Idiot's wedding ceremony
Because it was a royal wedding, the procedures were very different from those of ordinary families.] First, the Crown Prince would not come in person to welcome the bride; he would only send an envoy.
The Crown Princess's ceremonial procession had already been displayed in front of the main hall of the residence, and the Minister of the Imperial Household led a procession to greet her. A dazzling array of colors, not just yellow and red, but also black, were all vibrant, rich colors, creating a powerful impact upon the eye. There were red and black phoenix flags, red and black umbrellas... The most fascinating thing was that, in addition to the procession, there were also a joyful selection of whisks, golden incense burners, incense boxes, wash trays, bowls, golden vases, golden chairs... and so on.
Shujia was sweltering in her gown. Even the finest material was made of several layers, and she wondered, "If I get really hot, will someone bring me a basin to wash my face?" She was thankful. When it came time to put on her makeup, she insisted on doing it herself, keeping it light: "It's so hot, I sweat easily, so the less makeup the better."
Everyone was convinced. Shujia's room was currently the focus of defense. Even in the summer, there was plenty of ice. It was hard to believe how crowded it was! With so many people crammed into the room, and the weather still sunny, the heat was so intense that many people wearing makeup were cautiously testing their sweat with handkerchiefs, and even slipping small mirrors from their sleeves to check if their makeup was smudged.
This is one of those seasons when any grand ceremony requiring formal attire becomes tragic.
Hearing the female official singing loudly, "Get on the carriage," Shujia took a deep breath, bent her waist slightly, took off the auspicious locket hanging around her neck, and handed it to Xiluo. Xiluo took it and put it in the box.
Then, the sedan chair was lifted. According to traditional customs, the bride was to be carried to it by her brother. Even if custom was not followed, she still needed someone to help her; otherwise, it would be practically impossible to accomplish on her own. Don't think that the TV version was just a show-off. If anyone else wore this outfit—the original, formal one, not the simplified one—the simple movements would be fine, but if Shujia had to worry about her image, it would be a very difficult task.
Fu Dali took a deep breath. His sister's happiness was a good thing, but... personally sending her off wasn't a good feeling either. With their heads lowered, no one dared to speak at this moment, fearing that if they did, they would change their tone.
Shujia remained silent, her grip tightening again. Oh, and she was still holding the apple. She was slowly escorted to the carriage and seated. The seating area was spacious enough, but with the curtains drawn, it was completely enclosed and extremely stuffy. However, knowing that the families would be accompanying the procession into the palace and attending the banquet there, Shujia felt less nervous.
Cai Yu was extremely stable, but Shu Jia's heart was in turmoil. They were about to get married, and regardless of how terrible that guy's personality was in the legend of time travel, how stupid his thinking was, and how tragic his fate was in reality, he was a stranger whom they had only met a few times and had only spoken to a few times!
I was about to form a family with him, sharing his joys and sorrows. No one could remain calm. There were also sounds of joy coming from outside, disturbing my mind for no reason.
Someone had already given her a wedding night education, and at the time, she was both amused and annoyed, staring blankly at the strangely drawn pictures of fighting goblins and a Laughing Buddha in a small picture book, thinking, "I've seen all the animated ones, how could you just get started?" The Xiluotai who was teaching her was so anxious that she wanted to slap her: "This... the way of husband and wife... is very important... Don't be afraid... and... don't be awkward... But you can't be stunned either, you have to... that..." Shujia smiled silently inwardly, knowing that in a harmonious life, sex is very important and an indispensable part of it.
Now, no matter how I think about it, I feel anxious. That guy seems not bad looking? Yeah, not too bad. But… we've never even held hands before! We haven't even chatted on QQ! And now she's his wife! Shujia wants to cry!
Having sex with a stranger, even if he's not bad-looking, is bound to be awkward! A harmonious sex life... Can I control my facial expressions tonight and not look like... a decent woman being forced? No, I'm already a decent woman, so I have to act like one. But being too decent gives my husband the impression that he's raping me instead of marrying me... which doesn't seem good either.
By the way, does he talk in his sleep, grunt, grind his teeth, or kick people? I don't seem to have any of those issues. If someone who lives their whole life has them, they'll be living in dire straits half the time. Hmm, that guy's fingers look pretty nice. Oh, what the hell are you thinking about?!
She shook her head, but it didn't budge. She felt the heavy ceremonial crown on her head and quickly sat back down. If she dropped it, it would be disastrous. Well, she'd memorized the wedding protocol. She'd just sit there all the way to the Xingmen Gate in front of Yuqing Palace. The red carpet had already rolled out from the outside to the palace. Did Yinreng greet her at the gate? Then he'd shoot arrows at the sedan chair, and then she'd get out. Someone helped her over the brazier and the saddle.
In those days, only the children of the emperor's family would enter the bridal chamber before paying respects to their parents, so she was sent to the back bedroom. Shujia tried hard to recall the scene, and then... Li Jiashi and Li Jiashi were about to kneel to greet her...
Li Jiashi and Li Jiashi were about to kneel down to greet...
Li Jiashi and Li Jiashi...
I don't think this makes sense! With such a rule, who is trying to intimidate whom?
The nail covers, woven with gold and inlaid with pearls and gemstones, rubbed against each other, making a soft but sharp metallic sound. This moment of calming brought a sense of relief. Shujia finally came to her senses and realized her undergarment was soaked with sweat and sticking to her body. She had a handkerchief in her sleeve, and she carefully pulled it out to wipe away the tiny beads of sweat. After wiping, she checked the handkerchief and found no powdery specks, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Since it's here, let's just make the best of it. Mother said that every marriage was like this; Fudali and Qingde also had concubines before their marriage. But, but! No children? Shujia couldn't help but think elsewhere. She stopped memorizing the procedures and began to look through the popular information about the Xiluo family. Li Jia gave birth to the eldest prince of the Yuqing Palace in December of the 30th year of the Kangxi reign, and the second prince of the Yuqing Palace in July of the 33rd year of the Kangxi reign. Li Jia gave birth to Yinreng's eldest daughter in the 32nd year of the Kangxi reign, who died the same year, and the second daughter in the 33rd year of the Kangxi reign, who also died young.
The only two people who were currently considered important in Yuqing Palace were these two, and the two who had given birth to the children were also these two. There might be others, but they were all kept secret. In other words, as soon as Shujia entered the palace, she became the nominal mother of both children, while their biological mother was the same person, who was still alive and had to live with her!
Shujia wanted to bite someone, feeling like she was about to crush the apple, but she looked down and saw that the apple was still there. She hadn't thought about how to get along with Yinreng's concubines and sons. She didn't worry about her sons. They were fed by designated wet nurses from birth, and their biological mothers had a low status and couldn't watch them in person. The fourth son was close to the Tong family!
As for the concubines, there was even less to fear. We're not talking about the commercialization of concubines here, but the palace was never short of fresh young girls. It was impossible for Kangxi not to provide Yinreng with women. Even if he didn't, Yinreng... it was impossible to expect him to have only one wife for his entire life. Seeing that he now had at least two concubines, and they were still having children, it was clear that he was definitely not an honest man.
But today is my wedding day! Even the calmest heart will be shaken. Especially… the more I think about my calm analysis, the more I feel the lack of joy for the bride, and my heart becomes a mess.
——————————————————————————————————————————
Outside, the procession continued. Guards had already cleared the area along the way, and even with the foot barriers, they couldn't stop the onlookers from turning up. The people watched, quietly pointing and whispering as the Crown Princess's sedan chair passed by.
"Wow! There are so many people. There are twice as many guards as when Daqiansui married his wife, right?"
"Indeed. Look at the procession; it's even more magnificent."
"Of course it's grand, she's the Crown Princess! Not to mention the wedding, the dowry is also generous. Let me tell you, when the dowry was presented..."
…
…
…
Chirp chirp chirp.
Hua Shan, Shi Wenbing, and the others rode along on horseback. They couldn't help but smile at the admiration around them, but a tinge of gloom lingered in their hearts—it was too grand. Fu Dali and Qingli followed behind, their steeds high above them, affording a commanding view of the crowd behind the barrier. A quick glance revealed nothing unusual, and they turned their attention to the two men in front. One was elderly, the other had just recovered. They absolutely couldn't fall off their horses.
The entire procession moved slowly and at a controlled pace, winding all the way to the palace gate. They dismounted and walked.
——————————————————————————————————————————
In Yuqing Palace, Yinreng also got up early, dressed carefully, changed into the prepared formal dress, went to see Kangxi first, received the court instructions, and after being sent back, waited in Yuqing Palace for the wedding to take place.
Yinreng was in a good mood. Although the Kangxi Emperor was plagued by droughts, to the point where the superstitious emperor Xingguo personally prayed for rain, it was definitely not a happy thing to have rain fall on his wedding day, soaking everyone like ducks. Besides, he still had to give a banquet and set up a ceremonial guard outside the palace.
Even more depressing was that it had been cloudy, overcast and overcast, hoping for some rain to ease the drought. But it refused to rain. Then, two days before the wedding, it finally rained. It would have been strange if Yinreng had been happy. Even Kangxi, though grateful for the relief from the drought, frowned.
Now it's good, the sky is clear now that the Crown Princess has arrived.
Yinreng always felt that this was a good omen, and the smile on his face became even brighter. With such a good mood, even the eldest prince, who always looked at him with disdain, seemed less hateful. The eldest prince said congratulations with a forced smile, and Yinreng also said to the eldest prince with a smile: "Thank you for your good words."
The Third Prince, Yinzhi, the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, the Fifth Prince, Yinqi, the Seventh Prince, Yinyou, and the Eighth Prince, Yinsi, were all engaged and preparing to marry, and considered adult princes. They all came to "help" and offer their congratulations in person. Also present were Yaerjiang'a, Baotai, and others, close relatives of the imperial clan whose fathers held high positions, who also made an appearance.
From the Ninth Prince down to the Fifteenth Prince Yinwei, all were unengaged young princes. The youngest Yinwei was only three years old this year. They had no room to play a role in such a major event. Those who were too young were just carried away after a slight shake - it would be embarrassing if they cried at someone else's wedding banquet.
There were also members of the imperial clan, Jueluo, who entered the palace as male guests for the banquet. There were also court officials, who were seated at a banquet north of the Wenhua Hall. There was a separate area for the female guests. The banquet had not yet begun, so everyone gathered in separate areas, lined up, and waited.
The eunuchs who ran to the Palace of Heavenly Purity completed their year-long errands on this day—"Master, the Crown Princess's carriage has left home.", "Master, the carriage has crossed the Jade Belt Bridge.", "Master, the carriage is almost at the Yuqing Palace, the Crown Prince has packed everything."...
Kangxi sat on the kang on the south edge of the eastern warm room, a small booklet before him. There were many similar booklets, all of which were the accumulated homework of the crown prince since he began to practice calligraphy in his childhood. The completed ones were all collected. Those with large characters were boxed, and those with poems and essays were bound into books.
Touching the yellowed little notebook, it was written by Yinreng when he was very young, back when he was called Baocheng. Giving him this name, while not as imposing as Baoqing, was the truest expression of Kangxi's innermost thoughts: God, may he grow up to be a man. Now that the child has grown up, and is getting married today, he's become an adult, a father and a mother. While he's happy, he's also filled with mixed emotions.
In other families, when their sons get married, fathers are swamped with activity. But in his family, just one order and someone will take care of it. Even when the rituals were chaotic and chaotic, Kangxi remained a relatively worry-free father. Thus, he had plenty of time for joy, reminiscing, and sadness.
The groom is always cheerful, and Yinreng is no exception. He came to pay his respects in the morning, with a smile on his face. His father was both proud and reluctant to let him go. This was a child he had raised with great care. He was handsome, tall, well-mannered, and perfect in every way.
He could understand the groom's caution. Thinking back to when he got married... Oh, he thought of the child's mother again...
"Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived. The Yuqing Palace... has begun."
In Ningshou Palace, someone was constantly dispatching people to check on the progress. The Empress Dowager was a bit restless. The Sixth, Ninth, Tenth, and Twelfth Princesses, along with the First Consort, were all accompanying her. Married princesses in Beijing, such as the Princess Gulun Shuhui, chatted with the Empress Dowager while waiting to be seated. Also, the Imperial Concubines, whose status was somewhat awkward, also accompanied the Empress Dowager.
Concubine Hui felt bitter. When the eldest prince got married, the Empress Dowager had not been so enthusiastic. Looking at her daughter-in-law, she sighed inwardly. This daughter-in-law was becoming less and less useful. What should she do?
The old lady was very happy: "Oh, finally it's here. Here comes someone who can talk."
Everyone was furious, but they had to agree, "Yes, yes." Guo Luoluo said, "The Crown Princess was always meant to be with you, and now that she's married, we're family." The Empress Dowager smiled, "Yes, yes, you'll see her tomorrow. Alas, it's getting late. Those of you who have nothing to do, stay with me. Those who have something to do, hurry up."
"Is there something to do?" refers to whether or not they're going out to perform today. Most of them are busy. They all resign. Those who are not busy stay and listen to the Empress Dowager ramble on about how much she loves the Crown Princess and how much she hopes the Crown Prince will get married and start a family.
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Although everyone had risen early, it was already quite late by the time the event actually began. First riding horses in the summer sun, then walking, and having to keep the formation in good order, after half a day, more than one person was drenched in sweat. Attending the Crown Prince's wedding was something to be proud of, and it was this conviction that fueled my excitement until now.
Finally, the show began and everyone's spirits were lifted.
Yinreng was accustomed to grand occasions and performed flawlessly. Although hot, he remained unfazed by his composure and showed no sign of anxiety. Only when the Crown Princess was helped out did his hands unconsciously clench into fists, his body leaning forward slightly, his heart tightening for a moment. Then he regained his composure.
Shujia had to hand over the apple, and as she crossed the brazier, she was truly afraid her clothes would burn. Then, a bottle was thrust into her—the so-called treasure bottle. It was tied with red silk, looking festive, but it was quite heavy. Holding the bottle, Shujia felt her arms would become stiff if she walked any further. Oh, and by the way, after receiving the bottle, she had to step over the saddle. Luckily, someone was there to help her; otherwise, trying to navigate this entrance without a single mistake on her own would have been a real challenge!
No matter what era, getting married is a physical task, literally!
Then the bride and groom were escorted together to the bridal chamber. Don't get me wrong, the sun was still high in the sky, so it was still early for the wedding. Leading by a red silk ribbon, they slowly entered. Fortunately, the bottle they were holding was quickly taken away. The maids were always there, surrounding them, carefully reminding them of the threshold and where to turn. Finally, they said what Shujia wanted to hear: "It's time to enter. Lift your feet a little higher."
The bridal chamber was built by the Imperial Household Department and inspected repeatedly. The quality and craftsmanship were exceptional. Because it was a grand wedding, the interior was adorned in a vibrant red, which was rather awkward. The curtains were lifted by hooks, revealing a bright red mattress with dragon and phoenix patterns and a neatly folded embroidered quilt, placed to one side, topped with a ruyi and apple. Shujia was helped onto the bed and settled into a comfortable position. Then, the master of ceremonies instructed Yinreng to lift the veil with a weighing rod.
Yinreng coughed and grabbed the red silk-wrapped scale bar. He was very excited. Even though he was used to big events, this was his first time marrying a wife, which was of great significance. He had to treat her seriously as his first wife, so he couldn't help but feel nervous.
Slowly, slowly, Shujia saw the scale bar stretched out and lifted the veil.
Brush, it’s dawn!
Influenced by the impressions they'd been absorbing, the idea of "marriage" in their minds was tinged with ambiguity. Or rather, for most people with a relatively normal exposure to external information, the idea of marriage was tinged with ugliness.
In such an environment, the moment their eyes met, no matter if it was the one who was worried about the future, complained all the way, and was reluctant to get married, or the one who regarded marriage as a life mission, their hearts would beat a beat faster.
Shujia thought it must be because the decorations in the room were so red that she had the illusion that Yinreng's face was actually red. It had to be that way! He actually blushed! Honestly, Yinreng wasn't bad-looking, and he looked unusually energetic today. If... the groom was this kind of person, perhaps this wedding wouldn't be so bad after all. Thinking of this, Shujia felt that the May weather was incredibly hot.
Yinreng thought, perhaps such a wife wouldn't be so bad. Even a crown prince raised according to the "Handbook of Pretending" couldn't avoid a bit of teenage sentimentality. Yinreng's teenage sentimentality interacted with his acquired pretentiousness. Simply put, sentiment depends on the object; those of insufficient status are not his match.
All other considerations and scrutiny were cast aside.
When it comes to marriage, both of them are newbies. One is a smuggler, and he's not young in either life. Unfortunately, his previous life advocated for late marriage, and various procedures forced him to do so in this life. The other, already a father of four, remains unmarried.
While Yinreng had considered his Crown Princess through the eyes of a Crown Prince, he had also considered the expression on her face the moment her veil was removed. Shy? Reservation? Stony? Awe? Flattered? These were the expressions he most often saw on young women. Seeing her in person made it easier to imagine her expression, but then he felt… every expression seemed acceptable, yet none seemed entirely lacking.
Only after seeing her in person did I realize that he was looking for an expression that would leave him feeling strange and surprised. His wife's mouth parted slightly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Seeing him, she flinched in a slightly embarrassed smile, her eyes lowering and then slowly drooping. Her gaze flickered for a moment, the clear eyes of a newlywed bride flashing for a moment. The moment she saw him, they clearly widened even further, their expression as lively as ever.
Yinreng felt satisfied, and a line from a poem inexplicably popped into his head: "A lotus emerges from clear water, naturally free from embellishment." A closer look revealed her delicate eyebrows, her eyes slightly upturned, and a glint of light in them. She wasn't a stunning beauty, but at this moment, she was quite captivating.
Shujia admitted once again that the prince was deceptive. At least, after meeting him, she could no longer coldly analyze him as a historical figure. His smile was warm. She couldn't help but be infected, and her eyes warmed up too.
Beautiful scenes are always meant to be interrupted. There are always those who don't know what's going on. The people around them knew something was up from the look in their eyes. But the situation still needed to be resolved. Both of them felt a little embarrassed by the interruption. Yinreng also lifted his skirt and was asked to sit with Shujia.
This procedure is called "sitting in a tent," also known as "sitting in a blessing position." The man sits on the left, the woman on the right, their lapels folded together. For good luck, this "sitting in a blessing position," like using a scale to lift a veil, signifies fulfillment, requires an axe to be placed under the mattress. With an axe buried beneath the mattress, surrounded by red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds, and on your left, with the man you've never been alone with, and with whom you'll spend your life, watching you as a roomful of people stare at you as you proceed through the next procedure, it's undoubtedly an awkward and dreadful experience.
When the dining table was brought in, Shujia's cheeks twitched. (The text then abruptly shifts topics.) The unfortunate part is that she knew the cakes were raw, and her stomach lurched when she saw the table brought in. The groom, on the other hand, wore a smile, perhaps already imagining something.
You haven't eaten anything all day, and even though you're hungry, you're not allowed to eat much. Just a sip of wine, a little bit of noodles, and even the "children's cakes"... you can't eat anything raw! And you're still asked, "Is it raw or not?"
Shujia choked, pursed her lips into a resolute line, and then heard herself say in a decisive tone: "Give birth!"
Yinreng smiled silently, the curve of his lips deepening. His bride, perhaps, was irritated by shame. The women around them giggled, and only then could they let out a laugh—mindful not to make it too high or too loud. He glanced, his brows lowered, and, satisfied, silenced the crowd. His bride had already pursed her lips, her cheeks puffed out, and the smile in her eyes deepened.
The ceremony was over, and now it was time to entertain the guests. The groom had to go out for some socializing, so the bride stayed put. Although there was someone to accompany her, the room suddenly became much quieter because the ladies of honor also had their own way of attending the banquet.
Outside, a wedding song began to be sung. The drawn-out Manchu-language melody carried lingering blessings that drifted through the air.
At this moment, several more tables were brought in from outside and set up by the bed. They were still stacked low tables, with one table for soup, one for dessert, one for staple food, and one for side dishes. The maids, including Hongxiu, had come with the dowry and were already dressed in matching uniforms. They now came forward to serve Shujia dinner.
She held her chopsticks with a handkerchief, afraid of spilling any oil and staining her clothes. She also didn't dare eat too much soup or porridge, fearing she'd have to go to the bathroom. This meal was a struggle, Shujia only ate a few of the light dishes and then rinsed her mouth.
Hong Xiujie walked closer to help her wipe the sweat off her neck and whispered, "Miss... uh, Master, do you want to change your handkerchief and touch up your makeup?"
Shujia also had rouge on her lips. She had practiced eating without getting a mouth full of oil, but rinsing her mouth was quite miserable. Shujia also asked quietly, "What about your face?"
Hongxiu said, "Not bad."
Shujia quietly put the handkerchief in her hand on her red sleeve, but did not put on makeup again.
Her makeup was so light to begin with, it was barely noticeable. Plus, in this weather, wearing such thick clothing, sweating was inevitable. Instead of reapplying repeatedly, it was better to do it right the last time. The slight amount of makeup she already had was impossible to completely wipe off, creating a natural effect. For example, a little lingering lip color made her look even more natural.
When she was almost done, Shujia stopped talking. Prudence was the most common thing she'd been told before entering the palace. Too much talk can lead to mistakes, especially here. A bride being shy wasn't a big deal, but talking nonstop in the bridal chamber was a big mistake. It was a good thing for the Crown Princess to be prudent, but jumping around in the room on her wedding day was a disaster.
She was silent, and no one in the room dared to move. Quietly, she listened to the faint sounds coming from outside.
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A banquet was underway outside, undoubtedly attended by the highest echelons of the empire. A royal band played live, and the atmosphere seemed even hotter than the May weather, yet it was perfectly orderly. While the bride was usually exhausted at a wedding, the groom was definitely even more exhausted, juggling guests, toasting, and being forced to drink by friends and family his own age.
As for Yinreng, who told him he was the crown prince? Apart from a small drink at the table with elders like Fuquan, a small drink at the table with his wife's family headed by Huashan, and another small drink at the table with important officials like Suo Etu, he only drank a small drink at other tables.
Usually the groom would be told, "You are so lucky to have a wife!" He can only be congratulated.
Usually at this time, the people from the father-in-law's family would say, "Boy, be nice to our girl, okay? Otherwise, we will team up to beat you up!" But at this moment, no one dared to say such words to the Crown Prince.
In short, this wedding was lively yet solemn, festive yet orderly.
Yinreng was smiling sincerely now. He was relieved that the procedure had gone smoothly. More importantly, he had just seen the bride, and he felt that the problem he had been worrying about was now half resolved.
—————————————I am the prince, CJ and not CJ are worried about the dividing line————————————
In the past, I just thought that my wife should be a lady from a noble family, good-looking, virtuous and sensible... It was not until we officially entered the wedding date this year that I realized that it was not true! A wife has another function!
It's getting married, and they're going to... that thing together. Well... as someone who's still psychologically innocent about marrying, but already experienced physically, it's natural for him to think about this and feel anxious about the pros and cons. The so-called noble lady... will there be any problems during the wedding night?
By the time he remembered the importance of this point, it was too late to communicate! Yinreng was very nervous!
I can't blame him, I really can't blame him. A person raised in a traditional way should remember that a wife should be virtuous and a concubine should be beautiful. The wife should be dignified, and the concubines should be used to please him. She's the first wife, so how can you think of anything sexually suggestive? You should respect her, give her face, and let her have dignity. When it comes to marital relations, the idea comes to mind: treating each other with respect, like guests. It's definitely not like the naive boy who immediately thought of warming the bed.
As a result, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince took into consideration the Crown Princess's personal qualities, family background, personality traits, behavior, interests and hobbies... and felt that the two would definitely be able to live in harmony, but he forgot that - a wife has to pay her dues.
Yinreng only thought, "I've seen that girl before. I don't dislike her; on the contrary, she's quite likable." Living together wouldn't be lonely. He even imagined touching her face, holding her hand, kissing her lips, and perhaps even drawing her eyebrows. She'd probably also help him tidy his clothes, choose his purse, and straighten his hat. They could talk about life, their ideals, their love affairs, and occasionally discuss matters, sharing private words that couldn't be shared with subordinates or concubines—husband and wife are one. He couldn't imagine the following scenes yet, as he was preoccupied with the idea of a harmonious relationship.
Now... the problem lies before us.
What's the most disappointing thing about a man's wedding night? In the bridal chamber, his wife looks like a dead fish; in the bridal chamber, his wife looks like she's being raped; in the bridal chamber, his wife looks at him with contempt, as if saying...
Of course, Yinreng never considered the last one, but he was still a bit worried about the first two. He had many assumptions about his wife, but as Kangxi and the Empress Dowager's standards gradually became clear, he no longer had to dwell on them. Fortunately, he had been taught by Kangxi, and his standards for choosing a wife were not very different. But imagining how a person who had always been so dignified could have sex with you was a stretch. His Royal Highness was not yet so lewd and perverted.
After their recent meeting, Yinreng felt like he had seen a ray of hope. His wife, still lively and polite, must... get along well with him in every way, right? Right? If even sex became as solemn as court proceedings, wouldn't their supposed mutual respect actually be a cold exchange?
At worst, I can let her do it a little bit, just a little bit, and guide her a little bit...Yinreng thought so.
———————————The dividing line where His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has come to a satisfactory conclusion after his entanglement———————————
The Crown Prince smiled, and everyone had a smile on their face. Only they themselves knew who was truly happy.
Anyway, Ninth Prince Yinzhen couldn't sit still and whispered to his Tenth Brother, "Look at our Crown Prince, he's smiling like a flower. He always acts like a deity in front of us. If it weren't for this, I don't know if he could still smile like a human being."
The Eighth Prince listened from the side and smiled: "What nonsense are you talking about? Eat your meal and don't drink too much. You will have to leave soon." Yinzhen looked very chubby at this time, and he curled his lips: "Huh——" He had always had a faint impression of the prince. They lived far away, there was a big age gap, they were not in the same class, and they had no feelings for each other. His biological mother, Concubine Yi, was a giant in the harem. His growth could not be compared with the prince who was favored by everyone. He also had to get whatever he wanted. He was young, so it was normal for him to be arrogant. It would take a miracle for two people like this to fall in love with each other. On the contrary, the Eighth Prince, who was of similar age and gentler to him, was more compatible with him.
Yinsi laughed.
The Tenth Prince also grinned. His mother, Consort Wenxi, had died less than a year earlier, and the Crown Prince's wedding was a source of bad humor. Adding to his weakened state, he looked a bit depressed. It wasn't until Yinsi said, "Go back with the Ninth Prince and rest early," that he managed a forced smile.
There were also people who got drunk and lost their composure during the banquet. Before they started to get drunk, they were discovered by the alert eunuchs. With a wave of their hands, the guards quickly came over, gagged them, took them aside, tied them up, and left them to sober up.
If these were not so joyful celebrations, the people in the palace who were most worried about this marriage were probably Yinreng's two concubines.
Li Jiashi was feeling uneasy. How could she explain it? She had taken the lead and had two sons, which was something to be proud of. However, her eldest son had always been in poor health, which made her quite worried. She was also worried that she and her son would offend the Crown Princess and be targeted. On the one hand, she thought, I am safe because I have a son; on the other hand, she was afraid that a dangerous person would come. She kept thinking, "I hope a good master will come. Please don't be too harsh. We can stay at home as well."
Li Jiashi's story was even more tragic. She gave birth to two daughters, both of whom died before she was twenty. In an era of sky-high infant mortality, this wasn't a big deal. She was still young, so she could take care of herself and have more children. Those who say this are either easygoing or have cultivated their mental fortitude to a certain level. Imagine you were in my shoes, carrying for ten months and giving birth to two children, and then you died!
When she entered the family, she was a head shorter than Li Jiashi in terms of her natal background, and even less fortunate in terms of childbearing. If she had initially held a sliver of ambition, now she couldn't even compete with Li Jiashi, let alone the legitimate Crown Princess. Li Jiashi's competitive spirit was completely extinguished, and she felt a sense of withering both physically and mentally. Now, she simply sought to live a quiet life.
The two of them knelt in the back hall to greet them, but… the Crown Prince led the Crown Princess past them as if they were just background. Then, they went through all the formalities, and they could only stay quietly to the side, out of the way, waiting for the Crown Prince and his wife to return tomorrow after paying their respects to the elders, and then they would come forward to kowtow and express their loyalty.
When things were about to get lively here, the two of them quietly retreated to Xiefang Palace and ate their meals in silence. They couldn't even look at the sleeping face of their child for comfort. Li Jiashi had no children left. Even if Li Jiashi was a concubine, she was just a concubine, not even a concubine. She couldn't take care of her own child.
I couldn't sleep well, thinking, "Isn't it time for the wedding night now?" No one dared to disturb the Crown Prince's bridal chamber, so if that step was skipped, they should have retired early, right? I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
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The two people being talked about didn't sneeze and were still talking. Yinreng was in good spirits, having only drunk a little. Kangxi himself hated alcoholism. Apart from people like Tong Guogang and his son, no one dared to drink too much without his knowledge, and the crown prince was no exception. Moreover, he had important things to do - the wedding night.
Seeing the candlelight coming from the East Warm Room, Yinreng's heart softened. It was a common understanding that a place without a wife was not a home.
He walked through the door, turned right, and repeated the route he had taken during the day. Incense burned in the room, a faint sweetness permeating the air. The woman who had officially become his wife sat upright on the bed. For a man who felt a little light-headed and yet still able to think, this was the perfect time.
Yinreng thought his bride's expressions were particularly varied and endearing. He was no stranger to women, but he had to be nicer to his new wife, right? He was the crown prince, not an animal. He should have some bonding time before the wedding night, right?
That girl must be sweating from nervousness, right? Yinreng thought with a hint of malice, just like the time when the Empress Dowager pointed her finger at him. He laughed out loud as he thought about it. He also had a handkerchief in his sleeve, so he took it out and wiped his face: "It's really hot out there."
Shujia: "Huh? Zishang."
Zichang went to find a washbasin. Yinreng looked at Shujia, who swayed slightly and glanced at him from time to time. Yinreng said, "Have you eaten yet? Oh, I didn't eat much when I was out."
Of course, there was food, and the table was set. Water was also brought, carried by a young palace maid. When it arrived, she knelt and held it up. Shujia, supported by Hongxiu, also got down from the ground. Yinreng said, "It's terribly hot! Why is there only one basin of water?" He tilted his head to look at Shujia. "Take off your hat and wipe your face. Are your feet numb from sitting?" He had seen her stumble a little earlier.
Shujia lowered her head and smiled, "Not bad." With the hat off, she felt much more comfortable. Yinreng had already removed his formal attire, revealing a dark, long gown underneath. Shujia had also removed most of her heavy accessories, and they sat down to eat together.
Yinreng said the meal was fake, just to lighten the mood, and then—let everything fall into place. Women are always a little reserved, so maybe a little drink would help heighten the feeling? Shujia was a little shy. She drank two glasses of wine, her cheeks rosy. Yinreng wanted to laugh at her drinking. Was she trying to build up her courage?
How would you feel about the handsome single young man in the empire who is as handsome as diamonds can be?
Shujia thought she was calm now. The wine was good, and the person she was with was pleasant to look at. All her worries and anger had faded. She felt only nervousness about her wedding, perhaps a hint of anticipation. Yinreng had never lost his temper or shown his bad side in front of her. He was the Crown Prince, and she was the Crown Princess, the most legitimate woman in the world to be his equal.
Perhaps it was because Yinreng performed too well today, or perhaps it was because she was in a desperate situation and was struggling to survive, the couple got along well.
Finally, the main event arrived. After dinner (they only moved a little, as neither of them could eat much), a nanny began to remind the two of them that it was time to get down to business. Shujia blushed, Yinreng smiled, and the room was slowly cleared, and the maidservants Shujia had brought with her as a dowry were ushered out.
Shujia looked at Yinreng helplessly and blinked. "Really? You don't move? Are we just standing there like idiots?"
Yinreng laughed out loud.
Shujia raised her index finger, placed it against her lips, and made a hushing sound. Then, she was filled with grief and indignation! Alcohol must have invaded my brain. Alcohol is definitely not a good thing! It stimulates the cerebellum in others, but it affects my IQ!
Yinreng suppressed his laughter and nodded, also raising an index finger to his lips. He wanted to tease her.
I was laughed at, I was laughed at, laughed at by a fool. Shujia was even more sad and angry. She wanted to say, I'm not drunk, but then she thought that this was a standard line for drunks, and she shut her mouth in dismay. Yinreng felt that today was a really good day. He was in a very good mood. From the moment she was about to enter the door, his mouth had been unable to close, and it was still like this. He whispered, "Aren't you tired of standing?"
Shujia looked up and listened to Yinreng's idle chatter: "I'm not scary, am I?"
Lao Shi shook his head, and the absolute distance between them was reduced by half.
"You... say something." It's not possible that he has already done the ninety-nine bows, and the last shiver made him look...short, right?
"I'm a little tired, and you're not scary," she said, wanting to bite off her tongue before finally mumbling in self-deprecation and wrinkling her nose. "Twisting your hands and feet." She looked at Yinreng with a slightly aggrieved look. That animal-like look reassured Yinreng.
They both looked at the bed, which was now covered with mattresses, and their eyes met. Yinreng held out his hand, and Shujia hesitated for a moment before giving it to him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Yinreng wanted to be more graceful. He knew from experience that it would be bad to scare his wife on their wedding night.
"Is the hat heavy?"
"Um."
"It'll be fine once you get used to it." He reached out and slowly touched the person's fair neck.
Shujia watched the hand that she thought was very beautiful reaching out to her, and she did not dodge. There were some thin calluses on her hands, and to be honest, they felt good.
It felt good, and Yinreng thought so too. "It's okay in the summer, but it's even heavier in the winter..." One of the clothes flew off.
Shujia was also trying to communicate. It was inevitable to be nervous. Not speaking would only make her more nervous: "The clothes are fine, but it's hot..."
"Bing'er is in the palace, and there is a grand ceremony to be performed today..." Continue flying.
…
…
…
Shujia was a little touched. This... well, this behavior, she had some understanding of. The body pressing on her was hot, and she also knew the function of that certain organ ready to go. This guy was willing to talk a few more words. Shujia curled her eyes, then realized that someone had stopped talking nonsense.
Shujia really didn't know how to cosplay the wedding night reactions of a daughter of a wealthy family or a distinguished lady. Well, she'd already done a pretty good job of localizing, and much of what happened before her time travel had been left to gather dust. But once her memories were stimulated, they came rushing back, including some information about physiology and hygiene.
How to express this?
If you ask Shujia now, she will definitely curse: "What the hell are you thinking about?! If you were pounced on by your husband - pounced on your wedding day, and you could still analyze it calmly... I admire you! He... is not a mean person, and very considerate. I don't have a childhood sweetheart in my heart, and I'm not in the mood to sacrifice myself!!! What? I have considered a lot of emergency plans, but I have forgotten them all now!!!" This person has gone crazy.
Yes, she didn't know what to do with her hands and feet. She could only rely on instinct and her remaining rationality. She reacted subconsciously to whatever Yinreng said and did.
Feeling no resistance, Yinreng was very satisfied. He grabbed his wife's hands and put them around his neck...
…
Didn't I say there were no candlelight parties? On your wedding night, you have to have candles burning all the time, burning until dawn and then extinguishing them all!
…
It's often the little details of life that determine whether two people are comfortable together. As human beings, we need to eat and sleep every day. If the person you sleep with has unbearable sleeping habits, life can be truly miserable. For these two people, if they truly can't sleep together, well...it's easily resolved without divorce.
Fortunately, this did not happen.
Sleep until you wake up naturally. So-called natural awakening is also controlled by the biological clock. For two people who have always woken up on time, waking up naturally is not that late. Shujia changed her position, slightly alert, and opened her eyes first.
Then she froze there. She was in his arms, sleeping like a dead pig. In summer, the quilt was pulled down to her chest, and he... damn! He was still wrapped tightly around her. Shujia didn't dare move. Squinting her eyes, she glanced outside the tent. Judging by the brightness, the sun had already risen.
Shujia had to admit, they ended up...quite compatible. But...so early in the morning...so early in the summer morning, her face would be oily! Wouldn't it be glistening and unsightly?! She carefully laid her face in his arms, deciding that if anyone woke her, she'd just pretend she wasn't awake and wipe her face on his clothes first!
After a while, Yinreng woke up and moved his arms. Shujia decisively rubbed her face on his clothes. Her ears turned red. This behavior was too embarrassing! But... she was picky!
Yinreng smiled and touched Shujia's head lovingly.
"It's time to stand up and greet Khan Ama." Yinreng said with satisfaction, but also a little embarrassed. After seeing his wife raise her head and meet her eyes, he suddenly felt confident. When one of them was shy, the other would naturally be more generous.
"Hey~" Have you wiped off the oil and sweat on your face?
The prince thought to himself, "They say a woman who has just woken up is very beautiful. The ancients were right. Her skin is so white and smooth, and she has a blush from waking up. And she's my newlywed wife. How wonderful!"
Shujia: ...
The author has something to say: I'm stuck... I'm stuck! Weddings are the hardest to write! And the prince's wedding, for which there's absolutely no information!
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