Chapter 482: Grand Wedding Part 1
Upon hearing the news, Shen Xihe merely smiled. After three months of anticipation, peach blossoms now bloomed in abundance, filling the streets with fragrance as the entire nation celebrated the Crown Prince's wedding.
Before dawn broke, Shen Xihe rose to bathe. With her cascading black hair left loose and clad in thin undergarments, she sat before a bronze mirror where the wedding matron performed the facial threading ritual. This matron was no ordinary practitioner—having served as a palace official before retirement, she had attended numerous noble ladies. Yet rarely had she encountered someone like Shen Xihe, whose porcelain skin bore no visible down, making the ritual merely symbolic.
"Young Mistress is naturally radiant—a touch of powder and rouge would outshine all blossoms," praised the matron as she stepped aside, allowing palace female officials to apply Shen Xihe's makeup.
Shen Xihe observed the process attentively, offering suggestions and rejecting any heavy application. Since her wedding robes were elegantly understated in light hues, the officials had no choice but to follow her instructions.
After two hours, Shen Xihe was fully prepared. Two female officials jointly placed the Phoenix Coronet adorned with soaring phoenixes and dangling pearls into her glossy hair. The phoenix wings appeared lifelike, edged with large Northern Pearls, while delicate golden chains strung with rice-grain-sized pearls formed a translucent veil that half-concealed her exquisite features.
Zhenzhu received a fan embroidered with vibrant peonies and dotted with pearls from a Female Historian, handing it to Shen Xihe.
Grasping the fan handle, Shen Xihe held it before her face as Hongyu and Biyu supported her onto a vermilion gold-traced palanquin, where she awaited the Eastern Palace's bridal procession.
When drums and cheers sounded outside—marking the Eastern Palace's arrival—Shen Xihe's long lashes fluttered faintly.
Following the master of ceremonies, she stepped forth with her fan, treading the red carpet until reaching the main hall. There stood Xiao Huayong in formal magnificent attire that complemented her wedding robes. His tall figure stood gracefully, and perhaps buoyed by joy, his usual sickly pallor was notably absent today.
His dark eyes shimmered like moonlight as he watched her approach intently. After exchanging bows, they turned to bid farewell to Shen Yueshan.
Ziyu presented kneeling cushions. While Hongyu assisted Shen Xihe to kneel, Xiao Huayong—exempt from kneeling due to imperial protocol—surprisingly knelt alongside her, drawing collective gasps from the witnesses.
(Though grooms in noble households typically bow during farewell ceremonies.)
Unmindful of Xiao Huayong's action, Shen Xihe—who had maintained composure throughout—felt sudden stinging in her eyes the moment she knelt. A mist blurred her vision. Struggling against emotions that defied her usual self-control, her voice trembled with suppressed sobs: "Your daughter pays first homage, grateful for Father's nurturing life."
She bowed deeply, with Xiao Huayong mirroring the gesture toward Shen Yueshan.
Rising, tears escaped down Shen Xihe's cheeks. She exhaled softly to steady herself: "Second homage, thanking Father for your guidance."
Shen Yueshan nearly reached to lift her. The battle-hardened man who seldom wept—save for witnessing young warriors fall bloodied in combat—felt his own eyes burning.At this moment, watching the pearl he had cherished in his palm for fifteen years about to marry another, he couldn't help but feel his eyes burn with unshed tears. Yet he had to clench his fists and sit tall, accepting her farewell bows.
A crystalline teardrop fell onto Shen Xihe's wedding robes as she bowed once more, blooming into a faint watery blossom. She slowly straightened up: "Third bow—bidding farewell to Father. Henceforth, I shall be a married woman. Father's earnest teachings I dare not forget."
Shen Xihe bowed deeply, remaining in that position for a long while. Shen Yueshan rose and grasped her shoulders, helping her up, his eyes rimmed red: "May you find an excellent husband, bringing honor to our family; may you bring harmony to the household and grow old together in companionship."
Shen Yueshan took the face-covering round fan from Zhenzhu and handed it to Shen Xihe. Then he picked up Shen Xihe's other hand and placed it in Xiao Huayong's.
Xiao Huayong received Shen Xihe's hand, holding it firmly as he addressed Shen Yueshan: "Grateful for Father-in-law's trust in entrusting this precious pearl to me. This renowned beauty from the embroidered chamber shall surely be treasured. In life we share the same room, in death the same grave. This heart's pledge shines bright as the midday sun."
Shen Yueshan could no longer find words, managing only a strained smile as he repeated "good" three times: "Good, good, good."
Just then, the auspicious horns sounded for the carriage departure. Shen Yueshan released his hold on Shen Xihe's shoulders and waved her off.
Shen Xihe used the fan to conceal her own tear-filled eyes, then performed a wanfu bow to Shen Yueshan before being escorted by Xiao Huayong step by step along the red carpet that stretched to the wedding carriage.
Beside the carriage stood a tall guard. As Xiao Huayong mounted his horse, the guard extended his hand: "Take care, Crown Princess."
Shen Xihe stiffened, staring blankly at the guard. Though his appearance was unfamiliar, his eyes held a familiar warmth. Her lips trembled slightly as the guard smiled at her: "Please board the carriage, Crown Princess."
Suppressing her astonishment, Shen Xihe placed her hand in his. She stepped onto the wooden stool and entered the carriage. Red gossamer curtains sprinkled with golden flowers obscured her view. Watching the tall guard accompany the carriage toward the palace gates, hot tears once again streamed down her face.
Suddenly she lowered her head and smiled, her eyes softening as she gazed at Xiao Huayong's majestic back riding ahead on his tall steed.
For the Crown Prince's wedding, the main streets had been cleared. Golden Guards stood solemnly at five-pace intervals. The wedding procession moved from the Princess Manor to the Vermilion Bird Gate of the palace, with commoners peering from behind the guard lines. Music floated on the clear breeze throughout the journey.
Xiao Changying had followed behind the wedding procession on horseback from its start, only turning his horse away after seeing the carriage through the Vermilion Bird Gate.
Though the wedding carriage entered through the Vermilion Bird Gate, it didn't proceed directly to the Eastern Palace. The grand procession continued until reaching the Zichen Hall. Shen Xihe alighted as the heavy doors swung open to bright horn calls. Xiao Huayong already stood waiting ahead. Supported by palace matrons, she ascended the steps, passed through the gateway, descended the stairs, and slowly approached Xiao Huayong.
His broad hand reached through the brilliant sunlight, scattering the morning glow as it extended firmly toward her.
He needn't have personally gone to fetch the bride—waiting here would have sufficed—yet he had chosen to go. She placed her hand in his palm, its slight coolness feeling strangely comforting.
Hand in hand, they walked upon the red carpet flanked by civil and military officials, imperial clan members, and noblewomen. All watched as they approached the coiling dragon stone staircase, where they separated to ascend via opposite staircases.The Youning Emperor was waiting for them directly ahead. The couple first paid their respects to the Youning Emperor, who then delivered a ceremonial address to Heaven and Earth. Following the Youning Emperor’s lead, they kowtowed together. Only after this did the couple proceed to their own ceremony of bowing to Heaven and Earth, which truly belonged to them as husband and wife.
(End of Chapter)
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