Old friends reunite and a new marriage is revealed
In December of the Dewei era of the Qi Kingdom, the emperor passed away, and the whole country mourned. Seven days later, Crown Prince Qi Dou ascended the throne, changed his reign title to Taigan, honored the late Empress Shi Hui as his stepmother Empress Dowager, and honored his birth mother Consort Liang Qu as his holy mother Empress Dowager. He also designated Li Xingyi, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites, as his empress and chose an auspicious day for their marriage.
The winter wind always carries a chill. After returning from the morning court session, Li Fengtan, the Minister of Rites, walked slowly through the mansion wrapped in a black cloak, his feet making a "rustling" sound as he stepped on the snow.
The pond in the yard had frozen over due to the cold, and the ground was covered in a white expanse.
Upon arriving at a courtyard, they saw a woman with beautiful eyes, pink lips, long black hair reaching her waist, dressed in plain white clothes with a white cloak draped over her shoulders, sitting sideways on a stone bench, with a gentle and pretty maid standing beside her.
At this moment, a cold wind blew past the woman, her hair swaying in the wind, but she continued to drink her hot tea with an unchanged expression.
Li Fengtan said gently, "Why are you sitting outside?"
Upon hearing the voice, the woman calmly stood up, bowed respectfully to Li Fengtan, and said, "Xingyi greets Father."
Upon seeing this, the maid Qingyi placed her hands on her left knee, slightly bent her right knee, and squatted down, performing the greeting.
Li Fengtan nodded, signaling to get up, and Qingyi then got up and helped Li Xingyi up.
Li Xingyi then said, "The beauty of a winter snow scene can only be appreciated by being there in person."
Upon hearing this, Li Fengtan looked around. The trees in the courtyard were covered with layers of white snow, as were the walls. The mansion was originally bustling, but the pure white snow covered all the splendor, revealing a different kind of beauty.
Li Fengtan said, "Indeed, it's quite good."
Li Xingyi knew that he had come to see him for more than just this, and asked, "Father, did you come here for the imperial edict?"
Li Fengtan nodded and said, "Yes, His Majesty has personally selected him. What are your thoughts?"
Li Xingyi said calmly, "His Majesty's selection is a blessing for my daughter."
Upon hearing this, Li Fengtan felt guilty and reluctant. He sighed and said, "You've only been home for three years. I had hoped to find you a good husband so you could live a happy life."
“Now… even I, your father, cannot disobey the imperial decree, and you are likely to suffer injustice.”
Li Xingyi looked at her father and said slowly, "Father, there's no need to blame yourself. Your daughter is not wronged."
Li Fengtan looked at her, not knowing what to say, and felt even more distressed.
Seeing this, Li Xingyi voiced her doubts, "Father, has His Majesty seen his daughter?"
Qingyi was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and secretly broke out in a cold sweat.
Li Fengtan thought about it carefully and said, "There shouldn't be. Why do you ask?"
Li Xingyi said unhurriedly, "I'm just curious why His Majesty chose a daughter."
Qingyi was relieved and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Fengtan looked at her face and said, "Xingyi, do you not believe in your own appearance?"
Li Xingyi said calmly, "Your Majesty has never seen your daughter, so there's no way to comment on her appearance."
Li Fengtan laughed and said, "Xingyi's appearance is very famous in the capital. I suppose that's why His Majesty appointed you."
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes slightly and said, "So that's how it is."
Li Fengtan thought for a moment and then said, “The Emperor’s marriage is a major event. There will be betrothal, name inquiry, auspicious date selection, gift presentation, announcement of the wedding date, wedding ceremony, investiture ceremony, welcoming ceremony, nuptial ceremony, wedding night, celebration and banquet, and prayer for blessings. The palace will send people to teach you these things, so there is no need to worry.”
Although Li Fengtan was the Minister of Rites and well-versed in etiquette, Li Xingyi naturally understood it as well. However, the etiquette of marrying the Empress required extensive practice to ensure that everything was done perfectly, and also to reassure the people in the palace by witnessing it firsthand.
Li Xingyi replied, "Yes, Father."
Her eyes were slightly lowered as she pondered.
It is said that when this emperor was still the crown prince, the late emperor had arranged marriages for him, but he refused them all. People say that this crown prince either had someone he liked or had homosexual tendencies.
But whatever the reason, it's none of my business; I'm just being extra cautious.
Li Xingyi is now 18 years old. Today is the day the new emperor ascends the throne, and it is also the day Li Xingyi is designated as empress. A general amnesty is granted, officials pay homage, and the people celebrate.
Qingyi whispered in Li Xingyi's ear, "Miss, what about that?"
Originally, Li Xingyi wanted to arrange for someone to enter the palace as a concubine to carry out his plan, so that he would not lose anything. However, due to an unexpected appointment as empress, he had no choice but to go in person.
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes slightly and said indifferently, "We'll see about it later."
The new emperor is only 18 years old, the same age as me. I heard he's also good-looking, so it's not a bad deal.
Thinking about this, Li Xingyi was quite satisfied.
At this moment, a servant came to report, "Master, Miss, Eunuch Zhao has arrived with his entourage."
The group knew perfectly well that this was the start of the process.
Li Fengtan went to the hall without saying anything, and Li Xingyi followed him knowingly.
Inside the hall, the chief eunuch Zhao Hongxing stood with a smile on his face. Zhao Hongxing had been by Qi Dou's side since childhood and was about the same age as him. He was handsome, which showed how much Qi Dou valued Li Xingyi.
Behind Zhao Hongxing were many people carrying large boxes, each with a pole on top for easy lifting and surrounded by red ribbons.
Li Fengtan bowed to him and said, "Greetings, Lord Zhao."
Zhao Hongxing immediately returned the greeting, saying, "Greetings, sir."
When Zhao Hongxing saw Li Xingyi and Qingyi arrive, he winked at Qingyi. Qingyi was taken aback for a moment, then pretended not to see him.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongxing could only straighten his expression and open the gift list in his hand, reading aloud: "Ten thousand taels of gold, one hundred taels of silver, one gold and one silver tea set, one thousand bolts of silk and cloth, and two boxes each of gold, silver and jade ornaments."
As he read, the servants opened the boxes.
Zhao Hongxing smiled and said, "The betrothal is complete."
He then asked, "Miss Li's name is Xingyi, and her birthday is July 7th, is that appropriate?"
Li Xingyi replied, "Yes."
Zhao Hongxing, still smiling, said, "The name inquiry is complete."
"As for Naji, His Majesty has already sent the Imperial Observatory to calculate that this marriage is a match made in heaven and is auspicious."
Zhao Hongxing waved his hand and said, "Bring it up."
Then many more people arrived, and countless boxes entered the Ministry of Rites' residence. When they were opened, they revealed large sums of silver.
Zhao Hongxing said, "The betrothal gifts of 7.7 million taels of silver have been paid and the payment has been completed."
Li Xingyi was also stunned. These things were obviously made with care, and with the number 7.7 million, it was not hard to imagine that they were related to Li Xingyi's birthday.
By this time, everyone in the mansion had already gathered, all casting envious glances at Li Xingyi.
Zhao Hongxing added, "His Majesty said the date is January 14th, and the announcement has been made."
“His Majesty’s birthday is June 21st, and January 14th. Isn’t that the same time as Miss’s birthday?!” a maid said.
Zhao Hongxing continued to smile after hearing this, and everyone expressed their deep emotion. Li Xingyi, watching all this, thought to himself...
...They really put their heart into it.
Li Xingyi said to Zhao Hongxing, "I hope you will inform His Majesty that I am grateful for your favor."
Zhao Hongxing smiled and said, "This servant understands. Miss Li, you should rest early too. This servant will be leaving now."
Upon hearing this, Li Fengtan said, "Xingyi, I will accompany you to see off Eunuch Zhao."
Li Xingyi bent his knees slightly and said, "Yes, Father."
After everyone left, Li Fengtan said, "Someone, put the things away carefully."
He then looked at Li Xingyi and said, "Xingyi, the Emperor values you highly, so I am relieved."
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes and said nothing.
Inside the palace, Zhao Hongxing told Qi Dou everything about it.
Qi Dou chuckled softly after hearing this and said, "She has seen you, so does she already know my identity?"
After saying that, she suddenly remembered something and immediately changed her words, saying, "No, it should be that my identity has been confirmed, after all, her information is the most reliable."
Zhao Hongxing thought for a moment and said, "This servant couldn't discern anything from Miss Li's face, but she seemed to be a stranger to this servant."
Qi Dou thought for a moment and said, "Hmm... it's probably because I don't pay attention to you often, and I'm pretending not to know you."
Zhao Hongxing was puzzled.
Is that really the case?
For the past month, Li Xingyi has been diligently practicing the wedding etiquette. The nannies have been praising her, after all, as the daughter of the Minister of Rites, her etiquette is naturally flawless.
At night, Li Xingyi quietly looked at a tree on the left side of the courtyard. The tree seemed to be gazing at the moon in the sky from afar. She said, "It looks like a tree that gazes at the moon."
After Li Xing returned to the house, Qi Dou's face was slightly flushed and his heart was pounding.
...That was close.
The blush on his face reflected the boy's shyness upon seeing his beloved.
Fortunately, the moonlight was so dark that it concealed his figure.
Li Xingyi lay quietly on the bed: "..."
A month has passed in the blink of an eye, and today is the grand wedding of the emperor and empress, a day of universal celebration. The palace has been prepared for a long time, and some nannies and maids have been sent to dress and groom Li Xingyi.
At this moment, in Li Xingyi's room, many maids were coming and going, and they were doing Li Xingyi's hair and makeup in an orderly manner. After a long time, they finally finished.
Li Xingyi had a rosy complexion and vermilion lips. She wore a bright red strapless gown embroidered with phoenixes, symbolizing the empress's status. The hem of the gown was embroidered with gold thread. She wore a phoenix crown and gold tassels on her ears.
She wore a gold necklace with floral tassels around her neck, gold bracelets on her wrists, and gold-trimmed red upturned flat embroidered shoes with phoenix patterns embroidered on the uppers and tassels on the front. Her whole person seemed to be plated with a faint halo of gold, showing the majesty of the empress, and was extremely noble and dazzling.
Li Xingyi was stunningly beautiful, and this outfit made her even more gorgeous. Although she usually wore white clothes, which accentuated her ethereal beauty, the red clothes made her even more stunning and dazzling, outshining all the other beauties.
The maids exclaimed in admiration, "Miss is truly like a celestial being descended to earth, her beauty beyond compare. His Majesty must adore her!"
Li Xingyi quietly looked at himself in the bronze mirror.
Do you like it? Maybe.
Li Xingyi's mother, Madam Li, came over, took Li Xingyi's hand, and said gently, "Xingyi, smile on this joyous occasion. I haven't seen you smile much lately. I don't know when we'll see each other again after this parting."
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes after hearing this.
Laugh? I can't laugh, and I can't laugh at all. I've never laughed.
Seeing this, Madam Li knew she was making things difficult for him, so she quickly said gently, "Alright, alright, this is how you are, it's good this way. From now on, you must be very careful in your actions and never let anyone find fault with you. You must be filial to the Empress Dowager and put His Majesty first in everything."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi slowly replied, "Yes, Mother."
Immediately afterwards, Li Shi took the thin red veil embroidered with phoenixes and slowly covered her head. Although Li Shi could have easily covered herself, Li Xingyi would still subconsciously lower his head.
Because of the grand wedding of the emperor and empress, all the officials were celebrating. Li Fengtan was in the palace at the moment, as was his brother. Only his mother was at home.
After Li Xingyi was helped by Qingyi to bid farewell to her mother, Madam Li came forward to help her. Upon seeing this, Li Xingyi said, "Mother, you don't need to do this. Let Qingyi do it."
Li's eyes were slightly red, and she forced back her sorrow as she said, "Xingyi, let your mother escort you herself."
After hearing this, Li Xingyi closed his eyes and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Mother."
When they reached the door, they saw Zhao Hongxing again. Zhao Hongxing smiled and said, "This servant has come to personally welcome you on the Emperor's orders."
Although it was said to be a personal welcoming ceremony, as the emperor, it was inconvenient for him to personally welcome the bride, so he could only send an envoy.
Li Xingyi calmly replied, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Zhao."
Then everyone knelt down to listen to the proclamation.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongxing took out the imperial edict and began to read it aloud: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I take the world as my responsibility and value talent above all else. Your virtue matches mine, and your mind is thoughtful and insightful. You have long been wise and discerning, which is my good fortune. I hereby bestow upon you the title of the eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites, Li Xingyi, to succeed me and jointly rule the world, so that all people may live in peace and prosperity. This is the imperial decree."
Zhao Hongxing placed the imperial edict on a wooden tray held by a palace servant. He took the tray and said, "Your Majesty, these are the golden seal, the golden book, and the golden treasure."
Li Xingyi took the wooden tray with both hands and was then helped up. She glanced at Qingyi, who immediately understood and took the tray from Li Xingyi.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongxing said, "Your Majesty, shall we leave now?"
Li Xingyi nodded and said nothing more. Seeing this, Madam Li personally helped Li Xingyi to the sedan chair. The welcoming procession outside the door was so long that it could not be seen.
Li Xingyi lifted the red veil in front of the sedan chair with his left hand and carefully examined it. He thought that it was indeed worthy of being the emperor and empress's wedding. The sedan chair itself was very exquisite and even had phoenix patterns.
The sedan chair was carried by eight people, all of whom appeared to be skilled in martial arts. In addition, there was a ten-mile-long procession of red bridal procession, and the emperor Qi Dou added seventy-seven more items to the procession. There were also a hundred imperial guards escorting the bride, and a thousand palace maids walking on either side of the sedan chair.
Although separated by a veil, Li Xingyi still spotted two familiar figures among the Imperial Guards—his brother and the others.
She lowered her eyes and got into the sedan chair.
Li Xingyi was helped into the sedan chair and sat down. Once she was settled, Eunuch Zhao called out, "Lift the sedan chair!"
Upon hearing this, the suona horns and other musical instruments began to play, and the sedan chair bearers finally carried the sedan chair away. Everyone in the mansion watched them go, and Li Shi finally couldn't hold back her tears.
Stars shift, my daughter, why is it that reunion can never compare to parting?
Li Xingyi sat upright in the sedan chair.
My mother must be crying now, just like when she sent my aunt to the palace.
Thinking of this, she closed her eyes.
They added seventy-seven items to the makeup; they really put a lot of thought into it.
Li Xingyi slowly opened his eyes and looked at everything outside the sedan chair.
The red carpet stretched across the entire street, and the whole capital was filled with joy. People gathered around to watch and shout their blessings: "May His Majesty and Empress be forever united! May they live a long and happy life together! May they have many children!"
Li Xingyi listened to the people's words, his eyes lowered, unable to respond or obey, he could only remain silent.
The sound of firecrackers, loud and clear, echoed throughout the street. The first snow of the dry year began to fall from the sky. Apart from the city being covered in white snow, the fiery red of the firecrackers was the most dazzling sight.
The red carpet led all the way to the palace. When the sedan chair was carried through the Meridian Gate to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Li Xingyi had to personally walk up to the new emperor Qi Dou, who was perched high above.
She was helped down from the sedan chair by Qingyi, followed by many palace maids. As soon as Li Xingyi stepped into the palace gate, she saw officials and ministers standing on both sides of the open space inside, including her father, Li Fengtan, the Minister of Rites. She looked at them calmly, her eyes still slightly lowered.
Li Xingyi walked unhurriedly toward the person waiting for her at the top, step by step. After a while, she finally reached the steps. There was no need for anyone to help Li Xingyi here; she would walk toward Qi Dou on her own. Qingyi understood and withdrew her hand and stepped back.
Li Xingyi looked at the steps and walked up them step by step until he reached Qi Dou.
Qi Dou reached out his hand to take hers. His hand had distinct knuckles and fair skin, making people unconsciously take a second look. It was during those few glances that Li Xingyi felt that the hand was somewhat familiar, as if a hand had once been extended in front of her.
She paused for a moment, looked up at the person in front of her, and saw that he was wearing a red wedding dress and seemed to be smiling. Li Xingyi slowly lowered her eyes again, and finally handed her hand to Qi Dou, and then stood down next to him smoothly.
Zhao Hongxing received the imperial edict establishing the empress from Qingyi and read it aloud again before beginning to announce the wedding rites.
"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"
"Bowing to the parents twice!"
"The Emperor and Empress bow to each other!"
Despite each bow, Li Xingyi remained perplexed about the reason for his choice.
I... still don't know why.
Once, when Li Xingyi was traveling by carriage, he saw a couple bowing to each other in front of a thatched hut. The man was shouting "Husband and wife bowing to each other" while looking at the woman. Even though it was just the two of them, they were smiling happily.
Li Xingyi asked Qingyi, "Why are they laughing so happily?"
Qingyi replied, "Because this is what they want most, what all men and women want most after they fall in love."
Li Xingyi said blankly, "I don't understand."
Qingyi comforted her, "Miss, don't worry about it. Perhaps you'll understand someday."
At this moment, the two turned to face the court officials, who knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"
At this moment, Li Xingyi truly became the empress, a mother of the nation.
On the fourteenth day of the first month of the first year of Taigan, Li Xingyi, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites, entered the central palace as Empress. The people offered their congratulations, and the court officials witnessed the event.
As the new year begins, the two of them are getting soaked in the snow together, as if saying, "If we can get soaked in the snow together in the future, then we can consider ourselves to have grown old together in this life."
Li Xingyi couldn't help but reach out a hand to catch the snow. The snow hadn't melted in his palm yet, making Li Xingyi's hand appear red.
Upon seeing this, Qi Dou's eyes lit up with delight. He then addressed the officials, saying, "All of you, rise."
All the court officials said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After the ceremony, half the day had already passed.
Then Li Xingyi was led back to Fengyi Palace by a maid. Li Xingyi sat quietly on the bed in Fengyi Palace and waited. He saw maids standing on both sides, each holding something in their hands, which he assumed were things he would need later.
Li Xingyi was thinking to himself.
Should we knock him unconscious tonight?
Won't it expose me? Oh well...
Thinking of this, she lowered her eyes slightly.
Qi Dou said, "The banquet begins, let us all enjoy ourselves."
All the officials said, "Your Majesty, we thank you."
Inside the Phoenix Palace, Li Xingyi waited for a long time before finally hearing a sound. Zhao Hongxing shouted from outside the door, "His Majesty has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, all the maids in the room knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you. Long live the Emperor!"
"Get up, everyone." Qi Dou's voice followed immediately.
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi looked up through the thin veil and saw a pair of feet wearing red shoes slowly walking towards her. Li Xingyi understood what was about to happen.
Those who achieve great things don't concern themselves with trifles; that's all there is to it... We'll settle the score later.
Then Qi Dou picked up a pole and lifted Li Xingyi's veil, revealing Li Xingyi's aloof and peerless face, her red dress making her fair skin stand out even more.
Qi Dou was momentarily stunned, as if he had imagined what Li Xingyi would look like when she married him, but he did not know that she would be so beautiful when she actually married him.
Only then did Li Xingyi get a clear look at the new emperor's appearance. He was handsome and dashing, and looked somewhat familiar. Li Xingyi was stunned.
Seeing this, Qingyi seemed afraid that Li Xingyi might think of something, so she immediately coughed softly.
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou snapped out of his daze and said, "Xing Yi is truly stunning; I was momentarily captivated by her beauty."
Li Xingyi didn't speak. Qi Dou sat down next to Li Xingyi, picked up the wine cup, and drank it with Li Xingyi, their arms crossed.
The nuptial wine has been drunk; you are mine now, Xingyi.
Qi Dou looked at Li Xingyi with a smile.
After putting down his cup, he asked, "Does Xingyi know what the opposite of the word 'death' is?"
Li Xingyi didn't know what he meant, but still answered, "Life."
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou smiled gently and looked at Li Xingyi expectantly, asking, "So, Xingyi, how many children do you plan to have?"
Li Xingyi was taken aback for a moment after hearing this, but immediately realized that Qi Dou was doing it on purpose, and cooperated by asking, "How many does Your Majesty want?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou's face immediately turned red, and he dared not look at Li Xingyi. He quickly said, "Ahem, alright, you can all leave now."
Upon hearing this, the palace servants bowed and left the room, leaving only Qi Dou and Li Xingyi.
Qi Dou appeared somewhat nervous, but still faced Li Xingyi and made a promise to her, saying, "Of all the waters in the world, I will only take one sip. This is my vow to you. In my life, I, Qi Dou, will only have you, Li Xingyi, as my woman."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi's lowered eyes widened slightly, as if he were somewhat surprised, but he quickly regained his composure and quietly observed Qi Dou.
She looked at the person in front of her and was clearly a little nervous. Besides nervousness, her eyes were also so sincere.
The current Qi Dou is not as cold and aloof as rumored, but rather like a shy and awkward young man getting married.
And when the emperor made his promise to her, he didn't use the word "朕" (zhen, meaning "I" or "the emperor"), but instead used "我" (wo, meaning "I" or "me"), and he promised that he would only have her as his woman.
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
The heart of an emperor is the most ruthless; this is something I truly understand. And emperors have three palaces and six courtyards, so how could you only have me? There is also me—who does not belong to you.
Li Xingyi's aunt was Consort Li, the late emperor's concubine. She thought her aunt would have a good life after entering the palace, but she was ultimately framed and killed. Even after the case was overturned, her aunt could not come back. Later, Li Xingyi found out the truth herself, and from then on, she knew that emperors had no true feelings.
Li Xingyi looked at Qi Dou and pondered for a while before saying, "We will never abandon each other in life or death, we will share joys and sorrows, we will be together day and night, I will have no regrets in this life."
When Qi Dou heard the response, he smiled happily. He really wanted to be with Li Xingyi forever, whether in the past or now, and that desire had never changed.
He looked at Li Xingyi's face and slowly approached. Upon seeing this, Li Xingyi subconsciously clenched his fist.
The next second, Qi Dou's lips gently touched hers. Li Xingyi's eyes widened, and she instinctively lunged at him. Qi Dou simply reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Li Xingyi was stunned. The two kissed, and Qi Dou placed his hand on the back of Li Xingyi's head, brooking no refusal or retreat.
A moment later, their lips finally parted, and Qi Dou's face brushed against her cheek as he whispered in her ear, "I will not let you down, Xingyi."
Before Li Xingyi could react, she was tackled to the ground. The red veil fell down, clothes scattered, and the candlelight flickered gently. Two figures were intertwined inside the bed curtains, a large hand covering a small one. The bed frame creaked, and soft moans could be heard from inside. The maid outside the door blushed and lowered her head shyly.
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