People always say a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea, but a merchant's heart is even deeper than the ocean.
Guessing what's on his mind is less practical than beating him up.
He shook his head, refusing the suggestion. "Good wife, just tell me what the surprise is. My brain is too slow to guess."
Zhao Jiaqi stopped teasing him, her smile fading. "Yingxiong has given all his shops, houses, and estates in Yun Country to his beloved disciple, Fan Yao. He said it was to thank us for taking in Junjun back then, otherwise he might never have known he had a child."
Fan Zehao wasn't surprised at all. He pulled her into his arms, looked down at her, and smiled. "Isn't this what you always say, 'giving roses, with fragrance remaining in your hand'?"
She could only say that her unintentional act at the time had brought fortune to her child and fulfillment to Yingxiong.
Fireworks bloomed, painting half the sky with different colors.
At midnight on New Year's Eve, a local custom to welcome the new year is called "receiving the God of Wealth."
It's essential to eat dumplings for receiving the God of Wealth, symbolizing wealth and clothing in the coming year.
Hot dumplings were served, and the mother-in-law began to chant. Cabbage and meat dumplings were called "hundreds of wealth," and leek and meat dumplings were called "eternal wealth." Every word was a blessing.
The leftover meat filling after wrapping dumplings was called "having silver to spend in the future," and the leftover dough was called "having clothes to wear in the future." Regardless, the meanings were all auspicious.
After the New Year, on the morning of the first day, it was time for New Year greetings. This festive period was the liveliest of the year. Compared to the somber atmosphere of the past, the common people of Yun Country had changed considerably over the years.
During the first lunar month, people should ideally be relaxing, playing cards, engaging in games, and gathering for tea and conversation. However, everyone in the prince's mansion, from the masters to the servants, was busy every day.
The main reason was that the mansion had four young ladies about to be married. They were to wed on the sixteenth of the first lunar month, and as the date approached, everyone busied themselves with joyful anticipation.
On the fifteenth, the annual lantern exhibition on the streets of the inner city was the most bustling event. Yu Meng tugged at Xue Yao's arm, wanting her to go out and play one more time before her wedding. Once married, she would be an adult, no longer a child.
"Sister, let's just go out for a little while. We'll see the lanterns and come right back. It won't cause any delay at all."
Yu Meng pleaded with Xue Yao, promising to return soon. Only then did Xue Yao agree to go out and have fun with her younger siblings.
Wang Zhaodi, upon hearing this, exchanged a knowing smile with Zhao Jiaqi. Neither sister-in-law tried to stop them, as Xue Yao would enter a different role after her wedding the next day, no longer as carefree as she was now.
Joyful moments are fleeting, passing by like a white colt glimpsing through a crack.
On the morning of the sixteenth, crowds gathered outside the mansion gates. People had heard of sisters marrying simultaneously, but this was their first time seeing four young ladies married off at once.
Especially the situation of brothers marrying sisters.
As soon as the auspicious hour arrived, firecrackers erupted. Not far away, grooms on horseback, clad in festive attire with red flowers pinned to their chests, wore expressions of pure happiness.
The grooms walked side-by-side, instantly becoming the most captivating sight in the inner city.
Inside the prince's mansion, hearing the firecrackers, the brides-to-be began to feel anxious. The fully-adorned women, while offering auspicious blessings, symbolically combed their hair. Finally, veils were placed, and they held apples in their hands, sitting by the bed, awaiting someone to carry them out.
Outside the bridal chambers, Fan Zehao, with his wife’s shoulder in his arm, looked at the grand wedding and felt even more indebted to her.
He whispered, "Wife, we were so poor when we got married. We didn't even have a proper wedding. Why don't we have a make-up wedding?"
Zhao Jiaqi turned her head to look at him. He was still the same person, but his words sounded a bit childish. "It's true we were poor back then, but I never complained. Why should we have a make-up wedding?"
"If we have a make-up wedding, wouldn't that be considered a second marriage? What, are you divorcing me, or do you want to be divorced?"
Her words silenced Fan Zehao. He pouted, feeling wronged. "I just wanted to give you a memorable wedding. Why are you bringing up divorce?"
What's wrong with this wife lately? She's so honest, yet she's always making a fuss. Could it be she's entered menopause, as she calls it?
He wanted to ask, but he was afraid of being scolded, so he wisely shut his mouth and quietly watched the procession for the bride’s retrieval.
Zhao Jiaqi tugged at his sleeve and gestured towards the front with her chin. "Look at sister-in-law's expression, she looks like she's about to cry but is forcing a smile. She must be feeling what it's like to marry off a daughter."
"Marrying off a daughter means she goes to another family. How can the feelings be the same?" he paused, then added, "If you're worried about our daughter marrying away, we can simply find a son-in-law to live with us. That way, she'll be under our watchful eyes, and the son-in-law wouldn't dare bully our daughter."
Find a son-in-law?
She shook her head. Regarding her daughter's marriage, she had promised Yu Meng that she would never interfere.
"The children's matters should be decided by the children themselves. If we interfere too much, they might resent us if they're unhappy later."
Fan Zehao said nothing, but he had already made up his mind. Whoever she marries, she cannot marry that person named Helian Jinli.
He hadn't forgotten what Helian Jinli had told him.
Early on the seventeenth, the prince's mansion's carriages departed one after another. The marriage of two princes did not prevent them from traveling all the way to the capital.
Inside the carriages, loving couples were affectionate. They were princes, and who would dare to speak ill of them? Xiao Ce, also a groom, could only ride his horse outside, enduring the cold wind.
He glanced at the people inside the carriage, pouted, and grumbled, "As if no one has a wife."
Fan Zehao heard this sour remark and smirked. "You're right. It's so cold out, we mustn't let my wife get chilled. I need to go keep her warm."
Saying this, he dismounted and quickly got into the carriage. This maneuver left Xiao Ce dumbfounded. So, he was to lead the convoy outside like a hungry man.
His stomach was full of sourness, and there was no outlet for it. Who could he blame? They were all princes, each with higher rank than the last.
The journey was uneventful. After traveling for about ten days, the group finally reached the capital before the end of the month.
Before entering the city gates, they saw Quan Zhong, the chief eunuch sent by the Emperor, waiting outside.
Upon seeing the carriages with the princes' banners, he joyfully ran forward a few steps and stopped their carriages.
"This old servant, Quan Zhong, pays respects to the Regent Prince, the Virtuous Prince, and the Free and Easy Prince. Greetings to the Princes. Greetings to the Regent Princess Consort, the Virtuous Princess Consort, and the Free and Easy Princess Consort. Greetings to the Princess Consorts."
"May the Princes have peace and the Princess Consorts be auspicious."
Fan Zehao lifted the carriage curtain and saw the eunuch's attire. He subtly frowned and said coldly, "Rise."
Quan Zhong stood up and walked to the carriage with a smile, respectfully saying, "The Emperor knew the Princes were coming to attend the flower viewing banquet and specially ordered this old servant to wait here for many days..."
Zhao Jiaqi waved her hand, interrupting his words. "This Prince will return to the mansion to rest first. Tomorrow, during the morning court, this Prince will personally meet the Emperor. You may return and deliver the message."
Before Quan Zhong could say anything else, Shi He urged the carriage forward again.