With tears of joy welling in her eyes, Madam Su murmured softly to the departing bridal sedan chair, "Yue'er, you must be happy."

Including the betrothal gifts, the dowry totaled a full 240 loads. The first loads of the dowry had just entered the palace gates when the last load left the Jiang residence.

The ten-mile-long procession of red bridal procession was the envy of countless women, and the onlookers on both sides of the street were amazed. Everyone could see how much the emperor valued the empress.

With the arrival of the bridal sedan chair, the entire palace was immersed in jubilation. The emperor, already dressed in his dragon robe, was waiting in front of the Kunning Palace.

Just as the palace maids were about to help the bride down from the sedan chair, Xiao Jingzhao rushed over in three quick steps.

"Yue Niang."

He reached out his hand.

Jiang Shuyue looked at the man with deep affection through the thin veil, and slowly placed her hand in his palm.

Amidst the sound of drums and music, the two walked side by side into the main hall.

Upon entering the main hall, the Grand Scholar Zhen began reciting a prayer, asking the gods of heaven and earth to bless the Emperor and Empress with happiness and prosperity, and for the nation to enjoy peace and prosperity.

Then the two bowed to heaven and earth.

The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager accepted the two men's obeisance and eagerly gestured to Aunt Cai to send them into the bridal chamber.

Upon entering the Kunning Palace's sleeping quarters, Xiao Jingzhao dismissed all the palace maids and nannies.

"Moon Lady, are you tired?" Xiao Jingzhao couldn't wait to lift the veil.

Even knowing how beautiful his bride was, Xiao Jingzhao was still stunned by Jiang Shuyue's beauty today.

"Moon Maiden, you are so beautiful."

Jiang Shuyue glanced around the vast bedroom, where festive red was everywhere she looked.

She raised her hand to adjust the heavy phoenix crown on her head. "It's too heavy. My neck is about to break."

"Moon Lady, don't move. Let me help you take off the phoenix crown." Xiao Jingzhao knew the phoenix crown was heavy, so he didn't let the palace maids and nannies stay to perform the tedious wedding ceremony.

The phoenix crown was removed, and the woman before him had skin as smooth as jade and eyes as clear as water; one glance was enough to captivate him.

Xiao Jingzhao placed the nuptial wine into Jiang Shuyue's hands, saying, "Yue Niang, from this day forward, you are my wife, my one and only Empress. I have longed for this day for so long, and now that my wish has come true, it is my blessing. I will love you for all eternity, until..."

"Shh! You are the Emperor, your words are law. Today is our joyous day, let's talk about this life and not the next." Before Xiao Jingzhao could finish speaking, Jiang Shuyue quickly pressed her finger to his lips.

Their eyes met, filled with tender affection.

The two tilted their heads back and drank the nuptial wine in one gulp.

“Ah Zhao, Sui Sui, he…”

"Moon Lady, I have the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to take care of me. Tonight belongs only to you and me."

As he spoke, Xiao Jingzhao took Jiang Shuyue's hand and led her toward the dragon bed.

Whether it was due to excessive excitement or the alcohol, Xiao Jingzhao felt a restless, raging fire in his lower abdomen that was about to devour his reason.

At this moment, silence speaks louder than words. On the red carpet in front of the dragon bed, the dragon robe and the embroidered shawl were intertwined in layers.

In the bridal chamber, red candles flickered, red waves surged, and the warm boudoir made for a spring night. The night was filled with harmonious music, and with the beauty in his arms, he was both reluctant and welcoming. Xiao Jingzhao finally experienced what it meant for a monarch to neglect his morning court duties.