Chapter 88: The Ceremony
The ceremony for conferring the title of Imperial Consort was not a very lively event, but it would be very grand. There were many etiquettes and rituals to be followed. Liyou patiently accompanied Anhui to complete each one. Deep in her bones, Liyou was actually a very traditional person, with a strong sense of responsibility and etiquette. Although she personally thought the marriage customs here were very troublesome, since she wanted to confer him a name, she would properly give him everything he deserved. She did not want to make Anhui feel wronged at all.
It was not actually a huge deal for the Empress to marry a consort. Many consorts in the harem did not even have such a formal ceremony. Usually, due to an Imperial decree after one night’s grace, one could be considered a consort. If the Empress were to encounter someone she really cared about, then maybe, the Empress would conduct the ceremony of marrying a consort, worshiping at the ancestral temple, visiting the King Dowager and the other elders and exchanging the cups of wine between the couple in the bridal room. After all this commotion, Anhui felt a little lightheaded, but a faint smile lingered on the corner of his mouth the entire time, making his entire person appear much softer.
At this time, Liyou donned a dark red brocade robe with an auspicious dragon and phoenix design while Anhui was wearing a bright red wedding robe of the same style. The two stood in front of the ancestral temple to worship the ancestors and everyone in the harem, headed by Luo Yu, accompanied them. Luo Yu was still dressed in silver robes, but his expression was much colder than before. Different from Qin Ning’s aloofness, Luo Yu’s coldness was deeply embedded in his bones. No one in the room dared to look at him. Everyone could sense the chill emanating from him and they all had their own guesses in their hearts as to who was so bold and dared to anger the King Dowager.
Liyou naturally noticed the change in Luo Yu but what she felt was different from others. Luo Yu’s coldness only felt a little shard of ice. But this ice was not something that had been frozen for ten thousand years. It was but a fragile piece of ice that could be shattered at the touch of a finger. It seemed that because she had not visited Luo Yu these past few weeks, Luo Yu’s life had not been very good. Perhaps she should carve out some time for him.
Liyou took Anhui’s hand, withdrew her thoughts and focused her attention on the person in front of her.
“Empress, Imperial Consort Ying, the sacrificial offering ceremony has concluded. The next part is to pay homage to the elders. Your Majesty, would you like to accompany Imperial Concubine YIng?” Feng Ying asked.
Liyou glanced at Anhui. Logically speaking, meeting the elders was considered to be like training. It was to let the younger concubines learn how to respect their elders. If she went, it would make Luo Yu and Luo Weiqing feel uncomfortable.
“Anhui, you go. Zhen will wait here for you.” Liyou patted Anhui’s hand lightly, reassuring the man.
Anhui nodded and walked in the direction of Luo Yu and Luo Weiqing by himself. Kneeling down, he saluted, “This consort greets the King Dowager, may Your Majesty live for thousands of years! Greeting the King Consort, may Your Majesty live for thousands of years!”
Luo Yu pursed his lips tightly and his eyes only stayed on Anhui’s body for a moment before he directed his gaze at Qianhe Liyou!
Luo Weiqing stood at the side nervously. He had wanted to tell Anhui to arise, but not to mention the Empress’ watchful gaze, even if there were no outsiders present, he would not embarrass the Empress’ newly conferred consort. He was not such a petty person, but if the King Dowager stood to the side and hadn’t done anything, how could it be his turn to act?
When Liyou met with Luo Yu’s gaze, she seemed to detect blame in those eyes. Liyou was a little baffled. What did she do? Why did he look at her like this? As if she had done something to make him unhappy. She had already distanced herself from him, was that not enough?
Feeling that she had not done anything wrong, Liyou returned the gaze coldly, showing no sign of weakness. Currently, her only thoughts were, if Luo Yu wanted to embarrass Anhui, she would not allow her man to be wronged.
Luo Yu could make out Liyou’s eyes clearly and the strangeness and iciness in that look was very obvious, making Luo Yu feel depressed. Just what was that look? Why was he feeling more dissatisfied now? Or was it due to the man kneeling in front of him…
Luo Yu redirected his gaze back to Anhui and Anhui continued to kneel on the ground in a respectful manner. But Luo Yu felt extremely uncomfortable no matter how much he looked! This must have been one of the men in the hot spring that day. He was the Empress’ current favorite. Was it because of this man that the Empress was so indifferent to him and no longer looked at him with eyes that made his heart beat faster…..
“Father, please allow Anhui to get up. Zhen is waiting.” While Luo Yu was drowning in his own silence, Liyou had already walked over and said this in a cold voice.
Startled, Luo Yu instinctively retorted, “What if bengong doesn’t want to?” After those words fell, Luo Yu finally realized what he said, the tone of his voice not at all like his usual self.
Liyou’s face turned pale and she could not understand just when Luo Yu had become so willful and even said such inappropriate words at such an occasion.
“Anhui, get up, the greetings are over.” Liyou not only said this, but also leaned forward to support Anhui up. Anhui did not dare to refuse but felt a little embarrassed and whispered in the Empress’ ear, “Your Majesty, this consort is fine, no need for this….”
When they were in the hot springs that time, he had sensed that there was something amiss between the Empress and the King Dowager. He used to think that the Empress had some strange thoughts about the King Dowager, but it looked like that was no longer the case. It was just that, no matter what, he did not want to be the factor for the deteriorating relationship between the two and exacerbate the conflict. They were father and daughter after all.
“It is fine. Anhui, no need to worry.” Sensing the worry in Anhui’s tone, Liyou revealed a comforting smile and this smile was even more dazzling in Luo Yu’s eyes.
Luo Yu did not want to say any more inappropriate words, but he also did not want Liyou to feel that he was angry. Hence, he turned around and left. Why stay here then?
Liyou indifferently watched Luo Yu leave, took Anhui’s hand and led him back to the bridal chambers. Today was her wedding night, she did not want anything affecting her good mood.
“Your Majesty, Niangniang, the cups of wine.” The bridal chambers had been decorated festively, with a joyful red color everywhere. A pitcher of wine, half-baked dumplings stuffed with peanuts and plates of exquisitely made dim sum was handed over, the luxurious sight dazzling to behold. At this time, Liyou and Anhui were standing in front of that table. Feng Ying filled two goblets with wine and invited them to drink together.
Liyou and Anhui each held their respective goblet. Their eyes met in the air, each movement full of tenderness.
“After drinking this, you are Zhen’s man and you are no longer allowed to wrong yourself in the future. Understood?” That was all the words she had for Anhui.
“This consort knows and only hopes that the Empress can always be happy.” He understood, of course he did. He had heard the Empress say such things many times and he would be truly an idiot if he did not understand after all that. In his heart, he only wished for the Empress to be happy and that she would no longer have to worry about state and family affairs.
Liyou smiled lightly, intertwined arms with Anhui and took a lover’s shot. At this point, the cereomony was over and Feng Ying retreated with the palace attendants, leaving the space reserved for the Empress.
As the candles burned brightly in the bridal chambers, while the newlyweds had a sleepless night, the night was still long. Some people were overjoyed, while others were worried…
…
The war raged on and finally, half a month later, the gratifying news that the Sang Empire had asked for peace arrived. The armies of Jiang Hangyang and Mu Qingwan had already laid siege to the city and although the Empress of the Sang Empire had deployed troops, she had found herself trapped in the isolated city. She had no other choice but to surrender and seek peace!
“Your Majesty, the Sang Empire is surrendering, should our armies withdraw or not?” Long Xizhao asked frenziedly. This kind of victory was the biggest victory in the past millennium. How could people not feel excited?
“What does beloved Minister Long think?” Liyou did not answer the question. Regarding the peace talks, Li Yao had already drafted up a secret document. The terms and conditions were very comprehensive and it was extremely entertaining to read. Li Yao was called the Confucious-like Prime Minister, but this treaty was extremely harsh and demanding. One could estimate that the Empress of the Sang Empire would probably vomit blood after reading such a harsh treaty.
“This minister thinks…Your Majesty, it does not matter what this minister thinks, the Empress’ thoughts matter more! Now matter how much this minister thinks, unless the Empress agrees, it is useless for me to talk.” Long Xizhao deliberately showed a bitter expression and secretly glanced at the Empress.
“Say whatever you want, no need to test Zhen.” Looking at Long Xizhao’s wily appearance, Liyou bluntly answered. She always felt that Long Xizhao had the same thoughts as her!
“Yes, this minister will be straightforward then. Major events will occur. That which has been long divided must unify and that which is long unified must divide. Hundreds of years of division, disputes among the five countries, erupting wars, the battle has only just begun. This war will not end simply due to the Sang Empire’s peace treaty. The next battle will come again in the near future. Qianhe has been hiding her strength for a long time. Although there is still a lack of preparation in regards to supplies, this minister believes that once the battlefield clears, it will be us who are the victor sin the end. The expansion of territory is the glory of a dynasty and it is also Your Majesty’s meritorious service.” Now that her speech had come to an end, she believed that all civil and military officials in the entire dynasty should understand what she meant!”
Liyou was silent, her eyes roaming around the ministers. Noticing Li Yao’s suddenly enlightened expression, hehe, this Li Yao had yet to realize then. All she had been preoccupied with was how to negotiate peace after the Sang Empire’s defeat and how to maximize the benefits for Qianhe. But, she had never thought about fundamentally occupying the Sang Empire and annexing it. Long Xizhao was worthy of being the representative of the new faction of ministers, such radical thoughts coincided with hers entirely!
“Your Majesty, this minister believes that Minister Long’s words must be considered and act on very carefully. This is a matter related to the demise of a country, but this minister also feels that Minister Long’s words are feasible. Please think twice before acting!” Li Yao’s meaning was also very obvious. As long as the Empress gave it some consideration and believed that Long Xizhao’s words were feasible, then she would agree!
Looking at her two confidant ministers, hopping in place so excitedly, she was not surprised in her heart. As a minister, it was one’s duty to hope for the blooming prosperity of their country. It was an honor to expand territory and conquer. The minister of a strong country was comparable to the leader of a weak country. How could she not understand such a truth?
“Since that is the case, let us leave it like that. Qianhe had already begun peace negotiations with the Sang Empire but had a change of heart. We will announce to the world our intentions to refuse peace talks. The Qianhe army will completely wipe out the invaders on behalf of the Qianhe people and make it so that the name “Sang” is but a name for the history books.
Liyou had long decided to do this. Since war had become an inevitable catastrophe among the five major countries and since all countries had made sufficient preparations, Qianhe would change its passive stance to one of aggression. This was the only way they could project the people that belonged to Qianhe, her subjects!
TN: New chapter! Stay safe and happy everyone! ❤
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