Xie Yuan is very busy, extremely busy.
It was already the end of the year, and the various affairs of the six bureaus and twenty-four departments of the inner palace were being summarized.
Xie Yuan is the head of the harem, so these matters should be her responsibility.
With the addition of the coronation ceremony, Xie Yuan was so busy that he barely had time to rest, and the time he could spend playing with the four little ones every day was compressed.
They often only get to meet briefly, hug and kiss each other, before going back to their busy lives.
This was after Helian Jue had already helped share some of the burden.
For example, formal dresses and phoenix crowns.
These items were first prepared by Helian Jue after he ascended the throne, and he urged the Ministry of Rites, the Directorate of Works, and other departments to expedite their preparation.
According to the Zhou Rites, the empress's ceremonial robes consisted of six types: Yiyi, Yudi, Quedi, Juyi, Tanyi, and Tuanyi.
Among them, the robe adorned with pheasant feathers is the most prestigious.
At the coronation ceremony, Xie Yuan was also required to wear a dark-colored robe.
The yiyi is not a simple piece of clothing, but a complicated set.
Layer upon layer, intricate workmanship, and exquisite design.
The outermost dark blue robe alone must be embroidered with pheasant patterns.
From the time Helian Jue ascended the throne until Xie Yuan entered the capital, a full six months passed. It took more than a dozen top embroiderers from the Imperial Clothing Bureau working day and night to finally complete the task.
In addition to the exquisite gown, there was also a phoenix crown adorned with twelve flowering trees.
The twelve-flower tree does not have only twelve pearl flowers, but rather twelve hairpins of different sizes.
There are a total of twenty-four phoenix crowns, including the front and back, and the size of each crown.
In addition to the phoenix crown, there was also the empress's sash.
In ancient times, the concept of husband and wife as one was emphasized, so the regulations for the empress's sash were the same as those for the emperor:
Both are white jade double pendants and black silk double sashes.
And shoes...
From head to toe, the embroiderers and the craftsmen of the Imperial Workshop were almost frantic with work on the complete set of equipment.
Xie Yuan also had to get busy.
Each fitting and alteration was just a minor matter.
After spinning like a top for over a month, the formal attire, phoenix crown, and other items were finally almost ready.
Then, it was time to wait for the formal investiture ceremony.
According to the normal procedure, the emperor should issue an edict, and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau should select an auspicious day.
Then, officials from the Ministry of Rites would carry the imperial edict to places such as the Temple of Heaven and Earth and the Hall of Ancestral Worship to burn incense and pray. This was to report to the Heavenly Court and inform the ancestors of their will.
The Empress, on the other hand, needs to fast for three days in advance, wear a full set of formal attire, and respectfully receive the imperial edict of investiture in the central palace.
After the imperial edict was read aloud, the empress accepted the decree and expressed her gratitude, thus completing the investiture ceremony.
Helian Jue, however, did not quite agree.
First, regarding the date of the coronation ceremony, he did not allow the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious day.
Helian Jue directly designated the New Year's Day Grand Court Assembly.
In ancient times, Zhengdan was the first day of the new year, also known as "Yuandan".
Every year on this day, the emperor would hold a grand court assembly.
This is a very important and formal day of the year.
Helian Jue, however, insisted on welcoming his wife openly and legitimately into the main hall on this day.
Yes, welcome in.
This was Helian Jue's second rule-breaking request.
Instead of leaving Xie Yuan to wait in the central palace, he ordered officials from the Ministry of Rites to escort Xie Yuan to the main hall.
Xie Yuan will walk along the imperial road reserved for the emperor, step by step, into the palace.
"Ah Yuan, I've said it before, I owe you a wedding gift back then!"
Helian Jue once explained to Xie Yuan, "This time, I will let you step into the main hall through the main gate."
This is another form of "formal marriage".
Initially, Xie Yuan was a substitute bride who entered the palace.
Helian Jue, on the other hand, became the deposed crown prince, and the huge Eastern Palace was deserted and desolate.
There were no guests to pay their respects, no master of ceremonies to officiate at the wedding, and no bowing to parents or to heaven and earth.
After getting married, they did not worship their ancestors.
Xie Yuan's name was not even added to the Helian royal family's jade register.
Therefore, to some extent, Xie Yuan was not Helian Jue's legitimate wife.
One reason why Empress Dowager Ashina had been so eager to persuade Helian Jue to "abandon his wife and marry another" was that Xie Yuan's position was "illegitimate."
Helian Jue had long felt indebted to Xie Yuan.
After returning to the capital, Empress Dowager Ashina's antics made Helian Jue feel even more strongly that he had to do something!
Otherwise, people will always use this to mock or even humiliate A-Yuan in the future!
Xie Shi A Yuan was his wife, the only person he was willing to die for.
He wanted her to enjoy unparalleled honor and to become the happiest and most noble woman in the world.
Therefore, even though the entire court questioned and opposed it, Helian Jue insisted on allowing Xie Yuan to enter the main hall through the main gate on New Year's Day!
He even prepared a surprise for Xie Yuan.
...
Time quickly passed and the end of the year arrived.
Helian Chen ultimately missed the year-end wedding rush.
However, Xie Yuan managed to meet with Helian Chen amidst his busy schedule and said that he would definitely find a good husband for Helian Yan.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"
Hearing Xie Yuan's personal promise, Helian Chen was extremely grateful.
He knew his mistress well; she would always do what she promised.
I will do my best!
Hehe, the Guangling Prince's Mansion can no longer use Ayan's marriage to seek benefits.
Helian Jue: ...Look at your pathetic self?
"The mere Guangling Prince's Mansion has scared you this much?"
Helian Jue felt he couldn't bear to look.
Helian Chen chuckled foolishly again.
He wasn't afraid, he just found it troublesome.
He is still his own father after all. Sigh, even though he is heartless and ungrateful, he cannot be an unfilial son.
Reputation is so important.
They are no longer in Lingnan, but have returned to the capital.
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