Chapter 384 Tea
The early morning sunlight shines through the dense branches and leaves, casting mottled and dancing light and shadows on the palace path leading to the Cining Palace, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.
The emperor and empress walked hand in hand in front, walking calmly.
Xiaoxiao held Wen Li'er's hand and jumped around, following his mother like a happy little bird.
The four young princes and princesses were held firmly in the arms of their respective wet nurses and followed closely behind.
The eunuchs and palace maids held ceremonial objects, incense burners and other items, with lowered brows and eyes, and gathered around him.
The group walked into the Cining Palace in a mighty procession.
A clever eunuch had already passed the message in.
When the Emperor and Empress reached the main hall door, Nanny He, the capable assistant to the Empress Dowager, was already respectfully waiting for them on the jade steps.
"This old servant respectfully wishes His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress good health! Greetings to the First, Third, and Fourth Princes, and to Princesses Changning and Changle."
Nanny He's voice was not loud, but every word she spoke was clear and steady, and she bowed respectfully.
Changning and Changle are the titles of Miaomiao and Zhaozhao. As soon as the wedding ceremony of the emperor and empress ended yesterday, the edict of enthronement was announced to the six palaces.
"Madame He, please excuse me."
Yan Shixu nodded slightly, holding Wen Li'er's hand without letting go.
The two walked in unison and went straight into the hall.
Inside the main hall of the Cining Palace, the quiet scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, and sunlight filtered through the high windows onto the polished gold brick floor, reflecting the trails of floating dust.
The furnishings in the hall are simple and elegant, revealing the weight of time and the supreme dignity of the royal family.
The Grand Empress Dowager sat on a rosewood throne carved with a phoenix in the center of the upper room. She was dressed in a dark purple robe with a lotus pattern, and her silver hair was combed meticulously.
Although he is old, he is in good spirits. His weathered eyes are still sharp, but now filled with a kind smile.
The Queen Mother sat on a seat slightly lower and to the right, wearing a simple and elegant lilac-colored dress with a ruyi cloud pattern.
There was a gentle smile on his face, and his eyes fell softly on the children.
The emperor and empress walked forward steadily.
Only then did Yan Shixu let go of Wen Li'er's hand, and the two of them knelt down side by side and bowed solemnly on the bright yellow brocade mat that had been prepared long ago.
"The grandson/granddaughter-in-law pays respects to the Royal Grandmother, wishing her good health and a long and blessed life."
"Your son/daughter-in-law pays respects to the Queen Mother and wishes her good health and success in everything."
Two voices, one hard and one soft, intertwined together, carrying the solemnity unique to newlyweds and a hint of imperceptible tension.
Wen Li'er was indeed a little nervous.
Although she was already familiar enough with the Grand Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother, it was the first time she changed her words.
Nanny He personally came forward carrying a red lacquered and gold-painted tray.
Two jade tea cups with gold edges were placed steadily on it, filled with steam and the fragrance of tea.
Blending with the sandalwood in the temple, it has a unique elegance.
Yan Shixu picked up one lamp first, and Wen Li'er followed closely behind and picked up the other.
The two men moved in unison, bowed, and raised the teacups above their eyebrows with both hands.
"Grandmother, please have some tea."
"Grandmother, please have some tea."
The Empress Dowager looked at the perfect couple in front of her, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
She first took the teacup from Yan Shixu's hand, took a sip symbolically, and said softly:
"The Emperor is diligent in his administration and loves his people, which is truly heartening to me. Now that your wedding is complete, I hope you two will unite in purpose and work together for the well-being of our country and our Great Yan."
Although the words were short, they expressed the deepest expectations of the Empress Dowager, who had lived through three dynasties, for the inheritance of the country.
Yan Shixu said solemnly: "My grandson will follow the teachings of the Royal Grandmother and will not disappoint her high expectations."
The Empress Dowager put down the Emperor's teacup and took the tea offered by Wen Li'er.
This time, she drank a little more, and looked at Wen Li'er with loving eyes.
"Good child. Now that you have married, you will be the mother of a country. I wish you will be virtuous and help the emperor, raise the royal heirs, and live in harmony and love. I drink this cup of tea. In the future, this Cining Palace will be your support."
Wen Li'er bowed deeply, feeling a warm current surge in her heart.
"Granddaughter-in-law thanks the Imperial Grandmother for her kindness."
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, then took out a pair of pure white jade bracelets from the brocade box held by the palace maid beside her, and put them on Wen Li'er's wrists herself.
"This was my dowry back then, and I give it to you today. I hope you will be as gentle and tough as this jade, and enjoy a long-lasting blessing."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your generous gift!" Wen Li'er thanked her again.
Then, Yan Shixu and Wen Li'er turned to the Queen Mother.
The same process is followed, and fragrant tea is served again.
"Mother, please have some tea."
"Mother, please have some tea."
The Queen Mother took the tea offered by her son, took a sip, and gave a few symbolic instructions.
"The Emperor is busy with government affairs and must take care of his health. Now that he has an empress, I am relieved."
After drinking the tea her son offered her, she solemnly took the tea offered by Wen Lier and took a sip slowly.
"The Queen is gentle and dignified, and I love her very much. From now on, the affairs of the harem, as well as the education and upbringing of the princes and princesses, will be entrusted to you. I hope you two will treat each other with respect and live in harmony."
As she spoke, she took a rosewood box from the palace maid and opened it.
Inside is a set of peony headpieces made of red gold and inlaid with rubies, which is luxurious and elegant.
"This is a small token of my love. May you bloom like a peony and be a mother to the world."
"I thank you, Queen Mother, for your grace! I will fulfill my duties, serve the Emperor, be filial to the Empress and Grandmother, and take good care of the princes and princesses."
After the tea ceremony, the atmosphere in the hall became noticeably more relaxed.
Yan Shixu quietly squeezed Wen Li'er's hand under his wide sleeves, and his fingertips conveyed silent comfort and approval.
Wen Li'er pursed her lips and smiled slightly.
The empress dowager's eyes moved between her son and daughter-in-law, full of relief.
There was a time when she didn't believe it. She didn't believe that her adopted son, the emperor who ruled the world, could really favor only Wen Li'er among the three thousand rivers.
However, the emperor ignored the opposition and dismissed the six palaces in a tough attitude, and only appointed Wen Li'er as the queen.
Their children were born one after another. This determination and affection finally made her believe that not all men in the world are heartless and fickle.
At this moment, she was truly happy for the two young people and sincerely hoped that their rare love would last forever and that they would grow old together.
What a pity... Thinking of her troublesome daughter, the Queen Mother sighed silently in her heart.
After Xie Zhenrong's death, the Empress Dowager sent Yan Shishu to Jingsi Temple to practice Buddhism in order to quell the criticism and to temper her temper.
He was ordered to reflect on his mistakes and practice for two years before he could return to the capital.
The Queen Mother had just visited her daughter a few days ago. Thinking of her daughter's thin and haggard appearance, a trace of sadness unconsciously appeared between her brows.
Little Miaomiao snuggled up to the Empress Dowager's knees, and seemed to be keenly aware of the Empress Dowager's low mood.
She raised her little face and looked at the empress dowager with her big eyes blinking.
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