Deep winter had arrived in the capital. After the eleventh month, several heavy snowfalls came one after another. Goose-feather-like snowflakes fluttered down all night, and by early morning, the snow in the courtyard was about a foot deep.

Gu Zhao had been born and raised in the south, and had never seen such heavy snow. After getting up and finishing his morning studies, he stood under the eaves of the long corridor to observe the snow. White snow covered the blue tiles, and water drops freezing from the hanging flower gate had formed several icicles, crystal clear.

Gu Changtong was also home on leave today. After hurriedly finishing breakfast, he had originally planned to test Gu Zhao on his recent lessons, but seeing the rare snow scenery, he allowed him to enjoy it for a while.

Since passing the examination in May and being promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel, the Gu family had acquired this residence in the capital—a compound with two courtyards, separated by a hanging flower gate. The front courtyard had a gate tower and complete back-facing houses, while the rear courtyard had side rooms to the east and west, and the main room still had a corridor. It was much more spacious than their residence in Fuzhou, and the location was excellent, just two long lanes away from the Personnel Department offices.

When the Gu family came to the capital from Fuzhou, they were financially strapped and couldn’t afford such a well-located two-courtyard compound. However, Shen Xu, an old friend from the Personnel Department, offered them a favor—his father-in-law had resigned from office and left the capital, so he sold this old residence to them at a discount.

Having navigated the officialdom for several years, Gu Changtong understood the reasoning behind this. As a newcomer, he didn’t refuse, but would wait for an appropriate opportunity in the future to return the favor.

When the sun rose higher in the east and the snow in the courtyard began to melt, Gu Changtong was about to call Gu Zhao to go to the study room together when he heard a horse snort outside the gate.

A moment later, a man wearing Rites Department official attire with a black horn belt entered, announcing: “Imperial Edict!”

Gu Changtong and everyone in the courtyard immediately knelt to receive the edict.

“The Emperor, by the mandate of Heaven, decrees: Be informed, Lady Gu, daughter of Vice Minister of Personnel Gu Changtong. Your dignity and beauty, gentle and excellent character, qualify you to serve as Mother of the Nation. Hereby, with imperial seal appoint you as Empress. Bestow upon Gu Changtong the title of Grand Preceptor, First Rank, and honor his wife. Respectfully comply.”

Gu Changtong touched his forehead to the ground and received the scroll with both hands: “I thank His Majesty for this immense grace.”

After the messenger departed on horseback, Gu Changtong felt as if in a dream. Though Grand Preceptor was an honorary title given to relatives of merit officials, it was still First Rank.

Gu Yi had truly become Empress…

Madam Gu wept with joy: “The Empress must be returning to the capital!”

The imperial army had marched north several months ago. Now with this decree, once they returned to the capital, the Empress’ investiture ceremony could be held.

Seeing this, Gu Zhao smiled: “Then Mother can enter the palace for an audience.” He also felt relieved—it seemed he had misunderstood the Da Mu water classic annotation map his sister had left him.

*

Gu Yi sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain to glance at the flying snow. A bone-chilling wind brushed her face through the small gap, and she quickly lowered the curtain again.

“The winter in the north is indeed colder,” she said to Xiaoyan in the carriage, hugging her hand warmer tightly.

Xiaoyan lifted the teapot from the bamboo stove and poured her fresh tea. “In a few more days, we’ll reach the capital. You’ll be more comfortable once we’re back in the palace.”

After months of exhausting travel, Gu Yi truly missed the comfortable life in the palace. If nothing else, in the palace, she could always sleep as long as she wanted.

She suddenly realized a question, “After I become Empress, will people come to pay respects every day?”

Xiaoyan looked at her with a smile, “Most of the court ladies only enter the palace during festivals. The Empress needn’t worry.”

Gu Yi: “Your Majesty speaks truly.”

This suggested that the palace was probably mostly empty now.

Previously in Guocheng, after Xiaoyan had recovered for several days, he had sent several edicts back to the capital, including the decree appointing her as Empress.

Releasing concubines to return home, emptying the six palaces.

Though he hadn’t said it, Gu Yi could imagine it couldn’t have been easy. Now their party had passed Tiger Hill and returned to Da Mu territory, traveling by carriage, and they were approaching the capital region.

Gu Yi sat up straight and said: “Your servant will certainly be a good Empress.”

Xiaoyan smiled: “I have entrusted myself to you, so naturally I trust you.”

Gu Yi immediately felt the weight on her shoulders grow heavier.

She calculated the time: “When the carriage stops later, Your Majesty should take your medicine.”

These days, Official Hu had said that the residual poison was gone and had prescribed a tonic. Gu Yi constantly reminded him to take his medicine.

When Official Hu brought the medicine bowl, the liquid was warm.

Gu Yi fed him the medicine as usual.

She had noticed that Xiaoyan was pretending to be weak in front of her, but in the sweetness of their newlywed life, these intimate gestures between husband and wife were perfectly acceptable.

It was only Official Hu who suffered, having to lower his head every time he saw this, practically burying his face in the ground.

*

At the beginning of the twelfth month, the entourage finally returned to the palace.

As soon as Gu Yi entered Heluo Palace, Duo Luo led all the palace attendants in bowing: “Congratulations to the Empress! Felicitations to the Empress!”

Gu Yi repeatedly asked them to rise. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she took a hot bath in the sleeping palace and slept deeply, catching up on a full day’s rest.

When she woke up, she heard Duo Luo say: “Lady Zhao has come to Heluo Palace several times, seeking an audience with Your Highness.”

“Lady Zhao?”

Duo Luo explained: “Only Lady Zhao from Jianjia Palace remains in the palace. She sent word saying she wished to see the Empress one more time before leaving.”

Gu Yi had anticipated this final meeting: “Send her in.”

As soon as Zhao Wan entered Heluo Palace, she bowed deeply: “I pay my respects to the Empress and wish the Empress well.”

“Rise.”

Zhao Wan looked up, glancing at Gu Yi, who wore a crimson jacket and skirt with white fur around her neck. Though her face was somewhat thinner, her complexion was very good.

“For Your Highness’s great kindness, Wan has come to express gratitude.” With these words, she bowed again.

“Please rise.” Gu Yi noticed she was wearing the blue uniform of a female official. “You have become a female official?”

Zhao Wan revealed a smile: “By His Majesty’s grace, I have been appointed to manage records in the Archive Bureau, allowed to return to the Zhao family’s old residence in Cang Commandery, and compile the writings of Master Zhao Jie into books for future generations.”

For Zhao Wan, this was indeed what she had wished for.

Gu Yi sighed lightly: “That is very good.”

There was nothing more to say between them.

Zhao Wan raised her head and looked at Gu Yi once more: “Your Highness, take care. Wan bids you farewell.”

“You take care as well.”

As Zhao Wan’s figure receded into the distance, the weight in Gu Yi’s heart lifted.

The Empress investiture ceremony was scheduled for New Year’s Day.

The six bureaus and twenty-four departments of the palace—Palace Affairs, Ceremonies, Clothing, Food, Bedchamber, and Needlework—took turns visiting Heluo Palace. Because Duo Luo was relatively young, two older female officials, one surnamed Cui and one surnamed Shi, came to assist Gu Yi and help prepare for the investiture.

Compared to the simple ceremony in Guocheng, the Empress investiture was a major state event.

Gu Yi was busy every day. Besides trying on ceremonial robes and selecting jewelry, according to palace custom, she also had to review and learn the imperial ceremonies for Empresses, familiarize herself with the list and ranks of court ladies, and then sort out their complex factional relationships. After several days, she was noticeably haggard.

Xiaoyan was even busier. Upon returning to the capital, besides dealing with months of accumulated state affairs, he also had to follow the Rites Department’s memorials, supplement protocols, and prepare for the grand wedding.

Though they were both in the palace, they hadn’t seen each other for several days.

Tonight, Xiaoyan finally had some free time.

“His Majesty arrives!” The announcement came from outside Heluo Palace.

Hearing this, Gu Yi went to the hall entrance: “I greet Your Majesty.”

“Rise.” Xiaoyan saw her pale complexion and frowned, “You’ve had a hard time these past days.”

Gu Yi shook her head: “Not hard, just somewhat tedious.”

She looked at Xiaoyan carefully, seeing he was still in his court robes with a gold crown, obviously having just come from the front hall.

“Your Majesty must also be dealing with many complex matters these days.”

Xiaoyan led her to sit at the table: “After the investiture ceremony, I think things will improve.”

The palace attendants silently withdrew from the hall.

Gu Yi looked around, then immediately moved closer and kissed his cheek.

“Your servant has missed Your Majesty greatly.”

Xiaoyan took the opportunity to hold the back of her head and kiss her lips.

“I have greatly missed you as well.”

Gu Yi’s eyes brightened: “Come with me, Your Majesty, I’ll show you something nice.”

“Oh?” Xiaoyan’s eyebrows moved slightly, allowing Gu Yi to pull him into the bedchamber.

In the hall, the candles cast a soft light, and the scent of warm fragrance wafted throughout.

Gu Yi took out a stack of playing cards she had hand-drawn during her free time from learning, intending to show off a little.

Turning around, she saw that Xiaoyan had already removed his crown and hairpins, taken off his court robes, and thrown them beside the couch.

Gu Yi: “Doesn’t Your Majesty want to play cards?”

Xiaoyan: “We’ll play later.”

Two days later, Gu Yi had forgotten about the playing cards when craftsmen suddenly came to deliver a set of bamboo cards to her. The cards were made of thin, finely polished bamboo slices with smoothed edges. The designs were clearly from her hand-drawings, somehow transferred onto the bamboo slices.

Gu Yi played with them for a while, then immediately returned the favor by finding time to personally make a plate of milk candy in the kitchen and having it sent to Xiaoyan.

*

On the day of the grand wedding.

Just after the hour of Mao, Gu Yi got up. After being bathed three times by various people pressing and kneading her, she finally put on the heavy, layered bright red phoenix robe.

At the dressing table, ceremonial female officials arranged her black hair strand by strand, applied makeup to her eyebrows and cheeks, and colored her lips.

Two female officials carried the phoenix crown, which had nine golden dragons with pearl droplets in their mouths, four golden phoenixes with spread wings front and back, hundreds of red jewels inlaid around the crown, thousands of pearls, and twelve floral ornaments on the sides.

The female officials carefully placed the phoenix crown on her head. Gu Yi felt a pain on her head, and her shoulders immediately sank, so heavy that she could barely lift her head. Fortunately, she had practiced several times before, so she kept her neck still and steadied herself as she stood up.

On the red walls and yellow tiles, the sun was rising in the east, its golden light shining.

Outside Heluo Palace stood a vermilion-wheeled golden carriage.

The carriage roof had a golden phoenix, flowers on its spine, four pillars with hanging curtains, and was pulled by four horses. Dozens of ceremonial attendants stood by, and behind the carriage, palace ladies held four red gauze fans, each taller than a person, to provide cover.

Gu Yi was surrounded by palace attendants as she climbed the small steps to the carriage and then settled inside.

The carriage contained ceremonial cases and imperial insignia. As the music sounded, the four horses moved steadily toward the front hall.

Before the great hall, on both sides of the jade-white stone steps, stood the court officials—all officials of fourth rank and above in the capital were present.

The golden carriage stopped a hundred paces from the steps. Gu Yi descended from the carriage and looked up to see Xiaoyan wearing dark ceremonial robes with strings of jade beads hanging from his crown, standing at the front of the hall.

She walked slowly with her eyes straight ahead. After covering about half the distance, she suddenly saw Xiaoyan move his feet and walk toward her.

The two met halfway. Gu Yi’s lips moved slightly as she whispered: “Is this an error?” According to procedure, she was supposed to walk this distance alone, meeting him only at the foot of the steps.

Xiaoyan laughed softly, took her hand, and continued walking forward slowly: “No error.”

The Minister of Rites, seeing this, was surprised but maintained his composure. He waited until the Emperor and Empress stood on the red carpet at the foot of the steps before loudly reading: “The Way of governing the country is based on properly managing the family. The relationship between husband and wife follows the principles of Heaven and Earth…”

After finishing the long ceremonial speech, officials from the Rites Department, holding trays, presented the Empress’s seal and credentials to Gu Yi.

Gu Yi accepted the seal and credentials as the music played.

Xiaoyan smiled at her, and hand in hand, they ascended the stone steps to pay homage to Heaven, Earth, and ancestors.

After the three bows, court officials and ladies entered the palace to congratulate the Emperor and Empress.

It wasn’t until the sun was setting in the west that Gu Yi was escorted to the new chamber in Tianlu Pavilion.

She waited for a moment until Xiaoyan arrived. The two sat facing each other, east and west. A female official brought a tray with four golden cups filled with rice wine.

They drank the cups dry, completing the final step of today’s wedding ceremony.

After the female officials withdrew, Gu Yi couldn’t help but let out a deep breath.

“Finally finished…”

Xiaoyan, also rare to sigh, reached out to remove the beaded crown from his head. Then he rose to remove Gu Yi’s phoenix crown, surprised by its weight: “This crown is so heavy.”

Gu Yi gave a dry laugh. Now you know.

She moved her neck, and her shoulders immediately relaxed a bit.

Gu Yi stood up and pushed open the window to look out. Palace lanterns vied for brilliance, fireworks wheeled, some near, some far, some high, some low.

Red lanterns hung high on the tiered pavilions, arranged in order, swaying gently in the wind.

Xiaoyan walked behind her: “Tonight there is no curfew inside or outside the palace. Thousands of streets and lanes are lit with lanterns until dawn, all celebrating the Emperor and Empress.”

Gu Yi turned her head and smiled at him: “Your Majesty is wise.” She noticed some gold powder somehow stuck to his temples and reached out to wipe it, finding it wouldn’t come off.

“Let your servant get a handkerchief.”

She turned to take a brocade handkerchief from the rosewood basin rack and moistened it with water from the basin.

Xiaoyan had already sat on the couch. Gu Yi stood in front of him and wiped away the gold powder with the handkerchief, which also had traces of pale face powder.

She smiled: “Did Your Majesty also wear powder today?”

Xiaoyan said with slight annoyance: “The Rites Department’s idea. Quickly wipe it all off.”

Gu Yi carefully wiped his face, her fingers inadvertently touching the shallow scar at his temple. She slowly felt the crescent-shaped scar, which was one shade lighter than his normal skin tone, with the skin slightly indented at the wound.

She noticed Xiaoyan pause slightly, and was about to offer some consoling words when she heard him say with a smile: “My face is flawed, which is unfair to the Empress.”

Gu Yi burst out laughing: “Your Majesty has divine beauty. This small flaw only makes you seem more human. In your servant’s view, without this flaw, Your Majesty would be like an immortal jade being, to be admired from afar but not touched.”

Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow, took the handkerchief from her hand and tossed it aside casually: “If that’s the case, the Empress need not admire from afar now.”

Seeing him open his arms, Gu Yi immediately understood and pushed him down onto the couch, wildly kissing his face, finally placing a gentle kiss on the faint mark on his forehead.

Xiaoyan’s breathing suddenly quickened, but he said: “On our wedding night, is this all the Empress can do?”

Hearing this, Gu Yi raised her head, her almond eyes lit with two small flames.

She roughly pulled open the snow-white collar crossing his neck, lightly licking his throat like a dragonfly skimming water.

Before Gu Yi could fully display her skills, in an instant, the world turned upside down.

*

Outside the window, the music still roared, and golden fireworks shot into the night sky with loud explosions.

Tonight there was no wind or snow. Inside and outside the city, fires and candles illuminated everything. At the crossroads, red lantern balls hung halfway in the air, and hundreds of sky lanterns slowly rose.

On New Year’s Day of the fourth year of Yonghe, the celebration reached its peak as the world rejoiced for the Emperor and Empress’s grand wedding.

The Emperor and Empress, united in heart, deeply in love like paired birds, remained unchanged in their hearts and affections for years to come, staying together until old age.