In Jinling, even love and family fall beneath the gaze of the throne. No marriage, whether between nobles, merchants, or commoners, can be legitimized without the approval of the Imperial Matchmaker, a position overseen by the Ministry of Rites. To outsiders, she appears like a glorified wedding planner, but in truth, she is one of the most influential figures in the empire — a gatekeeper between personal desire and imperial law.
Her Role:
Matchmaking Services: Families often approach the Matchmaker not only to plan weddings but to request her counsel in finding suitable spouses. She keeps records of bloodlines, social standings, sect affiliations, and past scandals. A word of approval from her quill can unite two clans; disapproval can doom a proposal before it begins.
Marriage Certificates: Every marriage in Jinling must pass through her office. Couples are required to present themselves, provide documentation of family background, and undergo interviews to ensure compatibility and legality. Without her seal and the Ministry of Rites’ stamp, no wedding is recognized, and children of such unions are considered illegitimate in the eyes of the law.
Ceremonial Authority: On the day of a wedding, the Matchmaker often presides alongside priests of the Temple of Heaven’s Mandate, ensuring the union is both sacred and legal.
Political Power:
Because marriages bind not only individuals but families, sects, and even provinces, the Matchmaker’s role is deeply political. Noble houses bribe her for favorable matches; sects petition her to align their disciples with officials; merchants seek her favor to raise their children’s status. Whispered rumors suggest that she sometimes takes directives directly from the Empress or Minister of Rites, steering marriages to strengthen imperial factions.
For Commoners:
Even the lowliest farmer must pass through her office. Though less elaborate, common marriages are still documented and approved. This ensures that family lines remain traceable for taxation and military conscription. For this reason, commoners often fear her more than they fear the tax collector, for she can delay or deny their union entirely.
For Murim Practitioners:
Martial artists are subject to the Matchmaker’s scrutiny as well. A union between sect disciples cannot be recognized without her approval. Some sects bypass her authority, marrying in secret according to their own rites — but if discovered, such unions invite harsh punishment, including annulment decrees or even imprisonment.
Symbolism:
The Matchmaker embodies Jinling’s spirit: even the most intimate bond, the union of two souls, is regulated by bureaucracy and ritual. Where other cities see marriage as personal, Jinling sees it as political, another chain binding the empire together. Citizens often joke bitterly: “You may choose your sword, your teacher, even your enemy, but not your spouse — not without the Matchmaker’s blessing.”