Chapter 11: 10. The Wedding

Over the next week and a half, servants decorated the palace for the upcoming wedding. Flower petals from paulownia trees were strewn about. Vermillion red ribbons and banners were hung up around Wangzhi Hall‒Tang Daiyu's residence‒and Huangning Hall.

As Tang Daiyu was walking around one day, she came across Prince Yelang. She bowed before him.

"Greetings, Prince Yelang."

"Rise, Princess Fangzi."

She straightened, and he motioned over towards a nearby bench. They sat down. "Is something the matter, Your Highness?"

He looked at her and gave her a wan smile. "You've grown up so much, Tang Daiyu. I was sorry to hear about your family."

Sadness filled her eyes. "Thank you, Your Highness. I remember when you and Prince Shandong came to visit us."

"That was a while ago now."

She nodded solemnly. "I know that I'm probably not who you imagined for the title of Princess Shandong... but my father raised me well, and I-"

Prince Yelang held up his hand. "I have no objections to you being Rong's wife."

Tang Daiyu stood and bowed to her future father-in-law. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"I just have one request upon your marriage to him."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I know this may seem like common sense, but I want you to stand by him, always."

"You're asking me if it comes down to Feng Rong and Chang, which would I choose?"

Prince Yelang nodded and said, "Yes."

"This comes from my heart and my sincerest emotions: I'd choose Feng Rong in a heartbeat, Your Highness. I remember his kindness to me, and the memories we have from playing as children together are a bond that will strengthen our union. My loyalty for Chang faded the day my parents were executed and dissolved completely upon my brother's death. I have no ties to Chang anymore."

He nodded, satisfied with her answer. She straightened up after he stood.

"Welcome to the family, Princess Fangzi."

Tang Daiyu bowed and said, "Thank you, Prince Yelang."

~~~

On the eve of her wedding, Tang Daiyu paced her residence. She stared at the bright red, longfeng gua, wedding gown. The gold thread embroidery was elaborate and depicted a dragon and a phoenix. She sighed and wrung her hands nervously.

I never imagined that I'd marry Feng Rong. He's so good to me, and I'm glad that he'll be my husband. I just hope I'm a suitable enough wife for him.

Hua Chao-Xing and An Mei tried their best to get her to calm down, but it was a failed attempt. Just as Daiyu was about to go to bed, there was a knock on her door. Hua Chao-Xing went over and opened it. She bowed and greeted Tang Daiyu's guest.

"Princess Guang has come to greet Princess Fangzi."

Tang Daiyu's head snapped up. She turned to watch as Feng Rong's younger sister, Feng Guang, entered the room.

She stood and bowed. "Greetings, Princess Guang."

"Hello, Princess Fangzi."

"Come, come, sit. An Mei will get us some tea."

As the two sat, An Mei left. Princess Guang leaned over and whispered, "Are you worried about tomorrow, Tang Daiyu?"

"Not about marrying Feng Rong. Just about getting married in general."

"I understand. I just wanted to say congratulations and welcome to the family."

Tang Daiyu smiled warmly. "Thank you, Feng Guang. It really means a lot to me that you, Feng Rong, and your father have been so kind to me."

Her soon-to-be sister-in-law nodded. "Of course. Rong always cared about you when we were in the north. Though, you two bonded more than we did."

"My father raised me like a son," Tang Daiyu explained. "So I understood Feng Rong better than you back then. But since I've lived in Weiyang Palace in Chang for the past year or so now,

I've learned more of my feminine duties."

"I can't wait to be sisters."

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"Me either."

Then, An Mei returned and the talk turned to idle chatter about the weather and jewellery. Eventually, Princess Guang left, and Tang Daiyu meditated to control her surging qi before going to sleep.

~~~

The next morning, Tang Daiyu was awoken by Hua Chao-Xing and An Mei. They bathed her and dressed her in her wedding attire. An Mei applied makeup while Hua Chao-Xing twisted her hair up and put in a dainty, golden headdress with strings of red jade hanging down on each side. Then, they added a couple matching hairpins and three gold and pearl hair combs. Tang Daiyu looked at herself in the mirror.

This isn't me, she thought sadly. I'm not cut out for this. Tang Daiyu took a deep breath. But there's no turning back now.

She heard the horns sound, and her maids rested the red veil over her head. Tang Daiyu stood up slowly. After taking a deep breath, she waited. Soon, Prince Shandong and his best men arrived at her residence. They escorted her out and started walking towards the throne room. Flower petals directed them. As they neared the throne room, members of the Royal Family bowed to her. Feeling uncomfortable, she just kept walking.

Inside, she made her way towards the base of the dais where Prince Shandong was waiting. Tang Daiyu came up side-by-side with him. They faced the Emperor and began the Bai Tang ritual.

"Bow to Heaven and Earth!"

They bowed towards the entrance door.

"Bow to the parents."

Tang Daiyu hesitantly bowed along with Prince Shandong to Emperor Taio.

"Bow to each other."

They faced each other and bowed. After it was over, Tang Daiyu and Feng Rong turned to face the wedding guests.

They cried, "Blessings to Prince Shandong! Blessings to Princess Shandong!"

Tang Daiyu and her husband stood together as one.

~~~

That evening, the wedding reception was put into full swing. Dancers were brought in, and the men all gathered outside in the courtyard. They drank and watched the dancers perform. Inside the bridal chamber, Tang Daiyu waited for him to enter. She wrung her hands nervously. As the festivities started to wind down, Feng Rong came in. Tang Daiyu stood and walked over to greet him.

"Rong."

"Daiyu."

She looked down at the ground. He tilted his head.

"Are you having regrets?"

Her head shot up. "No! No, I just worry that I'm not the greatest wife. Rong, I'm better suited for state issues than a wife. Ask me anything about diplomacy or state affairs, I can advise pretty well. Ask me to embroider, and it'll turn out terribly."

He chuckled, walked forward and embraced her. "I don't care about embroidery, Daiyu. I don't want a wife who only knows how to please and obey. I want a wife who is on equal ground as me; one who can challenge and push me. Daiyu, I wouldn't have suggested going through with the intermarriage if I didn't believe in you. If I forced you into saying yes, then I'm sorry."

"No, Rong, you've been so kind to me. I'm glad you're my husband. I just had doubts about myself."

"I choose you, Daiyu. You are the best one to help me. Thanks to your father's rearing, you are wiser than most of the women in this palace."

"So you just want me for my intelligence?"

"Not just your intelligence. We have a past. Doesn't that mean anything?"

"Of course it does, but why do you need me, Rong?"

He sighed, "My grandfather may not seem like it, but he's sick. The Royal Physician said he'll not last to next year."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

He nodded slowly. "Thank you, Daiyu. It's just that, a huge war amongst the Royal Princes will break out if Emperor Taio doesn't choose a successor before he passes to Heaven. That's why I need you, Daiyu. For support and being able to have my back."

Her eyes widened as it dawned on her.

"You mean to be Emperor," she breathed.

"I must at least try to fight for the throne if one isn't chosen. Heping is a glorious kingdom, but I know of ancient systems that'll better the people's lives."

He looked right at her, completely serious.

"So what do you say, Daiyu? Will you help me?"

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