CHAPTER 655: CHAPTER 635 BIG WEDDING 2

Su Yuejiao held back her tears as she sent Fengyu off to marry, even Feng Changqing, the seasoned general, grew sentimental. The Old Madam, Su Yuejiao, and Feng Changqing repeatedly told Fengyu to stay safe and well, still haunted by the distress of the wedding three years ago. Even with Xie Xun now ruling the empire, their hearts could hardly be at peace.

Fengyu understood her family’s concern. With reddened eyes, she bid farewell to her family. As her tears threatened to spill, Su Yuejiao gently helped her wipe them away. "On this joyous day, be happy! No crying! Your grandmother and I will often visit you in the palace."

"Alright!" After bowing respectfully, Fengyu said her goodbyes. "Grandmother, Father, Mother, your daughter is leaving now."

"Go on, then!" The Old Madam waved her hand wistfully. Her granddaughter had grown up, was getting married, and had found a good match. She would pray to the gods for Fengyu’s safety, blessings, and a life full of family and joy.

For this grand wedding, all the members of the Feng Family’s main house were present. Feng Wenrong, eldest son of the Feng Family’s main house, escorted Fengyu out of the bridal chamber. Fengyu had thought Xie Jue would come to greet her, but unexpectedly, it was Xie Xun who came personally.

Xie Xun, dressed in the emperor’s crimson wedding ceremonial robes, rode atop Zhuifeng, his steed of red and white. For the marriage of emperor and empress, there was no need for customs like blocking the entrance, as this was no common folk wedding.

"You..." Fengyu looked at Xie Xun in delighted surprise, her emotions surging as the delicate snowflakes danced in the air. She gazed at the man she had admired in her youth, the one she loved deeply now, approaching on his white steed to marry her. This was a scene she’d replayed countless times in her dreams. Years ago, when Xie Xun traveled tirelessly to the West State and visited her late at night, he had heard her murmuring his name in her sleep.

It was a dream, beautiful and unforgettable.

At that time, for reasons unknown, she often dreamed of Xie Xun wearing crimson wedding robes and riding a white horse to come marry her. Even in the dream, she felt a happiness and joy that made her repeatedly call out his name.

Upon waking, she would feel embarrassed. What kind of unwed young lady dreams of marrying the man she admires? Yet, when she confided this dream to Xie Xun, he had laughed and teased her about it, promising that one day he’d come on Zhuifeng to marry her.

But after Xie Xun ascended the throne, Fengyu knew it was impossible!

An emperor personally coming to greet his bride was neither customary nor appropriate. The civil and military officials would certainly oppose it. As Empress, she was already showered with favor, wealth beyond measure, and power in her hands. If the emperor kept breaking traditions for her, it would undoubtedly provoke dissatisfaction among the court ministers. In all dynasties, no empress had ever received such exceptional honor.

Thus, Fengyu had resigned herself to treating that dream as a sweet memory of her time in the West State. Yet Xie Xun had kept it in his heart and fulfilled her dream. Just days ago, Xie Xun had told her that her Second Brother would come to greet her instead, pressured by the ministers into abandoning the idea of coming himself. Fengyu had accepted this without regret, as it was how it should be.

She never imagined—he actually came!

"Ayu, I’ve come to marry you!" Xie Xun was like a spirited youth of sixteen or seventeen, radiant with vigor and joy, his eyes reflecting the falling snow and his beloved.

He had kept his promise, fulfilling everything he had promised Fengyu.

This journey to marriage had taken three years, and at last, it bore fruit.

Xie Xun was overwhelmed with emotion. Seeing Fengyu in the bridal finery of a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robe felt even more fulfilling and exhilarating than the day he ascended the throne. Just as when he had faced battlefields with fearless resolve, with Fengyu by his side, he was the bravest and happiest man under heaven!

He arrived on time, treading through the snow.

His beloved had finally come to his side.

Xie Jue, part of the wedding procession, coughed lightly to pull everyone back to their senses. The female officials and attendants, stunned by the emperor’s personal arrival, scrambled to begin organizing the ceremonies. Feng Wenrong escorted Fengyu onto the empress’s sedan.

The Xie brothers had come together to greet the bride, showing how greatly they valued this union.

The gathering crowds murmured in admiration, envying the Empress’s exceptional favor.

"A daughter should be like Fengyu, with such favor that no Empress in history has ever enjoyed. The emperor truly treasures her."

"Young spouses who weather hardships naturally grow deep affection."

"A perfect match of talent and beauty. Miss Feng San certainly deserves the emperor’s devotion. I heard that back then, she spent all her family’s wealth and remained steadfast, ensuring Beining’s current peace."

The imperial wedding was celebrated with festivity throughout the capital. Fengyu was beloved by the people, and Xie Jue and Xie Xun had been building momentum for her since early November, making the wedding day unparalleled in its grandeur, with the whole city turning out to celebrate.

This was a wedding ceremony like no other, one seen only once in a century, with its ten miles of crimson decorations and the harmony of phoenix and dragon.

Sitting in the sedan, Fengyu glimpsed the crowds kneeling along the long street, calling out "Long live the Emperor" and "Long live the Empress." Clearly, both the new emperor and empress were deeply cherished by the people.

Fengyu was moved to tears, while Qiuxiang and Chunlu felt honored as well.

The wedding rituals were extraordinarily complicated. Upon entering the palace, they paid homage to the ancestors and received bows from the officials. Only then was Fengyu escorted to Changshou Palace. The heavy phoenix coronet weighed down Fengyu’s neck painfully, and once inside Changshou Palace, the chief palace maid Lan Ying said, "Madam, the Emperor has instructed that once inside the hall, you may remove the phoenix coronet and rest comfortably. There’s no need to follow customs too strictly."

Both Fengyu and Xie Xun were not ones to fuss over minor formalities. After wearing the coronet for a full day, Fengyu was beginning to feel dizzy under its weight. The ceremonial robes involved layers upon layers, five or six in total, thick and cumbersome. With the temperature dropping and snow falling, she hadn’t dared drink a sip of water to avoid embarrassment since donning the bridal attire. She had eaten naught but a few nuts, leaving herself famished and parched.

Upon entering Changshou Palace, Fengyu not only removed the phoenix coronet, but also changed out of her opulent wedding garments. Qiuxiang and Chunlu took the opportunity during her bath to order food that Fengyu loved.

The palace’s female officials frowned at the Empress’s informality, but they dared not interfere. The palace maids close to Fengyu knew her personality well and chose to keep quiet. Some tactfully advised the female officials not to be too rigid with the Empress, as there were only two masters in the palace; whatever they wished to do, no one could stop them.

Soaking in the royal bath for nearly an hour, Fengyu finally felt her body relax and her pain ease. Qiuxiang brought her warm sheep’s milk and egg custard, feeding her by the bath.

Drinking the warm custard and milk, Fengyu felt revived at last.

"Thank goodness one only gets married once in a lifetime—it’s truly exhausting!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, My Lady, you mustn’t say such things—they’re unlucky..." Qiuxiang hurriedly tried to cover her mouth. Fortunately, the palace maids in the inner hall were all trusted aides, allowing them to speak freely without fear of gossip. They remained discreet nonetheless.

Chunlu chuckled and reminded her, "You’ll need to change how you address yourself soon."

"Yes, yes, yes. From now on, it will be Madame. Empress Madame..."

Xie Xun, as emperor, had to remain in the outer hall hosting banquets and celebrating with his ministers. Yet his heart had long since flown to Changshou Palace. The ministers’ congratulations entered one ear and exited the other. Xie Jue, noting his distraction, said helplessly, "Go back to the palace, then."