Chapter 356 - Yuwen Tong Became Suspicious? (1/2)

Yuwen Tong had meant it when he said that some day he would rid the imperial palace of many of those trivialities once and for all. For the moment he just couldn’t spare the time to put it into action. Apart from state affairs, the matter of the two princes of the Zhou family also needed settling.

Ling Zhang, in the knowledge that Yuwen Tong had had everything planned out, temporarily put aside those trivial things in the palace and focused on the preparations for the wedding ceremony. He and Yuwen Tong were both men, and there was only one precedent for this in history, which was the marriage between the Emperor Gaozu and his male consort, so most of the ritualistic arrangements for the wedding had been finalized by the Ministry of Rites according to that precedent case. However, although an emperor surnamed Zhou had abdicated the throne, all those with decent perception were fully aware of what had really happened. The Yuwen family would become the new imperial household, and Yuwen Tong would be the first emperor of the Yuwen dynasty, so his and Ling Zhang’s wedding would by no means be a complete repeat performance of that precedent case. There would be a lot of changes. In addition, Ling Zhang had suggested some of the unnecessary formalities be cut off, so the Ministry of Rites had to make a whole new wedding plan according to which the ceremony would be held.

Staff members of the Ministry of Rites were busy preparing Yuwen Tong’s enthronement. Ling Zhang made some changes to the wedding plan and then had it delivered to the Ministry of Rites. The Minister of Rites, after seeing those major changes, didn’t dare finalize the plan and asked Yuwen Tong for instructions.

Yuwen Tong, looking at the wedding plan placed in front of him with a placid expression on his face, said, “Is there a problem with the wedding plan?”

“Sire, it’s not that the wedding plan is problematic. It’s just that Childe Ling made a lot of changes to it, and he also cut off several parts. I’m afraid there might be complaints about such big changes,” answered the Minister of Rites.

“Complaints? From whom?” Yuwen Tong looked at him.

Though Yuwen Tong’s tone was calm, the Minister of Rites still hastily slumped to his knees with a start. “Sire, the imperial wedding is supposed to be the grandest and the most solemn ceremony aside from your enthronement ceremony. If we change it too much, I fear that some conservatives who set store by the old rites will raise their eyebrows.”

“The old rites? What do you mean by the old rites? Do you still regard yourself as a servant of the Zhou family?” asked Yuwen Tong coldly.

The Minister of Rites instantly fell prostrate with a thud. “I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t meant it, Sire. I beg your forgiveness.”

Even many of the other courtiers present hung their heads, feeling cold sweat on their backs.

“Yuwen Feng, from now on you’ll be in charge of the Ministry of Rites. Take this wedding plan back. All the preparations for the wedding ceremony shall be made according to it,” instructed Yuwen Tong.

On hearing this, Yuwen Feng, who had been on his knees behind the Minister of Rites all along, looked up at Yuwen Tong. After a brief eye contact with Yuwen Tong, he replied, “Yes, Sire.”

Yuwen Feng rose to his feet, stepped forward and took the wedding plan. The Minister of Rites was so nervous he wouldn’t say boo to a goose, lying p.r.o.ne, trembling constantly.

After quite a while, Yuwen Tong said blandly, “You may rise.”

It was only then that the Minister of Rites managed to summon up the courage to pull himself up, his robes wet with sweat.

Although Yuwen Tong didn’t mete out any punishment to him, everybody present knew that he was toast, that even if he was allowed to stay in the imperial court, he would never get any career advancement again. The reason why Yuwen Feng hadn’t been named the Minister of Rites right away was because Yuwen Tong hadn’t officially acceded to the throne yet. After the enthronement ceremony, Yuwen Feng would definitely become the new chief of the Ministry of Rites.

…

The matter of the wedding plan had been resolved. As for the other remaining issues, they’d have to wait until after the enthronement ceremony to figure out how to settle them. Ling Zhang finally extricated himself from those seemingly never-ending tasks. Right now, there was seven days left before the enthronement ceremony.

Almost all departments in the capital city were occupied with preparations for the enthronement ceremony, but Ling Zhang, contrary to those officials, was now totally free, so he exited the palace, heading straight for the Ling Mansion.

This was the first time in so many days that he found himself out of the palace. When he had arrived home, he first went to inquire after his paternal grandfather and maternal grandfather, and then to see Fu Caiwei.

Fu Caiwei looked well and in a pretty good mood. Several experienced midwives had been watching over her and reminding her of things she needed to pay attention to. Also, Mrs. Tao, Fang s.h.i.+ and Liu s.h.i.+ came to keep her company quite often, and she herself had given birth to a child before and thus was not under as much stress as she had been when pregnant with her firstborn, so she was now carefree and in good spirits.

After inquiring after Fu Caiwei, Ling Zhang went to see Ling Zhaowu. The father and son found a quiet spot to sit and talk.

“You’ve got everything handled?”

“For the moment, yes. You and the others…”

“Don’t worry. There are a lot of us in this place, and there’s nothing we cannot settle. Besides, thanks to you and Yuwen Tong, n.o.body dare make trouble for the Ling family. As regards your trousseaus, your maternal grandfather and I have got all of them ready. All we have to do is just wait for the day of your and Yuwen Tong’s wedding to come.”

Ling Zhang, who recalled that talk he’d had with Ji Yin on that day, said, “The other day I told maternal grandfather not to make the list any longer, but he still wanted to include another two things. I wonder what they are.”

Ling Zhaowu said, “Not some rare treasure. Don’t concern yourself.”

“By the way, has Yuwen Tong asked you any particular questions lately?” Ling Zhaowu suddenly inquired.

Ling Zhang didn’t quite understand. “Particular questions? What do you mean, Father?”

Ling Zhaowu looked at him and replied with a smile, “It seems that he hasn’t.”