With colorful robes and a xia pei, a bu yao crown sits upon her head. Inlaid with strands of gold, her necklace pairs well with an elegant jade pendant.1 2
“Commence the temple greeting ceremony,3 play music!”
Silently, I let the Matron of Honor (喜娘 // Xi Niang) support me as I kneeled deeply before the calls of the Ceremonial Rites Officer (讚禮官 // Zan Li Guan) In my hand was the red tribute silk from Jiang Nan.4 On the other end of the silk was this dynasty’s third prince, Nan Cheng Yao, the husband I had never met.
TRADITIONAL STYLE XIA PEI, WHICH IS A TYPE OF SHAWL COVERING. IT IS PART OF BE PART OF A PHOENIX CROWN AND SHAWL COVERING (鳳冠霞帔 // FENG GUAN XIA PEI) BRIDAL DRESS.
TRADITIONAL STYLE PHOENIX CROWN (鳳冠 // FENG GUAN), WITH ATTACHED BU YAO ORNAMENTS.
I could not see what he looked like. The auspicious dragon and phoenix bridal veil blocked my line of sight, coating the world in bright, extravagant red.
Three kneels, nine kowtows, six ritual salutes.
When marrying into Heaven’s Family, traditions are paid all the more attention to. By the time the Xi Niang brought me into the matrimonial chambers, my temples already had the slightest perspiration.
The sound of the music and rights outside of the matrimonial chamber boomed, making the quietude of the room even more apparent. A servant girl passed over a plate of snacks to my hands, softly saying: “Wang fei,5 please eat these snacks first, they are all bestowed by the palace. Nu-bi6 picked a little of everything, Wang fei must be hungry after a long day.”
That maidservant’s voice was graceful and calm, befitting for the occasion. Although I was not hungry, I still picked a few pieces and tried a bite before returning the plate to her.
She received it, then spoke again: “His Highness is in the main hall entertaining guests with wine. Unfortunately, he may not be able to leave for some time. Wang fei, please rest a little. Nu-bi will stand watch just outside the matrimonial chamber. Wang fei can give the order if anything is needed.”
She closed the door and left, her etiquette thorough. Inside this vast room, only I remained. At this time, even Shu Ying could only stand watch outside of the room.
MATRIMONIAL CHAMBER INSIDE THE FORBIDDEN CITY’S PALACE OF EARTHLY TRANQUILITY (坤寧宮 // KUN NING GONG) DURING THE QING DYNASTY. THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS WOULD RETIRE HERE AFTER CEREMONIES FOR THEIR WEDDING NIGHT.
My fingers carefully traced the golden twin lotuses upon a single stalk7 on the bridal dress. When Mother’s brother took up a post as a construction supervisor far off in Jiang Nan, he sought out an officially titled woman to embroider the dress.8 It took three months to complete before getting rushed to the fu9 by horse.
Verdant lotus leaves cover the lush green water, bright blooms wearing a coat of red.10 With each stitch and each thread, these were honors that other people could not deign to hope for.
However, I smiled ever so impassively, brushing over the wide sleeves.
This was something that was never mine in the first place. No matter how respectable, it was, in the end, a poor fit. What sort of end would come of a fated union that had erred ever since its beginnings?
“How can this be? Then what about my family’s young miss?” Shu Ying’s voice outside the matrimonial chambers interrupted my thoughts. Though she had suppressed herself, she couldn’t hide her discontent and anxiousness.
The voice of that girl with the graceful and calm voice sounded. She answered softly, carrying both etiquette and apology, though neither servile nor overbearing: “There is an urgent decree from the palace, the Sacred One’s dragon’s body11 is unwell and all princes must immediately enter the palace. This is a force of the circumstances, the Third Highness also has no choice in the matter.”
“No matter how urgent, shouldn’t there still be some time to remove the bridal veil? Now what, do I ask my family’s young miss to remove the veil herself or continue on with waiting?”
That maiden was tongue-tied for a moment, clearly hesitating. But I quietly called out Shu Ying’s name.
Shu Ying hurried in, answering the call by greeting me with a “Young Miss,” but she wavered on the notion of how she ought to continue.
The sound of that gentle, courteous voice trailed in: “Wang fei has been disturbed, it’s nu-bi‘s wrong.”
I smiled faintly: “The maiden speaks too gravely. There’s an urgent matter and Imperial Father’s order cannot be disobeyed.”
“But, Young Miss…”
Before Shu Ying could utter a full sentence, I reached out and held her hand, beckoning for her to keep from speaking further. I turned to the servant girl and spoke: “Young Maiden, is there a married woman in the wang fu who has had both luck and longevity?”
The servant girl pondered for a moment, then replied: “His Highness’ wet nurse, Wang fu ren,12 should be such a person.”
I nodded gently: “Then I must burden the maiden to request that Wang fu ren help Murong Qing remove the veil.”
“This…” she hesitated slightly.
I spoke mildly: “There is an urgent matter in the palace. The Sacred One’s condition must be unstable, otherwise he would not casually disturb the prince’s wedding ceremony. Thus, it’s hard to predict when he (the prince) will be able to return. Ultimately, going on waiting like this would be improper. But it would be inauspicious for a new bride to take off her own bridal veil. Even if Murong Qing does not mind, if this news spreads in the future, it may not be good for His Highness in the future. Thus, although asking Wang fu ren to act as a replacement to conduct the veil removal doesn not conform with tradition, it is still proper and can be abided by. Though unconventional, it is not without precedent. I’ve to burden the maiden with this.”13
My voice was calm and steady. Once I finished speaking, I did not press on.
The servant girl contemplated for a few seconds, then said: “What Wang fei says is correct. Nu-bi will call on someone to invite Wang fu ren right now.”
It took more than a moment for Wang fu ren to arrive. As the veil was slowly lifted, I saw a luxurious and elegant room: A bed curtain, yuan yang14 pillows, and a dragon and phoenix15 quilt. The bed was covered with red dates, peanuts, longans, lotus seeds and all types of auspicious fruits and items. The arrangement was not lacking in merriment and joy.
However, within this jubilation-filled world, my husband was not present.
That’s not to say there was a thread of disappointment. Rather, there was a long sigh of relief at the bottom of my heart. Even though I knew it was unavoidable, the idea of having physical relations with a man I did not know was something I had yet to fully reconcile.
Later is better than sooner. At least it allows me some more time to adjust mentally.
Thinking about it this way, it was inevitable that I felt a little ridiculous. The timber has already been turned into a boat.16 What else is there left to resist? What else could not be let go of?
I laughed self-deprecatingly in my heart and simply stopped thinking about it.
The sounds of Wang fu ren‘s apologies and consoling words still rang by my ears. I smiled, but my gaze slowly fell to the window.
On the desk, the red candles shed tears.
The auspicious time and beautiful scene was destined to end in disappointment.
With colorful robes and a xia pei, a bu yao crown sits upon her head. Inlaid with strands of gold, her necklace pairs well with an elegant jade pendant.1 2
“Commence the temple greeting ceremony,3 play music!”
Silently, I let the Matron of Honor (喜娘 // Xi Niang) support me as I kneeled deeply before the calls of the Ceremonial Rites Officer (讚禮官 // Zan Li Guan) In my hand was the red tribute silk from Jiang Nan.4 On the other end of the silk was this dynasty’s third prince, Nan Cheng Yao, the husband I had never met.
TRADITIONAL STYLE XIA PEI, WHICH IS A TYPE OF SHAWL COVERING. IT IS PART OF BE PART OF A PHOENIX CROWN AND SHAWL COVERING (鳳冠霞帔 // FENG GUAN XIA PEI) BRIDAL DRESS.
TRADITIONAL STYLE PHOENIX CROWN (鳳冠 // FENG GUAN), WITH ATTACHED BU YAO ORNAMENTS.
I could not see what he looked like. The auspicious dragon and phoenix bridal veil blocked my line of sight, coating the world in bright, extravagant red.
Three kneels, nine kowtows, six ritual salutes.
When marrying into Heaven’s Family, traditions are paid all the more attention to. By the time the Xi Niang brought me into the matrimonial chambers, my temples already had the slightest perspiration.
The sound of the music and rights outside of the matrimonial chamber boomed, making the quietude of the room even more apparent. A servant girl passed over a plate of snacks to my hands, softly saying: “Wang fei,5 please eat these snacks first, they are all bestowed by the palace. Nu-bi6 picked a little of everything, Wang fei must be hungry after a long day.”
That maidservant’s voice was graceful and calm, befitting for the occasion. Although I was not hungry, I still picked a few pieces and tried a bite before returning the plate to her.
She received it, then spoke again: “His Highness is in the main hall entertaining guests with wine. Unfortunately, he may not be able to leave for some time. Wang fei, please rest a little. Nu-bi will stand watch just outside the matrimonial chamber. Wang fei can give the order if anything is needed.”
She closed the door and left, her etiquette thorough. Inside this vast room, only I remained. At this time, even Shu Ying could only stand watch outside of the room.
MATRIMONIAL CHAMBER INSIDE THE FORBIDDEN CITY’S PALACE OF EARTHLY TRANQUILITY (坤寧宮 // KUN NING GONG) DURING THE QING DYNASTY. THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS WOULD RETIRE HERE AFTER CEREMONIES FOR THEIR WEDDING NIGHT.
My fingers carefully traced the golden twin lotuses upon a single stalk7 on the bridal dress. When Mother’s brother took up a post as a construction supervisor far off in Jiang Nan, he sought out an officially titled woman to embroider the dress.8 It took three months to complete before getting rushed to the fu9 by horse.
Verdant lotus leaves cover the lush green water, bright blooms wearing a coat of red.10 With each stitch and each thread, these were honors that other people could not deign to hope for.
However, I smiled ever so impassively, brushing over the wide sleeves.
This was something that was never mine in the first place. No matter how respectable, it was, in the end, a poor fit. What sort of end would come of a fated union that had erred ever since its beginnings?
“How can this be? Then what about my family’s young miss?” Shu Ying’s voice outside the matrimonial chambers interrupted my thoughts. Though she had suppressed herself, she couldn’t hide her discontent and anxiousness.
The voice of that girl with the graceful and calm voice sounded. She answered softly, carrying both etiquette and apology, though neither servile nor overbearing: “There is an urgent decree from the palace, the Sacred One’s dragon’s body11 is unwell and all princes must immediately enter the palace. This is a force of the circumstances, the Third Highness also has no choice in the matter.”
“No matter how urgent, shouldn’t there still be some time to remove the bridal veil? Now what, do I ask my family’s young miss to remove the veil herself or continue on with waiting?”
That maiden was tongue-tied for a moment, clearly hesitating. But I quietly called out Shu Ying’s name.
Shu Ying hurried in, answering the call by greeting me with a “Young Miss,” but she wavered on the notion of how she ought to continue.
The sound of that gentle, courteous voice trailed in: “Wang fei has been disturbed, it’s nu-bi‘s wrong.”
I smiled faintly: “The maiden speaks too gravely. There’s an urgent matter and Imperial Father’s order cannot be disobeyed.”
“But, Young Miss…”
Before Shu Ying could utter a full sentence, I reached out and held her hand, beckoning for her to keep from speaking further. I turned to the servant girl and spoke: “Young Maiden, is there a married woman in the wang fu who has had both luck and longevity?”
The servant girl pondered for a moment, then replied: “His Highness’ wet nurse, Wang fu ren,12 should be such a person.”
I nodded gently: “Then I must burden the maiden to request that Wang fu ren help Murong Qing remove the veil.”
“This…” she hesitated slightly.
I spoke mildly: “There is an urgent matter in the palace. The Sacred One’s condition must be unstable, otherwise he would not casually disturb the prince’s wedding ceremony. Thus, it’s hard to predict when he (the prince) will be able to return. Ultimately, going on waiting like this would be improper. But it would be inauspicious for a new bride to take off her own bridal veil. Even if Murong Qing does not mind, if this news spreads in the future, it may not be good for His Highness in the future. Thus, although asking Wang fu ren to act as a replacement to conduct the veil removal doesn not conform with tradition, it is still proper and can be abided by. Though unconventional, it is not without precedent. I’ve to burden the maiden with this.”13
My voice was calm and steady. Once I finished speaking, I did not press on.
The servant girl contemplated for a few seconds, then said: “What Wang fei says is correct. Nu-bi will call on someone to invite Wang fu ren right now.”
It took more than a moment for Wang fu ren to arrive. As the veil was slowly lifted, I saw a luxurious and elegant room: A bed curtain, yuan yang14 pillows, and a dragon and phoenix15 quilt. The bed was covered with red dates, peanuts, longans, lotus seeds and all types of auspicious fruits and items. The arrangement was not lacking in merriment and joy.
However, within this jubilation-filled world, my husband was not present.
That’s not to say there was a thread of disappointment. Rather, there was a long sigh of relief at the bottom of my heart. Even though I knew it was unavoidable, the idea of having physical relations with a man I did not know was something I had yet to fully reconcile.
Later is better than sooner. At least it allows me some more time to adjust mentally.
Thinking about it this way, it was inevitable that I felt a little ridiculous. The timber has already been turned into a boat.16 What else is there left to resist? What else could not be let go of?
I laughed self-deprecatingly in my heart and simply stopped thinking about it.
The sounds of Wang fu ren‘s apologies and consoling words still rang by my ears. I smiled, but my gaze slowly fell to the window.
On the desk, the red candles shed tears.
The auspicious time and beautiful scene was destined to end in disappointment.
