Chapter 359 The Grand Wedding (Epilogue)
The Ministry of Rites had already set the date for the wedding, and Dou Wenyi returned to the Dou family half a month before the wedding.
Now that she is pregnant, the entire Dou family is extremely nervous, practically clearing the way for her as they walk. The second branch of the family is even more terrified by the confiscation of the Anguo Duke's mansion's property and is now more docile than anyone else.
Ever since she returned to the mansion, the Dou family's threshold has been worn down by countless visitors. Congratulations and gifts for her have been coming in an endless stream, and Madam Gu and Dou Bochang have happily accepted them, finally understanding what it means for "when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."
However, Dou Wenyi had already laid down three rules for them: accepting gifts was fine, but asking for favors through connections? No way!
They had all suffered losses several times, and having learned from Master Zhang's example, they had no more chances to make reckless promises to others.
Old Madam Dou had long prepared a generous dowry for Dou Wenyi, and Madam Gu, unusually generous, also prepared a dowry for her.
Dou Wenyi didn't have much free time after returning to the Dou family. Besides developing medicines, she also handled Pei Siyan's former private property. Life wasn't too hard, and before she knew it, it was time for her wedding.
Before dawn, Dou Wenyi was woken up to do her makeup, apply powder and draw her eyebrows. After changing into a dazzling cloud brocade robe and wearing a nine-dragon and nine-phoenix crown inlaid with rubies, she looked radiant and stunningly beautiful.
Even the seasoned palace steward was stunned, praising with a smile, "Your Majesty, you are so beautiful, with a face like a fairy."
Looking at herself in the mirror, Dou Wenyi felt somewhat dazed, suddenly recalling the shabby and disheveled state of her wedding in her previous life...
It turns out that marrying a different person can lead to two completely different lives.
Shen Lishu, Lin Zhiyi, and other close friends arrived early to add to Dou Wenyi's makeup, all marveling at her exceptional beauty and demeanor, befitting her status as the Empress of the Great Zhou. Even throughout the entire Great Zhou, no one could surpass her in terms of appearance and bearing.
Wearing the imperial robes of a noblewoman, Old Master Dou looked at the radiant Dou Wenyi, feeling both happy and reluctant to part with her. His heart was filled with a mix of emotions, and his eyes couldn't help but well up with tears. Only those who have truly had a daughter getting married can understand this feeling.
Later, Dou Wenyi truly stepped into the palace and became the Empress, the mother of the nation, but in the end, she was just her most beloved granddaughter.
If she suffers any injustice, how can the Dou family possibly help her?
Tears welled up in Madam Gu's eyes as well. She didn't know how to bridge the gap between her and her daughter. In the future, she would have to send a token to the palace to see her. She didn't know if her daughter even cared about her as her mother.
The Dou family was very happy and lively. Early in the morning, guests came to greet them, and the house was full of distinguished guests.
Suddenly, music and ceremony filled the air as the Three Dukes and Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet arrived at the Dou residence, accompanied by a magnificent ceremonial guard.
The spectacle drew everyone's attention, and the entire Dou family knelt respectfully to hear the imperial edict appointing her as empress.
As Dou Wenyi knelt to receive the golden book and seal, the guests finally caught a glimpse of the future empress's face. Only after she turned and returned to her room, supported by palace maids, did the guests come to their senses and exchange glances.
"No wonder the Emperor is so concerned..."
"I heard that when the heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan plotted a rebellion, this was the one who took charge of things in the palace!"
"The Dou family has truly produced a golden phoenix!"
...
The celebrations continued until dusk. The emperor's wedding involved a great deal of elaborate ceremonies, and Dou Wenyi also had to bid farewell to her grandmother, parents, and others. Pei Siyan's ceremonies in the palace were even more complex, such as waiting for the officials to pay their respects at the Fengtian Hall.
As evening fell, the sky was ablaze with red clouds, and the eaves were gilded with gold. Just as the auspicious hour arrived, the wedding procession came to the Dou family home, causing a sensation throughout the streets and alleys. Crowds thronged, eager to catch a glimpse of the future empress.
With the help of the steward, Dou Wenyi boarded the phoenix palanquin, and the empress's entourage marched in a grand procession straight to Kunning Palace.
Pei Siyan, dressed in a bright red auspicious robe, had been waiting at the palace gate for a long time, pacing back and forth.
He was perhaps too excited, his fingers kept unconsciously rubbing the ring. "Anxi, where are we?"
Eunuch Anxi had never seen him so flustered before, and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Your Majesty, we've already passed Chengtian Gate, and we still have to go through Meridian Gate. It will take at least the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Would you like to sit down for a while longer?"
As an emperor, according to the wedding ceremony, he could not personally go to the Dou family's gate to fetch the bride; he could only wait at the Kunning Palace.
Pei Siyan paused, coughed lightly, and said in a seemingly calm manner, "In the past, it was always Yi'er who waited for me, so it was fine for me to wait a little longer. Today is our wedding day, and we must not lose face for the Great Zhou."
Anxi: "..."
He found it amusing, but dared not expose him.
Ever since Dou Wenyi returned, Pei Siyan had been looking forward to this day every day. He was excited and nervous all night, and even got up in the middle of the night to read the memorials. He knew that whenever it involved the Empress, his master was like a different person.
It made him feel that the dragon in the sky had finally acquired a touch of mortal nature.
But isn't this wonderful? As long as Empress Dou is around, the Emperor is in a good mood, and the servants are happy too.
The imperial carriage stopped at the palace gate. Pei Siyan, with his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, was beaming with joy. He was incomparably handsome, and his noble and jade-like face exuded a natural charm.
He raised his hand and bowed towards the imperial carriage to show his welcome to the bride.
Madam Luo stepped forward, respectfully lifted the carriage curtain, and helped Dou Wenyi, who was dressed in a ceremonial robe and wearing a phoenix crown, slowly descend from the phoenix palanquin.
Pei Siyan finally saw his Yi'er.
Her eyebrows were like crescent moons, her face like creamy jade, and her lips as red as autumn begonias. Dressed in an incomparably magnificent wedding gown, she appeared even more stunning and breathtakingly beautiful.
Pei Siyan's heart pounded with joy when Dou Wenyi happened to look up. Their eyes met, and their intense gazes intertwined.
Even if it was just for a moment, it was something Pei Siyan would never forget. She was his light, his lawfully wedded wife, his empress, and the love of his life!
The auspicious hour had arrived. Urged on by the master of ceremonies, a palace maid handed a soft red silk ribbon to Dou Wenyi. Guided by the master of ceremonies, she walked steadily towards the bridal chamber step by step.
After Dou Wenyi entered the palace, everything she saw was a festive, fiery red. The curtains were embroidered with exquisite mandarin ducks playing in the water and twin lotus flowers, and the bed was covered with a brocade quilt full of peonies, all of which showed the grandeur and care of the royal family.
The dragon and phoenix candles were burning brightly, and Pei Siyan, beaming with pride, strode into the room.
He took a deep breath, "Yi'er!"
His voice was low and husky, full of deep emotion, and he seemed a little impatient.
The atmosphere inside the hall became hot and sticky. Dou Wenyi seemed to be infected by him, her face flushed, and she began to get nervous, unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes.
The master of ceremonies, seeing the nervous newlyweds, dared not make any jokes and said with a smile, "Your Majesty and Your Majesty, please drink the wedding wine first."
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