Yang Qiong and Concubine Cheng's wedding caused quite a stir in Purple Chapter City.
One of the most discussed topics was why Concubine Cheng had attracted the attention of three different men. There were kind-hearted interpretations such as "Concubine Cheng's kindness and skillful hands earned her divine favor, and despite hardships, she eventually found peace." However, most were vulgar and unsuitable for polite company.
When Zhong Lüping and Lady Wang paid their respects, Empress Dowager Chiying asked about the rumors circulating in the city. They reported truthfully.
There were rumors that Concubine Cheng lost her chastity with Zhai Rang, leading to her marriage to Cheng Hu, and that she continued an affair with General Yang after marrying. Some even fabricated stories of her competing for favor in the Northern Di royal court, complete with novels. Empress Dowager Chiying found it laughable and pitiful.
"Sister Cheng is broad-minded and may not care about these rumors, but public opinion is powerful. General Yang's temper is such that we can't ignore this. Suoban, tell General Cao to keep an eye on the rumors. If anyone spreads slander publicly, arrest them immediately. The charges of slandering a princess and her consort are severe enough to deter most."
Lady Wang agreed, but Zhong Lüping remained worried: "Why are Sister Cheng and General Yang facing so many criticisms? There's no law prohibiting remarriage, and Sister Cheng is now a princess, practically the emperor's adopted sister. How can anyone dare to spread rumors about her? Is there a conspiracy behind this?"
Empress Dowager Chiying smiled: "Not a conspiracy, just jealousy. Many high-ranking officials want to marry their daughters to General Yang, seeing him as a reliable ally. Now that he's marrying someone else, they naturally feel resentful and talk behind their backs. Once they're married, the gossip will die down."
Zhong Lüping sighed: "Some people see their daughters merely as tools to climb the social ladder. Their wishes don't matter; they deserve criticism if they don't marry into power."
Empress Dowager Chiying sighed: "My parents are a prime example. Most parents treat their daughters as commodities, hoping for better fortune through advantageous marriages. Ordinary girls rarely meet their future husbands before marriage, and whether they find happiness depends on luck."
Zhong Lüping looked down, fiddling with the tassel of her jade pendant, finally whispering: "Indeed, how many parents truly love their daughters without ulterior motives?"
Empress Dowager Chiying noticed that informants reported seeing Zhong Lüping's elder brother personally escorting Cui Xiang to the door, conversing warmly. Although they couldn't hear the exact conversation, it was clear it wasn't trivial. She decided to wait for Zhong Lüping to confess on her own.
Several days later, Princess Yuanhui formally married General Yang Qiong, putting an end to the rampant rumors. Despite disliking Concubine Cheng, high-ranking officials had to show respect to Emperor Cui Yi and present gifts at the princess's residence.
Concubine Cheng was only a year older than Empress Dowager Chiying but appeared much older due to her past hardships. Wearing her bridal gown, she looked radiant. Little Shujin held a big red apple and sweetly said: "Mother looks beautiful today."
Concubine Cheng took the apple and hugged her daughter, tears streaming down her face: "From now on, you'll call Uncle Yang 'Father.' Will you blame me?"
Shujin shook her head, her pigtails swaying like butterflies, cuddling up to her: "Uncle Yang is good to Mother and me. I like Uncle Yang."
Concubine Cheng burst into tears, prompting Zhong Lüping and others to console her, reminding her not to ruin her makeup. After reapplying makeup, she didn't miss the auspicious time for getting into the bridal sedan chair.
One side was the emperor's adopted sister, the princess who sacrificed herself for peace on the border, and the other was a loyal general who had served since Emperor Jingzong's reign. The wedding was unprecedentedly grand, with blessings and gifts lining the streets all the way to the princess's residence.
As the acting empress, Empress Dowager Chiying accepted their bows but couldn't attend the wedding personally, feeling regretful. However, she and Emperor Cui Yi would attend the banquet afterward, ensuring they didn't miss the celebration.
"One day, I'll also send you off to your wedding, marrying someone you love and who loves you, ensuring you live happily ever after," she murmured, holding her four-year-old daughter Cui Xian, gazing at the blooming purple wisteria flowers in the courtyard.
Little Cui Xian, unaware of worldly troubles, couldn't comprehend her mother's melancholy. She simply played with the cradle, while little Cui Hao slept soundly in the afternoon sun.
Emperor Cui Yi entered cheerfully, seeing Empress Dowager Chiying with her children basking in the sunlight, with mother cat Xiao Taosu and her kittens sprawled across the courtyard. "Mother cat with her kittens sunbathing?" he teased, approaching and picking up his daughter.
Empress Dowager Chiying glared playfully: "Who's the mother cat?" She called for a chair.
Xiao Taosu, still intimidated by Emperor Cui Yi, quickly gathered her kittens and fled.
"Why are you so happy?" Empress Dowager Chiying asked, amused.
Emperor Cui Yi bent down, letting Cui Xian climb on his back, holding her securely: "They got married today, fulfilling a long-standing wish. How can I not be happy?"
"Not just that," Empress Dowager Chiying scrutinized him, "you weren't this happy when they paid their respects earlier. Is there something else?"
Emperor Cui Yi sighed dramatically, hugging his daughter: "News just arrived from the west. Brother has been spotted entering Liangzhou territory."
Empress Dowager Chiying's expression turned serious: "He's gone to Liangzhou? Planning to rebuild his forces there? We must stop him!"
Emperor Cui Yi reassured her: "Wenyu also speculated this. Moreover, we searched all of Qin Prefecture but couldn't find Guo Ziyang. He's likely advising Brother, making him a formidable opponent. We must handle this carefully."
Empress Dowager Chiying looked into his eyes, asking earnestly: "What do you plan to do?"
"He's shown himself, so he'll eventually be caught," Emperor Cui Yi's eyes gleamed with anticipation, "but we need to proceed cautiously."
Just like every time before he went to war, his indomitable spirit was on full display. "Back then, he didn't dare kill me because he feared the consequences for the border regions. If I died, Huoerhana would have charged south without hesitation, creating a greater threat. He wouldn't be ignorant of this. But conversely, I don't need to worry about what happens if he dies. If we killed him in Liangzhou, it might even deter the northwestern countries. With Huoerhana dead, no one could stop Chu, and places like Ba Bian and Chacha would likely submit rather than face annihilation. In that sense, him fleeing to Liangzhou is actually beneficial."
Chiyin listened with a smile, blinking gently as she asked, "Did you think of all this yourself?"
Cui Yi proudly snorted, "Of course."
Chiyin said approvingly, "You're becoming more and more fit to be an emperor. It seems I can worry less now."
Cui Yi's ears perked up alertly, "What are you planning?"
"I'm not planning anything. If you can handle things independently, I can take it easy and embroider or raise fish. Isn't that good?" Knowing what he was worried about, Chiyin reassured him with a smile.
Relieved, Cui Yi replied, "In recent years, you've been too hard-working. If you want to raise fish, I'll have some beautiful koi from the imperial garden pond brought over for you to keep in Yaohua Palace. By the way, the sachet you made for me is almost worn out. When you have time, make a new one with a dragon and phoenix design."
Tsking a few times, Chiyin teased, "Why not let the palace seamstresses do the needlework? Just giving me a few fish, and you're already scheming for a new sachet."
"The ones you make are prettier; the seamstresses' work only deserves to hang in the curtains. I want to carry yours with me." Cui Yi fiddled with the simple lotus-embroidered sachet at his waist, which Chiyin had made when she first married into the Wangfu, used for four or five years, now old and tattered, looking shabby compared to the dragon robe.
Seeing the sachet, Chiyin softened and agreed, "I'll have Xiaoqiu get some thread."
After chatting in the courtyard for a while, Du Zhongquan reminded them of the time, and Chiyin changed into ceremonial attire. Together with Cui Yi, they rode in a carriage out of the palace.