Fish Meat – Chapter 168
by Little PandaThe Fourth Year of Zhao Wu
Double Silk Net (3)
The wedding mansion bestowed by the Son of Heaven had been cleaned, and all household items had been moved from the Zhuo Jun Mansion. As the grand wedding approached, the feast tables were set with three ceremonial vessels in the east, and wedding clothes were ready with ink carriages waiting. The Wei family’s servants all came to help. While the ancestral teachings and customs for grand weddings couldn’t be changed, this pair of newlyweds being two women was unprecedented in history. Not just in the current dynasty – even looking back a thousand years, there were no examples to reference. Because this wedding was of great importance, the Son of Heaven specifically instructed that no mistakes or breaches of etiquette would be tolerated, making the Junior Supervisor You Ming extremely nervous, fearing any misstep would bring severe consequences.
This new mansion was still in Wanquan Ward, actually right next to the Zhuo Jun Mansion. It was formerly the residence of the Imperial Secretary, more than twice as spacious as the Zhuo Jun Mansion. After the former Imperial Secretary was reassigned as a regional governor, this mansion became vacant. Li Yanyi felt that the Zhuo Jun Mansion where the two wives previously lived was too small, and even though she personally advocated for frugality, she couldn’t let her trusted officials live in such a tiny place where one could barely take two steps, so she bestowed the Imperial Secretary’s mansion to them as a wedding gift.
Actually, Zhen Wenjun and Wei Tingxu still preferred the Zhuo Jun Mansion. Even though it was small, they had decorated it bit by bit with their own hands, and every corner held their efforts and favorite embellishments. They couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s gift though. Zhen Wenjun had already planned that after the wedding, she would have someone break through the wall between Zhuo Jun Mansion and the Imperial Secretary’s mansion to join them into one. They would still live in the Zhuo Jun Mansion, and use Her Majesty’s gifted mansion as the back courtyard. The study, waterside walkway, and larger hot spring pool they had wanted before could now become reality.
The news of Wei Tingxu and Zhen Wenjun’s marriage quickly spread to the common people with the central government’s promotion. Initially, the common people had hated the Path of Ten Thousand Directions, feeling it only increased their labor burden without bringing any benefits. The commercial prosperity only benefited Runing and towns along the route, while other small towns received no actual benefits, instead adding more burden to people who already had no money or food.
The resentment toward Li Yanyi and Wei Tingxu continued until the end of the Third Year of Zhaowu.
Under the full support of the Da Yu Emperor, the King of Liuhuo Kingdom, and various small countries along the route eager to get a piece of the pie, the road network and post stations arose rapidly, greatly reducing costs for merchant caravans. Soon, from the capital Runing to various prefectures, larger towns in regions like Nanya, Pingcang, and Dongchun were filled with foreign merchant groups and goods, gradually spreading to other areas.
As trade flourished, local pottery kilns and workshops also quickly became active. Finally tasting sweetness [meaning: experiencing benefits], the common people began to appreciate Li Yanyi’s goodness and praise Wei Tingxu’s achievements as genuine accomplishments.
As the common people who could now eat their fill, dress warmly, and have money for the new year gradually changed their view of female officials, the Zhuxie Cult who had been operating under the slogan “kill demon women to carry out heaven’s will” suddenly started targeting civilians.
Just as a group of disaster victims had moved into the simple shelters built by the court and received relief grain, the Zhuxie Cult set their sights on them. It was said these cult members forcibly broke into people’s homes, harshly condemning these disaster victims for forgetting kindness and betraying righteousness [meaning: being ungrateful], actually accepting gifts from demon women, having no shame! The cult members demanded these victims leave the shelters, hand over their grain, and join the Zhuxie Cult to help eliminate demon people and restore Da Yu’s masculine spirit.
The disaster victims had just barely saved their lives from the brink of starvation – how could they care about shame or masculinity? They only wanted to stay alive, and would resist anyone who tried to harm them.
The conflict with Zhuxie Cult resulted in six disaster victims being killed. This incident spread rapidly, and soon everyone in the country knew about it.
Although Zhuxie Cult loudly proclaimed their innocence, saying their only goal was to eliminate demon women and they would never harm ordinary civilians, their reputation still took a significant hit.
Once the Zhuxie Cult, which was rooted among the people, became unstable, it began to decline. Though it couldn’t be completely eliminated immediately, it was temporarily suppressed, which was good enough at least for the same-sex marriage law to be smoothly implemented.
Before Wei Tingxu and Zhen Wenjun’s wedding, Li Yanyi specially went to talk with them. There wasn’t much substantial content, just confirming their determination to marry, and repeatedly emphasizing that the wedding date couldn’t be delayed, or else the implementation of subsequent laws would be disrupted.
Zhen Wenjun naturally remembered Li Yanyi’s bitter mouth and caring heart [meaning: giving sincere but unpleasant advice], and understood the great importance of this matter.
Five days before the wedding, Zhen Wenjun was worried about Bu Jie, so she went to the grain and oil shop in Hetong Ward again. Just then, an old man brought a bloodstained garment, saying it belonged to someone called Bu Wensheng.
Zhen Wenjun’s heart jumped in shock, and she hurriedly pulled him aside.
“This young master once gave this humble one a bowl of rice. When I saw he had been dead for many days, I buried him locally and brought his bloodstained clothes back home,” said the old man who brought the bloodied garment. “It’s such a pity that the young master met with misfortune at such a young age – truly heaven envies talented people.”
Zhen Wenjun took the bloodied garment from the old man and found an unsent letter inside. The letter only had a greeting written, with no actual content, as if it was prepared but never finished. The letter was wrapped in coarse cloth, which was marked with the location of the grain and oil shop.
Zhen Wenjun’s first thought was disbelief. But this old man spoke in the local dialect of Nanya, which was difficult to understand. Looking at his dirty feet, wearing worn-out straw sandals with many wounds, he did indeed appear to have traveled a long distance.
Wei Tingxu would surely be concerned about what Bu Jie had been doing in these years since leaving Runing.
Zhen Wenjun clutched the bloodied garment and took out two liang of silver to give to the old man, thanking him.
Though the old man looked poor and destitute, he refused the silver: “This humble one is just doing one last small thing for a benefactor, I absolutely cannot accept this silver.”
Zhen Wenjun bowed in thanks to the old man. After he left, she planned to personally visit Sudu after the wedding, as Bu Jie’s wife and children should still be there.
Runing’s heavy snow continued past the first month this year, with thick snow accumulated on both streets and courtyards throughout the city.
On the evening of the seventh day of the second month, the Imperial Secretary’s mansion was brightly lit all night. The servants had already cleared away the snow and scattered salt on the ground. Within the three ceremonial vessels were neatly arranged pigs with hooves removed, lungs and spine meat, paired fish and rabbits. Various grains and wine vessels were all complete. From the front hall through the corridors to the bridal chamber, elegant curtains were hung everywhere, with a pair of mandarin duck pillows [traditional wedding pillows] creating a festive atmosphere in the room.
Zhen Wenjun didn’t sleep that night. She and Wei Tingxu were arranged in two separate rooms by the Junior Supervisor, who explained that since they were both “brides,” they couldn’t see each other before the ceremony.
Originally, Zhen Wenjun’s maiden family members should help with her hair, but she had no family. Thinking this small matter could be handled herself, she was about to do her own hair when the Junior Supervisor stopped her.
“How can a bride do her own hair on her wedding day!” You Ming looked anxious, but as a man, even though they now advocated removing barriers between men and women, he still felt embarrassed to directly help a bride with her hair.
You Ming called for Ah Zhu and had her help arrange Zhen Wenjun’s hair.
While combing, Ah Zhu told Zhen Wenjun to let her know if any part hurt when being combed.
Zhen Wenjun seemed to both hear and not hear, only staring at herself in the bronze mirror.
Behind her, people hurried back and forth, carrying items needed for today’s wedding. Ah Zhu carefully arranged Zhen Wenjun’s hair, inserted beautiful buyao [ornamental hairpin that sways while walking], applied hua dian [decorative forehead patches], and rouge… After busy work lasting two incense sticks’ time, Ah Zhu asked Zhen Wenjun to open her eyes.
Zhen Wenjun saw a completely different self in the bronze mirror.
“Truly ‘white snow forms jade-like features, bright pearls dot crimson lips'” [poetic description of beauty]. Ah Zhu was very satisfied with her handiwork, examining Zhen Wenjun’s delicate face with a bright smile, “The lady will surely be delighted when she sees you.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes…” Seeing her somewhat absent-minded, Ah Zhu comforted her saying most brides were like this, being nervous was inevitable, but things would be fine after the ceremony.
“From today on, Wenjun, you will be part of the Wei family.” Ah Zhu applied fine gold powder to Zhen Wenjun’s peach-pink eyelids, completing the final touch of makeup, while gently holding her hand.
Zhen Wenjun looked at her dignified reflection in the mirror, feeling completely unfamiliar with herself.
Holding a round fan, wearing pure clothes with red trim.
Zhen Wenjun walked out of the room, covering her face with the round fan amid elegant string and bamboo music, slowly walking step by step from one end of the corridor under Ah Zhu’s guidance. The maids behind her carried her long dress train, while guests filled the mansion. Zhen Wenjun looked around and saw nothing but unfamiliar, glossy faces.
Wei Tingxu came gracefully from the other end of the corridor, also covering half her face with a round fan. Her wedding attire was almost identical to Zhen Wenjun’s, though her hairstyle and makeup were different. With half her face hidden, her bright beautiful eyes captured one’s soul.
Before Zhen Wenjun reached her, Wei Tingxu’s gaze had already pierced through the long corridor, through the hanging curtains and gauze lanterns, to catch Zhen Wenjun’s attention.
Step by step drawing closer, it felt just like their first meeting in Taojun City.
Wei Tingxu’s beauty remained undeniable, she was still the person who captured hearts at first sight.
Wei Lun, the Wei family matriarch, and all members of the Wei family sat in the courtyard watching this same-sex couple gradually approach. No one showed any unbearable expressions or raised any doubts, because the Son of Heaven who orchestrated all this was present.
Li Yanyi sat at the highest position, with newly selected Zhuiyue Army soldiers guarding her safety. These Zhuiyue soldiers all had faces like iron, showing no expression, as if they couldn’t feel any festive atmosphere, standing there like living blades.
Li Yanyi watched as Wei Tingxu and Zhen Wenjun reached each other, bowed to each other, and removed each other’s fans. Together they picked up a bowl of meat dishes presented by the servants. The bowl contained pig liver, lungs, spine, and ribs – “eating from the same prison” [traditional wedding custom] these meat dishes symbolized that from now on they would “reflect each other’s liver and gallbladder, put knives between ribs” [meaning: be absolutely loyal to each other].
After eating the meat dishes, they needed to drink together from the same ceremonial vessel.
Wei Lun personally held a wine vessel made from a gourd, cut vertically down the middle with the pulp removed and red thread threaded through, filled with sweet wine. The gourd had a slight bitter taste mixed with the sweet wine, and when the couple drank together, it symbolized that from now on they would “share sweetness and bitterness together” [meaning: share life’s joys and sorrows].
After drinking the wine, Wei Tingxu and Zhen Wenjun walked side by side toward Li Yanyi, first bowing together to the Son of Heaven before bowing to their elders.
When Zhen Wenjun rose after prostrating herself, she saw Wei Lun’s face was as yellow as paper and barely breathing, while the Wei family matriarch was beaming with joy, unable to close her smiling mouth.
Ah Zhu and Ah Ran brought forward a red platform from both sides, with scissors placed on it, used to cut a lock of hair to give to each other. Hair was an extremely precious thing – the people of Da Yu never cut their hair after reaching adulthood, as cutting hair was equivalent to beheading, only different at this moment of marriage. Cutting their hair and binding it together meant they would be bound wives from now on.
Wei Tingxu cut off a lock of her hair and placed it back on the red platform, seeing that Zhen Wenjun was holding the golden scissors but hadn’t moved yet.
Everyone was watching Zhen Wenjun, not knowing what she was thinking.
Wei Tingxu called to her softly, but she didn’t raise her head. Her fingers moved, and she cut the black hair.
At the moment of binding their hair, the string and bamboo music grew louder, with congratulations from Wei family relatives and flattery from court officials mixing together, filling the courtyard with noise.
From today on, I am part of the Wei family, I am Wei Tingxu’s “wife.”
Zhen Wenjun said to herself in her heart. Even though she was present, it still felt extremely unreal.
With the Son of Heaven present, everything revolved around her, so the bridal chamber wasn’t urgent.
Li Yanyi looked very happy, having drunk several cups, holding Wei Tingxu’s hand and talking about past events, unable to stop once she started.
“This humble one has grown old, always loving to talk about the past. Zizhuo must not complain about this humble one’s chatter.” Li Yanyi’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes unfocused.
“How could Zizhuo complain about Your Majesty? Those past events have always been kept in Zizhuo’s heart…”
Ah Liao and Ah Ran together counted the wedding gifts, asking their own maids to help move the presents into the house.
After mingling among several high officials and famous scholars for a moment, Zhen Wenjun felt dizzy from the wine. The wedding clothes were really tight, making her uncomfortable after being used to wearing convenient Hu clothes. After talking with Li Yanyi and Wei Tingxu, she returned to the inner courtyard to change clothes.
“Madam,” a servant hurriedly caught up and said, “Madam, there’s a beggar at the door who says he’s an old acquaintance of yours. Seeing his dirty appearance, I thought he might be crazy and tried to send him away, but he wouldn’t leave, insisting on seeing you. The guards were afraid he might really be your friend and didn’t dare force him away, so they sent me to ask you.”
“An old acquaintance?” Zhen Wenjun removed the buyao that was hurting her neck while quickly walking toward the door.
Outside the door, she didn’t see any beggar. The servant made a puzzled sound, and as Zhen Wenjun took a few steps toward the alley ahead, suddenly someone tapped her from behind. Zhen Wenjun quickly turned around to see a man in tattered clothes, face covered in dirt, with messy beard covering most of his face – it was Bu Jie!
“It really is you!” Zhen Wenjun’s heart leaped, and she called out in a lowered voice.
Bu Jie made a “shush” gesture. Zhen Wenjun calmed down, glanced at the Imperial Secretary’s mansion, and seeing the servant hadn’t noticed her, immediately hurried with Bu Jie deeper into the alley.
Finding a hidden spot, Zhen Wenjun and Bu Jie confirmed no one was around before Bu Jie spoke.
“My lady, this time Wensheng truly had nine deaths and one life [meaning: narrowly escaped death]. Wensheng actually wanted to return earlier, but was being followed the whole way. If I hadn’t faked my death to escape, I might never have seen you again!” Upon seeing Zhen Wenjun, Bu Jie was like seeing a long-lost relative, and couldn’t help shedding tears.
Zhen Wenjun’s eyes grew hot and she almost cried too, but she really wasn’t in the mood for crying. She steadied Bu Jie and asked who wanted to kill him. Bu Jie shook his head, saying he only knew they were highly skilled assassins. When asked if he had discovered anything important, a sharp light flashed in Bu Jie’s eyes before quickly fading.
“I found out, but are you sure you want to know, my lady?”
Zhen Wenjun urgently said: “Of course I want to know! Wensheng, no matter what you found out, you must tell me everything completely!”
Bu Jie nodded.
After Bu Jie first sent the letter about Ruan Shi being a descendant of Su Li, he fell asleep from exhaustion beside a dirt pile. He didn’t know how long he slept until someone rudely kicked his head to wake him.
Bu Jie rolled up in surprise, staring at the thin old man standing beside him.
The old man held a walking stick and asked: “What relation are you to Ruan Shi? Why are you digging up her past!”
The old man’s blunt question hit the key point, so Bu Jie said he was sent by Ruan Shi’s daughter to find Ruan Shi.
Zhen Wenjun exclaimed in shock: “How did you know…”
Bu Jie smiled and said: “Though Bu has no extraordinary talents, I do have the ability to read people. My lady’s concern about Ruan Shi and similar intelligent and brave traits easily led one to think that my lady is Ruan Shi’s daughter.”
The old man seemed very surprised hearing this, asking several times “Are you saying it’s Ruan Shi Ah Qiong’s daughter?” Bu Jie saw this person seemed to know some inside information, so he continued asking. The old man suddenly collapsed onto the muddy ground without caring about the dirt, sighing loudly:
“Heaven has mercy on the Ruan family! Saved her daughter’s life!”
Bu Jie felt these words seemed to have deeper meaning, seeing him crying like rain, this person was undoubtedly an old acquaintance of Ruan Shi Ah Qiong.
Bu Jie asked the old man about Ruan Shi Ah Qiong’s whereabouts, but the old man said he didn’t know either, that he hadn’t seen the lady for twenty years.
This person was Wang Wulang, formerly a servant of the Ruan family, who had been Ah Qiong’s father’s study companion since childhood and watched Ah Qiong grow up.
Back then, the Ruan family served Emperor Ming loyally, always being the Emperor’s trusted inner circle courtiers.
Originally, Wang Wulang was only willing to say this much, but Bu Jie went to pester him every day, bringing lots of food, helping fix his roof and carry water, which finally moved Wang Wulang to continue remembering more.
Wang Wulang said that Ah Qiong was a typical Su Li descendant, with high eyebrows, deep-set eyes, beautiful and intelligent. Whether it was profound classical studies, complex martial arts techniques, or ever-changing military strategies, she always understood everything immediately. Ah Qiong loved playing chess most – by age eight she could completely defeat Wang Wulang in every game, by twelve she could match Master Ruan, and it was hard to find opponents for her in Runing City.
If there was one person who could compete with Ah Qiong, it was the Wei family’s eldest young master, Wei Jinghe.
Wei Jinghe and Ah Qiong were the legitimate children of two of Runing’s three great noble families, the Wei clan and Ruan clan. At that time, Da Yu’s noble families emphasized matching status even more – forget about marriage, no one had ever seen noble family’s young masters or ladies mixing with poor commoners. Noble children had their own circles, and Runing’s circle centered around the Ruan family, with people constantly trying to squeeze in.
Outside of studying and practicing calligraphy, the noble young masters and ladies often held various elegant gatherings with the Ruan family as the leader. Ah Qiong and Wei Jinghe met at these gatherings, and the two young people admired each other, reading and hunting together, becoming increasingly familiar.
At that time, this golden boy and jade girl [meaning: perfect couple] made others envious, and everyone thought they would marry. Unexpectedly, in the end, Ah Qiong didn’t end up with Wei Jinghe, but became incredibly close with that widower from the countryside.
That widower was Xie Fuchen from Dongchun.
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