Lin Yan also sent a wedding gift to Wang Linlang's wedding.
Lin Yan had also met the person she chose as the groom. He had previously passed the imperial examination as a Shu Jishi, and Lin Yan had even served as his colleague for a few days. Later, she was assigned to a local post, and that person was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue.
Although his official position was relatively low, the Ministry of Revenue was considered a good assignment. It seemed that the bride's family had also put in considerable effort for him.
This way, he would rely on the bride's maternal family for quite some time, and it was unlikely he would treat the bride poorly.
Although Lin Yan had only worked with that person for a brief few days, she could tell he was a gentle individual.
Even if he couldn't give the bride a life filled with thrilling or tumultuous events, a simple and peaceful life was the essence of existence. Lin Yan believed the bride likely felt the same.
However, Lin Yan soon had no time to ponder others, as she began preparing for her own wedding. Wedding attire and the like were to be handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department.
But she still prepared some other items herself. Although the weather was turning cold, just as the northern geese were migrating south, she went out on a day off and brought back a pair of wild geese.
Nowadays, many people used carved wooden geese for weddings, and some even used geese.
However, Lin Yan's pair of wild geese attracted the attention of many in the capital. The only comparable items were those belonging to the Zhuangyuan scholar who had become a驸马 (fù mǎ - husband of a princess).
Although no one explicitly said it, they were all silently comparing in their hearts.
This Prince Consort, despite his ordinary family background, was truly devoted to the Princess.
This was Lin Yan's first time preparing betrothal gifts. Usually, the groom's family prepared them. Now, as the groom, she found the whole process quite novel.
She personally reviewed every single item, and even chose the designs for the invitations and wrote them herself.
The Emperor was pleased to see Lin Yan valuing this marriage so highly. What he thought was less important than ensuring that the imperial family was not disrespected.
This Lin Yan was quite sensible. After Fu An died, he wouldn't mind promoting him a bit.
Meanwhile, Zhao Hao looked at the pair of lively wild geese and found them amusing. He hadn't expected Yan Ge to have such capabilities.
However, he felt that once his identity was restored, he would need to go through this process again. As a man, he couldn't be outdone by Yan Ge.
"Keep them in the warm house and take good care of them. They need to be brought back on the wedding day."
Zhao Hao instructed the people around him. He wondered if wild geese were easy to hunt. Yan Ge truly seemed capable of anything.
Once he and Yan Ge were living together, he definitely had to uncover everything Yan Ge knew, one by one.
As the wild geese were being carried out in their cage, the Princess Consort happened to be entering from outside.
"These were sent by Yan'er. Quite thoughtful." It seemed her son's affection wasn't unrequited.
Although Lin Yan hadn't explicitly confessed her feelings, the way she valued An An's wedding showed her affection for An An.
She just didn't know when the two of them had developed feelings for each other.
"Yes, I never expected Yan Ge, a frail scholar, to possess such skills."
"Yan'er is no frail scholar." The Princess Consort knew many of Lin Yan's deeds. In the past two years, Lin Yan had greatly assisted the Prince in his official duties.
"Come and look at your dowry list so you understand what you have. By the way, the Imperial Household Department will also send another dowry tomorrow. I heard the Emperor wants you to marry with the ceremony of a princess.
When you get married, he will issue an imperial decree to confer you the title of Princess." Although the Princess Consort said this with a smile, both she and Zhao Hao understood that they could not be grateful for the Emperor's kindness.
"Then do I need to go to the palace to thank this Imperial Uncle?"
"No need. Mother Consort has already declined on your behalf. You will depart directly from the Prince's manor, circle the city once, and then go to Yan Ge's residence.
Your Princess Manor, no, it should be your Imperial Princess Manor, because His Majesty suddenly changed his mind, and the original residence is a bit small. It is currently under renovation. It will likely not be finished before your wedding."
The Princess Consort took her son's hand, as if to support him, and they walked inside together.
"So you will have to live in that small courtyard for some time. I've seen Yan Ge's courtyard, it has heated walls and won't get cold for you."
"My body has already recovered considerably. I'm not that afraid of the cold."
"You may not be afraid of the cold, but your Yan Ge is afraid of you being cold." The Princess Consort gently tapped his forehead with her finger.
Although Zhao Hao's health had improved, they were still very cautious with him. They always felt he was still the child who had been sickly in bed all those years, small and sensible, yet causing them so much heartache.
"Yan Ge is good to me!"
Once inside the room, the Princess Consort placed the booklet on the table. "An An, you will probably have to endure for two more years, at most two years."
"Mother Consort, I'm not in a hurry. Please tell Father King to be extremely careful in all matters. This is a major undertaking, and thorough preparations must be made." Zhao Hao clasped his mother Consort's hand.
"Mother Consort, I hope you and Father Emperor will be well."
"Mother Consort knows. We will definitely protect ourselves well."
"As long as Father King makes no move, that person won't do anything to me. When you start your move, I will leave the capital with Yan Ge.
If you don't trust me, you must trust Yan Ge, right? She will definitely protect us."
"Yes, you two being together also puts me and your Father King at ease. Yan'er is a person of great talent. Listen to her well."
"I will."
The weather grew colder. This year, as the Princess Consort was also in the capital, the Emperor invited her to attend the palace banquet.
However, before the banquet, Princess Fu An fell ill again, this time very seriously. She was unconscious and unable to eat or drink.
The Emperor sent his trusted eunuch to see her before he believed the situation.
This meant the Princess Consort could no longer attend the palace banquet, and the Emperor sent many medicinal herbs.
Before the banquet began, the Emperor expressed his concern for Princess Fu An, which displeased the princess next to the Noble Consort.
"How unlucky!" she muttered under her breath.
The Noble Consort, sitting beside her, glared at her when no one was looking.
"If you don't know how to speak, then shut up. Don't cause trouble here!"
"Mother Consort!" Princess Min felt wronged, but there were many people present, so she dared not say anything more.
When everyone was seated, the Emperor raised his goblet, and the banquet began.
Looking at his many descendants, and then thinking of the gravely ill Princess Fu An of the Yingchuan Prince's manor, his mood improved even further.
At the same time, he noticed Princess Min, born to the Noble Consort. Thinking that this princess was also of marriageable age, he announced that he would find a suitable husband for Princess Min.
The Noble Consort quickly expressed her gratitude and motioned for Princess Min to also thank him.