Chapter 77

Song Xuan was dressed in a bright red wedding gown, and the flickering candlelight cast a hazy glow on his handsome face.

The man had handsome features, sharp and strong, but his eyes were gentle, which made him appear like a gentleman.

"Your Highness," Shen Qingnian said with a touch of coquettishness. Her makeup was exquisite and gorgeous, perfectly complementing her phoenix coronet and wedding gown.

A faint scent of jasmine wafted through the hall, its fragrance lingering around the two of them and causing a slight tremor in their hearts.

Shen Qingnian glanced at Song Xuan, and after their eyes met, she immediately lowered her head. Her bright red lipstick couldn't compare to the delicate blush rising on her cheeks.

Her affectionate eyes were now shimmering with moisture, incredibly captivating. Even the slightly upturned corners of her eyes seemed to be wrapped in sweetness, stirring Song Xuan's heart.

"Qing Nian, you've finally married me..." Song Xuan stepped forward and held the girl's slender white hands in his palms. Their bodies were pressed together, like two hearts drawing closer.

His warm, dark eyes were already brimming with tenderness and affection.

She was finally his wife.

Shen Qingnian's watery eyes sparkled. She blinked to dispel the moisture, her expression a mixture of joy and感慨: "Your Highness and I have finally achieved our happy ending."

She's finally taken this big step; the next step will be a little easier...

Song Xuan also sighed and echoed, "Our fate is ordained by heaven. No matter how many times we go around in circles, we are still intertwined. No one can separate us. There is no greater true affection in the world than this."

Only now does he understand the meaning of the words "sincerity" and "true feelings".

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingnian nestled into Song Xuan's arms. Their bright red clothes clung together, and the glass bead curtain hanging over her face swayed gently with her movements, shimmering under the red candlelight.

Her words were filled with love and tenderness: "I am truly happy to marry Your Highness. I only hope that we can live in harmony in the future, and it would be even better if we could have another child..."

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan's breath tightened slightly, and he couldn't help but hug the beauty in his arms tighter. His voice was somewhat hoarse: "Qing Nian, you and I will definitely be a harmonious couple, and we will also have a baby."

He and Qing Nian will be very happy, for a long time, and they will have several children. He has already thought it through. If it is a boy, he will make him the crown prince when he ascends the throne, and if it is a girl, she will be the most noble princess.

He likes both boys and girls, as long as they are born to Qing Nian.

Shen Qingnian looked at the nuptial wine on the table and said shyly, "Your Highness, it's time to drink the nuptial wine. Once we drink it, our marriage will be complete."

The nuptial wine was a gift from the Empress, and it was brewed by her and the Emperor themselves. It symbolized the union of the bride and groom as one, and was the final ritual of the wedding, as well as a beautiful meaning of never being separated.

Unfortunately...

Song Xuan nodded slightly. He took Shen Qingnian's hand and led her to the table, pouring the wine from the wine pot into a wine cup.

“This is osmanthus wine. I heard from my mother that this wine was brewed with my father in the second year after she gave birth to me. It was specially prepared for my wedding,” Song Xuan said as he handed the wine cup to Shen Qingnian.

This is the most sincere wish of parents for their child: that their infant child will be forever united with their wife.

Shen Qingnian smiled as she accepted the wine glass. She stepped forward, intertwined her wrists with Song Xuan's, and drank the osmanthus wine in one gulp.

The fermented rice wine tasted sweet as it went down the throat, just as the emperor and empress had wished—pure and wonderful.

Shen Qingnian lowered her eyes slightly, concealing her thoughts, her raven-feather-like eyelashes trembling slightly.