Chapter 483: The Grand Wedding Part 2
First bow to heaven and earth, second bow to parents, third bow to each other as husband and wife.
The ceremony wasn't complete yet. A eunuch came forward holding a tray with two gourd ladles connected by a red thread tied to their stems - the gourd had been split in half. Two palace maids simultaneously presented one ladle each to Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong.
This was the ceremonial nuptial wine. Sharing a drink from the same gourd symbolized their union - the bitter gourd representing hardship and the sweet wine representing joy, meaning they would share both sweet and bitter moments, standing together through thick and thin.
After drinking the nuptial wine, the couple turned to face the civil and military officials, along with the noblewomen and imperial relatives, accepting their bows before the ceremony was finally complete.
Shen Xihe left the Zichen Hall and boarded the carriage directly to the Eastern Palace, while Xiao Huayong had to remain behind to feast with the guests.
Upon arriving at the Eastern Palace, Tianyuan immediately served food: "Your Highness, please eat something first. If there's anything else you'd like, just give me your orders."
Shen Xihe glanced at the spread - all her favorite dishes were there, including her most beloved Spirit-Melting Roast. She wanted to remove her wedding crown as it was extremely heavy, but the female official sent by the Empress Dowager to accompany her wouldn't permit it. The bride's crown could only be removed by her husband.
Considering she was the Empress Dowager's trusted attendant, Shen Xihe didn't insist. However, even with the pearl curtain lifted to both sides, the heavy crown made every lift and lower of her head particularly uncomfortable when eating.
Consequently, she even lost some appetite for the delicious food. As if reading her mind, a soft cough sounded. Shen Xihe looked up to see Xiao Huayong standing there - tall and graceful, his gaze gentle as he watched her intently.
Supported by Zhenzhu, Shen Xihe stood up. Xiao Huayong entered, stopping her from bowing while taking her hand and leading her to the dressing table. He personally removed her crown, letting her smooth, dark hair cascade down. Standing behind her, he leaned down to kiss the top of her head: "I'll return early."
With that, he left - having come and gone in haste.
He likely had many rituals still to complete, but had specifically taken time to come because he remembered her heavy crown.
With her head feeling lighter, Shen Xihe's mood lifted accordingly. She enjoyed a satisfying meal, washed up, removed her makeup to reveal her natural, lotus-fresh complexion, and changed into comfortable clothes.
Xiao Huayong was busy until nearly dusk before he appeared at the banquet. By then, he already looked quite unwell - his face pale and seemingly on the verge of fainting at any moment, his steps unsteady and floating. Who would dare force him to drink?
Even on his wedding day, when all taboos were lifted, no one dared to make him drink. Even when ministers proposed toasts, they would nervously remind him: "Your Highness, just a sip will do, just a sip will do."
Despite this, Xiao Huayong only took small sips for each toast. Within moments, an unnatural flush appeared on his pale face, making everyone even more apprehensive. Eventually, everyone started proposing toasts with tea instead of wine, and Xiao Huayong readily followed suit.
Shen Xihe had expected Xiao Huayong to return only when the moon hung over the willow trees, but to her surprise, before nightfall had even properly set in, he was supported back home, stepping on the last rays of sunset.
While other grooms are supported because they're drunk, he was supported because... he was physically exhausted...Xiao Huayong was escorted to the bridal chamber, and everyone else tactfully withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the room. The moment the door closed, Xiao Huayong, who had been lying on the bed, sprang up and pulled Shen Xihe, who was standing by the bedside, into his arms, taking a deep breath of her fragrance.
Though he hadn't drunk much, he had still picked up the scent of alcohol from circulating at the banquet. Shen Xihe pushed him away slightly in distaste. "I've prepared a scented bath for you. Go wash up quickly."
Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe tightly, burying his face against her waist. "Will Youyou join me?"
Shen Xihe's face flushed red. She shoved him away forcefully, watching him fall back onto the bed before taking a few steps back. "Hurry up."
"Heh heh heh..." Xiao Huayong lay sprawled on the bed, his chest rumbling with low laughter. He glanced at Shen Xihe, who seemed puzzled by his amusement, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes as he teased, "So... Youyou is this eager..."
Realizing the implication behind his words, Shen Xihe could only glare at him in flustered anger.
Xiao Huayong laughed even more heartily. Furious, Shen Xihe turned and strode out of the bedchamber, afraid that if she stayed any longer, she might grab the nearest object and hurl it at his face.
His little wife had stormed off in a huff because of him, yet Xiao Huayong couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
Truthfully, he didn't know why, but he simply enjoyed teasing her until she was flustered and annoyed—it made her seem so vibrant and endearing.
Slowly pushing himself up, Xiao Huayong noticed the fresh clothes laid out beside him. A warm feeling swelled in his chest, filling him with contentment. Gathering the garments, he turned and headed to the side chamber behind—a bathing room he had specially designed, complete with a square-built bathing pool.
By the time he finished bathing, daylight had faded and darkness had fallen. Emerging, he saw Shen Xihe sitting sideways by the lampstand, holding a book and reading with her head bowed. He strode over and enveloped her in a tight embrace from behind.
Shen Xihe instinctively stiffened, but she soon relaxed and, for the first time, leaned into his embrace.
Overjoyed, Xiao Huayong swept her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
Shen Xihe's heart tightened. She had assumed the next step would inevitably be the consummation of their marriage, but to her surprise, Xiao Huayong set her down on the edge of the bed. Seeing her tense expression, he couldn't help but chuckle. His fingertips brushed her forehead, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear as he leaned close and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid. The time hasn't come yet."
After this cryptic remark, he went to fetch two cloaks. These were new garments hastily tailored by the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau according to Xiao Huayong's specifications—one black and one white cloak, edged with raccoon fur and embroidered with two inconspicuous Eucommia leaves on the hem.
Under Shen Xihe's bewildered gaze, he fastened her cloak, then his own, before taking her hand and leading her out of the room. Their sudden departure left Zhenzhu and the others waiting outside utterly perplexed.
"All of you, wait here," Xiao Huayong instructed before guiding Shen Xihe to another part of the Eastern Palace.
Shen Xihe followed him as he led her into a room where a wall rotated open, revealing a secret passage.
Descending into the passage, they encountered a labyrinth of intersecting paths—multiple routes sprawled before them. Xiao Huayong, familiar with the way, guided her along one path. They twisted and turned so many times that Shen Xihe nearly grew dizzy. What astonished her even more was the realization that beneath the imperial palace lay a maze-like network of tunnels, extending in all directions.When she saw daylight again, she was already outside the imperial palace. The exit was concealed by overgrown weeds in the wilderness. Shen Xihe couldn't help but glance back at the door.
"This is beyond the palace grounds, inaccessible to anyone. Without a key, this door cannot be opened from the outside," Xiao Huayong said as he led Shen Xihe out of the palace.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, they came across a horse. He helped her onto the saddle, then mounted himself and spurred the horse into a swift gallop.
(End of Chapter)
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