Upon hearing Shen Qiyue's voice, a hint of guilt flashed across Lou Guyu's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
He looked at her with feigned seriousness and said:
"What are you doing standing here all gesticulating? Are you blocking my sister's way out? Believe me or not, I'll carry her back to the Miao tribe right now!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qiyue immediately glared, put her hands on her hips, and said fiercely:
"You dare!"
Lou Guyu retorted without backing down: "You'll see if I dare."
The two were about to fight, and Zhao Qian, standing beside the sedan chair, was so anxious that his eyelids twitched.
"My two little darlings, hurry up and get the Empress into the sedan chair, lest we miss the auspicious time."
The two were not people who couldn't distinguish between what was important and what was urgent, and they immediately shut up after hearing this.
After Yan Xiao sat in the sedan chair, she felt that something was strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She originally wanted to lift the curtain to ask, but as soon as she lifted it, she saw Lou Guyu and Shen Qiyue fighting again.
She felt a headache coming on and was afraid that the two men would ask her to judge them again, so she quickly pulled down the sedan curtain and pretended that nothing had happened.
Just as she was getting a little drowsy, they finally arrived at their destination.
As soon as the sedan chair landed, she heard the sound of the door being kicked, and then a long, slender hand reached out in front of her.
"Madam, I've come to pick you up."
Yan Xiao looked at the hand in front of her, blinked, blinked again, and finally realized what the strange feeling was. The process she was going through seemed to be the marriage process for women in this world.
What is Shen Muzhi planning to do? Isn't this the coronation ceremony?
Seeing that Yan Xiao didn't react, Shen Muzhi wasn't in a hurry, and his voice became even gentler:
"Yan'er, it's time to come out."
Yan Xiao took a deep breath, then slowly placed her hand on Shen Muzhi's hand. Whatever he wanted to do, it was ultimately related to her.
As Shen Muzhi grasped Yan Xiao's hand, a smile clearly appeared in his eyes, and his aura became gentler than ever before.
After Yan Xiao got out of the sedan chair, she saw Shen Muzhi's attire, which, just as she had casually mentioned, was indeed a matching couple's outfit.
However, what appears on him when exposed to light is a phoenix.
Seeing him looking at her, Shen Muzhi chuckled softly and leaned close to her ear, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"You are the phoenix, you are my light, and I also hope to become your light."
This wasn't some cheesy love talk, but Yan Xiao felt a pang of jealousy in her heart after hearing it.
Afraid of losing her composure, she quickly looked away, but her slightly red earlobes betrayed her true feelings.
Shen Muzhi clearly saw it, but pretended not to because he knew Yan Xiao was concerned about saving face.
Those watching had only heard of the future empress's unparalleled beauty, but had never seen her before. Upon suddenly seeing Yan Xiao dressed in her finest attire, they couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.
Even those who had met Yan Xiao before couldn't help but lose their composure upon seeing him again.
Among the onlookers, some whispers inevitably broke out.
"My God! Is this a celestial being?"
"How beautiful! No wonder His Majesty favors you so much."
"With this empress around, those young ladies from noble families who want to enter the palace will probably have a hard time gaining favor!"
"Look at the Empress's clothes! Isn't that a five-clawed golden dragon? Heavens, how dare you!"
These sounds were immediately suppressed by the soldiers in charge of maintaining order.
Yan Xiao looked up at the sound and saw the civil and military officials on both sides, as well as the onlookers who were guarded outside. In front of him was a flower-lined road with a red carpet.
She couldn't help but look at the person next to her, only to find that he was also looking at her. When their eyes met, the questions she wanted to ask seemed meaningless.
She smiled slightly in response, and then, as the person in charge began to sing, she let Shen Muzhi lead her to the steps.
The road wasn't very long, but Yan Xiao felt as if she had walked for a very, very long time. When she finally stopped, she knew that she was bound to this person for the rest of her life.
He said:
"Yan'er, although we have already gone through the wedding ceremony with Mother as our witness, I still feel that it is not real."
So, I want to marry you again, seriously. Will you marry me, spend your life with me, and give me the chance to take care of you for the rest of my life?
Upon hearing this, Yan Xiao's eyes inexplicably reddened.
She originally thought she didn't care, but now she realized that she did care. Strictly speaking, she had never been married to Shen Muzhi; that person was ultimately not her.
Regardless of whether Shen Muzhi sensed something or for other reasons, this was undoubtedly not their real wedding, so how could she not want it?
"I do." She heard her own voice tremble slightly, but it was firm and resolute.
With Yan Xiao nodding, the two of them faced the sky, the earth, and the memorial tablets of the Shen family couple and the Lou family couple, and formally bowed to each other in front of countless witnesses.
After the ceremony, Shen Muzhi's enthronement ceremony and Yan Xiao's investiture ceremony took place.
The ceremony was quite complicated, but fortunately it went smoothly. However, when the edict of investiture for Shen Muzhi and Yan Xiao was read out, there were many exclamations and discussions, but they were quickly suppressed by those who were prepared.
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
I believe that Heaven and Earth are in their proper places, Yin and Yang are in harmony, and all things are nurtured.
Now there is a woman named Lou, who is dignified, prudent, talented and virtuous, and a great help to me. I am very pleased with her.
Now, I offer the entire kingdom as my dowry to marry her. She promises to remain faithful to me alone, and I bestow upon her the Imperial Seal to oversee the state affairs, and she will be jointly governed by me, and be honored as the Empress.
The news of Shen Muzhi's deep affection for his wife had long been known, but people never imagined that he could go to such lengths.
Although many people do not understand or support him, the current court is full of Shen Muzhi's people. Even if these people have their own ideas, Shen Muzhi's prestige is there, and they have seen his witty and humorous actions.
Moreover, given her current status as a Miao ethnic holy woman, no one dares to be the first to speak out, and they can only let things develop as they will.
Lou Guyu stood with Shen Qiyue, both looking on with surprise and doubt.
"What's your brother up to? Offering the whole country as a dowry? Are you serious?"
Shen Qiyue only knew that her brother was going to remarry her sister-in-law today, and she didn't know the contents of the imperial edict, so she was also startled.
But he quickly realized what was happening, straightened his back, and immediately put his hands on his hips, saying smugly:
"Hmph! Of course I'm serious. With so many people watching, how could I be joking? Now you know how much my brother loves my sister-in-law."
So you'd better put away your little schemes and stop thinking about stealing my sister-in-law away. If I find out you're trying to get her involved again, I'll break your legs.
Lou Guyu felt wronged. When did he instigate anything? He was perfectly fine. If his sister was doing well, why would he instigate anything?
That was just a parting instruction he gave when he was sending his bride off. Was it a good instruction?
He felt he couldn't reason with this young girl, and huffed angrily:
"I won't stoop to your level, you ignorant little brat. You're a princess of a nation, after all. You're an eyesore. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
"Who are you calling unbearable to look at? How am I a laughingstock? Hey! Don't run away, stop right there and explain yourself..."
"I'm not running away, I'm letting you have your way, don't be ungrateful! Hey~ Man Yi, stop her right now!"
Man Yi had obediently stopped him a few times before, but now, upon hearing this, he immediately turned his head away. Anyone who didn't know better would think that he not only stuttered but was also hard of hearing.
Yanxiao had no idea that her younger brother was being chased and beaten by her own sister-in-law, nor did she have time to care, because she was also momentarily shocked when she heard the imperial edict.
"You're really going all out! Isn't this cutting off your escape route? Aren't you afraid you'll regret it later?"
Shen Muzhi chuckled softly upon hearing this, appearing quite pleased.
Will you give me a chance to change my mind?
Yan Xiao glanced sideways and slightly raised her chin:
"Of course not."
Shen Muzhi laughed even harder. As his laughter subsided, he lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her smiling red lips. His gaze towards her was like that of a devout believer, and he said, word by word:
"I wouldn't either. With you in my life, I would die without regret!"
[End of text]
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