. However, there are two things you must decide for yourself."
"Please go ahead, Madam," Jiang Chenghan said.
"The first is the betrothal gifts. While these represent the groom’s sincerity and respect for the bride, and the more lavish they are, the more face the bride’s family gains—your circumstances are known to the Duke of Anguo’s household, so they likely won’t be overly strict on this matter. You may decide what is appropriate, and if you encounter difficulties, you may consult the General or me." As she spoke, Jiang Shi observed Jiang Chenghan’s expression and was relieved to see no trace of humiliation or resentment.
The disparity between Jiang Chenghan’s background and the Duke of Anguo’s family was undeniable, but she had to broach the subject plainly so that Jiang Chenghan would be mentally prepared. Even if he later heard unpleasant remarks from the Duke’s household, he need not be troubled. Fortunately, Jiang Chenghan lived up to Kou Shijun’s description—broad-minded and unbothered by trivialities.
Jiang Chenghan was self-aware and fully understood the gap between himself and the Duke of Anguo’s family. Since he had never placed much importance on such matters, Jiang Shi’s words did not unsettle him. He nodded, listening attentively while silently calculating his own finances.
Jiang Shi continued, "The second matter is the location for the wedding ceremony. Since you currently have no residence in the capital, if the ceremony were held in the General’s estate, the General and I would have no objections. However, the Kou clan elders would likely refuse to allow it in the main courtyard, relegating it to a side courtyard—which might appear somewhat disrespectful. I happen to own a two-courtyard dowry property, not far from the General’s estate, just two streets away. Though it has been unoccupied for some time, it remains in good condition. If you don’t mind, it could be cleaned and decorated for the ceremony."
Deeply moved by Jiang Shi’s thoughtful arrangements, Jiang Chenghan rose and bowed again. "I am grateful for Madam’s consideration."
"Not at all. This is a once-in-a-lifetime joyous occasion for you—it must be as perfect as possible." Jiang Shi smiled before adding, "If you need time to decide, you may return and think it over. You can give me your answer tomorrow, but don’t delay too long. It wouldn’t do to keep the Duke of Anguo’s household waiting."
As the groom’s side, they needed to take the initiative and not wait for the Duke’s household to make the first move.
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