Within The Sound of Swallows - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Gilded Wedding

The Gu butler hurried forward to smooth things over. “Fourth Young Master’s unruly behavior is nothing new. It’s this servant’s fault for not informing him of the rules beforehand.”

Gu Chaobei shrugged. “Oh, so we’re not allowed to show dissatisfaction? My apologies, my apologies. I truly didn’t know that beforehand. I wasn’t intentionally trying to embarrass the Shen family. This gift list… how about we paste it back on?

Madam Shen’s face turned green with anger. Laughter erupted outside, and quite a few people were pointing and whispering at the dowry stacked off to the side of the Shen household. Twenty boxes were actually not few, but with Fourth Young Master Gu making such a scene, all the idle onlookers gathered together to mock the Shen family’s dowry.

Lord Shen’s expression didn’t look good either,  with the veins nearly popping on his neck. Gu Chaobei bowed to them, returned the torn gift list to Madam Shen, then walked off to fetch the bride as if nothing had happened.

“Steward, come with me!” Madam Shen stomped her foot in anger, called for the Shen family steward, and stormed back into the courtyard where the dowry was stacked.

“Add ten more chests, whether it’s brocade or daughter’s red¹ wine, it’s up to you. Make it thirty chests total and carry them out one by one through the front gate!”

The steward was startled. “Madam, gather them all right now? The household doesn’t have that much…”

“Then go take from my private storeroom!” Madam Shen’s eyes reddened with fury. “The Shen family has never suffered such humiliation as this. Later, the master might take his anger out on me. That damn Fourth Young Master Gu, truly infuriating—no sense of propriety, disgracing himself and dragging our Shen family down with him!”

The steward only lowered his head and sighed. He knew better than anyone how little those twenty chests actually contained. Although Fourth Young Master Gu’s actions were indeed extremely rude, Madam had been the first to be discourteous and had treated the Third Miss too unfairly.

“Yes, Madam.” Taking the storeroom key, Steward Shen went to Madam Shen’s private storeroom and picked out ten full boxes of items to add to Shen Guiyan’s dowry.

Shen Guiyan was supported by the wedding matron to perform the farewell bows. Madam Shen was so furious that she didn’t utter a single word. Only Master Shen sighed and said, “You must be obedient, virtuous, and filial. Serve your in-laws well, support your husband, raise your children properly, so as not to let your Father’s teachings to you be in vain.”

Lowering her head to kowtow, Shen Guiyan choked slightly, “This daughter will certainly not fail Father’s teachings.”

Once the series of ceremonial rites was completed, she was led over by Gu Chaobei and helped into the bridal sedan chair.

With the bridal veil covering her head, Shen Guiyan couldn’t see the path ahead and took each step cautiously. Gu Chaobei’s palm was warm, and he held her hand firmly.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall,” Gu Chaobei whispered.

Shen Guiyan truly felt reassured hearing that. She followed him step by step out of the Shen residence’s gate and into the bridal sedan.

The wedding procession took a different route back to the Gu residence, where Madam Wu and several other ladies stood at the entrance watching. The dowry being carried at the rear was clearly displayed chest by chest, load by load. Madam Wu counted them one by one. Heh, there were actually thirty chests.

Madam Shen stood at the doorway. Although she felt a pang of heartache looking at all that dowry, the moment she caught sight of Madam Wu’s speechless expression, she was delighted. Pinching her handkerchief, she adjusted her hair ornament and proudly held her head high.

Madam Wu let out a soft chuckle and called over a few other ladies. Together, they each got into their sedans and headed to the Gu residence for the wedding banquet.

This wedding was not as grand as Gu Chaodong’s. Firstly, because of how rushed it was, and secondly, because Gu Chaobei was merely a concubine-born son. The surrounding commoners all couldn’t help but feel somewhat sorry for Shen Guiyan.

“The first wedding was so grand that there were over eighty banquet tables. Yet in the end, it was snatched away by her own younger sister.”

“Exactly! The eldest Young Master Gu is so outstanding, yet due to a cruel twist of fate, she can only marry the Fourth Young Master. Sigh…”

Sitting inside the bridal sedan, Shen Guiyan didn’t feel anything bad about it at all. Whether the wedding was grand or not, it was merely temporary glory; what truly mattered was whom she was marrying.

Today, Prime Minister Gu specifically ordered thirty banquet tables to be set up at the residence, inviting only a handful of relatives and close friends for the gathering. Madam Gu and the few other concubines did not take this matter to heart, as everyone’s focus was currently on Shen Guiya’s belly.

So what if the fourth son was getting married? He was someone hopeless anyway. However, Gu Chaodong’s thoughts were different. He was the legitimate eldest son and a promising new talent in the court. His pregnant main wife drew far more attention than any bride.

Dressed in a peony-patterned cross-collared robe with gold edges, Shen Guiya was sitting on a chair to the side while looking toward the doorway. In just a few days at the Gu residence, she had already thoroughly familiarized herself with every room and courtyard. Most people in the household liked her. Now that Shen Guiyan was marrying in, she was already destined to be under her control.

The greater the contrast between this wedding and hers, the happier she became. Wasn’t Shen Guiyan just pretty-faced? Shen Guiya couldn’t stand such people prospering. Did they really think just because they were beautiful, they could have everything?

How could a man as captivating as Gu Chaobei be wasted on some ancient-era woman? With his unrestrained and carefree nature, he should have far more to talk about with her instead.

Shen Guiya smiled brilliantly, resting her chin on her hand as she waited for the bridal couple’s entrance.

Just as Gu Chaobei’s wedding procession reached a street near the Gu residence, a sudden commotion broke out in the crowd ahead. Then, for some unknown reason, all the commoners lining both sides of the street dropped to their knees.

In the distance stood a man and a woman, both dressed in splendid brocade, followed by numerous guards behind them. They glanced in the direction of the wedding procession before heading toward the Prime Minister’s residence.

The commoners remained kneeling for a long time, not daring to rise until the newly arrived group had completely disappeared from view.

“What’s going on?” Gu Chaobei frowned, asking the Gu steward beside him.

The steward also furrowed his brows, his expression abruptly changing. “His Majesty, the Emperor, is on an incognito outing.”

What? Gu Chaobei’s mouth twitched. This was called incognito? The commoners all knelt on sight—what kind of ‘incognito’ was that?

The wedding procession quieted down for a moment. Gu Chaobei looked ahead for a while, then turned with a smile and said, “Continue heading to the residence. Don’t stop your trumpets and suona horns.”

Everyone came back to their senses and resumed marching forward.

The current Emperor rarely left the palace. Therefore, no one knew why he had suddenly taken an interest in going sightseeing in the capital with Noble Consort Nian this time. Coincidentally encountering the joyous occasion in the Prime Minister’s residence, he decided to join the festivities.

Upon hearing the news, the Gu residence instantly fell into chaos. Fortunately, Prime Minister Gu held the fort and calmly ordered people to redecorate the ceremonial hall to receive the Emperor’s arrival.

“Why would His Majesty be interested in the Prime Minister’s family’s wedding?” Noble Consort Nian chuckled charmingly. “Didn’t you say you’d take me to the eastern side of the city to look around?”

The emperor looked at her deeply and wrapped an arm around her waist, saying, “The emperor looked at her deeply and wrapped an arm around her waist. “It’s been a while since there’s been a joyful event in the palace. I wanted to join in the fun and take a look at this Fourth Young Master Gu that Duanwen keeps talking about every day, to see what he’s really like.”

Noble Consort Nian pouted. “You know full well I’ve always been at odds with Prime Minister Gu, yet you purposely brought me to the Gu residence.”

“What harm is there in just having a look?” The emperor chuckled softly, then entered the Gu residence with Noble Consort Nian.

With the emperor personally attending, the wedding was instantly transformed. All the womenfolk were ordered to withdraw. Only Madam Gu and Master Shen remained in the main hall, kneeling to welcome the imperial presence. The entire household was quickly tidied up, bright red silk decorations were properly hung everywhere, and the dishes in the kitchen were replaced with finer ones.

When Gu Chaobei led Shen Guiyan inside, the Emperor and Noble Consort Nian occupied the main seats, with Prime Minister Gu and Madam Gu seated to the side. Meanwhile, all the wives of the attending officials were obediently standing in the courtyard.

Frowning slightly, Gu Chaobei looked up at the Emperor—a man in his thirties or forties with eyes that shone with wisdom and gentleness. The woman beside him was enchantingly beautiful, her face covered with layers of powder, and her pair of eyes was effortlessly captivating. Though she should be in her thirties, she still appeared remarkably youthful.

The wedding matron’s voice trembled slightly. “…First bow to the heaven and earth.”

Gu Chaobei curled his lips, then naturally turned and bowed toward the entrance. Shen Guiyan followed suit.

“Second bow to the parents.”

The two of them turned around. Gu Chaobei frowned and glanced at Prime Minister Gu, who subtly shook his head and gestured toward the Emperor and Noble Consort seated above.

We have to bow to them? Gu Chaobei snorted softly, but still bent down in a bow. After all, they were the most exalted people in the land, naturally surpassing even parents.

“Third bow, between husband and wife.”

Shen Guiyan’s mind was black as she clutched the red silk ribbon and bowed toward Gu Chaobei. As a result, the floral crown on her head bumped against the head of the person across from her with a loud thud.

Gu Chaobei inhaled sharply. Noble Consort Nian, who was seated above, couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

What’s so funny?! Gu Chaobei glanced sideways at her. The woman was laughing gloatingly, and that face of hers annoyed him no matter how he looked at it.

“The ceremonial rites are now complete. Escort the bride to the bridal chamber.” The wedding matron hurried over to support Shen Guiyan, nervously escorting her away.

“Why did the Emperor and Noble Consort come here?” Shen Guiyan, now seated in the bridal chamber, couldn’t help but ask.

Baoshan stood beside her and whispered, “No one can guess what the Emperor is thinking. But Noble Consort Nian has always been at odds with Prime Minister Gu. I heard the Prime Minister even submitted a memorial in the past, urging His Majesty to depose her.”

However, with the Emperor’s attendance today, this wedding immediately transformed from an ordinary marriage of a concubine-born son into a ceremony graced by imperial presence. It was certain that the entire capital would be talking about it by tomorrow. Who knows, perhaps Fourth Young Master Gu would turn his fortunes around because of this wedding?

Shen Guiya had been sent back to the eastern courtyard. Beside her, Yushu said with dissatisfaction, “Who would’ve thought the Emperor would show up to join in the fun at this moment? Didn’t that just benefit Third Miss? It was just an ordinary wedding from the start, but now it’s been gilded by the Emperor’s presence.”

“What’s so great about that?” Shen Guiya sneered coldly. “She won’t have a good outcome anyway.”

Yushu looked at her young mistress in confusion, but Shen Guiya simply waved her off. “Go bring Granny Xu to see me.”

“Yes,” Yushu complied.

Rubbing the bottle in her hand, Shen Guiya let out a cold snort. So what if the Emperor had come? The glory was bestowed on Gu Chaobei. What did it have to do with Shen Guiyan? Wasn’t it just her face that let her act so arrogantly in this place? Then, what if I ruin that face? Let’s see if Gu Chaobei still truly loves her.

Seeing her somewhat twisted reflection in the mirror. Shen Guiya immediately smoothed her expression. She wasn’t some kind of villain. After all, wasn’t there a saying that if one doesn’t know how to look out for themselves, even heaven and earth would condemn them? She was merely doing her best to fight for what she wanted.

***

✒️ TL Note:

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