Chapter 84: The Emperor and Empress's Wedding
Yun Kui felt he was too familiar with the place, as if he were returning to his own palace, which made her a little embarrassed. "We're unmarried men and women, isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to always be having affairs?"
Xiao Qi'an frowned when he heard this word, but there was nothing he could do. He had to accept her filthy thoughts and unrestrained speech once he had chosen her.
She didn't know he had mind-reading abilities before, and all her impure thoughts were hidden in her heart. Later, when she found out, she gradually stopped hiding them and became more open and honest.
Xiao Qi'an slipped his fingers inside and gently kissed her lips. "If it weren't for the many affairs of the previous dynasty and your father's insistence on using ancestral rules to reason things out, you would have entered the palace long ago. Why did you have to go through all this?"
Yun Kui felt the cool, smooth texture of the ring and inhaled softly. "We're doing quite well as we are now. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, it's just that sneaking around every few days... it's too frequent..."
Xiao Qi'an frowned: "We have been sleeping in the same bed openly and honestly, and we are husband and wife. How can this be called stealing?"
Yun Kui: "Then do you dare to go to the Sheng residence?"
Xiao Qi'an: "What wouldn't I dare to do?"
He made a move to lift her up, but Yun Kui, still disheveled, quickly grabbed his waist in fright, "I'm afraid! I'm afraid, okay..."
Xiao Qi'an then put her down and continued, "You're quite afraid of him."
Yun Kui pursed her lips: "It's not that I'm afraid..."
She had seen her father's stern and imposing appearance. Before he was the Vice Minister of War, when the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was imprisoned, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had to obey his orders. She had personally heard her father say that he would imprison and interrogate all those who had followed Feng Yu in his evil deeds, and that he would break their bones to find out all of Feng Yu's crimes over the years...
It seemed that only in front of her did he appear gentle and kind, always ready to help, and unwilling to utter a single harsh word.
Although she hadn't changed her way of addressing him and didn't know how to call him "Father," she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and respect for him.
Just like every child wants the approval of their elders, she did too. She didn't want to be seen as an outrageous, willful, unruly, and worrisome daughter in his eyes.
However, her father was very kind. He gave her the greatest freedom and encouraged her to go out and explore more. No matter how busy he was with official duties, he would come home every night to have dinner with her.
Sometimes the word "Daddy" was already stuck in my throat, but I still didn't get a chance to say it.
Once she entered the palace, he was alone again.
Thinking of this, Yun Kui still felt a faint sadness.
Xiao Qi'an said, "You're afraid he'll be all alone, but aren't you afraid that I'll be alone in my empty room and miss you too?"
Yun Kui then smiled and kissed his cheek, "Didn't I enter the palace in August? And in these two months, haven't we met privately quite often? His Majesty has never mistreated himself."
She made a pointed remark, and Xiao Qi'an swallowed hard, his hot breath falling on her neck as he gently kissed her down her collarbone.
Yun Kui thought so too, so she let him do as he pleased, until she felt a tightness around her waist and suddenly realized what he was going to do. She quickly reached out to push him away, saying, "Don't tear this, it's... it was bought by Father."
Xiao Qi'an's face darkened considerably. "He can't tear up what he bought, but I can tear up what I bought?"
Yun Kui wanted to explain, but then felt something was off, and angrily slapped the dragon's rump. "And you still dare to talk? You tore it yourself! My clothes are getting smaller and smaller..."
Xiao Qi'an gritted his teeth and grabbed her wrist, "You're incredibly audacious."
How dare you hit him!
Yun Kui, with her neck stiff, said, "Your Majesty is wrong, and I have a duty to advise you."
Xiao Qi'an: "Full of high-sounding reasons."
Yun Kui chuckled, slowly untied the ribbon, and put his hand inside.
While enjoying herself, she sighed deeply, "Your Majesty, do you think I can be a good empress?"
During this period, she also hastily studied the stories of many virtuous empresses from various dynasties. Some taught her to be gentle, kind, respectful, and frugal; some taught her to be tolerant and generous and not to be jealous; and some taught her how to assist the monarch and be a good wife. These words were all too unfamiliar to her.
Born a palace maid, she never imagined that she would one day become the empress. It felt like she was carrying a heavy burden on her shoulders, and just thinking about it made her feel overwhelmed.
Looking at her worried expression, Xiao Qi'an said in a low voice, "There's no need to change. You're fine as you are."
Yun Kui blinked in surprise, but she also wanted to hear what he had to say. After all, this man's mouth was as hard as stone, and it was rare to hear a word or two of praise from him.
Xiao Qi'an said, "The so-called virtue is nothing but a shackle that binds women in the secular world. It is a high wall that the so-called sages of the past have built for women. Why must you live the way they have prescribed? You can be gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, or free-spirited. You can be dignified and graceful or innocent and carefree. There is nothing wrong with any of these."
Yun Kui was slightly taken aback, and blushed a little: "Aren't you being too lenient with me?"
Xiao Qi'an stroked her cheek, "You are honest and kind, and you have a clear sense of right and wrong. These two qualities are rare in this world."
Yun Kui: "Then... as Empress, can I still do whatever I want like before? Can I still go out shopping and listen to storytelling as often as I do now? Can I still visit gardens and eat my way through every street and alley?"
Xiao Qi'an frowned, feeling that she was starting to take advantage of him, but still said, "As long as it's not excessive. I married you not to restrict you with those rules and regulations, but naturally because I want you to be happy."
Yun Kui excitedly rubbed his pectoral muscles, "I'm so happy right now!"
After a moment of tenderness, she added with a hint of worry, "You won't regret it, will you? Are you really going to forgo the harem and only marry me? If you see women who are more beautiful and better than me in the future, can you really resist being tempted? If you try to persuade me to be magnanimous then, I'll be angry..."
Xiao Qi'an became interested. "How are you angry?"
Yun Kui bit her lip and said, "I'm divorcing you!"
Xiao Qi'an's eyebrows twitched.
"Then find a hundred men who are more handsome, stronger, and have eight-pack abs than you to serve me in turns!"
Xiao Qi'an bit into the soft flesh below her collarbone in hatred.
Yun Kui screamed in pain.
Just as she lifted her skirt to teach her a lesson, hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Huai Zhu said from outside the door, "Miss, the master has sent someone to urge you to return to the manor immediately to receive the imperial decree."
Despite the pain, Yun Kui called out, "Coming! Coming!"
With teary eyes, she pushed away the man on top of her, saying, "Let's call it even today. Who told you to send someone to deliver the imperial decree in such a hurry..."
Helpless, Xiao Qi'an silently sped up the process, but it took half an hour for him to fully release.
Yun Kui stood up, supporting her back. Fortunately, her clothes had been thrown off the bed and hadn't gotten dirty. She left the teahouse, boarded her own carriage, and hurried back to the mansion before dark.
The crowd of onlookers outside the Sheng Mansion was kept several feet away by the Imperial Guards, but they refused to disperse and waited for almost half a day, hoping to catch a glimpse of the future Empress.
However, as time went by, people who were initially curious and expectant began to worry about the future empress.
"Just who is this Miss Sheng? How dare she keep someone from the palace waiting for her for half a day!"
"Could it be that she's planning to defy the imperial decree and refuse the marriage?"
"It's a pity that the Grand Master has just returned to the capital, only to be burdened with such a troublesome daughter. If she offends His Majesty, he might turn a joyous occasion into a funeral..."
"Hey, they're here! They're here!"
Yun Kui could see from afar that her family's gate was bustling with activity. Fortunately, Huai Qing and Huai Zhu were also in the carriage, and with the Imperial Guards and attendants clearing the way, from getting out of the carriage to entering the mansion, she only left the crowd outside the gate with a fleeting glimpse.
"That's the Empress? She's so beautiful, like a little fairy!"
"No wonder she is the daughter of a martial arts champion. Lord Sheng was handsome when he was young, and Miss Sheng inherited his good looks. She can't be bad either."
"Look at this spectacle! The attitude of that chief eunuch in the palace doesn't seem like he's here to deliver an imperial decree at all; it's more like he's asking for a marriage proposal!"
...
As soon as Yun Kui entered the door, Cao Yuanlu immediately went to greet her.
"The girl is finally back!"
Yun Kui was also helpless. If it weren't for His Majesty's persistent pestering, she would have returned long ago!
She was always afraid of being exposed when her father looked her up and down.
Sheng Yu noticed her as soon as she entered. The girl's eyes were darting around, her lips were unnaturally red, probably not lip rouge, and there were also barely perceptible wrinkles on her dress, which must have been done by hand.
He wasn't stupid; he had served in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for a time, so he was quite capable of investigation and case handling. How could he not see through it?
He naturally wouldn't blame the girl for anything; after all, he was the emperor, and if he wanted to do whatever he wanted, how could his own girl possibly resist?
What he couldn't understand was that His Majesty, with his literary and military prowess, awe-inspiring throughout the land, and possessing an extremely resilient character, would not have been able to overcome all obstacles to reach where he was now. How could someone who should be the most composed and self-controlled person be like this...?
But then he thought again, his daughter was deeply favored by the Emperor and had a loving and happy relationship with him. If she entered the palace in the future, she would not be the distant and aloof Emperor and Empress. Instead, she would be able to have a deep and loving relationship with the Emperor, which would be a wonderful thing. He should be gratified.
For the next three months, Yun Kui was no longer as free as before. The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department would come to her residence every few days to inspect and try on the Empress's ceremonial robes, everyday clothes, phoenix crown, and headdress. Kunning Palace was rearranged according to her preferences, and the etiquette officer and the teaching nanny moved into her residence half a month in advance to teach her various etiquette rules for the investiture ceremony, so as to ensure that there would be no mistakes on the day.
Of course, there were also matrons who taught them how to consummate the marriage.
The Ministry of Rites concealed her past as a palace maid who served the emperor, and publicly identified her only as Sheng Yun Kui, the unmarried eldest daughter of the Sheng family. As was customary, the Imperial Household Department also sent a matron to teach her the ways of husband and wife.
Yun Kui had no choice but to pretend to be confused, and like any young girl who had never experienced sexual intercourse, she shyly and humbly followed the nanny and learned it all over again.
Finally, the day of August 18th arrived. Before dawn, Yun Kui got up to bathe, wash, and dress.
Granny Yan came from the palace to comb her hair. She had heard in the palace that the Empress came from the Sheng family, the former martial arts champion. She had not seen Yun Kui for a long time, so she immediately had a guess.
Sure enough, the girl was indeed Sheng Yu's daughter.
There are not many old acquaintances left around Emperor Jingyou and Empress Huigong. Sheng Yu naturally still remembers her, and when the two meet, they inevitably exchange a few pleasantries.
Granny Yan smiled and said, "The general has been exiled from the capital for many years, but my daughter has entered the Eastern Palace by a twist of fate and is by His Majesty's side. It can be said that it is the will of Heaven."
Sheng Yu never expected that his trip back to the capital would not only bring him a daughter, but also lead to a marriage alliance with Emperor Jingyou.
Before leaving, Sheng Yu and everyone in his household paid their respects to the Empress as subjects of a ruler.
Seeing her father kneeling on the ground, Yun Kui finally couldn't hold back her tears and stepped forward to help him up. "Father..."
Upon receiving this belated address, Sheng Yu was instantly moved to tears.
Even though the rules for marriage in the imperial family were very strict, he still performed the full ceremony, slowly rose, and finally said only: "From now on, I wish to live in harmony with Your Majesty and share weal and woe. I have no other wish than that you two live a peaceful and prosperous life together in harmony."
Yun Kui nodded with tears in her eyes: "Father, please take care of yourself too."
Looking at the girl in brocade clothes and adorned with jewels, Sheng Yu sighed inwardly, thinking that her mother in heaven would surely be pleased to see her marry a good man today.
He patted Yun Kui on the shoulder and said gently, "Go on, don't miss the auspicious time."
Yun Kui nodded, turned and left the mansion. What greeted her was the grand procession of the Empress. The wedding procession headed towards the palace, with drums and music playing all the way and colorful ribbons fluttering in the wind.
The following day was filled with tedious investiture ceremonies and wedding procedures. She was so overwhelmed by the weight of the phoenix crown and gorgeous robes that she could hardly breathe. Like a puppet, she kept her face tense and her neck straight as she passed through countless palace gates. From the altar ceremony, the investiture and welcoming, the kneeling of the courtiers, to entering Kunning Palace, countless complicated and solemn ceremonies awaited her.
Fortunately, the nanny had taught her all the rules beforehand, and the master of ceremonies guided her along the way. When she was so nervous that she didn't know what to do, His Majesty would remind her in time and reach out to comfort her. As a result, she didn't make any mistakes throughout the day.
But once you step into the Kunning Palace and sit on the wedding bed, seeing the dragon and phoenix candles shining brightly and the whole hall resplendent in gold and jade, your weariness is slowly replaced by tension.
When Xiao Qi'an entered the palace, he saw the little maid sitting on the edge of the bed with her head down and her face full of shyness. When she heard that he had come, she didn't dare to raise her head, as if it were the first time she had seen him.
Well, after all, in the eyes of the master of ceremonies and the palace servants, he and this eldest daughter of the Sheng family did not have the entangled past of the Chengguang Hall, and their marriage was almost like an arranged marriage.
Even for ordinary people, the wedding ceremony was a complicated affair, and for emperors, the rituals were even more elaborate.
First, they washed their hands, then performed the "sharing the same food" ceremony. The "sharing the same food" ceremony meant that the husband and wife ate three dishes together, symbolizing sharing joys and sorrows. This girl was probably very hungry, as she quickly emptied the food from her bowl.
He chuckled softly, earning a subtle glare from her.
"I haven't dared to drink water or eat anything all day, I'm so hungry!"
Xiao Qi'an was innocent. He had prepared snacks and milk tea for her along the way, but she refused to eat them because she was afraid of needing to relieve herself.
"Hurry up! My neck is so sore!"
The familiar little girl has finally returned. Xiao Qi'an smiled and instructed the master of ceremonies to continue.
After drinking the nuptial wine, the next step was the hair-tying ceremony. Historically, emperors did not need to cut their hair; a tassel was sufficient. However, Xiao Qi'an personally cut off a lock of his hair and tied it with hers, symbolizing their vow to be bound together forever.
After the ceremony, Xiao Qi'an was about to go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to host a grand banquet for his officials. Before leaving, he instructed her, "I will be back soon. You should take a bath and change your clothes first."
Yun Kui: "..."
All the palace maids in the room blushed on her behalf.
With the help of Tan Yun and Xiu Yue, the head maids of Kunning Palace, Yun Kui removed her phoenix crown and heavy dress. Finally, she could move her neck again, and Yun Kui breathed a sigh of relief before she could eat some food to fill her stomach.
After bathing in the side hall, she returned to the wedding bed. The fire prevention charts sent by the Imperial Household Department were too simplistic. She casually flipped through a couple of pages and found them less sophisticated than someone else's.
Judging by the time, His Majesty will be back soon. Let's give him a little surprise.
Yun Kui took off her nightgown, lowered the bed curtains, and crawled naked into the wedding quilt.
She had originally planned to wait for him to come back, but after a long day of exhaustion and without the constraints of clothing, her eyelids drooped, and she quickly fell into a comfortable sleep.
Xiao Qi'an returned to the palace and heard no movement from inside the bed. He thought to himself that he would let her rest for the night because she was too tired. After all, they were an old married couple and it wasn't necessary for them to have sex tonight.
However, when he lifted the covers, that soft body slid against him, and his breath hitched, causing him to immediately retract his previous thought.
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The extra chapters will be updated every two days for now [heart emoji]. After finishing the sweet daily life story, I'll write an "if" story where both the male and female leads have both parents alive. In the "if" story, it will still be a couple with a mind-reading prince and a soft-boiled egg-shaped female lead. I'll also write a little about them swapping skills. Please continue to support me if you like it! [sprinkling emoji]
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