Bestowing Marriage

The Chenghuan Emperor arrived with two consorts in tow and had the eunuch loudly recite the Hanlin Academy's lengthy congratulatory ode for the Eldest Princess. The eunuch delivered it with enough grandeur to stir the soul.

Shen Tingjue picked at the dishes with his chopsticks, eating with great relish, when Consort Shu suddenly said, "Establishing a family and a career is every man's wish. Does little Jue have anyone suitable in mind?"

Is 'little Jue' something you can call me? Shen Tingjue thought. He scooped up a spoonful of shrimp, mixed it with rice, and said, "What Your Highness should be worrying about now is Prince Kang's lifelong marriage."

"Indeed." The Empress Dowager smiled. "When His Majesty was their age, he had already taken a wife and fathered children."

Consort Shu turned toward the Empress Dowager and smiled. "This consort has already selected a consort for Chongrui. Si Yin is well-read and sensible; nothing could be better than letting Chongrui marry his cousin and draw the families even closer. What does Mother Empress think?"

At those words, Xiao Chongrui instantly found the wine in his cup tasteless. He shot to his feet, but before he could speak, the Crown Prince seized the initiative.

"Marriage between cousins may indeed bring two families closer, but I hear it produces foolish children. Take the Prince of Xiling, for example. After marrying his own cousin years ago, both sons she bore him were somewhat simple-minded. Or take... Father Emperor, for instance."

Chenghuan Emperor: "?"

Xiao Hanye kindly reminded him, "Seventh Imperial Brother was born simple-minded."

The Chenghuan Emperor froze for a moment, then slowly widened his eyes.

The Censor-in-Chief exchanged a glance with the Crown Prince, rose, and cupped his hands. "Reporting to Your Majesty, when this official was ordered south some time ago to conduct an inspection, I also heard common folk discussing how cousins must not marry. So long as there is a blood connection, even if they are distant relatives, they cannot wed. The children born of such unions, even if not fools, will be short-lived."

Everyone began recalling the outcomes of cousin marriages in their own families. After a long while, their expressions changed, and they were all startled. The more they thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

Taking in everyone's expressions, Xiao Hanye smiled and played matchmaker. "Second Imperial Brother and Fourth Imperial Brother both have cousins of suitable age. Why not exchange them? That way, the young ladies of both families can still enjoy the honor of being princess consorts. It would be a fine match all around."

Everyone listened intently, then collectively stared wide-eyed, feeling that the Crown Prince's marriage arrangement was utterly absurd.

The Xie and Ji families respectively supported the Fourth Prince and the Second Prince. If they married their legitimate daughters to the prince on the opposing side, then in the future, should they continue helping their own nephew seize the throne, or switch camps and help their own son-in-law seize it?

That was a question worthy of deep consideration.

The atmosphere became bizarre beyond measure. Shen Tingjue looked around, saw that no one was echoing his beloved's words, and, with a "Wow," clapped his hands in approval, delighted to add fuel to the fire. "I second the motion!"

Everyone: "..."

Second what motion? Did he think this was court?

Shen Tingjue ran to the Chenghuan Emperor's side, shook his arm, and said with a grin,

"Your Majesty, since marriage between cousins is forbidden, we cannot delay those young ladies. Besides, they are of marriageable age. If they do not marry soon, they will miss the proper time. They will be princess consorts regardless, so whom they marry is all the same. There is no need to insist on marrying cousins."

Consort Shu gritted her back teeth and secretly clenched her handkerchief, wishing she could stuff his mouth shut. Yet she forced a smile, and a scheme immediately arose in her heart.

"There is no rush. His Highness has yet to marry, after all. Your Majesty, why not betroth Si Yin to His Highness? They are close in age and well matched. What do you think?"

"Oh my, Elder Sister Consort Shu has thought it through well."

Consort Xian's narrow eyes gave her seductive beauty a touch of sharp meanness. "My Xiyu is a famed talented lady of the capital. She would be the truly suitable match for His Highness."

"Xiyu has always been outgoing and lively. If she married into the East Palace, her freedom would be bound. I imagine she would not like it."

Consort Shu glanced from afar at Xie Xiyu, whose lips were tightly pressed together, and smiled with perfect consideration. "When it comes to the children's lifelong marriages, they must be satisfied themselves."

Listening to the clash hidden within the two women's words, the Chenghuan Emperor's brows drew together slightly. He had only just glanced at the Crown Prince, whose expression had turned cold, when Shen Tingjue abruptly slapped the table, startling his heart into a tremble. He nearly failed to hold his wine cup steady.

Shen Tingjue clenched both fists and stared wide-eyed, like a wildcat with its fur standing on end, ready to pounce and attack at the slightest poke.

The Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess were startled as well and hurried over. The Eldest Princess stroked his back and asked softly, "Good child, what is wrong?"

Shen Tingjue hummed and whined, grasped the Eldest Princess's arm, pointed at Consort Shu and Consort Xian, then pressed a hand to his chest. Putting on a frail appearance, he said pitifully, "Mother, their arguing makes my chest hurt, my ears hurt, and my head hurt too."

The Eldest Princess cherished her son as dearly as life itself. She was immediately heartsick and glared at the two women with razor-sharp eyes, wishing she could kick them flying that very instant.

Consort Shu: "..."

Consort Xian: "..."

She believed that?

He was obviously faking it!

The Empress Dowager brought Shen Tingjue to sit in her own seat and personally peeled an orange for him. After coaxing him for a while, she finally turned an unhappy face toward Consort Shu and Consort Xian.

"You need not concern yourselves with the Crown Prince's marriage. His temperament has yet to settle, and ordinary noble ladies cannot handle him. We cannot delay the other princes' marriages because of this."

Xiao Jinhong could not help speaking up. "Imperial Grandmother, I am not in a hurry."

Xiao Chongrui promptly echoed him. "Neither am I."

"None of you are in a hurry, but this old one is anxious to hold a great-grandson. Establish a family early, and enjoy the joys of family early." The Empress Dowager said, "Si Yin and Xiyu are both noble ladies. Marrying as princess consorts would be a satisfactory outcome."

Consort Shu and Consort Xian still wanted to struggle. "Mother Empress, this..."

The Empress Dowager gave them no chance to continue. "The Xie and Ji families are equal in standing. Neither Chongrui nor Jinhong will be slighted. Xie the Grand Secretary, Lord Ji, what do you think?"

The Empress Dowager had personally arranged the marriages. It would not do to reject her outright, yet they could not simply agree in such a muddleheaded fashion.

Xie the Grand Secretary suddenly felt as though the pear blossom wine had turned into blazing fire. His Adam's apple bobbed. He set down his cup, rose to his feet, and stepped forward. "This minister is deeply grateful for the Empress Dowager's favor in personally arranging this marriage. However, Xiyu's mourning period for her father has not yet passed its third year. To discuss marriage at such a time may be inappropriate."

"It is merely a betrothal for now. Once the mourning period has ended, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau can select an auspicious day for the wedding."

Before Xie the Grand Secretary could answer further, the Empress Dowager had already shifted her gaze to Ji Zhang. "Lord Ji, what do you think?"

Ji Zhang rose and cupped his hands, unexpectedly cooperative. "This subject shall abide by the Empress Dowager's decision."

A birthday banquet had somehow settled the lifelong marriages of four people. Some rejoiced while others grieved. Xiao Chongrui drank cup after cup, seeming determined to drown himself in wine. Xiao Jinhong's expression, however, remained normal, making it impossible to tell whether he was pleased or troubled.

When the banquet ended, the Eldest Princess called Shen Tingjue to her side and asked with a smile, "Among the noble ladies who came today, was there anyone little Jue took a liking to?"

Without even thinking, Shen Tingjue said, "No."

The Eldest Princess sighed regretfully and asked again, "Then what sort do you like?"

Shen Tingjue said, "Someone like His Highness."

The Eldest Princess choked.

"Anyway, I am still young. There is no rush to establish a family." Shen Tingjue lightly brushed the subject aside, leaned against the Eldest Princess, and wheedled, "Mother, I have taken a fancy to that Red Sleeve Pavilion. Can you buy it for me? I want to be its chief proprietor!"

Red Sleeve Pavilion was Chang'an's largest brothel, with thriving business. Unfortunately, its proprietor's health had been worsening by the day, and he no longer had the strength to manage it. With no descendant capable of taking over the family business, he released word that he intended to sell Red Sleeve Pavilion.

The Eldest Princess could never withstand Shen Tingjue acting spoiled. She immediately nodded, allocated a sum of silver from her private treasury, and directly bought Red Sleeve Pavilion for him. Another day had arrived for others to envy Shen Tingjue until jealousy burned red-eyed.

Shen Tingjue did not dismiss the women inside. He intended to transform Red Sleeve Pavilion into a song-and-dance hall, refusing to engage in the business of forcing decent women into prostitution. He also bought a batch of newly arrived dancers from the Western Regions and began dreaming of making money hand over fist every day.