Chapter 194: Blood-Stained Wedding Rites

In this era, an ordinary commoner woman's marriage was already a momentous occasion for both families, let alone the marriage of the current Emperor's daughter, Princess Changping. Besides the mandatory Six Rites of the Western Zhou, the spectacle naturally had to be as lavish as possible.

Last year, the Chongzhen Emperor had confiscated the properties of a large number of Donglin Faction members and locust-like merchants, so for the time being he was relatively wealthy. Since his cheap daughter was only getting married once in her lifetime, the standard naturally had to be higher — after all, he had personally chosen Zhang Huangyan as his son-in-law not to raise him as a breeding boar to play with birds all day.

This lad was a rare talent skilled in both letters and martial arts, and would certainly be sent out in the future to accomplish great things, so he naturally deserved proper treatment.

"In ancient times, when the Son of Heaven married off a daughter, he did not preside over the wedding himself; instead, a feudal prince of the same surname presided, hence the title 'Princess.' In the Tang dynasty, feudal princes still presided over weddings. Only in the Song dynasty did this practice cease — instead, the wedding officiant presented the betrothal documents at the Inner East Gate, meaning the Son of Heaven presided himself. The Ming dynasty followed this precedent."

Although the Chongzhen Emperor had nearly lost his life to an assassin last time because of showing off, at least the chief culprit Gong Dingzi had already been dealt with by him. Now he was in the state of forgetting the pain once the scar healed, and he would not easily pass up other opportunities to show off.

Besides personally presiding over the wedding to show off, Wei Zaode — who had transformed from a Donglin Faction member into the Emperor's loyal lapdog — was this time personally designated by the Chongzhen Emperor as the wedding officiant, responsible for all ceremonial affairs of the wedding. This again set a precedent.

Besides carrying the blame for me, you also have to take the bullets for me — otherwise, what bloody use is keeping you around?

Such matters had always been presided over by the officials of the Ministry of Rites on the spot, after all, Wang Duo was the one specifically in charge of all internal and external ceremonial affairs. This time, having the dignified Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat personally serve as wedding officiant made many Donglin Faction members smell something unusual in the air.

This couldn't go on. If this benighted ruler kept playing his games, wouldn't the court become the world of his lapdogs? What would be left for us great Donglin Faction members?

Wei Zaode paid no attention to the colorful expressions on the faces of the various ministry officials around him. He had long since become unperturbed by the Emperor's behavior. Now, minding his own business with a perfectly serious face, he proclaimed: "Having consulted the divination, the oracle says auspicious. I, your servant Wei Zaode, respectfully announce the presentation of betrothal gifts."

Before his words had even faded, a group of young eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial, under the direction and leadership of Li Fengxiang, Wang Dehua, and others, had prepared jade silks, fine horses, and other items. Just as Wei Zaode finished shouting his first line of the proclamation, the eunuchs happened to walk out of the great hall.

He took the second proclamation document from Cao Huachun's hands, cleared his throat, and said again: "His Majesty's grace has bestowed a daughter upon Zhang Huangyan, son of Zhang Guizhang, Vice Bureau Director of the Ministry of Justice. In accordance with the rites of betrothal, I, your servant Wei Zaode, present jade silks and carriage horses as betrothal gifts."

In truth, while shouting this proclamation, Wei Zaode himself was also puzzled.

He had previously searched through all the registry records of Zhang Huangyan's father, Zhang Guizhang, and found that the highest official position the Zhang family had ever held was a mere Vice Bureau Director of the fifth rank. When he said it aloud, many people whispered among themselves, and some were even secretly snickering.

When it came to announcing Zhang Huangyan, it was even more amusing. This lad had no official position and had never served as an official — he had only recently passed the imperial examination to become a juren. According to convention, Wei Zaode should have added Zhang Huangyan's official title and background when announcing him, but he had only shouted his name just now, because the Zhang family was destitute — there was simply nothing worth announcing.

As for anything else, even if Wei Zaode wanted to forcibly add it on, it would not conform to ritual propriety.

"What a fine Imperial Son-in-law — a poor wretch of humble origins with no family standing whatsoever. How on earth was he chosen?" Among the crowd, Jia Kui, Director of the Paper Currency Office under the Ministry of Revenue, said in a low voice, his words full of contempt.

Upon hearing this, Hu An, Vice Bureau Director of the Ministry of Rites, let out a "pfft" and sneered: "How else? Whatever the Emperor says goes. Can you or I control the Emperor?"

As he spoke, Hu An furtively glanced around, and only after confirming no one nearby was paying attention did he lean in and whisper: "Besides, is there anything this benighted ruler wouldn't do? The rules of this Great Ming are nearly all ruined by him."

The Chongzhen Emperor, seated in the position of honor, seemed to suddenly notice something. Pointing ahead, he asked: "I see those two struggling to hold it in over there — what are they saying?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Dehua walked down to inquire. Learning from the agents the content of Jia Kui and Hu An's conversation, he reported it all verbatim without missing a single word. After hearing this, the Chongzhen Emperor rose to his feet, interrupting the ceremonial proceedings, and bellowed:

"Jia Kui, Director of the Paper Currency Office! Hu An, Vice Bureau Director of the Ministry of Rites!"

"Your... your servant Jia Kui is here!" The officials' whispers vanished instantly. Seeing the Emperor rise, Jia Kui and Hu An both had guilty consciences — as they spoke, their eyes darted furtively, too cowardly to meet his gaze.

"I can see you two are struggling hard to hold it in. Go on, laugh it out — you'll feel better after laughing!" The Chongzhen Emperor let out a cold smile and walked up to the two men.

"Your servant is guilty. I should not have recklessly discussed the Imperial Son-in-law. Please punish me, Your Majesty." Jia Kui trembled all over, instantly realizing that those elusive agents had reported his words to the Emperor. Without any attempt at denial, he confessed outright, hoping to beg for mercy.

Seeing Jia Kui cave so quickly, Hu An could hardly say anything more. Kneeling on the ground, he said:

"Your servant is also guilty. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, today is the wedding day of the Princess and the Imperial Son-in-law. In your servant's view, it would be best to spare these two men, so as to bring good fortune to the wedding." Wang Duo, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was the first to step forward and speak.

"I have accounts to settle with you sooner or later." The Chongzhen Emperor glanced at him without appreciating the gesture, then waved his hand and said: "I should have had you both beheaded directly, but considering that today is the Princess's wedding and it would be inauspicious to see blood, I will temporarily throw you into the Imperial Prison for questioning. Take them away."

With that, the Chongzhen Emperor turned to the side and said: "Li Ruolian, I'm handing these two imperial criminals over to you. Interrogate them thoroughly for me."

"Your servant obeys the decree!" Li Ruolian immediately stepped forward. After speaking, he walked down and said in a low voice to an Embroidered Uniform Guard officer standing to one side: "Sun Guang, this Chief must remain by His Majesty's side for protection. These two men are handed over to your Western Office. You know what to do, don't you?"

Sun Guang, Superintendent of the Western Office of the Northern Embroidered Uniform Guard, glared with a pair of hawk-like eyes. Though his build was not particularly imposing, it was passable. Hearing these words, having served in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for many years, he naturally understood what needed to be done. He immediately responded and stepped forward, saying in a sinister voice: "This subordinate understands. I guarantee these two will sign their confessions and never live to see tomorrow's dawn!"

"Mm, go handle it."

Seeing that Sun Guang indeed had a hawk-like countenance, Jia Kui and Hu An finally knew fear. They began weeping and wailing for mercy: "Spare us, Your Majesty! Your servants are guilty! Your servants are guilty!"

"Your Majesty, please let your servants atone for our crimes with merit, redeem ourselves through service!"

"Your Majesty, spare us..."

Such scenes were commonplace for the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Sun Guang produced an iron wire ball from who knows where and, without a word, forcibly stuffed it into the mouths of Jia Kui and Hu An, leaving the flesh around both their mouths torn and bloody. Though they could no longer shout, they let out continuous miserable howls.

The other ministers watched in terrified silence. No one had expected that the Chongzhen Emperor would show such ruthlessness on his own daughter's wedding day, completely disregarding ritual propriety and ancestral rules, directly ordering two ministers thrown into the Imperial Prison.

"What? Do you think that just because I haven't made a move for some time, things won't be the same as last year?" The Chongzhen Emperor signaled Sun Guang to hurry up and take the men away. Smiling coldly, he swept his gaze across the assembled ministers — wherever his eyes fell, every minister shuddered.

Walking as he spoke, the Chongzhen Emperor said with a smile: "Let me tell you all right now — no matter when, this realm belongs to the Great Ming, and to me, the Emperor. It is not something your Donglin Faction can lay your hands on or usurp."

"Zhang Huangyan is the Imperial Son-in-law I personally designated. If anyone is dissatisfied, step forward. I would rather stain this ground with blood than deny you a quick death — and grant you the so-called glorious reputation you seek!"