Chapter 81: The Wedding

Time flew. Before they knew it—the eighth day of the twelfth month.
The eighth of twelfth month—a yellow-track auspicious day for weddings and funerals alike—and the day Prince Yu's mansion, silent for years, welcomed a new princess consort. After long widowerhood, the house finally had a mistress. Everyone knew it was no cause for joy. The last Princess Consort—who could say when today's celebration would turn funeral?
The bride was Shen Qing, legitimate daughter of Shen second branch in Dingjing. Among three legitimate girls in the mighty general's house—Shen Miao once famed as rough block, Shen Yue for talent, Shen Qing for beauty and cleverness—a fine girl married to Prince Yu. Sighs all around.
"Shen Gui must be mad," someone whispered in the crowd watching the show. "Watching his daughter jump into fire—sin upon sin."
"What do you know?" another scoffed. "My cousin in office says the Eldest Miss and Prince Yu had secret affair—belly already with child. But for imperial blood she'd be drowned in the pond."
"Truly?" Surprised murmurs—they had not known.
The speaker nodded proudly. "At the palace return feast—civil and military officials saw with their own eyes. Eldest Miss not pitiable—reaped what she sowed."
"Indeed—unmarried with child—shame on the wind!"
"Know no shame!"
"How did second branch raise such a daughter? General Shen upright—what stain on the gate!"
"What has General Shen to do? Years away from Dingjing—other branches raised her."
Gossip flew—contempt for Shen Qing; pity turned to curses in a breath. Shen Gui and Ren Wanyun bore the stabs too.
The man who first spoke of the pregnancy smiled quietly and vanished into the crowd.
Inside the Shen house the wedding matron dressed Shen Qing.
Ren Wanyun stood behind her, wringing her handkerchief as if to shred it. Her well-raised daughter—now watching her walk into fire. No mother does not love her child; for Ren Wanyun this was knife on flesh.
Unlike Ren Wanyun, Shen Qing's emotions were less violent. She sat quietly while the matron worked. The matron smiled. "Miss—for face threading now. It hurts a little—endure, and you'll be a beautiful bride!"
Those words pierced Ren Wanyun—she nearly fainted. Shen Qing looked wooden at the bronze mirror; only occasional blinks kept her from seeming a corpse.
The matron was unnerved. She took fine cotton thread from the box and began threading Shen Qing's face—painful work for snow-white skin. Usually young misses cried delicately. Thread on Shen Qing's face—still no expression, dead as stone.
"Qing'er…" Ren Wanyun wept.
Seeing bride without joy, despair clinging like burial shroud, the matron understood. Lucky words dwindled; makeup done fast; excuse found to leave.
Only Ren Wanyun, Shen Qing, and maids remained.
Ren Wanyun could not stop tears. In months she had aged like an old woman—wrinkles, white hair—nothing left of the plump, sharp, richly dressed lady of before.
"Mother, don't worry." Shen Qing spoke first—voice rough, strange tone, half weep half laugh. "What I suffer today won't be for nothing. I'll avenge myself."
"Qing'er—Mother failed you." Ren Wanyun embraced her.
Shen Qing stood wooden in her arms, hoarse: "Father and Mother can't help me. I'll avenge myself." Dark tone—hatred anyone could feel. Shen Gui's cold distance, Ren Wanyun's hesitation—facing the wedding they were powerless. Shen Qing hated her parents at last.
Ren Wanyun struck by her daughter's resentment—yet knew she had her part. If she had not plotted against Shen Miao; if she had looked into the Wolong Temple night; if she had not written Prince Yu about the swap—would Qing be cornered so?
She forced a smile. "Qing'er don't fear—Mother swears revenge—and your second brother will ruin that wretch…"
In the outer hall Old Madam Shen sat grim in the center chair. Shen Yuanbai half in her lap, frightened by her harsh face, still as stone.
"Wedding gifts!" Old Madam snapped. "Such shameless conduct—and face to ask gifts! Second son—what daughter you raised!" Vain and face-loving—she could not hide Shen Qing's scandal from officials at court. Her old face lost—she hated Qing and Ren Wanyun.
Shen Gui nodded hastily, wishing he could divorce Ren Wanyun now.
Shen Qiu's expression turned odd—almost amused. Old Madam forgot she was songstress once—how much better than Shen Qing? Now Shen family's grand dame, she played pure great lady.
Shen Wan silent; Chen Ruoqiu would not poke the bear. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan stood large as life, as if they had not heard.
Old Madam raged on: "No lavish dowry—such a girl doesn't deserve Shen silver!"
Luo Xueyan's contempt deepened. Old Madam had always favored first branch; though she prized sons, Shen Qing grew under her care too. Knowing Qing's marriage was misery—more silver might ease her life—yet Old Madam so stingy, so heartless—truly low birth showing through.
Shen Gui agreed again—filial son as always. Old Madam softened slightly at his obedience, turned toward Shen Xin—about to speak—when Shen Yue cried: "Second Brother?"
All looked to the door. A young man in stone-blue robes—features somewhat like Shen Gui's, six or seven parts—but brows carried pride.
Shen Yuan—Shen Gui's eldest legitimate son, second branch.
In second branch Yuan had always been clever. Shen Qiu's military merit came step by step; Yuan seemed genius. Young he passed examinations well, won patronage, entered office. Three years minor post outside—last year this year—meant to stay in Dingjing after New Year. Shen Qing's affair brought him rushing back—just in time for the wedding.
Even Shen Yue shrank behind Shen Wan. Shen Wan patted her back, eyes on Yuan.
Many in the Shen house feared Yuan—a little. Early fame, or intuition of deep scheming—Shen Yue and the old Shen Miao had feared him greatly.
Old Madam happiest—waving Yuan over delightedly. Shen Yuanbai piped: "Second Brother!"
Yuan smiled, bowed to Old Madam—"Grandmother"—rubbed Yuanbai's head. "Yuanbai grew again."
"Yuan must have rushed back," Chen Ruoqiu smiled. "Tired from road—rest first?" With Ren Wanyun absent she played mistress of the house.
Yuan glanced at Chen Ruoqiu. Her heart sank—dread rose. A year apart and he was harder to read. Chen Ruoqiu was clever; when children were small she had tripped Yuan openly and secretly—Yuan outsmarted her; sometimes Chen Ruoqiu lost. She thought Ren Wanyun lucky to have a clever son—though she resented second branch, she dared not fully provoke Yuan.
"No need," Yuan said. "I came for Sister's wedding. Rest more and I'll miss it."
At mention of Shen Qing the room grew awkward. Old Madam did not answer. Yuan unmoved—gaze without hesitation toward Shen Qiu's side—where Shen Miao stood.
"Long time no see, Fifth Sister—you've changed." He narrowed eyes. "Girls change fast—almost don't recognize you."
Shen Miao met him calmly. Yuan's look was dark probing—snake crawling from swamp, slow, damp, raising the hair. She smiled faintly. "Second Brother—unchanged."
Chen Ruoqiu paused. Shen Yue almost gleeful. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan frowned together. Shen Qiu laughed into the breach: "True—Second Brother looks the same as ever." Drawing Yuan's look—and Yuan said with meaning: "Didn't expect Fifth Sister and Big Brother so close now."
"Blood siblings—naturally close." Shen Miao smiled gently. "Second Brother—won't you see Eldest Sister? Still time for wedding gifts."
Yuan looked deep at Shen Miao, smiled. "True—I go now." Bowed again to Old Madam. "Grandmother—I see Sister first. Her brother was away—she marries today—who knows if bullied after. A few words—I'll go." Turned sharp, ignored everyone, left fast.
From start to finish—not one word to Shen Gui.
Once father and son were not intimate but were father and son—Shen Gui valued Yuan, cared for him; Yuan respected Shen Gui. Today's coldness was problem. Shen Gui's face iron; fists clenched. Old Madam blamed him with a look, vexed, waved hand. "Help me to my room!"
Old Madam would not attend the feast. Most guests were great officials who knew the scandal's truth. Her old face could not bear more shame—Zhang Mama helped her away.
After Old Madam left the hall was awkward. Shen Yue glanced at Shen Miao. "Fifth Sister—what wedding gift for Eldest Sister?"
"Some jewelry." Shen Miao said flatly.
Shen Yue "oh"—annoyed at cold shoulder but showing nothing before Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan—stood quiet beside Chen Ruoqiu.
Shen Wan looked at Shen Xin. "Brother—Yuan is back. What now?"
"What has Yuan's return to do with me?" Shen Xin puzzled. "My Jiaojiao and Qiu I can barely manage—why second brother's son? Third brother—your branch is thin—if free, help second branch. Family."
Shen Xin looked honest and thick—but his tongue was poison—as Lin'an Marquis Xie Ding, crossed paths decades without winning words, could attest. Shen Wan had not answered; Chen Ruoqiu's nails dug into her palm. Third branch thin—only Shen Yue, no son to lean on. Shen Wan loved Chen Ruoqiu—but Old Madam had tried concubines for Shen Wan many times for no son. Shen Xin stabbed where it hurt.
"Yes, sister-in-law," Luo Xueyan smiled too. "Don't always mind others' business—you two are kind—but think of your own. Yue'er so big—married without brother's backing, lonely."
Shen Miao's eyes held laughter. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan were poor at inner-house war—but battlefield years gave sharper instinct than most. Shen Wan's couple tried to sow discord—met four ounces shifting thousand pounds.
"Sister—let's see Eldest Sister too." Shen Qiu patted Shen Miao's shoulder. "Your wedding gift is still with me."
Shen Miao knew he had words for her—nodded, bowed to the rest, walked west yard with Shen Qiu.
"Sister—Yuan is hostile to you."
"I know."
"He may know why." Shen Qiu urgent. "He loves hidden tricks, scheming—may avenge Qing, find way to harm you. You—stay in the house these days. Don't go out."
Shen Qiu had innate hostility to Yuan—inexplicable. They had no real feud—yet Shen Qiu could not stand him. Some men are born enemies.
"Brother—if he means harm, however I hide he'll find way. What can he do? Rest easy—a cautious man won't casually hire someone to kill me—he'll use schemes." Who outschemed her who had died once?
"Sister—you're young, don't know danger." Shen Qiu more urgent. "Yuan is no good man—careless and you'll lose!"
"Brother rest easy." Shen Miao looked at Shen Qiu. "Soldiers meet soldiers, water meets earth—if trouble, isn't Brother here?" Cold laugh inward—a sentence she did not speak to Shen Qiu.
Past life Shen Qiu's death was no accident—second or third branch, she did not know which—all would pay. Even if Yuan did not move against her, she would not let Yuan go easy.
Consider it paying past life's debt.
East yard Caiyun Court—when Ren Wanyun saw Yuan she threw herself on him weeping. Days of fear alone exploded at sight of him. She could not speak through sobs. Even wooden Shen Qing—despair in her eyes—flickered light at Yuan.
Yuan comforted Ren Wanyun, then touched Shen Qing's head. Shen Qing broke—"wah"—sobbing. "Brother—why didn't you come sooner…"
Ren Wanyun cried with her—wails shaking the room—mourning not wedding.
Shadow crossed Yuan's eyes. He grew up in the general's house. Shen Xin and wife held power—but to him they were soldiers only, daughter a fool—playthings for second branch. His mother and sister lived elegant and rich; Shen Miao seemed parvenu country bumpkin.
Now that bumpkin fool had driven Ren Wanyun and Shen Qing to this—provocation to Yuan.
Ren Wanyun's letters had explained all. Her plan was not perfect—but Shen Miao's counter and clean escape exceeded his expectation.
"Mother, don't cry." Yuan's face did not soften. "Crying helps nothing."
"Yuan," Ren Wanyun gripped his hand. "You're cleverest—you can save your sister?"
Shen Qing looked hopeful too. "Brother—please—I don't want to marry him… shouldn't have been me… Brother help me… help me…" She feared this brother too—but since childhood when bullied Yuan won back for her silently. Love and hate—now Yuan was lifeline—she clutched hard.
"No." Yuan's tone cold as ice. "At this stage no turning back. Cannot ruin everyone for Sister's whim. The marriage must happen."
Shen Qing collapsed; after a pause cried in despair. Makeup ruined—dirty face—unaware.
"Truly… no way…" Ren Wanyun murmured.
"Cannot destroy the match—but my sister of Shen Yuan will not swallow being plotted against." Yuan said coldly. "Shen Miao clever overnight—someone guiding, or she played fool for years. Guide is easy—play ten years is terrifying."
"That wretch is possessed—every trap she escaped. Yuan—that wretch cannot remain." Ren Wanyun ground teeth. "All this because of her—I want her flesh, her blood."
"Mother can't move freely against her—because of Uncle's branch. Hear Uncle stays half year in Dingjing—Shen Miao's backing lasts longer." Yuan glanced at Shen Qing.
Ren Wanyun shuddered. "Can't let it go for nothing!"
"Won't." Yuan said. "In this world every backing falls someday. Shen Miao has backing—knock it down. Uncle's branch staying in Dingjing is good—" smile on his lips—"saves me hunting them one by one."
Ren Wanyun felt fear without cause—looking at Shen Qing on the floor, rage flared. "Yuan—you must not spare that wretch!"
"Rest easy." Yuan's gaze dark. "Play tricks under my eye—I return in kind. Shen Miao harmed Mother and Sister—I'll leave first branch with only Shen Miao. One person to play with—that's fun."
He smiled slowly.
Shen Qing's bride makeup had to be redone.
The matron was surprised—this time Shen Qing looked less dead, more alive—finally some "human" breath.
When Shen Yue and Shen Miao came with gifts, Shen Qing even smiled at them.
But pregnancy had swollen her; anxious days aged her—makeup could not hide haggard. That smile was not girlish charm—strange and frightening.
"Eldest Sister—take care of yourself." Shen Yue's eyes red.
"I will." Shen Qing answered, looked at Shen Miao, hoarse: "Fifth Sister's grace—I will repay."
Smiling—but venom made Shen Yue shiver.
"I'll wait." Shen Miao smiled too.
After that events flowed naturally. Old Madam avoided Shen Qing; Qing spoke only with Ren Wanyun. Shameful wedding—whole house awkward—festive rituals perfunctory.
At last Shen Yuan carried Shen Qing to the bridal chair. Most humiliating—Prince Yu did not come for the bride; only a steward.
As Yuan bore her out, crowds at the gate pointed and whispered—Shen Qing shameless, wanton. Ren Wanyun and Yuan raged—but mouths of many cannot all be silenced.
When the chair finally lifted, Yuan returned to the gate, stopped beside Shen Miao, watched the procession fade. "Fifth Sister looks very calm."
"I'm not the one marrying—why shouldn't I be calm."
"Fifth Sister—know where Qing goes—what future holds?"
"Future—not for you and me to say."
Yuan seemed not to hear, spoke alone: "World shifts endlessly—sometimes trapped now, later perhaps light through willows. Sometimes road looks open—" voice dropped sudden—"you've driven yourself into dead end."
"True," Shen Miao laughed. "No one can tell—fortune turns overnight—perhaps no road ahead."
Yuan turned at last, faced Shen Miao full—eyes traveled up and down, uncomfortable—and words uncomfortable too. "I discover today—Fifth Sister was clever all along."
Shen Miao neither agreed nor denied—then a roar behind: "Sister!" Shen Qiu ran up, wary glance at Yuan, told Shen Miao: "Don't wander—outside full of villains—face known, heart unknown—who knows what trap."
Yuan looked at Shen Qiu, laughed again. "Brother jokes well. Fifth Sister so clever—who could plot her? As for face known heart unknown—perhaps… someone else fits better."
Shen Qiu laughed cold. "My sister is pure-hearted—unlike scheming snakes. Brother must watch—or book-reading wolves devour her with nowhere to cry. Come Sister—we ride carriage to prince's mansion!"
Shen family must attend the feast too—but Shen Qiu's words were open distrust of Yuan.
Yuan watched brother and sister leave—cruelty flashed in his eyes.
The bridal procession toured half Dingjing—richest streets—Empress herself granted the match, grandeur required. All knew the marriage shameful—still drums and gongs for everyone to hear.
On the busiest stretch, at Kuaihuo Tower's window seat, the white-robed gentleman fanned as usual, watching the mighty procession below. Coins thrown as they walked—crowds scrambled—surface joy.
Only the bride in the chair knew the taste within.
"Shen wedding's quite a show." Yushu played with a silver ingot. "Long since such lively marriage. Wonder if my wedding to Shao will match."
"Still thinking of Shao." Gao Yang glanced at him. "Yushu—I recall you have a fiancée. Does she know you woo Shao?"
"Child betrothal—joke. Who knows what she looks like! I won't marry! I love Shao. If not Shao—Shen Fifth Miss not bad." He grinned at the man opposite. "Third Brother Xie—yes?"
Xie Jingxing glanced at him—could not be bothered to speak. Gao Yang sneered. "Shen Miao? Fear you won't live to marry."
"What—don't make her sound like yaksha. I value her clever, bold, careful." Yushu protested. "And she's pretty. Hear she liked Prince Ding—eyes bad. Prince Ding compare to me? Really."
Gao Yang looked at Yushu. "You're something. But your Shen girl—trouble coming."
"What trouble?"
"Shen Qing's brother Shen Yuan returned." Gao Yang schadenfreude. "Shen Miao pushed Qing into prince's mansion—Yuan won't spare Shen Miao. Yuan no easy mark—in second branch maybe more scheming than Shen Gui—most ruthless, never soft."
"Yuan not ordinary." Yushu remembered. "Isn't he Fu Xiuyi's man?"
"A small pawn." Xie Jingxing spoke suddenly, lazy sweep below. "Clown jumping— you care?"
"Ha—still arrogant." Gao Yang asked. "Next?"
"Wait."
Wait for the board to open—then… pick up what others break.