Chương 109: Liu Hong's Bestowal of Marriage

He picked up the glass again, gently stroking it with his fingers; the touch was smooth and warm.

"Good stuff! Really good stuff!" Liu Hong exclaimed three times, clearly delighted with it.

"Brother, where did you get this?"

"This is glass, a treasure from the Western Regions."

Liu Ce explained, "I acquired this by chance during my travels throughout the land and have treasured it ever since. Now I present it to you, my brother, wishing you good health and a long and blessed life."

Liu Hong held the glass, looking at it from left to right, clearly admiring it.

He picked up a glass bowl, held it up to the light, and muttered three more sentences:

"Great stuff! It's really great! It's so beautiful!"

It was like a child getting a new toy.

Liu Ce thought to himself: If I had a cell phone, I could take a picture and send it to historians in the future with the title "Emperor Liu Hong of the Eastern Han Dynasty: A Country Bumpkin Moment," and it would definitely go viral.

"Your Majesty is so thoughtful!" Liu Hong toyed with the glass teapot, growing more and more fond of it.

"I have some crystalware in my storeroom, but none can compare to this one's clarity!"

Liu Ce chuckled inwardly: Of course, this is modern technology, how can it be the same?

Liu Hong admired the scenery for a long time before remembering his business.

He carefully placed the glass item back into the box and patted Liu Ce on the shoulder:

"Your Majesty is very kind. The journey to Youzhou is long, so please be careful."

He began with a long speech of encouragement: "Youzhou is a bitterly cold place, and there are many barbarians. But you are very capable, so I am at ease."

"Once you get there, govern well, train the troops and prepare for war, and let those Xianbei and Wuhuan know what's what. If you lack anything, just report it to me, and I will take care of it..."

Liu Ce nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered by me."

Liu Hong talked for a long time, then, tired, sat back down on the soft couch. He took a sip of tea, and suddenly a thought flashed through his mind:

"By the way, since you gave me such an expensive gift, I should reciprocate."

He thought for a moment, then shook his head: "What should I send...?"

He stroked his chin, his eyes darting around for a while, then suddenly slapped his thigh:

"Got it!"

Liu Hong walked to the imperial desk, picked up a pen, spread out the imperial edict, and began to write rapidly.

Liu Ce stood to the side watching, wondering: What is this emperor going to write?

A short while later, Liu Hong finished writing, blew the ink dry, and handed it to Liu Ce:

"Look, what do you think of this gift?"

Liu Ce took it and looked at it, then laughed.

The imperial edict stated in essence: "Liu Ce, a member of the Han imperial family, is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and his loyalty and bravery are commendable... It is heard that Cai Yan, daughter of Cai Yong, is virtuous, intelligent, and possesses both talent and virtue... Therefore, I hereby bestow upon her the title of wife to Liu Ce, so that they may become a perfect couple..."

This is an imperial decree bestowing a marriage upon you!

Liu Ce looked up at Liu Hong, who was smiling at him.

"How is it? I heard that you and the Cai family girl are deeply in love, and that old man Cai Yong also likes you. You're engaged, and now with this, it's even more legitimate!"

Then Liu Hong smiled smugly, "I personally bestowed this marriage upon you, isn't that generous enough?"

Liu Ce immediately knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! I am deeply grateful for your brother's favor!"

"Get up, get up." Liu Hong waved his hand.

"Your marriage to Cai Zhaoji is a perfect match, a match made in heaven. I'm just doing you a favor."

Liu Ce stood up, his eyes darting around, and another idea came to him. He rubbed his hands together, and said sheepishly:

"Your Majesty, I have another request..."

"Speak," Liu Hong said readily, in a good mood.

"Well... besides Cai Yan, I have several... fiancées and those I'm in love with."

Liu Ce stammered, "The five Zhen sisters, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang... I wonder if Your Majesty could... grant another imperial edict?"

(Zhang Ning's true identity was not revealed.) Liu Hong was taken aback: "How many?"

"Seven..." Liu Ce's voice trailed off.

Liu Hong's eyes widened, then he burst into laughter: "Good lad! Not bad! Seven! But you're still far behind me! Keep up the good work and continue to expand the Liu family line!"

After he finished laughing, he said, "I thought it was something serious, but it's just this. No problem, no problem!"

He then spread out another imperial edict and began to write.

As he wrote, he muttered to himself, "The five Zhen sisters... Zhang Ning... Ren Hongchang... Hmm, all virtuous and good women, bestowed upon Marquis Liu Ce as concubines... Alright!"

He finished writing, put down his pen, and shook his hand:

"I'm exhausted. I've never written this many words when I'm reviewing memorials."

Liu Ce took the second imperial edict, and after a careful reading, he was overjoyed.

Now that's perfect, I have all seven wives, it's all right now!

He thanked her again.

Liu Hong joked, "That's settled then. The gift box you sent and these two imperial edicts even things out. Don't say I'm stingy anymore."

"Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty is the most generous!" Liu Ce quickly flattered.

He thought to himself: We're even? I've made a killing! One set of glassware for two royal-certified marriage certificates—this is a steal!

The two chatted for a while longer, then Liu Hong suddenly stopped smiling, patted Liu Ce on the shoulder, and said earnestly:

"My dear brother, once you arrive in Youzhou, do your best. I entrust the northern frontier of the Han Dynasty to you."

These words were spoken with great seriousness, and Liu Ce also became serious:

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to protect the borders and ensure the safety of the people, while also expanding our territory!"

"Alright! I believe you!" Liu Hong patted him hard.

Emerging from the Greenhouse Palace, Liu Ce carried two imperial edicts in his arms, his steps light and quick.

As he reached the palace gate, he couldn't help but look back.

The palace shone brightly in the sunlight, but Liu Ce knew that beneath this splendor lay undercurrents.

But none of that matters to him anymore.

His stage is in the north.

Liu Ce left the palace gates, got into a carriage, and headed straight for the Cai residence.

Upon arriving at the Cai residence, he first went to find Cai Yan.

Cai Yan was writing in her study when she saw Liu Ce arrive, and her eyes lit up:

"Why has the general come?"

"I have something good to show you," Liu Ce said with a mysterious smile.

He took Cai Yan to find Cai Yong.

Cai Yong was admiring the flowers in the courtyard when he saw the two of them coming hand in hand, and his old face beamed with joy.

"Father-in-law, please take a look." Liu Ce took out the first imperial edict.

Cai Yong took it, unfolded it, and was stunned.

He looked at the imperial edict, then at Liu Ce, then at his daughter, and remained speechless for a long time.

"This... this is..." His voice trembled.

"Your Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon me," Liu Ce said with a smile, "bestowing Yan'er upon me as my principal wife."

Cai Yong was so excited that his beard was trembling:

"Excellent! Excellent! This is an immense honor, bestowed by His Majesty!"

He handed the imperial edict to Cai Yan: "Zhao Ji, look!"

Cai Yan took it, looked at it carefully, and her face turned red instantly, all the way to her ears.

The imperial edict, bearing the imperial seal and written in black and white, declared the marriage as a bestowal, carrying far more weight than any matchmaker's words.

"Is... is this real?" Her voice trembled.

"Absolutely true," Liu Ce said with a smile.

"I just came from the palace."

Cai Yan stared at the imperial edict for a long time, and her eyes suddenly reddened.

In this era, women's marriages were entirely determined by their parents' wishes.

Although Cai Yong had already agreed, with the emperor's bestowal of the marriage, it was a done deal, and no one could change it.

She lowered her head, her voice barely audible: "Thank you... thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty..."