A Poem to Hurry the Bride

Duan Siqi bowed, his face full of respect, and said no more.

Wen Yan's health improved with each passing day.

He drank his medicine and handed the bowl to Wen Nihe.

"Thank you for taking care of me, little sister."

Wen Nihe pouted and chided him. "Brother, don't ever frighten Grandfather and me like that again! You don't know how many more white hairs Grandfather has gotten these past few days!"

Wen Yan looked at Wen Hong and called out, "Grandfather," his voice full of guilt.

"I've been an unfilial grandson, making you worry about me."

Wen Hong patted his shoulder and said with an affectionate smile, "I was wrong too. I shouldn't have separated the two of you. Once you're married, live a good life together."

Looking at the gray at his grandfather's temples, Wen Yan suddenly said, "All these years, you've been holding up the Wen family on your own, while I've been able to fool around outside. Thank you for all your hard work, Grandfather."

"Yu'er has grown up and understands how hard things have been for me. Good! Good! You really are a man about to be married!"

"Grandfather, I want to help you hold up the Wen family, so you won't have to work so hard anymore. But I'm useless. I still haven't earned any official distinction."

Seeing Wen Yan's shame and frustration, Wen Hong reassured him. "What are you saying? My Yu'er is the cleverest of all. Just knowing you feel this way makes me happy. You're just like your father."

He paused and thought for a moment, his expression growing more serious.

"Yu'er, do you truly want to enter officialdom?"

Seeing Wen Yan nod earnestly, Wen Hong knew it was no passing whim. "Good. Since you wish to enter officialdom, I'll help you. After you're married, return to the Imperial College to study. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I'll arrange for you to go south for practical service."

For scholars of Great Yin who wished to become officials, there were three paths.

The first was through ancestral privilege; the second was through the imperial examinations; the third was for Imperial College students to undertake practical service in government offices, where those who performed exceptionally could be appointed to office ahead of schedule.

But the selection process for the third path was extremely rigorous.

Wen Hong, however, paid that selection process no mind at all.

"Don't worry, Yu'er. I'll pave the way for you. From now on, grandfather and grandson will advance hand in hand at court. It won't be difficult for us to keep the Wen family safe for another hundred years."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Wen Nihe was delighted to see her brother regain his fighting spirit. But there was still one flaw in the jade.

After leaving Wen Yan's courtyard with her grandfather, she complained, "Is Brother really going to marry that woman from a fallen family?"

"Your brother has already been through so much. How can we go against him again?"

"But how is she worthy of my brother or our Wen family?"

Wen Hong patted his granddaughter's head indulgently. "You mustn't let your brother see how you feel. Right now, Shen Zhiyao is the only one in his heart and eyes. Later on..."

"What then?"

Wen Hong smiled and said only, "Don't worry. I'll keep a careful eye out for a suitable young lady from a good family for your brother."

He was simply young and thought love was everything. Once he entered officialdom, he would learn how important a capable wife from a good family could be, just like Wen Hong's late wife and his deceased son and daughter-in-law.

"Then there's your marriage, He'er."

Wen Hong's expression grew more solemn.

Back when Wen Nihe was only a few months old, his only son had died in an accident, and his daughter-in-law had followed her husband in death. He had finally managed to raise the two little ones, only for his own wife to die of illness a few years ago.

He had not remarried, and the concubines in the household were not fit to appear in public, so he had no choice but to leave the management of the Wen household to the steward.

Now, as things stood, there was no woman in the household to help him arrange the younger generation's marriages.

Wen Nihe recalled how Princess Zhenning had stolen away the man she loved at last year's Jade Forest Banquet, and how Wang He had publicly rejected a marriage with her. Anger rose in her heart.

She turned her face away in a huff and said nothing.

Wen Hong frowned. "Could it be that you still have feelings for Rong An?"

"Grandfather, I can't accept it!"

Chapter 35: A Poem to Hurry the Bride

Invitations to Wen Yan's wedding were sent to the Imperial College.

That day, Zhao Huiluan first went to the Shen residence to give Shen Zhiyao a bridal gift. Even dressed in a vivid scarlet wedding gown, Shen Zhiyao still had a strongly cool and distant air about her.

When Shen Zhiyun saw that her bridal gift was an exquisite, cleverly crafted set of pearl hair ornaments, she praised Zhao Huiluan's taste. The tiny pearls had a soft, lustrous sheen and were most elegant, just enough to soften Shen Zhiyao's cool air.

"Young Master Wen has come in person to fetch the bride. You're a fortunate young lady."

The bridal attendant entered the room with a smile. Seeing Shen Zhiyao sitting upright before the dressing table, she said with a laugh, "You may not know it, miss, but everyone in the capital is praising you."

She waited for the bride to ask what they were praising her for, but the bride was so indifferent that she paid her words no attention at all.

The bridal attendant gave two awkward chuckles.

Young Master Wen is Grand Secretary Wen's only grandson, and Grand Secretary Wen is the chief grand secretary. Though the Shen family is of high standing, the bride isn't truly a young lady of the Shen family. Young Master Wen Yan coming to fetch her in person already shows her great regard. I heard she turned down the Wen family's marriage proposal three times before, putting on airs. I don't know what makes her think she's so precious.

But she dared not show the slightest disrespect on her face. After all, this was the woman Young Master Wen held closest to his heart.

Shen Zhiyao asked the bridal attendant, "Where is he?"

"Young Master Wen went to pay his respects to Master Shen as soon as he arrived. He must be nearly at the bridal chamber by now. Miss, let's put your veil on first."

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of laughter and chatter came from outside as the crowd escorted Wen Yan over.

"No rush. If he wants to marry my Sister Yao, he'll have to get past me first."

Seeing that the bride said nothing, the bridal attendant wanted to stop them but did not dare. She could only watch as Shen Zhiyun went out with a charming young girl.

The moment Wen Yan saw Zhao Huiluan, he gave her a deep formal bow.

A thousand words filled his heart, but he could not say them. Choking back tears, he managed only, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Wen Yan's face was still a little pale after his recovery. Perhaps it was because a joyful occasion lifted his spirits, but against his wedding robes, he looked especially handsome and dashing.

Shen Zhiyun blocked the door and said, "Since ancient times, there's been a custom of composing a poem to hurry the bride. Since you've come in person today, compose one for us."

"Miss Shen, aren't you making things difficult for him?"

"Exactly! Everyone knows our eldest young master Wen is no good with brush and ink."

The people accompanying him could not help speaking up for Wen Yan.