Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

"Miss Gu, please have a look." The court lady Meng Shanggong, holding a gilded gift tray, slowly approached. On the tray were a sandalwood comb, a jade-handled mirror, and three locks of black hair. "This ritual of offering sacrifices and ordination is primarily to demonstrate the virtues of women.

"She took a sandalwood comb and dipped it in osmanthus oil, and gently tied up a strand of Gu Qingping's hair. "The Crown Princess should be like a mirror reflecting things, and must remember the 'four virtues' - woman's virtue, woman's speech, woman's appearance, and woman's work. "

Gu Qingping looked at the reflection of Meng Shanggong in the bronze mirror. She looked to be in her forties, with fine lines around her eyes as if carefully drawn with a brush, and her every move was well-behaved.

The comb teeth brought a faint scent of agarwood as it passed through her hair. She suddenly remembered the green jade bamboo pendant that Zhu Biao had secretly given her three days ago. It was now hidden close to her chest in her inner clothes. The slightly cool jade ironed her heartbeat through the cloth.

"Meng Shang Gong." She spoke softly, "Among the 'four virtues', the virtue of a woman is the most important. If there is a palace struggle, how should we deal with it?"

Meng Shang Gong paused for a moment, and the bronze mirror reflected her suddenly sharp eyebrows: "Crown Princess only needs to remember eight words - win without fighting, make things clear without saying anything." The teeth of the comb suddenly increased the force, pulling her scalp painfully, "In this palace, seeing through is more precious than speaking cleverly."

Suddenly, a startled bird flew by outside the window. Gu Qingping turned around and saw Zhu Han standing in front of the carved window with his hands behind his back. The moonlight rimmed his silver fox fur with a silver edge. This Prince Jing always liked to observe people in the dark, as if even his shadow was hiding the flash of a sword.

"Why is the emperor's uncle here?" Zhu Biao's voice came from outside the door, and his black python-patterned boots crushed the candlelight on the ground. He took off his cloak and handed it to his attendant, with a frown on his brow. "During the day, my father asked about the reform of the money and grain system again..."

When Zhu Han turned around, the golden cloud pattern on his sleeves flashed a cold light: "Biao'er, after the ordination ceremony tomorrow, Qingping will enter the palace. There are some rules that need to be made clear in advance." He walked in front of Gu Qingping, his eyes like a hawk passing through her hair, "Have you prepared the jade hairpin for the Crown Princess?"

Meng Shang Gong hurriedly brought over a red gold and kingfisher crown with nine phoenixes. The tail feathers of nine kingfishers shone brilliantly under the candlelight. "According to the regulations, the crown of the Crown Princess should be decorated with nine phoenixes and four phoenixes, with pearl and jade cloud patterns."

Zhu Han suddenly reached out and pressed the crown. The pearl on the Nine Di Crown sank slightly under the pressure. "Qingping, this crown weighs more than ten kilograms. Wearing it is like carrying half of the country." His knuckles knocked on the pearls and jade, making a crisp sound. "Do you regret it?"

Gu Qingping raised her head to meet his scrutinizing gaze, the scent of osmanthus oil mixed with agarwood in her hair: "No regrets."

"Okay." Zhu Han let go, and the pearl on his crown trembled slightly. "Biao'er, the person you chose is very tough."

Zhu Biao stepped forward to support Gu Qingping's swaying body, and the warmth of his palm came through the clothes: "Uncle, Qingping has been tired for days, why don't you..."

"No." Zhu Han interrupted him, "The marriage ceremony has not been completed yet, and she is still a daughter of the Gu family. Biao'er, you have overstepped the boundaries."

Gu Qingping looked down at the shadows of the two people cast on the ground. Zhu Biao's python-patterned boots and Zhu Han's black boots were only half a palm apart.

Meng Shang Gong held up the gift tray at the right time and said, "Miss Gu, please perform the ceremony of worship."

Gu Qingping followed the female official's instructions and knelt on the mat, with sandalwood curling in the bronze tripod in front of her. As she kowtowed three times, she suddenly remembered what her mother Tang said last night: "You are not marrying the prince, but the world." The incense ash in the tripod fell on her shoulders, which was heavier than her father's sigh.

"The next step is the food offering ceremony." Meng Shang Gong opened the gilded food box, revealing a lotus-shaped shortbread inside. "The Crown Princess needs to cut it with a silver knife, symbolizing..."

"It symbolizes the unity of husband and wife." Zhu Biao suddenly took the silver knife, and the knife light reflected the bloodshot in his eyes under the candlelight, "I'll do it."

Zhu Han grabbed his wrist fiercely: "Biaoer!"

"Uncle." Zhu Biao's voice was slightly hoarse, "After the ceremony tomorrow, I can no longer be so close to her. At this moment... let me fulfill my selfish wish." The blade cut into the pastry, and the lotus petals broke with a sound. Dark red bean paste slowly flowed out, just like the cinnabar ink spilled in the East Palace that night.

Gu Qingping looked at the dazzling red and suddenly remembered the warning given by the female official three days ago: "Crown Princess, please remember that the red in the East Palace can only be the color of the Crown Prince's cinnabar pen."

"The ceremony is over." When Meng Shanggong closed the food box, Zhu Han had already left quietly. Zhu Biao stuffed half a piece of shortbread into Gu Qingping's hand, and the warm sweetness diluted the bitterness of sandalwood: "Try it, the rose bean paste newly made by the imperial kitchen."

Gu Qingping bit the pastry in small bites, and Zhu Biao's fingertips suddenly brushed the corner of her lips: "There are crumbs on it." He smiled and put the crumbs into his mouth, his eyebrows and eyes full of youthful spirit, "Is it sweet?"

"Sweet." When Gu Qingping lowered her head, the green jade bamboo pendant slipped halfway out of her collar. Zhu Biao's eyes suddenly lit up, and he reached out to take it, but was startled by the cough of Meng Shanggong.

"Your Highness, it's time to return to the East Palace." The old female official brought a black cloak, "It's late at night and the dew is heavy. The Crown Princess needs to go to bed early."

When Zhu Biao was tying the jade belt of his cloak, Gu Qingping suddenly grabbed his sleeve and said, "Your Highness, if the ceremony tomorrow..."

"That's right." Zhu Biao held her fingertips with his backhand, "I, Zhu Biao, will betroth you to you with my kingdom, and I will protect you." The lanterns outside the palace swayed in the wind, stretching his figure long. When the dark color was about to blend into the night, he suddenly turned around and said, "Qingping, do you know why I chose the green jade bamboo pendant?"

Gu Qingping shook her head, and the hairpins on her temples jingled against the Nine-Di Crown.

"Bamboo has seven virtues." Zhu Biao smiled, "Integrity, striving, indifference, simplicity, modesty, humility, excellence, and sociability. Qingping, you are my bamboo."

When the night completely engulfed the last candlelight, Gu Qingping still stood there. Meng Shanggong led people to remove the ceremonial objects, and before leaving, she lowered her voice and said, "The Crown Princess is so lucky. His Highness has moved the East Palace Wenzhu to the Shangyi Bureau."

Gu Qingping stroked the jade pendant on her chest, the jade veins glowing in the darkness. Suddenly, she heard the rustling of bamboo leaves outside the window, and she was surprised to find that there was a pot of asparagus fern at the foot of the east wall. The moonlight cast the shadow of the bamboo on the blue brick floor, just like an ink painting.

When the five-o'clock gong sounded, Gu Qingping was awakened by the ladies-in-waiting to put on her makeup. The bronze mirror showed twenty-four palace maids carrying various dresses entering one after another. Meng Shanggong stood in front holding the Crown Princess's dress and said, "Please change your clothes, Crown Princess."

The Zhaiyi was dark blue in color, with a golden dragon pattern that shone in the morning light. Gu Qingping looked at the unfamiliar self in the mirror and suddenly remembered Zhu Biao's words last night. The bamboo shadows were still swaying in the corner, but where was the pot of asparagus fern in the East Palace at this moment?

"Mrs. Meng," she suddenly asked, "Can we move the asparagus fern on the east wall to under the window?"

The old female official was about to dissuade her, but she saw Gu Qingping had already picked up the flower pot by herself. The morning light shone through the carved window lattice, reflecting her profile as clear as jade.

The new shoots of the asparagus fern trembled in the breeze, just like the half piece of shortbread she bit off last night, sweet yet bitter.

At the final incense burning ceremony of the Jiaojie ceremony, Gu Qingping knelt in front of the bronze tripod, watching her black hair and sandalwood turn into ashes. The voice of Meng Shanggong seemed to be from another world: "The first burn is to cut off the worldly affairs, the second burn is to clarify the mind, the third burn..."

"Burning three times to pray for peace." Zhu Han's voice suddenly came from outside the hall, his dark python robe stained with morning dew, "Biaoer knelt in the Fengxian Hall for two hours last night, praying for the ancestors to bless you with peace."

When Gu Qingping looked up, the morning light was outlining the white frost on the emperor's uncle's temples. The sandalwood in his hand was emitting green smoke, which mixed with the fragrance in the cauldron: "Qingping, this palace is like a chess game. You have to be both a chess piece and a chess player."

When the three incense sticks burned out, the copper clock pointed to the third quarter of the morning. When Gu Qingping stood up, her eyes went dark, but she heard Meng Shanggong exclaimed: "The Crown Princess's Zhaiyi..."

It turned out that when she was kneeling down, the leaves of the asparagus fern were stained on the golden thread of her clothes. Gu Qingping looked down at the shadow of the green bamboo and suddenly remembered what Zhu Biao said last night. She reached out and gently stroked the leaves, and the corners of her lips raised a light arc: "No need to take it, just keep it."

Zhu Han looked at her back as she walked into the morning light, and suddenly said to Meng Shanggong: "Go and report to the Queen that the ordination ceremony is complete."

When Gu Qingping arrived at the entrance of the Shangyi Bureau, she met Zhu Biao coming to greet her with a guard of honor. The spring sun shone brightly on the four-clawed python pattern on his body, and she suddenly discovered that the pattern was somewhat similar to the leaves of asparagus fern.

"Qingping." Zhu Biao reached out to help her, but stopped, "You..."

"Your Highness." After Gu Qingping finished her ceremony, the morning light just happened to pass through the nine-dizhi crown in her hair when she looked up. "The ceremony is complete."

Zhu Biao looked at the lingering sandalwood embers in her eyes, and suddenly took off the jade hairpin from the crown of the crown prince and gently pinned it to her temple: "This is the best way."

At three quarters past the hour of Mao, when the copper bell on the eaves of the Qianqing Palace was struck by the morning breeze, Zhu Biao was already standing at the gate of the East Palace, wearing the black prince's court robe embroidered with gold dragons.

The sun was rising, making the cinnabar mole between his brows shine brightly. A white jade bead curtain with twelve tassels hung in front of his eyes, swaying slightly with his breathing.

"Your Highness, the wedding procession is ready." Xu Huizu, the Junior Secretary of the Eastern Palace, stepped forward holding a boxwood gift list. "The Imperial Horse Supervisor carefully selected thirty-six snow-blue horses, carrying a goose-wing-shaped betrothal gift box containing twelve hu of South China Sea pearls and one hundred rolls of brocade satin..."

Zhu Biao raised his hand to stop him from speaking, and his fingertips stroked the lotus pattern engraved on the jade belt hook around his waist.

I knelt in Fengxian Hall for two hours last night. My knees were still green and numb, but my heart felt like it was on fire, burning my throat dry. "Has the emperor's uncle arrived?"

Before he finished speaking, the sound of horse hooves could be heard on the bluestone road. Zhu Han, wearing a black Qilin robe, was standing on his horse, and the oriental pearl on his silver crown was shining coldly in the morning sun.

"Biao'er, the time is perfect." As he dismounted from his horse, the dragon-shaped pattern on the sword at his waist bared its teeth and claws in the morning light. "When my father married Empress Ma, he used a wedding carriage pulled by war horses."

Zhu Biao recalled the historical records that Taizu used red silk to tie the enemy chief's mount as a wedding car, and couldn't help laughing: "Uncle, don't worry, my wedding ceremony will not lose its dignity."

He climbed onto his horse and suddenly caught a glimpse of the jade bamboo pendant at the bottom of the gift list held by Xu Huizu. His Adam's apple rolled, "That jade pendant..."

"It has been mixed in with the betrothal gifts and sent to the Gu Mansion as instructed by His Highness." Xu Huizu bowed and said, "When the young lady from the Gu family receives it, she will definitely understand His Highness' intentions."

At noon, the wedding procession marched out of the Meridian Gate. In the front were the imperial guards holding the dragon flag, followed by the drum and horn musicians beating the gongs and drums. The twelve-layer ivory-carved food boxes contained the "Tongxinsu" specially made by the imperial kitchen, which Zhu Biao had specially ordered to be made into the shape of bamboo joints.

Finally, there were thirty-six gold-painted sedan chairs. Gu Qingping's phoenix sedan was decorated with pearl tassels, and the golden phoenix on top of the sedan held a pearl as big as a pigeon egg in its mouth.

Gu Weijun and his clansmen had been waiting for a long time in front of the Gu Mansion in Yangzhou. The morning light illuminated the ebony door inherited from the Gu family, and the plaque with the words "Jinshi Jidi" on the lintel was covered with red silk. The copper wind chimes jingled under the eaves.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will come to welcome her personally. It will be an honor to the entire Gu family." Someone among the onlookers whispered.

When Zhu Biao got off the horse, Gu Qingping's mother, Tang, was combing her daughter's hair with a white jade comb. In the dressing box lay the green jade bamboo pendant, lying side by side with the emerald mandarin duck pendant that had been passed down from the Gu family.

"Comb all the way to the end once, comb all the way to the eyebrows twice..." Tang's voice was choked with sobs, "Comb three times... comb three times..."

"Mother." Gu Qingping held her mother's shaking hand. Her figure in a phoenix crown and red robe was reflected in the bronze mirror. "Three combs of hair will bring you many children and grandchildren."

Suddenly, three salutes were heard outside the door, startling the white pigeons perched under the eaves. Gu Weijun hurried in and said, "Your Highness has arrived in person. Qingping, go and greet him quickly."

When Gu Qingping stood up, the pearl curtain on the phoenix crown jingled. Through the veil, she saw Zhu Han standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, his silver fox fur reflecting the morning sun, like a god.

The uncle sent a handwritten letter last night, with ink marks all over the paper: "The palace is like an abyss, you need to be as flexible as bamboo."

"Gu Qingping, welcomes His Highness." As she leaned forward to salute, the green jade bamboo pendant slipped out of her sleeve.

Zhu Biao reached out to help her, but Zhu Han took the lead and held her wrist: "The etiquette of the Crown Princess must be fully performed."

Gu Qingping's fingertips touched the cold iron armor in the emperor's uncle's sleeves, and her heart trembled slightly. This prince who was so decisive in killing people in the northern frontier was now secretly protecting her.

When the ceremony was over and they returned to the sedan chair, Zhu Biao personally lifted the curtain. The morning light leaked into the sedan, and Gu Qingping saw that the pattern of the jade pendant on the prince's waist matched that of the green jade bamboo pendant on her sleeve, as if they were a pair.

"Lift the sedan chair—"

Thirty-six sedan bearers shouted in unison, and the phoenix sedan rose steadily. Gu Qingping listened to the repeated "Long live the emperor" outside, and suddenly remembered the secret that the female official had given her three days ago: "After entering the palace, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will give you a new name."

As the sedan passed through Zhengyang Gate, Zhu Biao rode his horse beside it. He looked at the graceful figure reflected on the curtain of the sedan, and suddenly remembered his father's admonition last night: "The Crown Princess must be virtuous and be able to check and balance the harem."

"Your Highness, the Chengtian Gate is ahead." Xu Huizu reminded.

Zhu Biao reined in his horse and looked back, and saw Zhu Han leading the black-armored cavalrymen behind him. The sword of the emperor's uncle shone coldly in the sunlight, and the jade bamboo pendant on the tassel was exactly the same as the one he gave to Gu Qingping last night.

"Uncle..." Zhu Biao hesitated to speak.

Zhu Han rode forward and walked side by side with him: "Biao'er, remember what I said yesterday. In this deep palace, you have to be both a chess piece and a chess player." He suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Your royal grandmother conquered the world on horseback."

When the wedding procession reached the East Palace, the sun had already risen to the zenith. The nine palace gates opened one after another, and bronze cranes stood on both sides of the red steps, holding red silk in their mouths and hanging down to the white jade steps.

When Gu Qingping was helped down from the sedan by a female official, her toes touched the cold dragon-patterned bricks of the East Palace. Through her veil, she could see the tip of the black python-patterned boots with red embroidery. The boots were embroidered with a four-clawed dragon in gold thread, and the sapphires inlaid in the dragon's eyes shone brightly in the sun.

"Perform the salutation—" the eunuch's shrill voice pierced the silence. (End of this chapter)