Chapter 2

    Meeting the Husband

    By the time Chen Wang's carriage procession arrived, it was already dusk. The sun hung lazily on the horizon, a dim red orb in the sky, while the city inside was bustling and brightly lit. People adorned their homes with auspicious lanterns and red banners. Residents, dressed in their finest, came out to enjoy performances by opera troupes, acrobats, and lion dance groups, organized by the government to celebrate. Additionally, celebratory sweets were distributed to every household in honor of the wedding ceremony. Within the vast walls, the city was a rich world of comfort, free from war, where art and science flourished and advanced.

    "It must have been a smooth journey, Uncle. Was it not?"

    Emperor Zhao had sent the Third Prince, named Zhao Yongkang[1], to greet and guide Chen Wang at the city gate. The prince was a strikingly handsome man with thick eyebrows and sharp eyes. Despite being the same age as Chen Hua, he possesses the characteristics of a knowledgeable person, radiating the dignity of a scholar well-versed in various texts and sciences, earning him the title of a master of academia. Chen Wang couldn't help but compare this refined nephew to his troublesome daughter, accepting the stark contrast with a sigh, as Chen Hua had inherited her stubbornness from him.

    "Uncle, didn't Miss Chen accompany you?" Zhao Yongkang respectfully greeted his elder relative from the frontier land but inquired after not seeing Miss Chen Hua.

    "She's here..." Chen Wang lifted the carriage certain and then quickly retreated it, revealing something tied up and rolling inside. As Zhao Yongkang looked to Chen Wang for an explanation, Chen Wang quickly assured, "She's just tired and fell asleep. Now, she’s still asleep. Let's hurry into the palace before she wakes and starts making a fuss."

    "Is she unwell? I shall immediately order the royal physician to examine her."

    "Oh, she's stronger than a horse. She's never even had a cold."

    "I see..."

    "And what about Taizi, my nephew?"

    "He's waiting. This way, please." Zhao Yongkang pursed his lips to suppress a laugh, amused by his brother who never failed to add drama to life.

    The road from the city walls to the royal palace was wide enough for eight chariots to drive abreast. The city's layout was systematically and modernly designed, with the grand Zhao Royal Palace towering majestically. The palace walls, reaching three levels high, were notably green, contrasting with the red buildings. As the carriage procession, led by the Third Prince, entered the inner palace grounds, Chen Wang, glancing at his still-sleeping daughter, dreaded the moment she would wake to find that she had missed seeing the city.

    When Chen Hua was awakened again, she found herself surrounded by several maidens, startled as they brought in undergarments, pearl-embroidered shoes, and a bright red bridal dress.

    "Where am I? Wait... I already said I won't marry..."

    "This is the decree of Taizi," the maidens responded as they bathed Chen Hua in a large pool with warm water spouting from carved sculptures at its four corners. The pool was extravagantly decorated with various flower petals, infused with fragrant scents, and adorned with beautiful gold ornaments. Three maidens assisted her, scrubbing her body, the warmth of the water relieving the fatigue from the long journey.

    "I need to see Father."

    "Chen Wang has already gone ahead to join the festivities. You will also need to make your way there shortly." In addition to the maidens who had come down to assist her in bathing in the pool, other maidens stood in a row along the pool's edge, each holding trays gleaming with the bride's gold ornaments, heirlooms passed down through generations, reserved only for the principal wife of the eldest prince. Chen Hua glanced at them and grimaced, feeling no excitement whatsoever.

    "What is Taizi like?"

    The maidens jumped in unison at the question. "He is very strict... There are rumors that he was displeased upon being ordered to marry, and Miss Chen Hua is the one he chose. We are not quite sure why."

    "Great, just great. I should request a cancellation before it's too late," Chen Hua muttered in annoyance, before yelping as the maidens tied her hair too tightly, then compounded by the heavy jewelry. "Enough, stop. No need to dress me up any further. I want to cancel."

    "The dressing is completed just in time, my lady."

    Chen Hua rolled her eyes and sighed deeply before standing up, with the maidens supporting her on both sides. She now understood why her father agreed to untie her; the bridal dress alone, with its gold embroidered train, was so heavy she could barely move, and the exquisite pearl-studded shoes pinched her toes painfully. Walking was a slow, waddling ordeal, much like a clumsy duck.

    New groups of royal servants and maidens arrived with more than a dozen eunuchs. They helped her into a palanquin with great difficulty. For a million catties of grain... For her father's old debt... And for roasted duck... Chen Hua's stomach growled with hunger. She tried to calm herself, taking deep breaths, and composed herself gracefully, despite wanting to strangle someone the entire time.

    …………………

    The atmosphere inside the royal palace was dreamlike, everything around her exuded grandeur and splendor. The palace employed thousands of servants, enforcing strict protocols and a unique courtly language. The palanquin stopped at the foot of a dragon-carved staircase, which stretched upwards to the ceremonial hall, giving the impression of ascending to heaven. Climbing the steps to the top, Chen Hua turned to take in the panoramic view, her eyes wide open in awe at the sight of countless auspicious lanterns, hundreds of buildings, and the vast landscape of Gaoshan. Chen Hua, experiencing this place for the first time, was so amazed that her mouth hung open. Her heart raced, and a smile spread across her face.

    "Seeing this view makes it all worthwhile."

    The royal palace was different from the palaces she was accustomed to; it felt like a different world. Although a place that everyone in the West region referred to it as a palace, with a sign bestowed by the emperor hanging at the gateposts and guarded by soldiers, it resembled more like a common cluster of buildings. It had rock gardens, ponds, and pavilions for leisure. Some wealthy merchants' houses were even more luxurious, but Chen Hua boasted that the royal palace was the most beautiful. When she visited the Gaoshan Royal Palace, she felt small and insignificant. Upon encountering her father, enjoying drinks and conversation with Emperor Uncle and Empress Aunt, Chen Hua's eyes teared up.

    "Your…Your Majesty, I, Chen Hua, wish you longevity, for ten thousand years, tens of thousands of years," her slender figure bowed slowly and deliberately, struggling to maintain her composure and stiffened her legs firmly; otherwise, she might have stumbled for sure. "Her...Her Majesty, may you live a thousand years, a thousand, thousand years."

    "Stand up. You are my first daughter-in-law. Look up at me clearly," the Empress smiled kindly. Her attire was neither extravagant nor simple, yet her elegance was so breathtaking that Chen Hua nearly forgot to breathe. The Empress's gaze was gentle but having been warned by her father about her stern nature, Chen Hua tensed up when the Empress turned to whisper to the Emperor Uncle, and they both laughed softly. "My niece here is truly a beauty, living up to her reputation as the belle of the Western territories."

    "Tha...Thank you for your praise."

    "Looking like you're about to cry, are you going to make a fuss about the marriage now?"

    "I...," Chen Hua was about to reply, but then felt someone approaching from behind. As he stepped forward, drawing admiring glances, Chen Hua, overwhelmed and unfamiliar with the surroundings, kept her gaze down. A sideways glance at the man next to her left her stunned.

    The newcomer was a strikingly dignified man, difficult to find such elegance. He was a man of few words, with a chiseled face that looked both fierce and daunting. His physique, forged in battle, was as solid as molten iron, the veins on his muscular arms outlined for all to see. The young man wore the soft armor favored by military trainers and calf-high boots made of cowhide, casually throwing on a red silk robe over it as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

    "Uncle, your nephew pays his respects."

    "Oh... The older you get, the more formidable you become, like a warrior descended from heaven," Chen Wang turned and smiled, embracing his nephew tightly, engaging in warm conversation before being directed to sit next to her. Chen Hua didn't recognize him. As the elders reminisced about times before her birth, the man joined in the conversation with a soft and soothing voice, but Chen Hua was too distracted to pay attention until a deep whisper reached her...

    "What's the matter, Shorty asleep already?"

    "Hey... Dare to say that again. Who's short?" Chen Hua snapped, but he effortlessly rested his arm on her shoulder, causing her to slump. Stunned, it took her a moment to recall his name from the recesses of her memory. There was only one person she'd been so cheeky with, one person who'd annoyed her so thoroughly ten years ago. That person was...

    Zhao Yicheng!

    Her stunning eyes widened in shock. Chen Hua screamed inwardly. Wasn't he shorter than her before? But now, he appeared taller than she remembered, towering and majestic enough to make one tilt their head in awe when meeting his gaze, making her feel utterly dwarfed. His sharp gaze had been fixed on her from the moment he walked in until now. Those deep black eyes did not betray even a hint of affection but emitted a chilling intensity as if he could slap a child or stomp a dog without feeling anything. Chen Hua tried to force a smile but couldn't quite manage it, resulting in a dry grimace.

    "We haven't... seen each other... for so long."

    "That's right. Since then, I've wanted to see you every day. We have a score to settle, remember?" He leaned in to whisper, his gaze as piercing as a butcher's knife. Just being stared at by him made her realize she stood no chance, fear clenching her teeth together, yet she refused to show weakness, her posture defiant. This prompted a raised eyebrow from him, amused and ready to crush her defiance.

    "Heh! It's only the tortoises that fears you," Chen Hua retorted boldly, her defiance drawing a cold smile from him.

    "Do you know what fools like to say?"

    Fools say... Chen Hua furrowed her brows, unable to come up with an answer. "I don't know."

    "Ah, you got it right, Miss Snout," he said and then laughed, but Chen Hua was fuming, steam nearly coming out of her nostrils. She wanted to retort but couldn't think of any insults quickly enough, only managing to gape at him. You dog-mouthed man. He continued to laugh, his shoulders shaking, that deep and robust laugh irritating her to no end. "I have a lot to settle with you. Don't start crying now."

    "Who's going to cry? You're mistaken if you think I'd be afraid of you, you Outie Navel, blah!" Her clear voice recalled the childhood nickname she had given him, easily getting under the young man's skin. Chen Hua lifted her cute snout and stuck out her tongue, making eyes at him to further provoke his anger. However, Zhao Yicheng was calmer than expected. If it were the old days, he might have stuck his tongue out in return, but now, as an adult, he didn't engage in such child's play, leaving Chen Hua to make faces on her own. Realizing this, she found herself the sole focus of everyone's disapproving stares, while Chen Wang massaged his temples.

    "Remember this, I will have my revenge," Chen Hua whispered fiercely, veins bulging on her forehead.

    "You brought this upon yourself. What does it have to do with me? Think back to the old days when you used to cause trouble, and I was the one who got beaten for it. Just like now."

    How is that the same! Chen Hua protested in her mind. Despite their less-than-pleasant reunion, she had to admit that Zhao Yicheng was a perfectly handsome man, commanding respect and admiration. The magnetic allure emanating from his robust physique made her cheeks flush, pinning her attention so strongly she couldn't escape. As a child, Chen Hua took pride in being taller than him, but now, that pride was crushed to dust.

    "Did you put on makeup?"

    "No, why do you ask?" Chen Hua responded, confused.

    "You should wear some makeup."

    That dog-mouthed man... Chen Hua glared at him. The ladies attending the ceremony were sneakily admiring the handsome Taizi, their faces turning red. Chen Hua could only signal them to get away.

    .................

    The ceremony was filled with intricate details. The orchestra began playing with brass bells, jade gongs, bronze zithers, drums, and string instruments, accompanied by dozens of grateful performing dancers enhancing the festive atmosphere. Laughter intermingled with the loud crackling of firecrackers. Chen Hua's mother had told her that it was customary to set off firecrackers during joyful occasions to ward off misfortune... Chen Hua glanced at the large figure sitting next to her. The firecrackers were about to run out, yet he remained as stoic as a dead fish, showing no intention of fleeing.

    "Country bumpkin," a whisper floated from somewhere.

    "It was surprising at first that Taizi chose his own bride. Who would have thought it'd be Chen Wang's daughter? Look, you'd think she'd be some beauty. No grace or poise, just a country girl through and through. Taizi has such poor taste. Passing over peonies, plum blossoms, and lotuses for a bit of straw."

    "Yeah, I heard Chen Wang could only afford three chests of gold and a bit of jewelry for the bride's dowry. When I witnessed the dowry being opened, I was shocked. It's unimaginable. If Taizi hadn't ordered an additional thirty thousand taels and ten more chests of gold for the dowry, the bride would have been utterly embarrassed."

    "I laughed so hard I nearly choked when I heard Chen Wang sent his daughter to marry off as a way to settle a debt. Hard to believe Chen Wang, who's so highly spoken of, would stoop to selling his daughter."

    The ones gossiping was either royal relatives or the wives and daughters of high-ranking officials. Chen Hua didn't know them. She didn't know how many young women were disappointed by this marriage. But their incessant whispering reached her ears. At first, she tried to ignore it, but as the gossip became more vicious, involving her parents, claiming one was just a second-level Wang and the other merely a merchant's daughter.

    Chen Hua sprung up!

    But Zhao Yicheng grabbed her arm firmly and pulled her down, causing Chen Hua to fall into his lap. She bounced away as if she had touched something hot. The elders turned around just in time to see Chen Hua sprawled on the floor, provoking a burst of laughter from the malicious onlookers behind.

    "What happened, Yicheng?"

    "She had a slight problem with her posture, but everything is under control now, Father," he replied with a straight face. Chen Hua scrambled up, suppressing her anger, offered a sweet smile, and sat up straight, though she inwardly wished to kick him first.

    "I just stumbled a little, please forgive me."

    The elders nodded and resumed their conversation. Chen Hua then turned sharply, shooting a lethal glare at the instigator. He remained unfazed, casually snacking on peanuts and stated, "People are raised differently. If someone's life improves by speaking ill of you, let them speak. If you react violently, even if you are in the right, it doesn't justify your actions."

    "Do you know what I was going to do?"

    "Hit them."

    "The correct answer is 'kick them,'" Chen Hua irritably grabbed some peanuts to eat. Although still upset, she cooled down a bit. The whispers of gossip continued to float over, prompting Zhao Yicheng to demonstrate the correct way to handle it. He simply turned to face the gossipers with a calm demeanor and spoke softly.

    "Criticizing others but never looking at oneself. Even if she's just a straw to you, she's the straw I chose. If you continue to annoy my consort, I'll have you express your opinions before the Emperor."

    It worked... complete silence. Zhao Yicheng politely instructed his royal relatives to refrain from speaking, all done with refinement. He turned to shrug at Chen Hua, who pouted and mumbled about being just straw—indeed, she was just a decorative piece of straw in a luxurious setting.

    "Even if my father is in debt and unable to repay, he is a good man. He spends what little money he has on improving the lives of his townspeople—dredging canals, building dams, repairing city walls, and opening granaries to help those affected by floods. Last year, four scholars from our town passed the civil service exams, all thanks to the opportunity received from Father. They have no right to speak ill of him."

    "Being in debt is one thing; being a good person is another. Being good doesn't exempt you from paying debts. You're marrying to settle a debt; you must be very unhappy about it."

    Chen Hua instantly retorted, not willing to be defeated, "I never said I wouldn't repay the debt. Debts are one thing, marriage is another. I don't see how they're related. Why do adults bring it up? We don't want to marry each other at all."

    "But I want to marry."

    "What...?"

    His response short-circuited her brain. He must be lying for sure, Chen Hua blinked rapidly, failing to notice his gaze lingering on her rosy lips. Chen Hua, petite as she was, seemed even smaller sitting beside the tall figure, except for her not-so-small chest. Whenever Chen Hua fidgeted, it seemed to draw the young man's gaze without relenting.

    "If you're hungry, eat. Your stomach growling is deafening me."

    Chen Hua was about to argue, but she really was starving. The royal palace had prepared twelve auspicious dishes served in fine glazed ceramic bowls, including braised duck with bird's nest, seafood hot pot, steamed chicken with Chinese herbs, red shark fin, grilled venison in tribal style, and others. Royal ceremonial attendants waited on the tables. Chen Hua delicately tasted each dish but couldn't eat much, her face tense with stress due to the unfamiliarity and extravagance of the ceremony and entertainment. Normally, an event of this magnitude would require a year of planning, but the empress had ordered it to be arranged in just under ten days. Such a hastily arranged royal wedding was unprecedented. The constant sound of gongs and drums overwhelmed Chen Hua, making it impossible for her to concentrate on the blessings. She felt like a monkey snatched up into a circus troupe.

    Who's to blame for all this!

    "Normally, you’re so lively, aren’t you? Why are you trembling like that... Oops!"

    Chen Hua sneaked a punch into his ribs, but Zhao Yicheng was quicker, catching her small fist. They struggled arm in arm, measuring each other’s strength until her arm shook. Hidden by the table, it appeared to the elders as if they were whispering and muttering to each other.

    "Let go, I want to go home. Go back home. Back home."

    "I won't let go."

    "Yicheng... what are you teasing her for? Why does she look like she's about to cry?" The emperor asked, his gaze fixed on both of them accusingly.

    "I told her I wanted to marry her."

    Such a scoundrel! Clearly messing with me.

    "This is your last chance to object," Zhao Yicheng generously offered her, his sly smile unnerving. "A debt of just over five thousand taels, I'll take care of it. And I won't ask for a single tael in return from you. After this, you can't accuse me of coercing you."

    The prospective groom had thrown down the gauntlet. Chen Hua met the gaze of the imposing figure, neither willing to back down. His persistence must be inflamed. Someone like Chen Hua disliked owing favors; even if she had to confront him at full force, her heart was set on fleeing home as fast as possible, almost ready to scream. Letting this last opportunity slip meant a lifetime of repayment, utterly unfair.

    Chen Hua decisively met Chen Wang's gaze.

    "Your Majesty!" Chen Hua called out with all her might, silencing the ceremonial hall. The dance performance, the music, everything came to a halt. "I too wish to marry Prince Yicheng!"

    Silence fell over everyone, followed by a resounding cheer. The elders exclaimed in delight, endlessly praising the couple's affection. Chen Hua forced a smile, grinding her teeth, and shot a glare at him, hissing through clenched teeth, word by word,

    "You, Outie-Belly Button. You'll regret this, just you wait!"

[1] The hero from "Lan'er: Your Husband Waiting at the Door" is just a teenager this year. He won't get married until he's 36 years old.