Upon hearing the matchmaker's words, the Empress Dowager nodded and handed the other end of the veil to Chen Nian.

The two opened the veil and carefully and solemnly placed it firmly on Qing'er's head. Just as they finished, Yongxuan and the others entered.

...

"Grandmother, please rest assured that Yongxuan will never fail Qing'er in this life."

Dressed in his wedding attire, Yongxuan accepted Qing'er from the Empress Dowager and spoke solemnly.

No one in the sisterhood tried to stop or make things difficult for them; their happiness was more important than anything else.

The bridesmaids were polite, and Yongxuan was no exception, preparing gifts for everyone.

"Qing'er, Cining Palace will always be your home. If Yongxuan makes you suffer any injustice, come back to me anytime, and I will teach him a lesson for you."

The Empress Dowager gave detailed instructions.

"Um."

Qing'er, her head covered by a veil, nodded slightly, her hand, held by Yongxuan, trembling slightly.

Feeling Qing'er's hand trembling, Yongxuan tightened his grip on her hand, unconsciously transmitting strength to her.

"Let's go, don't miss the auspicious time."

The discerning Empress Dowager could easily see through Yongxuan's actions. She waved her hand, her eyes red-rimmed, turned her gaze away, and tilted her head to indicate that he could leave.

"Um."

Yongxuan glanced solemnly at the Empress Dowager, then led Qing'er step by step toward the bridal sedan chair outside.

...

"Hurry, hurry, let's go, Your Majesty, let's get out of the palace quickly."

Seeing the bride and groom leave, the concubines in the hall dispersed, the bridesmaids also left, and the Empress Dowager returned to her room to calm down, the Emperor, who had been sitting steadily, suddenly couldn't sit still anymore. He hurriedly stood up and urged the Empress sitting beside him to go and perform the rituals for the Emperor.

Hongce and Huairou are both gone, so only they can go to the ancestral hall.

Anyway, they treat Yongxuan and Niannian like their own children. If others have it, they can't be left out.

Yongxuan, the groom, still wants to take Qing'er around the capital twice; they have plenty of time.

"Okay, okay."

Hearing the Emperor's sudden agitation, the Empress really wanted to roll her eyes at him, but today was Qing'er's big day, so it wasn't appropriate. She'd find another opportunity to do so later.

Worried it's too late now? Hmph, serves you right.

The Emperor had discussed with her long ago the matter of becoming their parents.

When she reminded him not to come to Cining Palace today and to go directly to Prince Rui's residence, he flatly refused, simply because he wanted to join in the fun.

He said he wanted to stay and see how Niannian and the others would make things difficult for Yongxuan and the others, and to see what it would be like if Yongxuan's cold-faced demeanor broke down.

As a result, he was disappointed. Niannian and the others did nothing and successfully let Yongxuan take Qing'er away.

"Your Majesty, let's hurry!"

Having spent a lot of time with Hanxiang and Chennian, the Emperor had also developed a rare bit of liveliness. Now that there were no outsiders around, he even showed a little bit of his temper in front of the Empress.

Anyway, his true nature was already revealed once during the Baoyue Tower incident, so one more time won't make a difference.

"..."

The Empress, who hadn't expected the Emperor to come, fell silent for a moment.

The Emperor only showed this side of himself to Huairou.

Unexpectedly, she can see it now, but she no longer loves him, and no longer has any expectations.

She longed to win the Emperor's heart, to let him be a little temperamental with her, and to treat her as one of his own.

Unfortunately, the misunderstanding created a deep rift between them. Decades later, they could only maintain a respectful distance. He found someone new to love, and she let go of her youthful affections.

I never expected that what I had prayed for for so many years...