Chapter 162: I’ll Be Entrusting Myself to You From Now On
The Inu-hime and her entourage passed through more than half of Xin Wanjin Town, arriving precisely at the Yuan Ye family residence at dusk, as calculated beforehand. Unlike the boisterous, firecracker-filled celebrations common in China, weddings in the Japanese Medieval Period were not about making a grand spectacle. Only the Oda and Yuan Ye families were present, and the overall atmosphere was quite solemn.
Indeed, due to the vast disparity in status between men and women during this era, Yuan Ye didn’t even need to go to the entrance to personally welcome the bride. He only had to sit in the quiet room and wait, even if the bride was a princess.
The task of welcoming the bride naturally fell to someone else, usually a senior retainer or a highly respected member of the family. However, the Yuan Ye family had no family members or senior retainers. Thus, A Man, who had self-appointed herself as a senior retainer, stepped forward without hesitation. She led A Qing, Yayoi, and other vassals and family retainers to guard the main gate. Upon seeing the Phoenix Carriage arrive and the bride disembark, she personally lit large bonfires on both sides of the entrance.
This was the “Burning Gate Fire,” a kind of “purification” ritual to prevent the bride from bringing “unclean” energies into her husband’s home, or to ward off any malevolent spirits or monsters that might try to sneak in during the chaos.
After the Burning Gate Fire was lit, A Man then ordered a barrel filled with clams to be placed before the gate. She watched as Inu-hime clasped her hands together and made a wish to the clams. Clams can only perfectly fit together with their original matching shell, thus symbolizing “one person for a lifetime,” “fidelity until death,” and “marital harmony.” This was done to bring good luck and also served as a declaration from the bride.
After paying respects to the clams, A Man then solemnly stepped forward to offer her greetings. She personally led Inu-hime inside, escorting her all the way to the entrance of the residence, where she handed her over to Lady A-yuan, the wife of Asano Nagamasa. The wedding party from the Oda Family remained there, and A Man was responsible for hosting them with food and drink.
According to the requirements of the 《 Ise-style Wedding Ceremony 》, weddings generally lasted for three days.
The first day, （ on the wedding night ）, a celebratory banquet would be held. The attendees were limited to the wedding host, the groom, and the bride （ including maidservants ）. The wedding host was typically a noblewoman from the groom’s family members, but the Yuan Ye family had no noblewomen of sufficient age. Therefore, they invited an outsider, bringing Asano Nagamasa’s wife from afar to preside over the ceremony.
The second day was for the bride and groom to be alone, enjoying a private banquet where the bride would serve the groom his meal, fostering marital affection and establishing their respective positions.
The third day was when the bride would officially appear in her husband’s home, meeting the groom’s parents, siblings, and receiving vassals and followers, marking her formal integration into the family.
This was the first celebratory banquet. Lady A-yuan, smiling, led Inu-hime to the inner chamber, with A Naka, A Shita, Yayoi, and the little maidservants following silently behind.
The inner chamber had been specially decorated for the wedding. A platform was erected, with Mount Penglai set up in the center. On either side were tied carp and wild geese, along with objects like a pure water vase, a kettle, and a wine pitcher, all chosen for good omens.
For example, Mount Penglai was a massive bonsai, crafted to resemble the mythical Penglai Immortal Island, depicting undulating mountains and swirling clouds. The mountain featured auspicious elements like pine trees and cranes, and also carved pavilions, towers, and figures of immortals, all lifelike. The intention was to signify that “the newlywed couple’s life would be as beautiful as a fairyland, filled with blessings and good fortune.” It was not inexpensive, costing Yuan Ye over thirty Kan of money. However, it was not a disposable item but a family heirloom that could be used for Yuan Ye’s next wedding or for anyone else in the Yuan Ye family getting married.
In addition to these auspicious items, the platform also had three low tables, each laden with dishes. Lady A-yuan smiled and invited Inu-hime to sit on the right side, then invited Yuan Ye out from the quiet room and had him sit on the left side. According to the customs of the Japanese Medieval Period, the left side was considered superior to the east.
Yuan Ye had been confined to the quiet room for several hours, not having an easier time than Inu-hime. Upon being released, he breathed a sigh of relief. After taking his seat, he finally got a clear look at Inu-hime’s appearance for the first time. He had seen her portrait before, but portraits from this era were as good as not seeing them at all.
Contrary to Yuan Ye’s previous imagination, Inu-hime did not exude much of a “princess” aura. She knelt there, small and delicate, petite and light, not appearing strong at all. She even gave off a timid impression, her small hands clasped tightly within her sleeves, occasionally trembling slightly, looking very nervous.
As for her appearance, her long black hair was as smooth and lustrous as silk, visible even beneath her ceremonial headdress. She had a small, delicate face with a straight, aquiline nose, appearing quite refined and beautiful. Beyond that, it was difficult to see clearly. She was currently looking down, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, trembling slightly, seemingly conveying her inner shyness and unease.
Lady A-yuan looked at the two of them, smiling as she recited the Wedding wishes by rote, giving thanks to the gods, announcing the ancestors of the Yuan Ye family, and praying for the gods and ancestors to bless the couple. She then clapped her hands and asked the maidservants to bring the “three sets of cups,” saying with a smile, “Your Highnesses, it is time. Please exchange cups!”
This was the ancient version of the “crossed-cups” ritual. The two would drink from the same cup, and the passing of the cup symbolized their destinies being intertwined from that moment on, their lives merging into an inseparable whole, facing future storms together. It was considered the most important step of the wedding ceremony.
Yuan Ye gently picked up the wine cup, feeling a twinge of guilt as he tried to lean his body forward. Inu-hime also carefully picked up her cup and leaned closer. She quickly glanced up at Yuan Ye, then straightened her body as much as possible to allow her arm to pass through his arm. She then brought the cup to her lips, calmed her breathing, and took a small sip. Immediately, her eyes widened in surprise. It was sweet, surprisingly delicious, unlike what A Naka and A Shita had said about it being very bitter and sour.
Yuan Ye cooperated with her to the best of his ability, afraid that any sudden movement would cause her to sway precariously. He stretched his mouth as far as he could and took a sip. Lady A-yuan smiled and offered auspicious words from the side, a whole string of them. It seemed Maeshima Shichiro and Endo Chiyo had chosen the right person; this woman had likely presided over many weddings before and was definitely a seasoned professional.
After three such exchanges, they finished drinking the “three sets of cups.” Lady A-yuan took the cups and placed their hands together, then smiled contentedly, saying, “Your Highnesses, having drunk together three times, the wine is mellow and the affection deep. From now on, you shall share the same boat through wind and rain, protect each other, and never forget this moment.”
Yuan Ye nodded gently and smiled at Lady A-yuan, saying, “Yes, I will.”
Even though it was a political marriage, he would do his best to fulfill his responsibilities. At the very least, he could guarantee her a lifetime of food and shelter.
Inu-hime’s lips also moved slightly, but her voice was too soft to be heard. However, after Lady A-yuan released her hands, she suddenly remembered her wet nurse’s teachings. She took half a step back, bowed deeply, and said, “My lord, I entrust myself to you from now on.”
The first celebratory banquet was essentially over at this point. The three of them would not actually sit together to eat and drink.
Inu-hime soon went to the bridal chamber accompanied by A Naka and A Shita. Yuan Ye, however, did not rush to follow. He first saw Lady A-yuan off properly, ensuring she was well-hosted, and then went to greet the wedding party from the Oda Family.
…
Inu-hime walked along the corridor to the “bridal chamber.” Despite being exhausted, she dared not be disrespectful, kneeling motionlessly like a doll. Meanwhile, A Naka and A Shita were talking quietly with the little maidservant leading the way outside, trying to extract some information about the Yuan Ye family from her.
Inu-hime paid little attention. She still felt a sense of unreality, at times thinking she was dreaming, and at other times certain that the ceremony had concluded and she was now the nominal mistress of the Yuan Ye family. However, after a long period of distraction, she still couldn’t recall Yuan Ye’s appearance. She only remembered that he was very tall, like a mountain when he sat there.
But he didn’t seem like the bad person A Naka and A Shita described. When Yuan Ye was drinking earlier, his posture seemed very accommodating to her, almost twisting his waist off. She could vaguely sense it.
“Your Highness… Your Highness?”
Inu-hime was lost in thought when she was suddenly startled by someone calling her name. She quickly looked up and saw Yayoi. Of course, she didn’t know Yayoi’s name at this point. Her intelligence-gathering abilities were very poor, and she had no clear understanding of the Yuan Ye family’s situation. However, she could tell that Yayoi seemed to be the head of all the maidservants in the Yuan Ye family, likely holding some status. She dared not be negligent and quickly put on a well-trained smile, maintaining her demeanor, and asked softly, “Excuse me, official… what is it?”
Yayoi was also very nervous. Her life plan had been to work as a rough laborer responsible for laundry and cooking at Aragiko Castle. However, fate had taken a strange turn. She inexplicably met Yuan Ye and ended up as the “Head of the inner court （ Housekeeper ）” at the Yuan Ye family. As the Yuan Ye family’s power rapidly expanded, she now managed dozens of people. She felt she lacked the ability to be this “Head of the inner court,” but A Man insisted, and Yuan Ye agreed, so she dared not refuse.
Facing a genuine princess now, she was afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing the Yuan Ye family. She was extremely nervous. Although she had diligently studied many etiquette lessons over the past two years, she still lacked confidence when facing a princess and didn’t dare to look up, saying softly, “Apologies for disturbing Your Highness. I was just wondering if Your Highness would prefer to bathe and change first, or to dine?”
Inu-hime was momentarily confused. According to custom, she should have sat there obediently until Yuan Ye returned. However, having lived cautiously under the watchful eye of the formidable Lady Tsuchida in the Oda family’s inner quarters, she found it difficult to directly refuse.
Yayoi waited for a moment, then stole a glance and seemed to perceive her hesitation. She quickly added, “Your Highness, Lord Saburo gave the instruction.”
This was indeed Yuan Ye’s instruction. Inu-hime was covered from head to toe, and Yuan Ye couldn’t tell how many layers of clothing she was wearing. She seemed to drag her feet when walking. He figured she must be exhausted, and her face was covered in so much powder that she looked almost white. He also suspected that these ancient cosmetics might be toxic, perhaps containing lead, and hoped she would wash them off quickly.
As for the dishes at the banquet, they were merely for show, prepared and displayed long in advance, not actually meant to be eaten. Yuan Ye also thought she must be hungry.
That’s why he instructed Yayoi to come and help, to let Inu-hime remove her “armor,” wash her face, and eat dinner.
Upon hearing Yuan Ye’s explicit instructions, Inu-hime felt a sense of relief but also became even more hesitant to refuse. After a moment’s thought, she felt that wearing so many clothes provided a sense of security and she didn’t want to take them off just yet. Maintaining her demeanor, she smiled and said, “Then… let’s dine first!”
Yayoi also breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that this princess was not difficult to get along with. She quickly got up, exited the door, and quietly instructed the little maidservants to begin. Immediately, a low table was set before Inu-hime, with a standing candelabra erected beside it for illumination. Then, various dishes and cuisine flowed in continuously, filling the table in a flash.
Yayoi was always meticulous in her work. This was a princess, after all. She displayed her full skills and truly gave her all. And this was not considered anything special in the Yuan Ye family.
If the Yuan Ye family lacked anything, it wasn’t money. They were truly the top nouveau riche in Owari Province.
