This question was also something I was very curious about.
So I asked Princess Ji Lan out. After a few rounds of drinks to loosen her tongue, when we were both tipsy, I asked her, "Princess, you pointed your sword at me specifically the day you arrived. I thought you were interested in the Crown Prince."
Ji Lan slurred, "Heh heh, yes."
"Then why did you fall for my elder brother later?"
"Didn't I later find you more likable? It's a pity you're a woman, so I had to settle for second best. But you know, your elder brother looks so much like you. Are you two really not twins?"
Big brother, I've wronged you.
I drank another cup: "Princess, would you like to reconsider? Although my elder brother resembles me, his temperament is completely different from mine. You've seen his martial arts skills. He won't be able to spar with you in the future."
Princess Ji Lan waved her small hand: "It's fine, this princess doesn't really like fighting. Besides, isn't there your mother? She's truly a wonderful person, heh heh..."
...
The truth about being a substitute could never be known by my brother, but the fact that Princess Ji Lan liked my mother could be shared with him. So the next day, I stood before my elder brother with my hands spread, "There's nothing I can do. It's all because mother is too likable."
My mother was extremely pleased and said to my brother, "I told you long ago that with your personality, you wouldn't be able to get a wife. See? I was right. In the end, you still need your mother to find you a wife?"
Big brother was unconvinced: "On the day of the Zhuangyuan's parade, I received so many pouches and handkerchiefs."
"Who told you not to seize the opportunity to find a wife? Who can you blame now that a princess has taken a liking to you? Oh, and Nannan, please return the 20,000 taels of gold you won from the princess to me."
I covered my face with my hand, almost forgetting this detail.
If Princess Ji Lan were marrying someone else, I would have just let the money go. But she was becoming my sister-in-law.
I couldn't help but secretly wonder, did she choose my elder brother for this 20,000 taels of gold?
Twenty thousand taels of gold was equivalent to 200,000 taels of silver, which was not a small sum. Even for a princess like Ji Lan, 200,000 taels of silver might be considered half of her dowry. However, it wouldn't be proper to return it like this, as it would make the princess seem like a sore loser. So, half of the 20,000 taels of gold was added to the betrothal gifts from my elder brother, and the other half, as a close friend of the bride, I presented to Princess Ji Lan as adornment for her dowry.
In early June, the Emperor decreed my elder brother as Marquis Lin An, and also had the Imperial Observatory calculate an auspicious date. Finally, their wedding date was set for the ninth day of the ninth month, one month earlier than mine.
With my family marrying off a son and a daughter consecutively, the household servants were swamped.
Princess Ji Lan was preparing for her wedding at the Court of Colonial Affairs.
The Second Prince of Northern Xinjiang had already been betrothed, and he would take Princess Yongan back to Northern Xinjiang after Ji Lan's wedding.
Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. The relationship between Suisui and Ouyang Yun was also very smooth. Ouyang Yun had already written to the Duke of Zhenguo, asking him to come to the capital to propose.
Suisui was so happy that she beamed every day and often showed off her affection to me.
I, however, was a little reluctant: "Suisui, when you marry into Dinghai Pass, it will be difficult for us to see each other again."
Suisui waved her hand and said no: "The heir apparent has already had Uncle Ouyang appoint his second brother as the heir apparent. He will be holding a position in the capital in the future."
There was no prohibition in this dynasty against a consort holding office. Otherwise, this matter would have been truly difficult. Suisui was still young, and I surmised that the Emperor and Empress would keep her for a few more years.
The most pitiful was Situ You. Originally, the three siblings in the family were all unmarried, and no one would speak of him. But then, the elder brother and the younger sister suddenly both had fiancés, and his marriage became the Empress's biggest concern. She wanted to arrange blind dates for him every day, making him afraid to even live in the palace. He moved back to the Rui Wang Manor from his early years.
This, however, made it convenient for him to discuss political affairs with my elder brother.
Uncle Song returned to the capital just in time to attend my elder brother's wedding, which he deeply regretted.
According to his plan, he was supposed to become related to my mother by marriage.
My mother snorted and ignored him.
What a daydream. She didn't want a difficult daughter-in-law, let alone Madam Han. Even without Princess Ji Lan, there were so many young ladies in the capital. How could she be so foolish as to become related to Madam Han? Listening to her speak sarcastically every day, she wasn't crazy.
However, today was the joyous occasion for my elder brother, so she generously refrained from showing her disdain and even praised Song Shuxian, saying that she would surely find a suitable husband in the future.
She was showing Uncle Song a great deal of respect.
Fourteen days later was another auspicious date for weddings. Princess Yongan married from the imperial palace, and with much fanfare, she left the capital with the Second Prince of Northern Xinjiang, heading towards a completely unfamiliar future.
This marriage alliance finally came to a successful conclusion, but my elder brother's life was inevitably thrown into chaos.
He had always been a quiet person, preferring to do everything peacefully.
But Princess Ji Lan was the complete opposite. She was restless and energetic every morning. As soon as my brother finished his work, she would drag him out to play. Even when they were at home, she could come up with many ideas to stir things up.
However, I could see that although my elder brother always appeared reluctant, he was much more lively than before.
In my mother's words, he had already passed the imperial examinations, so why should he still study so hard?
It was time to enjoy life with his wife.