Chapter 64: Asking the World
Many people knelt in the side hall, like a calm ocean. The middle-aged woman walked past them indifferently, and the seawater parted naturally, stirring slight ripples. A eunuch leader coughed softly twice. Those kneeling attendants, maids, and eunuchs, as if granted a great pardon, quickly scrambled to their feet and silently withdrew from the hall.
The eunuch leader’s face was covered in wrinkles, making him look extremely aged, yet he carefully supported the middle-aged woman’s hand and spoke humbly in a low voice: “Even if that young man’s background has some issues, it’s hardly worth Your Highness troubling yourself so much over.”
The middle-aged woman was Her Holiness the Empress. Listening to the old eunuch’s words, she said with an indifferent expression: “If he were just an ordinary person, naturally there would be no need for such trouble.”
The eunuch leader knew that when Her Holiness said “ordinary,” she was not referring to trivial matters like whether one could cultivate. After a brief moment of deliberation, he said: “That letter of recommendation has been checked. There are no problems. It was indeed a plaything left by His Holiness the Pope for Miss Mo Yu and Princess Pingguo back in the day… According to news from the Li Palace, His Holiness the Pope should not know about this matter. That young man was probably caught up in it by coincidence. Although his engagement to the Xu Mansion is surprising, this old servant truly cannot see anything special about him.”
The Empress stopped walking and gazed at the deep night behind the side hall. After a moment of silence, she asked: “Have you ever seen someone who is not afraid of death?”
The eunuch leader knew that Her Holiness’s question must carry profound meaning, so he began to think seriously.
It was said that heroes of the world could treat life and death lightly and partings with ease, but only those who had truly experienced countless life-and-death separations understood that those “lightly” and “ease” were merely the result of overcoming the fear of death through sheer willpower. Yet that fear itself had always been there.
This eunuch leader had lived in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace for hundreds of years, wielding immense power. Nearly twenty years ago, after the late Emperor’s death, when the imperial princes opposed Her Holiness’s ascension and attempted to storm the palace in rebellion, Her Holiness had stabilized the court with ease. Besides the Pope’s unequivocal support, this eunuch had also played a critical role.
He was a great figure who had endured countless life-and-death separations. He was certain that no one was unafraid of death. Even a man as great as Emperor Taizong could not remain calm on his deathbed. His eyes had stared at the star-filled night sky, filled with reluctance and fear.
The eunuch had been by His Majesty’s side at the time and had seen that scene clearly.
“No one is unafraid of death,” he said.
“For a moment earlier, that young man truly was not afraid of death. Therefore, he is not an ordinary person.” The Empress thought of the words the young man had spoken before the black dragon and said: “I always believed that only the child from the Qiu Shan family could match that girl. Now it seems… that may not be the case.”
The eunuch leader felt a slight chill and wondered if Her Holiness was changing her stance on this matter.
The side hall fell silent once more.
The night breeze gently brushed the flower pots outside the railing. The green branches inside rustled softly. In the distant forest, squirrels scurried faster along the branches.
“Tonight is the Seventh Eve Festival. The city outside must be very lively. I plan to go out and take a look.”
“Your Highness… I thought you would stay in the palace to await the results of the Green Vine Banquet.”
“Wait for what? To see which academy’s students are the most outstanding? I have no interest in that.”
The eunuch leader was puzzled and said: “Do you not wish to know whether this marriage will ultimately succeed?”
The Empress said: “Whether the Xu Mansion marries into the Qiu Shan family or fulfills their old promise by taking Chen Changsheng as their son-in-law is not something they can decide on their own.”
The eunuch leader bowed slightly and said: “Everything in the world follows Your Highness’s will.”
The Empress said calmly: “You are wrong again. This matter is not something I can decide either.”
The eunuch leader was startled. He thought, besides Your Highness, who could decide the direction of this marriage?
“The one to be married is Yourong. So whether she wants to marry, and whom she wants to marry, ultimately depends on Yourong’s attitude.”
The Empress said: “That girl has a mind of her own. What meaning is there in others doing so much? It would only invite ridicule.”
…
…
South of the Imperial City, there was a neighborhood of streets and alleys. Unlike other places brightly lit on the Seventh Eve night, this area was somewhat quieter. Perhaps because it was too close to the Imperial City, or perhaps because a great deal of ice was transported out during the day, the roads were covered in water stains at night, damp and bitterly cold. No one was willing to set up stalls here.
This place was called North New Bridge, yet there was no bridge. More accurately, the arched bridge built of blue stone was fake—the Luo River wound around the edge of the Imperial City, flowing slowly through the capital along the embankment of Seven Willows, but here it detoured around, leaving not a single drop of water beneath the bridge.
Not far from North New Bridge was a well. A chill emanated from the well, as if it contained not water but eternal ice. At this late hour, the palace lights from the Imperial City could not reach here. The willow branches, like dry brushes soaked in ink, swayed gently around the well.
The Empress stood at the well’s mouth, holding a luminous pearl she had picked from the Sweet Dew Terrace. She released it above the well, and the pearl instantly illuminated the well walls before plunging downward, gradually swallowed by the darkness at the bottom.
After an unknown length of time, a low hum came from deep within the well. Because of the great distance, the sound was not loud, more like the echo of well water lapping against the walls. But she knew it was not the sound of water—it was the angry, low roar of the black dragon.
The black dragon was furious because it felt humans had deceived it again. It had been promised a luminous pearl. That young man had taken one, so you should give me two! Even if you are a woman I cannot afford to provoke, you cannot bully me like this!
The Empress was somewhat displeased and said: “Wretched beast, that pearl was originally his. Didn’t the old dragon teach you arithmetic when you were young?”
…
…
Chen Changsheng’s arithmetic was very good. More accurately, he excelled in all abilities related to learning. But his sense of direction was not strong. After leaving that side hall and entering the deep, dark palace under the night sky, he quickly found himself lost.
Stars filled the sky, and lights shone ahead. He knew where north was, so naturally he could determine where south lay. He could even faintly see the lights of the Weiyang Palace. However, the palace grounds were filled with numerous flowering trees and winding paths. Fearing he might encounter guards, he dared not take the main roads and had no idea how to reach that place.
Just then, a very faint sound came from the imperial garden under the night.
A black goat emerged from the darkness, silent as if it were itself a part of the night.
Chen Changsheng had seen it before at the National Academy, and earlier outside the Weiyang Palace. For some reason, he was certain this black goat bore him no ill will. After a moment’s thought, he said: “You… want to help me?”
The black goat quietly looked at him, then turned and walked into the night.
Chen Changsheng dared not hesitate and quickly followed. Before leaving, he glanced toward the Weiyang Palace in the south. The lights there were still blazing brightly, but the sounds of ritual music had ceased. How far had the southern delegation’s marriage proposal progressed? Would he still make it in time?
…
…
The Green Vine Banquet had reached its midpoint. The southern delegation had officially begun the marriage proposal.
Inside the Weiyang Palace hall were many important figures: Elder Xiaosong of the Li Mountain Sect, that woman from the Holy Maiden Peak, Dean Mao Qiuyu of the Heavenly Academy, Xu Shiji, Prince Chenliu, and Mo Yu. In the process of the proposal, they each played different roles.
Some were the parties involved, some were observers, and some were witnesses.
The graceful music and dance on the hall stage had just ended. The fine wine and delicacies had not yet cooled. No one raised their chopsticks to eat. People watched the proceedings with smiles on their faces.
The head of the Qiu Shan family rose to begin the eulogy. Mo Yu, representing Her Holiness the Empress, expressed gratitude, stating that the Great Zhou Dynasty was very pleased to see this marriage and hoped that humanity could unite more closely through this union to better resist the demon race.
That woman from the Holy Maiden Peak was Xu Yourong’s aunt. Representing the contemporary Holy Maiden of the Southern Sect, she expressed approval of this marriage. Xu Shiji then rose, welcoming the southern guests and giving a reserved consent to the marriage. Of course, everyone knew his reserve was feigned.
How was a marriage considered successful?
The proposal marked the beginning, bowing as the ritual, and signing the contract—this was the engagement.
Heaven, Earth, the Sovereign, Parents, and Teachers.
Now, Her Holiness the Empress had consented to this marriage. Xu Shiji had consented. The Holy Maiden of the Southern Sect had consented.
Heaven and Earth were silent. Now that the Sovereign, Parents, and Teachers had all consented, in everyone’s eyes, this marriage was naturally considered settled. No one had ever thought about what Xu Yourong herself thought of this marriage. Of course, no one had considered that Xu Yourong herself might oppose it.
As the most dazzling young man and woman of the continent, the marriage between Xu Yourong and Qiu Shan Jun was seen by all as a match made in heaven. Their story had been circulating in the world for a long time, and everyone believed it was the most beautiful tale.
Next came the final question of the three questions in the engagement ceremony.
The rituals of the Great Zhou Dynasty were not overly complicated, mainly derived from the relevant scriptures of the State Religion. As the State Religion flourished, Zhou rituals gradually spread to the south. The southern delegation’s proposal tonight followed Zhou rituals entirely, not purely out of respect for the bride’s family—they did the same themselves.
The so-called three questions were: asking Heaven and Earth, asking the family, and asking the Sovereign and Teachers if they opposed the marriage. The final question was asking the world.
The reason these three questions existed in Zhou rituals, especially the last one, was nominally to give the world one last chance to point out any hidden issues with the groom or bride. In practice, this rarely happened. It was more like giving the groom or bride one last chance to back out.
Under normal circumstances, few people would raise objections during the engagement ceremony, as it meant offending both families. Tonight, it was clear that neither side would back out. Thus, the final “asking the world” was naturally just a formality.
Prince Chenliu stood before the hall, looking at the hundreds of people inside, and asked with a smile: “Qiu Shan Jun wishes to marry Xu Yourong. Does anyone object?”
The hall was silent, but the atmosphere was not oppressive. Everyone’s faces were full of smiles. In such a beautiful moment, people only wanted to offer blessings, waiting only for Prince Chenliu to finish asking before rising to toast the couple in celebration.
In the corner, at the National Academy’s seat, Luoluo’s small face bore no smile, only the pallor of shock. She had already untied the brocade pouch in her sleeve. Looking at the somewhat yellowed marriage contract and the two names on it, she finally realized that her joking words that day had been true. She finally understood what the conflict between her teacher and the East Imperial Guard Mansion was. She finally knew why Mo Yu and the others had tried every means to keep her teacher away…
The question to the world was asked three times.
Prince Chenliu smiled warmly and asked again: “Does anyone object?”
The hall remained silent. People’s faces were full of blessings. The world was infinitely beautiful.
Prince Chenliu glanced at Xu Shiji and smiled to offer his congratulations.
Xu Shiji lightly stroked his short beard, no longer feigning reserve, and nodded in acknowledgment.
Prince Chenliu then looked at the head of the Qiu Shan family and nodded with a smile.
The head of the Qiu Shan family smiled silently, clearly overjoyed.
Prince Chenliu looked around the hall and asked for the last time: “Does anyone object?”
To this marriage, the entire world was in favor. No one objected.
Thus, the whole world was very quiet, very beautiful. Everyone was waiting.
In the corner, Luoluo suddenly stood up.
No one noticed her.
Just then, a voice came from outside the hall.
“I object.”
A young man walked in from the hall’s entrance.
He was drenched all over, his black hair disheveled, his clothes torn, looking utterly disheveled.
He looked at the people inside the hall, his eyes bright, his expression firm.
The hall fell into sudden silence.