Upon hearing this news, Shen Xihe merely smiled. As time turned to the third month, peach blossoms were in full bloom, their fragrance filling the streets. The Crown Prince’s wedding was celebrated throughout the nation.

Before dawn, Shen Xihe arose to bathe. Her cascading black hair loose, wearing light inner garments, she sat before the bronze mirror while the wedding matron cleansed her face. This wasn’t just any wedding matron – she was a former female official from the palace who had served many noble ladies. However, she rarely encountered someone like Shen Xihe, whose skin was as smooth as glazed jade, with barely any fine hairs to remove, making the process almost ceremonial.

“The Princess possesses natural beauty. With just a touch of makeup, you’ll outshine all others,” the wedding matron praised as she stepped back, allowing the palace female officials to apply her makeup.

During the makeup application, Shen Xihe watched carefully, offering her own opinions. She rejected anything too heavy, and since her wedding attire was elegant and light-colored, the female officials had to follow her preferences.

An hour later, Shen Xihe was fully prepared. Two female officials together placed the phoenix crown adorned with pearl pendants on her glossy black hair. The crown’s phoenix wings appeared lifelike, its edges decorated with large northern pearls. Fine gold chains strung with rice-sized pearls formed a curtain veil, partially concealing her beautiful face.

Zhenzhu took from the female historian a fan decorated with large red peonies and scattered pearls, passing it to Shen Xihe.

Holding the fan’s handle to cover her face, Shen Xihe sat gracefully in the vermillion gold-detailed pavilion, supported by Hongyu and Biyu, waiting for the Eastern Palace’s wedding procession.

The sound of gongs and drums and general commotion came from outside – the Eastern Palace had arrived for the bride. Shen Xihe’s long lashes trembled slightly.

Following the ceremonial official’s lead, she walked out holding her fan, step by step along the red carpet. In the main hall, Xiao Huayong stood in formal attire that perfectly complemented her wedding dress. Standing tall and jade-like, perhaps due to the joyous occasion, he remarkably showed no trace of illness today.

His black pupils gleamed with silver light, he gazed deeply at her as she approached step by step. They first bowed to each other before turning to bid farewell to Shen Yueshan.

Ziyu brought forward the kneeling cushion. Supported by Hongyu, Shen Xihe knelt. Though Xiao Huayong technically didn’t need to kneel given the distinction between ruler and subject, he still knelt alongside Shen Xihe, causing gasps among the observers.

In fact, in many noble weddings, the groom would typically only bow deeply to the bride’s elders.

At this moment, Shen Xihe wasn’t concerned with Xiao Huayong. She had maintained her composure until now, but the instant she knelt, her eyes suddenly stung and misted over. She tried to control these emotions with her usual self-discipline, but for some reason, she couldn’t. Her voice carried an unmistakable quaver: “Your daughter, first bow, in gratitude for Father’s nurturing grace.”

With these words, Shen Xihe bowed deeply, and Xiao Huayong followed, both bowing to Shen Yueshan.

As she straightened, tears escaped unbidden from Shen Xihe’s eyes. She took a light, deep breath to steady her emotions: “Second bow, in thanks for Father’s guidance and love.”

Shen Yueshan wanted to help Shen Xihe up. In his life, he had rarely been moved to tears, except on the battlefield watching young, brave faces fall in bloody combat. He couldn’t remember crying at any other time.

Now, watching his precious pearl of fifteen years marry another, his eyes grew bloodshot, but he had to clench his fists and remain seated, receiving her farewell bows.

Crystalline tears fell onto her wedding dress as Shen Xihe bowed again, spreading into faint watermarks. She slowly straightened: “Third bow, bidding farewell to Father. Henceforth as a wife, I shall never forget Father’s teachings.”

Shen Xihe bowed deeply, remaining down for a long moment. Shen Yueshan rose to hold her shoulders and help her up, his eyes crimson: “Having found a worthy match, our house is honored; may you build a harmonious home and share white hair forever.”

Shen Yueshan took the face-covering fan from Zhenzhu and gave it to Shen Xihe, then took her other hand and placed it in Xiao Huayong’s.

Xiao Huayong grasped Shen Xihe’s hand tightly and said to Shen Yueshan: “Honored by Father-in-law’s trust, entrusting your pearl to me, this beauty of the embroidered chamber, I shall surely treasure her. Living together in one home, dying together in one grave, my heart is as clear as the bright sun.”

Shen Yueshan could say nothing more, only managing a forced smile and repeating “good” three times: “Good, good, good.”

Just then, the auspicious time for departure was announced. Shen Yueshan released his hold on Shen Xihe’s shoulders and waved to her.

Shen Xihe used her fan to hide her tearful eyes, performed another graceful curtsy to Shen Yueshan, then walked step by step along the red carpet to the wedding carriage, supported by Xiao Huayong.

A tall guard stood by the carriage. Xiao Huayong mounted his horse, and the guard extended his hand: “Be careful, Crown Princess.”

Shen Xihe’s body stiffened. She stared at the guard – his face was unfamiliar, but his eyes were familiar. Her lips trembled slightly. The guard smiled faintly at her: “Please board the carriage, Crown Princess.”

Shen Xihe concealed her shock and took his hand. Step by step, she climbed the wooden steps and entered the carriage. Red gauze decorated with golden flowers obscured her view, but she watched the tall guard as the carriage began moving toward the palace gates, tears falling once again.

Suddenly she lowered her head and smiled, looking at Xiao Huayong’s imposing figure riding his tall horse ahead, her eyes soft with tenderness.

For the Crown Prince’s wedding, the streets were swept clean. The Golden Guard stood solemnly every five paces. The wedding procession traveled from the Princess’s mansion to the palace’s Vermillion Bird Gate, with common people craning their necks to look from behind the guards, while music drifted on the clear breeze.

Xiao Changying had followed on horseback from the start of the wedding procession, only turning back after escorting the wedding carriage through the Vermillion Bird Gate.

After entering the Vermillion Bird Gate, instead of heading directly to the Eastern Palace, the grand procession continued to the Purple Dawn Hall. Shen Xihe descended from the carriage. The heavy doors were pushed open to blaring trumpets. Xiao Huayong already stood ahead. Supported by palace female officials, she climbed the steps, passed through the gates, descended the steps, and slowly walked to Xiao Huayong.

His broad hand reached out through the brilliant sunlight, cutting through the morning radiance, and extending firmly toward her.

He didn’t need to personally fetch the bride – waiting here would have sufficed – but he chose to go himself. She placed her hand in his palm, his cool touch feeling exceptionally comfortable.

Holding her hand, he walked with her along the red carpet. Civil and military officials and noble ladies of the imperial clan lined both sides, watching them approach the Dragon-coiled Stone Steps. Only then did they separate, ascending the stairs from opposite sides.

Emperor Youning waited above. They first bowed to him, then Emperor Youning gave a speech to Heaven and Earth. They kowtowed following Emperor Youning, before finally performing their ceremonial bows to Heaven and Earth as husband and wife.