The Bride of Xuchang
In the wake of Chang'an and Luoyang, Xuchang had become the new capital of the Han Dynasty.
And once the grand construction of the new imperial city was complete and the massive migration had ended, a truly magnificent wedding took place.
A man of the east, a woman of the west — their hearts entwined in love.
United as husband and wife, every household overflows with greater laughter.
When the family grows and flourishes, peace of heart shall reign within the walls.
Cao Cao had staggered out with a wine cup in hand during my wedding to Cai Yan and improvised this celebratory poem on the spot. He delivered each word and syllable with crisp precision, and the way they all fell perfectly into place proved that he truly was a poet at heart.
The bride, Cai Yan, then appeared from the opposite side wearing her ceremonial robes and performed the formal bows.
Her soft pink bridal gown clung elegantly to every curve of her body, while each intricate pattern had been stitched with meticulous care. The garment radiated grace and dignity.
We had already been together every single day, our passion overflowing like scattered sesame seeds. Yet standing here with her in the wedding veil, exchanging formal vows, filled my heart with a profound sense of abundance.
Cai Yan met my gaze and offered that gentle, compassionate smile that was uniquely hers.
“I, Cao Cao, Minister of Works, hereby declare these two to be husband and wife!”
“Oh ho ho ho— This Grand Tutor Cao Song, who oversees the Three Offices, also makes this declaration.”
“Father!”
When Cao Song emerged, supported by his favorite concubine, the entire Cao and Xiahou clans surged forward in a great wave to greet him.
“What a perfectly matched pair they make, don’t they?”
“Thank you, Great-uncle.”
“Aman, bring out the wine! Is today not the day my grandson takes a wife? I must drink to my heart’s content!”
“Father, are you sure your health can handle it?”
“On a day like today, I could empty several jars and still not feel drunk!”
Cao Song ordered Cao Cao to serve the wine, and the atmosphere of the banquet soared to new heights.
After the ceremony, the feast began in earnest, and congratulations poured in from every direction. An elderly eunuch even arrived bearing a personal message from His Majesty the Emperor.
“Lord Chief Eunuch!”
“I offer my sincere congratulations on your marriage. His Majesty also sends his blessings to the Commandant of Cavalry and has bestowed upon you a gift.”
Cai Yan and I immediately prostrated ourselves to receive the imperial present.
A pair of silver wine cups bestowed by His Majesty for the newlyweds.
Even though the Emperor himself was absent, he had sent a matching pair of silver cups. I filled them once more with the nuptial wine, shared it with Cai Yan, then raised my cup to receive the well-wishes of everyone who had come.
“Hyu.”
“Mother.”
I dropped to my knees and bowed deeply before the mother who had traveled all the way from distant Qiao County. In this world, she was the second mother who had cared for me so tenderly during my childhood.
“I heard back in Qiao County that you have been serving the nation under the Grand Tutor and the Minister of Works. And now you’ve even taken a wife.”
Mother patted my shoulder affectionately, then took Cai Yan’s hands in hers.
“Thank you for choosing to live with my son.”
“Not at all, Mother. From now on, I will serve him with all my heart.”
“No, no. I will return to my hometown in Qiao County. You two must live well here in the capital where His Majesty resides.”
Once again, Mother refused to live with us and insisted on returning to Qiao County. She said she didn’t want to become a burden to her child and preferred to live out her days on her native soil. No amount of persuasion could change her mind.
While Mother was speaking with Lady Ding and Cai Yan, the sound of raucous drinking games and people calling my name echoed from every corner.
“Ziye! You lucky bridegroom!”
“Ah, Uncle Zilian.”
“A new groom must drink a full bowl! Come here!”
Cao Hong, already quite drunk, called me over and poured wine into a large bowl until it overflowed. Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun stood beside him.
“Congratulations. You’re truly an adult now, aren’t you?”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
“Marriage is no easy path. Living together every day, you’ll have your share of fights and arguments. When that happens, well…”
“Brother Zilian, what kind of talk is that in front of the new groom?”
Though Cao Ren tried to stop him, Cao Hong merely chuckled and pointed at him.
“This fellow lost all his spark after he had a son. Is your wife really that terrifying?”
“Brother Zilian…”
“These days you can’t even stand the sound of drums? You used to love watching barefoot drum performances.”
“D-don’t bring that up here!”
Ah… the barefoot drum performance.
That was the very “welcome party” I had received when I first joined Cao Cao’s army. Female entertainers had danced atop drums, slowly removing their socks one by one before performing barefoot while beating the drums in rhythm.
I had wondered why the men got so excited over bare feet, but seeing how mortified Cao Ren looked, it seemed he considered it a youthful indiscretion he’d rather forget. Come to think of it, ever since that day, the courtesan houses run by Wei Hong had…
“Ziye, take this.”
“Uncle Xiahou, isn’t this a quiver?”
“It’s a wedding gift from that fellow Yan. I told him to come down, but he said he had to guard the front lines of Yan Province at a time like this. What a boring man.”
No wonder Xiahou Yuan was nowhere to be seen. It seemed he had sent only the gift while remaining at the forefront to protect the province.
Now that I thought about it, several others were also absent. Xun Yu had sent only a gift and congratulatory money because he was too busy. Cheng Yu had made a brief appearance, declined to drink, and left. Yue Jin, Li Dian, and Li Jin were busy reorganizing Yan Province alongside Xiahou Yuan. Cao Chun remained in Qiao County training troops, while Cao Cao’s younger brother Cao De and his son Cao Anmin had gone to oversee the reconstruction of Luoyang.
“Anyway, live well. If you have a son, I’ll be his godfather.”
“Thank you, Uncle Zixiao.”
The fact that Cao Ren himself offered to be my son’s godfather meant that any child of mine would undoubtedly grow into an exceptional warrior and commander.
After exchanging greetings with the Cao and Xiahou clans, I looked around to find the venue still packed with people. Cao Cao had opened his granaries wide, allowing every citizen of Xuchang to enjoy meat soup and flatbread. Even complete strangers praised the Cao family while eating their fill.
“I’ve caught all these bastards!”
“Eek!”
“Wait, Young Master Cao?”
Dian Wei suddenly burst in covered head to toe in blood, causing everyone nearby to recoil in shock. The giant, whose height exceeded even the tallest man by a full head and whose build was twice as broad, held five or six chickens in each massive hand. Their necks had been twisted clean off, and blood splattered everywhere.
“Cook! Where’s the cook? I killed these chickens like you asked, but where should I put them?!”
“Ah, goodness, my lord! Please hand them over!”
The kitchen staff rushed over in a panic and took the blood-soaked chickens whose necks Dian Wei had crushed. Even in that state, he strode straight up to me and clapped one of his cauldron-lid-sized hands on my shoulder.
“I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage. Thanks to today, I’ve eaten my fill.”
“Ah… hahaha.”
Well, since he had come to offer congratulations and even helped supply more meat by catching chickens and pigs, I supposed I should welcome him with open arms.
After that, I met many more people.
Lady Bian, who looked after Cao Cao’s concubines in Yan Province while Lady Ding was absent, had come with her sons Cao Pi, Cao Ang, and Cao Zhi. Lady Huan, whose belly had grown noticeably round since I last saw her, had informed Cao Cao of her pregnancy. The child in her womb was surely a son, and his name would be Cao Chong.
“You’re from Yingchuan too? Looks like I’ve found another fellow countryman.”
“My learning is still lacking, so I ask for your guidance.”
“Though his scholarship may be lacking, this man’s swordsmanship is considered the best in the Central Plains.”
“Then why would someone with such skill choose the boring path of a civil official?”
The three men chatting and drinking in that corner were none other than Guo Jia, Xun You, and the welcome face of Xu Shu.
“Brother Yuanzhi!”
“Oh! Wenlie— I mean, my apologies. Ziye!”
It had been a very long time since I last saw Xu Shu. During the suppression of the rebellion in Puyang, he had suffered severe injuries fighting Lu Bu and several of his bones had been broken. He had been recuperating for a long time and had only now recovered enough to appear.
“Are you fully healed?”
“I can swing my sword a thousand times a day now.”
“I’m glad to hear it. It’s wonderful to see you looking so healthy again.”
“Come visit Puyang from time to time.”
Xu Shu was currently serving as a local official’s clerk in Yan Province while Cao Cao was away, learning the ropes step by step. The name of the swordmaster and wandering hero Xu Shu was gradually fading as he earnestly walked the path of a civil official.
“A man from Pei Kingdom’s Qiao County has joined the Yingchuan gathering. Still, let’s share a drink.”
“Of course! How could the bridegroom refuse a drink?”
Xun You took charge of the table, generously filling the cups of Guo Jia, Xu Shu, and myself.
“Aigoo, I miss my own concubine too. Hey… hurry up and come to the new capital already.”
Xun You mentioned his own favorite concubine as he raised his cup and drank with evident pleasure.
Besides them, so many distinguished figures came to offer congratulations that it would be impossible to list them all. There was a congratulatory letter from the Emperor’s father-in-law Dong Cheng, Fu De—the brother of Imperial Consort Fu—and Man Chong, who had taken charge of public security in Xuchang. Though he didn’t drink, he came to show his face and offer his blessings. His friend Xu Huang, who had recently defected to Cao Cao’s army, was also present.
Finally, there was Cai Wenji—my close friend and the bride’s only family member—and Cao Ang, who had been hiding behind a wall with her before I caught him. We ate and drank together late into the night until I finally slipped away toward the bridal chamber.
But an unexpected person was waiting for me there.
“You have arrived. The bride has been waiting for you in the bridal chamber for some time.”
“Ah, Lady Wei?”
Wei Hong stood at the entrance of the bridal chamber, waiting for me. She offered a polite bow, dressed in formal attire perfectly suited for the occasion. She approached with graceful composure and spoke with refined dignity.
“I sincerely congratulate you on this marriage that has received blessings from so many. Please continue to look after our merchant group in the future.”
“No, no. As for the merchant group… if I need help, I will certainly ask for your assistance.”
Wei Hong smiled softly at my words, quietly opened the door for me, and withdrew.
The moment I stepped inside, the rich scent of plum blossoms washed over me, accompanied by a faint, elegant fragrance.
And beside my wife Cai Yan were…
“Uh… uhh… uhhhhhhhh?”
“Young Master.”
“Young Master, we sincerely congratulate you.”
“How could the bride be such a breathtakingly beautiful woman? We are truly in awe, my lord.”
W-why are all of you here?
They were the courtesans who had once been connected to me through Wei Hong’s establishments and her intelligence network. Huayan, the dancer of Yan Province with whom I had first been intimate.
Miaomiao, whom I had met in Puyang. Dayuan, the beautiful Western woman from the distant kingdom of Daewan with her striking blue eyes and light brown hair. And Geumryeon, known as the Golden Swallow, renowned for her exquisite dancing and singing.
They were all women who had shared a night with me.
“How could we possibly miss Young Master Cao’s wedding? By order of Manager Wei, we have been serving as the bride’s attendants and preparing for this moment.”
“Good heavens…”
No matter how you looked at it, this was too much. While I did feel a twinge of guilt for marrying while leaving behind those old connections, to have those very courtesans standing before my principal wife…
“Husband.”
Cai Yan spoke.
“These women are ones I personally asked Lady Wei to invite.”
“W-what?”
“A man of your generous character and noble appearance was bound to have melted the hearts of many women. I simply assumed as much.”
Cai Yan took the hands of the courtesans standing in the bridal chamber and smiled without the slightest hint of discomfort.
“So I asked Manager Wei, who has known you for a long time, to bring the women with whom you shared a connection. I informed them that I had become your wife, gave them gifts, and spoke with them at length. A good connection between people should continue, don’t you think?”
Good heavens… was there ever a woman like this in the world?
She had summoned even the women I had met during my wild, pleasure-seeking youth, announced our marriage to them, given them gifts, and openly approved of our continued meetings.
“Young Master, you truly possess the greatest fortune with women under heaven. A lady of this caliber is perfectly suited to be your wife.”
“From now on, we will continue to interact with Lady Cai, learn literature from her, and practice needlework together.”
“That’s right. The wife herself gave permission. She said women of similar age need places to gather and spend time together.”
Not only Huayan, but Miaomiao, Dayuan, and Geumryeon as well had all been completely won over by Cai Yan’s character. They gladly agreed to serve as her attendants and asked to be in her care going forward.
“Now, now~ Although it has been a long time since we last saw the young master, today’s true protagonists are the bride and groom. We shall take our leave.”
“Yes. Manager Wei told us not to stay too long.”
“Once again, congratulations, Young Master.”
“My lady, please keep the sachet of musk I gave you close to your heart at all times.”
The four women rose, bowed to me, then left the chamber giggling among themselves as they headed back to where Wei Hong was waiting.
“Um…”
Cai Yan continued to look at me with her serene, gentle smile.
“Shouldn’t you now properly remove it? The silk veil upon my head.”
A whirlwind of emotions surged through me.
Yet I felt nothing but sincere gratitude toward the wife who had accepted everything about me. I reached out and gently lifted the veil from her head.
Then I held her in my arms for a long, long time.
“Thank… No. I am truly grateful.”
For not minding my promiscuous past, for never bringing it up unnecessarily, for accepting it all and granting permission with the magnanimity of a great person… In any case, I was grateful for everything.
Cai Yan quietly embraced me as well. I could feel her breath against me. At that moment, the scent of musk bloomed strongly, and my mind was dyed a deep crimson.
It was the red of love.