frightfiction Chapter 23: You probably whisper something in the ear of every dog you pass by on the street, righ
Chapter 23: You probably whisper something in the ear of every dog you pass by on the street, righ
Lu Yuxi prepared a set of bright red casual clothes for Lin Shiming today.
Simply put, it's the first day of our marriage, so let's celebrate.
With the help of the eunuchs, the two dressed in their noble and formal everyday clothes. While Lu Yuxi was choosing hairpins for him, Lin Shiming went into the inner room to check on the wedding candles that had been lit the night before.
The candles were lit a little late and had just burned out. But clearly, both of them burned from beginning to end, which is a very auspicious sign.
"What are you looking at? Come here, I've picked out a hairpin for you."
"I'm looking at our wedding candles." Lin Shiming waved for Lu Yuxi to come over. "Look, they're all burning to the end."
Lu Yuxi walked over cooperatively, but instead of squatting down to look, she took advantage of Lin Shiming squatting there and directly put his hair in her hair.
Sensing the movement above him, Lin Shiming didn't move. Instead, he waited until Lu Yuxi finished her actions before reaching out to touch her.
"Phoenix?"
“Hmm. Although people usually say that men use dragons and women use phoenixes, in reality, the phoenix is male and the female is female. This phoenix hairpin is a good match for you.” Lu Yuxi tidied his hair and pulled him up. “I noticed these burnt-out candles early this morning. I didn’t let them take them away so that you could see them.”
"Are you taking it all with you?"
"Yes, royal weddings have strict rules. The wedding candles and the wedding bench will be taken away and stored together. They will be used as burial objects in the tomb after we pass away."
"...Quite frugal."
Lu Yuxi couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, we have to hurry up and go. Father just sent someone over to tell us to go directly to Fengyi Palace, where he'll be waiting."
"Don't you want breakfast?"
"Preparations have already been made for the Empress Dowager."
The two finally exited the gates of the Eastern Palace, where the imperial carriage was already prepared.
However, "Where is my imperial carriage?" The Crown Princess has her own imperial carriage, and he rode in it twice yesterday!
"Come with me today."
Lin Shiming raised an eyebrow, but this time he didn't ask any more questions and stepped onto the imperial carriage.
A large group of people marched towards Fengyi Palace. Lin Shiming, sitting on the imperial carriage, suddenly shifted his body uncomfortably.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Lu Yuxi quickly reached out and put her arm around Lin Shiming's waist, pulling him closer to her.
"It's nothing, we just got a little carried away."
Of course, it's alright. Lin Shiming is a martial artist, after all. How could he... be unable to move after just one night, acting all delicate and like a little wife?
There's no soreness that can't be resolved by circulating internal energy. If it's not resolved, then do it two more times.
So, apart from a few things that still felt a little strange, Lin Shiming was actually not much different from anyone else.
Lu Yuxi observed him for a while longer, and only relaxed after confirming that Lin Shiming was really alright.
*
As the procession rounded a street corner, Lin Shiming spotted a group of women standing by the gate of Fengyi Palace. Not counting the simply dressed palace maids, there were roughly thirty of them.
It would take a whole month to do that!
Lin Shiming was taken aback and turned to Lu Yuxi to ask quietly, "Your father has so many concubines, right?"
"Yes. But that's not all. Only those of the seventh rank or above, who are allowed to come and pay their respects to the Empress Dowager every day, are not qualified to do so. Those of lower rank, such as concubines, maids, and maids, are not qualified to come."
Wow, it has to be the emperor! What a life!
Lin Shiming moved a little closer to Lu Yuxi and said, "With so many people, Fengyi Palace can't accommodate them all."
"Only those of the rank of Noble Consort of the third grade or above can have a seat in the Phoenix Palace. Those of the lower third grade and the upper fifth grade stand. As for the rest, they can only kowtow and wait at the entrance of the main hall."
"Such a clear hierarchy?"
Lin Shiming felt that he had regained his confidence; at least he was much happier than these women who couldn't even get through the door.
However, Lin Shiming suddenly remembered the Third Prince's birth mother, who had been demoted from Imperial Concubine to Consort. No wonder he had been puzzled at the time; why hadn't she been directly demoted to the lowest rank, Consort? It turned out that she was kept at the lowest level, only allowed to come and pay her respects.
Shrimp and pork heart!
*
As they were talking, the imperial carriage stopped at the entrance of Fengyi Palace.
The women also knelt down to pay their respects when the prince's procession arrived.
"Your subject (concubines) pay respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess."
"Get up."
Lu Yuxi casually called out, and Aunt Lianqiu and Chief Steward Li'an, who were waiting at the palace gate, hurried over to greet her.
"Your Highnesses, His Majesty and the Empress are already waiting. Please come in."
Lin Shiming immediately became a little nervous, "Are we late?"
“No, no, it’s perfect timing!” Li An smiled brightly. “His Majesty just arrived as well.”
Lin Shiming was relieved and walked inside side by side with Lu Yuxi.
*
Inside the main hall of Fengyi Palace, Bai Qiongzhu and Emperor Longyun were chatting in the main seats.
"I heard that His Majesty went to the Fengxian Hall to offer sacrifices late last night. Was it a nightmare?"
Bai Qiongzhu naturally knew what Emperor Longyun had gone to do, but she still wanted to scold him, "Are you a child having a nightmare? Why are you looking for your parents in the middle of the night?"
Emperor Longyun cleared his throat awkwardly, "I had some good news to tell my ancestors yesterday."
"Is that so? I also heard that His Majesty sent people to wait at the palace gate early this morning to deliver some news to the Duke of Zhenguo and his heir before the court session. It is said that the two of them were furious after hearing it, their faces turned black, and the entire morning court session seemed to be on fire. Is it really good news?"
Emperor Longyun was even more embarrassed, so he simply gave up and went all out.
"The royal family's long-cherished wish has finally come true, so what's wrong with showing off a little?"
"Your Majesty, was that just 'showing off a little'? With such a commotion, who wouldn't have noticed? I suspect that if you didn't know how to save face for your son and daughter-in-law, you would have shared it with every dog that passed by on the street, wouldn't you?"
Bai Qiongzhu became increasingly angry as he spoke.
"Putting people in the Eastern Palace to watch your son... How old are you? Aren't you afraid your child will laugh at you if he finds out!"
Emperor Longyun blushed with embarrassment and quickly picked up his teacup to cover it up.
"I know, I know. Who dares to laugh at me?"
"you..."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess have arrived!"
A voice interrupted Bai Qiongzhu from continuing to recite Emperor Longyun's words.
Emperor Longyun quickly invited them in, "Please come in!"
Bai Qiongzhu glanced at him speechlessly, but still managed to put on a smile before Lin Shiming and the others came in.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty."
"Get up quickly!"
Lu Yuxi and Lin Shiming stood up, and Bai Qiongzhu pulled them to his side, examining them carefully. "They're really a perfect match."
“Then they are a perfect match. Zitong, don’t you even know who arranged this marriage?”
Seeing that Emperor Longyun next to him couldn't resist interrupting again, Bai Qiongzhu gave him an annoyed look.
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty has the best taste."
Emperor Longyun was very pleased to hear this. He straightened his posture and adopted a serious demeanor.
"Alright, let's serve tea first. I still have matters to attend to in the previous court." There were two other people in the Xuanzheng Hall waiting for him to deliver his sarcastic remarks!
Bai Qiongzhu nodded, "Yes, let's offer tea first, then sit down and talk slowly."
Aunt Lianqiu, who was standing nearby, promptly served two cups of tea that had been prepared beforehand. Lin Shiming took a step back, lifted his robe, and knelt down.
He picked up a cup of tea and held it up to Emperor Longyun, saying, "Your subject offers tea to Your Majesty."
Emperor Longyun accepted the teacup with satisfaction, smugness, and pride, and took a sip.
Hahahaha! Did you hear that? He called me Father Emperor! That old bastard Lin Yunyue's son called me Father Emperor!
Feel relaxed physically and mentally!
"Alright, live a good life with Yu Xi from now on." Emperor Longyun showed no emotion on his face as he took the prepared gift from Li An and handed it to Lin Shiming.
"My dear father, thank you very much."
Lin Shiming handed the items to the eunuch behind him, then picked up the second cup of tea and held it up to Bai Qiongzhu.
"Your subject offers tea to Your Majesty."
Bai Qiongzhu didn't care about saving face anymore. With a smile on her face, she raised her hand, took the teacup, and took a sip.
"Alright, your mother doesn't have many instructions. She just hopes that you will have a peaceful and smooth life."
As she spoke, she handed the gift she had prepared in advance to Lin Shiming.
"My son, thank you very much, Queen Mother."
After serving the tea, Lin Shiming stood up and sat down with Lu Yuxi on the two chairs to the side.
"Go, let them in."
Bai Qiongzhu gave Lianqiu some instructions, then turned to Lin Shiming and explained, "Today is also a good opportunity for you to meet these concubines. They will all be living in the palace from now on, so it's best not to not recognize them. As for His Majesty's other princesses and princes, you should all be attending the banquet at the Eastern Palace today. You'll get to know them yourselves then."
This is a wedding custom in Changping, especially in families with strong traditions. On the second day after the wedding, the newlyweds will hold a small banquet in their courtyard to entertain their brothers, sisters, and their families so that they can get to know each other.
Lin Shiming nodded in understanding, and then he saw the concubines who had been waiting at the palace gate for a long time enter in an orderly manner.
"Your Majesty and Your Highness, we, your humble servants, pay our respects. May Your Majesty and Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Bai Qiongzhu waved his hand casually, "Get up, everyone."
"Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Highness."
Everyone stood up, and Bai Qiongzhu didn't rush to offer them seats. "This is the Crown Princess who just got married yesterday. You should get to know her."
The group then turned to face Lu Yuxi and Lin Shiming, bowed and knelt, saying, "Your subject (concubine) and concubines pay their respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess."
Lu Yuxi nudged Lin Shiming's arm, and Lin Shiming understood, "Get up, everyone."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
After everyone had paid their respects, Bai Qiongzhu gestured to Lianqiu, "Please offer seats to the concubines."
Once everyone was seated, Bai Qiongzhu immediately unleashed the day's thunderbolt.
"As you all know, I have been in poor health for many years, and the palace affairs have been handled by the nannies and eunuchs around me. But now that the Crown Princess has married into the palace, the palace affairs will be handled by the Crown Princess, so that I can take a rest."
As she spoke, Bai Qiongzhu beckoned, and Aunt Huichun entered carrying two items. The concubines below immediately displayed various expressions.
"Since the palace affairs have been handed over to the Crown Princess, then the Phoenix Seal and the Empress's petition shall also be handed over."
"Your Majesty!" The person sitting at the head of the table spoke first. Lin Shiming recognized her; she had helped Prince Ping out of a predicament during the New Year's banquet. Judging from her position, she must be Consort Shen, who currently holds the highest rank in the harem.
"Consort Shen, do you have objections to my decision?"
Consort Shen forced a smile, "Your Majesty, the Phoenix Seal and the Imperial Edict are, after all, the Empress's possessions. Is it not appropriate to hand them directly to the Crown Princess?"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. I can give my things to whomever I want."
"But, Your Majesty—"
Emperor Longyun immediately spoke up, "This is a matter of the inner palace, and the Empress has the final say. I have no say in it."
Hilarious! He cares about his image and really doesn't want to be used as a tool in the power struggles of his son and daughter-in-law's harem.
Consort Shen was silenced and could only force herself to keep quiet, watching helplessly as the imperial seal and the edict from the Empress were handed to Lin Shiming.
"Alright, I just came here today to have some tea with my wife," he said, adding that he was also there to support the Empress. "Now that I've had my tea, I have matters to attend to in the court, so I won't stay any longer. Zitong, I'll come see you again tonight."
After speaking, Emperor Longyun strode out of the main hall, and everyone in the hall stood up to see him off with proper etiquette.