Guo Dun watched the Emperor’s expression closely while carefully shielding him from the jostling crowd.
Seeing the cautious behavior of his attendants, Liu Che gave a faint smile. "Come, let us go inside and see. We should present a gift as well."
"Ma... Master, did you not say we were going to the Great General’s manor? My master has already headed there!"
Earlier that morning, after the Emperor finished handling state affairs, he had ordered them to prepare for an excursion outside the palace. Yang Dieyi had made extensive arrangements, bringing along his disciple Guo Dun and selecting several skilled imperial guards to accompany them out of the palace gates.
By the time they reached the Great General’s manor, the groom’s procession had just arrived to collect the bride. Finding it amusing, the Emperor followed the procession all the way to the Chen estate. Midway, he had sent Yang Dieyi ahead to the Wei residence to deliver an imperial decree and prepare a meal.
"It is fine. Later, have..." Liu Che looked up at the plaque above the Chen estate’s main gate. "Have someone from the Chen manor send word to Zhongqing."
With that, he stepped inside.
Ajiao was startled to see Liu Che at the gate. However, remembering that today was a joyous occasion for Wei Qing’s family and knowing Liu Che’s penchant for sneaking out of the palace to join in the festivities, her surprise quickly faded.
"Wuu, wa-wa-wu-wa!" Ajiao babbled loudly, trying to urge Xia Zhu to carry her away.
"Oh, is our little Jiao-jiao so happy? Then let’s watch a bit longer," Xia Zhu said, patting Ajiao’s back.
*...That is not what I meant!*
By then, Liu Che had already led Guo Dun and the others toward the entrance. Chen Yang was busy greeting guests at the door. Seeing Liu Che’s noble aura and the dignified bearing of the guards beside him, he wondered which high official this was, as he had never seen him before.
Chen Yang cupped his hands in greeting. "May I ask who our honored guest is?"
Could he be a relative or friend of his uncle-in-law? He wondered how the man had ended up at their house.
"Our master is a... colleague of the Great General. Hearing that the Great General is marrying off his daughter, he came specifically to offer his congratulations," Guo Dun stepped forward to return the greeting.
"So you are a colleague of the Great General! Please forgive my lack of hospitality! May I see your invitation..." Chen Yang mused that this gentleman had likely come to the wrong place. He figured it best to invite him in first and then find his cousin Wei Kang to avoid any breach of etiquette.
An invitation? Liu Che had forgotten to ask Zhongqing for one. Usually, the stewards at the Wei manor recognized him on sight, so he had completely overlooked this detail.
Not wishing to make things difficult for Chen Yang, Liu Che said, "I seem to have forgotten my invitation. How about I wait here while you fetch Wei Kang? He knows me. Just tell him..." Liu Che patted Guo Dun’s shoulder. "Just tell him Guo Dun is here."
"Very well, please wait a moment, sir." Chen Yang instructed someone to find Wei Kang.
Liu Che stood at the main gate with his hands clasped behind his back, while Chen Yang stayed by his side, attending to him carefully.
Chen Yang noticed that most of the guests had already entered. Now, the gate was mostly occupied by servants guarding carriages and commoners seeking alms. He estimated the ceremony was about to begin and wondered if Wei Kang would actually come.
Liu Che was not bothered by the wait, chatting idly with Chen Yang. As they spoke, he found that this young man possessed some insight, though he was still quite green.
Watching her nominal father chatting happily with Liu Che, Ajiao felt a surge of anxiety, fearing he might accidentally offend the Emperor. This father of hers was good-hearted but somewhat naive; she didn't know if such a personality would appeal to Liu Che.
The crowd slowly moved inward, and Xia Zhu followed along while holding Ajiao.
"Jiao-jiao, let’s head back now. Are you tired? Was today fun?" Suddenly, she saw Wei Kang running out. "Young Master... Oh!"
Wei Kang ignored them and rushed straight for the gate.
Guo Dun was someone close to the Emperor. Could it be that His Majesty was sending a reward to the Chen family? He also felt that Chen Yang was ignorant of the world, actually leaving the Emperor’s close attendant standing outside the door!
Upon reaching the gate, Wei Kang was struck with shock. "Your Maj—"
"Young Marquis Wei!" Guo Dun interrupted him immediately.
"Please, come in, come in!" Wei Kang shoved Chen Yang behind him and respectfully invited Liu Che into the manor.
Chen Yang was somewhat dazed. He wondered what kind of official could command such treatment from Wei Kang. Perhaps he was a Prince or a high-ranking Duke? With these thoughts, he followed obediently behind Wei Kang.
"How did you find the time to come? We haven't prepared anything..."
"It is no matter. I simply came to see your sister’s wedding. Has it begun?"
"Not yet, not yet. We are waiting for the auspicious hour. Should I order them to wait a bit longer?"
"There is no need. Proceed according to the auspicious hour. I will just look around as I please. Go about your business. Just..." Liu Che looked back. "Just have this one accompany me. I’ll take a stroll through your manor. I heard Zhongqing arranged a new courtyard here? Lead me there in a while."
"Understood! Your Maj—cough! Sir, this is my cousin, Chen Yang. If you have any commands, simply tell him."
"Go on, go on," Liu Che waved him away.
"Understood!" Only then did Wei Kang withdraw, though he remained uneasy. He called Wei Deng over and whispered, "His Majesty has arrived. He didn't let me follow him, so Chen Yang is accompanying him now. Don't go to the main hall later; just follow them from a distance. Don't get too close!"
***
Yang Dieyi finally reached the Great General’s manor and delivered the Emperor’s decree.
Wei Qing, who had been planning to rest in the back garden for a moment, hurried to the front and ordered the servants to prepare a separate lunch for the Emperor. However, after waiting for a long time, there was still no sign of Liu Che.
"Master Yang, did His Majesty say when he would arrive?"
"He did not. But I reckon His Majesty will likely finish watching the ceremony at the Chen manor before coming over."
Wei Qing checked the time; the ceremony should have just begun.
"The Chen manor has never hosted the Emperor before, and with so many people there today, I fear something might happen. Why don't you wait here at my manor, Master Yang? I will go to the Chen estate to check. It is possible His Majesty might decide to dine there on a whim."
"Very well. I must trouble the Great General then." Yang Dieyi sighed. Not only could Wei Qing not rest on the day of his daughter's wedding, but he also had to run around for the Emperor.
Wei Qing didn't bother with a carriage; he had a horse readied and rode straight to the Chen estate.
The Chen family was astonished when the steward reported that Wei Qing had arrived on horseback. They feared something had gone wrong with the day's arrangements.
Upon hearing Wei Kang’s explanation, Old Madam Chen nearly collapsed to the ground.
The Emperor! His Majesty had graced the Chen family with his presence! This was a blessing accumulated over generations!
Seeing that the Chen family had only just learned of this, Wei Qing couldn't help but scold Wei Kang again. "You are truly thoughtless. Why didn't you inform your uncle earlier so they could prepare? If anything happened to His Majesty, could you bear the responsibility?"
The group hurried to the new courtyard to find Liu Che. Even the newlywed couple, busy with their wedding, didn't dare remain alone.
When the guests saw Wei Qing, they didn't know what was happening. They didn't dare speak of any perceived neglect, fearing they might provoke his ire.
After searching around, they found no one. Upon inquiry, they learned that Chen Yang and Liu Che had started talking about Chen Yang’s newborn daughter, and he had led Liu Che to see the child!
Wei Qing: "..."
Wei Qing led the group toward Chen Yang and his wife’s residence, the Tongjing Courtyard.
Entering the courtyard, Wei Qing saw Liu Che sitting by the pond, drinking tea with Chen Yang.
"Oh? Zhongqing, why have you come? Come, sit. Someone, bring a cup of tea for Zhongqing!" Liu Che was perfectly at ease, as if he were the master of the house.
"...Your servant and Master Yang waited at the manor but His Majesty did not arrive. Fearing His Majesty might be inconvenienced by the crowds, I came to search. It was Kang-er’s thoughtlessness that left the Chen family unaware of Your Majesty’s presence." Wei Qing stepped forward to ask for forgiveness.
*Clatter!* Chen Yang was so startled that his teacup fell to the ground.
His Majesty!
Was it the "His Majesty" he was thinking of?
Had he really just been discussing with the Emperor how his little Jiao-jiao didn't like to nurse?
Chen Yang sucked in a cold breath. He hurried to bow and plead for mercy. "This commoner did not know of Your Majesty’s presence and has offended Your Majesty. I beg for Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
Looking at the circle of people pleading for mercy, Liu Che smiled. "It is nothing. Everyone, rise. I didn't intend to make a grand display. I simply came to observe the ceremony."
Wei Qing then asked, "Has Your Majesty eaten?"
"Not yet. Just have them pick a few dishes from the banquet and send them over. I don't feel particularly hungry right now. Alright, let the others disperse. Don't delay the auspicious hour for the newlyweds."
Wei Qing dismissed the crowd and sent Guo Dun to the kitchen to oversee the preparation of a few dishes. He and Chen Yang remained in the Tongjing Courtyard to accompany the Emperor.
Chen Yang actually got along quite well with the Emperor.
"Chen Yang, have someone bring some wine. It is a day of great joy for your house; we must have wine!" Liu Che tapped the teapot and gave the order.
"Understood!" Chen Yang responded and went out to prepare.
Xia Zhu had just been called back, told that a guest wanted to see the young mistress. To her surprise, when she returned with Jiao-jiao in her arms, the entrance to the Tongjing Courtyard was guarded by several unfamiliar soldiers.
Xia Zhu was at a loss. The guards at the door looked quite fierce.
As she hesitated, she saw a man dressed in strange attire run over. He showed something to the guards and entered the courtyard.
Ajiao observed him. Those clothes looked like those of a Junior Eunuch from the palace. Judging by his expression, something major must have happened.
"Your Majesty, Lady Li is in a bad state! Her Majesty the Empress requests Your Majesty’s immediate return to the palace!"
Wei Qing felt a sudden surge of relief. Fortunately, he had settled Yuan-er’s marriage early; otherwise, who knew how long it might have been delayed!
"Prepare the carriage!" Liu Che didn't bother waiting for Chen Yang’s wine and gave the order urgently.
The crowd swarmed around Liu Che as he headed out.
At the gate, Liu Che’s heart suddenly gave a violent throb. It felt as if a thousand images flashed before his eyes in an instant. He felt dizzy and disoriented. Startled, he looked to the side and saw only a young girl in a peach-pink dress kneeling on the ground, holding a child.
Seeing Liu Che sway, Wei Qing immediately supported him. "Your Majesty, what is wrong?"
That must be Chen Yang’s child. Liu Che had no heart to concern himself further; he swept his gaze over them and looked away.
"It is nothing. Let us go."
