Chapter 235: The Wedding
The matrons’ words had made Jinsui curious and surprised, and then they did something even more embarrassing.
Speaking of dowry chest secrets, one usually thinks of someone’s special skills or most precious possessions. Today, Jinsui learned what the true ‘dowry chest secrets’ were.
It was said that this was something a mother prepared for her daughter before marriage. Jinsui had no mother, so the matrons sent by the Ministry of Rites prepared it.
Each was a porcelain fruit, including pears, apples, peaches, and persimmons, etc. Each was exquisite and cute, the same size as the real fruit, and could be held in the palm of one’s hand.
Jinsui was thinking of firing some of these small trinkets herself in the future, as little girls would surely like them as decorations. But why were the matrons giving her these things tonight?
Were they afraid I’d be nervous before the wedding and wanted me to play with them to relieve my tension? How thoughtful! Then she saw a scene that made her jaw drop. The matron calmly twisted the porcelain fruits, and they actually unscrewed.
Inside were two small porcelain figurines, lifelike, in various poses, but each depicted a pose from an erotic painting.
The kind that would require a mosaic in historical documentaries in later generations, Jinsui gasped. She had only known how wild the unofficial histories written by ancient people were, but she never expected reality to be so wild!
In our later generations, newlyweds secretly learn from the internet. How could parents prepare such things! Who would dare bring this home!
“What, what is this?”
“Replying to Your Highness, this is part of the dowry chest secrets. You shouldn’t feel shy. Conjugal relations are a common human practice. Your most important task after your wedding is to give birth to an imperial heir, and you must learn these things.”
Jinsui pointed at the dozens of poses and asked in surprise, “Are you sure I have to learn all of them?”
The matron actually nodded very seriously. She then asked, “Does His Majesty also have to learn?”
Who would teach Gu Changxiao? Imagine a few matrons in front of Gu Changxiao, explaining erotic paintings or these dowry chest secrets…
Hiss~ The scene was too beautiful to imagine. Gu Changxiao’s face wouldn’t be red, it should be green.
“Royal men, starting from the age of fourteen, are personally taught by imperial maids. His Majesty has already learned the art of the bedchamber.”
Jinsui couldn’t smile anymore. Ha, it truly was a man-dominated era, where even this matter had professional instructors.
She didn’t torture herself by imagining Gu Changxiao learning these things with which imperial maid when he was fourteen or fifteen.
She only ordered these dowry chest secrets to be put away and then looked at the other items the matrons had brought, such as several pairs of open-crotch fur trousers and scented creams, feeling a bit nauseous.
When she talked to Chen Yunniang, she was quite looking forward to the wedding night. Now she wasn’t so eager. It seemed her biggest task in marrying Gu Changxiao was to have children.
As dawn broke, officials from the Ministry of Rites arrived. Jinsui was also woken by the matrons to get ready. She asked doubtfully, “Isn’t the wedding reception in the evening?”
The matron quickly replied, “Your Highness still needs to bid farewell to close relatives.”
That still doesn’t require being this early! Jinsui hated difficult leaders the most in her past life. Now that she was a leader, she naturally wouldn’t make things difficult for her subordinates.
With the officials from the Ministry of Rites here, it was indeed improper for her, the future Empress, to still be sleeping in.
Fortunately, as the bride, she didn’t have any other work to do; she just had to be a mannequin.
First, she put on auspicious robes, layer upon layer. Two palace maids were specifically responsible for holding a special chamber pot for her convenience. Because once dressed in these clothes, going to the toilet became very troublesome.
The matron told her to eat and drink less. Jinsui strongly agreed, thinking involuntarily, if a noble lady had diarrhea on her wedding day, it would be truly agonizing.
Then came the makeup. She closed her eyes and let the palace servants apply it. When she opened her eyes, she was instantly stunned. The makeup was so heavy, would Gu Changxiao recognize her?
This was even after she repeatedly requested light makeup and no lead powder. It seemed she needed to discuss with Miss Yan the need for the Rouge Shop to increase its research on cosmetics, starting with foundation.
Two palace maids held cotton cloths for wiping tears on either side of her, ready to help her wipe away any tears that hadn’t fallen from her eyes. The cosmetics of that era were not waterproof, and tears would smudge the makeup.
Ordinary girls cried on their wedding day; loud crying was a sign of filial piety and led to a happier marriage. She felt she wouldn’t be able to cry. She definitely wouldn’t be able to cry before Father Ling and Mother Ling.
She also wouldn’t be able to cry in front of Grandpa and Jin’an. She wasn’t marrying far away and could see them anytime, so what was there to cry about? However, to give these two palace maids something to do, she decided to force out a couple of tears.
Otherwise, if they had nothing to do, it would be difficult for them to receive rewards afterward.
Finally, putting on the phoenix coronet almost bent her neck. She quickly said, “I’ll wear the phoenix coronet when the wedding procession arrives.”
Her hairstyle was already done, and putting on the phoenix coronet would be quick. The matron agreed, mainly fearing she might move around and knock off a pearl or something from the coronet.
This phoenix coronet was magnificent and dazzling, with nine dragons holding imperial bright pearls, kingfisher feather embellishments, and pure gold tassels hanging from nine phoenixes. The crown itself was adorned with pearls and gemstones, far more magnificent and dazzling than Western crowns.
Jinsui listened as the matron explained which rank of concubine wore which crown. This phoenix coronet could only be worn by the Empress.
Among the hair ornaments sent by the Imperial Household Department, there was also a set of pink phoenix coronets. Jinsui didn’t dare to put them on her head, feeling that these things could only be displayed in a museum for people to admire; they were too beautiful and dreamlike.
Jinsui found it amusing. As expected, the concubines in the harem fought for favor and tried to climb up, not for the old emperor’s love, but for these gorgeous accessories!
Looking at these phoenix coronets and hair ornaments, which woman wouldn’t be tempted?
For breakfast, she only ate two plain boiled eggs. Then she heard that the dowry was being distributed outside. It was a bit amusing; what dowry does an Empress need! Much of it was moved from the imperial storeroom and then back into the palace.
Someone would report from time to time where the Emperor was. Gu Changxiao was even busier today; he had to participate in many sacrifices.
A heavy snow had fallen on the twelfth day, and the Black Feather Camp soldiers were mobilized to clear it from the Academy to the Imperial Palace. Yesterday, they cooperated with the Ministry of Rites to move many flowers from the warm house and arrange them along the route.
Jin’an said the flowers were frozen, and the ice crystals were beautiful. The entire capital city was like a fairyland, with ice, snow, fresh flowers, and the music of bells and drums…
This wedding would be remembered by the citizens of the entire city for many, many years.
At noon, Grandpa Ling and Jin’an accompanied Jinsui for dumplings. They were very small dumplings, and Jinsui could eat them in one bite without opening her mouth wide.
Grandpa Ling had already repeated the necessary words and instructions many times, but looking at his granddaughter, who was dressed like an immortal concubine, Grandpa Ling still felt like he was dreaming.
My Sui Sui seems destined for unparalleled nobility, but I never imagined she would become the mother of a nation!
However, Grandpa Ling was curious and read the palace rules that the matrons had given Jinsui, which made him grit his teeth. Being an Empress was not easy!
He even thought that if his granddaughter couldn’t bear the constraints and didn’t want to be Empress anymore, he would help Jinsui leave.
Jinsui saw through Grandpa’s thoughts at the time and just smiled and told him that these were minor issues and she could handle them.
His granddaughter and His Majesty were in love. His granddaughter, who had always loved freedom and had a free and easy disposition, was willing to learn these palace rules for His Majesty, to be bound by thousands of rules.
He only hoped that His Majesty would not let his granddaughter’s deep affection go unrewarded.
Grandpa Ling took a bite of a dumpling and looked up at Jinsui, his eyes full of affection. Thinking of the hardships and suffering Jinsui had endured in the past, she had finally found happiness after hardship.
For the first time, Jin’an felt he couldn’t eat his dumplings. Although his elder sister repeatedly said she could visit often after marrying into the Imperial Palace, he understood that from today onwards, his sister would be part of the royal family. Their usual activities like drinking milk tea and eating hot pot would become luxuries.
Unexpectedly, the first to cry was Jin’an: “Sister, I don’t want you to get married!”
Jinsui reached out and hugged him. The two palace maids who were wiping tears quickly stepped forward to be at their service.
“If you miss me, come to the palace. Take good care of Grandpa! I’ll come home often.”
She tried to compose herself, but no tears came.
But when she turned her head, she saw Grandpa wiping his tears, his hair pale, his hands withered, and his back as straight as a pine tree.
Instantly, Jinsui’s mind flashed with the original owner’s memories: a little girl being carried on her grandpa’s shoulders, his beard and hair still jet black.
“Sui Sui, fly!”
“Sui Sui, come, do you want a sugar figurine or candied hawthorns?”
“Sui Sui, don’t be afraid, Grandpa is here! That’s just a tree shadow, we’re not afraid of the dark!”
“Good girl Sui Sui, drink your medicine and you’ll get better. Grandpa bought you candied fruit; we’ll eat it after you drink your medicine…”
The original owner’s childhood memories had no parents, only Grandpa.
Grandpa with jet-black hair and beard, and the Grandpa before her with white hair and beard. It had only been a little over ten years.
“Grandpa.”
“Yes, Grandpa is here.”
Instantly, Jinsui’s tears flowed like rain. The two palace maids reacted quickly, wiping away the tears before they could fall from her eyes.
She reached out and held Grandpa’s rough, strong hand: “You must take care of yourself and live a long life.”
Grandpa Ling’s eyes and nose tip turned red: “Sui Sui, you must also take care of yourself in the palace and don’t get too tired. When you get busy, you forget to eat. From now on, without Grandpa and Xiao’an reminding you, you must remember yourself.”
Even the usually expressionless matrons were moved. They had seen many such wedding scenes.
When daughters of many powerful families got married, their families cried fake tears or even reacted coldly. Although the Empress’s family was small, her Grandpa and young brother’s affection was sincere and heartfelt, which was the most moving.
Not long after lunch, Jinsui still wanted to take a nap, but then she heard that the Emperor had left the palace.
That was too fast! Were they going to tour the city for a long time?
A matron came to pin a needle to Jinsui’s lower back. This was to ensure the bride kept her back straight and didn’t slouch.
Jinsui directly removed it: “I will sit up straight; I don’t need this.”
Although she was dressed warmly, it would prick her flesh if she moved, pure self-inflicted suffering!
This matron was newly brought by the officials from the Ministry of Rites. She said with a cold face: “Replying to Your Highness, this is a rule. Noble ladies have always been married this way.”
Jinsui glanced at her, then looked at Matron Gu, who had been teaching her the rules nearby recently.
She said nothing. Matron Gu understood and immediately stepped forward to take the needles from the matron from the Ministry of Rites, saying:
“What rule is this? Your Highness’s word is the rule!”
The matron wanted to say something more but was called away by the officials from the Ministry of Rites. Jinsui never saw her again after that.
It seemed that not only the officials from Chang’an needed to be disciplined, but the palace maids, eunuchs, and matrons in the palace also needed to be disciplined.
Are you all fools? There is no Empress Dowager, no Imperial Concubine, no concubines in the palace, only me, the Empress. Do you still want to gang up and suppress me with old rules and customs?
Palace intrigue is at least about fighting with concubines. Do you expect me, an Empress, to fight with the old matrons in the palace?
At half past wei (around 2:30 PM), someone reported that His Majesty had arrived. It was only around two in the afternoon. Would they be on the road for three hours?
The bride was supposed to be carried to the bridal sedan by her elder brother. Jinsui had originally said to have a sworn brother from the Black Feather Camp carry her, but Jin’an insisted on carrying his sister to the sedan.
For this, he trained every day, sweating in thin clothes in the dead of winter. At such a young age, he had developed abdominal muscles. Jinsui naturally listened to her younger brother and trusted him completely as he carried her to the sedan.
The bridal sedan was a four-wheeled carriage pulled by two horses. Originally, Gu Changxiao was supposed to ride a horse beside the sedan, but he also got into the carriage.
One could tell from the faces of the Ministry of Rites officials that both the Emperor and Empress were too willful. No emperor had ever personally picked up the bride before; here comes our Emperor.
The groom picking up the bride usually rides a horse, but our Emperor wants to accompany Her Highness in the carriage.
Grandpa, Jin’an, and Chen Yunniang saw Jinsui off at the door. Jinsui waved goodbye, officially sending off the bride.
The Black Feather Camp cleared the way, and the Tuntian Camp escorted the bride. It didn’t look like a wedding, but more like going to war.
To Jinsui’s surprise, the first thing Gu Changxiao did upon entering the carriage was to gently touch her lower back. Jinsui, sensitive, sat up straight: “What are you doing?”
Gu Changxiao whispered, “Did you remove the needle?”
Jinsui smiled: “Of course! Why would I prick myself?”
Gu Changxiao then reached out to touch her shoes. Jinsui retracted her foot: “They fit.”
According to custom, she had to wear shoes that were one size smaller. She didn’t know what kind of ridiculous rule this was, as if it were specifically designed to make things difficult for the bride.
“Those unreasonable old customs and rules, starting with me, will all be abolished.”
Gu Changxiao strongly supported: “Exactly! If it weren’t for the wedding, I wouldn’t have known there were so many pedantic rules for getting married.”
Jinsui scoffed: “They are all to torment the bride, not the groom. Why do you care so much?”
Gu Changxiao looked at her tenderly: “But the one being tormented is the person I love, so how can I not care?”
For some reason, Gu Changxiao felt that Jinsui today was a little different. There was no shyness of a bride, and her tone was a bit sharp.
Gu Changxiao attributed it to her reluctance to part with Grandpa Ling and Jin’an, and he warmed her hands to comfort her.
In the suburbs, the carriage windows were not opened. After reaching the city center, the curtains were rolled up because there were crowds of onlookers outside.
They cheered but did not push forward, watching this wedding of the century in an orderly fashion.
Gu Changxiao and Jinsui waved to the left and right. Jinsui wanted to open the window to see more clearly but was stopped by a general of the guards:
“Your Highness, beware of assassins.”
Jinsui whispered to Gu Changxiao: “What, are there still people in Chang’an who are unwilling?”
Gu Changxiao sneered: “It’s not unwillingness, it’s foolish delusion. There will always be such idiots.
I’m sorry to trouble you, Sui Sui. Next time we tour the city, I will definitely let you open the window.”
Jinsui wanted to shake her head, but the phoenix coronet was too heavy to do so. She said softly:
“It’s fine, it’s too cold to open the window. Besides, the common people can’t see us clearly; they just want to see the spectacle and join in the excitement.”
The main road leading to the palace gate had no common people lining it; instead, there were officials, powerful figures, gentry, and so on.
Jinsui spotted Yan Shiyi waving, and Yan Jiu in a sapphire blue cloak.
He wasn’t wearing white this time! Well, it would be inauspicious for the Emperor to wear white on his wedding day.
Through the latticed window, Jinsui couldn’t turn her head, but amidst the bustling crowd, she still spotted Yan Jiu at a glance.
His aura was too outstanding, and Jinsui always felt a faint sadness about Yan Jiu, as if a thin veil shrouded him.
