Chapter 477: Four Horses for Literature
"Yu'er, do you have the imperial decree from His Majesty arranging the marriage?"
Daiyu was slightly startled. "Of course I am, Daddy, but what happened?"
Lin Ruhai waved his hands randomly, "Take it out quickly, let Daddy take a look."
Although Daiyu was puzzled and even felt a little worried, she returned to the inner room and took out the imperial edict from the box. Some mansions would display important imperial edicts, but not all of them did so.
Just like the decree of marriage, it is kept by the person involved himself.
"Dad, haven't you seen this imperial edict?"
Lin Ruhai didn't care about anything else and just opened it to take a look. He didn't feel relieved until he confirmed again and again that the name on the imperial edict was Jia Cong.
"Yu'er, don't worry!" Seeing Daiyu's worried look, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but smile bitterly. He was also hysterical. How could such a big thing go wrong?
"The envoy coming this time is Duke Yansheng, the steward is Xia Shouzhong, a servant of His Majesty, and the recipient is the Immortal Dahuan!" Lin Ruhai said in disbelief. "This kind of etiquette would be excessive even for a prince's wedding, so your father..."
He shook his head helplessly. "Although I've always disliked that brat, he truly cares about you. Furthermore, his deep favor with the Emperor is truly puzzling. I imagine he's worried that you'll feel wronged by changing the date, so he specifically asked His Majesty and His Majesty to make these arrangements. I'm overthinking it."
Daiyu finally felt relieved after hearing this. She looked at her father with some dissatisfaction. Her father had never seen such a big scene...
"Okay, Yu'er, you can stay here. I think your grandmother will be here too. You can stay with her and talk in the backyard for a while. I have to hurry over to the front. The Duke of Yansheng is coming in person, so we can't be negligent."
For scholars like Lin Ruhai, the Duke of Yansheng held even greater weight than Prince An. Furthermore, if one were to truly count, people like Lin Ruhai and Fang Yao could all be considered disciples of the Duke of Yansheng, though they had never truly become his disciples. However, when they traveled the world seeking education, which one of them hadn't visited the Duke of Yansheng's residence?
At the very least, which scholar has not read the annotations and classics of the Yanshenggongs of all generations?
"Father, go ahead!" Daiyu said shyly. Her third brother was truly kind to her. He had put on such a grand ceremony for the bride price. Who in the future, in the imperial court, would look down on her? Her third brother and I were married by His Majesty, with the Duke of Yansheng acting as the marriage envoy? Such a ritual wouldn't be overlooked even in the history books. In other words, this incident alone was enough to earn her a place in the annals!
Lin Ruhai didn't dare to delay and immediately hurried outside.
Fang Yao and others had already been waiting outside the Lin Mansion. When Lin Ruhai arrived outside the door, the entire betrothal team had already arrived at the door.
"Greetings to Duke Yansheng!"
Lin Ruhai, Fang Yao, Shu Yuze and other civil servants all came forward to pay their respects as disciples.
Duke Yansheng Kong Hongtai extended his hand and smiled, "Today, I, at the request of His Majesty, am here to present the betrothal gift to the Grand Marquis of the Jia Mansion. No need for formalities!"
Lin Ruhai stepped forward and bowed again, "How dare I trouble Lord Yansheng to come in person when it comes to Ruhai's family affairs!"
Kong Hongtai stepped forward and looked at Lin Ruhai for a moment. "You must be the youngest son of the Jinling Lin family back then. I remember that both you and Fang Yao have been to my house!"
"It's my student!" Lin Ruhai was flattered. "Back then, when I was young, I went to study under you. It was because of your generous guidance that I have become what I am today!"
Kong Hongtai laughed heartily. "You were just staying at my house for a while back then. Your achievements are all your own. How dare I take credit for them? I heard that you later won the third place in the imperial examination. If my old friend knew that there was a younger generation like you, he would be smiling in his grave!"
The Lin family might not be as prominent as the Kong family, but they were also a family of nobles for generations. Therefore, Kong Hongtai and Lin Ruhai's father were old friends for many years. However, Lin Ruhai's father died early, and the relationship between the two families gradually became estranged. This is also the reason why Lin Ruhai was qualified to study at the Kong Mansion.
"I came here today, firstly, because of a request from His Majesty, and secondly, to become the Champion Marquis!"
"When the White Lotus Rebellion broke out in Jiangnan before, if it weren't for the Marquis of Guanjun's suppression, my Kong Mansion wouldn't have had peace. So, we can be considered to have received a favor from the Marquis of Guanjun. It's said that Confucianism can help the world, but most people just talk about it. How many can actually put it into practice? But the Marquis of Guanjun has quelled border troubles, calmed the people's unrest, and saved the country. Now he is heading to the southwest to establish his capital. This is what it means to truly help the world and bring peace to the people."
"Confucianism never distinguishes between civil and military, and Confucianism also has the Six Arts! Not to mention that the Champion Marquis and I have a connection, even if it's just based on his actions, it's a blessing for me to make this trip."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai and the others all bowed their heads and said, "We are ashamed!"
"Hahaha! What's there to be ashamed of? You are all pillars of the court now. As long as you don't let down the emperor's grace and the people, you will also be living up to what you have learned in your life!"
"We will learn from you!"
Kong Hongtai waved his hand, "It's me, the old master, who's being nosy again. We're here today to ask for betrothal gifts from the Jia family. Let's get down to business first!"
Kong Hongtai waved his hand, and Xia Shouzhong stepped forward and said in a loud voice, "I will give you four horses!"
In reality, even in royal marriages , the distinction between the emperor and his subjects was maintained, and the term "give" should be used. However, since this was a marriage between the Jia and Lin families, it couldn't be Jia Cong "giving" it to his father-in-law. Using "offer" or something like that would undermine the royal dignity, so the Ministry of Rites used the term "give." Furthermore, since the Duke of Yansheng had come personally, Lin Ruhai probably wouldn't have given it much thought.
Xia Shouzhong's words made Lin Ruhai and his group quiet down . As one of the most important ceremonies, a wedding naturally has its own rules. Even if it is a marriage between a military hero, four horses are not needed. At most, two are needed, and most of the time, one is needed. Four horses are the ultimate.
If it was Duke Yansheng who came forward, it would be somewhat acceptable. Jia Dairu had met Kong Hongtai several times before, and since the emperor was interested, it wouldn't be a loss of face for Duke Yansheng to go. But the ceremony of accepting the bride price was so excessive that it was a bit unusual.
Even though Lin Ruhai has always been a very calm person and has seen the world, he couldn't help but be stunned at this moment.
He hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, took two steps forward, and whispered to Duke Yansheng, "Teacher, is the person being saluted here, Jia Cong, the Champion Marquis of Ningguo Mansion?"
Even though he knew it was against the rules, he still couldn't help but ask. After all, if he really made a mistake, it would be irreversible.
Kong Hongtai laughed. "How come Ruhai doesn't even recognize his own son-in-law? It's none other than Jia Cong, the champion marquis of Ningguo Mansion. Now, is Ruhai ready to accept the gift?"
At this point, Lin Ruhai could only bow to Kong Hongtai and said, "Lin Ruhai accepts this betrothal gift on behalf of my daughter!"
Afterwards, Lin Ruhai personally stepped forward, took over the reins of the horses and welcomed everyone into the courtyard. The horses performed the ceremony in front of the steps, while the others had to be checked in the main hall .
