Chapter 477 Xie Yunchuan and Li Manyan's Wedding
"On this auspicious day, I and the Crown Princess are happily married. I am deeply grateful to all of you for coming to witness and celebrate this occasion. I will remember your kindness! The palace has prepared a hundred jars of fine wine and a hundred tables of banquet at four restaurants in the capital. If you are so kind as to grace us with your presence, please feel free to go and share this joyous occasion with everyone present. May you all enjoy peace and prosperity year after year!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, and the sound of gongs and drums rang out once again.
The palace maids who had just scattered flower petals now had baskets full of all kinds of wedding candies at the bottom. After scattering all the flower petals, they started scattering the candies.
Even as the bridal sedan chair slowly moved towards the palace amidst deafening gongs and drums, the festivities continued, with laughter and cheers lingering in the air above the streets and alleys, accompanied by the receding drums and gongs.
The bridal sedan chair entered the imperial city, passed through Chengtian Gate, and slowly proceeded along the imperial road to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The music changed from boisterous to solemn and dignified, with the chime bells clear and the sheng and xiao melodious.
The crown prince's marriage is a major event for the state.
The officials, dressed in court robes, stood on both sides, bowing their heads in solemn silence.
As the sedan chair landed, Eunuch Hou, acting on Xie Yuxiao's orders, personally announced in a loud voice, "Please, Crown Princess, alight from the sedan chair—"
Xie Yunchuan stepped forward steadily, holding one end of a red silk ribbon and handing it to the sedan chair. Li Manyan, wearing a nine-emerald phoenix crown and a gold-embroidered phoenix robe, lightly held the other end of the red silk ribbon with her fingertips and slowly stepped out of the sedan chair with the help of the matchmaker.
The two people, with love knots tied at both ends of the red silk, stepped side by side onto the red carpet and walked step by step into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The hall was brightly lit with candles, and dragon and phoenix candles were burning high. On the table were grains, red dates, longans, peanuts, and lotus seeds, symbolizing a bountiful harvest and the early birth of a son.
Xie Yuxiao and Consort Rong sat upright on the throne, their expressions solemn yet gratified.
Below, Xie Yunli led his younger siblings to stand in order of seniority on the east side of the steps, their postures upright and their expressions respectful, all of them happy for the newlyweds.
Sheng Sheng hurriedly returned to the team: "We made it! We made it!"
Xie Yunqi had been behaving himself for quite some time, but when he saw her arrive, he finally couldn't resist taking the opportunity to chat with her: "How is it? Isn't it lively outside?"
"Yeah, yeah, it was so lively! I even threw flowers at them!"
Xie Yunqi exclaimed enviously, and was about to say something more when Eunuch Hou announced again: "The auspicious hour has arrived. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess shall perform the wedding ceremony—"
As the music began, the two stood side by side and bowed to heaven and earth.
Xie Yunchuan and Li Manyan bowed slowly, then straightened up, paying homage to heaven and earth and the gods, praying for national peace and prosperity and a smooth marriage.
Xie Yunqi had no choice but to shut up, and the two children stood properly and watched the ceremony attentively.
"Second bow to the parents—"
The two turned to face the throne, bowed slowly, and performed the ritual of three kowtows and nine prostrations.
Xie Yuxiao raised his hand to signal people to rise, his voice steady and powerful: "My son and daughter-in-law are of one mind and share the responsibilities of the family and the country. They have lived up to the expectations of me and the Imperial Concubine."
Consort Rong nodded gently: "From now on, if the couple can live together in harmony and happiness, that would be the best outcome."
"Your subject will certainly not fail your expectations!"
Xie Yuxiao and Consort Rong nodded in acknowledgment. A eunuch presented teacups, which Xie Yunchuan and Consort Rong offered with both hands. Xie Yuxiao and Consort Rong accepted the tea and drank it. They were then presented with jade pendants, ruyi scepters, and other gifts, symbolizing wealth, good fortune, peace, and prosperity.
Both the Rong and Li families showed expressions of being moved.
"Husband and wife bow to each other—"
Xie Yunchuan and Li Manyan stood facing each other, their eyes meeting with tenderness. They slowly bowed to each other, first bowing to signify unity of heart and mind, second bowing to signify mutual respect, and third bowing to signify growing old together.
As the ceremony concluded and the music gradually subsided, the eunuch announced loudly, "The wedding ceremony is complete!"
As soon as the words were spoken, all the officials bowed and said in unison, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Imperial Concubine! Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Congratulations, Crown Princess!"
The sound surged and echoed inside and outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, lingering for a long time.
Sheng Sheng took the lead in clapping, his smile brighter than anyone else's.
The brother and sister-in-law she had been protecting finally got married!
The siblings were equally delighted and joined in the applause.
Thus, the red silk ribbon remained untied, and the love knot was still firmly tied in their hands, binding them tightly together.
From this day forward, we will share both glory and loss, shouldering the heavy responsibilities of our nation and witnessing the long years together.
Xie Yunchuan lowered his eyes to look at the woman beside him. Her phoenix coronet and wedding gown made her features even more beautiful and charming. He gently placed his fingertips on the back of her hand that was holding the red silk, and the warmth blended together. His eyes were filled with tenderness and satisfaction.
Li Manyan also looked up and glanced back, her eyes clear and bright, with a faint smile.
Amidst the surrounding noise, after a while, Li Manyan whispered to him, "Husband, please guide me from now on."
"Husband" is the most common term of address between ordinary couples, but to Xie Yunchuan, it sounded more beautiful than any other word, so hot that his fingertips trembled slightly.
Xie Yunchuan's heart skipped a beat, and he smiled back, "My wife, from now on I will be your strongest support."
From that moment on, they became each other's strongest support, walking hand in hand through the years to come.
...
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess became increasingly loving and sweet after their marriage. Xie Yunchuan was not only the first member of the royal family to get married, but also the first among the Rong family's grandchildren.
Therefore, both the Rong family and others in the palace were affected by this happy event for a long time and were overjoyed.
Lian Shengsheng has now put aside the loneliness of Pei Ji's departure and wishes she could stay in the East Palace every day so that she could see her brother and sister-in-law showing affection up close.
There was only one person who, despite not having any pent-up emotions, felt very heavy-hearted.
Xie Yunjia knew she had the answer, but she just didn't have the courage.
Why do I lack the courage?
Xie Yunjia herself didn't know either.
Her words that day had clearly awakened her; having the courage to do something was better than the regret of never having tried.
But……
Xie Yunjia lowered her eyes, her mind replaying the scene of Xie Yunchuan and Yan'er's wedding that day.
The sky was covered in red, and the whole world seemed to be filled with joy.
One was her best friend, and the other was her brother. She was genuinely happy that her brother and sister-in-law had finally become a couple. Her joy was real and intense, but deep in her heart, a faint expectation also secretly arose.
I look forward to the day when I can also wear a wedding robe, hold the hand of the one I love, walk across the red carpet, receive blessings from the whole hall, and have such a passionate love of my own.
Xie Yunjia had to admit that what she used to disdain had quietly stirred her heart and given rise to a longing she had never felt before because of the appearance of one person.
That person was Lu Yixue.
Xie Yunjia just couldn't understand why she didn't dare to break the ice between her and Lu Yixue. Lu Yixue clearly liked her, and she liked him too, didn't she?
Xie Yunjia thought and thought but couldn't come up with a solution, so she had to call Xiao Tao.
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