Chapter 15

On the wedding day.

All the relatives and noblewomen came to the palace to congratulate Xu Duanyi on her marriage. Even those who did not have the status to come in person sent gifts through others to express their congratulations and closeness.

Regardless of whether Xu Duanyi’s marriage was a good one or not, just the fact that she was married off from the palace, with the emperor and empress dowager sending her off, was enough to show her status, which had not changed and remained the same as before.

It is said that after a woman gets married, her future will depend on the status of her husband. No matter what her status was before, if she marries poorly, her situation will not be good.

That is why when noble families marry off their daughters, they usually look for good husbands from good families, and unless there is a special reason, they would never let their daughters marry below their station.

But if a woman’s status is high enough, it doesn’t matter whether she marries well or not; she won’t be too low in status herself. In fact, she might even be able to help her husband rise.

This year, in the early spring, the previous Shuntian Governor Xu Ziyuan suddenly submitted his resignation letter, wanting to retire. At the time, the officials were guessing who would take over the position, and unexpectedly, the fiancé of Princess Jiashun, the Prince of Nanan, was appointed to the position.

The Prince of Nanan, after the Battle of Changye four years ago, had been living in a drunken stupor, forgetting his past military achievements, no longer returning to Jizhou, and spending his days indulging in pleasures of the world.

Although he still held his family title, his status as the Prince of Nanan was hardly regarded by many in the capital. It was said that even the former Prime Minister, now the Imperial Tutor, and the Prince’s former mentor, Qu Boyuan, was disappointed with him and no longer kept in contact with him.

Now, the Prince of Nanan suddenly took the position of Shuntian Governor. To say this had nothing to do with Princess Jiashun was simply impossible.

Thus, although Xu Duanyi’s marriage to the Prince of Nanan was unexpected, no one dared to underestimate her.

Everyone who could come had already rushed to the palace early. They all gave their congratulations, afraid that the Empress Dowager Zhao Yu might think they were looking down on the princess.

—-

The wedding ceremony was full of elaborate rituals.

Today, Xu Duanyi’s wedding was conducted with the highest ceremony reserved for a Princess.

However, despite all the grandness, the Empress Dowager Zhao Yu still felt dissatisfied, feeling that something was lacking. She truly cherished Xu Duanyi, not only because of Xu Duanyi’s mother but also because of the years they had spent depending on each other.

At this moment, the wedding hour was approaching.

The ceremonial officers outside had urged them once more.

All the relatives and noblewomen stood respectfully in the Shoukang Palace courtyard, waiting, except for Xu Duanyi and the Empress Dowager Zhao Yu, who were still inside, exchanging their final words.

Many of these words had already been said in the past.

Xu Duanyi had agreed that if she married into the Wang family and was treated badly by Xie Qingya, she shouldn’t endure it but should come to the palace and tell the Empress Dowager, who would help her.

However, at this moment, as the Empress Dowager looked at Xu Duanyi, dressed in ceremonial robes, with her hair arranged high, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of reluctance.

She raised her hand, wanting to stroke Xu Duanyi’s hair, but was afraid of ruining the delicate hairstyle.

In the end, all she could touch was the hairpin in Xu Duanyi’s hair, a gift from when she married the late emperor.

“If Qi’er were still here, you should be marrying him today,” the Empress Dowager Zhao Yu said, her voice hoarse, her eyes filled with reluctance.

She did not know that Xu Duanyi and Liu Qi only had a sibling relationship.

She always thought that she wanted to keep the two people she loved most together, to see and protect them every day.

Xu Duanyi understood her good intentions, so she had never opposed her wishes. At this moment, she did not want to speak any words that would upset the Empress Dowager.

Outside, it was quiet.

Since they had not yet left, the musicians did not dare to play.

Xu Duanyi helped the Empress Dowager Zhao Yu sit down and personally poured tea to comfort her. “Aunt, don’t be sad. Even after I get married, I will still come to visit you.”

“At that time, I’ll often bring you the preserved fruits from Chen Ji.”

The Empress Dowager took the tea, and hearing this, her tone softened with a trace of a smile, “You really think I’m greedy, don’t you?”

Though she said this, her reluctance had clearly lessened.

Xu Duanyi was not marrying far away, just at the foot of the capital.

Looking at the graceful woman beside her, the Empress Dowager Zhao Yu still held Xu Duanyi’s hand and said, “When you go to the Prince of Nanan’s residence, don’t let yourself be wronged. If the Xie family causes you any trouble, just tell me. Your aunt will handle it for you.”

The usual clichés.

Xu Duanyi was about to smile and say “okay,” but then she heard Empress Dowager Zhao Yu change the subject and say, “If one day you don’t like this life anymore, or if you don’t want to be with him anymore, you can always tell your aunt. I will never let you suffer.”

Xu Duanyi understood what she meant.

She was surprised and, deep down, it was hard not to be moved.

No matter how others spoke about her aunt, her aunt had always been very good to her.

“Aunt…”

She lowered her gaze, her eyes gradually reddening.

Empress Dowager Zhao Yu saw that she was about to cry and instead of comforting her, she gently advised, “Alright, it’s a day of great happiness, don’t cry, don’t ruin the makeup you’ve spent so much effort on.”

“My Zhaozhao should marry beautifully, so everyone will envy her.”

Xu Duanyi was coaxed by her, gently sniffing and forcing the tears back, then smiled and said, “Okay.”

“Come, let Aunt personally send you off to your wedding.”

After Empress Dowager Zhao Yu finished speaking, she personally took Xu Duanyi’s hand and helped her up, just like when she had sent her own sister off to her wedding.

Thinking of her sister.

She couldn’t help but think of Xu Duanyi’s father.

On this great day, Xu Pingyi hadn’t shown up, saying he had been delayed by matters in Liaodong.

But now, there was no war.

She didn’t know what could have delayed Xu Pingyi.

Thinking about it made her angry.

Only Zhaozhao was sensible.

If it were that girl Baozhu, she probably would have already made a scene.

However, at this moment, Empress Dowager Zhao Yu didn’t want to criticize Xu Pingyi, lest it ruin the auspicious timing.

Dan Feng presented a fan symbolizing marital bliss.

Xu Duanyi took it and held it in front of her face. Then Empress Dowager Zhao Yu personally guided her out.

—-

Today, all the officials were gathered in front of the Huangji Palace and Xie Qingya was waiting there as well.

Because Xu Duanyi was marrying in the palace.

At the designated time, the two of them would be married by the officials from the Ministry of Rites, in front of the young emperor and Empress Dowager Zhao Yu, with all the officials and ladies watching, completing the wedding ceremony.

Then they would ride in the Yan Zhai carriage.

With an entourage of musicians, guards, and officials, they would pass through the busiest streets of the capital and head to the Prince of Nangan’s residence.

Originally, a princess should be married to her own princess residence.

At first, Empress Dowager Zhao Yu thought to let Xie Qingya live with Xu Duanyi in the Princess residence.

But Xu Duanyi found it too troublesome.

When she was first titled as the Princess, Empress Dowager Zhao Yu had wanted to grant her a residence, but Xu Duanyi had refused at that time.

Her family already had a residence in the capital.

She usually lived in the palace and didn’t go out much.

It was really unnecessary.

This time, when Empress Dowager Zhao Yu brought up the matter again, Xu Duanyi still refused.

Firstly, she found it troublesome.

Secondly, the royal residence also had Xie Qingya’s younger siblings.

They were still young and needed family around. Xu Duanyi didn’t want Xie Qingya to be even more unhappy with the marriage, so she quietly persuaded her aunt.

Though she had already decided to treat Xie Qingya with respect in the future.

But it was always better to lessen his dissatisfaction.

Therefore, after the wedding, Xu Duanyi would still live in the Prince of Nangan’s residence.

When they arrived at the Huangji Hall.

Hundreds of officials were already waiting there.

The civil and military officials were standing on either side, with the young emperor Liu Xie standing at the front. A man in a bright red wedding robe stood slightly in front of him.

—It was Xie Qingya.

Xu Duanyi, through the silk gauze of the fan, could vaguely see the scene in front.

Today, her father wasn’t there.

Her aunt was very angry that her father didn’t come, but Xu Duanyi felt relieved.

If her father came and saw her marrying Xie Qingya, he would probably be unhappy.

He might argue with Cao Da if he knew the reason.

Better this way.

She really didn’t want the people around her to make things difficult for her.

A high-pitched eunuch’s voice announced the ceremony.

The officials quickly turned to offer their greetings.

Liu Xie tensed his body and took a few steps forward.

Only Xie Qingya remained standing in place.

Looking over the crowd, Xie Qingya’s gaze landed on the woman in a green luxurious gown, who was holding the fan to hide her face. Her features were concealed by the fan.

He could only glimpse her elegant hair and jewelry.

The scene he had imagined many times suddenly appeared before him. Xie Qingya’s thin lips pressed together, and his eyes deepened.