Today, the people representing the Imperial Family to present the Marquis of Yichun with the dowry were the Ceremonial Envoy, the Head Envoy, and the Deputy Envoy. Even the Deputy Envoy was a high-ranking official in the Imperial Court. Thinking about it, every step of the Crown Prince's wedding was recorded in detail in the history of the country. Those who could make an appearance would not be nameless people.
In other words, everyone present had a higher official position than Cheng Yuan-hsien.
Cheng Yuanxian really had an inferiority complex, but was also filled with an inexplicable pride.
The Ceremonial Envoy delivered the dowry and the book into the Marquis Household. Then, according to the cumbersome etiquette, he bowed again and again in front of the incense table and the curtains, displaying the Imperial Family's dowry one by one in the courtyard. At this moment, the outside of the Marquis of Yichun was surrounded by commoners. Everyone was pointing at the tall and imposing mahogany chest on the ground. Sounds of envy and praise could be heard incessantly.
Then, the book was produced. The Ceremonial Envoy respectfully placed the jade book on the table. Then, the Crown Princess's formal attire was sent into the main hall amidst the exclamations of the crowd. Behind her was a dazzling group of honor guards, filling the main hall to the brim. The Head Envoy read out the book in front of everyone. Looking at his expression, it was obvious that he felt honored to be able to participate in this kind of grand ceremony.
After Cheng Yuan-hsien and the others knelt and received the decree, the Crown Princess' formal attire was escorted by the female officials to Cheng Yujin's room. Cheng Yujin changed into a full set of formal attire in her own courtyard. Surrounded by several female officials, she slowly walked into the main hall.
The Crown Princess was the model of the world. This sentence was not just for show. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess both had very important ceremonial significance. Offering sacrifices, paying respects to the emperor, celebrating the Lantern Festival … It could be said that the world's etiquette was ceremonial. Where the Emperor was, there would be the Crown Prince. Where the Crown Prince was, there would be the Crown Princess.
In today's solemn occasion, Cheng Yujin, the main character, was the highlight of the show.
The place where Cheng Yujin appeared was in the inner courtyard, so she would not be seen by people outside. Cheng Yujin was wearing a Jiu Di Four Phoenix Crown, a dark cyan Di Yi, an outer garment, a belt around her waist and knees, a jade pendant, and a red ribbon. The whole set of clothing was complicated and solemn.
Cheng Yujin's bearing was perfect, and her appearance was stunning. She was so dazzling that one couldn't look straight at her.
It was extremely rude to let the sleeves swing back and forth while wearing such wide-sleeved clothes. Cheng Yujin slowly walked out under everyone's gaze. Her palms were hidden in her sleeves, and her right hand was placed on the back of her left hand. Her arms were level, and her wide sleeves naturally hung down. She looked dignified and elegant.
Under the many kind and unkind gazes, Cheng Yujin did not panic in the slightest. She steadily stopped in front of the incense table. Under the guidance of the female official, she bowed four times and then knelt down to listen to the female official read the book.
This was Cheng Yujin's official conferring decree. It was made of jade and was the highest level book in the ceremony. After the female official finished reading the book, Cheng Yujin took it with both hands. The female official kneeling on the right quickly knelt down and respectfully raised her hands above her head. Cheng Yujin placed the book in the hands of the female official on the right. With the help of the palace servants, she slowly stood up. Holding the jade tablet, she bowed four times in a proper manner. The female official who was praising the ceremony finally said, "The ceremony is over."
When the people in the courtyard heard this, they immediately came forward and bowed to Cheng Yujin. "Congratulations, Crown Princess."
Cheng Yujin could not help but smile and gently nod to the crowd.
Although the whole world knew that she was the Crown Princess, it was still not official. Other people still had to use the identity of the Cheng Family to address her. But from now on, she was officially conferred the title and was the real Crown Princess.
In the future, when people saw her, they would have to bow their heads and respectfully call her "Crown Princess".
The eunuch walked out of the main door and into the outer courtyard. He announced in a loud voice, "The ceremony is over." Immediately, there was a wave of congratulations outside. The accompanying officials all came forward to congratulate Cheng Yuan-hsien. The head and deputy head eunuchs did not exchange greetings for long before leaving. They had a mission and had to return to the palace to report.
After the conferring ceremony, it was soon the official wedding day. These days, the entire Marquis of Yichun was extremely busy. The Cheng Family had never held such a big ceremony. The Crown Prince's wedding was different from an ordinary wedding. If it was an ordinary wedding, if there was a mistake at the wedding, it would at most be a loss of face in front of other families. But if there was a mistake at the Crown Princess' wedding, it was not just a loss of face, it was a matter of losing one's head.
The Cheng Family's rules could not be considered good. Otherwise, the entire family would not have been so stagnant for generations. The subordinates followed the example of their superiors. It was obvious that the rules of the Marquis of Yichun's servants were not good either.
The Cheng Family was extremely flustered. Some time ago, when the Second Eldest Aunt was getting married, there was a big mess at the wedding. The Huo family members were already at the door, but the bride's room was still not settled. In the end, they almost couldn't even find the veil. If Cheng Yujin had not delayed for a long time outside, the Cheng Family would have made a fool of themselves that day.
This time, there was no other "Cheng Yujin" in the fu to delay for time. Even if there was, the Imperial Household Department would not allow it.
The Cheng Family was both flustered and afraid. Everyone was so busy that their feet did not touch the ground. Fortunately, the palace sent a whole group of people to make arrangements for this kind of big ceremony. Everyone had their own specialties. No one was more adept than the people in the palace at this kind of complicated ceremony. The Cheng Family members listened to the instructions of the Imperial Household Department. Whatever the female officials told them to do, they did. The day of the wedding arrived without any mishap.
On the day of the wedding, Cheng Yujin was woken up before dawn. In fact, no one was able to sleep that day. Not only Cheng Yujin's place, but also Old Lady Cheng's main room in Shou 'an Hall, as well as Qingfu's and Cheng Yuan-hsien's main rooms in Xuanhua Courtyard.
Cheng Yujin first burned incense, took a bath, and changed her clothes. She changed into a swallow robe. Then, dragging her long red robe, she followed Cheng Yuan-hsien and Princess Qingfu to the ancestral hall to pay her respects and offer wine. This trip was specifically to inform the ancestors that the Cheng Family had a daughter who was chosen to be the Crown Princess. Today, she was going to enter the palace. Before her daughter left, she specifically came here to inform the ancestors.
After the long congratulatory speech was read, Cheng Yujin bowed deeply and bid farewell to the ancestors of the Cheng Family.
The memorial tablet placed at the outermost part of the hall was Marquis Cheng's.
That day, Cheng Yuanjing had just returned from a trip to another place. His body was still covered with the frost and snow from afar. He quickly walked into Marquis Cheng's sickroom. Not long after, Cheng Yujin also ran in. The development of the two worlds began to differ from here.
At that time, Marquis Cheng's dying wish was fulfilled. Looking at everything in front of him, he was very gratified and could peacefully meet his death. It was not known whether Marquis Cheng would have thought that a year later, the little girl who followed Cheng Yuanjing in would also follow him out of the Cheng Family.
After returning from the ancestral hall, Cheng Yuan-hsien and Princess Qingfu sat upright in the main hall. Under the guidance of the female official, Cheng Yujin bowed deeply to Cheng Yuan-hsien and Princess Qingfu four times. Cheng Yuan-hsien looked at his daughter who was not his biological daughter, but who had brought him unimaginable glory. He was deeply moved.
He was originally worried that his father had died and no one would take care of it for him. What would happen to his title? However, who would have known that Cheng Yuan-hsien did not even need to use his brain, and the title of nobility was already firmly on his head.
After all, the father of the Crown Princess was neither high nor low. What was the point of having the title of heir? In the future, when writing about the Crown Prince's wedding, the Crown Princess's background was not dignified enough. How could the historian write about it?
There was no need for Li Seung-kyung to say anything. The people below quickly handled the matter of Cheng Yuan-hsien inheriting the title. Cheng Yuan-hsien did not need to worry about the formalities at all. It was as if he had won just by lying down.
In the past, Princess Qingfu would always use this matter to tease him. However, at this moment, at Cheng Yujin's wedding, Cheng Yuan-hsien truly felt that his life was very good.
In the first half of his life, he had a father, and in the second half, he had a daughter.
Cheng Yuan-hsien cleared his throat and tried to put on a dignified appearance. He said, "When you go to the palace, you must be diligent and careful. Filial piety is not to be disobeyed."
Cheng Yujin complied. "Your daughter understands. Thank you, father. "
She then walked in front of Princess Qingfu. Princess Qingfu also said, "Your father has taught you. You should respectfully accept."
"Yes. Thank you, mother. "
Cheng Yujin's time was very tight. Every hour and every moment was arranged. Cheng Yuan-hsien and Princess Qingfu did not dare to delay Cheng Yujin and hurriedly let her proceed to the next step.
Princess Qingfu watched as Cheng Yujin walked out of the main door. The red gown behind her drew an arc like flowing water on the threshold. Princess Qingfu sighed softly. Even if she was unwilling, she had to admit that the rest of her life, the rest of Cheng Enbao's life, and even the fate of the entire Cheng Family was entrusted to this woman in front of her.
Cheng Yujin did not hesitate to confess her indifference. Previously, Princess Qingfu and Cheng Yujin had already shed all pretense of cordiality. But so what? Qingfu wanted to curry favor with her even more.
Cheng Yujin then went to pay a visit to Old Lady Cheng and listen to Old Lady Cheng's lecture. When a bride got married, the elders in the family would give the bride pointers to teach the bride how to conduct herself in the family. She must be filial to her in-laws, assist her husband, and educate her children so that she could give birth to a child as soon as possible. However, those who had the right to lecture the bride were the immediate elders. In other words, Cheng Yuanhan and the Nguyễn Clan's uncles and aunts did not have the right.
Even if they were Cheng Yujin's biological parents.
After receiving the precepts, Cheng Yujin returned to her room. She changed out of her cumbersome Yan robe and into an even more cumbersome and heavy Di robe. After that, there was nothing for her to do. She only needed to wait for the procession to arrive.
She was able to relax for a moment. Thinking about it, Li Seung-kyung was probably very busy.
That was indeed the case. The Crown Prince was the foundation of the dynasty. The wedding was related to the inheritance of the dynasty. It was the most important ceremony. Especially since this was the first grand ceremony Li Seung-kyung held after he returned to his position as the Crown Prince. It was the best way to prove his legitimacy. With all these reasons added together, it was needless to say how grand this wedding was.
Cheng Yujin did not know what was going on outside. She did not know how long she had been waiting. Suddenly, she heard a commotion outside. The noise grew louder and louder. Gradually, she could also hear the music. Cheng Yujin knew that Li Seung-kyung had arrived.
Cheng Yujin was clearly familiar with this process. She even knew exactly when Li Seung-kyung would arrive at the Cheng Family's door. However, at this moment, when she heard the music, she actually felt nervous for no reason.
She was going to get married. She was really going to get married to Li Seung-kyung. Cheng Yujin was so nervous that she even blurred out Li Seung-kyung's face. The last time they had met was in the first month when she had just recovered from her illness. At that time, she had been shocked too much. She was not in the mood to pay attention to Li Seung-kyung's appearance. Even after she found out that he was not Cheng Yuanjing, but the Crown Prince of the palace, Cheng Yujin did not look directly at his face.
As a result, the scene that Cheng Yujin remembered the most was in the early spring of the twenty-second year of Jianwu. The wind blew the snow from the previous night, making it impossible to see the road on the other side clearly. Only his straight posture and his red hair were particularly eye-catching.
When the female officials heard the noise, they all secretly paid attention to Cheng Yujin. They saw that the Crown Princess was sitting upright and did not lose her composure because of the noise outside. They were all very satisfied.
Cheng Yujin sat upright on the bed. Her slender hands were clasped and hidden in her sleeves. Her neck was straight, and the phoenix coronet on her head did not sway at all. She looked extremely calm. The calm Crown Princess continued to perform her duties as a ceremonial person. In her heart, she was thinking that if she could not remember Li Seung-kyung's face, would he still remember her appearance? Her makeup today was especially exaggerated. In reality, she looked much better. If she was misunderstood, she would be annoyed.
Outside, there was the sound of ceremonial music. Based on the distance of the sound, they had already entered the fu. Today, Cheng Yuan-hsien had to wear the most formal court robes. When he saw his future son-in-law, he had to first kneel in salute to the Crown Prince. Then, he could hear the praises on the side singing, "The Crown Prince offers his personal welcome."
After that, every step was like this. Li Seung-kyung walked in front, followed by the ceremonial officials, and then it was Cheng Yuan-hsien's turn. They stopped in the middle hall. At this time, Cheng Yujin also walked to the middle hall under the guidance of the female officials. She stopped behind Princess Qingfu.
They were already here, but there was still a screen in front of her, not allowing the husband and wife to see each other directly. In reality, Cheng Yujin was wearing a crown that weighed more than ten jin, so she really was not in the mood to see people. She could faintly hear Li Seung-kyung worshipping the goose, and the praises singing many words. In the end, a drawn-out voice sang, "After the ceremony, please invite the Crown Prince out."
Li Seung-kyung also seemed to be speechless. He glanced at the screen where Cheng Yujin was, feeling helpless and angry. After doing so many tricks, step by step, it was extremely troublesome. In the end, he did not even see Cheng Yujin, and he was allowed to go out?
Especially since Cheng Yujin was not far away, he could see her figure at a glance. For the first time, Li Seung-kyung felt that these old-fashioned and cumbersome rules were extremely annoying.
At this time, the main hall was filled with people, and there was continuous music playing outside. It should be very noisy, but with Li Seung-kyung's movements, it strangely quieted down for a moment.
In the end, Li Seung-kyung still did not say anything, and took the lead to walk out. Cheng Yujin's worried heart relaxed, and only now did she feel that it was a bit funny. The corner of her mouth curled up, but she quickly suppressed it. She was still the dignified Crown Princess.
When Cheng Yuanjing walked out of sight, the female official led Cheng Yujin outside. She got into the phoenix sedan chair at the middle gate. The phoenix sedan chair was magnificent and extremely exquisite. Even the people carrying it were women. She sat in the phoenix sedan chair, and then the curtains were closed, completely covering her.
From beginning to end, Cheng Yujin really did not see Li Seung-kyung at all.
The imperial family was very particular, very particular.
Today, the Crown Prince's wedding was undoubtedly the focus of the entire city. Along the way, there were commoners following and watching. The wedding procession passed through the East Chang 'an Gate and majestically walked to the Meridian Gate. All of the bodyguards and officers stopped here. If they went any further, they would be violating the rules. Only Cheng Yujin's procession of honor continued to walk forward and entered the East Shun Gate. Just as her sedan chair landed, she heard a knock on the sedan chair door. The accompanying female official softly reminded her from outside, "Crown Princess, please come out of the sedan chair."
Cheng Yujin almost immediately realized who had knocked on the sedan chair door. Her fingers tightened around the jade tablet, and then her eyes suddenly lit up. The curtains were lifted, and Li Seung-kyung was wearing a black coronet robe. The multicolored light in front of him swayed gently, making it impossible to see his eyes clearly. But Cheng Yujin knew that he was looking at her.
Unmarried couples were not allowed to see each other before marriage, but after marriage, they lived and died together. When they were alive, they would always see each other, and when they died, they would be buried in the same coffin.
They would share their fates and spend the rest of their lives together.
Cheng Yujin's heart was deeply moved. She felt the same way as when she received the title. Li Seung-kyung reached out to her, as if inviting her into his life.
Cheng Yujin hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out her hand.
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