Chapter 382

The snow disaster in Bei Jiang, under the Imperial Court's all-out relief efforts and the tenacious self-rescue of the Bei Jiang military and civilians, ravaged for over a month before finally gradually subsiding.

Although the losses were heavy, with thousands frozen to death, livestock dead and houses collapsed beyond count;

But under the empire's efficient mobilization (relative to this era) and the Crown Prince's personal participation in coordination, the most dangerous period was finally overcome.

Roads were painstakingly cleared, relief supplies were gradually delivered, the displaced received initial settlement, and signs of epidemic were promptly contained.

This sudden natural disaster was like a harsh tempering.

It tested the resilience of the Chen dynasty, this nascent regime, and also let Crown Prince Chen Hong, beyond the bloody frontiers, undergo another profound baptism concerning people's livelihood and state governance.

He personally witnessed the mercilessness of heavenly might, and also felt the difficulty and necessity of human resistance.

When the disaster reports from Bei Jiang gradually shifted from "urgent" to "recovery," within Huangcheng of Bianliangcheng, a joyous event long prepared and slightly delayed by the snow disaster was finally put on the agenda.

—Crown Prince Chen Hong will undergo the grand wedding ceremony.

The choice of Crown Princess, after repeated deliberation by Chen Wen, Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru and other senior officials, was finally decided as the eldest daughter of a distant paternal cousin of Zhang Cheng, Lady Zhang.

This maiden was only twelve, though a few years older than the Crown Prince, but her family was upright, her nature gentle and virtuous, learned and reasonable.

Choosing the Zhang family carries political significance that needs no explanation.

As the head of civil officials, Zhang Cheng enjoyed Chen Wen's deep trust and was a core senior minister aiding the Crown Prince.

Marrying into the Zhang family would further strengthen the bond between the Crown Prince and the civil official bloc, ensuring a smooth transfer of power;

It could also rely on Zhang Cheng's prestige and ability to provide a stable and strong backing for the young Crown Prince.

At the same time, the Zhang family were not top-tier aristocracy, so this move could also prevent maternal relatives from gaining power too early, in line with Chen Wen's consistent policy of checks and balances.

The wedding preparations were jointly handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Palace Service, strictly following imperial rites.

The betrothal gifts, inquiry of names, auspiciousness, presentation of dowry, and setting the date… a series of elaborate and solemn procedures had been quietly initiated during the snow disaster and are now proceeding in an orderly manner.

On this day, Bianliangcheng was hung with lanterns and decorations, filled with a rare post-disaster joyous atmosphere.

Within Huangcheng, it was even more freshly decorated, with red carpets spread on the ground and palace lanterns hung high.

The auspicious hour has arrived.

Solemn and reverent court music began to play.

Dressed in elaborate ceremonial robes, Crown Prince Chen Hong, under the guidance of the master of rites, performed the rites of announcing to heaven and earth and the ancestral temple before the Tai Ji Hall.

Although his physique still appeared slight, in his splendid attire his bearing already bore a hint of the heir's dignity.

Only his tightly pressed lips and somewhat stiff steps betrayed his inner nervousness.

The announcement rites were completed.

Afterwards, he ascended the great hall to receive the homage of all officials.

Chen Wen sat enthroned above, gazing down at his son in wedding attire, striving to appear composed and dignified, his eyes complex.

There was gratification, anticipation, and also a hint of ineffable wistfulness.

The son has grown up, he is to start a family.

This signifies inheritance, it signifies hope;

It also signifies that the burden on his shoulders can now be shared, even if only by a small part.

It also signifies all the more that he himself is inexorably growing old.

"All officials, rise."

Chen Wen's voice summoned the officials from their rites.

"The Crown Prince's grand wedding today is a great joy for the state."

"May the Crown Prince and Crown Princess be harmonious like zither and lute, be thrifty and diligent, and serve as a model for the world."

His words were few, yet they set the tone.

Next came the grand wedding feast.

Although due to the Bei Jiang disaster Chen Wen had ordered everything to be simple, the imperial grandeur remained.

At the banquet, cups flowed, songs and dances portrayed peace.

Civil and military officials, nobles of the clan and meritorious, all wore smiles, offering congratulations to the emperor and the Crown Prince.

As the future "State Father-in-Law," Zhang Cheng also became one of the banquet's focal points, with colleagues continually coming forward to toast and congratulate him; he responded with composure, neither ostentatious nor lacking the dignity of a premier.

Crown Prince Chen Hong and the newly welcomed Crown Princess Lady Zhang, dressed in elaborate phoenix crown and rosy robes, jointly accepted everyone's blessings.

Lady Zhang hid her face behind a round fan, her deportment dignified and proper; though her full appearance could not be seen, her steady demeanor caused many senior, steady officials to nod in approval.

During a lull in the banquet, Chen Wen summoned Chen Hong to come close.

"Having established a household, one is truly an adult."

Chen Wen looked at his son, his tone calm.

"In the future, you must not only advance your studies and practice governance, but also understand the way of managing a household."

"The Crown Princess is virtuous and worthy; she is your good match and also one of the aides for your future rule over the world; you should often consult her and treat each other with respect as guests."

"Affairs of the Eastern Palace are a microcosm of state affairs; they must be handled prudently and with discernment of right and wrong."

"Your servant will dutifully follow the father emperor's instructions."

Crown Prince Chen Hong responded respectfully.

He understood that the grand wedding was not merely a ceremony, but also an important turning point in his life stage and political identity.

He would have his own family, his own entourage, and also need to begin assuming more direct responsibilities.

The wedding banquet lasted until deep into the night before ending.

When Crown Prince Chen Hong and the Crown Princess returned to the newly arranged Eastern Palace, the clamor finally faded away.

Red candles burned brightly, illuminating the room filled with celebratory red.

Palace maids and eunuchs had all withdrawn.

Only the newlywed Crown Prince and Crown Princess remained.

Chen Hong stared at the girl before him who still hid her face behind her fan, feeling a bit at a loss.

Although he was the heir apparent, he was still essentially a half-grown child, full of unfamiliarity and bewilderment about marriage and how to get along with the woman who would be his lifelong companion.

On the contrary, Lady Zhang, after a moment of silence, actively shifted her round fan slightly aside, revealing a pair of eyes as calm as water, and spoke softly:

"Your Highness, you must be tired after a busy day; please rest early."

Her voice was gentle, carrying a composure beyond her years, quietly dispelling that awkwardness.

Chen Hong let out a breath of relief and nodded.

"You too… have worked hard."

That night, the red candles in the Eastern Palace burned for a long time.

Two young men and women, bound by fate and politics yet still immature, began their married life of treating each other as honored guests.

The Crown Prince's wedding was like a stone cast into the political arena of Bian Liang, sending ripples that slowly spread.

The structure of the Imperial Court thus underwent a subtle change.

Zhang Cheng's position became more secure, and his ties to the Imperial family grew closer;

Some officials who had been watching from the sidelines began to more clearly align themselves with the Eastern Palace;

Around the Crown Prince, a core group began to gradually gather, consisting of talented members of the Zhang family and some young officials optimistic about the Crown Prince's future.

A new power circle centered on the Crown Prince and his wife was quietly forming.

This was both the inheritance and transition that Chen Wen welcomed, and it also harbored new games and variables that might arise in the future court situation.

Inside the Purple Majesty Hall.

Chen Wen listened as Fu Quan reported the details of the wedding and the officials' reactions, his expression calm.

He knew well that the path he had chosen for his son had already been opened.

Looking ahead, how far he could go and whether he could smoothly inherit this vast realm depended both on the Crown Prince's growth and on the shifting winds and clouds above the court.

As his father, what he could and must do was, while he still held sway, to clear away as many obstacles as possible for his son and lay out the smoothest road.

The Empire's future lay woven within the lingering joy and the undercurrents, slowly progressing toward the next chapter.