mtlumby2d Chapter 282 Hongchang's Little Troubles and Hongye's Hasty Wedding
Chapter 282 Hongchang's Little Troubles and Hongye's Hasty Wedding
Chapter 282 Hongchang's Little Troubles and His Hasty Wedding
Lately, Hongchang has been plagued by a small worry. While he might barely qualify as a scientific researcher, he considers himself a better lover than his older brother. Because of this, he's long known exactly what kind of girl he's attracted to.
Unfortunately, even if he knew what kind of girl he liked, the road to love was still bumpy, even more difficult than his older brother's! Fortunately, his family has always advocated for free love, and as parents, they can help check, steer, and control the overall direction. But ultimately, it's up to him to choose the person he wants to walk through life with.
So, in his free time, Hongchang actively participated in various activities, such as those poetic poetry gatherings and the lively horse racing. During these activities, he actually met a woman who made his heart flutter and he wanted to get to know her better.
However, it was at this critical juncture that the problem arose. This girl, with her open and cheerful personality, was not at all hypocritical or pretentious, but she also stated directly that she held a high position in the family and that the ideal husband she wanted in the future must be someone who could accompany her in enjoying the mountains and rivers and living a carefree life.
But Hongchang, who buried himself in the research room all day, obviously did not meet the ideal image in the girl's mind, even though he was a prince.
Faced with such a difficult choice, on one side was the career he loved and the ideals he pursued, and on the other side was the girl he had finally met and who moved his heart. After careful consideration, Hongchang finally made the decisive choice to stick to his ideals. And then there was no more between him and that princess.
Although Buerhe was aware of this, she had no time to advise or counsel Hongchang recently. The cause was the Empress Dowager's renewed illness, this time with a completely different and more severe illness. After a thorough diagnosis, the imperial physicians had issued a definitive diagnosis: at the latest, she would survive until the end of this year, and at best, the beginning of next.
During this period, Burhe rose early and went to bed late every day, spending almost the entire day at the Empress Dowager's Ciren Hall. Furthermore, she even brought her three adorable children with her, hoping to ensure the old lady was happy and content in her final days, freeing her from loneliness.
During this period, Burhe no longer restricted the Empress Dowager's diet. His principle now was that as long as the Empress Dowager wanted to eat something, no matter how much trouble it took, as long as he was able to cook it, he would serve it without hesitation.
The Grand Empress Dowager herself had already realized that navigating this New Year would be fraught with difficulties and setbacks. However, she had a rather perceptive perspective. After all, at her advanced age, she had already entered her seventies. Living to her age was considered a long life in any family. Looking back, her life, aside from those initial years of trepidation and fear, had been relatively smooth.
Because of the Empress Dowager's incident, even the grand and splendid wedding of the Crown Prince, which had already been planned with an imperial decree, had to be temporarily put on hold. This sudden change filled the Empress Dowager with guilt and deep regret.
So, on this day, after breakfast, the Empress Dowager gently put down the bowl and chopsticks in her hands, turned to look at Nanny Naren who was serving on the side, and whispered: "Naren, go and invite the emperor, and tell him that I have something important to discuss with you." Nanny Naren responded respectfully, and hurried towards the palace where the emperor was.
Soon, the Emperor hurried over, and Burhe followed him to the Empress Dowager. The three of them, the grandfather and the grandson, sat around the table, the atmosphere somewhat solemn.
After a moment's silence, the Grand Empress Dowager finally spoke slowly, revealing her innermost thoughts: "My children, I believe my time is numbered. In fact, according to my original intention, you really don't need to worry about me so much anymore. At my age, leaving me, it can be considered a happy funeral.
Whenever I think back to the past, I used to envy the Empress Dowager for being able to live through three dynasties. I never thought that I would actually do the same. Looking back on my life, I have many children and grandchildren, all of whom are very filial. I can say that I have enjoyed the happiness of family life to the fullest. I no longer have any regrets.
So, the prince's wedding should be held as usual. I don't want Hongye to postpone his wedding just because he has to observe mourning for me.
I've watched this child grow up, and I love him from the bottom of my heart. Of all my great-grandchildren, besides him, the one I miss the most is Jingyi. I really want to witness his happy moments before I leave, so that even in the other world, I can rest in peace."
The Empress Dowager's heartfelt words moved Yinreng and Buerhe, who were present, to tears. They knew full well that the Empress Dowager had toiled throughout her life and sacrificed so much for the imperial family. Hearing her so open-minded and sensible, yet so thoughtful of the younger generation, how could they not be deeply moved?
Yinreng smiled and nodded in agreement. Without hesitation, Buerhe made a solemn promise to the Grand Empress Dowager: "Please rest assured, Madam! We will do our utmost to fulfill your wish and allow you to drink the wedding wine offered by your great-grandson's wife as soon as possible. I will immediately order everyone to prepare the relevant matters and make every effort to marry the Crown Princess within just two months."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire palace seemed to ignite. Despite the chill of November, everyone was bustling with activity. From the palace to the courtyards, a festive atmosphere permeated the air. Under the meticulous leadership of Buerhe and Jingyi, preparations for a grand wedding were proceeding smoothly. From the palace's décor to the guest seating arrangements, every detail had been meticulously considered.
At the same time, due to the Empress Dowager's advanced age and poor health, the traditionally complex royal wedding process had to be significantly shortened. The six traditional rituals of accepting the bride's proposal, asking for the bride's name, accepting the marriage proposal, accepting the bride's betrothal gifts, asking for the date of the wedding, and welcoming the bride were all completed in just over a month.
Fortunately, the Zhang family fully understood and sympathized with the difficulties faced by the royal family. In addition, they knew that their daughter was happy and willing to marry, so they did not hinder it.
Finally, on the auspicious day of December 25th, the sixth year of Kaiyuan, the Kaiyuan Dynasty welcomed the highly anticipated wedding ceremony of Crown Prince Hongye.
Although the wedding was hastily planned, neither the ceremony nor the arrangements were perfunctory. The generous betrothal gifts meticulously prepared by the Imperial Household Department, in particular, made all who witnessed them truly feel the imperial family's sincerity—a full 50,000 taels of gold and a whopping 200,000 taels of silver, representing direct expenses. There was also a thousand rolls of brocade, forty fine horses, twenty saddles, and several boxes of other gold and silver items. The sheer amount was astonishing.