Qin Neijian thought to himself: What does an emperor even need to prepare for a wedding?
He’d never had to handle something like this before.
From what he knew, an imperial wedding ceremony was a huge, elaborate affair.
But clearly, His Majesty and the prince wouldn’t need anything on that scale.
So what about a common folk wedding? he wondered.
But as a palace eunuch who’d lived in the inner court all his life, he had no idea.
And the eunuchs around him only knew bits and pieces—not enough to ask for help.
And really, the fewer people who knew about this, the better.
So in the end, he personally made a trip to the Eunuch for Attendants (the Shangqin Si).
In the palace, whenever there was a major wedding, the ones responsible for the rituals—besides the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court—would include departments like the Eunuch for Attendants.
“A normal folk wedding?” The head Eunuch, who’d been about to turn in for the night, looked flustered as she came out with her hair half-loosened. “Could you be more specific?”
Qin Neijian said, “It’s for someone in my household.”
The Eunuch gave him a suspicious look.
They’d both been in the palace for years—how had she never heard of Qin Neijian having any family?
But she couldn’t very well call him out on it, so she just said, “Since you’re from the capital, naturally you’d follow the customs here.”
“Right,” Qin Neijian said.
So the Eunuch started explaining from the beginning—about laying out the bedding, blocking the door, scattering grains and beans…
She kept glancing at Qin Neijian, who was busily taking notes. “…”
“Please go on,” Qin Neijian urged.
“Why don’t I just write it all down for you?”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you so much,” Qin Neijian said.
So the Eunuch spent over an hour writing out a detailed guide—from the bride entering the house to the third-day home visit.
Qin Neijian read it over carefully and tucked it away.
“Eunuch Qin, are you personally overseeing your family’s wedding?”
Qin Neijian gave a long sigh. “Without me, nothing would get done!”
He waved a hand as if exasperated and was about to leave. But after a few steps, he stopped, came back, and cleared his throat. “Say… if it’s two men getting married, the ceremony wouldn’t really be any different, would it?”
The Eunuch blinked. “What?”
“Any differences?” Qin Neijian asked again.
“I’ve heard of two men being, well, close,” she said. “But actually getting married? I’ve never seen that. In your family…”
Qin Neijian cut her off with another sigh. “Ah, what can you do? They’re inseparable. There’s nothing for it!”
The Eunuch was stunned. “!!”
Qin Neijian said quietly, “This really isn’t something I can tell outsiders about. I hope you’ll keep it between us.”
“That goes without saying!”
“May some of the joy come your way too, Madam!”
“Many thanks, many thanks!”
The Eunuch pressed a hand to her chest as she watched Qin Neijian walk off into the night, her eyes shining.
What kind of love must this be, for them to dare marry like this? How deep their feelings must run—and how bold, to defy the world’s conventions!
She had always thought no one under heaven could be more indifferent to the judgment of the world than His Majesty.
On his way back to Qingyuan Palace, Qin Neijian passed Cien Palace.
The place was already silent, its great doors shut tight.
The Empress Dowager always goes to bed early, he thought. If she knew His Majesty and the prince were about to marry… would she faint on the spot?
The thought made him want to laugh. And here I am, the only one who knows this secret. Enough to make a man feel smug.
He quickened his pace, jogging back to Qingyuan Palace.
If His Majesty really meant to ride out to war, it would surely be within the next day or two—there was no time to lose.
The moment Qin Neijian returned, he got to work.
The wedding would have to be held in secret, so everything needed to be simple. But simple was no matter; whether emperor and prince or common folk, before the gods and spirits, the meaning was the same.
All other rituals could be omitted. What truly mattered were three things: bowing to heaven and earth, the hejin cup ceremony, and scattering the bridal bed coins.
They would need candles, a gourd for the hejin wine, red and green threads, an offering table, red robes, a big red flower, hejin wine, and flower coins for the bed. He gave the list to a few of his closest apprentices to handle. When he’d thought through every detail and finished giving orders, it was already deep into the night.
But in the middle of the night, he shot up in bed, remembering something important.
Wait… should I be preparing honey or something like that?
He vaguely recalled hearing something about using osmanthus oil…
Ever since the prince moved back into the palace, he’d actually been fretting over this for two whole days, but had felt too embarrassed to ask. He’d been waiting for His Majesty to give him orders with that blank, expressionless face of his.
Surely the prince would know about this kind of thing!
Because His Majesty—Qin Neijian had noticed—was obsessive about certain things. One of those was the importance of ritual.
He was fixated on this marriage.
Maybe because in his mind, marriage was like registering their bond—binding their lives and deaths together.
And at that thought, Fu Ye’s heart pounded with excitement.
He wanted to be bound like that.
In that moment, he actually wished the world did have gods and spirits to witness it.
People in love, when they thought of life and death, were like scalding water splashed on red-hot iron—hissing, steaming, their passion turning into a mist that dazed even themselves.
He was so worked up he couldn’t sleep.
And he felt certain Fu Huang couldn’t sleep either. Those big hands of his kneaded and massaged him until his backside burned, slick with heat everywhere. He felt like his whole back had been rubbed red, so he could only cling to Fu Huang’s solid frame, trying to express his desperate longing through every touch. In the end, he couldn’t help himself anymore—he clambered fully onto Fu Huang, pressing face to face, feet to feet, as if they could truly become one.
They were so tightly pressed together that the thought of parting was unbearable, and the old fear crept back in. All these feelings tangled together until he was lost in a sea of tears.
At dawn, the moment the palace gates opened, Qin Neijian took his apprentices and slipped out to make their purchases. Once everything was bought, they hurried straight back.
That morning, Fu Huang—having decided to lead the army himself—summoned Chancellor Xie and Meng Xiao into the palace.
It was a matter of great importance, and when he returned, Qingyuan Palace was bustling with people.
Many ministers had come that day.
He even spotted several carriages belonging to the Fu clan’s royal relatives—their carriages marked with golden star-and-moon patterns.
So he went straight in through the east side gate of the courtyard.
Inside, he saw Fu Ye reviewing memorials, and quickly had his apprentices set up folding screens to completely block off the inner room.
Fu Ye glanced up and felt his heart start pounding again.
He looked at the secretariat officials working nearby—each of them with heads bowed, utterly focused, not the least bit distracted by what was going on behind the screens.
Fu Huang’s men truly are well-trained, he thought.
Qin Neijian and the others didn’t finish their preparations until midday. When Fu Ye finally went in for lunch, the sight that greeted him was a red wedding canopy, a marriage bed draped in red, and dragon-phoenix candles set out on the table.
That red glow stained his cheeks as well.
Ahhhh!
Ahhhhhhhh!
Qin Neijian beamed at him. “Your Highness, does this please you?”
Fu Ye gave a soft “Mm” in reply, but said nothing more.
Seeing the blush on his face, shy and radiant, Qin Neijian thought him even more beautiful. Today Fu Ye wore Fu Huang’s black dragon robe, and yet that solemn dark color couldn’t even dim his brilliance.
Ready to become a groom… truly, there’s a glow about him.
Qin Neijian sighed inwardly. But then he remembered—after today, the emperor would be off to war. The front lines were dangerous, the enemy pressing hard. Who knew what the future held? His heart rose and fell with unease as he left Spring Morning Hall.
When he reached the imperial study’s entrance, he saw Fu Huang seated on a dais, golden dragons coiling across his robes, while the ministers and generals knelt respectfully before him, listening to his commands.
Qin Neijian’s eyes swept over the gathered officials—the top ministers of court, the generals charged with defending the capital, and several of the Fu clan’s royal kinsmen, including the Prince of Ankang.
For years now, these men had kept in line under the emperor’s iron rule. If he returned safely from this campaign, they surely wouldn’t dare act out. But if anything happened to him… who knew what schemes might take root among them?
As that thought chilled him, a eunuch came up to report quietly, “Steward, Lord Eunuch Sun is here.”
Qin Neijian rose at once to greet him. Sun Gongzheng and his men had already entered. Seeing Qin Neijian, Sun saluted and asked, “I heard His Majesty is preparing to lead the army himself?”
Qin Neijian’s heart tightened even further, especially seeing this man from Cien Palace. “Yes.”
He studied Sun Gongzheng’s face and found it grave. Sun gave him another slight bow, then went straight into Spring Morning Hall.
Qin Neijian didn’t follow.
The Empress Dowager must have much to say to His Highness at a time like this.
After a while, the ministers filed out of the study, boarded their carriages outside Qingyuan Palace, and departed. Qin Neijian saw them off respectfully, then turned and saw Fu Huang emerging.
He hurried to meet him.
Fu Huang, followed by his men, left Qingyuan Palace, clearly heading for Cien Palace.
Qin Neijian stayed close, murmuring, “Your Majesty, I’ve prepared everything as ordered.”
Fu Huang simply said, “Mm,” and kept walking.
It had been a long time since the emperor last set foot in Cien Palace.
The last time was to choose study companions for Prince Huan. Before that… who could even remember which year it had been?
When the eunuchs of Cien Palace saw the emperor approaching, they didn’t even wait for him to reach the doors—they rushed inside to announce him.
The Empress Dowager had just heard of His Majesty’s plan to lead the army and was waiting for Sun Gongzheng to bring her more details. When she heard the emperor was coming, she hurriedly changed out of her meditation robes and went to meet him in the main hall.
The emperor stood tall in his dragon robe, a black jade crown upon his head. His bearing was austere, his figure lean and resolute, carved by hardship.
The Empress Dowager sat upright upon her lotus throne, female attendants in crimson plum summer robes standing in neat rows at her sides. With golden hairpins and magnificent attire, she radiated dignity and power.
Every time she faced the emperor, she made sure never to lose in presence or bearing.
Fu Huang said to Qin Neijian and the assembled attendants, “You may leave us.”
At his command, Qin Neijian bowed and withdrew. The female officials glanced at the Empress Dowager, then quietly filed out as well.
On the celadon screen, gold-painted images of the Buddha delivering teachings shimmered amid the curling incense smoke from the lotus-shaped burner. The soft clatter of blood-red coral prayer beads turning in the Empress Dowager’s hand was the only sound.
It had been a long time since mother and son met like this, alone. The last time was the night before the Qing Tai Palace coup.
That night, Fu Huang had just returned to the palace. Before attending the evening banquet, the Empress Dowager had sent a lady-in-waiting to summon him.
She already knew Emperor Wuzong intended to kill him. Fu Huang knew as well. When they met, they spoke only of trivial family matters. As he was about to leave, she clutched his hand, tears falling. Fu Huang knelt and kowtowed, then left.
In the blink of an eye, years had passed. Her hair had gone white. He, ravaged by illness, was little more than skin and bone.
Fu Huang said, “I am to lead the army out of the capital. I trust Mother is already aware.”
The Empress Dowager replied, “I just heard.”
Fu Huang said, “I’ve left Sixth Brother to guard the capital.”
After a pause, the Empress Dowager said, “Go without worry. I will protect him.”
Between them, nothing more needed saying. There was no point in putting on the show of deep mother-son affection, nor in scheming further.
Fu Huang said, “If I do not return, Mother must see him enthroned. I ask that you swear this to me, by our ancestors and under Heaven.”
The Empress Dowager started. A devout Buddhist who lived by ancestral law, she sat silently for a long moment before saying, “By bloodline and law, it is only right that Prince Huan succeed the throne. Not only I, but all our ministers and subjects will give him their full support.” As she spoke, she raised three fingers and vowed, “If I break this promise, may Heaven and our ancestors forsake me.”
Fu Huang gazed at her, then beckoned an attendant inside. The eunuch entered with head lowered and presented a golden sealed decree.
The Empress Dowager took it. She saw the wax seal, unbroken, stamped with the imperial emblem.
She realized what it was. She knew that with Prince Huan’s shaky standing, a clear decree would make succession smoother—but still, the weight of it in her hands felt as heavy as a thousand catties.
“There are three copies of the edict. This one is for Mother,” Fu Huang said.
With that, he stood for a moment, then turned to leave.
Behind him, the Empress Dowager said, “Prince Huan is young. Guarding the capital he can manage, but holding the realm will be a struggle beyond imagining. He will still need you to teach him. Our Great Zhou has stood for a hundred years—none under Heaven is better at war than you. The prince and I will keep Jian Tai safe, waiting for your victorious return.”
Fu Huang paused, then left without a word.
The Empress Dowager remained seated, leaning forward slightly. The prayer beads slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor.
Before long, Sun Gongzheng returned. Seeing the Empress Dowager slumped there, holding the fallen beads, he stood quietly at her side for a while.
At last, the Empress Dowager said heavily, “Go summon Prince Huan to see me again.”
Sun Gongzheng accepted the order and went once more to Qingyuan Palace.
When Fu Ye saw Grand Eunuch Sun returning so soon, he froze for a moment, then changed his clothes and followed Sun Gongzheng out of the palace.
A sedan was brought for him, while Sun Gongzheng led a host of palace women and eunuchs on foot. Along the palace road, they occasionally encountered officials or generals entering the palace. Each stepped aside and saluted him with respect.
At Cien Palace, Sun Gongzheng and the attendants withdrew to the courtyard.
Fu Ye bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager.
She sat upon the lotus throne, gazing at him. “The emperor is leading his forces in person. Who knows what the future will hold? In these coming days, you must take good care of him… He has been very good to you.”
He had been willing to set aside his own desires, to send Fu Ye out of the palace. Now, leading his army in person, he was even prepared to entrust him with the empire should he fall.
The Empress Dowager shared with Fu Ye all that Fu Huang had told her.
She thought perhaps Fu Ye didn’t know the full truth, but at least he should understand that Fu Huang’s heart toward him was sincere.
For a man to still hold true feelings in this world was no easy thing. Though she had guarded herself and the empire against all, the emperor’s genuine heart—this, she couldn’t bear for its recipient to be blind to.
Fu Ye was silent for a long while after hearing this. When he left Cien Palace, he wept quietly, wiped his tears, and climbed into the sedan.
Once back at Qingyuan Palace, he went straight to the imperial study.
Fu Huang was writing his decree of departure. Seeing him, Fu Huang beckoned him over to grind ink.
Fu Ye rolled up his sleeves and prepared the inkstone for him.
When the emperor led an expedition, a decree was issued to the realm. Such decrees typically stated the reason for the campaign to justify the action, and sought to rally the people and inspire the troops. But Fu Ye saw his own name appear in the decree:
“I, ordained by Heaven, to safeguard the peace of the realm and protect the well-being of the people, have resolved to lead the army forth in person. I shall command the six divisions and march south. My brother, Prince Huan Ye, wise and capable, is to oversee the government and hold the reins of state in my absence. Let all ministers regard him as they would me, fulfill their duties, and together guard our lands. I will surely lead our tigers to victory and return triumphant! Let this be proclaimed to all under Heaven. Thus decreed.”
Fu Ye thought of that edict of succession, and his eyes filled with tears. He said nothing. The weight of this affection felt like the empire itself—so heavy that, come life or death, he could only ever stand with Fu Huang.
After a moment, he said softly, “You should write me a marriage contract.”
Fu Huang looked at him, then ordered Qin Neijian to fetch red paper.
This time, he paused for a long while before setting brush to paper.
He wrote slowly, as if each stroke was carved with utmost care:
“It is said: beneath Heaven’s vast skies, amid countless souls, to find a fated match is Heaven’s gift. Now we set this bond, proclaiming before Heaven and Earth, vowing to stand together morning and night, year upon year, a lifetime side by side, never parted in old age. Should I break this oath, let Heaven and Earth both condemn me.”
Fu Ye took up the brush and added:
“May spring mornings endure always; may we be peaceful lovers through all our days.”
Signed: Fu Huang
Signed: Fu Ye
Fu Ye clasped Fu Huang’s hand to press their thumbprints beside their names. In his heart, he thought: This is our marriage certificate—the kind that’s good even in the afterlife.
He turned to look at Fu Huang.
And then he spoke the words Fu Huang found most beautiful:
“You belong to a family now.”
Author’s note:
A decree can be an emperor’s love letter too.
