Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

Chapter 457 The Prince’s Wedding

The ceremony of enthroning the Crown Prince lasted a whole day, and it was almost evening when the Sixth Prince, also the Crown Prince, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The prince finally had a moment to relax in his palace, Dongde Hall, and there was another person who was also very happy at this time.

The girl from the Wu family, the future Crown Princess, was in her own courtyard. The smile on her lips never stopped all day long. Even the little maid who was sweeping the floor could see that the girl was in a good mood.

This was natural. She had originally thought that being the Sixth Prince's principal wife was a great favor from the Emperor. Although she also envisioned the future nobility, it still seemed far away. Who could have imagined that the Sixth Prince, deeply trusted and favored by the Emperor, would not allow the heir apparent, whom he had personally nurtured, to marry like other princes? He had actually appointed him as the heir apparent before the Sixth Prince's wedding date. This also greatly elevated the Wu family girl's status. Everyone who saw her would say that she was blessed with a good fortune and a noble destiny. How could she not be delighted?

The image of Emperor Shenwu hunting in Qiling Mountain flashed through the girl's mind. Emperor Shenwu loved hunting large wild beasts. He was riding on a horse and dealing with several wild wolves. He held a bow and arrow in one hand and shot the wolves one by one without fear. His handsome face was as cold as ice, and his phoenix eyes reflected a cold light.

The scene shifted to show the Shenwu Emperor, finished hunting, and galloped out of Qiling Mountain alone on his steed. The mounts of the Black Feather Guard and the Phantom Guard gradually appeared behind him, while the Empress had been waiting motionless for the emperor at the entrance to the blossoming sea of ​​flowers for most of the day. When the Emperor appeared, the Empress's face blossomed like a gorgeous peach blossom. She was about to meet him, but the Emperor's mount didn't stop, and in an instant, it was right beside the Empress. The Shenwu Emperor extended his long arms and swept the Empress to him, their skirts and hair tangled together, indistinguishable from one another. The Emperor's expression had long since lost its coldness, replaced only by an infinite tenderness and affection.

He could resist powerful enemies outside and was as cold as ice, but at home he gave all his tenderness and love to his wife. The emperor and the empress rode together and wandered freely in the woods of Qiling Mountain.

That woman had the supreme, most honorable and noble status, as well as the exclusive favor of the emperor that countless women envied and yearned for.

Miss Wu thought of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and her heart was filled with endless longing. She would definitely get all of this! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would treat her the same way! She said softly, "One day, all that honor and favor will be mine!"

No matter how many conspiracies, intrigues, jealousies and resentments there were in the previous dynasty and the harem, the fact that the Sixth Prince was appointed Crown Prince was a foregone conclusion and could not be changed.

The various factions of officials, each harboring their own ulterior motives, have all recently fallen silent, fearing that if they were to resurface at this moment, they would be mercilessly dealt with by the Emperor. Consider the family of the Grand Master, who has already retired and is preparing to resign! They have repeatedly meddled in harem affairs, attempting to influence the Emperor's decision to appoint a crown prince, and for this, they have been abandoned by the Emperor Shenwu.

The days passed like flowing water. In the past two or three years, several younger generations that Lan Qingwu was close to had gotten engaged and married one after another. In a blink of an eye, her Chu Ming was also going to get married.

The Crown Prince's wedding was scheduled for September. As the day approached, the Crown Prince became even more dependent on Lan Qingwu. After paying his respects that day, Lan Qingwu asked if there was anything wrong with the Crown Prince's marriage. The Crown Prince shook his head, his expression slightly serious, and said, "Mother, do you remember the doctor who served with the Abandoned Prince? He was known as the Divine Doctor Mu, but in fact, those insane poisoners were his masterpieces."

Lan Qingwu also restrained his smile, "That's true! Didn't they say that Doctor Mu died in that war?"

The Crown Prince frowned, his expression exactly like that of the Divine Martial Emperor. "There are also rumors that Divine Doctor Mu has disappeared, but when the incident with my eldest sister came to light, the cold poison that disappeared without a trace made me think of Divine Doctor Mu immediately. My eldest sister may not know the hidden truth, but it's hard to say with Mother and Fourth Brother."

Lan Qingwu realized, "The Fourth Prince has been sent to the Imperial Mausoleum, and your father won't let up on him. Are you afraid someone else will get that poisonous thing through the Pearl?"

The prince nodded and said, "That's why I've been worried about you. I don't want you to have too much contact with the eldest princess or get too close to her!"

Lan Qingwu smiled with relief and said, "The Queen Mother is also worried about her and will be careful. It's hard for Chu Ming to be thinking about the Queen Mother all the time."

Lan Qingwu sighed: "You are about to get married and will have your own wife. Your mother is happy for you!" In addition to happiness, there is also a little disappointment.

The prince knelt in front of Lan Qingwu and once again buried himself in his biological mother's lap affectionately, revealing his deep attachment and reluctance to leave his mother.

Lan Qingwu patiently stroked her son's head over and over again, and for a moment the room was filled with the tender affection between mother and son.

"If possible, I hope you never grow up and stay in my arms forever. I can protect you forever!"

Perhaps all mothers in this world have such thoughts! However, time flies, and children will eventually grow up. They will eventually break away from their mother's warm embrace, spread their wings and fly high to roam in the wider world.

The incense was wafting in the air, and the mother and son were having a tender moment. Even Ruping at the door couldn't bear to disturb them.

A few days later, the crown prince's wedding took place as planned. The ceremony was complex and solemn, with Emperor Shenwu adhering to the traditional "Six Rites" of the Zhou Dynasty: Nacai (a betrothal gift), Wenming (a name), Naji (a lucky gift), Nazheng (a betrothal gift), Qingqi (a date of marriage), and Qinying (a wedding). The first step in the crown prince's wedding was Nacai (a betrothal gift), where the crown prince or his subordinates presented a betrothal gift to the Wu family to express their intention to marry. This gift typically included valuable items such as gold, silver, jewelry, and silk. After Nacai (a betrothal gift), the crown prince or his subordinates would inquire about the woman's name and birth date, so they could consult divination to determine the auspiciousness of the marriage. If the divination confirmed a favorable omen, the crown prince would send another gift to the Wu family to express his intention to marry. Once this was confirmed, the crown prince would send a formal betrothal gift to the woman's family, including gold, silver, jewelry, furniture, and other items, as a formal gesture of formality. Emperor Shenwu would then consult the Ministry of Rites to determine the wedding date, typically selecting an auspicious date through divination.

The welcoming ceremony was the most important part of the Crown Prince's wedding. The Crown Prince would personally go to the Wu family to marry the bride. The welcoming ceremony usually took place at dawn, with the Crown Prince, dressed in court robes, accompanied by a ceremonial guard and a drum and instrumental band, proceeding to the Wu family's residence. At the Wu family's residence, the Crown Prince would perform a series of rituals, including greeting the head of the Wu family, the Wu family's parents, and accepting the Wu family's return gifts. Of course, the Wu family did not dare to actually accept the Crown Prince's greetings. Finally, the Crown Prince would bring the bride back to the palace and bow deeply to the gods of heaven and earth, to the royal ancestors, and to his parents and the people of the world.

In the Dongde Hall, under the leadership of the prince, the newlyweds completed the rituals such as bowing in the hall, drinking from the same cup, and wedding ceremonies. Finally, the prince used a gold and jade weighing rod to gently lift the red veil of his newlywed wife.

Qiulan, standing by, said cheerfully, "The ceremony is over! Your Highness, please go out and entertain the distinguished guests! I'll leave this to you!"

Princess Wu recognized that this was Aunt Qiulan who raised the prince, and she smiled slightly to show her kindness and respect.

The prince nodded and said, "I'll leave this to you, aunt." Then he turned around and strode out.

On the prince's wedding night, the candle naturally burned the entire night.