The room was noisy, quickly drowning out the voices. Fortunately, Mei Xin rushed over with the bright red wedding dress and said urgently, "Auntie, the wedding dress is here. Hurry and put it on, the auspicious hour is almost here."
Mu Qingyao stood up. The two women were flustered and in a hurry. With great effort, they helped her put on the wedding dress. After some adjustments, the dress was finally arranged.
The bright red wedding dress, alluring like blood, was embroidered with golden threads in the pattern of a phoenix spreading its wings, lifelike and radiant, as if ready to soar thousands of miles into the sky and roam the heavens at any moment.
The cuffs and collar were outlined with opulent peonies. Peonies are the queen of flowers, the king among them, exuding regal luxury. The phoenix is a divine bird, the most spiritual creature between heaven and earth. On this bright red wedding dress, peonies bloomed side by side, and phoenixes spread their wings. Amidst the noble opulence, it was as if auspicious clouds were swirling around.
Mu Qingyao's gentle gaze fell upon the hollowed-out, flower-inlaid bronze mirror.
The vibrant red reflected on her fair, delicate face, appearing as lovely as powder and as radiant as a peach blossom. Her water-like eyes, shimmering and lustrous like grapes, held clear and transparent waves of light.
The striking red and the snow-white made a stark contrast. The wedding dress appeared even redder, and her skin seemed more tender. Yet, despite such a captivating and peerless demeanor, it brought her no joy. It only made her see the weight behind the red.
Outside the mansion gates, the melodious notes of silk and bamboo music penetrated the winding corridors and drifted leisurely into Qing Yuan. It was the famous melody "Feng Qiu Huang."
Upon hearing that the imperial band had arrived, the room became even more chaotic. Four imperial nannies hurried forward to help, "Where is the phoenix robe? And the apple?"
"Here, here," a young maid found the two items and handed them over.
"Come, Your Majesty the Empress, put on the phoenix robe and hold the apple. It symbolizes auspiciousness and prosperity from now on," the nanny advised Mu Qingyao solicitously.
Mu Qingyao held the apple, her eyes unblinking. Could holding this apple truly bring auspiciousness and prosperity? If so, she would gladly use all her hands and feet to hold apples. However, she knew from the very beginning that this had nothing to do with romance.
This was a game of chess, and she only wished to withdraw unscathed.
The vast expanse of red obscured the light from above. The crying of the young maids Xiao Lian and Lu Er reached her ears. These two maids had been crying since last night, and now, seeing their young lady leave, they began to cry heartbrokenly.
"Miss, where will we go after you leave?"
"Miss,"
The young maids standing in the chamber all wiped away their tears. Although their young lady was aloof, she treated her servants very well. Everyone had grown to like her, but now she was entering the palace.
Su Ge, with tear-blurred eyes, gazed at the woman before her, clad in the bright red wedding dress and covered by the phoenix robe. Her soft voice rang out, "Yao'er, be careful about everything after you enter the palace."
"Thank you, Auntie."
Her voice, faint and distant, seemed to come from an ancient world, carrying the elegance of the wind.
Urgent footsteps echoed from outside the room. Prime Minister Mu, leading the steward, hurried over, anxiously asking, "Is it ready? Is it ready? The imperial phoenix carriage has arrived. Your Majesty, please board the carriage. Don't be late for the auspicious hour."
"Miss, let's go."
Mo Chou and Mei Xin, on either side, supported their young lady and slowly walked out. The four nannies and the palace eunuchs and maids followed closely, making their way out. Inside the chamber, there was a soft sound of sniffles and sighs.
Mu Qingyao did not look back. Her cool, lake-like eyes pierced through the swaying phoenix robe, focusing on the apple in her hand and the bright red carpet beneath her feet. She allowed the two maids beside her to guide her all the way to the main gate.
It was a road that was not long, but walking it now felt endlessly vast. The future truly seemed so long. Entering the palace this time, whether it was a blessing or a curse, she could not escape.
As they neared the main gate, their path was blocked at a turn. Judging by the embroidered shoes peeking from beneath the phoenix robe, it was likely the eldest and second young ladies of the Mu family. The two spoke gently, "Sister, your elder sisters are here to see you off."
"Thank you," Mu Qingyao did not want to engage. These two women would soon be summoned to the palace by the Empress Dowager, and they would meet again then.
In fact, this time, if they had not been bewitched by Murong Liuzun, and had insisted on not entering the palace, the Empress Dowager would have been powerless against them.
Who knew that these two women would refuse to shed tears until they saw the coffin? So be it, let them enter the palace. However, whether they could withdraw unscathed remained to be seen.
The three sisters bid farewell. A cautious nanny reminded Prime Minister Mu.
"Prime Minister, the auspicious hour has arrived."
"Yao'er, let's go, let's go. Don't miss the auspicious hour set by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Let's go out."
"Yes, Father," Mu Qingyao said slowly.
She respected this man who had shown her affection. If not for him, she would not have had to enter the palace. With that money, she could have left and found refuge in one of the seven kingdoms. But she could not do such a thing. For him, for the Mu Estate, she had to enter the palace. Then, she would find a way to leave.
In front of the Mu Estate gate, the entire household of the Mu family, along with many guests, knelt in unison on both sides of the main gate, gazing at the figures walking on the bright red carpet – the Empress of the current dynasty.
"Your subjects respectfully send off Her Majesty the Empress."
Mu Qingyao, her voice clear and cool from behind the bright red phoenix robe, spoke in a calm and restrained manner, "Rise."
Her faint voice carried a magical aura, making it impossible for anyone to object. As her voice faded, the crowd rose and lined up on both sides.
Outside the mansion gates, the music of "Feng Qiu Huang" had concluded, and the procession came to a halt.
The eight thousand iron cavalry dispatched by the Ministry of War formed an impenetrable wall, guarding the luxurious phoenix carriage. The carriage was adorned with luminous pearls at its four corners, and its silk curtains were veiled with beaded fringes. The opulence and grandeur of royalty were evident.
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau stood by the phoenix carriage. Seeing that Her Majesty the Empress had arrived, a sonorous voice cut through the crowd, surging forward like waves.
"Please, Your Majesty the Empress, board the phoenix carriage."
The eunuchs simultaneously shouted, "Please, Your Majesty the Empress, board the phoenix carriage."
With the three shouts, Mu Qingyao, supported by Mo Chou and Mei Xin, bid farewell to Prime Minister Mu and gracefully boarded the carriage, heading towards the imperial palace of the Xuanyue Kingdom.
On both sides of the street, soldiers stood in neat rows, and not a single figure was visible. Soldiers were stationed every three steps, and officials every five steps, all maintaining extreme caution.
Today was the day of Emperor Xuan's grand wedding. It was said that Emperor Xuan attached great importance to this wedding. Any slight mishap could result in the beheading of entire families.
Therefore, these soldiers were extremely cautious, not daring to even blink. As long as they passed their designated section, they would be safe. If an incident occurred in someone else's section, it would be none of their concern.
The carriage moved forward smoothly.
The streets were deserted, with only the sounds of silk and bamboo music lingering in the air, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of hooves.