The Emperor remained a rare beauty in the world, the kind that captured hearts at first sight. He was not only handsome but also ambitious, exuding an innate regal presence that clearly marked him as destined for the throne.
This was precisely why the late Emperor had insisted on him as Crown Prince, excluding her son Liu Mo.
Unwilling to accept this, she had been searching for an opportunity. However, two years had passed, and his influence had continuously grown, making him a formidable opponent. They dared not make any rash moves, as a single misstep could ruin everything. They could only wait for a chance to strike decisively.
“I only hope His Majesty truly thinks so.”
With the Empress Dowager’s words, she rose to her feet. Looking at the Emperor, she felt her future was bleak and the pressure too immense. She might as well return to Guangyang Palace.
“A Jiu, escort the Empress Dowager.”
As the Emperor’s cold, captivating voice rang out, A Jiu quickly acknowledged the command. The Consort and Princess Ru Yin, seeing the Emperor’s face on the elevated throne turn almost frozen, dared not linger and quickly bowed in farewell.
Silence returned to the great hall. Murong Liu Zun suddenly smiled, a smile of victory.
Liu Qian Mu’s heart sank. A man like this, the most powerful bloodthirsty lion in the forest, did others still have a chance to snatch food from a lion’s jaws?
…
The fifteenth day of the seventh month, the wedding day.
As the first sliver of dawn appeared in the sky, the Prime Minister’s mansion bustled with activity. People moved along the corridors and paths. The maids and servant girls were all beaming with joy. The entire mansion was enveloped in celebratory red. From a distance, the sky was a riot of enchanting colors, like a fiery ocean that submerged the flowers, trees, carved beams, and painted pillars, its brilliant hues dominating everything.
In the Green Courtyard.
A lively scene unfolded here as well.
Several experienced wet nurses in palace attire stood by the corridor, along with dozens of eunuchs and palace maids.
These wet nurses, eunuchs, and palace maids had been sent by the Imperial Household Department to assist the Empress with her wedding arrangements. However, at this moment, they could only stand in the corridor and observe.
Little maids, both inside and outside the bedchamber, moved about with expressions of pure joy and delight. Occasionally, cheerful voices could be heard emanating from the bedchamber.
Within the bedchamber, Mu Qing Yao lay with her eyes closed, in a state between sleep and wakefulness, completely at the mercy of others. Su Ge, while helping her with her makeup, teased her.
“Darling, you’re awake? The imperial wedding carriage will be here soon. Don’t miss the auspicious time.”
Unfortunately, the girl slept soundly and remained sitting upright, allowing others to apply makeup to her face without a sound. Although she understood that others were applying makeup for her, it was still before dawn, and she was truly exhausted.
Last night, Aunt Su Ge had talked to her the entire night. Lü Er and Xiao Lian had cried for half the night, unwilling to leave her. She had to appease them, then appease those two. How could she not be tired?
Furthermore, this marriage was not a big deal. She and the Emperor were not in love; they were merely being used.
Her heart was filled with a deep sense of melancholy, making her even less inclined to open her eyes.
As the sky gradually brightened, the early autumn air was cool and the mist was humid. In the garden, a hundred flowers bloomed in competition, as if determined to release their brief splendor with all their might on this day.
Warm sunlight pierced through the clouds, gently enveloping the Prime Minister’s mansion. A faint mist rose from the ground, and vibrant reds spread across the land, so thick it felt suffocating. xxs 1
Several figures sprinted along the secluded path. Leading them was Uncle Zhong, the steward of the Prime Minister’s mansion. Running at full speed, panting, he called out as he ran.
“Is Miss’s makeup ready? The imperial wedding carriage is arriving soon.”
A little maid immediately rushed out from the inner chamber, smiling as she replied, “It’s ready, it’s ready. Miss is almost fully dressed. We won’t miss the auspicious time.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” Uncle Zhong wiped the sweat from his face and turned to run ahead again.
The young lady’s wedding was truly exhausting. The mansion was filled with countless guests, not to mention gifts and banquets. He felt half-dead from exhaustion. Marrying into royalty was truly no ordinary affair, Uncle Zhong mused as he ran.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, illuminating Mu Qing Yao’s delicate and tender face. Her flawless, fair skin was complemented by finely drawn, curved eyebrows, as lovely as a crescent moon in the sky.
Her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, shimmering with an alluring luster. Slowly, then suddenly, she opened her eyes, filled with an immense radiance.
“Yao’er is the most beautiful bride in the world,” Su Ge exclaimed in admiration, a satisfied smile on her lips. Suddenly, a tear welled up in her eyes, and she softly said, “If your mother in heaven has spirit, she will be happy.”
As her voice fell, Mo Chou, standing beside her, walked over and said softly.
“It’s a joyous occasion today, Aunt. You should be happy.”
“Yes, it’s a joyous occasion today, we should be happy,” Su Ge immediately smiled happily. She reached out and picked up the phoenix coronet, marveling, “These are truly imperial things. Look at this phoenix coronet, it’s so beautiful.”
The phoenix coronet was dazzling and brilliant, with a luminous pearl at its center.
The luminous pearl had soft lines and a warm glow. Beside the large luminous pearl were inlaid two smaller luminous pearls, surrounded by one hundred and eight flawless, pure white pearls. Like stars encircling the moon, they enhanced the luminous pearl, making its brilliance even more magnificent.
Did not this unique luminous pearl on the phoenix coronet symbolize the supreme authority of the Empress?
Among the three thousand beauties in the harem, the Empress would always be the most dazzling. The other women were merely accompaniments, revolving around the Empress.
“This phoenix coronet is truly beautiful.”
“This luminous pearl is a rare sight, and it’s so large.”
Exclamations occasionally arose from the bedchamber as people discussed. The wet nurses standing outside the bedchamber door finally couldn’t help themselves. Several of them walked in and respectfully urged.
“Your Highness, please put on the phoenix coronet and change into the phoenix robe. The auspicious hour is approaching.”
Upon hearing this, Su Ge immediately chimed in anxiously, “Yes, the auspicious hour is fast approaching. Yao’er, come, put on the phoenix coronet. And the phoenix robe? Where is Ping Guo?”
In an instant, everyone in the bedchamber sprang into action, bumping into each other, creating a chaotic scene. The wet nurses by the screen frowned.
These maids from the Prime Minister’s mansion were simply not comparable to those in the palace. They were truly too chaotic. The Empress was far too lenient with these maids.
Unfortunately, Mu Qing Yao seemed oblivious. A faint frost covered her delicate and ethereal face as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror.
Although the phoenix coronet was beautiful and dazzling, making her entire face appear exceptionally noble, like a celestial maiden, it was so heavy. She slightly furrowed her brows, rubbed her neck, and murmured softly.
“It’s so heavy.”
Her voice was too low for anyone to hear. Su Ge thought she wanted something and leaned closer to ask, “Yao’er, what did you say?”
Mu Qing Yao pulled at her lips in a smile. What could she say? Shaking her head, she replied, “Nothing. Is it not ready yet?”