Xie Yayuan raised her head, "This humble woman is naturally willing." She also wanted to be second only to the emperor, but the thought of the three palaces and six courtyards made her dare not think about it.
"I'm glad you're willing. I'll write the imperial edict later. You can stay at home without worry." Yan Zhen felt a little embarrassed when he saw her blushing face.
"Very well, Your Majesty, I will await your arrival."
"I'll have someone escort you out of the palace; the imperial edict will arrive shortly."
"Yes, this humble woman will take her leave."
"Don't be so polite. You don't need to bow to me anymore when you see me in the future."
"Okay!" Xie Yayuan nodded with a smile, her face as red as if she had applied rouge, making her alluring.
When the girls outside saw the second young lady of the Dali Temple Minister's family being invited in, they knew that she had no chance of becoming the Empress. However, they were not discouraged. If not the Empress, then there were still concubines.
Although the emperor said he would only choose an empress, he might change his mind. Moreover, historically, girls who entered the palace to participate in the selection of concubines could remain in the palace as maids if they were not granted a title.
As long as she doesn't leave the palace, there's still a chance. The emperor is dashing and handsome; even if she can't become a concubine, she can still be a minor concubine.
Unfortunately, no matter how well they planned, their plans were still shattered.
An Shuyi and Xia Hua came out and said directly, "The Empress has been chosen. Ladies, you may leave the palace now."
These words immediately caused a stir in the Imperial Garden, with everyone chattering excitedly. One young woman asked, "Empress Dowager, the Empress has been chosen, but what about the other concubines? Even if they aren't chosen, can't they stay in the palace as maids?"
Xia Hua said impatiently, "That was before, not now. There will be no other concubines in the palace, only the Empress. There are enough palace maids, and there is no need to add any more. Leave the palace."
Hearing this, the girls knew there was no hope, so they bowed and took their leave. Some girls didn't want to leave, but seeing the others leave, they had no choice but to follow.
Not long after, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review received an imperial edict, and the people of the land knew that there would be no more selection of imperial concubines. They all praised the good emperor.
Although they desired immense wealth and honor, they also had to be able to protect themselves. Every time a concubine was chosen, their children were sent to the palace, and they had no idea whether they lived or died, nor could they inquire about their whereabouts.
Now that there's no need to select concubines, the children in the family won't have to go to the palace.
When the ministers learned of this, they all submitted memorials urging the emperor to cancel the matter, but to no avail. Now that there were no factions in the court, any minister who wanted to submit a memorial could only fight alone.
The Imperial Observatory quickly calculated the birth dates and times of the Emperor and Empress, confirming that they were a perfect match. They then decided on an auspicious day for the wedding.
Two months later, good days were coming. When the Lin clan learned of this, they stopped doing business and the whole clan rushed to the capital.
An Shuyi and Xia Hua had originally thought they could take a break, but they didn't expect to be even busier. The Emperor's wedding was a big event, and even those small border countries would come to offer their congratulations.
The two of them were so annoyed. They could have handed the matter over to the Empress Dowager, but that was impossible. Only they could handle it. With no other option, they had to summon Xiao Yubai and Cheng Yumo to the palace and let them deal with it.
However, in order to avoid being discovered, they kept it all in their pavilion, known only to the Emperor and his secret guards. The reception of the envoys was left to Wen Liu and Dong Yanbo.
The capital city was bustling with activity, decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere. On the wedding day, the ground was covered with red carpets, all the lanterns were changed to red, and the character "囍" (double happiness) was pasted on the walls and doors.
The emperor does not need to leave the palace to fetch the bride; he only needs to wait in the palace. Officials will lead the wedding procession to the empress's residence.
After entering the palace, the first ceremony was the investiture ceremony, where the phoenix seal was received. Then, they went to the Kunning Palace to perform the grand wedding ceremony, and were then led to the bridal chamber. This completes the ceremony.
No one dared to cause trouble in the Emperor's bridal chamber, but in his joy, he still drank a couple of cups of wine before entering the Empress's palace at nightfall.
The next morning, while An Shuyi and Xia Hua were still asleep, a palace maid came to report that the Empress had come to pay her respects.
What time is it now?
"Your Majesty, it's just past dawn!"
An Shuyi leaned lazily against Xia Hua, "Didn't Yan Zhen tell her that she didn't need to pay her respects?"
She's been so busy these past few days with Yan Zhen's wedding that she hasn't slept well. Now that she's finally able to get some sleep, the Empress comes to pay her respects. What was she thinking, especially since Yan Zhen hasn't tried to dissuade her?
"It's cold outside, let the Empress go back to sleep, and come back at Chenshi (7-9 AM)!" Xia Hua said directly.
"Yes!" the palace maid hurriedly went to reply.
Xie Yayuan returned to her bedroom after hearing the palace maid's words.
Yan Zhen didn't have to attend court today and was lying in bed. When she saw her return, she smiled and said, "Didn't you see the two Empress Dowagers? I told you not to go so early, it's quite cold."
"And you don't need to pay your respects to either the Grand Empress Dowager or the Empress Dowager. As long as you handle the affairs of the inner palace well, you can sleep however you want."
"I was thinking that if I went early, I could make a good impression on the two Empress Dowagers and the Empress Dowager," Xie Yayuan said.
"You don't need to do that. Just be yourself. Come to sleep. After you pay your respects to Grandma and the others, I'll accompany you on your homecoming visit. I only have time today. I'll have to attend court in the future, so I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you."
"It's alright, Your Majesty. You're busy, don't worry about me."
Yan Zhen pulled her onto the bed and laid her down. "I've told you a few times, call me Emperor when you're in front of strangers, but call me Husband when we're back. I'm not going to eat you."
"But……"
"No buts, just remember to listen to me!" After saying that, he started to grope her, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Xie Yayuan blushed and said, "Husband, please stop teasing me."
But before long, an ambiguous atmosphere filled the room.
When she woke up again, it was already Chen Shi (7-9 AM). She glanced at the emperor, who was putting on his robes again, and asked, "Husband, why didn't you wake me?"
The palace maid said that she should go to pay her respects at Chenshi (7-9 AM), but it was already Chenshi. If she tidied herself up and went later, she would definitely be late.
Seeing how anxious she was, Yan Zhen could only comfort her, "Don't worry, Grandma and the others won't mind. Take your time packing, I'll go with you."
"Thank you, my husband, but it's no need. If you come with me, the two Empress Dowagers won't be able to reprimand me. I can go by myself."
Yan Zhen smiled but didn't say anything. After she finished getting ready, he led her to the pavilion. Before they even arrived, they saw the Empress Dowager waiting outside. "Mother, you've come so early?"
"It is a bit early, but the palace maid has gone to call her. Let's wait a while."
Xie Yayuan hurriedly bowed, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhao said, "No need for so much formality, get up quickly." It was the first time her daughter-in-law had bowed to her, and she felt quite uncomfortable.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Xie Yayuan was helped up and stood carefully to one side.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Empress. The Grand Empress Dowager requests your presence," a palace maid announced.
Yan Zhen had no choice but to walk ahead and enter the attic. He looked at the two grandmothers sitting upstairs and said, "Grandson greets the two grandmothers."
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