The orderly procession proceeded towards the outer palace gates. Although the imperial carriage was destroyed, it was fortunate that the Emperor and Empress were unharmed, which was considered a great blessing. The clatter of hooves and the rising dust, like waves crashing on sand, marked the swift halt of the group before the outer palace gates.
Neither the iron-clad Imperial Guards nor the Imperial Forest Army were permitted entry; only the hundreds of guards behind Shangguan Lin could enter the inner palace.
Before the towering Zhen Qin Gate, hundreds of civil and military officials looked up in unison at the scene unfolding before them.
The Emperor's handsome and ethereal features were shadowed by a heavy, chilling glint, yet this did not detract from his peerless elegance.
The Empress was held securely in his embrace, only her flowing white veil visible, like dancing clouds, sweeping past like a white wave, a breathtaking sight.
The civil and military officials quickly knelt down to pay their respects to the Emperor and the new Empress.
The Master of Ceremonies, adjusting his hat from behind the assembled crowd, pulling his robes straight, and tidying his clothes, finally made his way onto the raised platform and began to speak in a loud voice: "All officials, one by one, kowtow."
His voice trembled, and a hushed silence fell upon the surroundings. No one spoke, only the continuation of his raspy, broken voice could be heard trembling forth.
"First kowtow."
"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years; long live the Empress, a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years."
"Second kowtow."
"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years; long live the Empress, a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years."
"Third kowtow."
"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years; long live the Empress, a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years."
After the three kowtows, the crowd heard the sound of hooves, like a gust of wind, and in the blink of an eye, their presence vanished.
The officials remained prostrate on the ground, tilting their heads, stealing glances. Where had anyone gone? The Emperor, holding the Empress, had already flashed past them. What was to be done? The officials were bewildered. Shangguan Lin dismounted from his horse.
"All lords, please rise. A feast is bestowed in the Wan Le Hall."
"Thank you, Prince. Thank you, Prince."
When had the ministers ever knelt for such a long time? Even when paying respects to ancestors or the ancestral temple, they had never knelt for so long. They struggled to get up after a considerable time, then dispersed immediately, heading towards the Wan Le Hall.
Before the Zhen Qin Gate, Shangguan Lin ordered Xiao Yao and Lan Qing Lun to immediately lead the troops to search. After all, had someone not escaped? Anyone found with inexplicable injuries was to be apprehended immediately, but the populace was not to be disturbed.
Xiao Yao and Lan Qing Lun received their orders and left with their men.
Shangguan Lin looked up and saw only himself, the hundreds of guards behind him, the carriage from the Prince of Yun's mansion, and the eunuchs, wet nurses, and female officials from the palace standing before the Zhen Qin Gate. Everyone was deathly pale and had a grim expression.
Shangguan Lin spat forcefully, lamenting the vast difference between women. He then led these people into the palace.
Inside the Qing Xiao Palace, Shangguan Yin carried Yun Xiao into the sleeping chambers and personally washed the bloodstains from her hands. After a thorough examination confirmed she was unharmed, he felt slightly more at ease, but still worried. He immediately issued an order: "Summon the imperial physicians."
Yun Xiao lay on the large bed in the sleeping chambers and quickly said, "I am fine."
It was her brother, Yun Zhen, who was in trouble. Those people had not even gotten close to her, so how could he be harmed?
However, Fu Hai had already withdrawn upon receiving his orders. Shangguan Yin held Yun Xiao's hand tightly, his mood turning sour as he thought about their wedding ceremony.
"Xiao'er, I am sorry. I wish we had changed the date."
As Shangguan Yin spoke, Yun Xiao smiled and shook her head, "Even if we changed the date, they would still have come. This is your and my destiny. Is it not all right that nothing happened?"
"But this wedding..."
He felt guilty for not being able to give her a grand and magnificent wedding, and for the incident that had occurred.
"What's wrong with this? As long as we two truly love each other, that's all that matters."
By this time, night had fallen. A palace maid entered the sleeping chambers and lit the dragon and phoenix wedding candles. In their bright glow, Shangguan Yin's exceptionally handsome face was illuminated by a dazzling and moving luster, his eyes deep and chilling.
At this moment, the eunuch Fu Hai had brought the imperial physicians, who were waiting outside the hall. Yun Xiao frowned slightly, "Tell them to go down."
After speaking, she looked up at Shangguan Yin and said softly, "Today is our wedding day."
Shangguan Yin suddenly understood. Who would have physicians present on their wedding day? He had truly been confused. He immediately waved his hand and ordered, "Tell them to go down."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Fu Hai withdrew. At this moment, another eunuch entered to report, "Your Majesty, Prince Lin is here."
Shangguan Yin pondered for a moment, then glanced at Yun Xiao, smiling with gentle indulgence, and said, "I will come back to accompany you shortly."
"Mmm," Yun Xiao nodded, watching Shangguan Yin's tall and upright figure walk out. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly, looking at the flickering dragon and phoenix wedding candles. She then turned her gaze to the sleeping chambers, adorned everywhere with red: the hundred children and mandarin duck quilt, the red canopy embroidered with golden dragons.
On the carved round table in the sleeping chamber, a red fringed tablecloth was spread, and red "double happiness" characters were pasted upon it.
The table was laden with all sorts of pastries and snacks. A glance revealed a sea of vibrant red colors, while she, dressed in pure white, created a striking contrast, making for a unique sight.
Just as Yun Xiao was lost in thought, light footsteps were heard from outside the door. They rounded the screen, and it was Wan Wan and Qiao Er. The moment the two maids saw her, tears welled up in their eyes, and they began to sob.
"Your Highness, such a beautiful wedding, and look how it turned out!"
"What's wrong with it? I'm not injured, and I don't care about these trivial customs. Don't be sad."
Yun Xiao waved her hand, unconcerned. However, after the scene she had just experienced, she was still terrified. Thinking about how her brother had almost lost his life, she wondered how she would explain it to her father. Fortunately, he was unharmed.
Wan Wan and Qiao Er finally stopped crying and were about to say something when the voice of the eunuch Fu Hai was heard from outside the hall: "Your Majesty."
"Rise."
Shangguan Yin's deep, calm voice rang out, and he strode into the sleeping chambers. Inside, Wan Wan and Qiao Er knelt down, "We greet Your Majesty."
"You may all withdraw."
Shangguan Yin waved his hand. Wan Wan and Qiao Er exchanged glances and quickly withdrew. Outside the hall, eunuchs, palace maids, and female officials were all kept at bay. The Emperor did not wish for anyone to disturb him and the Empress...
A crescent moon, like a jade hook, hung in the sky, and moonlit silver light poured down, enshrouding the entire imperial palace, as if a hazy veil had been cast over heaven and earth, resembling magnificent pavilions and celestial palaces.
The intricately carved window lattices emitted a faint glow, illuminating the sleeping chambers.
The rich red color seemed to flow within the silver waves, painting the entire room with rouge. It did not feel heavy or suffocating, but rather light and tender.