A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 68
by Little PandaPre-Wedding Arrangements
Her Wedding Gown
When Hua Rong rushed into the main hall, he noticed the slightly awkward atmosphere and hurriedly said, “Why are you still standing there? Go tell the kitchen to prepare some fine wine and dishes to welcome my son-in-law!”
Now that the master had been promoted, his status in the household was higher than ever. Madam Hua, whose own maiden family was no longer influential, had lost much of her past arrogance. She forced a smile and left the main hall.
“Worthy son-in-law, what brings you back to your wife’s maiden home with my daughter today? Are you free right now?” Hua Rong’s current attitude was much warmer than the last time.
“This son-in-law has come today because of an important matter to discuss with Father-in-Law. That’s why I’ve specifically brought Chenyu to trouble you.” Seeing Lord Hua’s somewhat kind and gentle demeanor, Shen Hetang also spoke with a respectful attitude.
“There’s no need to speak of trouble! We’re all one family, so let’s not speak like strangers. If there’s anything on your mind, just speak freely!” Hua Rong appeared extremely easygoing on the surface, but his heart was in a bit of a flutter. This son-in-law of his, who had once been a mere bailiff, had suddenly transformed into the Little General. It was truly a case of a rough stone turning into a precious jade.
When Shen Hetang attended court that day, she had deliberately let Hua Rong see her. Once the thin paper window was poked through, getting things done became much easier.
“Father-in-Law, I’m thinking of holding my wedding with Chenyu once again,” Shen Hetang explained her purpose simply. “After all, the husband-selection by silk ball in Qingyuan County was rather simple. Now that I’ve returned to my manor, I must introduce her to others in an honorable and upright manner.”
“Mm, this old man naturally has no problem with that, but… but…!” Hua Rong stammered for a long while without getting to the point.
Seeing him hesitate, Shen Hetang said, “Does Father-in-Law have any concerns?”
“This… this… this old man will speak plainly. General Shen, rumors say your marriage with the County Princess is drawing near. Is it true?” Thinking it over, Hua Rong decided to seek confirmation of the gossip he had heard from the source.
“Father-in-Law should still call me Ah Tang. The rumors can’t be believed. I only have Chenyu as my wife, and I definitely won’t marry the County Princess.” Seeing that Hua Rong had brought up her identity, Shen Hetang did not hide it and spoke clearly.
Since they would see each other at court every few days, and with Hua Rong having been an official for many years, he couldn’t afford to act as if he lacked worldly experience.
The two of them tactfully brought the matter to light, maintaining a mutual, unspoken understanding.
The talk went very smoothly. Hua Rong was also extremely optimistic about forming an alliance with the Shen family. The Little General was young, promising, and had a bright career ahead. For himself, with no relatives or connections in this grand capital, this would serve as a solid pillar of support.
Shen Hetang reached an agreement with Hua Rong to have Jiang Chenyu sent back to the Hua Manor before the wedding. He naturally had no reason to refuse. The two of them had already married once, and holding it again was merely for show. As long as they could keep everyone else in the dark, it would be fine.
Just like that, the venue for her departure as a bride was settled. Next came the acquisition of her dowry. Marrying from a Rank 4 official’s manor into a general’s manor required at least sixty-four lifts of dowry—neither too many nor too few, completely beyond criticism, yet not overly eye-catching.
However, even these sixty-four lifts of dowry were enough to keep Jiang Chenyu busy for quite some time.
“Can you handle it on your own? How about I go back and see if I can help you prepare everything?” Shen Hetang thought about going back to lay her cards on the table with Madam Lin. After all, she truly needed a wife to serve as a shield.
Wearing only her undergarments, Jiang Chenyu sat directly on her lap, resting both hands on her shoulders.
“You still have to prepare the betrothal gifts, and adding that to mine would be too much! Your jiejie has plenty of money, so don’t worry!” With a proud, playful expression, she hooked her finger under Shen Hetang’s exquisite, fair chin.
“Whose jiejie are you?” Shen Hetang’s voice was clear and gentle, hovering somewhere between male and female, as she smiled at the beautiful woman playing mischievously on her lap.
A nimble hand slid beneath the hem of her undergarments, climbing upward like a vine, refusing to be denied.
Flustered and flushed from the teasing, Jiang Chenyu did not dare to meet her gaze, quickly averting her eyes, which were already hazy with desire.
Yet, when she noticed that Shen Hetang’s eyes remained clear—free of the same flustered passion that gripped her—she felt a pang of reluctance. She yanked at Shen Hetang’s collar and began kissing her way down the pale, jade-like skin, inch by inch, until she finally heard the other’s breath turn ragged. Only then did she reveal a triumphant look, her eyes as lively and clever as a little fox that had succeeded in its mischief.
Her triumph did not last long, however, before she was pulled onto the bed.
In the main hall of the Shen Manor, Madam Lin’s eyes widened in sheer shock when she heard that Shen Hetang was getting married.
“Wait… is it… a man or a woman?” Madam Lin instinctively glanced left and right before asking in a low whisper.
“A woman, naturally. Otherwise, how do you expect me—a ‘man’—to marry another man? Why don’t you give me a suggestion instead?!” Shen Hetang looked at the culprit behind her plight, utterly speechless.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Madam Lin was still struck with disbelief. “But you can’t marry a woman either! What will you do in the future? Could you actually become a real husband and wife with her?” Her mind was in a complete daze, and so many words rushed to her tongue that she did not know where to begin.
“Just the other day, your son was almost given an imperial marriage by His Majesty. Tell me, would a wife bestowed by him be better, or is it better to find one myself?” Shen Hetang looked at Madam Lin and spoke in a slow, deliberate manner.
“An imperial marriage?” Madam Lin’s voice rose slightly.
“Keep your voice down, mother. If my secret’s exposed, you know the consequences, right? That’s why it’s better to settle on a wife early to block anyone else with designs on me.” Shen Hetang continued her persuasion.
“That might be true, but what decent young lady would willingly agree to such an arrangement? And even if you can hide it for now, you can’t hide it forever. How are we supposed to resolve this in the end?” Madam Lin’s face puckered with worry, her brow wrinkling deeply.
“Now you realize there’s no way to resolve this, Mother? I thought you’d been quite pleased all this time.” Shen Hetang teased Madam Lin, noting her distressed expression.
“But you don’t need to worry about this. I can handle it myself. I already have someone in mind. Mother, go make the marriage proposal for me.” A look of sincere anticipation entered Shen Hetang’s eyes.
“Which family’s daughter is so magnanimous? Mother will go secure the match for you tomorrow.” Things had already reached this point, so this was their only option. They had to marry first to cover up the truth and get through the immediate crisis before worrying about anything else.
“She’s the daughter of the newly promoted Rank 4 Censor, Lord Hua. I’ve already arranged everything else. Mother, you only need to bring the betrothal gifts and visit them directly. Just find a matchmaker as well.” With a matchmaker spreading the word, it would not be long before everyone knew she was getting married.
“Very well, Mother will prepare immediately.” Madam Lin did not know what to feel. Her heart was absolutely consumed with regret, but she could only do as Shen Hetang said.
Seeing the profound sorrow on her mother’s face, Shen Hetang draped an arm around Madam Lin’s shoulder to comfort her. “Don’t be like this. That girl’s quite beautiful. I’m not the one losing out here.”
Madam Lin shot her a thoroughly displeased look before rushing off to the storehouse. The Shen family had led armies for three generations. It was widely believed that military generals were exceedingly wealthy, and indeed, during the grandfather’s time as the Great General, the family had been exceptionally rich and boastful. When it came to Shen Yao, however, he had merely been a garrison general, and the fortune he accumulated was far less than what the old patriarch had amassed during his era of conquest. Yet, the Shen family had always been sparsely populated, so even the estate left behind by the grandfather was more than enough to sustain them for several lifetimes.
Madam Lin unlocked the storehouse doors and touched the chests of dowry she had once prepared for her daughter. Now that they were being converted into betrothal gifts, they seemed to mock her past ignorance.
It was one thing for her to have brought this sin upon herself, but she had dragged her daughter into sharing this bitter fruit. Yet, no matter how dejected she felt, life had to go on, and this wife had to be wed. Of two evils, choose the lesser1; compared to the crime of deceiving the emperor2, simply surviving was far more important.
If the matter of deceiving the sovereign was dragged out to the very end, they still had one final resort. However, that option depended entirely on fate and destiny. It would be up to heaven’s choice, and they could only follow.
Madam Lin did not have much time to grieve. Shen Hetang had not given her much time, and she had to act quickly to welcome Censor Hua’s daughter into the family before the end of the year.
Thinking of this, Madam Lin grew somewhat curious about her future daughter-in-law. What kind of young lady would be willing to act as such a shield? This was, after all, a lifelong matter. She was truly a living Bodhisattva3.
Soon, the matchmaker was engaged, and the gengtie4 were exchanged. Skipping the formal betrothal ceremony, they went straight to the Three Letters and Six Rites5, preparing the bridal sedan chair to welcome the bride.
The court was stunned to hear that General Shen was suddenly getting married. Everyone scrambled to find out whose daughter had managed to quietly snatch him away from the County Princess.
At such times, Hua Rong would straighten his spine and reply, “My humble self is undeserving. It is indeed my daughter who is marrying General Shen.”
This drew envious glances from all his colleagues who had daughters. Everyone knew that General Shen was promising, capable, exceptionally handsome, and kept no concubines—making him the absolute best choice for a son-in-law. For such a massive bargain to be picked up by an official who had only recently arrived in the capital was enough to make the established noble families green with envy.
Hua Rong politely invited his colleagues to the wedding feast. It was not that he wished to boast, but because paper cannot wrap fire6. It was better to announce it himself to avoid giving others a reason to gossip later.
Between preparing her dowry, Jiang Chenyu had been so busy lately that her feet were hitting the back of her head7. The things that could be bought were easy enough to acquire, but the wedding gown was a massive headache. Such a garment was supposed to be hand-embroidered by the bride herself, and with time so short, where was she supposed to find one?
Just as she was worrying over this, Shen Hetang brought over a premium rosewood chest.
“What is inside this? Even the box is inlaid with jewels.” Looking at the carved wooden chest studded with gems, Jiang Chenyu stepped forward with curiosity.
“Open it and see.” Shen Hetang placed the chest on a small side table, anticipating her reaction.
Meeting Shen Hetang’s eager gaze, Jiang Chenyu solemnly opened the chest. A brilliant, dazzling red filled her vision—it was an exquisitely embroidered wedding gown.
The inner robe featured a round collar, its neckline adorned with a delicate border of small pearls. The chest and wide sleeves were embroidered with a classic pattern of phoenixes and peonies. The colors were vibrant, the stitching flawless. Woven into the bright crimson fabric were subtle, dark-patterned motifs of magpies perched on plum blossoms, lending the entire garment an air of grand elegance and brilliant beauty.
Yet, as exquisite as it was, this was merely the inner robe. In addition, there was an inner cloak combined with an outer cloak. The moment the outermost cloak was shaken open, its sheer nobility and extravagance were breathtaking.
It featured three pairs of pure gold butterfly-and-child buttons, and the sleeves were heavily embroidered with sweeping patterns of phoenixes and peonies. The dark patterns along the hem carried a metallic sheen, shimmering with a faint gold light. The borders of the navy-blue xiapei8 were trimmed with gold beads and pearls, rendering it extraordinarily luxurious.
The blooming peonies on the xiapei and the phoenix pattern on the back complemented each other perfectly, presenting an overwhelming sense of sheer magnificence.
“Do you like it? Try it on to see if there’s anywhere that doesn’t fit, so we can have it altered quickly.”
“This is far too beautiful. Where’d you get it?” Jiang Chenyu stroked the embroidery and pearls over and over again.
“Take a guess. If you guess correctly, there’s a reward.” Shen Hetang said, watching her joyous expression.
“Let me guess… could it be your own?” Seeing how relaxed and certain she looked, a sudden flash of inspiration hit Jiang Chenyu.
“Ah Yu is so clever, guessing it right away.” She reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Chenyu’s ear.
Hearing that it was truly Shen Hetang’s own wedding gown, Jiang Chenyu’s large, shimmering peach-blossom eyes gazed brightly at her. In spite of herself, she threw herself into her arms. A remarkably wondrous feeling welled up within her—an indescribable sensation, like a mountain stream thawing in spring, or a gentle breeze blowing across a forest path, bringing complete comfort and peace of mind.
“It’s such a shame that you can’t wear such an exquisite and beautiful wedding gown yourself,” Jiang Chenyu murmured in her ear, feeling a bit aggrieved on her behalf, yet simultaneously glad that she could not wear it. It was an incredibly contradictory feeling.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’d much rather see you wear it. If you hadn’t saved it, then no matter how beautiful this gown is, it would only have remained hidden away at the bottom of a chest, never to see the light of day.” Shen Hetang wrapped her arms around her, feeling her impossibly slender waist, so delicate and soft.
Madam Lin had harbored her own little secret thoughts after all, surreptitiously preparing a wedding gown for Shen Hetang. She had never imagined that this heartfelt gesture would ultimately be used by her future daughter-in-law. It was a happy accident, a case of things turning out for the best.
Footnotes
- A classic philosophical idiom meaning to select the option that causes less overall harm or risk when faced with two undesirable choices.
- Lying to or misleading the reigning sovereign, historically a capital offense carrying the execution penalty in imperial China.
- A Buddhist-derived term referring to a highly compassionate, selfless person who acts as a savior or benefactor.
- A marriage horoscope document containing birth details used to check astrological compatibility.
- The traditional formal marriage proposal and wedding process in ancient China, consisting of three formal letters and six ritual stages.
- A classic Chinese proverb meaning secrets cannot be kept forever, and the truth will eventually come to light.
- A common colloquial northern Chinese idiom describing someone who is so busy and rushed that they are constantly on the move.
- An ornamental, scarf-like vestment worn over the shoulders in traditional Chinese formal wear, often decorated with intricate embroidery and tassels.
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