Lan Qinglun and Xiao Yao exchanged glances, then calmly accepted the order: "Your Majesty, rest assured, we will have the Imperial Guards mingle with the crowd in plain clothes to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress."
"Good. This matter must not be taken lightly. You may withdraw and make arrangements."
Shangguan Yin waved his hand, and Lan Qinglun and Xiao Yao withdrew, heading straight to the Ministry of War to begin their preparations.
In the main hall of Qingxiao Palace, Shangguan Yin rubbed his forehead and softly called out, "Zi Yang."
Zi Yang entered from outside the hall, bowing respectfully, "Your Majesty."
"Deploy everyone you have at your disposal. There must not be the slightest mistake."
Zi Yang respectfully bowed and accepted the command, "Your subordinate obeys."
Shangguan Yin waved his hand. After Zi Yang retreated, a slight smile played on his handsome features, his eyes flashing with sharpness as he stared intently into the air.
Ye Jingyi, if you dare to show your face this time, I will not grant you a swift death. I will make sure you die a miserable death.
He would absolutely not allow anything to happen to Xiao'er. Thinking of Yun Xiao, his dark eyes softened, and a faint smile touched his lips.
In a few more days, it would be their wedding day. He had been handling state affairs diligently these past few days, clearing up the backlog of work. After the wedding, he would spend quality time with Xiao'er.
The thought prompted Shangguan Yin to stand up and head to the Imperial Study to attend to matters, not allowing himself a moment of idleness.
Following the Imperial decree, the next occasion was the wedding day.
The Yun Prince's Estate was still bustling. Three days before the wedding, a banquet was held to entertain the court ministers.
As many high-ranking officials would be kneeling before the Queen's Gate to pay homage to Her Majesty the Empress on the wedding day, they would not have the time to attend a banquet at the Yun Prince's Estate. Therefore, imperial weddings typically commenced with a banquet three days prior.
Many of the court ministers and their consorts were eager to catch a glimpse of the future Empress. However, Yun Xiao remained like a secluded maiden, evading their calls.
Among them, she met only one person: Ye Wuyun, the foremost gentleman of Yanjing.
Upon Ye Wuyun's visit, Yun Xiao instructed her servants to invite him into Yuxuan.
The afternoon sun was warm, casting a gentle glow from the sky, filling the surroundings with freshness. The two strolled in the backyard of Yuxuan. The winter plum blossoms had faded, and the peonies, azaleas, camellias, and other flowers were about to make their debut, signaling the imminent arrival of spring.
Following the bluestone path, they walked and talked.
"Why didn't you come the last time I asked you to administer acupuncture?"
Yun Xiao asked softly, glancing at the person beside her.
Today, Ye Wuyun was clad in a light purple robe, his waist cinched with a black jade belt embroidered with golden patterns, exuding an air of nobility. His usually pale skin had a faint flush, revealing a normal complexion. Yun Xiao couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.
It seemed he had bled himself and hadn't discontinued his medication. His cold poison was likely much improved.
"I didn't want to trouble you. Weren't you busy with your wedding preparations? I've been bleeding myself and taking decoctions. I'm mostly recovered, and I believe in a few more days, there will be no major issues."
"That's good."
Yun Xiao nodded and said no more. A light glow of jade graced Ye Wuyun's face, his smile gentle. He slowly stopped and took out a magnificent brocade box from his embrace.
"I still owe you a favor. Come to me whenever you need something. This is my wedding gift to you."
Yun Xiao accepted it. It felt quite heavy, and she wondered what was inside. She looked up and said with a smile, "Thank you, but I will still claim that favor. Don't think of settling it with a gift."
Ye Wuyun smirked again, his laughter as elegant as flowing water. Yun Xiao was momentarily captivated.
This man, from their first meeting, had always been so refined.
Even until the end, throughout their journey, he remained the same elegant person. When they were on the street and he mistook them for beggars, he had immediately given them some silver. In truth, at that time, he was a truly kind-hearted person towards them.
"I won't renege on it."
Ye Wuyun's clear voice rang out. He stopped and turned to look at her, his gaze distant and prolonged, as if something was burgeoning and something was perishing. Then, he spoke in a gentle tone, "Then I shall take my leave. I still have matters to attend to at the establishment."
"Alright, I'll have someone escort you."
"No need," Ye Wuyun had already turned to leave. A tangle of bitterness welled up in his heart, not the kind that caused unbearable pain, nor the kind that led to despair, but it was still difficult to bear. He didn't understand what was happening to him.
His heart seemed to have sunk without him noticing, and it was only on her wedding day that he felt such a pang. However, some things, once missed, were truly missed. He could only offer her his blessings.
Yun Xiao watched his tall, elegant figure, reminiscent of a slender bamboo, recede into the distance. It seemed a bit desolate, but she immediately dismissed the thought. How could the usually carefree and aloof Ye Wuyun have a desolate back? She casually opened the brocade box in her hands.
Inside lay a jade carving of a person, lifelike and luminous. It was remarkably similar to someone. Upon closer inspection, it bore some resemblance to herself.
Yun Xiao couldn't help but look up. Ye Wuyun was nowhere to be seen. A gentle breeze brushed against her cheek, and the cold aura of the jade carving transmitted from her fingertips to her heart. She smiled, understanding something, yet understanding nothing.
She simply put it away, cherishing a sliver of beauty hidden away in an unseen corner, immersing herself in the past.
The fifteenth of the first lunar month was the Lantern Festival. This day was more grand and lively than any previous festival.
It was the wedding day of the Emperor of Dong Qin. The imperial edict had long been issued, and the common folk were well aware of it. Firecrackers exploded deafeningly.
The streets and alleys were crowded with people, the laneways overflowing. Red carpets embroidered with dragons and phoenixes sprawled from the outer palace gates, along the most prosperous Jiuhua Street, all the way to the entrance of the Yun Prince's Estate.
The Yun Prince's Estate was a sea of people early in the morning, with guests filling the premises, including relatives, friends, and influential merchants and officials.
In Yuxuan, two court female officials dispatched by the Emperor, along with two elderly wet nurses, busied themselves in the room, cleansing and applying makeup to the bride.
As noon approached, they had just begun these tasks, fearing they might miss the auspicious hour and incur the Emperor's displeasure. However, their new mistress was unlike ordinary people. On such a joyous occasion, she had slept soundly, then woken up, eaten breakfast, and only then allowed them to begin their work.
This was likely the first empress in history to sleep soundly on her wedding day, not only resting peacefully but also enjoying a hearty meal, as if afraid of going hungry. After all, a bride was supposed to fast until the evening when she could eat things like peanuts and dates, symbolizing early childbirth, and then drink the nuptial wine with the Emperor.
However, the female officials and wet nurses dared not say much, as they had heard that the Emperor doted on this new Empress. Furthermore, they knew this new Empress was not someone to be trifled with. She had previously feigned madness and attacked people in the palace, even striking the former false emperor. Thus, it was best to be cautious.
From morning until noon, they completed the makeup. Then came the wedding attire. The white wedding dress was unlike anything anyone had seen before, and they were unsure how to manage it. Yun Xiao personally put it on. However, her neck was bare, lacking any matching adornments. Gold and silver jewelry appeared vulgar and did not complement the wedding dress. She seemed to have forgotten about this, a pained expression on her face.