Marriage (I)

On the seventeenth day of the fourth month in the twenty-seventh year of the Chongming Era, an auspicious day suitable for marriage.

Gentlemen City was far livelier than usual. The red lanterns hanging before every shop looked especially festive, and the streets were more crowded than usual. Today was the grand wedding day of Da Ya's God of War. He had only been back for less than two months, yet he was already preparing to marry. It caused an even greater stir than the emperor's consort selection.

But when they thought of how the God of War's bride was actually a landlord's daughter, most people could not help sighing. Even if Prince Jun was ugly and bloodthirsty by nature, he was still a prince and general of lofty status. In the future, he might even influence the choice of Da Ya's crown prince. Yet such a formidable figure was marrying a landlord's daughter...

Many people lamented it, but even more were gloating.

"How desperate must that woman be to marry Prince Jun?"

A woman in a long pink dress stood before a jewelry stall, picking through its wares. The items on display were fairly pretty, like luxury goods, yet they were inexpensive—just right for keeping up appearances. She often shopped here.

Another young married woman with her hair done up in a bun could not help snorting. "Exactly. If you ask me, she's just after the title of princess consort. Marrying Prince Jun means never having to worry about food or clothes for the rest of her life, with a whole crowd of servants kneeling at her feet to wait on her. Just imagining it—so what if Prince Jun is ugly?"

The woman in pink bit her lip. "If only it were me."

The young woman thought to herself that if she had not already been married, she too would have wanted to marry Prince Jun for the status of being the God of War's princess consort. Who did not like power? Even if it was only a title, it was still better than what most people had.

Of course, there were also some who cared more about appearances.

The jewelry vendor suddenly laughed. "So neither of you knows yet? Prince Jun isn't marrying a landlord's daughter. The news spread yesterday."

"What did you say?" The woman in pink looked astonished.

The young woman did not believe him either and hurriedly asked, "People were clearly still saying that a few days ago. How could she not be a landlord's daughter? Are you trying to fool us?"

The vendor did not mind and merely smiled. "I suppose neither of you went out yesterday. The news only spread then. A lot of people are saying that Prince Jun is not marrying a landlord's daughter. Just ask around and you'll know."

The two women looked at each other. He sounded so certain that it probably was not false.

The woman in pink impatiently asked, "If she isn't a landlord's daughter, then who exactly is Prince Jun marrying?"

The young woman looked at him as well.

The vendor said, "I heard it might be the landlord's daughter's older brother—the eldest young master of the An Family. Whether it's true or not, I don't know. In any case, that's what everyone is saying now."

Both women were stunned.

They had already found it unbelievable that Prince Jun would marry that woman. With Prince Jun's standing, he could have married a woman of far nobler status as his consort. Even a princess of another nation would not have been a problem. Now it had suddenly become a man. They had never even heard of anyone marrying a man as a consort. It was utterly absurd!

The news that Da Ya's God of War was marrying a man as his princess consort had spread throughout Gentlemen City the day before.

However, it was not Fu Wutian who had released the news. Many people kept an eye on his movements, and he had entered the palace yesterday to explain the situation to the emperor. Certain people only needed to make a few inquiries to find out.

Although marrying a man as his consort did not mean he would be left without heirs, many still saw it as lowering his status. Some quick-witted people had already begun considering how to place people at Fu Wutian's side.

An Family Compound

Today was the day An Ziran was to be married off.

Yet the courtyard held not the slightest festive atmosphere. Instead, it was deathly still, with no one speaking. If not for the bright red decorations, outsiders might have thought the An Family was holding another funeral. Steward Su was the clearest example; he had worn a worried expression since yesterday.

"Steward."

An Ziran walked out from the side of the main hall. At the sound of his voice, everyone turned to look. When they saw the eldest young master's appearance, their eyes lit up, and they found themselves unable to look away.

An Ziran wore an exquisite, luxurious red wedding robe. Against the red fabric, his somewhat fair skin made him look even more handsome. The faint baby fat still on his face had begun to give way to more defined features. Judging from An Yuzhi, he had good features to begin with. Only now did everyone realize how good-looking their eldest young master was.

The only one who was not dazzled was Steward Su, who still looked full of self-reproach.

He felt that he had failed to take proper care of the eldest young master, which was why things had become like this. He had let the master down, and all he could think about was how ashamed he would be to face him after death.

"Steward, today is my happy day. You should be happier." An Ziran gently held his hand. There would be many more things for the old steward to worry over in the future. He had his own reasons for not telling the steward about his agreement with Fu Wutian, so he could only let him bear the burden for now.

Steward Su looked at him and let out a heavy sigh. "Eldest Young Master, I... I'll try." As he spoke, he forced out a smile that looked as if he were about to cry.

"Giggle, giggle, giggle..."

A baby's laughter suddenly rang out.

Everyone froze, then turned and realized that the sound had come from the second young master in his wet nurse's arms. His grape-like black eyes were fixed on the eldest young master and Steward Su. He waved his two little arms with all his might, as though he were extremely excited. They could not help smiling knowingly. The second young master was becoming more and more perceptive.

Steward Su could not help revealing a sincere smile as well. Today was the eldest young master's wedding day; he could not be so dispirited.

An Ziran pursed his lips in a faint smile.

Unfortunately, no one saw it. Everyone's attention was on the little bun. Just as laughter gradually filled the courtyard, the wedding procession from Prince Jun's residence finally arrived, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers and gongs drifting in from outside...