"Her highness respectfully offers tea to her majesty, Empress Dowager," the old mama announced in a clear voice.
As per customs, the new bride would offer tea to the elders of her husband's family and, in return, receive blessings and gifts. Thus Han Aeng was paying her respects to Long Dahai's family, the imperial Long family.
She raised the teacup and respectfully kowtowed as part of the ceremony. "Chenqie greets Empress Dowager. May Empress Dowager live for thousands and thousands of years!"
The Empress Dowager, De Guanyu, looked stern, exuding an aristocratic aura that demanded respect. Her brows were tilled, and the corners of her lips dragged down into a natural displeased frown.
She politely smiled at her granddaughter-in-law and gracefully accepted the tea, drinking it slowly as the servant handed her a golden box. She took out an elegant jade bracelet, personally helping Han Aeng wear it.
"This Dowager wishes for joy and prosperity in your marriage. May the heavens bless you to live blissfully with your husband till old age." Empress Dowager spoke with such command that Han Aeng felt an unblissful marriage wasn't an option. "You have joined the imperial family as a sign of peace and unionship. The responsibilities bestowed on you are many. I hope it doesn't weigh you down."
"Chenqie gives thanks to Her Majesty for the blessing and will remember this in her heart." Han Aeng replied with a courteous bow.
The process of greeting, serving tea, and receiving gifts and blessings was repeated until Han Aeng paid her respect to all of Long Dahai's elders.
During this ceremony, she was granted her title. Taking her husband's posthumous name Li Wang (Duke of Li), she would now be recognized as Li Wangfei.
As the ceremony ended, they all dispersed into their own lives; after all, they were busy people. The newlyweds were last to leave the hall as they exchanged light conversation.
"Were you nervous?"
"Truthfully, a little, your highness. I hope I didn't make any mistakes."
"You have nothing to worry about. You did well." Long Dahai gave her a smile of approval before diverting his attention to Luo Li, rushing to meet them. "Benwang will send you back to the quarters first."
"No need. I'll return her to you once we have enjoyed some tea." Rong Shuman's cheerful voice rang like a songbird's light twittering. The young couple turned to face her in surprise.
"Mufei."
Even if Long Dahai didn't call out for his mother, anyone who saw the two together could quickly tell of their family relationship. His looks were patrimony from her. Though, Han Aeng considered his eyes to be more exquisite.
Despite being in her forties, Rong Shuman showed scarce signs of ageing: she looked like she could pass off as Long Dahai's older sister than his mother.
How do these women maintain their beauty even at this age? Meanwhile, I began my journey to be a potato at 16!
Seeing Long Dahai hesitate, she slightly hit his shoulder, joking, "I'm not going to eat her. Why are you so scared?"
Long Dahai looked between his mother and bride, "If that's what Mufei wishes," he turned to Han Aeng and gave her a little nod of reassurance, "If I finish early, I'll come to pick you."
"I said I'll return her to you. Come then Han Aeng, let's go." Rong Shuman didn't wait for a response and started striding away, leaving Han Aeng no choice but to follow her.
Han Aeng offered Long Dahai a half-hearted smile and followed behind her.
She casually glanced back to see if her husband had walked away when she met eyes with Luo Li, staring her down suspiciously. Stunned and frankly awkward, she snapped her head back around, following her mother-in-law's lead.
'What's his problem?'
Imperial Nobel Consort Rong took Han Aeng to Peace and Serenity Court, her residence.
As they walked, Han Aeng realized that the palace's grandeur was no joke. Jeontu's courtyards couldn't even be compared to the likeness of her mother-in-law's residence in size and splendour.
This must be the outcome of having the emperor's favour; many beautiful trinkets and adornments decorated the residence. The most stunning feature was the strands of sheer-coloured fabric dancing around in the winds. The white and light pink colours matched the spring season beautifully, setting the whole place with a light and leisure ambience.
Their tea was prepared under a large wisteria tree by the pondside. The pond bed was kept to utmost satisfaction, with clematis decorating the borders. It set a whimsical mood that matched Rong Shuman's disposition.
Faced with all this grandeur, Han Aeng was nervous beyond her own anticipations. Memories of hearing Princess Sunmi's friends talk about their 'torturous' mothers-in-law haunted some part of her. From nitpicking to bluntly discriminating against new brides to giving them a hard time just for the sake of it, she'd heard stories of all wakes of marriage.
The more she thought, the more she grew afraid of being found at fault. Compared to Jeontu, no one would stand up for her if she made a mistake, and for that very reason, she would be taken advantage of. In reasoning, she should be able to depend on her husband. However, they hadn't gotten to know each other yet, and in all honesty, they were nothing more than strangers who shared the same title.
It's safe to say she was not too excited about whatever was coming her way.
'I suppose this is why a wife would suck up to her husband.'
While Han Aeng was lost in her thoughts of survival, Imperial Noble Consort Rong made her own observations of the young girl.
Rong Shuman liked her daughter-in-law. It may have been too early to claim, but she had insider information about Han Aeng.
In fact, she had been dying to meet her for the past year now. While she thought he was exaggerating when he said Han Aeng resembled her younger self. Somewhere in her conduct, Rong Shuman could see herself as she entered the palace, a little nervous and scared for her life.
Rong Shuman meant no harm in inviting Han Aeng to tea, but her eagerness seemed to have scared the poor child.
"Come, take a seat."
Han Aeng snapped back into reality and mustered a smile as she gracefully sat beside her mother-in-law.
Imperial Noble Consort Rong.
What a title!
Compared to Jeontu harem, which consisted of only the Queen, and at most two unofficial concubines. Shangwei had an intense harem structure: Empress, Imperial Noble Consort, Nobel consort, Consorts, Imperial Concubines, Concubine and that was only the surface level!
It made sense. Shangwei was at least ten times bigger than Jeontu, which naturally meant they needed more support to keep the empire. This also meant Han Aeng had to please everyone because there's no telling if that person's family is of importance.
"Nervous?"
"How could chenqie be nervous when she is blessed to be in her highness's gracious presence? It's a blessing."
"What a sweet talker!" Rong Shuman beamed, placing a cup before Han Aeng, offering tea. "By heaven's grace, both my parents are healthy. I have an older brother who doesn't talk much, I readily want to bury him when he does. But I love him nonetheless."
Han Aeng's face stiffed with confusion at the random trivia.
"Don't just look at me like that child. Tell me about yourself. Who is in your family? Do you have brothers and sisters?" Rong Shuman's tone was warm as she explained.
To bond with her daughter-in-law as quickly as possible was a top priority. She longed for a baby girl all her life, but it seized with her after the manner of women not long after she gave birth to Long Dahai. Hence her goal was to find a loveable daughter-in-law to boast about to the other consorts.
The strategy Rong Shuman chose to get closer was family.
A considerable amount of information regarding a person is revealed when someone explain their relationship with their family. The level of interest, dedication and commitment to another person, conveniently shows a glimpse of their interpersonal values and expectations.
If someone speaks fondly about their family, they are likely to be raised in a household with strong and positive relationships where they trust others. They tend to value and be more appreciative of others, enjoy quality time, and have productive communication skills.
On the other hand, if there is hesitation or hostility, it's safe to say they have unstable relationships with others. They don't or can't feel comfortable being cared for. Thus don't respond well to intimacy or crave it to an extreme where it's impossible to satisfy them.
A lop-sided smile adored Han Aeng's face. 'Family connections, huh?'
"Chenqie has an older brother," Han Aeng ran her fingers over the brim of the teacup, "Truthfully, chenqie misses him very much. It's been just over two years since chenqie last saw him. He's currently serving at the barricade."
"What are the odds," Rong Shuman perked. Placing her emptied cup down, she leaned forward with interest; they had something in common! "Both our brothers are men of war. My brother is also at the western barricade. The last time he wrote back, it was about something I said three years ago."
"Chenqie fully understand. It's hard to get a hold of brother, but chenqie is proud of him for serving his country."
Rong Shuman poured herself another cup of tea, "I imagine your mother feels lonely at home without everyone together."
"Chenqie assume she would have." Han Aeng looked down as she continued, "My mother passed away when chenqie was 10 years old."
Immediately Rong Shuman placed her hand over Han Aeng's, "I'm terribly sorry to hear about that. I shouldn't have asked."
Han Aeng quietly shook her head, "It's alright, your highness. Time has kindly healed the pain, and chenqie has learnt to think about mother fondly. Moreover, chenqie always felt it was rude to father if she were to feel lonely in his presence."
"You are close to your father?" Rong Shuman questioned, her eyes glistening in the sunlight.
Han Aeng's lips curved into a grin. At that moment, she had Rong Shuman where she wanted.
"Father is the closest to me, and chenqie cherishes him with all her heart."
Just like that, Han Aeng began to profess her love for her father, detailing how much he means to her.
As their conversation continued, Rong Shuman felt closer to Han Aeng.