The wedding procession was grand and imposing, with the thunderous sounds of flutes, xiao, drums, and other instruments filling the streets. Along the way, the common people crowded around to watch, their cheers and applause rising one after another, almost drowning out the ceremonial music.
Incense tables had been set up outside households along the streets as a gesture of respect and blessings toward the imperial family.
When the Crown Prince’s procession arrived at the Prince’s Residence, the entire estate was already decorated with lanterns and colorful ornaments, filled with a joyous atmosphere.
Inside Jiangxi Courtyard, Shen Tinghe was dressed in an elaborate and magnificent zhaiyi ceremonial gown, embroidered with pairs of golden phoenixes. Its long skirt trailed along the ground like a blooming peony.
Her elder brother, Shen Chengbai, had also made a special trip back to attend his younger sister’s wedding banquet.
Fifteen-year-old Shen Chengzhou was already almost as tall as his elder brother.
When he saw Shen Chengbai, his eyes darted around. He quickly stepped forward and blocked the doorway.
“Big Brother, you’ve traveled all this way back, so you must be tired. Let me carry Sister to the bridal sedan today.”
Shen Chengbai’s smile remained unchanged. He simply stepped forward and gently took Shen Chengzhou’s hand. With what seemed like an effortless tug, he pulled him aside.
“No need. I’m taller than you, and I’m steadier too. I’ll carry Yuanyuan.”
Pulled to the side, Shen Chengzhou pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.
Just wait, Big Brother. One day I’ll definitely grow taller than you.
Ning Mu walked over. He was the eldest son of Shen Tinghe’s maternal uncle, and today he was also dressed in a festive red brocade robe.
He patted Shen Chengzhou on the shoulder, then smiled at Shen Chengbai.
“All right, all right. You two brothers can argue over there. When A-Yuan comes out, I, as her cousin, will carry her.”
Amid the laughter and chatter, the auspicious hour finally arrived.
When the ceremonial announcement of “Bring out the bride!” came from outside, it was ultimately Shen Chengbai who carried his younger sister toward the bridal sedan.
He deliberately slowed his steps as he walked the distance from her boudoir to the sedan.
When they reached the bridal sedan, he stopped and turned his head. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he spoke to her slowly and clearly.
“A-Yuan, remember this. Your brother will always be here. No matter what happens in the palace from now on, don’t be afraid. Our A-Yuan only needs to live peacefully and enjoy her happiness.”
Shen Tinghe nodded hard, her voice choked with emotion yet exceptionally firm.
“Mm!”
She did not cry.
Today was the happiest day of her life, the beginning of a brand-new chapter. She told herself that the road ahead would surely be as happy and smooth as this moment.
Firecrackers exploded in unison, drums and music filled the heavens, and surrounded by the crowd, the bridal sedan slowly set off toward the imperial palace.
The bridal sedan was made from the finest rosewood, adorned with gold and jade. Exquisite golden bells hung from all four corners, while the body of the sedan was painted with the design of a hundred sons and a thousand descendants, symbolizing the imperial family flourishing with many branches and generations of descendants.
The return journey of the wedding procession was even more spectacular.
Court musicians led the way, playing the elegant melody of “The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate.”
In the middle came the guards escorting the bridal sedan and the procession carrying the bride’s dowry.
There were a full one hundred and eighty sets of dowry chests.
From fine silks and brocades to rare treasures and gold and silver vessels, every item displayed the wealth of the Prince’s Residence and the importance the family placed on their beloved daughter.
Upon returning to the imperial palace, the grand wedding ceremony was held in the magnificent Taiji Hall.
Inside the hall, civil and military officials stood in two orderly rows, dressed in their formal court robes.
The Emperor sat upon the Dragon Throne, receiving the kneeling bows of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
“First, bow to Heaven and Earth. Second, bow to your parents. Husband and wife, bow to each other…”
The ceremonial officer’s voice was loud and solemn. Every part of the ceremony was carried out with meticulous precision, following the rites established by their ancestors.
From this moment onward, the names of the two of them were bound together and recorded in the history books.
For all generations to come.
As night deepened, a bright full moon hung high in the sky.
Xie Yanzhao held Shen Tinghe’s hand as they stepped into their bridal chamber.
Dragon-and-phoenix wedding candles burned quietly, their flickering flames bathing the entire room in a warm, hazy glow.
The moment the door closed, Xie Yanzhao could no longer restrain himself.
He lifted the red veil embroidered with a golden phoenix and lowered his head to kiss her lips. His kiss was urgent, yet he did not forget to be gentle, like someone who had endured a long drought finally receiving sweet rain.
“Yuanyuan, my darling, you’re finally mine.”
Shen Tinghe was completely enveloped in his broad embrace. Standing on tiptoe, she responded to his kiss with inexperienced movements.
As their lips and tongues intertwined, she felt dizzy, even her breathing stolen away by him. All she could manage were broken little whimpers between breaths.
“Brother… Crown Prince Brother… gentler…”
Xie Yanzhao pulled back slightly, turbulent emotions surging in his eyes. His hand moved toward her waist, beginning to loosen the complicated ties of her magnificent wedding dress.
“Darling,” he murmured in a husky voice, coaxing her gently, “you should call me differently now.”
As the ties loosened, Shen Tinghe suddenly remembered something. She placed her soft hand against his chest.
“Wait… we haven’t drunk the nuptial wine yet…”
Xie Yanzhao paused.
He treasured this wedding ceremony and did not want to omit any of the traditional rites.
So he lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the round table covered with red silk. Instead of putting her down, he sat on the stool and let her settle onto his lap.
Their arms intertwined as they drank the wine together. It was spicy on the tongue, yet sweet at the same time.
Before the wine cup had even been set down properly, his kiss descended once again, the scent of wine carried between their lips. This time, the kiss was more lingering and more possessive than before.
……
Inside the red gauze canopy, candle wax had accumulated in thick layers.
Shen Tinghe was wrapped tightly in the quilt, curled up in the corner of the bed. Her exposed shoulders and neck were covered with deep and faint red marks, and tears gathered in her eyes, threatening to fall. Her voice had already become pitifully hoarse.
“Brother… please spare me… I really can’t anymore…”
They had already called for water twice.
Her entire body was weak and sore, and she could not even lift her fingertips, as though she had been completely taken apart and put back together again.
Yet the man before her still had a burning gaze. His sweat-dampened chest rose and fell beneath the candlelight, displaying the satisfaction of a man who was fulfilled yet still unwilling to stop.
He reached out and took hold of her slender ankle. With a slight pull, he drew her back toward him.
“Don’t you like it, darling? Your husband is simply giving you his all…”
His words disappeared beneath another kiss.
Shen Tinghe was utterly speechless with helplessness.
At first, she had liked it. After all, Xie Yanzhao’s looks and physique were right there before her, and he had indeed sent her soaring into a trembling state of bliss.
But now she really could not take any more.
Quite literally.
She was completely spent.
……
Shen Tinghe was pressed against the table, with his scorching chest against her back.
“Husband… husband… please.”
Xie Yanzhao kissed the back of her neck and murmured in a deep, obsessive voice,
“Darling, you’re mine. You always will be.”
……
In the enormous bathing pool, Shen Tinghe sat in his arms.
Xie Yanzhao let out a satisfied sigh, tightening his arms around her waist as he chuckled softly beside her ear.
“Darling, does this count as attacking the Crown Prince?”
Shen Tinghe did not want to listen to him at all. Her mind was already hazy, and she could barely understand what he was saying.
She bit down hard on the soft flesh at the side of Xie Yanzhao’s neck, as though she wanted to return to him all the sensations he had given her.
Xie Yanzhao tilted his head back, his Adam’s apple rolling. Wild desire surged in his beautiful eyes, while the corners of his eyes were tinged red.
So good.
When they returned to the bed, the sounds still did not stop.
Outside the room, Qingxu and Qingyu could not help worrying.
Qingyu whispered, “Why hasn’t it ended yet? Can Miss really handle it?”
Qinglan replied, “It’s fine. His Highness surely knows his limits.”
Even Qinglan herself felt guilty saying those words.
The sounds inside the room continued throughout the entire night. Water was called for six times, and it was only when the sky began to lighten that Xie Yanzhao finally stopped.
Shen Tinghe curled up beneath the brocade quilt, her long black hair spread across the pillow.
Xie Yanzhao moved close behind her and gathered her completely into his arms. Listening to her steady, even breathing, his heart was filled with a sense of fulfillment unlike anything he had ever known.
Outside the hall, Qingxu and Qingyu exchanged a glance and finally breathed a sigh of relief.