On the ninth day of the second lunar month, the emperor and empress of Great Ying held their grand wedding, a cause for celebration throughout the land.
I was woken up early on New Year's Day by the nanny and sat in front of the dressing mirror, letting the palace maids and several nannies do whatever they wanted to me.
“Your Highness, this hairpin…” An old nanny noticed a jade-colored hairpin that had appeared in the jewelry box and couldn’t help but ask in surprise.
This jewelry box contains all the jewelry needed for the wedding day; she even checked it yesterday.
How come there's an extra hairpin today?
Upon hearing this, Yuan Dan slightly lifted her eyelids and said casually, "Oh, it was a gift from His Majesty."
The old woman dared not ask any more questions.
Thinking about how Xiao Changqi climbed through her window last night just to give her a hairpin, Yuan Dan found it both funny and a little embarrassing.
The man's deep voice seemed to whisper in my ear: "I'll come pick you up tomorrow."
Throughout history, due to the emperor's noble status, he always sent a minister with children to represent him in welcoming his bride; there has never been an example of an emperor personally going to welcome his bride.
It took more than an hour just to do her makeup and get ready.
On New Year's Day, she changed into her wedding dress, which was almost half covered by a phoenix outlined in gold thread, and her hairpins swayed with her movements.
After everything was arranged, the palace maids and nannies said some auspicious words.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"The auspicious time has arrived."
An older nanny glanced at the time and realized that it was still some time before the auspicious hour.
So the nanny opened the door and went out, whispering to the Director of Ceremonial Affairs, "Did you remember the time wrong, sir? The auspicious time hasn't arrived yet."
The Director of Ceremonial Affairs looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "His Majesty has arrived."
It wouldn't be appropriate to leave the emperor, the supreme ruler, waiting outside while he himself came to fetch the bride.
“But this…” the old woman hesitated, “etiquette cannot be disregarded.”
The Director of Ceremonial Affairs shook his head, and just as he was about to say something more, a loud shout rang out: "His Majesty has arrived!"
A crowd of people immediately knelt down outside the bamboo grove.
Xiao Changqi, also dressed in a red wedding gown, nodded slightly, signaling everyone to rise.
Then he walked to the door and knocked.
According to custom, the bride should be carried out of the house by her elder brother, but Xiao Changqi did not want anyone to touch his empress, so he came to pick her up personally.
The door opened, and before New Year's Day could be covered with her red veil, she looked up and met a pair of smiling eyes.
The man stared intently at her and said, "I've come to pick you up."
The woman, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, had sparkling eyes and a faint smile on her red lips.
The people inside hurriedly bowed and then quickly covered Yuandan's head with a veil.
Xiao Changqi walked into the house unhurriedly and squatted down in front of everyone: "I'll carry you on my back."
Through the red veil, Yuan Dan could not clearly see the expressions of the other people, but she could see the broad back in front of her.
On New Year's Day, I thought for a moment: "Where's my brother?"
Yuan Qing, standing outside the house: "..."
What could he do?
He was helpless too.
“I’ll carry you on my back,” Xiao Changqi repeated.
Yuan Dan smiled silently, no longer maintaining formalities, and leaned down to lie on the man's back.
Xiao Changqi steadily carried his empress on his back, a pleasant smile playing on his lips.
The honor guard and drum band led the wedding procession, with the emperor and empress's sedan chairs in the middle, followed by wedding officials, eunuchs, and guards.
Listening to the people on both sides of the street congratulating the emperor and empress on their wedding, Yuan Dan's heart was pounding, and even his palms were sweating.
The next second, a cool, large hand enveloped her fingers and gently rubbed the back of her hand.
Even after they got off the sedan chair, the man still didn't let go.
She was led by Xiao Changqi up the long staircase on the red carpet, with palace maids following behind her to help lift her skirt.
After the ancestral worship and incense burning were completed, they held the two ends of the red silk and bowed in worship amidst the loud calls from the Directorate of Ceremonial.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
"Second bow to the parents—"
On New Year's Day, my heart was pounding like a drum, and my eyes were a little sore. As I bent over, a small tear finally fell.
"Husband and wife bow to each other."
The unfulfilled wish from the previous life is fulfilled in this life.
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