Chapter 295 The Grand Wedding (Part 2) Endure...
It's often said that 'the ancients were strict and reserved, and those daring moves were only used in brothels'?
Qi Chengming read the book over and over again.
The movements were unrestrained and bold, the drawing exquisite and ingenious, and incredibly sensual. Qi Chengming had initially shown little interest, only flipping through the pages of ancient books on the subject for reference, but now he couldn't help but exclaim inwardly, "Wonderful!"
Grandfather, you...
Are you revealing all the family wealth you've been hiding for years?
Qi Chengming accepted it with satisfaction and secretly delivered it to his study, placing it in a hidden compartment under the desk. Today wasn't the right time; he'd study it properly another day when he had more free time.
...
The sky gradually changed color.
As the sun dipped below the horizon in the distance, just before dusk, the three phoenix palanquins carrying the Empress made their way toward the palace.
At the palace gate, Qi Chengming watched as the familiar faces of officials escorted the golden phoenix banners and carriages closer and closer, a thin layer of sweat forming on his left palm, which was clenched at his side.
Before this, because he didn't have many ceremonies to attend, Qi Chengming hadn't really felt like he was about to get married. That's why he was able to easily focus his attention elsewhere, drifting off into a daze.
But at this moment, a surge of emotion, choked with emotion, inexplicably welled up in his chest: "..."
Sitting in that imperial palanquin was the woman he was to spend his life with, his wife, his family.
He was getting married in this era.
The carriage slowly came to a stop.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." The leading scholar, Grand Secretary Mu, the Imperial Clan Minister, and the elderly Lady of the Marquis of Weiyong, whose face was ruddy but who was not out of breath, led the many officials behind them in bowing according to etiquette.
The civilians who had followed to watch the spectacle, and who had eventually been kept at a distance by the Imperial Guards, hurriedly knelt down, their voices barely audible, as if afraid he would hear: "Greetings, greetings to Your Majesty..."
The official in charge of ceremonies beside Qi Chengming was Grand Secretary Cao himself. He shouted solemnly with all his might, "The auspicious hour has arrived! Your subject welcomes the Empress into the palace!"
The ministers then repeated in unison, "The auspicious hour has arrived. Your Majesty, we shall escort the Empress into the palace!"
The voices of the crowd echoed before the palace gates, resounding in unison and full of vigor.
Tao Jiang, seated on the phoenix palanquin: "...!"
She took a few deep breaths, her chest heaving with excitement. Was this what it felt like to be the Empress? Before even entering the palace, she was already experiencing the feeling of being second only to the Empress, surrounded by thousands. It was a kind of glory that the daughter of a lowly fifth-rank official could never enjoy.
Tao Jiang raised her eyelids, and the beauty that shone in her eyes at that moment was breathtaking.
"..." Qi Chengming, who was staring at her, caught his breath for a moment, but his heart softened.
"Let's go." Qi Chengming glanced at her again, said gently, turned his horse around, and personally led the way at the front.
Tao Jiang then realized that His Majesty had been secretly watching her. She hurriedly looked away, her cheeks flushed, and for a moment she reverted to her usual helpless state, stiffly straightening her back and pretending to be calm.
The large group then slowly began to move again.
The old lady of the Marquis of Weiyong's face was already beaming with smiles. Grand Scholar Mu couldn't help but secretly exchange a knowing glance with his reborn colleague.
Look how satisfied His Majesty is with the empress he chose himself.
Did you see the look in their eyes?
Tsk tsk tsk.
Scholar Mu was even more motivated and secretly made a vow in his heart.
He must continue to offer incense to the gods upon his return! May they bless His Majesty with the birth of an heir as soon as possible, for the nation cannot be without a successor!
They arrived at the Zichen Palace.
The crowd stood in two rows on the side, with only the master of ceremonies guiding Qi Chengming and Tao Jiang to dismount from their horses and carriages and proceed together to the main hall of the Zichen Palace, where the imperial edict of investiture was read out and the jade seal representing the power of the Empress was presented.
Then they changed sedan chairs and went to a decorated but empty hall.
At this point, the others could no longer follow and could only stop and leave in front of the Zichen Palace. Those who remained beside them were eunuchs and palace maids. On Qi Chengming's side, led by Gan Tang (fearing that the Empress was not yet used to being served by eunuchs), two people helped Tao Jiang out of the sedan chair: one was the governess Qi Chengming had given her, and the other was her personal maid who had been with her since childhood.
"Go in." Qi Chengming glanced around and, seeing that only the newlywed couple remained, explained in a low voice, "This will be your residence from now on. You can name the palace yourself. Don't worry, my residence, the Drinking Ice Palace, is just ahead."
He pointed.
Tao Jiang, who had just stepped out of the sedan chair, was a little puzzled to see that there were no elders among the people present, but she was genuinely relieved when she heard these words.
She looked ahead and saw that it really wasn't far.
She could see who came and went from the Drinking Ice Palace.
At such close proximity, Tao Jiang felt as sweet as if her heart were filled with honey. As she followed His Majesty inside, she couldn't help but whisper among herself, asking the question that had been bothering her: "Where are the other elders and officials of etiquette?"
She had seen other women's weddings before, and it seemed like the process was different.
After the newlyweds enter the bridal chamber, shouldn't there be an elder performing the "scattering the bridal bed" ceremony? It seems they'll also ask the bride questions like "Will you have children?" to tease her. Is the royal procedure different?
The hall before them was filled with red candles and auspicious decorations, all in bright red, with dragon and phoenix motifs, creating a festive atmosphere. The curtains and bedding were embroidered with mandarin ducks and a hundred children, all symbolizing good fortune—yet there was no one waiting around, only the servants they had brought with them.
Qi Chengming explained: "Our dynasty has not been established for long, and the founding emperors Taizu and Taizong were busy fighting wars. Therefore, the ceremony for the emperor's marriage was somewhat lacking. This was decided by the Ministry of Rites and myself after careful consideration. My idea was... to make a grand show of things on the outside, and to prioritize personal comfort on the inside. You can see for yourself."
He gave him a wink.
Qi Chengming didn't say what he meant. In his view, many wedding rituals were utterly outdated and only brought suffering. Now that he was the emperor, he wanted them all abolished!
Qi Chengming and Tao Jiang sat down hand in hand in front of the bed. Gan Tang soon led a group of palace maids in and lined up in a row.
Each person carried a tray containing a pair of gold scissors wrapped with red thread, a gilded box, a long, thin piece of red silk, a bridal veil, and two small wine vessels tied with the same red string.
Gan Tang respectfully presented the golden scissors first: "We are husband and wife, bound by our bond, and our love is unwavering. Please use the scissors, Your Majesty and Your Highness."
Qi Chengming, somewhat clumsily, cut a strand of hair from his long hair first, and his heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, it looks like a dog chewed it up. I hope there's a piece missing here.
"...?!" Tao Jiang looked over anxiously. "What should we do? His Majesty's hair..."
"It's alright."
Qi Chengming was still worried, but seeing how anxious his new wife was for him, he stopped caring and stroked the lock of hair, saying with a smile, "Just put it out there openly. If anyone asks, this is proof of our love."
Tao Jiang wanted to roll her eyes at the shameless Young Master Qi as she had before their marriage, but she didn't dare. So she turned her head slightly and secretly rolled her eyes to herself.
"……snort."
Who is your lover? It's been so long since we last met. I didn't even know you were the emperor when we last met.
Although Tao Jiang thought this way, when it was her turn to use the golden scissors, she still carefully endured the pain and cut a slit in her long hair.
"It will grow back soon," Tao Jiang comforted herself, suppressing her heartache. "Until then... I'll stay with you."
Qi Chengming suddenly felt a strong, undeniable gaze of satisfaction sweep over him from Gan Tang's direction.
He braced himself and tied the two strands of hair together, then put them into the gilded box with Tao Jiang, pretending he hadn't noticed anything, though his ears were burning.
Gan Tang then stepped forward and said, "Red silk is forever tied with a knot of hearts, and dragons and phoenixes are intertwined branches. Please, Your Majesty and Your Highness, tie the silk."
It was called a piece of silk, but it was actually a piece of silk with dragon and phoenix patterns. Gan Tang and another palace maid stepped forward and tied one end to each of their wrists, with a large love knot in the middle.
"Husband and wife drink the nuptial wine together, their love destined to last. Please, Your Majesty and Your Majesty, join us in drinking—"
This presents some technical challenges.
Qi Chengming and Tao Jiang had the same silk ribbon tied around their wrists, and now they had to hold up two small wine cups that were tied together with a red rope and drink the wine with difficulty.
Qi Chengming was sweating profusely. He slowly followed the instructions and succeeded. Only after drinking the wine did he breathe a sigh of relief: "...Phew."
Such a solemn occasion as a wedding must not become a bad omen.
"A moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold, flowers have fragrance and the moon casts shadows. Please, Your Majesty and Your Highness, enter the bridal chamber." When Gan Tang finished the last congratulatory verse, she finally couldn't help but smile like an aunt. She respectfully led the others away, leaving only the bridal veil on the bedside table. She herself and the Empress's personal maid went to stand guard outside the door.
No matter how fragrant the flowers or how beautiful the moonlight in the garden outside, Your Majesty can no longer enjoy them—let's stay here happily in the bridal chamber tonight!
Tao Jiang looked at the bridal veil and her face turned bright red: "..."
Qi Chengming: "..."
That wicked Gan Tang, daring to mock him with poetry! Besides, is that how you use ancient poetry?! Let's see how he deals with her after today.
But when Qi Chengming turned his head, he saw a gentle, shy, and beautiful young woman sitting silently beside him, waiting for his reaction. Qi Chengming also felt a little awkward: "Ahem...Are you hungry?"
His Majesty's first words after dismissing everyone else were so down-to-earth.
Tao Jiang was taken aback, but in an instant, the feeling of familiarity returned.
...This is still the same Young Master Qi she knows.
She relaxed a lot and whispered her thoughts: "I haven't had a drop of water all day, and I'm so hungry I can't even tell."
"Take off that and relax a bit. What would you like to eat? I'll tell you." Qi Chengming's ears burned even redder. He carefully removed the love knot and strode towards the door.
Perhaps because they were married, even Tao's complaints sounded affectionate, like she was flirting with him. It was a bit hard to resist.
Tao Jiang dared not cause any trouble on her wedding night and only wanted to cautiously order a bowl of easy-to-eat noodles. However, when she looked towards the door, she noticed that her aunt had already unpacked her usual items and placed them around the main hall.
here--
This will be her home from now on.
Remembering her aunt's teachings, Tao Jiang hardened her heart and changed her words to test the waters, saying, "I like to have braised pork with plums and multigrain rice, along with some light side dishes."
A young lady from a respectable family, why would she eat greasy roast pork in the middle of the night? It would be a waste of her image in front of her husband. But Tao Jiang recalled the time she spent with Young Master Qi; he was an upright person and probably wouldn't mind. Her aunt had also taught her that she didn't need to pretend, as His Majesty appreciated people showing their true feelings…
Sure enough, she saw the young king smile and go to give instructions outside the door, not taking it seriously at all.
Taking advantage of the fact that the person had left, Tao Jiang seized the opportunity to call her personal maid: "Quickly, help me to wash up."
Asking her to wash up in front of her new husband was still a bit too much of a challenge. Tao Jiang was grateful for His Majesty's thoughtfulness. When she came out after removing her makeup and changing into a comfortable dress, a steaming meal was already laid out on the table.
"From now on, you don't need to use terms like 'your subject' or 'your concubine' when you're with me. Just say 'I'," Qi Chengming earnestly instructed, full of anticipation. "From now on, we'll be family. Do you have any nicknames for me?"
The Empress sounds too cold, Miss Tao can't be called anymore, and Jiang'er seems a bit tongue-tied. How should I address my wife from now on?
Qi Chengming racked his brains for a long time before finally deciding to ask Xiao Zi.
He now understands the ancients—
The existence of characters is absolutely necessary!
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The author says: "A moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold; flowers have their fragrance, and the moon casts its shadow." This is from Su Shi's poem "Spring Night" from the Song Dynasty.
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