The imperial decree of betrothal during the enthronement ceremony was an unprecedented honor.
After Wu Ying finished reading the decree, Shao Minmin and Nan Wushang both accepted the imperial command and expressed their gratitude.
Lu Qingwan smiled and said, "Two years ago, Prime Minister Nan requested that I bestow a marriage upon the two of you. I delayed for two years to give you a legitimate imperial decree of betrothal.
As an apology, the Prince and I have prepared one hundred and twenty dowry items for Princess Fujia, along with a set of imperial phoenix coronet and robes.
Furthermore, I command the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious date for the wedding, and the Ministry of Rites shall handle all related arrangements.
What are Prime Minister Nan's and Duke Shao's thoughts on this?"
The Great Gan dynasty no longer existed. Since Grand Princess Jinyang was no longer a princess, Duke Shao could no longer be a consort.
During the enthronement ceremony, Lu Qingwan naturally bestowed titles upon the elder officials, including the two Grand Secretaries Wen Chi, Prime Minister Nan, and Duke Shao.
Duke Shao was granted the title of Duke An, a first-rank duke. This was the first time Lu Qingwan addressed him as Duke Shao in a public setting.
This was not only to demonstrate her importance to the Duke An's mansion through Shao Minmin and Nan Wushang's marriage but also to subtly remind everyone present that from now on, those surnamed Shao were the Duke An of Tianfeng, not the Duke of Great Gan.
Whether they intended to sow discord in the court by leveraging the Shao family's status, or to eliminate their opponents by using Grand Princess Jinyang's former prestige, Lu Qingwan's decree made it clear that they should know their place.
Prime Minister Nan and Duke Shao understood this, so they immediately stepped forward respectfully to express their gratitude.
"To receive an imperial decree of betrothal during the enthronement ceremony is a rare honor for my Nan family for generations. Your humble servant, along with my son, kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your benevolent grace!"
Duke An, knowing that Lu Qingwan's actions were to protect his family, expressed his gratitude with utmost sincerity.
Thus, the enthronement ceremony concluded in a festive and harmonious atmosphere.
Tianfeng held its breath the entire day, but thankfully, there were no major incidents.
The banquet ended late into the night. After Si Fengwu carried Lu Qingwan back to Weiyang Palace, she was too exhausted to even move a finger.
"My heavens, I thought my wedding day was tiring enough, but this enthronement ceremony is more exhausting than getting married three times!"
Lu Qingwan sprawled on the bed, pouting with a grievance, her toes restlessly kicking Si Fengwu's leg. "Tell me, did you know this enthronement ceremony would be so tiring that you'd foist this damn throne onto me?"
Tell me, tell me...
Tired and sleepy, Lu Qingwan's eyes were already half-closed.
The only reason she could still speak was the lingering resentment.
Si Fengwu looked at her, her resentment heavier than a donkey that had died from exhaustion. He chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, go to sleep first. You can hit and scold me as much as you want after you wake up.
If you don't sleep now, this little one in your belly will get restless!"
Perhaps Lu Qingwan was too tired, making the baby restless too, or perhaps Si Fengwu's jinx had come true.
Whatever the reason, from that night onward, Lu Qingwan experienced the long-delayed morning sickness, which woke her up in the middle of the night.
A perfectly healthy person, half-asleep, was woken by an overwhelming urge to vomit. Before she could even open her eyes, she was already hunched over the toilet.
Lu Qingwan didn't know how she'd gotten to the privy. As she vomited violently, Si Fengwu, barefoot, chased after her.
"What's wrong? Is the little bun in your belly restless? Should I call Su Shang?"
He asked a barrage of questions, but Lu Qingwan was too busy vomiting to answer.
Si Fengwu belatedly realized this and stopped asking. He simply held Lu Qingwan's hair back to prevent it from getting soiled.
The commotion they caused was not small, and it was the night of the enthronement. Those outside also heard the sounds. Li Su knocked on the outer door and softly asked, "Your Highness, is the Princess unwell?
Should I call for the imperial physician?"
Lu Qingwan finally found the time to wave her hand, signaling that an imperial physician was not needed.
Although Si Fengwu still wanted to call for an imperial physician, seeing how uncomfortable Lu Qingwan was, he did not want to defy her wishes. He said to the outside, "No need for an imperial physician. Bring some hot salt water."
Li Su responded and left. Lu Qingwan finally stopped vomiting violently and leaned against Si Fengwu, slowly recovering.
By then, Li Su had brought the hot water. Rinsing her mouth and washing her face, the whole ordeal made her too tired to sleep.
Si Fengwu looked at her with a worried expression, like a steamed bun. "This must be so hard. If only I had given Little Yuan'er back to the Emperor and Empress and had them have another child..."
Lu Qingwan chuckled, "What are you talking about? If I'm tired, isn't Empress also tired?
Be careful, Empress might hear you and come to beat you!"
Si Fengwu hugged her and continued to whine. Then, as if remembering something, he slapped his own mouth.
"It's all my fault for being a jinx, saying you stayed up late and the little bun would trouble you. And now this damn child has indeed troubled you!"
He said this while gently bumping his forehead against Lu Qingwan's back, acting as if he were truly regretful.
Lu Qingwan didn't know whether to laugh or be angry. "Si Fengwu, how old are you? You still believe this?
Is something wrong with your brain?"
"I'm just worried about you!"
Si Fengwu hugged her and nuzzled her. "Tomorrow, I'll accept the title of Regent. I'll handle all the state affairs, and you won't have to work so hard!
I'll have Su Shang and Wu Ying come into the palace to keep you company..."
He rambled on for a while. Although it made Lu Qingwan chuckle, many things could indeed be arranged during this late-night conversation.
While he was rambling, he didn't hear Lu Qingwan respond for a long time. He looked down and saw that she had already fallen asleep in his arms.
He smiled and shook his head, gently placing her back on the couch. There were no further disturbances that night.
However, Lu Qingwan's pregnancy was now public knowledge, which meant a large number of people would express their genuine or insincere concern.
Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu arrived at the imperial study early the next morning to handle state affairs. As daylight broke, Li Jin reported, "The Grand Emperor and Empress Dowager of Great Qin, along with the Crown Prince of Great Qin, request an audience."
Si Fengwu ordered Li Jin to invite them in. Lu Qingwan then realized who the Crown Prince of Great Qin was.
She exchanged glances with the ministers present. The ministers tacitly agreed to withdraw.
Soon, only Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu remained in the imperial study.
Lu Qingwan then instructed Li Su, "Manage your time wisely. After my parents and the Empress leave, arrange for me to meet with Liu Xunran. He must come to see me."
Li Su acknowledged Lu Qingwan's command and dutifully stepped aside to pour tea and water.
Meanwhile, Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu sat upright, awaiting the appearance of the Crown Prince and his consort from Cheng'an.
The couple had arrived in the new capital yesterday and stayed in the palace after attending the banquet. They had traveled a long distance, so their complexions were not good.
However, at this moment, it seemed no one could bother with their own discomfort.
Gu Shenci rushed to Lu Qingwan as soon as she entered the room. "I heard you are pregnant. The enthronement ceremony was complicated and lengthy. I saw you drinking wine yesterday?
How is your body? Are you feeling unwell?"