Chapter 77

After the autumn hunt, Emperor Xiao’s birthday arrived in a flash.

All the officials came to celebrate the birthday. Due to the cold weather, the palace banquet was held in the main hall. Emperor Xiao and the Empress sat on the high seats. Because it was his birthday, Emperor Xiao looked good. Next in line were the seats of Xiao Xinghan, Gu Yanling and An An.

An An was wearing a particularly festive cotton coat today, a tiger-head hat adorned with pearls, and a painting in her hand. She bowed in front of the ministers and said in a childish voice, "An An wishes the Emperor great-grandfather good fortune, as vast as the East Sea, and a long life as long as the Southern Mountains!"

After saying that, he presented the big birthday peach he had painted for Emperor Xiao. It took him half a month to paint this peach, which was not easy for him at his age. Emperor Xiao had seen all kinds of rare treasures, and his grandson's gift was of great value. He ordered people to put it away carefully, touched his head lovingly, and ordered people to add another chair next to him. An An sat down obediently, and the eunuch standing next to Emperor Xiao served him tea and snacks.

Gu Yanling glanced at An An who was sitting on the high seat. The little guy had gained weight since he entered the palace, eating, drinking and having fun all day long. She brought him home a few days ago. Su Lixiao was completely relieved when she touched An An's chubby face. She had been worried that the child would not be used to living in the palace.

Gu Yanling sighed, "If you keep eating, you'll really become a little fat boy."

Xiao Xinghan agreed, but he still tried to make amends for his son: "You eat too much in winter, it will be better in spring."

Gu Yanling just said it casually. If An An became thin due to hunger, he would feel distressed more than anyone else. "Yes, my mother said that this is just milk fat. It will be fine when he grows up."

Xiao Xinghan smiled.

The banquet ended in the evening. Gu Yanling was too tired to move when she returned. She got off the sedan chair and acted coquettishly, asking Xiao Xinghan to hold her. When An An heard this, he also raised his fat arms and asked his father to hold him.

In the end, Xiao Xinghan carried them both back to the bedroom, one in each hand.

Gu Yanling touched Xiao Xinghan's muscular lines through his clothes and praised him, "Your Highness really has great arm strength."

An An thought it was very funny and giggled beside her.

…

The most popular person in the capital recently is Mr. Gu. His son is about to marry the prince, and he himself has been granted a title, and his wife has been granted an imperial edict. It is the supreme honor. The Gu family's house has been turned into a noble mansion, and the plaques have been replaced with words written by His Majesty. It is very magnificent. Two majestic stone lions were built at the door. The threshold of his house is about to be trampled down, and there are countless visiting cards every day.

Not only Gu Qifu, but even Su Lixiao was often invited by those noble ladies in Beijing recently. Because Gu Lanpan was Gu Yanling's elder sister, others were extremely polite to her when dealing with those noble ladies, calling her sister. She also wanted to establish a relationship with the Gu family. Later, when she heard that Gu Lanpan would not marry and only wanted to marry a son-in-law, she gave up the idea.

The betrothal gift was paid one month before the wedding. The Gu family, from top to bottom, even the maids and servants, had good luck. It was so important that Gu Qifu had nothing to say and had a smile on his face all day long.

However, they were afraid of being too proud and causing gossip to Gu Yanling, so they rarely accepted visiting cards and gifts. They only booked a three-day banquet at Baoweilou in advance to entertain the people on the wedding day.

When Shen Qingyun knew that Gu Yanling was going to marry the prince, he complained that he had kept it a secret and even hid it from him. When Gu Yanling thought about how they were implicated because of her affairs, she treated them to some good wine and gave them some rare items as an apology. Only then did they become harmonious again.

The closer it gets to the wedding, the more free time there is.

Five days before the wedding, Gu Yanling moved back home from the East Palace. An An went back with him, and there was also a nanny from the palace who came to teach him the etiquette. However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had instructed these nannies in advance that when they saw Gu Yanling yawning, they obviously didn't listen, so they turned a blind eye and just went through the motions.

The two of them slept together every day, so they naturally felt a little uncomfortable when they were suddenly separated. It was mainly Xiao Xinghan who was not used to it. He felt empty at night without the warm and beautiful girl in his arms. He asked Li Youfu to deliver a letter outside the palace. Gu Yanling thought he was too clingy and thought they had been separated for a long time. They hadn't seen each other for just one night.

However, after just two days of happiness outside the palace, Gu Yanling began to miss Xiao Xinghan. As the wedding was approaching, the two could not meet. Fortunately, time passed quickly and soon it was the ninth day of the first lunar month.

The Gu family has been more festive these days than during the Chinese New Year. Red lanterns are hung throughout the house, and wedding characters are posted on the windows, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

On this day, even the maids and servants changed into new clothes and had smiles on their faces.

Gu Yanling was woken up early in the morning, bathed and changed her clothes, and was dressed up by the maid. The wedding dress had been modified. It was not a wedding skirt worn by women. It was similar in style to a wedding robe, with three layers inside and three layers outside. It was extremely complicated, with phoenixes and peonies embroidered with gold thread. The phoenix crown was luxurious, and the pearl pendant chain fell down to cover her face. Gu Yanling felt her head heavy, like a puppet, cooperating with these maids.

There was a roar of gongs and drums outside the palace.

An An also changed into new clothes, a red cotton gown with a gold necklace inlaid with pearls hanging on her chest, which made her look particularly rich. Seeing her father dressed like this, she walked around him curiously and said kindly, "Daddy, can you see like this? You hold An An's hand and An An will take you with you!"

Gu Yanling squeezed his little hand and said with a smile, "There will be a lot of people around later, so stay with uncle."

After all, the child is still young, and with so many guests coming today, Gu Yanling is worried that his parents can't take care of him. Upon hearing this, Wu Jingmo picked up An An.

Su Lixiao, Gu Qifu and Gu Lanpan escorted Gu Yanling out of the Gu family's gate to the sound of music.

The wedding procession was really too long. Xiao Xinghan was wearing a wedding dress embroidered with a four-clawed dragon, and his stern brows were relaxed. Anyone could see that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was in a very good mood today. After seeing Gu Yanling coming out, he dismounted gracefully and looked at Gu Yanling intently. The two of them looked at each other across the bead curtain.

Gu Yanling reached out her hand and was held. Xiao Xinghan said to Gu Qifu and Su Lixiao, "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, Yanling, I'll take her away."

Gu Qifu and Su Lixiao nodded and wiped their tears: "Yan'er will be handed over to His Highness in the future."

Xiao Xinghan smiled and said, "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, don't worry."

After all, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was marrying a man, and there were many curious people gathered around, making it quite lively.

Many guests also came to the Gu family, and the two elders and Gu Lanpan had to entertain these people. Li Youfu took An An from Wu Jingmo's arms and sent her to the carriage that was coming to pick up the bride.

Xiao Xinghan held Gu Yanling's hand and led him to the wedding sedan chair, and waited for Gu Yanling to sit firmly in the sedan chair.

Xiao Xinghan then climbed onto his horse.

The wedding procession circled the imperial city. Wherever they went, the people brought them good luck and congratulations.

It started snowing at some point. Gu Yanling raised his hand to catch a snowflake and felt a chill on his palm. This was his first snowfall since he came to the capital.

The palace was even more lively. The banquet had been set up long ago and was spread from inside the palace to outside. All officials took their seats with their families according to their status.

Emperor Xiao and the Empress sat on the dragon and phoenix chairs in court robes.

Under the witness of court officials, Xiao Xinghan took Gu Yanling's hand and completed the kneeling ceremony.

Finally, Xiao Xinghan took Gu Yanling's hand and sent him back to the East Palace. The East Palace was also full of joy. It was still early and the banquet would last for the whole day. Xiao Xinghan also had to go out to accept the toasts and congratulations from all the officials.

"I have someone prepare a meal. If you get hungry soon, eat something to fill your stomach."

Gu Yanling nodded when he heard this, and the bead curtain immediately swayed. He wanted to lift the curtain that was in the way, but Xiao Xinghan raised his hand to stop him, "No, wait until I come back and lift it myself."

This bead curtain is equivalent to a red veil.

Gu Yanling: "I'm going to have dinner later, so I can't tease you, right?"

Xiao Xinghan took his hand and placed it on his lips and kissed it, then said helplessly, "You've only been thinking about eating. Have you missed me these days?"

Gu Yanling hadn't eaten since early morning and was anxious to eat: "I've thought about it, you should go and entertain the officials."

The two hadn't seen each other for such a long time, and it was a happy day. Xiao Xinghan just wanted to hug Gu Yanling tenderly. The officials were eating and drinking well outside, so what was there to treat him to? In the end, he reluctantly went out.

For a moment, only Gu Yanling and two maids were left in the bedroom.

The palace maid brought the meal, and the nanny didn't say anything. After he finished eating, she put lip balm on him and adjusted the pearl curtain in front of his face.

It was still early when Xiao Xinghan came, and he did not wait until the evening. He only had a slight smell of alcohol on him.

When the nanny saw him coming over to pay his respects, she presented the wedding scale. Xiao Xinghan lifted the pearl curtain and stared at Gu Yanling's beautiful face with makeup on, with burning eyes.

Gu Yanling was woken up early this morning. She felt that getting married was too troublesome. Now that he was looking at her like this, she finally felt the reality of the wedding. She blinked and looked at Xiao Xinghan.

The two exchanged glances, full of affection.

The nanny had no choice but to remind them, "Your Highness, Crown Princess, it's time to drink the wedding wine."

Xiao Xinghan then took the wine cup and drank the wedding wine with Gu Yanling. He then took a strand of hair, tied it together and put it in his purse, which was kept by the nanny. After the ceremony, the nannies withdrew and closed the bedroom door.

Gu Yanling finally didn't have to hold it anymore. She quickly raised her hand and touched her neck and said, "Your Highness, please help me take off this phoenix crown. It's too heavy and my neck hurts."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xinghan carefully untied the phoenix crown for him and said, "Still calling me Your Highness?"

Gu Yanling didn't hesitate and immediately changed her words with a smile: "Husband."

The phoenix crown was placed on the table, and her black hair was spread out. With the call of "husband" uttered, Gu Yanling was carried horizontally by Xiao Xinghan to the bed.

The big bed in the East Palace's bedroom was now covered with bright red embroidered sheets. Although it was still early, red candles were already burning in the palace lanterns.

The two hadn't seen each other for a few days, and soon the wedding clothes were scattered all over the floor.

It was snowing heavily outside, but the charcoal fire was burning brightly in the bedroom, and the incense burner was lit. It was warm and full of spring.

This time, Gu Yanling fully realized Xiao Xinghan's amazing physical strength. After just a few days of not seeing him, this man wanted to chew her up and swallow her into his stomach.

The noise in the bedroom died down only when the moon was at its highest point in the sky.

Gu Yanling's eyelids were swollen from crying, and she didn't even have the strength to kick Xiao Xinghan. The palace maids came in one after another, bringing hot water and helping her wash up.

Xiao Xinghan wiped Gu Yanling's body skillfully and was affectionate with him. Gu Yanling hummed, feeling happy in his heart as it was a good day today.

The next morning, according to the rules, they should go to pay their respects to the Queen Mother. However, Gu Yanling was so exhausted that she couldn't even get up. Xiao Xinghan must have said something to the Queen Mother, so she didn't even have to pay her respects.

Gu Yanling was also happy to have some free time.

Three days later, Gu Yanling and Xiao Xinghan brought An An and her family of three back home.

Anyone with eyes could see that Xiao Xinghan loved Gu Yanling. The two elders of the Gu family were no longer as reserved as before and warmly entertained Xiao Xinghan.

Gu Qifu has now figured it out. It's the same for both sons and daughters. As long as the children are happy, that's all that matters.

The heavy snow continued until the New Year was approaching.

Gu Yanling had never seen such heavy snow before. During this period, she often took An An to play in the snow. The hands of the two, one big and one small, were always frozen red. Xiao Xinghan had scolded Gu Yanling for this several times, but of course Gu Yanling didn't listen to him. In order to prevent the two from getting frostbite, Xiao Xinghan took the trouble to apply ointment to the two every day.

Whenever Gu Yanling caught a cold, she would quickly hold a hand warmer and put on a fox fur coat.

The three snowmen built in the East Palace did not melt until spring.

After the year.

Emperor Xiao abdicated due to health reasons and lived out his days in peace.

When the new emperor ascended the throne, taxes were halved and a general amnesty was granted.

Because the coronation ceremony was held together with the empress-crowned ceremony, it was particularly grand.

Xiao Xinghan and Gu Yanling wore dragon and phoenix robes and worshipped their ancestors together, announced by the Minister of Etiquette.

The jade seal and the phoenix seal were presented, and all civil and military officials knelt in worship.

"Long live His Majesty, and may the Queen live a thousand years and a thousand years."

Xiao Xinghan and Gu Yanling stood at the highest point, staring at each other, with only each other in their eyes.

Gu Yanling held Xiao Xinghan's hand tightly.

In the days to come, the emperor and empress will be one and will always be together.