Chapter 7 Wedding Ceremony~

Yuwen Che carried Su Luoxue all the way, his steps steady, passing through palaces and ignoring the astonished kneeling figures of the palace servants along the way, and went straight to the newly decorated Guanju Palace gate.

The palace gates were luxurious, painted in vermilion and gilded, and the three large characters "Guanju Palace" on the plaque were personally inscribed by the emperor. He finally stopped and carefully put the person in his arms down, his movements surprisingly gentle.

Su Luoxue's feet touched the ground. Through the veil, she could feel countless gazes focused on her, making her feel like she was being pricked by needles. She was so nervous that her palms were sweating, and she almost couldn't stand up.

Yuwen Che seemed to sense her unease, and his deep voice sounded above her head: "Stand firm." Then, he took a piece of bright red silk from Li Dehai, who was waiting respectfully to the side, put one end into Su Luoxue's hand, and held the other end himself.

The red ribbons connecting them seem to symbolize the signing of some kind of contract.

Upon seeing this, the officials in charge of ceremonies and eunuchs, who had been waiting inside the palace gates, immediately suppressed their surprise and began to chant the rites. This process was less like the selection of a concubine and more like the wedding ceremony in common parishes!

"The auspicious hour has arrived—the newlyweds enter the hall—"

Yuwen Che tightened his grip on the red silk. Fuling hurriedly went to the other side to support Su Luoxue, leading her step by step into the main hall of Guanju Palace. Inside, red candles were lit, and the atmosphere was festive, decorated no different from a wedding chamber in the common people's homes.

Outside the gates of Guanju Palace, the concubines, led by the Empress, were forced to stop. They could only watch helplessly as the Emperor, hand in hand with the merchant's daughter, performed the traditional wedding ceremony, behaving like a principal wife. The Empress's face was beyond ugly; it was a twisted expression of extreme humiliation, anger, and icy coldness. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh without her noticing. A wedding ceremony? His Majesty was actually performing a wedding ceremony with a concubine? What then did she, the Empress, deserve?! This was utterly trampling on her dignity, the dignity of the Shen family, and even the very rules of the imperial family!

Inside the hall, the ceremony continued.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth—" the master of ceremonies chanted.

Yuwen Che turned to face the sky outside the hall and bowed slightly. Su Luoxue was drawn by the red silk in his hand, and Fuling quickly helped her turn around and follow suit.

"Second bow to the parents—" (The seat for the parents is empty, so the first bow is symbolic)

"Husband and wife bow to each other—"

That final announcement of the wedding ceremony struck like a hammer blow to the hearts of all the concubines outside the door, especially the Empress, who swayed, almost gritting her teeth, "Husband and wife... husband and wife... Yuwen Che, is this how you humiliate me?"

Consort De quickly lowered her head and tightly hugged her bewildered son, her heart filled with shock.

Yuwen Che and Su Luoxue faced each other. Through the red veil, he couldn't see her face, but he could feel her trembling. He bowed slowly, and Su Luoxue returned the bow in kind.

The ceremony is complete.

Next, it was time to lift the veil.

Yuwen Che picked up an exquisite jade ruyi from the tray carried by the nanny. He walked up to Su Luoxue, and the hall fell silent instantly. Even he himself did not realize that his fingertips trembled slightly as he held the jade ruyi.

He was actually... nervous.

In the instant before he lifted the veil, an absurd yet intense fear gripped him—he was afraid. Afraid that what would be revealed beneath the veil wouldn't be the pair of clear, bright eyes from the street, nor the jasmine-scented girl who had bumped into him. Afraid that it was all just an illusion.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the inexplicable panic in his heart, and with a forceful pull of his wrist, slowly lifted the large red veil with the jade ruyi.

The veil slipped off gracefully.

The first thing that catches the eye is a smooth, full forehead, followed by delicately arched eyebrows like a crescent moon. Long eyelashes flutter and lift like butterfly wings, revealing eyes that Yuwen Che could never forget after just one fleeting glimpse outside the palace. At this moment, those eyes are filled with nervousness, shyness, and a trace of lingering fear, glistening with moisture, possessing an even more captivating charm than under the sunlight that day.

Her skin was like jade, her lips naturally red, and the pearl and jade tassels of her phoenix crown made her small face even more exquisite. The bright red wedding dress outlined her graceful figure, and although she was slightly stiff from nervousness, it only added to her pitiful charm. She stood there, exuding a pure yet charming, innocent yet alluring allure, as if she embodied the essence of heaven and earth.

"Hiss..." The old nannies and palace maids standing around couldn't help but gasp, their eyes filled with astonishment. They had served in the palace for many years and seen countless beauties, but they had never seen such a stunning beauty! No wonder...no wonder His Majesty had remained celibate for so many years, yet fell in love with her at first sight, even going so far as to do so many outrageous things! She was practically a reincarnation of Daji, a reborn Bao Si—a face of utter devastation!

Yuwen Che was also stunned.

He nearly dropped the jade ruyi from his hand. He stared intently at the face before him, clearer and more captivating than ever before. His heart, which had been pounding, suddenly settled, replaced by a deeper possessiveness he had never experienced before. It was her, no doubt about it.

His gaze was too intense, lingering unabashedly on Su Luoxue's face, as if trying to see through her. Su Luoxue blushed under his gaze, lowering her eyelashes in embarrassment, unable to meet his eyes, her voice soft as she said, "Your...Your Majesty..."

This soft call brought Yuwen Che back to his senses. His eyes darkened, and he tossed the jade ruyi back onto the tray, waving his hand dismissively.

Li Dehai immediately understood and said in a shrill voice, "The ceremony is complete...! His Majesty has decreed that everyone may leave!"

The palace servants, as if granted a pardon, quickly bowed and withdrew from the hall, gently closing the doors behind them. Fuling glanced worriedly at her young mistress, then was also pulled away by the nanny.

The vast main hall of Guanju Palace was suddenly left with only the emperor in his red robe and the imperial concubine in her wedding dress.

The red candles crackled, and a rich, festive aroma filled the air.

Yuwen Che stepped forward, getting closer to Su Luoxue, his tall figure completely enveloping her. He reached out and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.

“Look at me.” His voice was deep and husky, carrying an irresistible magic.

Su Luoxue was forced to look up, meeting his deep, unfathomable eyes, where intense emotions she couldn't understand surged, making her feel flustered and confused.

"Luoxue..." he called her name, his fingertips caressing her smooth chin, his tone carrying a hint of sigh, yet also an absolute declaration, "From this day forward, you will be my Imperial Concubine Chen."

Outside the palace, the night was deep, and a storm was brewing. The Empress, filled with resentment, stormed off, and the other concubines dispersed, each with their own thoughts. Everyone knew that from this moment on, the Great Zhou's harem was destined to never be peaceful again.