Prince Wei and Consort Lan heard the news about Huang Rui's upcoming marriage two days later, when the emperor announced it at court.
"I thought he already drowns in his own sorrow," Consort Lan said bitterly. "Apparently, he managed to get a powerful wife."
"Father is truly unfair. Why give the Yeonghwa Princess to Rui and not to me???" Huang Wei protested. "I deserve her better than my weak brother."
"That's alright. We managed to destroy his mother. Soon, we will find a way to destroy him as well."
*****
From someone who was struggling to even differentiate one day to the next, Huang Rui suddenly had to navigate the fact that he was going to get married soon.
Grief still hung in his heart, mind and shoulders.
It wasn't simply because of the loss, but it was mostly because he knew his mother died out of being poisoned.
Until then, his mother's death was labeled as "dying out of illness," but he saw that his mother's lips turned blue.
The coroner officer also informed him that his mother was poisoned, but a day later, the coroner was murdered too, slain with the rest of his family.
The emperor couldn't point a finger to anyone, because there was truly no evidence.
Without anyone knowing, the closest household staff that had worked and lived with his mother for a long time had betrayed her.
Rui knew her mother's lady in-waiting then lived in a luxurious mansion in her hometown.
Fury had been eating out Rui's heart day by day.
Helplessness consumed him. He didn't know his mother was betrayed. He couldn't stop the murder. And he couldn't even bring the murderers to justice.
All of these made him feel so disgusted with the court that he refused to set his foot there for three years.
At the back of his mind, he knew he couldn't live like that forever.
The imperial order to marry Princess Seorin was the catalyst for him to at least pull himself together.
He only knew she was someone who had to leave her own land and marry him, a complete stranger.
Rui had no illusion of romance or anything like that. He was only sure of one thing, he didn't want to pull Princess Seorin into his misery.
Let his misery be his own. He would at least be respectful towards her, although there was a suspicion in him, that Yeonghwa kingdom was mildly trying to takeover the Huang Empire by sending an intelligent princess to be his wife.
However, suspicion had no fact. In this mindset, Rui prepared for his wedding day, after ordering the left wing of his palace to be prepared for Princess Seorin.
*****
Liang Zhen and Wu Jian also went through arranged marriages. They both married noble ladies that their parents approved. Their marriages were held a year after the empress passed away, so they both married when they were 19.
Both had been married for 2 years by then. Liang Zhen already had a baby daughter, while Wu Jian still had no child.
For Wu Jian, his progress to get to know his wife was longer, because as the Captain of Rui's guards, he returned to his house only once a week.
Truthfully, they both didn't have anything extra romantic, but they both accepted the fact that they had to go on through lives with their wives. First, it started with a good intention. Secondly, they were all willing to have a peaceful life.
"The affection between me and my wife grows slowly, but because we are both intentional to have a good life, we do our best," Liang Zhen said during tea one afternoon to Rui.
"My wife and I…..because we only meet once a week, we are still trying to get to know each other. But she is willing to adapt to my life, and I have no intention to make her life difficult. So we adapt and we manage," Wu Jian replied when Rui asked.
Rui nodded. Good intentions seem to be the most important thing in an arranged marriage.
*****
The imperial household could do the most unimaginable things when it put its mind to it.
The preparation of a crown prince's wedding within a week was close to impossible, yet the palace made it.
Amazing decorations were prepared and placed, wedding robes and dresses were sewn in such an alarming speed, and banquets that caused the imperial cooks got sleep deprived were arranged.
Other noble lords might be in a high class brothel a day before their wedding, holding parties and pretty courtesans but Wu Jian and his troop of guards accompanied Rui to his mother's temple a day before his wedding.
The temple was built to honor her memories by the order of the emperor, and Rui often found solace there.
There was a beautiful white statue that was life-size and was made exactly like his mother, and Rui often talked to that statue as if he would speak to his real mother.
"Mother, I'm getting married tomorrow. I wish you would be there."
A moment passed, in which Rui tried not to cry.
"Father told me to marry a Yeonghwa princess. Please bless my wedding. I don't know what to expect, but at least, please help me have a peaceful life. Don't make her be another trouble in my life. I too, will not add to her troubles."
*****
The wedding day was a marvel. Something the empire would talk about for years to come.
The main entrance of the palace consisted of a long walk at the courtyard then of stairs that would lead up to the throne room.
On this long walk, Princess Seorin glided, accompanied by her brother, the Crown Prince of Yeonghwa, her lady in-waitings, and a dozen guards that were allowed to accompany her in the Huang Empire.
Rui waited on top of the majestic stairs.
The day was bright and a little cool, as if fighting his melancholy mood.
He attended both Liang Zhen and Wu Jian's weddings. On both occasions, their fathers were accompanied by their mothers.
His wedding was different.
He was grateful that at least Consort Lan didn't act as the emperor's companion that day. Even the emperor knew it would be testing his patience too much.
Princess Seorin was already dressed in the red wedding robe of Huang Empire, and he was adorned with the Phoenix crown.
From afar, Rui pitied her. It was a long walk, and the crown must be very heavy.
Still, as a future empress, she had to marry in all the jewels the Huang Empire dictated.
After the long walk, Princess Seorin was guided to bow at the emperor.
"How was your journey?" The emperor asked.
"It was long, Your Highness," Princess Seorin answered in a clear voice, her Huang language (Chinese) was flawless.
"Indeed. I bless you for your next journey with my son, Princess."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Then the wedding ceremony began.
It was held outdoor as the symbol that they wish the whole Huang Empire witness it.
"The Princess Seorin of Yeonghwa Kingdom bow to The Crown Prince Huang Rui of The Huang Empire as a symbol of respect to her husband."
Seorin was wearing the red silk wedding veil under the phoenix crown. Rui saw nothing but her mouth and chin.
She bowed, helped by two lady in-waitings.
"Crown Prince," the princess greeted, curtseying low.
Rui bowed too.
He was told to bow a little only, as the symbol of Huang Empire's power.
He bowed in ninety degrees though, shocking everyone, including the princess and Yeonghwa's crown prince.
Liang Zhen winced, believing he would be scolded by the emperor later, for not reminding Rui to behave properly, mirroring his power as the crown prince of a great empire.
Regardless, the couple then bowed to the emperor, to the earth, then to the people in general.
*****
After they were officiated as husband and wife, Rui and Seorin sat side by side to accept the congratulatory greetings from all the important ministers, factions and noble families.
They all prepared lavish gifts for the couple and said their good wishes.
However, the most notable were the greetings from the second prince and his mother.
"I pray that my dear brother will be happy, healthy and be more active in the government after he is wed," Prince Wei said.
"I thank my dear brother for his good wishes, and I will answer his wishes as well. I shall return to court on Monday."
"You are generous, Brother."
Rui nodded.
The two princes were smiling, but their tones were as sharp as a knife.
Seorin was confused. Perhaps the rumors were all true. The crown prince and his step brother were enemies.
The hardest test of all was facing his stepmother.
"Happy wedding, Crown Prince. Your bride is indeed someone exceptional. I pray that you two will be happy, have many children that are strong, and live a long life."
"Your generosity knows no bounds, Stepmother," Rui answered.
Even the emperor had a chill down his spine at Rui's sarcasm.
Seorin turned and looked at Rui.
Rui was all tense.
When she looked down, at his lap, Seorin saw Rui's hands were shaking.
*****
The wedding day ceremonies would continue as per the customs at the Yellow Lotus Palace.
The wedding march was long, since all the ministers, the noble lords and their wives would continue with the banquet at the Crown Prince's palace.
For the first time that night, the Yellow Lotus Palace welcomed the Crown Prince Consort.
*****
Author's Note:
This story is typed directly on this platform, made out of a newly discovered love to Renjun, the muse.
Please share what you think about the story so far.