Chapter 65: Crown Prince's Marriage 2

The Minister of Rites continued to preside over the ceremony.

"First, bow to Heaven and Earth!"

Zhu Biao and Chang Wan turned and bowed to Heaven and Earth outside the hall.

"Second, bow to the High Hall!"

The two bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma.

"Husband and Wife, bow to each other!"

Zhu Biao and Chang Wan stood opposite each other and bowed to one another.

"The ceremony is complete!"

The drums sounded again, and the officials together congratulated: "Congratulations to His Highness the Crown Prince on his marriage! Congratulations to the Emperor and Empress!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily and said, "Excellent! Excellent! Today is the Crown Prince Marriage; my heart is greatly pleased. I issue an edict to hold a banquet in Fengtian Hall, with Civil and Military Officials all celebrating!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great favor!"

The banquet was set, and Fengtian Hall instantly became lively.

Zhu Yong sat in the prince's seat, watching his elder brother hold his sister‑in‑law's hand, a simple smile appearing on his face.

He was truly happy for his elder brother.

"Second Prince, look at Chang Shu," Zhu Di whispered.

Zhu Yong turned his head and saw Chang Yuchun drinking with Xu Da, Li Wenzhong and others.

After a few cups of wine, Chang Yuchun began to talk more.

"Tiande, do you think our daughter's marriage is good?" Chang Yuchun asked, holding Xu Da's hand.

"Good! Of course, the Crown Prince is benevolent and kind, Chang Wan is virtuous, a match made by Heaven and Earth!" Xu Da laughed.

"Indeed... our daughter has been clever since childhood, skilled in martial arts, and Biao… no, His Highness the Crown Prince, was often bullied by our daughter when he was young!"

Chang Yuchun slapped the table.

The voice was not quiet; many nearby heard it.

Zhu Yuanzhang, seated on the dragon throne, heard it and laughed heartily: "Bo Ren is right! Biao, when he was young, indeed often took blows from Chang Wan!"

Empress Ma smiled and shook her head: "Zhong Ba, you too, bringing this up again."

"What's there not to say, Biao, do you agree?" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

Zhu Biao's face flushed, and he cupped his hands, saying, "Father, please spare a bit of face for your son..."

Chang Wan, under her cover head, also turned red and whispered, "Father, say a little less..."

The hall was instantly filled with laughter.

Zhu Yong also laughed heartily.

He lifted his wine cup and walked to Chang Yuchun's table.

"Chang Shu, I toast you a cup!"

Seeing Zhu Yong, Chang Yuchun's eyes brightened: "Your Highness! Come, drink with Chang Shu!"

The two clinked cups and drank in one gulp.

"Your Highness, Chang Shu tells you, your elder brother is married, now it's your turn; the Emperor said to give you the Guanyin Nu girl, and Chang Shu thinks that's fine.

That girl is delicate in appearance and gentle in temperament, a perfect match for you!" Chang Yuchun said, holding Zhu Yong's hand, a bit tipsy.

Zhu Yong chuckled: "Chang Shu, I'll follow what Father and Mother say on this matter."

"Right! Listen to the Emperor and Empress! Come, another drink!" Chang Yuchun poured another cup of wine.

While drinking merrily here, at the civil officials' table, Lv Ben sat alone, his complexion not looking good.

He glanced at the women's seat where his daughter Lu Chan sat, seeing her bow her head, the chopsticks in her hand unmoving for a long while.

Today's Crown Prince Marriage saw Chang Wan marry splendidly into the Eastern Palace, becoming Crown Princess.

Yet his Lu family daughter didn't even secure a side‑consort position.

"Lord Lu, why are you drinking alone in gloom?" a voice asked.

Lv Ben looked up and saw it was the Ministry of Revenue Assistant Minister Yang Xian.

"Minister Yang... nothing, just old age, I can't drink much," Lv Ben forced a smile.

Yang Xian sat beside Lv Ben and whispered, "Lord Lu, today's Crown Prince Marriage, the Chang family is in limitless splendor."

Lv Ben said lightly, "General Chang is a Founding Merit Official; his daughter marrying the Crown Prince is only natural."

"That may be so, but the Chang family is already the foremost of military families; now allying with the royal house, their power... might be too great," Yang Xian said, glancing around, his voice even lower.

Lv Ben felt something stir inside, but kept his face unchanged: "Minister Yang, choose your words carefully. General Chang is loyal, the Emperor trusts him; such words must not be spoken carelessly."

"Yes, yes, I misspoke; I only think that on the court, a balance of civil and military is the lasting strategy," Yang Xian said.

Lv Ben said nothing further, lifted his cup and took a sip.

Yang Xian, seeing his silence, said no more, got up and went to another table.

Lv Ben watched Yang Xian's back, a trace of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

When the banquet was halfway through, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and raised his cup.

"Esteemed ministers, today's Crown Prince Marriage fills my heart with great joy. The Crown Prince has been benevolent and wise since childhood; now he has a family and a career, and will surely inherit the Great Unity and bring blessings to all under Heaven!"

"Your Majesty is sagacious! Long live the Crown Prince!" the officials shouted in unison.

Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "After the Crown Prince Marriage, I will let the Crown Prince begin his regency, handling daily state affairs. Over these years, I have worried a great deal for Great Ming."

"Now the Crown Prince has grown, and he should be given experience."

When these words were spoken, the hall fell silent at once.

The Crown Prince's regency means Zhu Biao will formally begin participating in governance, his power greatly increasing.

Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and other generals showed delighted expressions.

The Crown Prince is kind‑hearted, and his marriage alliance with the Chang family is a boon for their military commanders.

Some civil officials, however, wore complicated expressions.

Lv Ben bowed his head, and the wine cup in his hand trembled slightly.

"Furthermore, Prince Wu Zhu Yong, who believes that since his ancestors returned to the clan he has repeatedly earned battlefield merits and whose loyalty and bravery are praiseworthy, I have decided to further confer upon Prince Wu the title of Grand General Zhenglu, to command thirty thousand troops of the capital camp and be responsible for the Capital City's defenses!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said further.

"Your servant receives the decree! Thank you, Imperial Father!" Zhu Yong rose and saluted.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong, his eyes full of affection: "Yong Er, your elder brother handles civil matters, you handle military matters; with brothers united, our Great Ming Empire can stay stable."

"Father, rest assured, I will definitely help my elder brother guard the realm!" Zhu Yong said in a simple voice.

The banquet continued, with song and dance in full swing.

Zhu Biao, accompanied by Chang Wan, after offering wine to Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, had the Chang family sent back to their chambers to wait for Zhu Biao, and Zhu Biao began to toast each table in turn.

When it reached Zhu Yong's table, Zhu Biao smiled: "Second brother, elder brother offers you a cup."

"Elder brother, I wish you and sister‑in‑law a long, happy marriage and an early birth of a noble child!" Zhu Yong raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

After the toast, Zhu Biao whispered to Zhu Yong: "Second brother, after the banquet disperses, come to the Eastern Palace; I have something to tell you."

"Alright." Zhu Yong nodded.

The banquet did not end until evening.

Zhu Yong escorted the inebriated Chang Yuchun away, settled a few of his drunken younger brothers, and only then walked toward the Eastern Palace.

The Eastern Palace hung lanterns and ribbons, brimming with joy.

Zhu Yong entered the study and saw Zhu Biao had already changed out of his wedding attire, now wearing plain Chang clothing, sitting at the desk.

"Elder brother, why aren't you with sister‑in‑law?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Wan'er is tired, she's resting for now. Second brother, sit," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

Zhu Yong sat on the chair.

Zhu Biao took a wooden box from under the desk and pushed it in front of Zhu Yong.

"Second brother, this is a gift from elder brother."

Zhu Yong opened the wooden box; inside was an exquisite short sword. The scabbard was inlaid with gold and jade, the blade gleamed coldly.

"This is…" Zhu Yong picked up the short sword and examined it carefully.

"This is a treasured blade contributed from the Western Regions, named Autumn Water; elder brother knows you use a hammer, but this knife is compact, good for carrying on the body for self‑defense," Zhu Biao said.

"Thank you, elder brother! It's truly beautiful," Zhu Yong said with a simple laugh.

Zhu Biao looked at him and said softly, "Second brother, today elder brother is married; from now on he is truly an adult. Father has appointed elder brother as regent, the burden on his shoulders is heavier; will you help elder brother, okay?"

"Elder brother, what are you saying! You are my elder brother; if I don't help you, who else? Whatever you need, just command!" Zhu Yong said earnestly.

Zhu Biao smiled, but his eyes were a bit moist.

"Good brother."

Outside the window, the bright moon hung high.

The lights of Fengtian Hall faded one after another, while the celebratory candles of the Eastern Palace burned continuously.

That night, no one in Yingtian Prefecture slept.

The Crown Prince's marriage heralds a new era about to begin.