MFMH C100

Chapter 100 — Betrothal Gifts

If before, some who had heard the imperial decree of marriage had felt regret for Shen Yanbei or even secretly gloated, then upon seeing him snatch up the decree in eager delight, eyes brimming with joy, they finally realized that this youngest cabinet minister in the history of Great Qi — indeed, since the previous dynasty — was not only willing but genuinely glad to marry this newly appointed Duke of Zhen.

Everyone found it inconceivable.

As the sole grand official of rank above the first grade, the Duke of Zhen was undeniably capable, a title well deserved. Yet, as a shuang’er, he seemed far less ideal.

He had neither striking looks nor a supple figure; nothing that stirred men’s pity or protective instincts.

And Shen Yanbei — brilliant, quick of thought, daring to conceive and to act where others would not — even his taste in affection was uncommon. Who would have thought he favored a shuang’er harder and more unyielding than himself!

“Congratulations to you both!” Zhang Youzheng stepped forward from among the dazed officials, the first to offer felicitations.

“Many thanks, Lord Zhang!” Shen Yanbei smiled broadly, bowing with clasped hands.

The Chancellor, seeing no trace of reluctance in his radiant joy, secretly nodded, then too stepped forward. “Congratulations to Duke of Zhen and Lord Shen.”

With the leaders of both the conservative and reformist factions extending congratulations, the rest of the officials followed, offering their blessings. Shen Yanbei received them all with a full smile, then finally said to the assembly: “The twentieth of May, two days hence, is an auspicious day. If any lords have leisure, you are welcome to join us for wine.”

…The date was already set?

“Certainly, certainly!” The ministers, startled, nevertheless responded quickly with laughter.

“Then I shall await the honor of your presence,” Shen Yanbei said, grinning like a fool, and in front of them all, took Gu Changfeng’s hand openly and led him from the hall.

Gu Changfeng still felt a strange unreality. He stared at the youth whose brows and eyes were filled with smiles, emotions within him rising and crashing like waves — sourness and sweetness intermingled, flooding his chest until his eyes stung.

They were now rightfully betrothed? They could be together, openly and honorably?

Shen Yanbei, seeing him silent, only gazing at him with those deep black eyes, felt his heart soften. “What is it?”

Adam’s apple moving, Gu Changfeng’s voice rasped: “We are to be married?”

“That’s right!” Shen Yanbei squeezed his hand. “I’ve already had the wedding robes made! Rest well tomorrow, and the day after we’ll bow to heaven and earth!”

Gu Changfeng had many things he wanted to say — if you marry me, will it bring you enemies and hinder your career? If I truly cannot bear children, what then? Yet, under the youth’s tender, joyous gaze, all these shadowed thoughts dissolved into a single “Mm.”

Rubbing his weary brow, Shen Yanbei’s voice was gentle. “Go home, bathe, and sleep well. Leave the rest to me. You needn’t worry.”

It had been over half a year since Gu Changfeng last returned to the Duke of Zhen’s residence. There remained the duchess — no, now she was the Dowager Duchess — and he needed to see her and give instructions for the wedding arrangements.

Gu Changfeng understood this, and though reluctant, said simply, “All right.”

At the Duke’s gate, Shen Yanbei released his hand. “Go on.”

Though his husband had returned, he had not been able to hold him even for a while. In his heart he felt a pang of regret. Yet in the eyes of the world, Gu Changfeng had not yet “entered the household.” He could not so brazenly drag him back home.

Gu Changfeng’s return was like the Duke’s residence finding its anchor once more. The steward had already ordered the house thoroughly cleaned, the main gates opened, the servants lined up in formal welcome. The decree had been proclaimed — Gu Changfeng was the rightful master of the Duke’s household, and none dared show disrespect. The decree of marriage had spread through Yongjing as well, and with Shen Yanbei having announced publicly that the wedding would be in two days, time was pressing and nothing yet prepared. Anxious, the steward hurried to arrange everything after reporting to Gu Changfeng.

Then a gatekeeper came to report: the Shen household’s betrothal gifts had arrived. The steward ordered them received and sent word to Gu Changfeng.

Gu Changfeng had just bathed away the dust of travel and meant to rest. Recently, beyond his agitation, he had been unusually drowsy. The march back to the capital with the army had been relentless, with little chance to rest.

Hearing the report, he frowned before going to the front hall.

A long procession bearing betrothal gifts stretched from the Duke’s gate out into the street.

Brawny men, dressed alike, carried boxes draped in red silk, standing in pairs at the entrance. The stewards of both households exchanged courtesies.

“Time being short, your noble house likely has not yet prepared the auspicious-day decorations. My master ordered me to deliver these together.” Alongside the betrothal gifts came decorations of silk and red paper, and even Gu Changfeng’s wedding robes.

The Duke’s steward could not help but be moved. Lord Shen had thought of everything! From such meticulous care, one could see how much he valued this marriage — or rather, how much he cherished the Duke’s household.

Onlookers along the road jested: the Duke had only just returned, and already betrothal gifts were delivered. Wasn’t Lord Shen in a rush to wed him?

Some, envious of the heavy chests, sneered, “Hanlin officials are the poorest. Where did he find the silver for such gifts? Did he embezzle during the disaster relief?”

A vicious slander. At once, someone scolded, “Lord Shen only just claimed the imperial reward of one hundred thousand taels for his grain-yield innovations! And during the Liyang relief, every coin was publicly accounted. How do facts turn black in your mouth?”

“Indeed! To slander a court official is to invite prosecution. Best wash that filthy mouth before stepping out again!”

“Others earn their bridal fortune with skill. Even if you bleed from envy, it won’t help you!”

The crowd’s righteous defense silenced the slanderer, who slunk away.

Even Gu Changfeng wondered where Shen Yanbei had gotten so much silver.

Looking at the boxes filling the courtyard, he opened the first.

Inside, rows of gleaming gold ingots, neatly stacked. He froze at the sight. Roughly counted, there was about ten thousand taels!

The second and third chests held white silver ingots, around one hundred thousand taels in all.

Opening the fourth, he found old-fashioned jewelry laid out on red silk. Gu Changfeng stared for a while before picking up a set of hair ornaments.

Rough and hardened, he had never used cosmetics or worn adornments. Yet for such obviously feminine ornaments to be placed in the fourth chest meant they held great significance.

Not precious for their material worth, but for what they represented.

The Shen family had once been wealthy. Yet even in Shen Yanbei’s fall, these had not been pawned. He had never seen them before, but now Shen Yanbei had sent them over…

They were what Shen Yanbei’s parents had prepared for their future daughter-in-law.

With mixed feelings, Gu Changfeng opened the rest of the chest, finding a set of refined and imposing ornaments — coronet, belt, jade pendant complete.

Pressing his lips together, he realized they were precisely to his taste, clearly chosen with him in mind.

In the fifth chest lay a dagger of exotic design, its hilt inlaid with gold and gems, magnificently ornate.

The sixth…

Chest after chest, the more he saw, the hotter his eyes grew, and the heavier his heart. Had Shen Yanbei emptied his fortune just to prepare these?

The Duke’s household vaults already held everything. He had no need of these…

“The betrothal gifts have been delivered. I shall return to report,” Shen’s steward said respectfully.

Before, he had wondered whom his master would wed. Then the imperial decree of marriage had come, naming the Duke. Still reeling, he had been dispatched to deliver the gifts. Only upon receiving the Duke household’s warm welcome did it truly sink in.

His master truly meant to marry the Duke, hard-featured as a man!

Gu Changfeng drew a deep breath, suppressing the heat in his eyes, and ordered his steward to see the man out.

But with such thoughts weighing him down, he could not sleep, even lying in bed. At dinner, staring at a table full of dishes, he found no appetite, barely tasting two bites.

At last, when evening came, he changed clothes and slipped out into the night.

At the gates of the Shen residence, great red lanterns of double happiness blazed, proclaiming the master’s wedding.

Scarlet fabric wound about walls and eaves, lanterns hung at every corner. The main residence, where the master lived, shone brightest of all, festooned in joyous splendor.

Dropping down from the roof, Gu Changfeng saw red wedding characters pasted everywhere.

Lights still burned within — the youth was not yet asleep.

He pushed the door open gently. The creak startled the man inside, who turned quickly. Seeing him, his eyes lit up.

“Why have you come?” Shen Yanbei set down his brush and walked swiftly over.

Fresh from a bath, he wore only a pale underrobe. His half-damp hair spilled down his back, the warm glow of the lamps softening his smiling face, filling Gu Changfeng’s chest with warmth.

Pulling him into a fierce embrace, Gu Changfeng buried his face against his neck, inhaling deeply of his clean scent.

It was rare to see him so emotional. Shen Yanbei wrapped him close, murmuring, “What’s wrong?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” Gu Changfeng muttered.

Shen Yanbei stroked his back gently, smiling faintly. “Shall I sleep with you?”

Gu Changfeng gave no answer. The mood passed swiftly. Releasing him, he looked earnestly at Shen Yanbei. “Did you spend your entire fortune on the betrothal gifts?”

Shen Yanbei blinked, then chuckled. “Is that why you can’t sleep?”

Gu Changfeng nodded. Shen Yanbei laughed, pulled him to the table, and pressed him into a chair, pouring him water. “The businesses, both main and branch, have prospered these two years. The pickled goods as well. I only shifted the spare profits here.

“Oh, and the hundred thousand taels reward from court, plus some other grants…”

Gu Changfeng exhaled in relief. “Even so, there was no need for so much…”

“Afraid I’ve emptied my coffers?” Shen Yanbei’s lips curved. “Then you support me. All the money is yours anyway.”

Gu Changfeng frowned. “What’s mine is yours. Using your things to support you… don’t you think—” He stopped suddenly.

He remembered when their family had nothing to eat, and Shen Yanbei had collected rents from the villagers.

“This is household money. You’re my wife — if not for you, then for whom?”

The youth had pressed the money into his hands, calling it household funds.

Gu Changfeng’s eyes reddened at once.

Seeing this, Shen Yanbei soothed him. “What’s mine is yours. It’s only a formality. Besides, you’re now a duke, with wealth and power. Truly, I’ve profited!”

“Yanbei…”

Overcome, Gu Changfeng’s voice was hoarse. Shen Yanbei kissed his cheek, sighed with a smile. “I once promised ten li of red bridal procession to wed you. Now, at least, it’s roughly done. Don’t overthink. Just wait happily for me to come fetch you.”

“All right.”

Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, Shen Yanbei said tenderly, “It’s late. Sleep, hm?”

“Mm.”

Lying at his side, Gu Changfeng felt peace, his taut nerves relaxing at last. Drowsiness rushed over him.

As he closed his eyes, he thought: Perhaps it is because I can finally fulfill this wish that I’ve become so strangely sentimental.