Shorts #9 - The Prime Minister’s Male Wife [ Historical ]

– On Chang’an Street –

Two men were walking shoulder-to-shoulder down the street. One was in green, the other in white, even though their attires were simple, if one were to look at their features and one could tell that they were no ordinary folks. In the midst of the throng, their appearance was definitely befitting of the richer folks or the elegant upper class and thus they stood out. However, if anyone were to take a closer look, they would be able to see that the two men’s hands were interlocked. Still, the nation of An’ding was quite an open-minded country, being gay was quite normal. Regardless of whether it was in the households of the ordinary folks, or in the residences of the Emperor and his ministers, it was all the same. If the male wife was willing to go through some hardship, he too could birth a son or daughter. Even though the men here were capable of giving birth, the process would definitely be more painful and harder than it was for women.

“Linqing, do you like this one?” The man in green was pointing at the variety of rouge, perfumes, and powders laid out for sale on the stall, the question was obviously directed at the man in white, Linqing.

Linqing smiled slightly, he knew that Junxiao was teasing him. Still, he went along with it and replied, “Since we’re here, I might as well get Jun Yan one.” Jun Yan was Junxiao’s younger sister. This reply displeased Junxiao and even got him a little jealous as he pulled Linqing away, uttering as he went, “Jun Yan would not like these ones.”

Linqing pursed his lips and a subtle smile broke through, but he did not say anything in reply.

“I knew you did that on purpose,” Junxiao said lovingly.

There was a nearby stall that seemed to be selling a lot of jade and sculpted accessories. It was not the value of the jade, but the exquisite and extremely well-crafted sculptures. Linqing had noticed them and tugged at Junxiao’s hand. Immediately Junxiao turned to look at Linqing, and Linqing looked over to the side, the intent clear in his actions as he said, “I want to take a look at the stuff over there.”

“Sure~.” It was rare for his wife to take an interest in things, so Junxiao was eager to please.

The stall owner was an old uncle, about 50 years of age. One look at Linqing and Junxiao and he could tell that these two were definitely not ordinary people.

“Young sir, is anything to your liking?” The old uncle smilingly asked when he saw how focused Linqing was as he surveyed the jade accessories on display.

“Did you carve all these sculptures yourself?” Linqing gently inquired.

“That’s right, but I’ve grown old, so the carvings aren’t as good as they used to be. Now all I seek is a way to earn some money.” The old uncle sighed softly. Usually, there was no one to talk to and now this person seemed like he was open to talking and that made the uncle want to continue, “But my grandson is a good lad, it’s a pity our family lacks the necessary funds to send him to the metropolitan examination.”

“Old Uncle, I have a shop, it also sells jade accessories, would you be willing to go there and teach them?” Linqing asked with a grin. The jade accessories shop was last year’s birthday present from Junxiao and Linqing liked it immensely. Alas, the sculptures made by the people the shop had hired were not exceptionally beautiful nor were they refined, at least they were not up to Linqing’s standards.

“Really? I’m willing, I’m willing!” The old uncle was a bit over-excited, it would be great if he could earn some extra money for his grandson, whether it was a lot or a small sum did not matter. Later on, this old uncle’s grandson would go on to earn top honors in the imperial examination and work hard to obtain a high-level Second True Rank position, but that was another story.

“Good. Uncle, bring this with you when you go to the Treasure Gems Pavilion tomorrow.” Linqing passed a token over to the old man who gratefully accepted it.

Junxiao was still looking at all the jade accessories on display, he wanted to pick something out for his wife. By chance, he caught sight of the only jade hairpin at the stall. It was a very simple hairpin with a carving of an orchid. Junxiao could not help but feel that orchids suited Linqing well. Thus after paying for it, he pulled Linqing back to their residence for lunch.

Linqing was a bit unsure (probably a bit jealous too), “What did you buy a jade hairpin for?” He was a man, so no matter what Junxiao had been thinking, he probably had not bought that hairpin for him right? (Linqing always saw himself and Junxiao as men, so he found it hard to imagine what use the hairpin could have.)

Junxiao’s expression was also one of confusion, “What else for? I can’t eat it, of course it’s for you.”

Linqing was dumbfounded by this reply. For him? Now that he thought about it, men also wore hairpins, especially those male wives. Their husbands would give them hairpins as a symbol of their tender love for them. (Honestly, Junxiao had no idea about this tradition, he merely thought that the hairpin suited Linqing.)

“The carving is of orchids, I thought it suited you. Come here, I’ll help you put it on.” Junxiao let Linqing have a look at the hairpin before putting in on him.

Even though it was a very simple orchid hairpin, that old uncle’s skill was brilliant as it had been carved very intricately.

“My Lord, my Lady, it’s time for lunch.” The steward had just stepped into the main courtyard and what he saw was the famous Prime Minister gently placing a hairpin into his wife’s hair. The entire scene seemed exceptionally heartwarming.

Much later, all the people of the nation of An’ding would come to know just how much the Prime Minister cared for his male wife. One life together, forever; this could only be used to describe such a pair.

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The year they had gotten married, it was by the Emperor’s decree. The fact that the Prime Minister was to marry a male wife had caused a lot of gossip among the people.

Thinking back to that night, when he had lifted up the veil and the sight of that person’s elegant and beautiful face had entered his eyes… It was not the first time he had seen him, but it felt like the first time. The fire-red clothes made him look exceptionally alluring, and there was the slightest hint of a smile on his face.

Yet, he had acted like a young fool who had just tasted the fruits of love, his face reddening as he said, “I am finally married to you, Linqing.”

“Mmm.” The other had only softly murmured a reply. But deep down he knew that their emotions were one and the same, filled with joy.

“Yun Linqing, I promise to only treat you better, so much better than before.” He was clueless about how to profess his sincerity, all he could do was hold him tightly and say, “I love you.”

And the person in his arms had leaned into his embrace, his brow creased with happiness as he whispered back, “I love you too.”

Wei Junxiao, my heart is like yours, may you and I last forever.

(T/N: Sorry for the late update, shoutout to Lynn <3 TOP pr)