Ye Lingfeng and Hai Ling performed the ritual of bowing to Heaven and Earth, followed by bowing to their ancestors. The two bowed to the ancestral tablets at the head of the temple, and finally bowed to the still-living Empress Dowager. Then they exchanged vows as husband and wife.
Last but not least, all the civil and military officials paid homage to the Emperor and Empress, and the voice of the master of ceremonies rang out again.
"I bow to Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Majesty the Empress, wishing them a long and happy life together."
"I bow again to Your Majesty and Empress, wishing them a son soon."
"I bow three times to His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Empress, and wish them many sons and grandsons."
After the civil and military officials finished paying their respects to the Emperor and Empress, Prince Zhaoyang and Prince Anyang also led their entourage to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress. This time, they performed a simple family ceremony.
After everyone finished their ceremony, Ye Lingfeng held Hai Ling's hand tightly and spoke calmly in front of everyone in the hall.
"Today I am welcoming the Empress into the palace. From now on, the Empress will stand shoulder to shoulder with me, and she may issue any orders on my behalf."
These words shocked the entire hall. All the court officials looked up at the emperor in alarm, trying to determine if he had misspoke. However, the emperor's expression was extremely serious.
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but exclaim, "Feng'er!"
Historically, the empress and the emperor were not allowed to interfere in politics. However, if the empress were to become equivalent to the emperor and be able to issue orders, then the empress and the emperor would be interfering in politics.
Ye Lingfeng ignored his mother, his eyes cold and piercing as he looked at the head of the hall: "Do I need to say it again?"
"Your Majesty, we obey."
No one dared to speak. Even the Empress Dowager's words had no effect, let alone their own.
After the grand wedding ceremony concluded, the matrons and maids in charge of the ceremonies in the Emperor and Empress's quarters came to invite the Emperor and Empress to the Qingqian Palace.
Originally, the Empress had her own palace, but the Emperor decreed that she should reside in the Qingqian Palace.
Therefore, Qingqian Palace was decorated in a magnificent new style, and a long line of people led the way, escorting Ye Lingfeng and the Emperor into the Qingqian Palace's sleeping quarters.
It was already late, and all the civil and military officials in the court were invited to a banquet in Guangyang Palace, which was extremely lively.
Regarding the new emperor's favoritism towards the new empress, some people are worried and some are happy. Those who are worried believe that since ancient times, when an emperor favors only one person, there is a risk of disaster for the country and the people. Those who are happy are hoping that the emperor will only dote on the empress all day long so that he will neglect the country and give them an opportunity.
Inside the Qingqian Palace, Ye Lingfeng held Hai Ling's hand as they sat on the carved bed. Hai Ling was a little nervous, her palms were sweaty.
A senior palace maid came over, took the tray from a maid, and scattered peanuts and various fruits onto the large bed behind them, muttering, "Wishing His Majesty the Emperor and Empress a son soon."
Ye Lingfeng and Hai Ling sat upright. It was the first time for both of them to do something like this, so they were very curious and watched the old woman busy at work as if it were a spectacle.
After the old woman finished scattering the peanuts and other treats, she beckoned to another palace maid who brought over a tray. On the tray were two elegant bowls, each containing six small glutinous rice balls. Hailing's eyes lit up at the sight of the rice balls, and she immediately felt hungry. The old woman then placed the tray in front of Hailing and gestured for them to stir the rice balls with their chopsticks, while muttering incantations.
"May Your Majesty and Empress be reunited and live happily ever after."
Following the old woman's instructions, Ye Lingfeng picked up his chopsticks, stirred the mixture, and then put it down.
Hai Ling simply picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks and ate it. Instantly, everyone in the room stared at her with wide eyes. The Empress had actually eaten the dumpling!
The head maid was a little stunned. She had never seen anyone eat so much on their wedding night in front of everyone. Fortunately, the head maid was also calm and immediately replied, "Good things come in pairs. Your Highness, please have another one. This servant wishes Your Highness a twin baby."
Hailing couldn't help but laugh. To be honest, this old woman was really good at talking, but she was hungry, so she ate two and then ate another one with her chopsticks.
The next ceremonies, such as tying the hair and drinking the nuptial wine, would be held after the emperor had gone to the Guangyang Palace to greet the ministers.
Inside the palace, the matron invited the Emperor to Guangyang Palace, promising to return later to continue the subsequent indoor rituals.
Ye Lingfeng stood up, his face beaming with the joy of a groom, radiant with happiness. He smiled and said, "Ling'er, please sit for a moment. I will be back soon."
"Your Majesty, please go."
Hai Ling nodded, and Ye Lingfeng turned and strode away.
As soon as he left, Hailing began to look around the Qingqian Palace. It was filled with a festive atmosphere, and the large bed was covered with fresh flowers. As soon as Hailing saw the bed, she thought about what was going to happen tonight, and her face flushed red.
Born in modern times, she was no stranger to matters between men and women, but the image of skin intertwined felt both unfamiliar and unsettling to her. She couldn't help but feel anxious. She glanced at the several matrons and maids standing with their hands at their sides in the palace and said in a cold voice, "You may all leave."
Her innate authority meant that no one dared to hesitate when she spoke. On this grand wedding day, everyone with eyes could see that the Emperor doted on his new Empress, and he even declared in front of all the civil and military officials that the Empress's orders were equivalent to the Emperor's orders. This was supreme authority, so no one dared to challenge the Empress, even though her words at this moment were somewhat impolite.
Hai Ling didn't care whether what she said was proper or not. She was filled with anxiety and felt something was off. Finally, she couldn't help but stand up and pace around the room. Inside the palace, there were Shi Mei, Shi Lan, and Fu Yue. When they saw that their mistress's expression was not right, they hurriedly asked with concern, "Mistress, what's wrong?"
Hailing glanced at the three young maids in the palace. Could she say she was afraid of what was about to happen? She hadn't fully accepted this possibility yet.
Shi Mei and Shi Lan exchanged puzzled glances when Hai Ling remained silent, wondering what was wrong with their mistress. She seemed clearly uneasy.
Hailing paced back and forth, when suddenly she remembered something. She immediately took out two pieces of paper from her sleeve and handed them to her two maids, Shimei and Shilan.
"This will be given to the Emperor later."
What is this thing?
Shi Mei started reading, and as she read further, her expression became a mixture of amusement and helplessness, which attracted Shi Lan to come closer as well. Fu Yue, who was not very literate, could only look at their expressions and anxiously ask, "What are these things?"
The first sheet of paper had six tips for training a husband written down in great detail, while the second sheet of paper had two identical figures drawn on it.
Shi Mei looked at her master in the room with a puzzled expression, asking for instructions. What did this mean?
"When the Emperor comes in a little while, don't let him in. First, make him memorize these six regulations and follow them from now on. As for the other one, although it features two identical people, there are some differences. Make the Emperor find the differences between them."
After Hailing finished speaking, the three maids in the room all opened their mouths wide and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, no way! This is your wedding night!"
Even on her wedding night, she still has to be playful. The Empress is indeed different from others. Every moment is worth a thousand pieces of gold, isn't it?
However, none of them knew that Hailing was somewhat afraid of that moment being so precious. She didn't know if other women felt the same way, but she was a little uneasy and scared. When she was holding a scalpel, she could hold it without blinking, but she felt uncomfortable when it came to this kind of thing.
"Have you forgotten what I said last time about giving them three tests? Only those who truly pass will be considered qualified. These are two tests. If they can't recite the first one or can't find the differences in the second one, then His Majesty is not allowed to enter. Do you understand?"