Among these were several large estates outside the capital, all well located with fertile land; there were also gold and silver, jewelry, hair ornaments, antiques, calligraphy, and paintings—everything one could name.
Ji Wanqing divided the assets evenly between the two sisters. Since her younger sister would be leaving the capital after marriage, with no certainty of when she might return, Ji Wanqing adjusted the allotment slightly—giving fewer bulky items and more silver notes and portable valuables.
Their parents had long since stored away fine timber, intending to have furniture made once the sisters became engaged. There was no longer time for that now, so Ji Wanqing set aside half of it to accompany Ji Wanxiang as part of her dowry. Should Ji Wanxiang later have a daughter, it would still be useful.
As they counted and sorted the dowry piece by piece, their parents' love seemed present in every item. The sisters could not help but cling to one another and weep.
Ji Wanqing worked relentlessly. It was only two days before the wedding that everything was finally arranged. Only then did she allow herself to breathe out.
There were still two days left. She intended to properly advise her sister—but unexpectedly, a major event occurred.
On the day before the wedding, the scheme jointly planned by Empress Ji and the Jingbei Marquisate finally surfaced. The lingering sense of discord Ji Wanqing had felt all along at last found its answer.
An imperial edict was issued—
granting marriage between Ji Wanqing and the Crown Prince of the realm.
---
Chapter Six
Before the imperial edict arrived, the Ji sisters were examining the wedding garments.
The bridal robes were a blazing red, magnificent and exquisitely crafted. Ji Wanxiang gently touched them, yet regret could not be concealed on her face.
These garments were not sewn by her own hands—not a single stitch.
According to custom, women were expected to personally complete much needlework before marriage. Though daughters of noble families were pampered and brought lavish dowries, it was still impossible for others to do everything for them. Thus, many garments were made by the household sewing rooms or commissioned from renowned embroidery workshops.
What a bride had to complete herself were her own wedding robes, as well as a set of clothing and footwear for her husband and parents-in-law.
Ji Wanxiang, however, had been pressed for time. None of this could be done. Ji Wanqing had no choice but to take out the red brocade prepared long ago, along with various other fabrics, and commission the capital's most famous embroidery house—Jinxiu Workshop—paying a hefty sum to have them work day and night. Only today had everything finally been completed.
"Try it on first, little sister," Ji Wanqing said, fully aware of the circumstances but powerless to change them. "Jinxiu Workshop's craftsmanship is excellent."
"All right." Ji Wanxiang set aside her melancholy and smiled, taking the garments and letting the maids help her change.
Her regret was fleeting. That the marriage could reach this point at all had not been easy. Her elder sister had expended immense effort on her behalf—something Ji Wanxiang deeply cherished.
The red brocade used for the wedding robes had been saved by their mother years earlier. Crimson as its base, it was woven with gold and silver threads into raised patterns. The phoenix-tail motifs were refined and elegant, with layered light and dark tones—luxurious to the extreme, requiring little additional embroidery.
This had been a tribute item, one of the rewards their father received for military merit. Their mother had taken a liking to it at first sight and saved it for her daughters' future wedding attire, sparing them the strain of intricate needlework.
Ji Wanqing examined her sister carefully and nodded in satisfaction.
"Little sister, it fits perfectly."
Jinxiu Workshop's work was indeed excellent—meticulous craftsmanship, tight stitching, with no sign of haste.
Ji Wanqing had deliberately avoided using the household sewing room, fearing Cao shi might cause trouble. The woman was not broad-minded; if something went wrong at such a critical juncture, Ji Wanxiang would suffer gravely.
"Yes. I'll change out of it now." Ji Wanxiang carefully smoothed the front of the robe and removed it.
Ji Wanqing instructed that the wedding garments be stored properly. Nanny He personally supervised as the maids folded them with utmost care and placed them into a brand-new clothing chest.
"Little sister, you've been wronged," Ji Wanqing said quietly. The furniture could not be completed in time—only wardrobes and chests had been made.
"Elder sister, what are you saying? I—"
I am not wronged at all—
Her words were cut off.
Urgent footsteps sounded outside, followed immediately by the shrill cry of a servant woman rushing in, breathless.
"The imperial edict has arrived! The announcing official says the eldest young lady is to receive it!" The woman barely paused for breath as she shouted upon entering the courtyard. "Hurry! The imperial messenger has already entered the main gate—the marquis has ordered the eldest young lady to go out at once!"
An imperial edict.
And she was the one to receive it.
Ji Wanqing's heart sank heavily. In a flash, Empress Ji came to mind—and everything became clear. This must be the culmination of the Empress's scheme with the household.
"Elder sister!" Ji Wanxiang's face drained of color. She clutched her sister's hand tightly. "Why is it you who must receive the edict?"
"Don't panic," Ji Wanqing said, steadying herself as she patted her sister's fingers, already pale from gripping too hard. "Let's go out and see."
Whether it was fortune or disaster, she could not avoid it. The edict had already been issued. Receiving it was the priority—any delay could result in a charge of disrespect toward the sovereign, which no one could afford.
Hand in hand, the sisters hurried toward the front courtyard.
By then, the area outside the main hall was already packed with people. Under imperial authority, the entire household was required to kneel to receive the edict.
Ji Wanqing glanced over briefly. An incense altar had been set up before the main gate. Behind it stood a line of eunuchs in blue robes; at the front was one dressed in dark blue crane-patterned official attire, holding a bright yellow imperial scroll.
She understood at once—this was the eunuch from the Memorial Office charged specifically with announcing edicts.
The current Jingbei Marquis—Ji Zongxian, uncle to the Ji sisters—was courteously hosting the imperial messenger, though the latter remained cool and detached, saying only,
"Marquis Ji, the matter of receiving the edict must not be delayed."
Ji Zongxian nodded repeatedly and slipped several heavy purses into the man's hands. The eunuch weighed them discreetly; only then did his expression soften, and he ceased urging them on.
After Ji Wanqing arrived, they waited until all members of the household—masters and servants alike—had assembled and taken their places.
Ji Zongxian led the male relatives to kneel on the left of the incense altar. Madam He led the women on the right. Everyone knelt according to rank and seniority.
The eunuch swept his gaze across them, straightened, and raised his voice sharply.
"Ji Wanqing of the Ji clan, eldest legitimate daughter of the Jingbei Marquisate—receive the edict!"
As the principal recipient, Ji Wanqing knelt at the foremost position before the altar. The eunuch's piercing voice rang in her ears. She lowered her eyes and responded evenly,
"This subject's daughter, Ji Wanqing, receives the edict."