Di Ming

Chapter 256 "I'm only six years old..."

Zhu Yin has been pondering wedding arrangements lately. If he doesn't get married soon, a group of powerful and wealthy men with unmarried daughters will be eyeing him covetously, treating him like a piece of Tang Monk's flesh. He really can't delay any longer.

In recent years, he has offended several powerful families simply by refusing to become someone's son-in-law. The old saying that "if you don't get married, you'll become enemies" is not just a saying.

The couple has set their wedding date for September, and the plans remain unchanged. The only difficult decision is where to pick up the bride.

Of course, it is also possible to skip the wedding procession and directly conduct the ceremony of consummating the marriage with the child bride in the Zhu family, with a simple exchange of gifts and rituals, greatly simplifying the traditional three letters and six rites.

But doing so would be too unfair to Ning Caiwei.

This was not only a far cry from a grand wedding, but it was even less impressive than a wedding in a poor family, and could hardly be considered a proper marriage. Ning Caiwei had lived two lives and was only getting married this once, so of course it couldn't be taken lightly.

Originally, there was a good idea: to send Ning Caiwei to Tian Yi's house and have the bride fetched from there, since Tian Yi and Madam Ning would be the bride's elders.

The problem is that the relationship between Tian Yi and his wife, as well as his relationship with Ning Caiwei, remains a secret and has never been made public.

Although his adoptive father, Qi Jiguang, was in Beijing, their relationship remained a secret.

It would be acceptable to do this at Shen Yiguan's residence, but Shen Yiguan is, after all, a cabinet minister with high position and power. Doing so would be too obviously suspected of forming a faction, and it would be easy for others to use it against him.

The person chosen to represent the bride's family must first be of high social standing, reside in Beijing, and secondly, not cause any adverse impact on their career.

While Zhu Yin was pondering, Ning Caiwei confidently said:

“I already had an idea about this. Isn’t Qin Liangyu still in Beijing? The Shizhu Pacification Commission has a residence in Beijing.”

"Qin Liangyu was older than me, so I recognized her as my elder sister and lived in her family's mansion in Beijing. Then, she arranged for me to marry into the Zhu family under the pretext of marrying off her younger sister. The formalities of marriage were all conducted at the Xuanfusi mansion."

Qin Liangyu! Zhu Yin's eyes lit up. How could he have forgotten Qin Liangyu?

Caiwei really knows how to find people; why didn't she think of Qin Liangyu?
Qin Liangyu was truly the most suitable candidate.

Firstly, powerful chieftains like those of Shizhu Xuanfu Si all had official residences in Beijing. When chieftains came to the capital to pay homage or report on their official duties, they stayed in these residences. These residences served not only as the official residences of the chieftain nobles in Beijing but also as liaison offices.

Qin Liangyu is currently in Beijing, temporarily residing in Dongjiangmi Lane in Nanxunfang, a famous area for envoys during the Yuan Dynasty.

Not only envoys from foreign vassal states such as Korea, Annam, Ryukyu, and Siam, but also envoys from tribes such as the Mongols, Jurchens, and Tibetans, even the chieftains from the southwest, stayed in Dongjiangmi Lane when they came to Beijing. In fact, it was the Dongjiaomin Lane of the Qing Dynasty.

It wasn't far from the Zhu residence in Caomao Hutong. Ning Caiwei traveled there in a sedan chair, a journey of only about half an hour.

Moreover, Qin Liangyu was the wife of the Pacification Commissioner. The Shizhu Pacification Commission was an old-established chieftaincy dating back to the Song Dynasty, encompassing over two hundred li (approximately 100 kilometers) and hundreds of thousands of subjects. Because chieftains had considerable autonomy over their territories, Qin Liangyu's status was actually very high, far exceeding that of an ordinary fourth-rank imperial consort.

Qin Liangyu was a chieftain and would leave the capital sooner or later. She had no power in the capital and belonged to the southwestern power circle, far from the central government, so she would not touch the sensitive nerves of the court.

Zhu Yin valued Qin Liangyu, but the court officials did not. Qin Liangyu's decision to lead troops into battle this time was solely at Zhu Yin's behest. No matter how close the Zhu family and Qin Liangyu became, the emperor and his ministers would not take it seriously.

More importantly, the Zhu family could use this opportunity to establish an alliance with Qin Liangyu and the Shizhu Pacification Commissioner's Office.

Who could be more suitable than Qin Liangyu?
“Then let’s have Qin Liangyu,” Zhu Yin said without hesitation. “Let’s stage a scene of Liangyu marrying off her sister! With my influence, she’ll definitely agree. The wedding is in just over ten days, and I’ll take you to meet her tomorrow.”

Ning Caiwei nodded and smiled, "Then it's settled. She will definitely acknowledge me as her sister. Putting everything else aside, we both have unbound feet. Isn't that fate?"

"At that time, Sister Qin will be my family. If you bully me, Little Tiger, such as taking concubines, having affairs, or divorcing my wife and marrying again, favoring concubines over my wife, she, as a female general, can stand up for me, hehe."

Zhu Yin was immediately stunned. "How could that be? Caiwei, you're so insecure. Do you think I, Zhu Yin, am that kind of person?"

Ning Qingchen immediately shook her head vigorously, "It's definitely not a little tiger. President Ning, you're overthinking it. Don't you even have this much trust?"

Ning Caiwei was speechless and slammed her teacup down. "I was just joking. You guys are really something. I was just saying it. Why are you all so nervous?"

He changed the subject, saying, "I'll be staying at Qin Liangyu's mansion tomorrow. You should immediately ask the matchmaker to come and arrange the betrothal and name inquiry. The betrothal letter will be sent in three days at the latest, the gift letter in three days after that, and the welcoming letter in three days after that."

As Ning Caiwei spoke, she handed over a piece of paper. “The schedule is all here. If you think it’s okay, then do it this way. The day after I move in, we’ll do the betrothal and name-asking ceremony. On the third day of next month, we’ll send out the betrothal letter and auspicious date ceremony. On the sixth day, we’ll send out the gift letter, set the date, and send out the welcoming letter. On the twelfth day, we’ll personally welcome him.”

Zhu Yin nodded and said, "Although it was rushed, it is complete, with all the three letters and six rites. I have no objection; this is the best solution."

Ning Caiwei smiled and said, "How much dowry are you planning to give? It can't be too little."

"No matter how much the bride price is, isn't it still your money?" Zhu Yin couldn't help but laugh. "I am an upright official and I am irreconcilable with corruption. How much salary do I have? Adding the allowances for officials outside the capital, it's not much at all in a year."

Zhu Yin was telling the truth. Although he had been an official for several years and was not a paragon of virtue, he had never embezzled or accepted a single tael of silver.

If it were any other civil official, would they have embezzled less military pay and spoils during this campaign to quell the rebellion in the Northwest?
Zhu Yin really doesn't try to make money.

Ning Caiwei rolled her eyes at him, "Isn't what's mine yours? It's just a transfer from one hand to the other, it's just a formality. If the betrothal gifts are too small, I'll lose face. If the dowry is too small, I'll lose face too."

After saying that, he handed over a booklet. "Take a look. The list of betrothal gifts and dowry is all here. They are all worth about the same, over 30,000 taels of silver each."

Zhu Yin chuckled. What a grand gesture! The dowry and betrothal gifts are worth over thirty thousand taels of silver. Even nobles and marquises wouldn't be this extravagant for their weddings. President Ning is truly extravagant!
Upon receiving the list, I saw that the items listed for the betrothal gifts were:
"Nine hundred taels of gold, nine thousand taels of silver, nine hundred bolts of brocade, nine hundred bolts of silk damask, nine liters of pearls, two complete sets of headdresses, two bolts of Shandong silk, two bolts of kesi (silk tapestry)..."

Looking at the dowry, it was about the same. But it was just money moving from one hand to the other, so it didn't really matter how much more there was.

Zhu Yin was somewhat lost in thought when he saw the list. His focus was different from Ning Caiwei's, and this made him think about the state of affairs in the world.

During the Wanli reign, extravagance was rampant, and marriages were valued for their profit, leading the common people to jokingly refer to it as "buying and selling in-laws." Regardless of wealth, families across the land demanded gold, silver, pearls, jade, and brocade for weddings, and people were vain and competitive, causing many to go bankrupt due to wedding expenses.

The chaotic state of marriage customs during this period was remarkably similar to that of later generations, truly a reflection of the decline and fall of the Ming Dynasty. Whenever society deteriorates, the changes in marriage customs become apparent.

"What are you thinking about?" Ning Caiwei couldn't help but ask. She could tell that Zhu Yin was lost in thought and his mind wasn't on the gift list.

“The current state of marriage customs is far too extravagant.” Zhu Yin closed the book. “If this trend is not stopped, social decline is inevitable, and the moral decay of the people will be difficult to reverse. Now I understand why the Manchu Qing dynasty was able to rule for two or three hundred years with such a small army.”

Zhu Yin lightly tapped the gift list on the coffee table. “When the people are corrupted by materialism, their bones soften and their integrity is eroded. The saying ‘laughing at poverty but not at prostitution’ is exactly what we’re seeing now. No matter how many people like this there are, they are just soft-bodied animals and cannot withstand the Manchu’s butcher’s knife. Wanli truly deserves to be called the emperor of the late Ming Dynasty. He led the way in worshipping money. He was a money-worshipping emperor.”

"Here we go again!" Ning Caiwei said, both amused and exasperated. "It's just my wedding, and you're bringing up all this useless stuff! You're not the emperor, why are you worrying about this? We're supposed to be celebrating a happy occasion, but you're bringing up matters of state and national importance. You're just destined to be a worrier!"

Ning Qingchen's little face was solemn as she clenched her fists and said:

“Little Tiger, you’re right, your concerns are valid! Human spiritual civilization is the highest quality. Once it’s polluted and distorted by materialism, the spirit is buried, betrayed, and trampled upon. Such people have no power, only shallow and base desires! Cowardly, vulgar, snobbish…” “President Ning, your indifference to this seems numb. I’m a doctor, but I can only heal the body, not the soul…”

Seeing that her sister was about to continue the topic, Ning Caiwei immediately looked utterly dejected and quickly interrupted her:

"Dr. Ning, shut up! I'm discussing my wedding right now. What does this have to do with you? Do you think I'm numb? I'm heartless! Why don't you two live together? I'm leaving!"

Ning Caiwei was a little angry.

"Little Tiger, are you still going to get married or not? If you are, let's get down to business! So, I'm the only one who's really putting into this wedding? Did I just throw myself at it? Was it a gift?"

Zhu Yin quickly laughed and said, "Yes, yes, of course! The gift list is no problem, let's do it this way. As for the matchmaker, of course we should invite a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), let's invite Hao Yunlai."

"Ask him to be your matchmaker?" Ning Caiwei was a little surprised. "This man is a fickle political opportunist who has always been at odds with you and is also your political enemy. You said he wanted to impeach you, and you still asked him to be your matchmaker?"

Zhu Yin said, "So you don't understand the ways of officialdom. Politics is a struggle within compromise, a struggle without breaking apart. It's a matter of you in me and me in you, not a clear distinction. Yan Song and Xu Jie were mortal enemies, but that didn't stop Xu Jie from marrying his granddaughter to Yan Song's grandson as a concubine."

"Hao Yunlai wanted to impeach me, but I made him the matchmaker. That shows my magnanimity and reputation. He is my political enemy, but he can be used by me. This man is two-faced and opportunistic. Making him the matchmaker may be of unexpected use in the future."

"He himself would certainly be happy to be the ice man."

Ning Caiwei understood, and gently shook her head, saying, "So, Hao Yunlai impeached you while also being happy to play the matchmaker. You officials are truly wicked and unreasonable. Even in my later years, I hated dealing with officials; they are the most hypocritical."

"Alright, that's enough about the wedding. Next is Nurhaci. He sent someone to our residence today, saying he really wants to see you. But your brother Wild Boar Skin is quite thoughtful. He doesn't want the emperor and court officials to know about your relationship. He said he'll visit other officials first and then come to our house the day after tomorrow to avoid suspicion."

Zhu Yin knew what was going on. "Alright, then I'll wait for him at home the day after tomorrow. It's been several years since I've seen him. He has already taken over five tribes in Jianzhou and will soon unify Jianzhou. He probably has an army of 30,000 now, and his strength should not be underestimated."

“He came to Beijing not only to pay tribute and sell goods, but also to fight against the Japanese pirates. My previous arrangements have worked. He had petitioned for troops to fight against the Japanese pirates before, and this time he will be even more determined. My next step is to get the court to agree to let him go.”

Ning Caiwei asked, "How many people do you plan to have him take?"

Zhu Yin held up one finger: "Let him select at least 10,000 elite Jianzhou soldiers! Too few won't do, too many will benefit the Yehe and other tribes. Hmm, it would be best if the court agreed to let the Yehe tribe also send troops! We can't weaken Nurhaci and let the Yehe become too powerful."

"If I can go to Korea to take charge of the overall situation, I will use Jurchen soldiers, Mongol soldiers, and chieftain soldiers."

Just as Zhu Yin was speaking, a clear bell rang out from outside.

The three of them immediately stood up and went to the outer room.

Soon, Kangxi and Qianlong's voices came from outside:

"My lord, there's new information. Zheng Guowang has impeached you for misappropriating military spoils in the northwest, distributing them as rewards to soldiers without authorization, with the amount exceeding the military pay, and suspected of trying to win over the hearts of the people..."

"Hao Yunlai impeached the lord for being domineering and autocratic, making decisions on major matters with a single word without ever consulting the imperial inspector, which violated the established procedures of the court... He said that the lord coveted the credit for the Northwest, always taking risks and treating the dangers of war as child's play..."

"...within each clause, there were always four or five charges. The memorial was submitted to the palace, and the emperor instructed that it be sent back to the court for deliberation!"

Zhu Yin already knew that the two had decided to impeach him, so he was not surprised at all when he heard the latest information.

Even so, he couldn't help but curse Wanli.

That money-grubbing emperor is truly despicable. I've already handed over so much spoils to the imperial treasury, which has caused discontent among the upright officials. And you, having taken my tribute, don't even speak up for me?!
If you had any sense of responsibility, you should have kept quiet about the impeachments from Zheng Guowang and Hao Yunlai, or simply rejected them.

What the hell do you mean by sending this back for deliberation? Are you suggesting we discuss whether I'm guilty?
I just won a great victory in the Northwest and presented prisoners at the Meridian Gate today, and you're already turning your back on me?

Zhu Yin, without changing his expression, ordered, "Make arrangements tonight. Those who should speak out should speak out. This time, I want to see if we can still be convicted after winning a great victory!"

Kangxi and Qianlong accepted the order and made arrangements overnight.

Zhu Yin returned to his dormitory and immediately began writing letters to make arrangements.

Unexpectedly, another struggle began on my very first day back.

As Ning Caiwei ground ink for him, she watched Zhu Yin write a letter, her eyes filled with a pang of heartache.

The position of "Little Tiger" was prestigious, but it was also very difficult.

After Zhu Yin finished writing several letters and sent them out overnight, Ning Caiwei continued with the family meeting.

"Also, Qingchen is already six years old, so we can't all sleep in the same dormitory anymore. It would sound really bad if word got out."

"Besides, it's inconvenient for everyone."

Ning Caiwei found it somewhat difficult to talk about this.

Ning Qingchen immediately raised her small face, "What? What are you afraid of? You think I'm in your way and want to kick me out?"

Ning Caiwei couldn't help but rub her temples. "Little sister, you're not a real child. Even if your mindset was infantilized after the rebirth, you're still six years old now. You're a doctor, what don't you understand? How can you be so shameless as to stay with us every night?"

Ning Qingchen was on the verge of tears, "But we've been together all these years."

Ning Caiwei patted her head. "I know you just want to be a child and don't want to grow up. But you have to grow up eventually. Little Tiger is already fifteen, and his body has developed. It's too inconvenient for him. Boys and girls are different..."

Ning Qingchen's eyes were blurry with tears; she remained silent, simply keeping her head down.

Ning Caiwei decided that she couldn't be soft-hearted this time; no matter what, the three of them couldn't share a bedroom.

So embarrassing.

Zhu Yin wisely refrained from interfering. He remained silent, pretending not to hear, and then picked up a book and pretended to read it under the lamp.

Gradually, Ning Qingchen's sobs filled the room, each sob pitiful.
"I know you all think I'm in the way, that I'm a third wheel, and you've wanted to kick me out for ages, but I'm only six! In ancient times, it was pitch black at night, so eerie, and you wanted me to sleep alone? What kind of older sister are you... Waaah..."

P.S.: I'm not feeling well today and just want to sleep. I can't keep my eyes open anymore, so I'll stop here. I'll try to update more tomorrow. Thank you, and please vote!

(End of this chapter)