Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

172 May we live long and share the beauty of the moon

The next morning, the good news that Huanbi was about to marry Prince Guo as his principal wife spread throughout the six palaces like a spring breeze, causing an uproar.

When the palace maids in the entire imperial city heard the news, they all looked at her with envy and talked about it in private.

Since ancient times, it has been rare for a maid to win the favor of a prince, and it is unprecedented for one to become the legitimate wife.

This honor not only made Huanbi the focus of everyone's attention, but also made people once again sigh at the unparalleled favor of Concubine Zhen Huan. Even the maids around her received special care from the emperor and everyone.

Yunli had been single for many years, so his marriage naturally concerned the Queen Mother.

Upon learning that her beloved son had finally decided to get married, the empress dowager was overjoyed. She immediately issued an imperial decree, ordering the Ministry of Internal Affairs to make every effort to prepare for the wedding, in order to ensure that it was grand and lively, and to make Prince Guo's wedding a major event in the capital.

However, just as the Ministry of Internal Affairs was making intensive preparations, a sudden change appeared like a dark cloud covering the sun, casting a shadow on the festive atmosphere.

A few years ago, the Queen Mother had intended to arrange a marriage for Prince Guo Yunli with someone of equal social status, and she particularly favored Miss Meng Jingxian from the Duke of Pei's mansion.

This is not only because the Peiguo Mansion is comparable to the royal family, but also because the mansion does not have much real power and is easy to control.

In addition, Meng Jingxian had met Yunli once since childhood, and since then she had fallen in love with him and had deep feelings for him.

However, Yunli was always reserved about this marriage at that time and did not agree to it.

Although Meng Jingxian knew that this love would not be realized, she remained infatuated and rejected all marriage proposals. Year after year, she became an unmarried "old woman" in the capital.

Now, the news that Yunli wanted to marry Huanbi as his principal wife spread like wildfire, not only shocking the six palaces, but also reaching the ears of the Duke of Pei's Mansion.

When Meng Jingxian heard the news, she felt heartbroken and overwhelmed. She fell ill and fell into deep despair.

Duke Pei was heartbroken to see his beloved daughter suffer such torture. He finally decided to put aside his pride and made three consecutive memorials to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Yinzhen, earnestly asking them to understand Meng Jingxian's infatuation.

The Duke of Pei said that as long as his daughter could stay with Prince Guo, he would be willing to do so even as a concubine, and he only hoped that the tragedy of losing his daughter in old age would not happen to him.

This series of events made the originally festive atmosphere become complicated and subtle.

As a veteran of two dynasties, Duke Pei made indelible contributions to the royal family. Although he has no real power now, his family status is respected and his influence cannot be underestimated.

His humble request not only moved the empress dowager, but also moved the entire court.

For a time, how to deal with Meng Jingxian's problem became a thorny problem facing the emperor and the empress dowager.

(Shoukang Palace)

On this day, Empress Dowager Wu Ya Chengbi summoned Huanbi, who was about to become Prince Guo's legitimate wife, to the palace. She looked at her carefully, and her words were full of satisfaction and joy.

When Zhen Huan and Yinzhen came to pay their respects, the Queen Mother naturally brought up the matter of Meng Jingxian.

She turned her eyes gently to Huanbi and said softly, "You and the prince have a deep affection for each other, and I shouldn't say too much, but Miss Meng is someone I have always valued. Because of Yunli, she has not married yet, which is really a pity."

The Queen Mother paused for a moment, as if weighing her words, "Given the status and position of the Meng family, how could their daughter be relegated to the position of a concubine? Back then, both I and the Emperor intended to make her the legitimate wife of Prince Guo."

After saying this, she sighed softly.

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen's eyes slightly turned, and he exchanged a glance with Zhen Huan, then smiled and said, "I have discussed this matter with my seventeenth brother, and I have tried my best to find a marriage partner for him of equal status."

The Queen Mother heard this and shook her head gently, sighing, "I am not unreasonable, but I have to take care of the reputation of the Duke of Pei's Mansion. She has come so humbly to ask for help, and we should always pity Jingxian's infatuation. After thinking it over, I think it would be better to let her be a concubine. This way, we will not lose the reputation of the Duke of Pei's Mansion, and we will not wrong Huanbi."

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the palace suddenly became subtle. Zhen Huan and Yin Zhen looked at each other, and although they were agitated, they did not dare to express their opinions easily.

Huanbi lowered her head, looked submissive and kept silent, as if she had no objection to the Queen Mother's decision.

Her gaze involuntarily turned to Zhen Huan, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

She lowered her head and bit her lip and was silent for a moment, as if she was having a fierce struggle deep in her heart.

Finally, she raised her head, a calm and determined smile bloomed on her face, and she slowly said: "Miss Meng's infatuation with the prince is no different from my feelings for the prince. Even the Buddha is compassionate and has mercy on all things in the world. How can I watch and not agree? The Queen Mother has granted me the title of the legitimate wife, which is a great grace. I am grateful. In the future, I will live in harmony with Miss Meng and serve the Seventeenth Master together, so that he will not be troubled by this matter."

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother looked at Huanbi carefully. Seeing her earnest words and sincere attitude, she couldn't help but smile.

"Women's virtue is the foundation of a woman's life. I am relieved that you can be so magnanimous." The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction and affirmed Huanbi's performance.

Huanbi smiled as she was told and pursed her lips tightly. Although there were all kinds of feelings in her heart, they were all transformed into this faint smile.

She knew that at this moment, every move and every word of hers represented the reputation of Zhen Huan and the entire Zhen family, and she could not make any mistakes.

Naturally, all these changes also reached Yunli's ears.

When he heard the news, he felt mixed emotions and immediately rushed to Shoukang Palace, wanting to express his wishes to the empress dowager in person.

"I dare to ask you to forgive me for not being able to obey your wishes this time." Yunli knelt on his knees as soon as he entered the room. This move startled Yinzhen and everyone present, and the atmosphere froze instantly.

"Child, it's not too late for you to stand up first." Wu Ya Chengbi advised softly, with a loving look in her eyes.

"If mother refuses to agree, I would rather kneel down forever." Yunli insisted, with an unquestionable firmness in his tone.

Yinzhen smiled and joined in the persuasion at the right time: "Madam, you also know that my son had made a promise to my seventeenth brother in his early years. A king never jokes. If I break my promise today, it may damage my son's prestige, and the outside world will even ridicule my son for not keeping his word."

Wu Ya Chengbi looked at the brothers in front of him who were so affectionate and affectionate, and finally sighed helplessly: "Forget it, I just hope you can properly appease the Duke of Pei and don't let this old minister feel cold."

"Don't worry, Empress Dowager. I will handle this matter properly and will not let you worry." Yinzhen promised solemnly.

"Since that's the case, I won't say any more." After saying that, Wu Ya Chengbi turned to Zhu Xi and ordered, "Go and fetch my pair of red gold bead bracelets and give them to Huanbi today. I hope she and Yunli will live happily together until old age, and bring children to Prince Guo's mansion soon to continue the bloodline."

Upon hearing this, Huanbi burst into tears of gratitude and quickly knelt down: "I am grateful for the grace of the Empress Dowager, and I will definitely..." She choked with sobs before she finished her words.

Wu Yachengbi nodded with satisfaction, his eyes full of praise: "Good boy, get up quickly, I am tired too, you all can leave now."

"Yes, son/son/your servant/your concubine will take your leave." Everyone responded and left Shoukang Palace one by one, each with different thoughts and emotions in their steps.

-

The ceremony for a prince to marry a concubine was extremely complicated, especially the wedding of the principal wife, which was extraordinarily grand and followed the ancient tradition of the six rites: selection, asking for the name, matching the marriage, paying the betrothal gift, asking for the date, and welcoming the bride in person.

Zhen Huan arranged every detail of Huanbi's marriage in an orderly manner, except when it came to asking the woman's name, she couldn't help feeling a little hesitant.

The reason was that although Huanbi's biological mother was a Baiyi woman, according to a strict order, the family members of rebellious ministers were not allowed to be admitted into the royal family as concubines or concubines, so her mother's identity naturally became a secret that could not be made public.

Therefore, when it was time to submit the imperial edict to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to formally register Huanbi's identity, Huanbi had to maneuver cleverly, claiming that she only vaguely remembered her mother's name, and the rest was unclear because her biological mother died young. Only in this way could she pass smoothly.

Because Huanbi is only one year younger than Zhen Huan and older than Yurao, she is ranked second among the women in the Zhen family, that is, the second Miss Zhen.

(Yongshou Palace)

"I have already asked father to place your biological mother's tablet in the ancestral temple. In two days, father and mother will come to the palace in person to celebrate." Zhen Huan said gently.

"I am so grateful to my elder sister for her kindness that I don't know how to respond." Huanbi's eyes were filled with tears and her gratitude was beyond words.

"Well, today is a happy day, how can you be sad?" Zhen Huan gently stroked Huanbi's cheek and wiped away her tears.

At this time, Liang Duorui, the chief steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, stepped into the palace and reported: "My Lady, everything has been prepared, except for the name."

"Since she has been included in the family tree of our Zhen family, she is regarded as an adopted daughter. The names of the girls in my family all start with '玉' and '女'. Since Huanbi is the second young lady, it is only natural that she should be so." Zhen Huan explained.

Liang Duorui then presented several carefully selected names, including Yuyin, Yuqin, and Yuqiao.

Seeing this, Huanbi asked curiously, "Why do these names only have the character '玉' (jade) and not '女' (woman)? They don't sound like the daughters of the Zhen family."

"The Ministry of Rites said that adopted daughters are not blood descendants, so there is a difference in naming..." Liang Duorui explained.

"I have an idea. May we live long and enjoy the beauty of the moon together even though we are thousands of miles apart. Why not just call her 'Yuchan'? You can go and report it." Zhen Huan suggested, her tone full of deep meaning.

"Yes, Your Majesty. As for the dowry, in addition to those prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Yongshou Palace will prepare three times the usual amount to increase the dowry for Miss Yuchan. In addition, Concubine Jing will preside over the wedding, and Concubine Hui and Concubine Rou will give gifts to Miss Shuilian and Huapei respectively as capable assistants for Miss Yuchan after she enters the palace, to express their deep friendship." Liang Duorui reported in detail.

"Sister Mei and Sister An are so thoughtful. You must go and thank them in person later." Zhen Huan instructed.

"I obey your command. Thank you very much." Huanbi replied, her heart full of warmth and gratitude.