After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1106 - 1091: Marriage System

Princess Hongnong smiled and thanked them, then took Fu Xuan to send off Zhao Song. As the principal officiant, the Princess and Fu Xuan should rightfully accompany him.

Mrs. Wang also hurriedly put down her wine glass, wanting to follow them.

Zhao Hanzhang gladly agreed, bowed to let them pass, and only rose after they left the room. She gestured to Ting He for a refill, lifted her glass, and said, "Come, everyone, today is a grand celebration for Fu Tinghan and me. Thank you all for joining us to celebrate. I toast to you all."

Everyone promptly raised their glasses in return.

Zhao Hanzhang poured another glass, smiling, "As the year-end approaches, according to custom, the court should seal operations on the 22nd of the twelfth month so everyone can celebrate the New Year peacefully, resuming official duties on the 8th. But this year is different; the nation is just stabilizing. Droughts, locusts, and wars have left countless people displaced, with the cold setting in and various matters arising daily. I have burdened you, dear colleagues, with excessive work. Let me offer this glass as an apology."

Everyone hastily said it was no matter, while Ji Yuan couldn’t help but remark, "Speaking of toil, the Great General has worked the hardest; how dare we claim credit?"

Many officials chimed in, "We only serve the people."

"Well said!" Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, "For the people indeed! Let us toast to all aspirants who contribute to society."

The atmosphere grew lively, with everyone raising their glasses and drinking heartily.

Once everyone delightedly set down their glasses, Zhao Hanzhang took another glass and turned to Zhao Cheng, asking, "Uncle Cheng, today’s wedding follows a new format. What do you think? Could it be incorporated into ’rites’ and widely adopted?"

Zhao Cheng had yet to speak when Fan Ying, with bright eyes, interjected, "I think it could be. Today’s wedding expenses are much less than the old format. The Great Jin is in a time of rebuilding, focusing on frugality, and honoring both parents might lessen the bride’s separation anxiety."

The officials’ brows twitched, and someone immediately responded, "The Great General has a unique status, so the rites followed can naturally be special, but using this as an example to change the wedding rites seems ill-advised, doesn’t it?"

This wedding format suits Zhao Hanzhang; if she requested a wedding in the Imperial Palace itself, they would be delighted. However, it wouldn’t be suitable if they were the protagonists.

Especially for those who haven’t married or have sons.

Even those with daughters of marriageable age were not amenable. The groom wouldn’t even come to pick up the bride, showing no respect. It’s unacceptable.

"It’s proper to follow traditional rites; how could both sets of parents be honored simultaneously with just one feast for both families?"

"Why not?" Fan Ying retorted, "One feast would reduce expenses significantly, and guests would only need to present gifts once. Traditional weddings are a burden for impoverished families, making marriage difficult."

"Wealth permits extravagance; scarcity demands thrift. It’s a private affair; how does it affect the wedding rites?"

Wang Hufeng remarked, "That way of thinking is unreasonable. Customs often change with the elite, hence the existence of rites."

Wang Hufeng’s words promptly silenced those holding that view.

Many officials turned to Xun Fan, who had studied the Book of Rites extensively and served as the Crown Prince’s Tutor, thus having more authority on this matter.

Xun Fan also disagreed, his gaze moving from Fan Ying to Zhao Hanzhang, smiling as he tried to ease the tension, "Today is the Great General and Minister Fu’s joyous occasion; why discuss such matters of state, which spoil the mood? If Imperial Censor Fan wished, perhaps submit a proposal after the New Year."

Fan Ying gave a slight smile, "This is just casual conversation. With colleagues gathered here, it’s more engaging than merely drinking. Why not discuss?"

She smiled at Zhao Hanzhang, "Great General, do you mind if we discuss such matters?"

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand smilingly, "I don’t mind. It’s timely to hear everyone’s thoughts; many families plan marriages during the twelfth month and January. If you settle on new wedding rites, announce it for everyone to try."

"Great General, wedding rites are sacred. How can they be treated trivially?"

"Indeed, the Great General’s status differs from others, thus her wedding rites can deviate from the norm. But for others, traditional rites should still be followed."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Rites are amongst the five most common formalities, led by wedding rites, adapting over eras to suit societal changes. I’ve heard many places now use white wedding attire; does anyone know why?"

Xun Fan bowed, "Due to the continuous wars in the Central Plains, both aristocratic clans and local people long for peace and simplicity. Of all colors, white represents purity, hence its widespread use in wedding attire."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Yet traditional rites dictate the bride should wear dark attire, thus proving rites can evolve to match public sentiment."

General Cheng Da, one of Zhao Hanzhang’s confidants, blushed deeply, unable to hold back, "Then, following public sentiment, does my reluctance mean I need not follow new wedding rites?"

Zhao Hanzhang raised her gaze towards him.

The officials felt a chill up their spines, anxiously holding their breath.

Zhao Hanzhang asked him, "General Cheng, do you disregard the court’s protocols? Do colleagues plan the same?"

Everyone shook their heads; that label was too heavy to bear.

They all glared at Cheng Da—better to abstain from speaking than withdraw with him.

For a moment, silence filled the room; the atmosphere stagnated slightly.

Zhao Cheng, who had been unable to speak, then said, "I disagree; such wedding rites lack the support of established norms."

The atmosphere grew even more tense.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to sit on a chair, wearing a stern expression without a word, silencing all. The festive mood at the wedding appeared disrupted.

Zhao Hu, appearing out of nowhere, hiccupped from wine and said, "Isn’t this just wedding rites? Acting like some national crisis. It’s just honoring both parents, simultaneous ceremonies, first meeting the in-laws’ house, right?"

"Never mind the ceremony; if the bride’s family is strong, living with them post-marriage is just the same."

An official whispered, "Isn’t that just marriage by living with the bride’s family? Better to commence like that."

Though Zhao Hu felt similarly, he knew the Zhao Family’s promises meant if they required Fu Tinghan to live with them, Zhao Song would be the first to refuse, so he retorted, "Why deem it living with the bride’s family? Isn’t respecting parents proper? Are only a son’s parents worthy and a daughter’s parents not?"

The rebutted official’s face reddened; that wasn’t his intention, just unreasonable twisting of words.

He turned to Fu Tinghan and said, "You mustn’t heed them; your mother-in-law only has Third Lady and Second Son. Second Son is like that, so she’ll have to rely on you."

Fu Tinghan nodded.

Seeing the new wedding rites almost decided, with different significance than regular rules.

Rules can change over time, but rites, once established, seldom alter, unless massive regime changes occur.

Sometimes, even regime changes can’t alter them; rites embed within the fabric of society.