Chapter 35
Amidst the clamorous sound of drums and gongs, the wedding procession smoothly arrived at Prince An’s Mansion.
Just as we reached the Front Hall, a sudden commotion arose from the crowd, followed by the sharp voice of a eunuch: “Your Highness the Crown Prince has arrived-”
Through the bright red bridal veil, I heard the clinking of ornaments, then Yin Jiuqing’s steady and composed voice: “I have recently acquired two jade ruyi scepters. I present them to my Imperial Elder Brother, to congratulate him on gaining another beauty.”
He said “another” and “beauty”-when had he ever been so biting? The whole sentence was laced with a teasing undertone.
Yin Jiuyi calmly patted the back of my hand and replied, “Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince. If Your Highness is not busy with official duties, why not stay and witness the ceremony before leaving? We are about to begin the wedding rites.”
“Thank you for your kind offer, Imperial Elder Brother. Then I shall respectfully accept.”
Even with the veil covering me, I could feel a scorching gaze shooting straight at me. I straightened my back-he was the one who wronged me, I had no reason to feel inferior.
With the announcement, “The ceremony is complete, escort the bride to the bridal chamber,” I was led into the bridal chamber.
I lifted the veil and sat before the Bronze Mirror, gazing silently for a long time at the solemn, dignified woman reflected within. Only then did I begin to remove all the pearl hairpins and jewelry, loosening the elaborate hairstyle.
Xiaotao tried to stop me, but in the end, she went to fetch a basin of water for me.
Just as I finished wiping my face, Yin Jiuyi entered, carrying a bowl of chicken soup. Seeing my appearance, he paused for a moment, then sat down at the table with the soup. “This chicken soup served at the banquet is excellent. Would you like to try it?”
“Thank you, Your Highness. You should rest early; I won’t disturb you.”
He nodded, picked up a large red brocade quilt embroidered with mandarin ducks, and stopped beside the soft couch.
My hand holding the spoon froze, and I watched his back in confusion.
He turned to look at me, and with a flick of his hand, the quilt fell onto the soft couch with a thud. “On the wedding night, I must sleep here.”
I instantly understood his meaning and nodded blankly.
Not long after, I quietly climbed onto the bed.
The bed was far too soft; as soon as I sat down, it sank in. Who knew how many mattresses were piled underneath? Lying on it felt like sleeping on fluffy cotton-I was not used to it at all.
After tossing and turning for a long time, Yin Jiuyi must have heard my movements and asked in the darkness, “Can’t sleep?”
I pressed my lips together and said nothing. After a long pause, I finally spoke, “Your Highness, thank you for marrying me. But if you intend to use my matter with the Crown Prince to make a fuss, that path won’t work. My relationship with him is not what you imagine.”
“I am on good terms with the Crown Prince, like brothers. Why would I make a fuss? I have told you before-I do not like women. That is why I use my many wives and concubines as a cover. Is that so hard to believe?”
Using numerous wives and concubines to conceal a preference for men-a common method.
I was half-convinced, half-doubtful. “Then do you have a man you fancy?”
He fell silent. The air was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Yin Jiuyi’s voice came through, as if he had seen through life and death: “Go to sleep.”
After a while, I heard the sound of him turning over on the soft couch.
“Your Highness, shall we switch places?”
“No need to worry. I can sleep anywhere.”
I said honestly, “This bed is too soft. It feels strange to sleep on.”
There was a rustling sound, and footsteps drew closer. Yin Jiuyi, hair tousled, came to my bedside with the quilt. “Go ahead.”
The couch was much smaller and much firmer than the bed, and lying on it was far more comfortable.
Soon, I fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, the maids of the Prince’s Mansion filed in one after another-some carrying basins of water, some tidying the bedding, some helping me dress, comb my hair, and draw my eyebrows. They lined up in perfect order.
Xiaotao, clutching a feather duster, was squeezed to the side. She pursed her lips, then squeezed back in at the first opportunity.
The Zhang Family was wealthy and powerful, but even in their home, things were never this extravagant.
I kept silent and sat still, letting them fuss over me.
“Your Highness the Concubine, His Highness has prepared many pieces of jewelry for you. Would you like to choose one to wear when you pay respects to the Princess Consort?”
The Maid brought out four jewelry boxes. The first, a carved redwood box, was divided into small compartments, holding twenty pairs of earrings and some finger rings-some made of jade, others of gold and silver.
The second, a double-layered box inlaid with white jade, contained hairpins and dangling ornaments-the lower layer for hairpins, the upper for dangling ornaments, both packed full.
The third, a round bronze box painted with plum blossoms, held bracelets and bead strings.
The fourth, a light magnolia paper box, contained twelve exquisite silk flowers.
Another Maid opened the wardrobe, revealing twelve sets of clothes neatly arranged by color from light to dark.
Xiaotao gasped, her hand on my shoulder trembling uncontrollably.
I was a bit calmer than her. Without betraying any emotion, I placed my hand on my knee and pressed down firmly.
Yin Jiuyi, fully dressed, lifted the beaded curtain and asked, “Are you ready?”
At that moment, he seemed to be bathed in golden light-he, he, he was truly wealthy.