Chapter 58 "Your Majesty's jade leaves will last forever, for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years..."
The procession carrying the congratulatory gifts from the General of the West passed through Longxi and crossed numerous mountains. Although they traveled at full speed, the wedding date of the Emperor and Empress was too close. By the time they arrived in Luoyang, there were only three days left before the wedding.
Gifts like these are no longer unusual; every day, elaborate carriages carrying officials and guests from all sides, along with carefully prepared gifts, flow into Luoyang like a river.
The city of Luoyang was ablaze with fireworks and lanterns, and the sounds of zithers, flutes, and pipes filled the air. The government also dispatched officials to organize a grand folk festival so that the people could enjoy themselves together.
When Helan Yi's trusted envoys paid a visit to the future Empress's residence, Yuan Chaolu was in the main hall, talking with her "family."
The door was closed, and a woman in a silk skirt sat at the head of the table, looking down at the six men, women, and children sitting below.
Yuan Chaolu asked calmly, "Do you all understand what I've told you?"
The head of the Lu family was a scholar, with a refined and elegant appearance and a slender figure like bamboo. He bent down and said, "Of course, I have already instructed the younger generation on what should and should not be said. To be honest, the family is both happy and apprehensive, knowing that this matter is of great importance, and we will rely on you for everything in the future."
Yuan Chaolu nodded and handed over a piece of Xuan paper. "This paper records my past experiences and preferences when I was young in the Lu family. Please have everyone in the family remember it well. From now on, the Lu family and I will share both prosperity and adversity."
The Lu family members bowed and accepted the gifts, repeatedly saying yes.
Yuan Chaolu watched their departing figures. The family her elder sister had chosen was well-mannered and their speech lacked any obsequiousness towards power. Instead, they exuded the refined elegance of scholars, truly a family of learned people.
But the more she did this, the heavier her heart became.
Compiling the past is a grave crime of deceiving the emperor, yet now he has no choice but to rely on this family.
Whether they are reliable is entirely unpredictable.
After the Lu family members left, a subordinate reported, "Second Miss, the envoy of the General of the West is outside the mansion, bringing congratulatory gifts."
It was a precious tree as tall as a person, with a trunk made of beautiful jade and adorned with dazzling coral beads of various colors, symbolizing many children and blessings.
After the envoy entered, he smiled and told the story of the precious tree and its auspicious meaning, wishing the emperor and empress a harmonious and loving relationship.
Yuan Chaolu waited until the envoy's footsteps had left before slowly raising her hand to open the letter on the table.
Her gaze swept down, her eyes as cold as frost, and she murmured, "My brother is still alive?"
Yuan Chaolu's adoptive mother and adoptive father have a son who is two years younger than Yuan Chaolu. He just turned fifteen at the beginning of the year and had a conflict with Helan Yi. After that, he disappeared and there was no news of him for several months. Yuan Chaolu has been looking for him without success and thought that he had met with misfortune at the hands of Helan Yi.
"The wedding is in three days, and they're trying to threaten my brother's safety to force me to call off the engagement..."
Her newly painted fingertips crumpled the letter tightly, her long eyebrows slightly raised, her eyes reflecting the setting sun as if firelight were flickering, and the corners of her lips gently lifted as she softly uttered two words.
"dream."
**
The marriage to the emperor was not something Yuan Chaolu could change.
Without mentioning Helan Yi, the auspicious time for the wedding ceremony arrived three days later.
The wedding of the emperor and empress was the highest-level ceremony. Hundreds of palace staff and officials inside and outside the palace had been busy preparing for it for a long time, and even on the eve of the wedding, they were still checking the final procedures in full swing.
The Empress's residence in the city was brightly lit all night long, with palace maids moving back and forth.
When the auspicious hour arrived, the new empress finished dressing and was led out by the eldest lady-in-waiting to the painted-wheeled carriage, which then set off.
This was the grandest ceremony since the emperor's ascension to the throne. The roadsides were lined with officials and commoners who came to watch. When the empress's carriage arrived, the wedding procession, led by the Tiger Warriors, stretched for miles, its splendor and majesty truly a spectacle rarely seen in his life.
The imperial family attached great importance to this marriage: in addition to granting a general amnesty, the court also bestowed many rewards upon the people of Luoyang. Families with an elderly person over sixty years old were given meat, families of new mothers received silk and rice, and merchants were exempted from taxes for half a month...
The people were overjoyed, and cheers surged like a tide, all wanting to peek through the gauze curtain and admire the empress's figure.
Amidst the sounds of ceremonial music, the imperial carriage slowly entered the main gate of the palace and proceeded to the road in front of the Zhaoyang Hall.
The noble families, officials, kings, and generals had already treated him with utmost respect.
Today, the Emperor is dressed in a solemn imperial robe, with a black base and a crimson gauze robe. The twelve symbols of the sun, moon, stars and celestial bodies on the robe reflect dazzling light under the radiant sun. Standing tall on the high platform in front of Zhaoyang Palace, the already majestic Emperor appears even more imposing and outstanding under the sunlight.
The pearls on his crown clinked in the wind, making a crisp sound, as he turned to talk to the Duke of the Founding Kingdom beside him.
The emperor was in a very good mood, with a smile on his lips. His crimson robe added to his radiant and spirited appearance, a sight rarely seen among his ministers.
In front of Zhaoyang Palace, there was a long passageway, hundreds of feet long, filled with people waiting for the new empress to arrive.
As the four-wheeled carriage came into view, Xiao Zhuo stopped talking. His clothes fluttered in the wind, and his gaze passed through the pearl to see the figure gracefully step down from the carriage.
The beautiful woman in a formal dress, adorned with sashes and a veil, her long sleeves fluttering, her clothes embroidered with exquisite patterns, was surrounded by two rows of palace maids holding gold and jade fans for her. The fans, illuminated by the sunlight, radiated a beautiful glow, yet they could not overshadow the magnificence of her beauty.
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on him. In the silence, one could even hear the clear, melodious sound of his jade pendants clinking as he walked up the steps.
Xiao Zhuo looked at his empress, who was dressed up beautifully today, her appearance magnificent, unmatched in the world. Surrounded by a crowd, she walked towards him.
She seemed quite nervous, her eyes fixed on the steps ahead, not daring to look away even for a moment, and with each step she took, her breath seemed to catch in her throat.
Just a few steps before she reached the platform, Xiao Zhuo walked straight toward her.
Some of the more perceptive people present subtly noticed the emperor's almost impropriety in this action, but those gazes had no effect on him whatsoever. He had already raised his hand, slipped it under her sleeve embroidered with gold cloud patterns, and grasped her almost sweaty hand.
A gentle breeze is blowing.
The moment his palm touched her, Yuan Chaolu's tense nerves, which had been taut all day, suddenly relaxed.
She raised her thick eyelids, and in the evening sunlight, her gaze met the emperor's clear eyes.
Xiao Zhuo's palm slid down her wrist, his five fingers threading through hers, their ten fingers interlocking tightly. Only when she felt the burning heat on her skin did she come back to her senses. A blush of embarrassment suddenly crept up her ears, and she subconsciously tried to break free, but he held her even tighter.
The two had walked side by side to the highest point, from where they could see all the officials and nobles bowing their heads in worship. Her gaze swept over many familiar faces: the Prince of Yan, Pei Xi, the Lu family… Their crimson and purple robes shone brightly, forming a dazzling whole, as they chanted the congratulatory words "Eternal Union, Boundless Prosperity, Everlasting Joy, and a Thousand Years of Life," their voices like mountain shouts, deafeningly reaching her ears.
"Long live the Empress!"
As her words reached her ears, her anxiety before coming vanished completely, and the blood in her ears began to heat up. She looked up and her gaze fell on his face.
He sensed something and slowly looked over.
The moment their eyes met, she turned her face away. His thin lips had already spoken first, his deep voice falling on her ear with a faint smile.
"May Her Majesty the Empress live a long and healthy life, and enjoy eternal youth."
**
The emperor and empress performed the ritual of sharing a meal, thus concluding the wedding ceremony.
Afterwards, the empress was led into Changqiu Palace, and the emperor received the congratulations of the officials in Zhaoyang Hall.
Changqiu Palace is the Empress's residence. All the furnishings in the palace have been renovated and are ready to welcome the Empress Dowager.
As night fell, candles were lit on all twelve lamp stands in the hall, illuminating the room and the figure of the beautiful woman sitting before the table.
Yuan Chaolu was still dressed in her magnificent robes, holding a fan in her hand, which partially covered the lower half of her face. Her expression was calm and gentle as she looked at the palace gate, which made her appear quite serene. Her etiquette had been strictly taught by the female officials, and at this moment, from her upright posture to the rise and fall of her breath and the folds of her clothes, there was not a single mistake.
As the water clock ticked away inch by inch, Yuan Chaolu finally couldn't resist and raised her fingertips to rub her forehead acupoints.
The lady-in-waiting noticed her furrowed brow and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, is it because the crown is too heavy and your neck is uncomfortable? Please wait a little longer. The guests are currently feasting, and envoys from the border countries have come to pay homage. His Majesty will return at the auspicious time, and then we will drink this wedding wine together with Your Majesty."
Yuan Chaolu forced a smile; if only her head was aching from the weight of the hair ornament...
The Changqiu Palace no longer had the ministers who kept her on edge, but it was filled with no fewer than ten palace maids and eunuchs. Some were there to serve her as she drank the nuptial wine with the emperor, others to help her remove her hairpins and bathe, and still others to record the emperor and empress's intimate moments in the annals of history. There were also all sorts of spies watching her every move.
She already knew all this and had prepared for it.
However, nothing compares to what is about to happen.
The man she was about to face alone—
Tonight, he will become her husband.
As the candles burned out, Yuan Chaolu sent someone to urge them again. The auspicious hour had passed, and the palace banquet ahead should have been coming to an end, but the emperor still hadn't appeared.
This is not a good omen.
Then, Yuan Chaolu looked at the female official in front of her. Earlier, this aunt had been sent by the Empress Dowager to teach Yuan Chaolu about matters of the bedroom.
Before her marriage, she had been instructed by teachers who specialized in this matter, but tonight, this aunt's words were—
"Your Majesty is the Empress, unlike ordinary concubines. You must be chaste and quiet," the lady-in-waiting said. "Tonight, Your Majesty has just received His Majesty's favor and should know how to restrain yourself. You should stop after a short while and not let His Majesty indulge you."
"Do not fawn upon the master, nor seek favor in bed. When receiving his favor, remember to stop when necessary. For example, after the passion has just ended, immediately order someone to change the bedding. Do not linger on the imperial bed, lest you disturb His Majesty's rest."
...
"Furthermore, His Majesty is virtuous and pure. Your Highness should remember that His Majesty goes to the temple for meditation on the first and fifteenth of each month. Your Highness should avoid his favor for three days before and after these dates, using reasons such as menstruation."
Yuan Chaolu smiled slightly, did not refute, and agreed in turn.
"I am aware of everything and will do as Your Majesty the Empress Dowager says."
The female official had not expected her to answer so readily, but the face of the person in front of her was utterly unconvincing. Her eyes and brows naturally exuded a seductive charm, and even when she lowered her brows and respectfully said that she knew, it still seemed as if she was seducing someone.
The lady-in-waiting said with concern, "Your Majesty is wise and righteous, which is a blessing to His Majesty. Tonight, there will be eunuchs outside recording the official history. Please remember the regulations in this book."
As soon as he finished speaking, a steady sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.
Everyone in the hall perked up, and soon after, Zhong Changjun's report came from outside the hall. The hall door was opened, and the emperor immediately stepped in.
Yuan Chaolu raised her eyes and was caught off guard when she met his bright eyes.
Her heart began to race. She heard a rustling sound beside her as the palace servants brought them a cup of wine. The two sat facing each other. Yuan Chaolu, unable to bear the strong smell of wine, closed her eyes and drank the wine in one gulp.
After the emperor finished drinking, his face remained expressionless. After the ceremony, palace servants came forward to help the emperor and empress change their clothes, but Xiao Zhuo raised his hand, indicating that it was unnecessary.
Soon, only the two people remained inside the hall.
The candle burned softly, crackling like the heartbeat of Yuan Chaolu.
-----------------------
Author's note: We're finally married!
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