Chen Yi's lips buzzed for a good while before he finally uttered, "Alright."

Seeing him agree, An Hou smiled lightly and said, "Bring your female companions to the palace as well. When you and Dong Gong Ruoshu are married within the palace, they can act as bridesmaids and bear witness to your wedding."

...............

Little Yin, Zhou Yitang, and Min Ming were all escorted into the palace.

As usual, An Hou exchanged pleasantries and spoke about everyday life. Within the palace, laughter echoed intermittently, while flaky pastries, soft cakes, and sweet desserts passed through the palace walls, forming an unbroken flow. Palatial maidens, their dresses swaying, moved about the long corridors.

Among these women, as expected, the daughter of King Xiang showed the greatest ability to win An Hou's favor—not only was her conversation appropriate, but her demeanor was both warm and measured. She knew how to flatter without appearing overly humble. Elders appreciated such juniors, always eager to give them red envelopes during festivals.

An Hou also followed this custom, immediately gifting her with a peace medallion and sprinklings of gold leaf. Yin Tingxue dedicated a poem in return, filled with auspicious and celebratory language.

That very evening, both the peace medallion and gold leaf bestowed by the Grand Empress were confiscated by Chen Yi.

Upon careful inspection, they were found to contain no hidden mechanisms.

This act of Chen Yi was, of course, reported by the palace maids to An Hou. Hearing this, An Hou found herself amused yet slightly exasperated, laughing at how heavily guarded his suspicions were. Didn't he realize that now, being in the palace under everyone's watchful eyes, such caution was utterly unnecessary?

As the wedding day approached, Chen Yi grew increasingly indulgent, summoning Dong Guifei from time to time. Along with Little Yin, these three women often shared a single bed, waking only after sunrise countless mornings.

An Hou had a few remarks about this—not because Chen Yi indulged in the pleasures of the flesh to the point of neglecting ambition, but because Dong Gong Ruoshu was clearly within the palace, just a few corridors away, yet Chen Yi didn't bother to visit her, nor did he see Lin Wanxiao, who would accompany the bride in marriage.

Whenever court ladies conveyed the Grand Empress's wishes, Chen Yi invariably declined politely, citing that it was improper to meet frequently before marriage.

Though his words seemed reasonable, coming from Chen Yi, they felt hollow. After all, since when had Chen Yi ever been one for adhering to decorum?

It must be rebellion—a small but palpable defiance against parental orders and arranged matchmaking.

Far from minding, An Hou found his behavior even more authentic, believing it to be a true expression of his nature. If Chen Yi suddenly became compliant in all matters, it wouldn't feel like Chen Yi at all; rather, it might stir suspicion.

Regardless, the wedding day was fast approaching.

To prevent complications, red lanterns were hung only in the inner court, while the outer court remained peaceful without any fanfare. Troublesome tasks like inspecting the dowry or rushing bridal preparations were entirely avoided. Customs such as distributing red steamed buns or carrying the bridal sedan through streets were greatly simplified.

Even the number of crying bridesmaids had been reduced by half.

On the wedding day itself, when the clumsy Dong Gong maiden first revealed her face to the guests, she burst into tears uncontrollably. She had devised a plan to disrupt the event by crying inside the bridal sedan, hoping to stall the proceedings. To assist her act, she had secretly peeled an onion.

"I don't want to marry, I don't want to wed!"

Dong Gong Ruoshu, skilled in martial arts, thwarted the efforts of several palace maids attempting to place her onto the bridal sedan. Even when stout palace women dragged and shoved her, her well-rounded rear still refused to fully enter the carriage.

Smack!

A sharp slap landed.

Dong Gong Ruoshu let out a pained grunt and turned back in embarrassment, finding the one who had slapped her wasn't anyone else but the groom himself—Chen Yi.

Behind Chen Yi stood a woman in phoenix robes, her figure graceful and poised.

Well then, with the main players now present, even crying inside the bridal sedan became impossible.

Dong Gong Ruoshu was hurriedly stuffed into the carriage. She thought of the ninety taels Yin Weiyin had given her, lifted the curtain, and shouted loudly:

"Chen Yi, I hate you!"

After yelling, she touched her slightly reddened and sore rear...

How did he turn out so lecherous?

Would her backside endure nightly torment under his hand?

Dong Gong Ruoshu shivered at the thought.

Rows upon rows of palace maids carried red lanterns, creating an endless procession. Paired with the red carpet beneath their feet, the scene was magnificent and awe-inspiring. Trees throughout the palace were adorned with silk brocade, marking not only the Lantern Festival but also this joyous occasion.

Music filled the air as strings and bamboo flutes played in harmony, unceasingly. Chen Yi, astride a majestic steed, donned the fiery red garb befitting a groom. Though somewhat flustered and uneasy, he managed to maintain his composure, escorting Dong Gong Ruoshu's eight-carrier sedan toward the wedding hall.

The palace had two venues for nuptials: one reserved for the Emperor's grand weddings, and the other for Princes and Princesses. Naturally, Chen Yi's wedding took place in the latter—a radiant hall within Ningfu Palace. Gold hues cascaded across the glazed rooftops of the three-entrance structure, which had been lavishly decorated. Here hung dazzling pendants, there dangled gold leaves, and above it all, An Hou's personally inscribed "May You Bear Many Sons" majestically loomed overhead.

The bridesmaids wore vivid crimson gowns. Within the crowd, Dong Gong Ruoshu caught sight of familiar figures; they were the ones tasked with accompanying her and Chen Yi to their bridal chamber.

Shortly after, Dong Gong Ruoshu was helped out of the sedan. Entering the hall, she saw a congregation of court ladies gathered for the ceremony, while atop a grand dais, a regal and majestic Empress sat elegantly.

No matter her grievances, learning that the Grand Empress would assume the role of elder parent for her wedding caused Dong Gong Ruoshu to feel somewhat flattered. However, she quickly regained her composure, displaying a semblance of Chen Ruoshu's natural grace as she was supported across the threshold by her maid Xiao Chan, adorned by the heavy phoenix crown on her head.

Chen Yi awaited inside the hall long before her arrival.

The groom and bride together performed the ceremonial bows to heaven and earth.

"First bow to the heavens and earth!"

With the help of palace maids, Chen Yi and Dong Gong Ruoshu knelt before the altar, dedicated to "Heaven, Earth, Monarch, Parent, and Mentor." Seated behind the altar was An Hou. This bow to the heavens and earth served both as a tribute to the spirits and as homage to the regal Empress herself.

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