Chapter 496 Extra Chapter 2: The Grand Wedding
In late autumn, the banks of the Meng River, where the states of Yu and Song meet, are covered in a dense, ten-mile-long red bridal procession.
The banners of the Yu and Song states fluttered in the autumn wind, and gold foil shattered in the shimmering waves, reflecting off the red lanterns held by the people on both banks, turning half of the river into a rouge color.
The fact that the states of Yu and Song first reconciled their past grievances and now formed a sister-state alliance signifies that the friendship between the two countries is becoming increasingly solidified, which is truly a great thing for both nations.
Therefore, this grand wedding of the second princess of Yu and the king of Song was not only a match made in heaven between the royal families of the two countries, but also concerned the well-being of millions of people on both sides of the strait.
Xie Yunchuan wanted to announce his deep affection for his sister to the world, and Pei Ji also didn't want to hide his feelings for Sheng Sheng.
The two hit it off immediately. Instead of choosing the usual checkpoints, they took the waterway between Yu and Song, creating a ten-mile-long red procession along the Meng River.
At the same time, the wedding ceremony was held in the middle of the river, so that the royal family of Yu could witness the wedding without having to go to Song, and it would also be convenient for people from both countries to watch the ceremony along the river.
Both men had their own agendas; they both wanted to proclaim their love for Sheng Sheng to the world, and having the public witness the ceremony was the best way to do so, while also promoting friendship and harmony between the people of the two countries.
The wedding of the emperor and empress was a major national event and should have been held in the Song Dynasty's imperial palace. Originally, many court officials in the Song Dynasty were dissatisfied with this "wedding on the water".
However, Pei Ji had risen to his current position through genuine strength and a ruthless approach. Several key ministers in the court were all loyal to him. When Pei Ji said, "Ancestral rules are rigid, but people are flexible. My marriage to the princess of Yu is not only a private matter for the royal family, but also a major event concerning the relations between our two countries. A wedding ceremony on the water will allow the people of both countries to participate in this grand occasion and witness the harmony between Yu and Song. This is true majesty," no one dared to object.
In addition, although this "water wedding" is unprecedented and does not conform to the rules, it can indeed promote friendship between the two countries.
Having suffered from war and internal strife, the State of Song simply could not afford to expend any more energy.
Therefore, the matter was settled smoothly in the end.
The wind blows, and the red silk flutters in the wind, as if weaving a love net connecting the two countries.
The wedding procession from the Kingdom of Yu came from upstream, with hundreds of colorful boats linked end to end. The boats were all wrapped in red silk and adorned with gold bells and silk flowers. When the wind blew, the bells rang out in a clear and melodious sound, blending with the joyful music played by the musicians, and spreading along the water to both banks.
The main ship, with its hull adorned with gold and colorful decorations, was positioned in the center. Dozens of palace lanterns hung outside the cabin, and in the lamplight, her figure in a phoenix crown and pheasant robe could be vaguely seen, drawing crowds from both banks who craned their necks and cheered in waves.
Xie Yunchuan stood on the dock, surrounded by Li Manyan, Xie Yunyang, and others.
Because Zhennanguan is close to here, Xie Yunli also had to come here.
The Song state's wedding procession was already waiting at the ferry crossing in the middle of the river. Pei Ji, dressed in a crimson imperial robe with twelve imperial symbols, stood at the bow of the flagship ship, with civil and military officials behind him all in court attire, and banners obscuring the sun.
When the auspicious time arrived, the music and ceremonies began to resound throughout the heavens.
The sound of a phoenix carriage echoed as it sailed out of the painted boat. The twelve pairs of golden pheasants embroidered on her pheasant-embroidered robe were lifelike, and the pearl tassels hanging from the nine-pheasant and four-phoenix crown swayed gently with her steps, concealing the faint smile between her brows and eyes.
He stepped down from the platform and personally took Sheng Sheng's hand.
Their fingertips touched, their warmth mingling as they stepped onto the stage on a red carpet covered with acacia petals. Behind them, a red silk embroidered ball with long tassels billowed in the wind, creating a lingering arc.
The officials from both countries chanted in unison, their voices resounding through the heavens: "First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
Sheng Sheng stood side by side with Pei Ji, bowing deeply to the vast天地 (heaven and earth).
The wind swept the red silk across the platform, blending the atmosphere of the border between the two countries into one.
"A second bow to the common people—"
The two bowed again, and the subjects below the platform knelt down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor and Empress!" The sound waves overturned the clouds at the ferry.
This bow was a prayer for peace between the Yu and Song dynasties, and for Chang'an to be secured year after year.
"Husband and wife bow to each other—"
Pei Ji turned to look at Sheng Sheng and gently brushed away the stray hairs from her temples.
She looked up at him, her eyes shining brightly, and the curve of her lips was just right.
The two bowed slowly, their wrists, intertwined with red silk, gently touching, a tacit understanding that needed no words.
Sheng Sheng secretly squeezed Pei Ji's palm, and Pei Ji smiled indulgently: "Tired?"
Sheng Sheng nodded without any attempt to hide it: "Yes, the gold on my head is so heavy, I feel like I can't even lift my head up."
"You've worked hard, my Empress." Pei Ji also openly took her hand in public and kissed the back of her hand. "When we get back tonight, I'll give you a good massage."
Sheng Sheng blushed and shook him off, saying, "What are you doing? There are so many people watching!"
"Yes." Pei Ji smiled broadly. "I want everyone to know that you are my wife, the one I cherish, value, and love."
She gave a soft hum and turned her head away, ignoring him.
The curve of her lips betrayed her feelings.
The Heqin wine was served, its amber-colored liquid contained in a glass cup. It was brewed from glutinous rice from the State of Yu and spring water from the State of Song.
The two men crossed their arms, took a small sip, and savored the mellow taste as it went down their throats under the watchful eyes of everyone.
"The ceremony is complete!"
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn water, and the rouge on her cheeks looked even more charming in the light of the sky.
Pei Ji gazed at her, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. As he leaned down, he whispered in her ear, "From now on, year after year, I will protect this vast land with you."
She nodded with a smile, her fingertips gently hooking into his.
The ceremonial music outside the hall was still playing, and cheers rose and fell on both banks. Red candles burned brightly, reflecting the smiling faces of the two people.
"Now that I am your empress, should I call you Your Majesty or Brother Pei Ji?" Sheng Sheng asked him with a smile.
“Neither is good.” Pei Ji shook his head and said seriously, “Your Majesty is a subject, but you are my only wife in this life. Since we are husband and wife, you should naturally call me husband.”
"No way, those two words are too shameful."
Pei Ji chuckled softly, reaching out to pull her into his arms. His palm rested on her lower back, his warm breath brushing against her ear: "Then, what do you want to call me?"
Sheng Sheng snuggled closer to him, her nose brushing against the dragon embroidery on his ceremonial robe, her voice as soft as cotton: "I don't know, let's talk about it later. Can we finish the process quickly? I'm so tired, my husband."
The last "husband" was soft and gentle, with a slightly coquettish trailing tone at the end, like a feather tickling Pei Ji's heart.
He chuckled softly, the vibrations from his chest traveling through the fabric of his clothes, making his ears burn.
From the first day he met the little girl, her every smile, gesture, and word could easily captivate his heart.
He carefully kept those letters exchanged in their youth for many years, and now she has finally come of age and become his wife.
Pei Ji lowered his head, his nose brushing against her smooth forehead, his voice as soft as if afraid of disturbing the beautiful dream before him: "Sheng Sheng, do you know, I have waited for this day for a full ten years."
"Brother Pei Ji, I love you."
"……I love you too."
...
Thus, the lovers finally became a couple, and all their wishes were fulfilled.
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