In the winter of Shenghe’s first year, Xuan Luojin unexpectedly brought home Qin Shu, who had nowhere to go.
In early winter of Shenghe’s second year, the two pledged themselves to one another for life. The eighth day of the twelfth month was an auspicious day for marriage. The marriage contract was set, the wedding hall prepared. On the big day, the Xuan residence was decked with lanterns and streamers, filled with laughter and celebration. The emperor and empress attended in person, and the court gathered to offer its congratulations.
...The auspicious hour passed, dusk deepened, and the guests departed. In the end, the groom never appeared.
At the start of the new year in Shenghe’s third year, the southern kingdom of Jiayan launched a major invasion of Shenghe’s southern frontier city. In less than half a month, Jiayan’s forces were defeated.
To prove their sincerity in submitting, the southern kingdom of Jiayan sent their beloved Fifth Prince to marry into Shenghe’s royal family.
Since no one in the Shenghe imperial family was a suitable match, Jiayan settled for any woman from the court who was fit for marriage.
In the end, Xuan Luojin was chosen as the most suitable candidate.
In the final days of early spring in Shenghe’s third year, Lingyang was filled with celebration and laughter. Music rang out along the wedding procession, red silk fluttered, and the people chatted excitedly. But no one expected it to become a reunion between old acquaintances.
