MFMH C101

Chapter 101 — A Double Happiness

The twentieth day of the fifth month — auspicious for marriage, meeting friends, forging alliances, and welcoming wealth.

That morning at first light, Shen Yanbei had already dressed neatly, waiting for the auspicious hour to set off to the Duke of Zhen’s residence to fetch Gu Changfeng.

The bridal procession departed from the Shen residence, winding through half of Yongjing before arriving at the Duke’s gates. The entire capital knew this was the pair’s wedding day, and many had gathered in the streets to watch the spectacle.

Drums thundered and gongs clanged, a red bridal procession stretched for ten li without end. Carriages lined the streets, from avenue to alley. To prevent chaos, the magistrate’s office had dispatched yamen runners to maintain order.

Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng both rode fine steeds adorned with great crimson flowers, riding side by side with calm dignity along the planned route toward the Shen residence. The watching crowd craned their necks to see.

“The groom is so handsome!”

“Huh? Wait—why are there two grooms?”

“What two grooms? That’s Cabinet Scholar Shen and the husband he is marrying, the Duke of Zhen!”

“But why is the husband not in a bridal sedan?”

“You ignorant fool! The Duke of Zhen is a general, not some delicate shuang’er. Why should he ride a sedan?”

“But isn’t that against custom?”

“What custom? The Duke of Zhen is no ordinary shuang’er — he is the only shuang’er ever since the founding of Great Qi, even since the former dynasty, to hold the rank of Duke! Who cares about a sedan?”

“Well, that…”

“Ignorant, truly ignorant! If a shuang’er can earn a ducal title by his own merit, who cares if he rides a sedan or not?”

“Exactly! If Lord Shen doesn’t mind, what business is it of yours?”

If Shen Yanbei had heard these words, he would only have smiled faintly.

Of course he did not mind! On the contrary, he wanted to openly and proudly proclaim to the world that he was marrying Duke Gu Chongxiao!

How could his husband, a great man, be wronged to shrink into some tiny sedan? Naturally, he must ride beside him, shoulder to shoulder, sharing fortune and honor!

Outside the Shen gates, carriages and palanquins of all kinds lined up. The steward, face glowing with joy, welcomed guests at the door. The household bustled with festivity, every servant clad in fresh matching attire, smiling as they ushered guests in.

The main hall was filled with joyous clamor. Guests with invitations were seated there to witness the ceremony.

At the crackle of firecrackers, someone shouted, “The grooms have arrived!” Instantly the chatter fell silent, all eyes turning to the entrance.

Hand in hand, a youth in scarlet wedding robes and a man in matching attire entered. The youth was strikingly handsome, a smile at his lips; the man was strong and steady, his gaze gentle. The guests sighed with admiration.

Normally, in a shuang’er marriage, the shuang’er would wear a slightly more ornate male wedding robe and cover his face with a red veil. But Gu Changfeng did not.

Tall and upright, he stood openly before all. His black hair was secured with a gold-inlaid jade coronet. The sharp planes of his face were softened with a touch of powder, making him less severe and more handsome. His wedding robe was edged in black, embroidered with dragons soaring among clouds in gold and silver thread. At his waist, a jade belt edged with gold silk; on his feet, cloud-patterned boots woven with golden threads. He exuded noble majesty.

Beside him, the youth wore the same garb — yet on him it revealed peerless elegance.

Standing together, they looked perfectly matched.

The once-bustling hall filled with whispers. Gu Changfeng, with sharp ears, clearly heard someone murmur: though the Duke was not as soft and pretty as other shuang’ers, standing with Lord Shen he was a fine match.

A subtle, indescribable joy rose in his chest, and his lips curved before he knew it.

His wide sleeve shifted, and suddenly a damp hand clasped his. Turning, he saw Shen Yanbei smiling at him as he held his hand.

Unbothered by the crowd’s gaze, Shen Yanbei leaned close and whispered in his ear: “My husband is handsome as he is — they just lack the eye to see it!”

Gu Changfeng hummed softly, gripping his hand firmly, eyes full of laughter.

“Imperial edict arrives—!”

A sharp voice rang out, drawing every gaze.

A young eunuch with a clean-shaven face entered, smiling as he bore the decree. “Duke of Zhen, Lord Shen, His Majesty has a decree.”

Both recognized him as one of the emperor’s close attendants. They exchanged a glance, bowed first, and then all present knelt to listen.

The eunuch unfolded the decree and read: “By Heaven’s mandate, the Emperor decrees: On this day, as Duke Gu Chongxiao and Cabinet Scholar Shen Yanbei wed, We are greatly comforted. Specially bestowed: one jade ruyi, eight night pearls from the Eastern Sea…”

With each item announced, a eunuch stepped forward bearing a red silk–covered tray, until ten stood in the hall.

The list was so long Shen Yanbei was astonished. Had the emperor even sent Su Qingze’s share along?

The Su matriarch was gravely ill, her end said to be near. Su Qingze had returned months ago to tend her, unable to attend the wedding. Shen Yanbei had set the date suddenly and hadn’t time to notify him. Likely his gift was still en route.

When the eunuch finished reading, he smiled at the two.

“I, Gu Chongxiao, receive the decree!”

“I, Shen Yanbei, receive the decree!”

Shen Yanbei stepped forward to take the scroll. The eunuch flicked his horsetail whisk. “Congratulations to you both!”

“If Eunuch is not too busy, please stay for a cup of wine before leaving,” Shen Yanbei offered.

“Then I thank Lord Shen!” the eunuch said gladly.

The guests, especially officials, once more noted how favored Shen Yanbei was by the emperor — even dealings with palace attendants he carried without hesitation.

As the auspicious hour arrived, the master of ceremonies raised his voice: “The time is come! Let the grooms bow!”

Standing side by side, Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng faced the officiant.

“First, bow to Heaven and Earth!”

Together they lifted their robes, turned toward the doors, and knelt.

“Second, bow to the high hall!”

They turned to face the ancestral tablets of Shen’s parents and the Duke and Duchess, bowing in reverence.

For ordinary couples, the high hall meant only the groom’s parents. But Gu Changfeng held a noble title — his sons could one day inherit, and his title itself was inherited. Thus, both sets of parents’ tablets were placed upon the table.

“Third, bow to each other!”

They rose, turned, and looked silently at one another — each seeing a reflection of himself in the other’s eyes.

Shen Yanbei’s lips curved, and he bowed first.

Gu Changfeng’s pupils trembled. He followed, bowing deeply.

“Rites complete!”

As the words fell, firecrackers exploded outside. The waiting musicians struck up joyous tunes. Guests rose to offer congratulations. The hall burst into celebration.

Without a veil to wear, Gu Changfeng need not wait in the bridal chamber. Shen Yanbei led him at once to toast the guests.

But with Gu Changfeng present, none dared press Shen Yanbei to drink heavily. A few ceremonial sips sufficed.

Nor did anyone dare tease them with the usual wedding pranks. One of the grooms was, after all, the general who had captured the barbarian khan alive. No one dared offend. Thus, after a round of toasts, they were free to retire.

The bridal chamber was drenched in red double-happiness characters. On the side table, dragon-and-phoenix candles burned brightly. The new bed beneath gauzy curtains was scattered with red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds — auspicious tokens of fertility.

Fearing they might drink too much at the banquet, Shen Yanbei had ordered a full meal set aside in the chamber. Entering, he first placed food before Gu Changfeng. “You must be hungry. Eat a little first!”

Weddings brought joy but also exhaustion. Thankfully, with their rank, many tasks had been delegated to servants.

Gu Changfeng did not touch the chopsticks. Instead, he poured wine into two cups, one for each of them.

Lifting his cup, his gaze burned on Shen Yanbei, firm and earnest. Shen Yanbei blinked, then smiled faintly and raised his own cup.

They crossed arms, tilted their heads back, and drank.

Setting down his cup, Shen Yanbei smiled. “We’ve drunk the cross-cup wine. Now may we eat, my husband?”

Gu Changfeng’s black eyes gleamed.

Shen Yanbei placed tender fish into his bowl, warning: “Stop staring at me like that. If you keep staring, I’ll eat you instead of dinner.”

Heat rose to Gu Changfeng’s face. Guests still feasted outside. If they…

The thought made his ears burn. He bent his head quickly to eat. Yet the moment the fish touched his tongue, nausea surged. His face paled, nearly gagging.

“What’s wrong? Where do you feel unwell?” Shen Yanbei asked urgently.

Gu Changfeng shook his head, forcing the bite down. “It’s nothing. Just sudden nausea.”

Shen Yanbei frowned. His husband had always been strong, hardly ever ill. But in these two days since returning, his spirits had seemed poor. Last night, holding him, he had felt how much thinner he had become.

With medicine here so crude, Shen Yanbei said gravely, “If you feel unwell, see a physician. Don’t endure it.”

But it was their wedding day. To summon a doctor now seemed inauspicious. Gu Changfeng said, “I’m fine, only a little tired.”

He truly was exhausted.

The night before, the dowager duchess had flown into a frenzy at news of his investiture and marriage decree. She wailed, threatened suicide, demanded to see him. Fearing scandal, servants had called him. Annoyed, but unwilling to let the day be marred, he went. The woman had cut herself with a hairpin, bleeding across the floor, smearing her blood into curses against him, wishing he would never bear children.

Suppressing fury, he struck her unconscious, summoned a doctor, and ordered secrecy.

After such turmoil, sleep was impossible. At dawn, he was woken again, forced to carry himself through the day.

Shen Yanbei studied him quietly. Gu Changfeng met his gaze calmly.

Finding no flaw, Shen Yanbei said, “Then eat quickly and rest.” Inwardly, though, he resolved to summon a doctor come morning.

Gu Changfeng nodded. He had no appetite, the fish making him sicker. But not wanting Shen Yanbei to worry, he forced down every bite placed before him.

It only worsened the turmoil in his stomach.

Silently, he gathered his inner strength, trying to soothe himself, suppressing the nausea.

Guests remained outside. Shen Yanbei urged him to rest, then went to send the guests off.

“Ugh—”

The moment the door closed, Gu Changfeng doubled over, retching.

When Shen Yanbei returned, he was already lying on the bridal bed.

Bathed and clad in soft underrobes, his long dark hair spilled over the pillow.

Shen Yanbei’s heart itched. He stepped closer.

Gu Changfeng’s eyes were closed, breath even, as if asleep.

So tired? Shen Yanbei sat at the bedside, gently brushing hair from his brow. “Changfeng?”

Gu Changfeng’s lids lifted. Drowsy, he murmured, “Yanbei…” Earlier, he had vomited till he was spent, emptying even bile. Ashamed of his state, he had hurried to wash. Afterward, too weary, he had lain down, drifting off.

But tonight was their wedding night! Mustering his will, he leaned forward, kissing Shen Yanbei’s lips still flavored with wine.

In his drowsiness he was endearing, tempting. Yet Shen Yanbei, tender-hearted, embraced him instead, kissing his cheek. “Sleep if you’re tired. You’re mine now — any night can be our bridal night. No need to force yourself.”

Resting his head on Shen Yanbei’s shoulder, Gu Changfeng whispered, “Do you not want me?”

With a laugh, Shen Yanbei nuzzled his face. “Of course I do. You still owe me many times over. I’ll keep count. When you’ve slept, we’ll begin.”

Gu Changfeng was silent, pondering. At last he said, “All right, keep count,” and closed his eyes against his shoulder.

He felt too unwell. If they coupled, Shen Yanbei would notice. He would not spoil his joy.

Shen Yanbei could only laugh and sigh, helping him lie flat before washing himself.

The dragon-and-phoenix candles burned through the night, yet the pair did nothing more than embrace tenderly until dawn.

When the sky lightened, Shen Yanbei awoke first. Beside him, Gu Changfeng still slept.

Watching him, Shen Yanbei frowned, then rose.

Something was truly wrong.

He sent Zhou Yu, practicing in the courtyard, to fetch a physician, while he prepared breakfast.

By the time he returned with the tray, Gu Changfeng was awake — and gagging.

Startled, Shen Yanbei rushed to bring water.

Pale-faced, Gu Changfeng whispered, “Yanbei…” He could not explain, only that his body felt wretched, his stomach roiling.

Shen Yanbei wiped his face. “It’s all right. The doctor will be here any moment.”

And indeed, soon Zhou Yu returned with a white-bearded physician.

After hearing the symptoms and taking his pulse, the elder stroked his beard and chuckled. “Your noble husband is not ill. It is merely morning sickness.”

Morning sickness? Shen Yanbei was struck dumb.

His—his husband was pregnant?