Volume One, Chapter 15: The Joy of the Engagement Ceremony

Lin Wangzhi explained, “Yuer, that is not what I meant. I asked the young woman’s name because of her luxurious attire. She may be the daughter of an official family, and people of that standing would never take a fancy to Lin Che.”

Xiao Aoyu came to understand and found his explanation reasonable.

But it still could not excuse what he had done just now.

She no longer wished to continue their outing, so she returned with Lin Wangzhi.

At that moment, Lin Che was also seated in the carriage returning to the palace, contemplating the matter of appointing an empress.

“Your Majesty, this humble girl shall take her leave first.” Murong Qinghe stepped down from the carriage and curtsied.

Lin Che nodded and smiled. “Today, I am greatly pleased.”

He truly was happy—not because Murong Qinghe had humiliated Xiao Aoyu, but because he had suddenly realized that Xiao Aoyu did not hold quite as important a place in his heart as he had thought.

In the end, he had once loved her, but there had also been a great deal of possessiveness in that love.

Upon hearing this, Murong Qinghe felt as though a spring breeze had warmed her heart. “Your Majesty, to be able to bring you joy is this humble girl’s good fortune.”

After parting ways with Murong Qinghe, Lin Che went to the imperial study to review memorials.

Before he knew it, evening had arrived, and Cao Shiqi knocked before entering.

“Your Majesty, it is time for your meal...”

Lin Che stretched and was just about to leave when Cao Shiqi called out to him again.

“Your Majesty... You will be attending Prince Liang and Xiao Aoyu’s betrothal ceremony the day after tomorrow. Shall we prepare a gift?” Cao Shiqi asked.

Lin Che’s expression turned impassive, and he paused.

Cao Shiqi knew of their relationship and immediately said, “Then I shall have nothing prepared.”

Prince Liang had taken the Emperor’s woman. Anyone could imagine how displeased His Majesty must be.

Just as Cao Shiqi was about to leave, Lin Che suddenly called him back.

“Wait.”

Lin Che said, “Since I have decided to attend, proper etiquette must still be observed!”

Cao Shiqi was astonished. He had never expected His Majesty to be so magnanimous. This was truly the bearing of a ruler!

“Then what do you intend to give, Your Majesty? I shall have it prepared.”

“No need... Bring me a brush and grind the ink!” Lin Che ordered.

Cao Shiqi immediately did as instructed. Lin Che then sat before the desk and, stroke by stroke, wrote four large characters.

The brushwork was forceful, clean, and decisive.

Cao Shiqi’s expression shifted slightly, then he broke into a smile.

“Wonderful! These four words are truly marvelous!”

Lin Che had him put the inscription away, then rose and went to dine.

In Great Zhou, the morning court was held once every five days. Thus, Lin Che spent the entire following day reviewing memorials before visiting his Imperial Father to pay his respects and discuss the matter of appointing an empress.

The appointment of an empress was a momentous affair. It would also require a sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, along with countless preparations, so he remained busy without pause.

Over the past two days, everyone had also heard of the conflict between the Emperor and the Xiao family.

After learning of Xiao Aoyu’s eagerness for immediate gain and her ingratitude, several loyal ministers felt indignant on Lin Che’s behalf.

Many of them had received invitations from the Xiao residence, leaving them in a difficult position.

Given the relationship between Lin Che and Xiao Aoyu, who would dare attend and offer congratulations?

Yet Prince Liang was no one to provoke. If they failed to attend, they would offend him—and there would be no pleasant consequences.

In particular, Yang Huaiman now openly supported Prince Liang. Under such circumstances, attendance was unavoidable.

Thus, many decided to go, though they would not remain for long.

In the blink of an eye, the third day arrived.

It was the day of Lin Wangzhi and Xiao Aoyu’s formal betrothal ceremony.

The autumn breeze was gentle, and the sunlight was warm, spilling across the earth like waves of gold and bathing the front of Prince Liang’s residence.

The mansion was ablaze with festivity. Two brand-new red lanterns hung at the entrance.

Servants hurried about, while red paper cuttings adorned the gates and windows.

In Great Zhou, black and red were regarded as the most auspicious colors. Black symbolized exalted rank, while red represented celebration.

“Your Highness, take care on the road.” Before the main hall, a middle-aged man in ceremonial robes spoke. His hair was more than half gray, and his face was firm and resolute.

He was the steward of Prince Liang’s residence.

Before him, Lin Wangzhi had already changed into a bright red robe. His entire being seemed suffused with festive joy, as though he had been bathed in spring sunshine.

Yet his expression was not particularly pleasant. Though he wore a smile, it seemed somewhat forced.

“Your Highness, today is your great day. Do not look so troubled. Though certain matters have not gone as you wished, the future may yet bring you what you desire.” The steward offered consolation, his meaning unmistakable.

Lin Wangzhi nodded, and determination returned to his face. He stopped dwelling on the matter.

Many ministers would be attending today. He had to show everyone the very best of himself.

Afterward, he would take the opportunity to cultivate ties with even more ministers and completely reduce the current Emperor to a figurehead.

Meanwhile, preparations were also underway at the Xiao residence.

Dozens of banquet tables filled the rear courtyard, yet the space was not crowded in the slightest.

After all, Xiao Boqing had spent nearly all the family’s silver on constructing the mansion.

He believed that the larger the residence, the higher the family’s status.

Xiao Aoyu had changed into new clothes and had even applied rouge, a style entirely different from her former one.

“Miss, you look so beautiful! You should wear rouge more often from now on!” the maids praised her one after another.

Their words were not without truth. In the past, Xiao Aoyu had ridden across battlefields and carried herself like a man, never once applying rouge.

But after trying it this time, she looked breathtakingly beautiful.

In Chang’an, she might not have been the very first, but she could certainly rank among the top three.

Xiao Aoyu smiled coyly. “Really?”

“Of course, Miss! Even without rouge, you are already one of the most beautiful women in all of Chang’an!” another maid added.

Xiao Aoyu gazed at her reflection in the mirror and smiled with satisfaction.

She felt that she truly was beautiful—more than worthy of Lin Wangzhi.

“He has arrived! Miss, Young Master Lin has arrived!” A maid entered from outside, her face alight with excitement.

Xiao Aoyu hurriedly lifted her skirts and went out with the matchmaker.

Outside, Xiao Boqing and the others quickly came out as well.

A line of carriages was already parked before the Xiao residence, every one of them laden with betrothal gifts.

The guards along the roadside had even blocked the entire narrow lane, making a magnificent display.

Surrounded by the matchmaker and her attendants, Lin Wangzhi approached, while the guards behind him immediately divided into two lines on either side.

Tenderness shimmered in Xiao Aoyu’s eyes. “Wangzhi...”

When Lin Wangzhi entered and saw Xiao Aoyu, he was indeed struck by her breathtaking beauty.

Seeing him stare, Xiao Aoyu gave a soft laugh.

Unable to restrain himself, Lin Wangzhi walked over and gently stroked her hair.

“Yuer, you look so beautiful today...”

A shy flush spread across Xiao Aoyu’s face. “Wangzhi, everyone is watching!”

Several maids giggled.

“We did not hear a thing...”

Xiao Aoyu, however, was delighted.

Xiao Boqing and the others were equally thrilled. They did not care in the slightest that Lin Wangzhi had praised Xiao Aoyu in front of them in such a way, nor that it might be considered disrespectful.

“Wangzhi, let us begin the ceremony!” Xiao Boqing said, grinning from ear to ear.