The Crown Prince carried He Xue along the red carpet toward Yuqing Palace. The palace maids and eunuchs on the way greeted the Crown Prince and said, "Congratulations to the Crown Prince and his wife on your wish to be a pair of lovebirds, and to live a hundred years without being apart!"
A good match is preordained, and a perfect couple is made in heaven!
Let us drink wine, grow old together, play music and sing, and find peace and tranquility in all things!
"Good, reward him!" the crown prince said with a smile.
The Crown Prince carried He Xue to the main hall of Yuqing Palace. Emperor Kangxi, Imperial Noble Consort, Consort Hui, Consort Rong, Consort Yi, Consort Liang and all other concubines of the harem above the rank of Consort were there. The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager were also present.
Emperor Kangxi originally wanted Xingchi to come along, but Xingchi said it wouldn't be good for him to appear in front of others, so he didn't participate.
However, Xingchi gave the Buddhist beads that had been with him for more than 30 years to Kangxi as a congratulatory gift, asking Kangxi to pass them on to the Crown Prince.
When Emperor Kangxi received the Buddhist prayer beads from Xingchi, he was at a loss for what to do. He was worried that the Crown Prince might have the idea of becoming a monk, which was why he reluctantly became related to Suhetai by marriage. As a result, his unreliable father actually gave the Crown Prince a string of Buddhist prayer beads. What if the Crown Prince was moved by the Buddhist prayer beads?
He didn't want the Qing Dynasty to produce another monk, but this was Xingchi's congratulatory gift to the Crown Prince, and it wouldn't be appropriate for him not to give it to the Crown Prince!
After much deliberation, Emperor Kangxi decided not to give the Buddhist prayer beads to the Crown Prince. Instead, he sent him a Guanyin statue symbolizing the granting of children, hoping to bring the Crown Prince some good fortune.
Today, when the Crown Prince kowtowed to Emperor Kangxi to express his gratitude, Kangxi told him that he should not let women distract him from state affairs. Kangxi did not have much confidence when he said this, but he hoped that the Crown Prince would spend more time with women.
Emperor Kangxi also hoped that the Crown Prince could do his best to produce offspring for the Aisin Gioro family and continue the family line. However, Kangxi did not have high hopes for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince could only be close to Hexue, but Hexue's health was damaged, which affected his ability to have children. Kangxi was really worried that the Crown Prince would not have many offspring.
Emperor Kangxi sighed that he, as a father, had worked so hard. He then instructed Liang Jiugong that the imperial physicians should check He Xue's pulse every half month and make sure to take good care of He Xue's health.
He Xue was carefully placed on the ground by the Crown Prince. Although her head was covered with a veil, He Xue could still feel the gazes coming from all directions.
When He Xue was at a loss, the Crown Prince took her hand and placed the red silk in it, saying, "Don't be afraid, I'm here!"
He Xue nodded gently.
After the Crown Prince and He Xue stood in line, Prince Yu served as the master of ceremonies.
"Your Majesty, may we begin?" Prince Yu asked Emperor Kangxi.
"Let's begin!" Kangxi said.
Prince Yu straightened his clothes and began to preside over the ceremony.
"One bow to heaven and earth, a beautiful tale of a predestined marriage!"
The Crown Prince helped He Xue turn around and bow to heaven and earth.
"I bow twice to my parents, for their nurturing grace is as heavy as a mountain!"
The Crown Prince then helped He Xue turn around and bow to Emperor Kangxi and the Imperial Noble Consort.
The reason why the Imperial Noble Consort was able to accept the Crown Prince's kneeling was because the Crown Prince told Emperor Kangxi that although the Imperial Noble Consort was not his biological mother, he had long regarded her as his own mother because of her devoted care for him over the years, and therefore she should accept his kneeling.
The Imperial Noble Consort looked at the newlyweds before her, and her eyes welled up with tears. She had watched He Xue and the Crown Prince grow up, and now they were both grown up.
Emperor Kangxi sensed the Imperial Noble Consort's emotions and patted her hand with a smile.
The Imperial Noble Consort smiled.
"Husband and wife bow to each other, like phoenixes singing in harmony, flying wing to wing!"
The Crown Prince and He Xue faced each other. The Crown Prince looked intently at Tang Mi, his heart filled with joy and excitement.
He Xue's heart was pounding. Even with her veil covering her face, she could feel the Crown Prince's burning gaze.
"The ceremony is complete; escort them to the bridal chamber!"
The Crown Prince led He Xue by the hand to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. The Crown Prince helped He Xue kneel down and said, "Grand Ancestor, Grandmother, Bao Cheng thanks you both for taking care of Bao Cheng over the years!"
Then the two of them sincerely kowtowed three times to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.
"Get up quickly!" the Empress Dowager said, her eyes red. "As long as you are all well, your ancestor is at ease!"
The Empress Dowager, her voice trembling with emotion, said, "From now on, you two must support and care for each other!"
"Yes!" the two replied in unison.
Then Liang Jiugong produced an imperial edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: To ensure the prosperity and flourishing of the court, we rely on the virtues of Roujia, the Crown Prince's consort, of the Guarjia clan, born into a distinguished family, gentle and respectful. By the benevolent decree of the Empress Dowager, she is hereby appointed Crown Princess, to manage the affairs of the six palaces and handle all official documents. This is the imperial decree."
"Congratulations, Crown Princess!" Liang Jiugong said to He Xue with a smile.
"He Xue obeys the imperial decree!" He Xue replied as she received the decree.
Those present were surprised that He Xue was made Crown Princess on the day of her wedding. It seems they will have to reassess He Xue's status in the royal family from now on.
Soon after, Xue was taken to the bridal chamber, where the Grand Princess and others were waiting for her.
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