My heart paused. I looked up and met her eyes. After a moment of silence, I nodded."Yes."
Her expression didn't change." If the Emperor saw you today, would there be trouble?" she asked.”
I lowered my eyes and answered silently. She paused for a moment and did not ask me what was going on. She only said,"You performed very well today and achieved your goal, but you almost failed. You have to know that you won't be able to pass so easily every time.”
" There are some things you have to think about in advance. In the future, almost everything in the palace will be related to him. If I can see through it today, it's hard to guarantee that others won't understand it in the future." She looked at me and frowned slightly." A moment of true nature will tear apart the disguise you've been putting on for years and overturn all your plans. At that time, there won't be me to cover for you anymore.”
I was stunned. At this moment, I finally began to think.
From the moment Jing Tang showed up today, he had been trying to show off his strength. It wasn't that he wanted to suppress the Empress Dowager, but that he wanted to show off my weakness and make the Empress Dowager feel that I wasn't a threat. In fact, the Empress Dowager had summoned me into the palace at this time because she had predicted that Jing Tang would appear together. She simply wanted to find out our actual situation. The more Jing Tang spoke, the more he appeared to be strong on the outside but weak on the inside. The more the Empress Dowager would be at ease.
Even though Jing Yi's appearance was an accident, it was a normal thing in the palace. My reaction might seem timid to the Empress Dowager, but it was definitely suspicious to Jing Tang.
It was only now that I realized that I was able to avoid meeting Jing Yi today not because of luck or some inexplicable rules. It was because Jing Tang had made a radical move at the critical moment. After all, she and Jing Yi were relatives. The Empress Dowager was afraid that Jing Yi would agree to something on the spot, so she told me to avoid meeting Jing Yi. On the surface, it seemed like I had ruined Jing Tang's plan, but in reality, I was being used by him.
Before entering the palace, Jing Tang did not plan anything with me, nor did she answer any questions. All she wanted was for me to see the most realistic confrontation so that she could tell me about the dangers in the palace. Everything I saw and heard could be fake. I couldn't be careless with a single word or expression. I had to be careful and take every step carefully.
Jing Yi is right. He is my weakness, no matter what.
.
On August 12, the 12th year of Jianxuan, there was a good fortune. Emperor Jingyi of Jianxuan was appointed to marry the queen.
The empress was the emperor's wife and the master of the harem. She served the ancestral temple and inherited the future generations. Since the establishment of the Great Xia Dynasty, except for Emperor Jiande who had a special liking and did not stay in office for a long time, each dynasty had two to three or more empresses. However, only the direct descendants could sleep beside the emperor after their death. The rest of the descendants were either far away or built another mausoleum.
In the past, the title of a legitimate empress was conferred when the emperor ascended the throne or when he got married. This time, there was no precedent for a single conferment. It made the Ministry of Rites feel awkward for a while, afraid that it would be too extravagant and offend Rong Cheng's family.
No matter what, the scene was still much grander than conferring the title of heir.
A few days ago, five out of the six ceremonies had been completed. All of them were just people from the Imperial Astronomical Supervisor and the Ministry of Rites going through the motions. A few months ago, the date of the selection was set. There was no need for the ceremony to be held. The only thing left for the world to see was the welcoming ceremony.
Since the middle of the night, I was surrounded by a group of palace maids to dress up. The Empress's wedding makeup was no small matter. She had fine powder and rouge, black eyebrows and red lips. On her hair bun, a golden phoenix with beads in its mouth spread its wings and was about to fly. Around it were twelve golden jade tourmalines and stacked flowers on both sides, matched with a group of flowers. Under the exquisite workmanship, it was a heavy position and the suppression of never wanting to speak again.
There were a total of six layers inside and outside of the Empress's gown. The August weather made one breathless and irritable. It had wide sleeves and a wide collar, and the long skirt dragged on the ground. Many craftsmen had carefully made this gorgeous dress, which made the originally arrogant and murderous me look peerless and rich.
Six hours later, he stood in front of the mirror, surrounded by exclamations of praise.
I didn't say a word as I looked at myself in the mirror. I knew that behind this long burden was a dancing golden phoenix that extended from my neck to my feet. This bright red and yellow pattern was the identity I had always desired. When I finally wore it, my hands couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Receiving the imperial edict, receiving the golden book and seal, listening to my parents 'teachings, each of them was led by a special person. According to the established time and rules, I was meticulous. I allowed the people around me to fiddle with it, sometimes going in and out, sometimes kneeling. Occasionally, she would think," Thank goodness it's me. If it was an ordinary delicate woman, what kind of perseverance would she have to endure this entire day of etiquette? Even if she did, would she still be able to smile when facing the Emperor?"
Finally, it was time to set off. I lowered my head and stepped onto the Empress's palanquin that had been placed in the inner courtyard by the Imperial Astronomical Supervisor according to the auspicious location. I slowly sat down. I was the only one in the huge golden palanquin. The curtains fell. The moment I got on the palanquin, my eyes were steadily half-lowered. I didn't look at Jing Tang, who was equally calm, nor did I look at my worried father.
Several hours later, I finally left Rongcheng Manor. I was carried by sixteen people and was swaying slightly as I headed towards the latter half of my life. I didn't know whether I would be lucky or unlucky, but my heart was still filled with joy because that was the direction I had always longed for. There was a person who was also dressed in bright red and yellow waiting for me in front of the high-level.
There was a long line of guards of honor, and the front and back of the line stretched as far as the eye could see. The streets had long been set up, but I believed that there must be many people watching this rare scene from afar or near. The only one who could not see it was me.
Rites and music led a large group of people through the central imperial road of the capital to Zhengqing Gate. The Empress was the only harem woman who could be carried in through the main gate of the Imperial Palace. This was also the honor exclusive to the Di Empress. There would not be such an incident when the queen was conferred.
The moment I entered Zheng Qing School, the bell and drum rang together, causing the corners of my mouth to curve slightly. I knew that at this moment, there was no woman beside him who could compare to me.
After passing through the Ganyang Gate, there was an empty square. After passing through it, there was the main hall of the Ganyang Palace. The ceremonial carriages stopped here.
As Shangli's internal supervisor announced loudly, the curtains were lifted. I saw a straight red carpet on the imperial road. On both sides of the red carpet were a dark mass of people prostrating on the ground. Other than a few royal princes who were standing with their bodies bowed, hundreds of officials, regardless of their rank, were all present.
I helped Granny Shang Li out of the palanquin and stood still. The people beside me also retreated and knelt down. I was the only one left in the middle of the square. I walked towards the end of the red carpet and slowly walked towards the figure below the high level in the distance.
Outside the red carpet, there was another person walking diagonally in front of me. It was Shen Lin, the bridal envoy who had gone to pick me up on behalf of Jing Yi.
It was the highest courtesy that the royal family gave the Rongcheng family to have a prince pick up the bride. When I found out that it was him, I was worried that I would be exposed in advance. Unfortunately, Shen Lin did not enter the inner courtyard according to the rules in the Rongcheng residence. At this moment, he did not think of turning around to take a look.
So Jing Yi saw me first.
A hundred feet away, I could already see Jing Yi's expression change. The usually reserved man could not hide his shock at this moment. His usual handsome and arrogant face had long lost half of its original color. It was replaced by a shocked and angry expression that could not be unleashed. There was even a hint of flabbergasted resentment. I felt a little amused in my heart, but soon felt regretful. All the officials were bowing down at this moment. Other than me, the only one who could see this wonderful scene was Shen Lin.
When Shen Lin finally realized that something was wrong and turned around, I was greeted with a surprised and elegant face.
I smiled calmly. Facing his increasingly gloomy face, I still maintained my composure and displayed my elegance to the fullest. I steadily finished the last few steps.
Standing still, I met Jing Yi's dark eyes and smiled.""Long live the Emperor."
The person standing in front of this young emperor is the Empress.
This is the twelfth year of Jianxuan. Jing Yi is twenty-two years old, and I am seventeen.# Cancel all reviews: wdd201302 Time:111420185: 54PM #
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