Chapter 254: Three Books and Six Rites, None Can Be Neglected

Chapter 254

The 22nd day of the ninth month, in the 17th year of Longshun.

The autumn air was crisp and clear, with not a cloud in sight for miles.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites led the procession, their eyes ringed with dark circles as they wound their way towards Qingping Ward.

The night before, Prince An had invited one of them for tea, reminding him that proper etiquette must not be neglected.

The Three Letters and Six Rites were essential; not a single one could be omitted.

At the time, he had been surprised that Prince An would personally concern himself with such trivial matters.

However, even greater surprises were yet to come.

By the time half a candle had burned down, his head was nearly nodding off as Prince An continued to give meticulous instructions on every minute detail.

He was utterly exhausted...

Hadn't rumors suggested that the future Princess An was plain and unattractive, much to Prince An's displeasure?

Why, then, was the prince so invested in the wedding preparations?

Soon enough, Prince An provided an explanation: "I have always demanded perfection. I hope you won't disappoint me."

The official from the Ministry of Rites suddenly understood: it was all about saving face...

"Your Highness, rest assured. This humble official will not fail in his duty."

Snapping back to the present, after dismounting, the Vice Minister of Rites immediately plastered on a smile and exchanged bows with Old Master Song, who was waiting outside the residence. Upon entering, both parties veered to the left and right of the screen wall, proceeding via the main and guest staircases. Once they had taken their positions in the hall, the Vice Minister of Rites faced east and proclaimed in a resonant voice:

"The Song family has shown great kindness in receiving us. Prince An's chambers await. His Majesty, following the customs of our ancestors, has sent this official to formally propose the marriage."

Old Master Song stood on the eastern steps, facing north, and bowed again: "My granddaughter is foolish and uneducated, and I have failed to instruct her properly. But since you have come with this command, I dare not refuse."

Between the pillars, the Vice Minister of Rites handed over the wild goose that Prince An had personally caught to Old Master Song.

The goose symbolized fidelity and devotion.

In addition to this, Prince An had been extremely particular, insisting that he bring along sheep, fragrant herbs, and deer to convey blessings, as well as glue, lacquer, and silk sachets to symbolize the harmony between husband and wife.

This was truly the most troublesome betrothal proposal he had ever handled.

To make matters worse, he was also responsible for the second rite: the formal inquiry about the bride's name!

He felt he was being driven to madness by Prince An's demands. In just a few days, he had lost a noticeable amount of weight.

After the matchmaker had thoroughly inquired about the future Princess An's full name, birth year, and exact time of birth, he gave a slight cough. The matchmaker immediately proclaimed in the most auspicious tone: "A match made in heaven! A union ordained by fate!"

Subsequently, the bride-to-be's birth details were sent to the ancestral temple for divination. After swiftly receiving a favorable omen, they proceeded to the third rite: the announcement of the favorable divination.

This marriage had been decreed by His Majesty himself, so there was originally no need for such elaborate procedures. However, Prince An had insisted, forcing him to "voluntarily" make frequent visits to the Song residence.

At times like these, he was particularly grateful for the hardships he had endured in Mo County. Because he could wield a knife, he could also handle a needle, allowing him to personally sew a red wedding dress for his beloved.

"Try it on. See if it fits?"

Taking the package he handed her, Qi Huan opened it and looked up at him in astonishment: "You finished it so quickly?"

"Mm-hmm."

Qi Huan took the wedding dress and ducked into a private space. After changing, she reappeared before him, shy and bashful.

Li Shuchen's gaze deepened as he stared at his beloved in her red wedding dress, as beautiful as a blooming peony.

"Ah Shu, which embroiderer did you hire? Their skill is truly exceptional. I wonder if we could recruit them for the Huarong Pavilion?"

"We can't," Li Shuchen said, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Seeing her disappointment, he added: "It was me."

It took Qi Huan a long moment to understand the meaning behind those two short words.

Looking at the dark circles under his eyes and his evident exhaustion, she felt tears welling up.

She wanted to throw herself into Li Shuchen's arms but feared wrinkling the wedding dress. Instead, she quickly took it off, carefully folded it, and put it away.

Then, without restraint, she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

Ah Shu was always like this, speaking lightly of his actions while pouring his heart into everything he did.

He accommodated all her shortcomings, filling in every gap.

She couldn't embroider a wedding dress, so he took it upon himself to do it, engaging in a task that countless men of this era would have considered beneath them.

He always bent his proud back for her, his bone-deep tenderness evident in everything he did.

"Ah Shu, I love you so much."

Hearing her soft, sweet words of love, Li Shuchen hugged her back, resting his chin on the top of her head and nuzzling her hair.

With those words from her, any amount of hardship was worth it.

"Ah Huan, let me handle everything. You just need to be the happiest bride."

Qi Huan smiled through her tears, lifting her face to beam at him brightly: "Alright."

Having received such an exquisite wedding dress, she suddenly felt that her little pouch might not be good enough to give him...

However, Li Shuchen's sharp eyes had already noticed it, and a faint smile touched the corners of his eyes and lips: "Is that for me?"

"Um..."

Qi Huan's face turned red, and she raised her hand to try and snatch it back: "I'll embroider a new one."