Chapter 136 Extra (22) The Story of Da Taohe
The news of the marriage alliance between the Shen and Huo families only became widely known when the Huo family publicly presented the betrothal gifts, making the engagement official.
The Huo family was favored by the emperor. Currently, they couldn't be considered the most powerful in the court, but they were well-known court officials. With only one son in the family, it made sense for them to form a good marriage alliance.
But if the in-laws were the Shen family, that was astonishing.
The Shen family had served as prominent ministers across multiple dynasties. In the current generation, Shen Jinyu had already joined the Grand Secretariat, the eldest son held the position of Vice Minister of Rites, the second son served in the Hanlin Academy, and even the least accomplished third son was a Prefect in the provinces. This was without even mentioning the numerous disciples he had mentored, who were now spread throughout both the central court and local governments.
The Huo family, as rising newcomers, were considerably lower in status compared to the Shen family's threshold.
While a lower-status family marrying up typically drew envy and resentment, the Shen family's choice to marry beneath them left everyone baffled about Grand Secretary Shen's true intentions.
No matter how much speculation there was outside, the two families about to be joined by marriage were full of joy.
Ji Taoyu also hadn't expected the Shen family to be so open-minded. Their own son didn't even have a respectable official title, yet they actually allowed him to be their son-in-law.
But upon reflection, he discerned the key point: it was likely that Grand Secretary Shen agreed to the marriage because Shen Qingyue exerted some influence.
The Shen family had only one ger, cherished by the whole family, and had no intention of using him as a tool to secure imperial favor, not wanting Shen Qingyue to step through the doors of the imperial family.
Since he had set his heart on someone, and the Huo family happened to be of respectable and clean background, they naturally didn't object too much.
Whatever the reason for their agreement, as long as it was for the good of the two children, Ji Taoyu and Huo Shu had no objections.
They spared no effort in ensuring all wedding ceremonies were meticulously observed.
To compensate for Shen Qingyue marrying beneath his status, Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu arranged an exceptionally generous betrothal gift.
The family had originally started with business. Although they later gained official positions, they hadn't abandoned business, and over the years had accumulated quite a foundation.
Fortunately, Huo Anding's second uncle, Huo Shou, was generous and prepared over ten chests of wedding gifts for his eldest nephew, all of which were added to the betrothal gifts.
They quickly acquired a large three-courtyard residence in the capital, and also expanded their property in Tongzhou, leaving it up to Shen Qingyue whether to stay in the capital or come to Tongzhou.
In any case, both places were prepared.
The couple ultimately decided to settle first in Tongzhou. Having spent little time in the Jiangnan region, Shen Qingyue had always cherished a deep longing for it. Given the choice, he wished to reside in Tongzhou for a few years.
They agreed to make further plans after Huo Anding either achieved distinction in the imperial examinations or received other official appointments.
And so, during the splendid days of the fourth month—the most delightful season of the year—the wedding was celebrated with a bridal procession stretching ten li (5 km) and a joyous feast where cups clinked in continuous toasts.
"Go see your new fulang. We'll handle things out here."
From dusk, lanterns were lit. Huo Anding had entertained several rounds of guests. After three rounds of drinks, those with poor alcohol tolerance were already quite drunk.
His childhood friends and cousins intercepted the guests attempting to toast him, then quietly relayed the situation to him.
Hearing this, Huo Anding was profoundly touched. Not only did his brothers refrain from joining the teasing to keep him from the bridal chamber, they were even helping him leave early. He felt such immediate gratitude that he nearly cupped his hands and addressed them as sworn fathers.
"Such great kindness needs no words of thanks. In the future, on your wedding days, I will definitely stand guard for you all."
"Young Master Shen has come all the way to our Tongzhou, you should go accompany him sooner."
Huo Anding punched the speaker's shoulder. "You're the most sensible. I'll withdraw first then, I leave this place to you."
With that, he slipped away to the bridal chamber while no one was paying attention.
Halfway down the corridor, already somewhat isolated from the noise outside, his ears, which had been bombarded for most of the day, finally found some quiet.
Yet, this sudden quiet made him feel a bit nervous as he approached the bridal chamber.
He looked at the red silks hanging along the path, the bright red lanterns, the festive paper-cuttings on the windows... yet he felt it all seemed somewhat familiar.
It wasn't until he pushed open the door and saw the pair of dragon and phoenix wedding candles burning by the bed, and the person sitting upright at the bedside in wedding robes, that he looked down at his own red robe that complemented the other's, and finally understood what felt so familiar.
Huo Anding suddenly felt as if everything had been foreshadowed, arranged by fate, leading him to this day.
He collected his thoughts and walked straight over, sitting down next to the person on the bed.
He looked at the ger whose back was held extremely straight, just like during their time at the academy.
Huo Anding gave a light cough: "This isn't a lecture from the Confucian teacher, why is Young Master Shen still so proper?"
The person beside him didn't answer.
Seeing this, Huo Anding raised an eyebrow slightly, gently lifted a corner of the red veil, and then suddenly ducked his head underneath it.
Although the veil was large, it couldn't quite cover two heads, especially since he was quite a bit taller than Shen Qingyue. As he ducked under, the veil ended up resting directly on his head.
Some light filtered in, tinting both their faces red.
Shen Qingyue, seeing him like this, was taken aback.
Then he said slowly, "Today there are matters more important than listening to lectures."
Hearing this response, Huo Anding found it somewhat amusing.
The narrow, enclosed space made their breaths mingle. Looking at Shen Qingyue's lightly trembling eyelashes, that face he had longed for day and night appearing before him again, a surge of warmth and emotion welled up in his heart: "Did you miss me?"
The last time they had met was in the second month when the Huo family delivered the betrothal gifts to the capital. At that time, the Shen family was hosting a banquet. Amidst the bustle, bound by propriety, they had only managed a brief meeting.
After that, busy with wedding preparations and separated by distance, nearly two months had passed without a chance to meet.
"Mm."
Shen Qingyue acknowledged truthfully.
All these past months had been spent on matters related to him, yet without seeing this person, how could he not miss him?
Although he had arrived in Tongzhou three days ago, they weren't allowed to see each other before the wedding. Only now, at this moment, were they truly face to face.
Huo Anding grasped Shen Qingyue's hand: "Then, did you miss home?"
Shen Qingyue said, "I can still go back."
Huo Anding, feeling a bit heartache, reached out and hugged the waist of the person before him, nuzzling against his neck.
"From now on, I will definitely take good care of you. I'll give you whatever you want. I'll make you whatever you want to eat. If you miss home, I'll accompany you back."
"Okay." Shen Qingyue allowed the other to nuzzle against him. He raised his hand and tugged at the half-covering, half-not veil. "Take off the veil."
The familiar cold fragrance made Huo Anding's mind, already a bit fuzzy from drinking, feel even more dizzy for a moment. He grabbed Shen Qingyue's wrist.
"No, I want to secretly kiss you."
The red mandarin duck veil provided a small, intimate space for the long-separated, devoted pair to cling to each other tenderly.
Huo Anding had learned how to breathe, but he still didn't get to kiss for as long as he wished, because under the veil, even breathing wasn't enough.
He pulled off the veil in one motion. The bright light in the room made Shen Qingyue's eyes uncomfortable for a moment. Huo Anding took the opportunity to wrap his arms around his back and pull him into an embrace first.
Both took a deep breath, their faces slightly flushed from holding their breath.
"You always asked me what exactly I dreamed about you, right."
Shen Qingyue paused slightly. "What?"
"Actually, the night I found out you were a ger, I dreamed of our wedding, the bridal chamber and wedding candles, just like the scene today. At the time, I thought I was too despicable, and couldn't face you anymore."
Huo Anding said: "To the extent that even now, I'm a little unsure whether this is a dream or reality."
Shen Qingyue was silent for a moment. Having such a dream upon learning he was a ger was indeed somewhat improper.
But he wasn't sure if this person would have still come to his side without these romantic dreams.
However, regardless, the wood was already made into a boat.
[木已成舟 (mù yǐ chéng zhōu): lit. The wood is already made into a boat; fig. What's done is done.]
Looking at Huo Anding, he said softly, "If it's a dream, let's not wake up. If it's reality, then let's cherish it properly."
A light flickered in Huo Anding's eyes. "Hearing you say that, my heart suddenly feels clear, as if there's nothing left to worry about."
The faint scent of wine entwined with the cold fragrance.
He whispered in Shen Qingyue's ear, "Then, following the dream's progression, let's have two little ones."
Huo Anding's hand slid over Shen Qingyue's intricate, luxurious attire, his movements hesitating slightly.
He'd already rehearsed this once in the dream, he hoped he wouldn't mess up this time...
- End-
😭😭😭😭 This one was just as good!!! It's so bittersweet ❤️❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you for the translation and all your hard work!!!!