Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Bestowed Marriage

The Emperor wanted to build an Imperial Mausoleum, but the State Treasury could not spare a single coin, which gave him a headache. Now that Huo Zheng wanted to marry a merchant’s daughter, it would help him both in public and in private. He already did not want his sons to take noble ladies as wives, since powerful wife-clans could become a threat. But the woman Huo Zheng wished to marry was far too low in status. If the Emperor agreed too easily, he feared the ranks between high and low would blur in the future.

So the Emperor did not answer at once. He said to Huo Zheng: “Go back for now. I will think it over.”

Huo Zheng tried to continue: “Emperor Father…” The Emperor waved his hand, saying: “Withdraw.” Only then did Huo Zheng rise and leave.

He returned to Song Manor after dark. The Song Clan siblings had already eaten dinner, and Chun Zhi was inside soothing Little Xing Hui to sleep. The moment he saw mother and child, his tiredness faded. He stepped lightly to the bed. Chun Zhi lifted her eyes, saw him, and pressed a finger to her lips, whispering: “Hush.” Little Xing Hui had just fallen asleep; they must not wake him.

Chun Zhi rose and drew Huo Zheng out to the courtyard, asking softly: “Why didn’t you go back to the Prince’s Manor?” She had thought that, after returning to the Capital, he would have many duties and would not come tonight. She never expected him to skip the Prince’s Manor and come again to Song Manor.

He pulled her into his arms and murmured by her ear: “I missed you.” Though they had been apart only half a day, he missed her very much. Back in the Capital, back in this gilded cage, he wanted even more to stay by her side. [I do not want to be caged away from her.]

They held each other for a while under the eaves. The lantern swayed in the night wind, and the light flickered. Chun Zhi suddenly remembered to ask: “Have you eaten dinner?” He said quietly: “Not yet.” She started to slip from his arms to call for food: “I’ll have someone prepare something.” He did not let go, saying: “No hurry. Hold me a bit longer.” Chun Zhi stayed obediently in his embrace.

After a long moment she asked in a low voice: “Is it very hard for you to marry me?” [A village girl marrying into royalty is as hard as reaching the sky.] He did not deny it, but said: “No matter how hard it is, I will marry you.” Then he added: “Chun Zhi, I will find a way. Do not be afraid.”

Once, the thought of being entangled with someone as high above as Prince Chang’an had made Chun Zhi tremble. Now she had Huo Zheng’s promise, and her elder brother’s support. She was still afraid, but she had grown brave. She lifted her eyes to him and said: “If you do not fail me, I will not fail you.” He answered: “Good,” and brushed the back of her neck, dropping a kiss on her lips. The night wind was cool; their hair tangled as they clung to each other.

At last, Chun Zhi drew back and wiped her swollen lips with the back of her hand, saying: “Rest a while. I’ll have them bring food.” Huo Zheng stood under the corridor, watching her stride out and call: “Qing Ye.” Qing Ye answered with a smile: “What does Miss command?” Chun Zhi said: “Bring some food, quickly.” Qing Ye ran to order the kitchen. Soon a maid arrived with dishes. They sat close at the table. Chun Zhi had already eaten with the Song Clan siblings; now she only kept him company.

Huo Zheng had little appetite and seemed preoccupied. Today he had spoken to the Emperor Father with great confidence, thinking the Emperor would grant a marriage to him and Chun Zhi, yet even after all he said, the decree did not come at once. He felt anxious. Still, every bite Chun Zhi picked for him, he ate.

After the meal, he meant to stay the night at Song Manor. Just then, Song An Lan came with Song Wan’er. Song Wan’er linked her arm with Chun Zhi and went off whispering. Song An Lan said to Huo Zheng: “Although you and Chun Zhi already wed back in Nanzhou, people in the Capital do not know. Now that Chun Zhi is a daughter of the Song Clan, the two of you should meet less before the formal wedding.”

He had spoken as gently as he could. Before marriage, the groom and his new wife should not meet, and certainly must not share a bed. Huo Zheng frowned: “Brother Song…” Song An Lan did not let him argue, saying: “I am thinking of you and Chun Zhi both. Your Highness, please.” In this dynasty, the couple should not meet for a month before the wedding. Back at Peach Blossom Lane, the tofu workshop had only two small rooms. They saw each other from morning to night and could not follow the custom. Now things were different. Huo Zheng had his own Prince of Chang’an Manor, and Chun Zhi lived in the large Song Manor. Unless they made a special effort, they would not see each other.

Huo Zheng looked back. Song Wan’er was still holding Chun Zhi and talking. He wanted to say a few more words to Chun Zhi, but Song An Lan urged: “It is late. Your Highness should return to your manor.” Chun Zhi heard this and turned to look at him. Their eyes met, holding a thousand unspoken words. After a moment, he turned and left.

Song An Lan escorted him out. The night breeze was gentle, and a waiter lifted a lamp ahead to light the path. Song An Lan said: “Do not blame me for meddling. The Capital is not like Dongzhou. If you mean to marry Chun Zhi, you must treasure her even more.” Huo Zheng glanced over and asked: “Are you afraid I will fail to marry her and end up harming her?” Song An Lan met his eyes and said plainly: “I am.” Prince Chang’an was the Empress Wang’s adopted son. If Huo Zheng’s birth mother were alive, she might help him marry Chun Zhi, but Empress Wang, who only wanted the Wang Clan to rise higher, would never allow it. Song An Lan did not know what method Huo Zheng would use to marry Chun Zhi, but as her elder brother, he could not allow her to be hurt even a little, even if it meant offending Prince Chang’an.

Huo Zheng said solemnly: “Be at ease, Brother Song. I gave my word to marry Chun Zhi, and I will not go back on it.” Song An Lan replied: “The world is hard to predict. It is best to be prepared.” Huo Zheng said no more and left. Song An Lan saw him to the gate, then returned to his courtyard.

Several days passed, yet the Emperor still did not issue the decree bestowing the marriage. At first, Huo Zheng kept his calm: he attended court, did his duties, and visited Chun Zhi and the child each day. But after seven straight days with no movement from the palace, Empress Wang instead arranged several “chance meetings” between Huo Zheng and Wang Liuniang. Each time he saw Wang Liuniang, he turned and left. After the third “coincidence,” he went straight to the Emperor Father and laid bare the Empress Mother’s plan to give him Wang Liuniang. The Emperor did not wish him to marry Wang Liuniang. With a bold stroke of the brush, he granted the marriage between Huo Zheng and Chun Zhi by Imperial Edict.