52 Big Gifts (Part 2)

  Red silk, red silk tied into flowers, even people were almost turned into moving red packets... The face was smiling like a flower, and Yunzhu didn't want to take another step out of Xinyi Valley after returning from paying respects at the main courtyard. She also didn't want to be treated as a rare flower for people to gaze at with smiles.

  The people who came to deliver the dowry packed the entire Fu Cha Mansion. The 128 sedan chairs of dowry were all tied up with red silk, and each one was filled to the brim with items such as clay tiles, bricks... and other symbols of wealth, shops, and land. It was dazzling to behold, not to mention the exquisite and beautiful ritual objects bestowed by the emperor, including a gold necklace inlaid with eastern pearls and coral, large and small golden hairpins adorned with precious pearls, golden earrings inlaid with eastern pearls, golden bangles, silver buttons, and a golden neckband adorned with eastern pearls. There were also sable, otter, and fox furs for making various types of coats, quilts, and bedding, as well as silk fabrics, cotton... and various silver plates, bowls, pots, and dishes used in the dining room, tea house, and clear tea house. These did not include the imperial prince's dowry items prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, such as ceremonial robes, auspicious clothes, everyday clothes, coronets, jade pendants, head ornaments, jewelry, silk fabrics, brocades, furs, porcelain... and other grand wedding gifts. If you put them all together, they would be enough to encircle the city of Beijing several times.

  The rich Fuca "army" sent to deliver the dowry, with one end entering the imperial palace and the other not yet halfway out, a grand and magnificent dowry that covered the sky with red silk and fireworks along the way, as well as ceremonial instruments. The people of the capital city couldn't help but praise and envy, having seen many royal weddings in their lifetime, none of which compared to this grand celebration! Even the red carpet was laid all the way into the imperial palace!

  Hong Yu, who liked to join in the fun, saw the endless stream of dowry at Gan Xi's second branch and couldn't help but run to Hong Li's side and say: "Fourth brother, won't Fourth sister-in-law empty out the Fu Cha family?"

  It wasn't until this morning, no, it was from last night that Hong Li felt his blood racing and couldn't calm down. The joy that burst out from the bottom of his heart made him smile happily, knowing he could openly show his excitement. However, a glance from his mother and grandmother made him feel a pang in his heart, as if there was something unpleasant in their gaze. After thinking for a moment, he rubbed his face with both hands to regain his composure. Hong You smiled and said, "This is just the dowry given by the Fu family to your fourth aunt, not to mention the additional gifts from the Lu County Prince's mansion, her uncle's mansion, and other relatives, as well as her own, which are still at the Fu mansion and haven't been brought over yet."

  If all were promoted to the palace, it's not just that the rank would be too high, I'm afraid even the two palaces of Qian and Xi wouldn't be able to accommodate them.

  "Fu Cha's family is really rich." Hong You drooled. Of course, he was still very satisfied with his future legitimate wife, and when he sneaked a peek at the last round of selection for Xiū Niáng and found that she was the lovely little girl he had met on the Lantern Festival night, he jumped up excitedly, and as a result, he got a big bump on his head, which took a long time to heal.

  He's a good person! Hong Li wiped the sweat from his brow, and when he went to pay respects with the Grand Minister and guards at the Fu family estate, that whole row of brothers-in-law really put him under a lot of pressure. However, everyone in their household was very harmonious and warm, and he liked it very much.

  "The people of Fu Chai's family are quite good at managing their lives."

  Now he doesn't think that money smells of copper when talking about it in Hongdeng, nor does he think that people with titles or official positions can't have other income. Having a house, land, or store to make a living for his family is better than being greedy and exploiting the common people.

  After knowing that the Qing was very "poor", he really worked hard to study many strategies for rich countries, and Yongzheng, Yi Qianwang, and even Ma Qi, he all consulted with them and benefited a lot. Especially under Ma Qi's hints, now thinking about it, the Qing has become so "poor" but still has to support a group of idle and growing Banner youths, Hongli feels painful.

  "I heard from the Emperor that after the New Year, Marquis Qi is planning to send young men from our clan overseas... Fifth Brother, do you want to join in?" Sea trade is said to be very profitable and can broaden one's horizons, and Chen Hongyi (Hongshi) is also going. As soon as Hongli thought about it, his hands and feet began to itch with longing. However, he could only think about it, for he had not forgotten what he wanted most - he wanted the entire land under his feet, just like his father, the Emperor, and his mother, the Empress Dowager. He also wanted his kingdom to be as beautiful as a painting, with his people living in peace and prosperity, and a prosperous and peaceful world.

  Hong Yu's eyes lit up at the words, then dimmed again. "The Emperor won't allow it... Let me think about it some more." He himself was not yet married, and he didn't have much silver on hand (as a prince, he had no idea how much money he had...).

  "You think slowly, fourth brother I went to help with the reception." Hongli saw his wife's uncles lining up and coming in, and he didn't dare to be slow in welcoming them.

  Hong Ye looked at his shadow and smiled. This fourth brother has changed a lot since he got married, as if he had grown up overnight, shedding his former youthful arrogance and replacing it with stability and cleverness. What a good thing!

  The next day, at the auspicious hour, Hongli wore the imperial prince's ceremonial attire to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress, and then also paid respects to Xi Fei.

  The Grand Minister led twenty officials in formal attire to the residence of Fu Cha, where they welcomed Yunzhu. Yunzhu was already dressed in a bright red wedding dress, her hair styled and makeup applied, waiting at home surrounded by a group of attendants. The commander of the infantry ordered his men to clear the way, while the imperial guards prepared the colorful sedan chair, adorned with red silk curtains, which would be carried by junior officers. Female officials followed behind. After Yunzhu was helped into the sedan chair, the cavalry officer led the procession out of the gate, with the Grand Minister and his attendants, as well as the guards, leading the way in front and back.

  Li Rongbao and Guajia watched their daughter leave with tears in their eyes, the affectionate words of last night, the lovely dependence of over a decade seemed to still be before their eyes, but at this moment, she finally left their wings too, unfolded her own wings, and flew towards the high sky.

  I hope she will have a lifetime of peace and happiness, without any worries or sadness.

  I hope she will be smooth and uneventful, without any twists and turns.

  I hope she can get her happiness and show off her brilliance.

  "Come on in." There's still a wedding banquet at home, with 50 tables inside and out, and they need to preside over it.

  Yunzhu sat quietly in the colorful sedan chair, calmly letting the guard of honor circle around the city, anyway others couldn't see her appearance even if they stretched their necks... At this moment, she was still thinking about what Guaerjia had said to her last night.

  "Yunzhu." Accompanied by Cai, they arrived at Xinyi Wu and instructed Gu before Yunzhu entered the palace. Gu was a woman of few words, but her methods were extremely ruthless and could intimidate people. She was about 40 years old, younger than Cai but older than Gu. After giving some instructions, she handed over a spring palace diagram that had been prepared in advance and placed in a red wooden box, telling her to take a look before bed.

  No need to look at the cloud pearl to know what it is. There are still two blushes on her face, and she pouts: "Mother."

  Gua Lijia stroked her smooth black hair, paused for a moment, and asked: "Yunzhu, do you like the Fourth Young Master?" That handsome and noble young man with a gentle temperament would make women involuntarily fall in love with him even if he didn't try to charm them. How many challenges would her daughter have to face to ensure her own safety and status?

  Yunzhu was slightly stunned, she didn't expect Gua'erjia to ask this. Although the bloody struggles in the inner palace and imperial harem that couldn't be seen had been talked about many times before, she still thought that tonight Gua'erjia would tell her some experiences of husband and wife or once again emphasize the struggles between women - this mother of hers was always afraid that she grew up in too comfortable an environment and would be oppressed and bullied when she entered the palace.

  "Mother." She grasped the hand of Madame Gua, saying seriously: "Spring and Autumn have been Fourth Brother's study companion for so long, do you think I wouldn't know what kind of person he is? You can rest assured, I won't easily give my heart to a man, even if I were to give it, it wouldn't be to an emperor." Still less to a lustful and romantic emperor, she wasn't a masochist after all.

  This time, it was Guanjia's turn to be surprised. No matter how you looked at it, the Fourth Prince was superior in terms of status, appearance, talent, and ability. Yet his daughter didn't seem to be swayed by these things, instead seeing right through them... Was this good fortune or bad? He feared that his daughter would lose her heart, become infatuated, and commit the great taboo of palace struggles. But she said it so calmly, as if this kind of person didn't stir her emotions at all. Could it be that she was destined to live a life without passion?! "This..."

  "Mother, don't worry, I will live a good and happy life." Yunzhu curved her lips, repeating the last words she said to Guajia yesterday. Her happiness had never been about love.

  Among the sounds of firecrackers and music, the procession arrived at the gate of the Forbidden City. Everyone dismounted their horses and entered on foot, with the female officials following the colorful sedan chair into the palace. Yún Zhuāng entered the palace under the guidance of the female official, and in the midst of the loud shouts of the officials from the Ministry of Rites, she performed various grand rituals. When it was time for the union, she was led by the matron of honor to the new room, where they drank the nuptial cup together.

  The sky was not yet dark, and the dragon and phoenix candles had already been lit, casting a warm glow over the room. Hong Li stared blankly at Yunzhu, who sat upright on the bed, looking like a celestial maiden sitting amidst a halo of red light. Her skin was as pale as jade, her breath as fragrant as orchids, and the pearls and precious stones on her crown sparkled in the candlelight. The phoenix robes on her body shone beautifully in the flickering flames, but none of these could conceal her transparent and lovely appearance, like a gentle stream.

  Compared with her, all the splendor and glory are as dull as earth.

  Compared with her, all the famous beauties in this world are nothing but ordinary and vulgar.

  "The bride and groom should perform the hair-combing ritual now." Someone reminded with a suppressed smile. Yunzhu lifted her lowered eyes, glanced horizontally at the person standing in front of her, then lowered her head again.

  Her eyes are like bright lacquer, clear as autumn water, deep as a starry night, and soft as flowing waves. With just one glance, the beauty described in "The Goddess of Luo" becomes tasteless and flavorless.

  It's strange that her eyes aren't particularly beautiful in shape, not big and watery, nor elegant and peach-shaped, nor charming and phoenix-like... They can be considered phoenix eyes, but they're not quite standard, being more slender, like faint ripples on the water... Paired with her face, eyebrows, nose, and lips, they are truly perfect.

  This was the wife of Aixinjueluo Hongli, the one he held hands with for life, sharing the same quilt and tomb. He took over the nuptial cup, stepped forward, "Yunzhu?" Not calling out to Furen.

  Yunzhu's lips curled up with a hint of shyness, elegantly taking the wine, her hand slowly raised high, clinking glasses with him, slightly tilting her head back, and drinking. A faint blush immediately rose to her delicate cheeks. He saw it very clearly, that skin was as tender as a baby's, without any blemishes, without any makeup.

  Poor Hongxiu and Fu Heng were going to make trouble in the bridal chamber, but they were caught by Yongzheng and taken to Taihe Hall for a banquet.

  Tonight, the music played by Qian Xi's two orchestras was mostly Manchu traditional wedding praise and joyful tunes. In the Taihe Hall, it was a national ceremony to play the music of celebration. The banquet also included princes, high-ranking officials, ministers, and envoys from vassal states, with extremely high specifications.

  The royal wedding, according to convention, was usually held in the Baohe Hall for a banquet. Empress Ulanara looked at Consort Xi with dissatisfaction, who was beaming with pride. Even though Hongli was the de facto next emperor, she didn't like how the emperor was so openly declaring it to the world - only the emperor and empress's wedding had the qualification to hold a banquet in the Taihe Hall, and even she, as the empress, hadn't had this honor before. She wasn't afraid that the newlyweds wouldn't be able to enjoy this blessing, and would instead shorten their lifespan.

  Empress Dowager Ci Xi of the Nara clan was completely unaware of the discontent in the heart of the Empress. This was her first time, appearing in front of princes and high-ranking officials, sitting high above, with boundless glory. This was all thanks to having given birth to a good son, and in the future, her son would be the master of this great Qing dynasty, and she would be the lofty Holy Mother Empress Dowager, the highest woman in the land.

  Better days are still waiting for her in the future.

  For this moment, what did all the past amount to?