Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

Finally, amidst everyone's anxious waiting, the eighteenth day of the first lunar month arrived.

Crown Prince Zhu Changyu and Prince Bei Jing Shui Rong held betrothal and engagement ceremonies on the same day, both joyous occasions for the imperial family.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court were dispatched to the Zhang and Lin residences to oversee the ceremony. They were meticulous in every detail, striving to ensure that the ceremony was conducted perfectly and without any mishaps.

Red lanterns hung high on both sides of Zhuque Avenue, casting a warm glow on the long street. People stood solemnly at the corners of the alley, watching with bated breath.

It is extremely rare for the Crown Prince and a prince to be betrothed on the same day.

Furthermore, the Zhang and Lin residences are close to each other, and the two ceremonial processions must eventually meet on the main street. The order of precedence and hierarchy will be determined at this moment.

No one dared to make a sound; only a festive atmosphere and a subtle tension intertwined and spread in the air.

Crown Prince Zhu Changyu, dressed in a bright yellow five-clawed dragon robe and wearing a winged crown, rode out on horseback, his face bearing a formulaic gentleness.

A barely perceptible hint of probing lurked in his eyes; he subtly ordered his entourage to slow their pace, intending to encounter Shui Rong's retinue in the middle of the street.

There's no need for open conflict; simply relying on the imperial order to force the prince to yield in public is his hidden intention today.

Here, Shui Rong, dressed in a dark blue four-clawed python robe and a prince's crown, rode in on a white horse.

His features were delicate and refined, like jade carvings; his demeanor was gentle yet composed and self-possessed; he showed no arrogance whatsoever; only deep within his eyes lay a hint of expectation and caution that was difficult for others to perceive.

His fingertips unconsciously caressed the pair of mutton-fat jade bracelets hidden in his sleeve. The jade was warm and lustrous, a heirloom from the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion.

It had already been verified and registered by the Ministry of Rites; it was a token intended to be given to Daiyu.

Inside the Lin residence, Daiyu was already dressed and made up. She wore a plain pink embroidered begonia skirt, the kind of dress a young lady from an official family would wear when engaged. It was neither flashy nor ostentatious, just like her cool and gentle nature.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters rippling across the surface; a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, beginning to show her beauty.

With her head bowed, she quietly held the plum blossom purse she had embroidered herself.

That was a keepsake to give back to Shui Rong, its stitches fine and delicate, concealing her shyness and sense of peace.

Half past Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the two ceremonial processions finally met in the middle of the street.

As the music and drums of the Eastern Palace gradually subsided, the string and wind instruments of the Prince of Beijing's residence also ceased. The long street fell silent for a moment, even the breathing of the common people became soft, and all eyes were fixed on the two ceremonial processions.

The crown prince reined in his horse, nodded slightly, and spoke with refined manners, yet every word revolved around the concept of "etiquette":

"Uncle, today is also an auspicious day, and it is unexpected that we meet here. According to etiquette, the heir apparent should come first, and I believe you are well aware of this, Uncle."

Shui Rong also reined in his horse and stood still, his expression calm and composed, showing no sign of agitation, yet his mind was already clear.

The Crown Prince's words, seemingly in accordance with propriety, were actually a way of forcing him to yield in public by using his status as the heir apparent. He wanted to demonstrate the hierarchy between the common people and officials and test his confidence.

How could he not know the Crown Prince's thoughts?

But today was not a day for petty squabbles. Daiyu was still waiting at the Lin residence, and behind the curtain, she was probably listening to the commotion outside.

If he hesitates even slightly, or refuses to back down, an argument will break down and violate etiquette.

It would not only be his loss of face, but also Daiyu's, and might even disturb her and make her uneasy.

As a prince, he must uphold the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, maintain the dignity of the court, and not fail His Majesty's intention to check and balance the emperor.

Privately, he was someone who wanted to protect Daiyu for life, and he needed today's auspicious time to go smoothly without any disturbances or grievances.

Furthermore, the Crown Prince's brilliance is too conspicuous; such deliberate probing only makes him appear overly eager for quick success.

Today's gentle and yielding manner will not only lull the Crown Prince into a false sense of security but also lower his guard.

It can also demonstrate one's understanding of the bigger picture and adherence to rules, which will be beneficial in the future.

While pondering this, Shui Rong, following the proper etiquette a prince would show to the crown prince, calmly replied, "Your Highness is the crown prince, and it is only natural that I follow the proper etiquette."

His tone was humble and his manners were impeccable, maintaining both the integrity of a subject and the dignity of a prince.

After saying this, he slowly raised his hand, ordering the ceremonial guards behind him to stand still by the roadside, temporarily stop the music, and wait for the Crown Prince to go first. His movements were calm and unhurried, without the slightest sign of reluctance.

Zhu Changming felt a slight sense of injustice, clenched his sleeves, and was about to speak in rebuttal.

He was gently stopped by the official from the Ministry of Rites beside him with a glance, and could only stand quietly with his lips pursed, his eyes full of resentment.

Seeing his polite and well-mannered manners, the Crown Prince's eyes flashed with a hint of pride, but he dared not delay and miss the auspicious time, and said gently:

"Since Uncle Wang understands the general situation, he shall proceed as follows."

After he finished speaking, the drums and music of the Eastern Palace resumed, and the imperial carriage slowly moved forward.

Zhang Shi'an slightly lifted the curtain in the carriage, glancing at Shui Rong standing quietly by the roadside, before immediately lowering the curtain again, his composure subtly revealed.

Shui Rong saw it all, but didn't take it to heart.

A moment of glory is nothing to him; what he truly desires is not the social hierarchy of the street, but long-term stability.

Shui Rong stood quietly by the roadside, composed and undisturbed.

He watched the imperial procession of the Eastern Palace gradually disappear into the distance, the sounds of bells and drums fading into the distance. He felt no disappointment, but rather a sense of relief.

Inside the carriage at the Lin residence, Daiyu could vaguely hear the music outside rising and falling, from the initial tension to the later relaxation. Her heart tightened slightly, and her fingertips clenched her purse, causing it to wrinkle slightly.

The old nanny beside her whispered reassuringly, "Miss, don't panic. The Prince is the most proper and composed man; there will be no mishap."

Daiyu nodded slightly, the unease in her eyes gradually dissipating, yet she could imagine his composed and courteous demeanor, his gentle and self-possessed nature.

This only increased her admiration and brought her a greater sense of peace.

After the Crown Prince's entourage had completely disappeared from sight, Shui Rong slowly raised his hand, his voice gentle yet firm: "To the Lin residence."

The music resumed, the procession moved slowly, dignified and peaceful. Without the clamor of the Eastern Palace's bells and drums, this tranquility suited his taste even better.

The people on the street whispered among themselves, some marveling at the Crown Prince's reverence and majesty, while others praised Prince Bei Jing for his gentle demeanor and extraordinary bearing.

Shui Rong paid no heed to these discussions; his mind was filled with thoughts of the Lin residence he was about to arrive at, the young girl waiting for him behind the curtain, and the jade bracelet he was about to give her.

At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), Shui Rong's ceremonial procession arrived outside the Lin residence and stopped in front of it according to etiquette, as the music gradually ceased.

Lin Ruhai and the male members of his clan stood outside the mansion. Upon seeing Shui Rong arrive, they immediately bowed deeply and said, "Your subject Lin Ruhai respectfully welcomes Your Highness."

Shui Rong dismounted with swift and elegant movements, then quickly offered a hand to help him up, saying gently, "Lord Lin, no need for formalities. The auspicious time must not be missed. Please come into the mansion to pay your respects."

His tone was humble, showing not a trace of the arrogance of a prince.

The ceremonial table in the main hall was set up early, with a list of betrothal gifts, tea, and wine all prepared and arranged neatly, showing the Lin family's respect.

The women of the Lin family stood behind the screen, while Daiyu remained hidden behind the curtain, avoiding direct contact with any men, befitting the conduct of a lady from a prominent family.

Shui Rong observed this rule, and felt increasingly at ease.

The master of ceremonies called out names to verify the betrothal gifts, and the Lin family steward respectfully accepted them one by one.

Shui Rong stood quietly to one side, but her gaze unconsciously drifted to the vague figure behind the screen, her heart filled with anticipation.

After the betrothal gifts were verified, he solemnly took out a pair of mutton-fat jade bracelets from his sleeve and handed them to Lin Ruhai, his voice low and solemn:

"Lord Lin, this is a gift from your son to your daughter. May it protect her for a lifetime and ensure her peace and happiness year after year."

The appreciation in his tone was undisguised.

Lin Ruhai took the jade bracelet, understood what was going on, and quickly turned around to hand it to Daiyu under the curtain.

Shui Rong watched the slender figure bow slightly as she accepted the jade bracelet. Her heart stirred, as if she could feel the warmth and smoothness of the jade bracelet, and sense the coolness and shyness of Daiyu's fingertips.

Before long, Daiyu's plum blossom purse was brought out by the female members of the household and presented to Shui Rong.

The purse is plain white, embroidered with a sprig of winter plum blossom, the stitches are fine and dense, showing that it was made with care.

Shui Rong accepted the purse with both hands, her fingertips tracing the soft embroidery thread, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She carefully tied the purse around her waist.

Then, Shui Rong looked at some of the Lin family elders and said, "Now that the engagement ceremony is complete, let's head to the Wenhua Hall."