Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 185 The Princess Gets Married
After chatting with Wang Shoufu, Zhang Xiao returned home, but Zhang Xiao could not sit down for long as distinguished guests soon came to the door.

"Prince-in-law Zhang, Mr. Chen is here to bother me again." Chen Ju said.

"What did Eunuch Chen say? Eunuch Chen has been working hard these days." Zhang Xiao said.

"We are all sharing your Majesty's worries. There is no point in saying whether you are tired or not. This time Chen is following His Majesty's order to explain some matters to you, Prince Consort Zhang. The person next to me is Director Sun of the Ministry of Rites. He is also familiar with etiquette. If I don't explain enough, Director Sun will explain it in more detail." Chen Ju took the opportunity to introduce the officials around him.

"Then I'd like to thank Eunuch Chen and Master Sun." Zhang Xiao thanked him.

Zhang Xiao listened respectfully, and Chen Ju roughly explained the princess' wedding ceremony. Zhang Xiao just listened and took a rough look. Next, Director Sun spoke in more detail, and went over the process that Chen Ju had explained before.

"Eunuch Chen, Master Sun, can I tell the truth? These etiquettes sound too much, and I really can't remember them." Zhang Xiao finally listened and said helplessly.

"Prince-in-law Zhang is knowledgeable and knowledgeable. There is no problem in remembering this etiquette. It's just that the two of us were ordered to explain it in one go. Prince-in-law Zhang, you can't remember it so quickly. Mr. Sun will stay with you, Prince-in-law Zhang these days." I’ll teach you etiquette. Just follow it, and we’ll talk about the rest later.”

"Thank you, Eunuch Chen, for your advice."

In this way, Zhang Xiao spent the next few days learning etiquette from Director Sun of the Ministry of Etiquette, reading and writing in his spare time, and basically didn't go out.

"Besides learning etiquette, what else have you done these days?"

"How do you think the current newspapers are doing?"

"The minister obeys the order."

"That's good. I actually have some things I want to tell you, but it doesn't have to be right now. I'll tell you after the wedding is over."

"Have you read the newspaper?"

In Kunning Palace, Zhu Xuanyu, the direct princess of Emperor Wanli, was happily sharing the good news with his mother.

"It is true that etiquette is a bit difficult to learn, but Wei Chen has been studying it seriously, and now he roughly remembers it." Zhang Xiao replied.

"I am a humble citizen of Nanyang who has been recognized by His Majesty as an official in the court, a princess, and now I am rewarded by a viscount. I am already satisfied." Zhang Xiao quickly expressed his position.

"But I feel that although there are many newspapers, it is not interesting to read. Zhang Xiao, you haven't written for a newspaper for a long time. I am a little tired of reading these beautiful articles. That is to say, although your articles are sometimes a bit It’s absurd, but there’s always something new.”

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

"You can't serve as a civil servant for the time being, but I will never forget your contribution. This time you and Xuan Yu get married. In addition to being conferred the title of Prince Consort as usual, I will also give you a viscount. Don't think you are too young. , I will make you a viscount, and I will not make you a viscount or baron again. After all, if I make you a count, I am afraid that Uncle Ning Yuan will be dismissed by me. "

Just when Zhang Xiao thought he was going to stay at home like this, news came from the palace that His Majesty was going to summon Zhang Xiao to the palace again.

"Wei Chen also read the newspaper. After all, he wanted to see what is happening right now."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."

"Zhang Xiao, you still have to read more books and write more. I still want to use you. Don't waste time. The etiquette of the wedding is important, but there will be guidance when the time comes, so you don't have to worry about forgetting it. What will happen?”

"After the Anti-Japanese War broke out, Weichen went to North Korea as an envoy under His Majesty's order. After returning, he was busy with everything, and he no longer had the time to write articles for newspapers. Because Weichen is also quite busy these days, Right now, I am looking through "History of the Yuan Dynasty", but I can't write any manuscripts for the book. When I have time, I will outline the outline of the book. "

"Mother, I went to ask my father. After pestering him for a long time, my father told me what my title was. It sounded pretty good. Do you want to know, mother?" the princess said happily.

"Weichen thinks it can be done well. It used to be four times a month, but now it's one every five days. It's getting better and better."

"You don't have to worry too much about the wedding. You are alone now, so you don't need to worry about these six rituals. I will arrange it for you."

"Zhang Xiao, I heard that you have been studying etiquette these days. How are you doing?" the emperor asked.

"Just read books and write books."

"You have already asked, how can you still not tell the queen mother?" the queen said.

"The name is Princess Rongchang, which sounds quite auspicious."

"Rongchang, Rongchang, the title given by His Majesty is very good. You will get married in a few days, and the queen mother will be able to feel at ease."

"Why did the Queen Mother marry me off in such a hurry? I still want to stay with the Queen Mother."

"It is natural for a woman to get married, and it is no exception in the royal family. My wife, you must also abide by the rules of women in your husband's family. If it is just a trivial matter, don't talk to your father easily. If it is really If you have anything to say, just talk to your mother first," the queen warned.

"Mother, how many times have you said this, I've written it down." The princess was a little impatient.

"This is the time when my mother will say a few more words to you. You will get married in a few days. There are some things that my mother cannot say too much about. You have to understand them yourself."

"Okay, I will listen to my mother." The princess was a little overwhelmed when she saw the stern queen, but she still agreed obediently.

"Xiao'er, the princess's palace has been built. You will live in the princess's palace when the time comes. The queen mother will also discuss with your father to select some capable palace servants for you to support the big and small things in the palace."

"Mother, I don't have to go see the princess mansion yet,"

"Didn't I show you the princess's mansion in the painting?"

"Mother, seeing it is better than hearing it. I just wanted to go and have a look."

"There will be plenty of time to see in the future. During these days, you must memorize the rules of women's virtues and review your etiquette. You must not lose the royal dignity."

On the day of the wedding, Zhang Xiao was like a puppet on strings, following all the procedures. By the time he entered the princess mansion, he was already exhausted.

Moreover, after the wedding night, Zhang Xiao still had to return to his home, and the next time he entered the princess' mansion, he still had to apply. Of course, Zhang Xiao's application was not stuck or delayed, and it was approved quickly. However, before meeting the princess, Zhang Xiao was still guided to bow four times before meeting the princess again. Fortunately, he was not blocked by any female officials, and Zhang Xiao didn't know if he was lucky.

When the princess saw Zhang Xiao's arrival, a smile appeared on her face, but she soon thought of something and returned to her dignified expression.

"How are you these days, Prince Consort?"

"It's been a good few days, but I miss the princess every moment."

"Consort, I am having a meal now."

"Princess, I understand. According to etiquette, I have to stand by you now." Zhang Xiao said and stood aside obediently. The princess began to eat her meal gracefully. Zhang Xiao looked at the table full of delicacies and had no choice but to comfort himself. It was better to eat something to fill his stomach before going out, otherwise it would be too embarrassing to coo alone.

But Zhang Xiao didn't feel embarrassed. The princess' eating speed was getting slower and slower.

"Please sit down, Prince Consort, and let's eat something together. Seeing that you have come a long way, I'm afraid you may be hungry too."

"Thank you princess for the seat." Zhang Xiao finished his salute and quickly sat down.

Someone had already come forward and presented Zhang Xiao with a separate meal, and Zhang Xiao started to eat it gracefully.

Just like that, I don’t know how long it took, the meal started and ended in such a polite way.

"Princess, I brought you some fruits from outside, especially apples from Shandong, which are crisp and delicious."

"The apples are ripe now. Thank you, Prince Consort. This is my first time eating apples this year."

Then, Zhang Xiao saw the poisoned apple cut into small pieces and brought it to the princess, who still ate it gracefully.

After a while, a palace official came in with a letter and handed the letter to Zhang Xiao.

"Husband-in-law, this is a gift letter for you to offer fruits and melons. The things in the princess's mansion are royal objects. It's really not easy to just give them as gifts in return." The princess explained.

"Thank you for the gift, Princess. Can I say something?" Zhang Xiao couldn't help it anymore.

"Prince-in-law, please speak."

"Is this how you do it a few days before the wedding, or is this how you do it every day from now on?"

"Husband-in-law, this is how the etiquette is set. We are also following orders. Please forgive me, Prince-in-law." said the housekeeper of the Princess Mansion who was standing nearby.

"Okay, I understand." Zhang Xiao said helplessly.

"Consort, when you enter the princess's mansion this time, are you just here for a visit, or do you want to stay overnight? If it's just for a visit," the housekeeper said carefully.

"The application I made is for overnight stay."

The days passed in such an ordinary way. These days, Zhang Xiao always felt that there was a sense of separation between himself and reality. It was not that he always felt that there was something wrong with him. He seemed to be playing some strange role and always felt that something was wrong.

After feeling this sense of separation for a few days, Zhang Xiao received news from the palace that the emperor was summoning him again.

In the imperial study, the emperor looked at Zhang Xiao with interest.

"Zhang Xiao, how have you been these days?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I am singing the harp and harp in harmony with the princess."

"That's good. I am just a direct daughter. If I hear Princess Rongchang's complaint, I will investigate clearly. If the fault is really yours, I will severely punish you."

"Wei Chen understands."

"It stands to reason that since you have become the consort and have the title of Viscount, I should reward you with a house. But the treasury is currently empty. If you want to build a new house, the cabinet will probably have to go up and down again, and the original house is not suitable. Wait. I will reward you if I find a suitable house."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, may I have a suggestion?"

"Tell me what you think."

"Your Majesty, in fact, Wei Chen doesn't think it's so troublesome. Wei Chen can just live in the princess's mansion. Otherwise, now that Wei Chen can see the princess, he has to apply to the palace."

"Oh? That's what you think? What about the people in your house?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have no specific duties now. In addition to the servants, there is a master named Lu whom I hired privately. As for the master named Lu, he is also young and promising. It is only because of his poor family that he lives here. As a master in Weichen's residence, if he concentrates on the imperial examination, he may not be able to obtain fame. "

"I already know what you said. It is the system of the country to separate the princess and the consort. I will give you a mansion as the consort's residence."

"The minister obeys the order."

"Weichen has one more request. Since Weichen is married to the princess, now that Weichen has to bow to the princess every time he meets her, it is too cumbersome to trouble the princess to return the gift. Weichen boldly asks your majesty, can you not go to such trouble? ”

"Huh? Your request is quite direct. What's wrong? The princess is my biological daughter. Is it wrong for you to salute the princess?"

"Your Majesty, I don't dare to do that. Just bowing politely in everything is too estranged between husband and wife." Zhang Xiao explained bravely.

"Well, let me think about this matter carefully before replying to you. Now that the ceremony has been completed, you have to start busy with your affairs. If someone else becomes my consort, then he will have to discuss it with the Ministry of Rites and But you don’t have to go to the Imperial College. It’s a waste of precious time. If you have any errands you want to do, you can tell me.”

"Wei Chen understands." Zhang Xiao secretly thought to himself that it would be nice to be able to relax for a while, but he didn't dare to find errands by himself. With his current status, there is no reward for doing well after finding errands. If he doesn't do well, then That's it.

Zhang Xiao said goodbye and went out. The emperor did not stay in the imperial study room for long, and went to find the queen instead.

"Ah? Did Zhang Xiao really say these words?" The queen was a little surprised after hearing the emperor's story.

"That's not true. Could it be that the queen thinks that I am telling the truth?" the emperor asked rhetorically.

"I don't dare, but I didn't expect that Zhang Xiao cares about this. It seems that he has been in Nanyang for a long time and is used to being free."

"Queen, you are not in a hurry. Now Zhang Xiao is impatient with these etiquettes. What will happen if he neglects Yu'er in the future? After all, it is a matter between husband and wife. If I punish Zhang Xiao directly, it will not be of much use. Sorry, my wife still thinks I'm troublesome."

"Your Majesty, it's okay if you don't do the ceremony. These days, I have also seen the marriage system of princesses in previous dynasties. In the past, the prince-in-law was asked to worship the princess. In fact, it raised the princess's seniority, so that the princess would not have to perform the courtesy of uncle and aunt. Since Zhang Xiao is alone and I don't need to pay homage to my uncle, there is no need for Zhang Xiao to pay homage," the queen analyzed.

"Then Zhang Xiao said he wanted to live in the Princess Mansion permanently?"

"It's really not appropriate according to etiquette, but now that Zhang Xiao is alone, if he stays in the princess mansion for a long time, it is equivalent to the royal family recruiting a son-in-law. Thinking about it this way, it should be okay."

"Queen, if you think you don't mind, I actually don't want to say anything more. Then so be it." The emperor said helplessly.

(End of this chapter)