After the morning court session, Xuanyuan Peng took Bai Shi to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to Heaven, and also took the opportunity to have Xuanyuan Zhan re-recognize his ancestors and return to the clan.
Xuanyuan Peng and Bai Shi rode together in the imperial carriage out of the palace.
Following closely behind were the vehicles of Xuan Yuanzhan and Su Xuening.
Following behind were Mu Lingchen, Pei Luo, You Yi, Su Yun'an, Bai Ying, Ling Lang, and a group of others riding horses.
The procession was impressive, with the Imperial Guards leading the way and the Imperial Bodyguards following behind.
Today, Xuanyuan Peng's grand wedding to the Empress has attracted countless onlookers.
The people were all shocked to see Xuanyuan Peng and Bai Shi in the imperial carriage ahead.
"So the Emperor's new Empress is the Holy Princess Dowager?"
"I've heard that His Majesty has always admired the Holy Princess Consort, but due to societal norms and ethics, he has never been able to marry her as Empress!"
"This Holy Princess Consort is the Emperor's own sister-in-law. This is against human ethics. Doesn't any of the officials object?"
"I heard that the Emperor is seriously ill and has only a few days left, which is why no one dares to object to his marriage to the Holy Princess."
"I heard that he not only married the Holy King's Dowager Consort as his empress, but also wants the Holy King to be recognized as his ancestor and to be made the Holy King the crown prince!"
"Could the Holy King really be the Emperor's biological son?"
"I think the Holy King must be the Emperor's biological son. Don't the Holy King's eyes look just like the Emperor's?"
"I had long heard that the Holy King was born to the Emperor, which is why the Emperor favors the Holy King and the Holy King's Dowager Consort so much."
"I think it's a good thing to establish the Holy King as the Crown Prince. Compared to the other princes, the Holy King is both brave and resourceful. He is not only skilled in battle but also has great talent in governance. He is capable of shouldering great responsibilities!"
“I also think the Holy King is good. The Holy King is benevolent and virtuous. I heard that although he fought his way back to the capital, he did not harm any civilians and treated his soldiers well. When he ascends the throne, he will surely treat the people kindly.”
Every word the people uttered reached Xuanyuan Peng's ears.
Xuanyuan Peng looked at Bai Shi and said with satisfaction, "The people are very satisfied with Zhan'er, and I am at ease. I have seen from Zhan'er since he was a child that he is kind-hearted. At the same time, he is also very capable. He can bring peace to the world with his martial skills and govern the country with his literary skills. I believe that Dong Chu will become even more prosperous under his leadership."
As he spoke, Xuanyuan Peng took Bai Shi's hand and said, "Ya'er, thank you for giving me such a good son. You have raised him very well."
Thinking of how Consort Liang and Su Huiyan had taught Xuan Yuan Yu and Xuan Yuan Zhi so badly, he wished he could drag them over and see how Ya'er was teaching her son.
Why are other people's sons raised so well, while theirs are such a mess?
Bai nestled into his arms: "I didn't teach him anything; his character and conduct are what they are."
Xuanyuan Peng shook his head: "No, even if you didn't teach anything, you must have taught by example and set a good example. It's because of your virtuous character that Zhan'er is so good!"
His Ya'er has always been so good!
Bai smiled bitterly, wondering if he saw no flaws in her.
However, it is true that parents’ words and deeds, and setting a good example, are very important!
Although she didn't spend much time with Zhan'er when he was little, Zhan'er's upright values today are undoubtedly a result of her teachings and example.
Su Xuening and Xuan Yuanzhan, who were in the carriage behind, also heard the people's discussions.
Su Xuening sighed with some emotion: "I didn't expect the people to be so accepting of it. There were almost no voices that particularly opposed the Emperor marrying his mother."
She had initially thought that their marriage, which was against human ethics, would definitely be criticized by the people, and there might even be protests.
Clearly, these people were more concerned about Xuanyuan Zhan's future succession to the throne.
Furthermore, they acknowledged Xuanyuan Zhan's abilities and character, and all hoped that Xuanyuan Zhan would be the one to succeed him in the future.
This harmonious scene was something she hadn't expected.
Xuanyuan Zhan was also surprised. He had been very uneasy. He even thought that he could be an enemy of the whole world in order to let them be together!
In retrospect, it's clear he made a mountain out of a molehill.
"Perhaps there have been rumors about them for a long time, so people have become used to it and even foreseen it, so it's not surprising."
Or perhaps in the hearts of the common people, this matter was not so serious. After all, the father had been dead for many years, and there were precedents of widows remarrying in Eastern Chu. It was just that the mother had married the father's own younger brother.
Moreover, even if his mother's marriage to him was against human ethics, none of the officials objected, so the common people naturally didn't bother to cause trouble!
Su Xuening raised her eyebrows noncommittally: "No matter what, it's a good thing that the people have accepted my mother as Empress!"
Xuanyuan Zhan nodded.
Indeed, no one objected to their marriage, and he should be very happy about it!
As long as things go smoothly!
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Zong Jiu and Bai Shi helped Xuan Yuanpeng down from the imperial carriage.
Xuanyuan Zhan and Su Xuening also got out of the carriage.
The group walked together up the stone steps of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The Prince Kang, the royal uncle of Xuanyuan Peng, was already waiting above.
Seeing Xuanyuan Peng ascend the jade steps, Prince Kang hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
After performing the rites, Prince Kang glanced at Lady Bai, seemingly reluctant, but ultimately yielded under Xuan Yuanpeng's sharp gaze: "Greetings, Empress."
"Uncle, you may rise." Xuanyuan Peng then raised his hand to let him stand up.
"Let's offer sacrifices to Heaven." Prince Kang handed three long incense sticks he had prepared earlier to Xuanyuan Peng and shouted, "Your Majesty and Empress, let's offer sacrifices to Heaven!"
As the horn sounded, Xuanyuan Peng and Bai Shi stepped forward together to offer incense and worship Heaven.
After the two finished their sacrifice to Heaven, King Kang, seeing no unusual signs, had no choice but to compromise: "The ceremony is complete! Greetings to the new Queen!"
Upon hearing King Kang's response, all the ministers on the jade steps knelt down in unison: "We pay our respects to the Empress! Long live the Empress!"
Then the soldiers on and below the steps knelt down in unison: "Greetings, Empress! Long live the Empress!"
Then the onlookers also knelt down in unison: "Greetings, Empress! Long live the Empress!"
People knelt down in layers, and their voices carried further and further away.
Hearing the waves of sound, Xuanyuan Peng was overjoyed and reached out to take Bai Shi's hand: "Ya'er, you are finally my Empress!"
Bai looked at Xuanyuan Peng and raised the corners of her lips.
Actually, she herself didn't expect things to go so smoothly. She thought she would never be able to truly marry him in her lifetime.
But to her surprise, she eventually agreed to his proposal, and no one objected to their marriage anymore.
Xuanyuan Peng gripped Bai Shi's hand tighter and tighter.
God knows how long he had been waiting for this day.
They finally gained everyone's approval, defied societal norms, and truly got together.
She finally became his wife, his rightful empress!
They could share a bed in life and a grave in death! It's so good that her name is on his tombstone!
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