Chapter 3

In the sixth year of Qi Yuan (Spring), the Emperor’s grand wedding took place.  

It was the end of February in early spring, a time when the earth revived and all things came back to life.  

The twenty-eighth day of February that year was an auspicious date.  

The current Qi Yuan Emperor had ascended the throne young and had now reigned for six years. The court situation had gradually stabilized, and the world showed signs of flourishing prosperity. Moreover, the Emperor had finally relented in establishing an Empress. From court officials down to the common people, all cheered in celebration, rejoicing throughout the land.  

It would be even better if a little prince or princess could be added next year.  

The spring warmth was gentle, as if the heavens themselves approved of this joyous occasion. After days of overcast rain, today was bright and sunny, the spring sunlight casting a comforting glow upon people.  

The capital was alive with jubilation. Every household had pasted red festive couplets on their doors, and those who didn’t had hung red cloth to show their respect and shared joy for the Emperor and Empress.  

Outside the gates of Duke Nie’s residence, the ceremonial procession and drumming band waited. The Ministry of Rites officials, sent as representatives, had repeatedly urged the bride to emerge.  

Nie Long sat inside the bridal sedan, her face covered by a red veil, unable to see the figures around her. Her vision was filled with a dim red hue, and with the wedding matrons and maids watching over her, she dared not move recklessly.  

She could only hear the boy being forcibly carried away, still grumbling and whining, demanding his sister.  

Earlier, her gentle and refined elder brother, who had carried her on his back, was now walking back unhurriedly, his footsteps as steady and soothing as his temperament, bringing comfort to those who heard them.  

The Nie family stood at the gate to see her off. Madam Nie clutched a handkerchief, tears streaming down her face. Nie Hu, held by his wet nurse, had his little mouth covered to prevent mischief. Others who saw this merely smiled and remarked on the innocent bond between siblings, their affection harmonious.  

Duke Nie stood beside his wife, watching as his daughter entered the grand eight-man sedan. His eyes were slightly red.  

The welcoming procession and presiding officials surrounded the sedan in the center, with imperial guards standing guard nearby, making it nearly impossible for the crowd to catch a glimpse inside.  

Nie Jue, tall and slender, could only see the half-raised roof of the sedan, his gaze profound.  

The Emperor’s wedding was a grand national event, with dowries stretching for miles.  

Since the late Emperor’s passing, the capital had not seen such a lively celebration in years. Even the current Emperor’s enthronement had not been as grand.  

Back then, everything had been kept simple. The late Emperor, in his middle and later years, had grown muddle-headed, leaving the court riddled with holes and a mess too vast for the young Emperor, who had ascended in haste, to catch his breath.  

After ascending the throne, the Qi Yuan Emperor had been buried day and night in state affairs—how could he have had time for ceremonies?  

Thus, the officials of the Ministry of Rites, who had long been idle, seized this rare joyous occasion to showcase their skills, striving to make the imperial wedding as exquisite as possible, elevating its standards to the highest degree.  

Had the Emperor not disliked extravagance, the wedding might have been even more magnificent—perhaps scattering flower petals and coins along the way to delight the future Empress, ensuring harmony between the imperial couple and the early birth of an heir.  

The return procession to the palace marched along a red carpet, with imperial guards lining the streets.  

At the head of the procession, drumming bands played gongs and drums. The master of ceremonies, seeing that the time was right, raised his hand to signal, about to announce something, when a young eunuch came running in haste.  

“Hold—! The Emperor comes in person to greet the bride! The Emperor comes in person!”

Sure enough, before long, a eunuch announced loudly, “The Emperor has arrived!”

In an instant, a large number of Imperial guards, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, surged forward and mingled with the guards already maintaining order, dispersing in a well-trained formation.

The onlooking commoners were all awestruck, kneeling in place without daring to lift their heads to catch a glimpse of the imperial visage.

Since the procession was still some distance away and surrounded by the Imperial guards, the Nie family couldn’t see anything, and news reached them a beat late. They were still puzzled as to why the bridal sedan hadn’t been lifted yet—weren’t they worried about missing the auspicious hour?

Madam Nie was so anxious that she clutched her handkerchief tightly, her finely painted willow-leaf brows furrowed in distress.

At that moment, the Nie family steward came running, panting heavily. He hastily wiped his sweat with his sleeve and gasped, “His Majesty—His Majesty has come in person to fetch the bride!”

Everyone was stunned!

Since ancient times, there had never been a precedent for an emperor to personally welcome his bride. Ordinary imperial consorts were simply carried into the palace through a side gate in a sedan chair. Even the empress, as the mother of the nation, would only meet the emperor after entering the palace, where the marital rites would then be performed.

Regardless, welcoming the imperial presence was of utmost importance. Nie Sheng was the first to react, arranging the family members before kneeling with his wife and eldest son to await the imperial arrival. Even little Nie Hu, bundled up in his clothes, sensed the gravity of the situation and dared not fidget.

The Imperial guards cordoned off the entire street, allowing the bright yellow imperial procession to proceed unimpeded to the front of the Nie residence, stopping before the bright red sedan chair where the bride waited.

From the bright yellow Imperial carriage, a strong, sinewy hand lifted the curtain, and a young, handsome, and imposing man clad in a bright red wedding robe stepped out.

Underneath his bright red outer robe, a glimpse of the yellow Dragon robe could be seen. As Nie Sheng knelt on the ground and caught sight of that hem, his eyelids twitched involuntarily. What kind of attire was this for the exalted emperor?

“Rise, Minister Nie. Today, we shall only speak of our relationship as father-in-law and son-in-law, nothing more. No need for formalities—this applies to Madam Nie as well.”

The young emperor’s voice was gentle, his words plain yet carrying a warmth that made him seem like any respectful son-in-law addressing his father-in-law. He even referred to himself as “I.” Nie Sheng was momentarily taken aback before hurriedly bowing and cupping his hands in deference, murmuring his unworthiness.

The emperor didn’t press further. In the hearts of the people, imperial authority was deeply ingrained. If he were any more courteous, he might frighten his father-in-law.

As his gaze swept over the faces of the crowd, a flicker of dazed recognition passed through the young emperor’s eyes. So… it was true. He had really returned?

At this time, Madam Nie was still young, her face unlined by wrinkles, her hair jet-black without a single strand of white—utterly unlike the elderly lady who would later chant scriptures in the family’s small Buddhist hall.

Nie Sheng, too, was in his prime, slightly plump but glowing with health and vigor, a far cry from the stubborn old man he would become in the future.

Then, his old friend Chu Ji. The emperor’s gaze settled on the gentle and scholarly man, his eyes softening with warmth and affection. For seven days, he had lain unconscious, his soul inexplicably detached from his body, unable to return.

Master Yuntian had declared that if he failed to awaken within those seven days, he would never wake again. And indeed, during those seven days, Chu Ji had wandered all over the capital.

He had visited the Nie residence, roamed the streets and alleys, and even drifted through the halls and courtyards of the imperial palace. Invisible to others, he had witnessed the myriad facets of human life.

He had seen his childhood companion, his study companion, and later his trusted confidant—who had risen steadily in rank after his ascension to the throne—calmly and rationally arranging his posthumous affairs.

Chu Ji smiled faintly. He didn’t mind that Nie Jue showed no trace of urgency or grief when he was on the verge of death, remaining rational enough to arrange everything. It was because he understood this man and knew he bore a grudge—blaming him for failing to protect…

At this thought, he stiffened uncomfortably on the spot. When he came, he had only one thought: he didn’t want to miss their wedding, he wanted to see her. But now… the closer he got, the more timid he felt.

Buddhists often say, “From love arises worry, from love arises fear.” It seemed there was some truth to that.

The young emperor’s gaze drifted far away, settling on the grand red sedan carried by eight bearers.

Inside the bridal sedan, Nie Long unconsciously curled her fingers. The sounds of gongs and drums outside had ceased, and she faintly seemed to hear someone say the Emperor had arrived.

Mama Yu held her back. “Don’t move yet, Miss. Once a bride enters the bridal sedan, she must not step out until reaching the groom’s home—it’s inauspicious otherwise. Let this old servant go check first. You wait here calmly.”

Nie Long gave a slight nod.

After a while, Mama Yu returned quietly and whispered in Nie Long’s ear, “Young Miss, His Majesty has come! The Emperor himself has come to escort you back to the palace!”

Mama Yu’s voice was brimming with unconcealable joy and pride—what an immense honor this was!

Since ancient times, no emperor had ever personally gone out to welcome his empress back on their wedding day. This was splendid! With such grandeur for their young miss, who wouldn’t hold her in high regard once she entered the palace? Even if the Emperor took concubines in the future, none would match the exceptional honor bestowed upon their miss today!

Mama Yu was genuinely happy for her young mistress. Nie Long had been nursed by her, and their bond was naturally deep. It was just a pity that palace rules were strict—she could accompany her miss to the wedding but couldn’t stay as her attendant in the palace.

Nie Long’s fingertips trembled slightly. Beneath the bridal veil, her expression was not as overjoyed as Mama Yu’s. Instead, she frowned in puzzlement.

Nie Jue was the current Emperor’s study companion. Their relationship was a mix of ruler and subject, as well as friendship. Even the memories in this body were not unfamiliar with the Emperor.

The current Emperor, Chu Ji, styled Wansheng, had ascended the throne at sixteen and had been diligent in governance ever since, never slacking. In modern terms, he was a bona fide workaholic, with nothing but state affairs in his eyes.

Nie Long found it hard to believe that such a man would violate tradition on his wedding day, wasting time to fetch an empress he had never met. Wouldn’t he more likely be buried in paperwork in the imperial study?

Outside the Nie residence, the Emperor had no idea the woman he was watching and thinking about had already seen right through him. After a brief hesitation, as if struck by a thought, his expression brightened. He turned to the eunuch beside him and said, “Bring Mantou here. Today, I shall ride to welcome the Empress back to the palace!”

The eunuch hesitated, wanting to advise against it—what emperor would ride a horse so conspicuously in public? Coming out personally was already unconventional. But seeing the Emperor’s eager expression and unwavering demeanor, the young, fair-faced eunuch, Eunuch An, swallowed his words.

He turned and gestured to a guard nearby. The guard left and soon returned leading a magnificent blood-sweating horse with a fiery red coat. This majestic steed, despite its noble bearing, bore the rustic name “Mantou.”

The horse, Mantou, circled Chu Ji, snorted, and affectionately nuzzled his crimson robe with an almost human-like intelligence.

As Nie Long had guessed, when Chu Ji woke up, he was in the imperial study reviewing memorials. After a long daze, he heard the young and handsome Eunuch An anxiously urging him to take it easy on his wedding day, advising him to rest appropriately and take care of his imperial health, and so on.

At that moment, Chu Ji only caught the key words—”wedding day”!

He suddenly stood up, knocking over the desk in front of him. The inkstone toppled, spilling ink onto the memorials, but Chu Ji grabbed Eunuch An by the collar, his expression urgent: “What is today’s date?”

Eunuch An, his collar clutched tightly, stammered, “Today is your wedding day, the last day of February in the sixth year of Qiyuan!”

For a moment, Chu Ji couldn’t describe the emotions swirling inside him. The memorials and books he had faced daily now seemed like mere decorations.

His voice hoarse, he ordered, “Fetch me a red groom’s robe—I’m going to wear it to welcome my empress back!”

Perhaps it was the excitement of his impending marriage, but the young emperor’s face showed traces of spirited eagerness. Swinging his robe, he mounted his horse with a gallant and decisive air. “Come,” he declared, “follow me to bring the empress back to the palace!”

Inside the bridal sedan.

Nie Long lightly bit her lip, her embroidered handkerchief crumpled tightly in her hand.