Chapter 110: Zhao Ji's Wedding

Months later.

This day was considered an auspicious one, perfect for weddings, travel, visiting relatives, moving, or entering a new home.

The entire Prince Duan’s Mansion was decorated anew. Inside and out, it was draped in red and adorned with festive colors. Lanterns wrapped in crimson gauze and inscribed with the character for "Double Happiness" hung throughout the estate, and colorful streamers were strung across the mansion’s high walls. Even the trees surrounding the residence were festooned with rouge-red silk ribbons, tied every ten paces; when there was no wind, they hung still, but in a breeze, they danced, bathing the entire mansion in a festive atmosphere.

"The celestial maiden descends to the human realm, her glorious return but a moment away. Today, the threshold is filled with joy, and one need not be stingy with the wedding gifts and red envelopes."

Under the auspices of Empress Dowager Xiang, Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, took Lady Wang—the daughter of Wang Zao, the Prefect of Dezhou—as his bride. Although a Prince of the Song Dynasty was a member of the imperial nobility, the process remained relatively grounded. From the betrothal and the exchange of names to the selection of an auspicious date and the final welcoming of the bride, the "Six Rites" were followed much like those of common households. At times, however, it was far more complex, with the couple's ancestry scrutinized back eighteen generations in a meticulous investigation.

Li Sanjian, a guest-strategist at the mansion, was dressed in festive attire for the occasion. He bustled about alongside the servants, attending to various tasks.

"They're here, they're here..." Gao Er, standing beside him, nudged Li Sanjian and chuckled.

The look on Gao Er’s face struck Li Sanjian as lascivious.

"Who is here?" Li Sanjian frowned, puzzled. The bride had already been welcomed into the mansion. Who else could be coming that would warrant such a reaction?

Gao Er only grinned without answering. A moment later, a tinkling sound filled the air, accompanied by a waft of delicate perfume.

Li Sanjian turned to look and saw the Princess of Xu, escorted by several palace maids, walking toward them. On an occasion like this, the Princess dared not dress casually; she was in full ceremonial regalia. She wore a green lion-patterned brocade mantle, a five-colored sash, a purple silk net, and silver ornaments. A golden gardenia hairpin with a tortoiseshell axis rested in her hair, and her entire person was adorned with fine jewelry. Surrounded by maids in equally ornate dress, she looked like a blossoming flower.

"Little San, what are you doing?" As she passed, the Princess glanced at Li Sanjian, seemingly intentional yet nonchalant.

*Little San?* Li Sanjian thought bitterly. *You’re the 'Little San'—your whole family is!*

Ever since their "sparring match," the Princess had been visiting the mansion much more frequently. Beyond playing with Zhao Ji, she would demand that Li Sanjian accompany her in cuju, horseback riding, or archery, constantly pestering him. The staff had long grown accustomed to this, and they all envied Li Sanjian deeply. How could a poor, penniless scholar gain the favor of a Song Princess? It was simply against the natural order.

"Reporting to Your Highness, I am here on the Prince’s orders," Li Sanjian replied formally. Though they were casual when alone, he dared not be disrespectful in such a public setting.

"Oh, is that so?" The Princess turned to the mansion staff and her maids. "All of you, leave."

The staff and maids lowered their heads and retreated quickly. They had long since learned of the Princess’s willful nature and knew that lingering even a moment too long could invite disaster.

"Follow me," the Princess whispered to Li Sanjian once they were alone.

Li Sanjian was startled and waved his hands. "Your Highness, this won't do. We cannot behave recklessly on such an occasion." If he were caught dallying with the Princess on the Prince's wedding day, it would be his undoing.

"Reckless? You won't come? Mother is inside; I shall go tell her that you bullied me, that you touched..." Before she could finish, Li Sanjian interrupted, "Fine, fine, let's go!"

*What kind of situation is this?* Li Sanjian felt a sense of dread. He didn't want trouble, yet trouble had found him—and it was infinite trouble at that.

"Princess, we must not. It is the Prince's wedding day; we cannot delay important matters," Li Sanjian said nervously as the Princess led him into a room and bolted the door.

"It won't be delayed." The Princess shot him a glare, then threw herself into his arms, clutching him tightly. She raised her head and asked, "San-lang, have you missed me?"

Li Sanjian was speechless. They had only been apart for three days, yet she acted as if it had been three years.

"Your Highness’s favor is something I will never forget, but... I truly cannot bear this. I am a man of humble origin, a lowly person. How could I ever be worthy of such grace?" Li Sanjian hated saying these words, but he had no choice.

Though willful, the Princess was a simple-hearted woman. Li Sanjian had never imagined that their sparring match months ago would lead her to fall for him so deeply. But given the chasm between their social statuses, how could they ever be together? How could they ever talk of marriage? While the imperial family sometimes chose sons-in-law from humble backgrounds, they chose those with merit and rank, never someone like Li Sanjian, who had failed his examinations.

"I don't care! I don't care! Just answer me this: do you like me?" Tears welled in her eyes as she clung to him.

"I do. I, Li Sanjian, may be crude, but I never lie. Princess, I truly like you." Li Sanjian held her tighter. Who wouldn't like such a beautiful, charming, and innocent girl? He was only human, a man with hot blood in his veins; his resolve easily softened in the presence of such beauty.

"San-lang..." the Princess wept in his arms. She understood as well as he did that their stations were worlds apart. Even with the favor of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, she could not escape the fate of having her marriage decided by others.

"Princess..."

"Call me Ling'er."

"Ling'er."

"San-lang..."

***

"San-lang, a great man shouldn't worry about the lack of a wife. No need to be so down," Gao Er said, noticing Li Sanjian’s despondent expression later.

Gao Er had seen the interaction between the two and understood exactly what had happened. They were just two young hearts growing fond of each other. But he also knew that the divide in their status was an unbridgeable chasm.

Li Sanjian shook his head. "Thank you, brother, but you misunderstand. I was just wondering—who decided these hierarchies? When did they begin? Must the humble remain humble for generations? 'Are kings and nobles born with high blood?'"

"Oh, hush, San-lang! You cannot say such things," Gao Er said, glancing around in terror. "That is treasonous talk. Never say it again."

Li Sanjian fell silent. Treason? It was a capital offense. But he felt that the world’s rules were merely burdens imposed by certain classes upon others.

As the wedding music drifted from the mansion, the two men stood in silence.

After a long while, Gao Er said, "Let's talk of something else."

"Like what?"

"How about the Princess Consort?" Gao Er chuckled, looking around again.

"The Princess Consort? Which one?"

"The bride today, of course," Gao Er whispered.

"Oh. What about her?"

"What do you think of her? How is her appearance?" Though it was dark, and they were hiding in the shadows, Li Sanjian could imagine Gao Er’s leering expression.

"She was veiled. How would I know what she looks like? Do you know?"

"Of course I do," Gao Er replied smugly. "A willow-thin waist, slender shoulders, a flat chest, delicate feet—she must be a stunning beauty. Not only is she beautiful, but she’ll likely bear the Prince an heir soon."

*That’s not necessarily true,* Li Sanjian thought. *Can one really judge beauty by figure alone? What if she has a beautiful body but a face like a hag?* Still, he knew that for young women, a good figure went a long way. But he disagreed with Gao Er’s comment about a "flat chest"—he had seen the Princess’s figure, and it was unforgettable. He licked his lips, lost in the memory of the Princess. He wondered if he would ever have such a chance again... though he knew it was impossible.

*I should have been bolder,* he thought with a trace of regret.

The two were so engrossed in their talk that they didn't notice someone standing before them.

"The two of you, come with me."

"Your Highness?" Li Sanjian and Gao Er gasped in unison as they realized who was standing there.