vrcanaries Chapter 1603 The Wedding of Princess Wenshu
Chapter 1603 The Wedding of Princess Wenshu
The fact that Princess Yun'an would be sent to marry a Xiongnu chieftain was within everyone's expectations.
From the court and the common people, to imperial relatives and nobles, and even the concubines in the harem, most of them simply said "Oh," revealing an expression of "I knew it."
Their attention was quickly drawn to something else.
The 28th day of the first lunar month was the wedding day of Princess Wenshu and Bai Mufeng, the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination.
From early morning, the entire palace was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
Along the imperial road leading to the palace gate, every ten steps stood a spirited imperial guard in brand-new armor. In their hands were magnificent banners and palace fans painted with auspicious dragons and phoenixes, and a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix.
Along the corridors, the Imperial Household Department hung countless exquisite glass palace lanterns and large red silk flowers overnight.
The vibrant colors and intricate designs showcase the extraordinary grandeur of the imperial family's wedding ceremony!
The auspicious time is set at the beginning of the Si hour (9-11 AM).
Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the concubines and noblewomen who were invited to attend the ceremony began to arrive one after another at the designated side hall to wait.
Although the main character today is Princess Wenshu, this wedding is a rare grand event in the imperial harem.
Therefore, all the concubines of rank who were allowed to appear in public would dress up meticulously, striving to neither steal the limelight nor be overshadowed on such an important day.
Shen Zhinian was naturally the first to arrive.
Today she wore a slightly dignified yet festive crimson palace dress, her hair meticulously styled and adorned with a gold and kingfisher feather phoenix hairpin holding a pearl. Her overall demeanor was dignified and noble, perfectly befitting her status as an Imperial Noble Consort.
Shen Zhinian took her seat in the main seat and greeted the arriving concubines and noblewomen with a smile, her demeanor impeccable.
Consort Zhuang arrived a little late.
Wearing a royal blue palace dress embroidered with gold chrysanthemums, she looked gentle and graceful, still holding prayer beads in her hand.
Upon seeing Shen Zhinian, Consort Zhuang was the first to bow and offer her greetings.
Consort Xian, Consort Xuan, and other high-ranking concubines also took their seats, chatting in hushed tones, their faces displaying appropriate, slight smiles.
Even the usually aloof Consort Yue had changed into a softer lotus-root-colored dress and sat quietly in the corner.
Consort Mei was naturally stunningly beautiful. Her peach-colored figure fluttered around the palace like a butterfly, attracting the attention of several young members of the imperial family.
Consort Qin remained as cheerful as ever, chatting and laughing with the ladies of high rank she knew.
Consort Tang looked around with great curiosity, only calming down a little when Rui'er gently tugged at her sleeve.
The atmosphere inside the hall was harmonious, filled with laughter and conversation.
Everyone's gaze kept drifting toward the beaded curtain leading to the inner hall.
Finally, the beaded curtain rustled softly as it was lifted by the palace maids on either side.
Princess Wenshu walked out slowly, surrounded by noblewomen and palace maids.
In an instant, the hall became completely silent.
Princess Wenshu wore a five-phoenix crown made of red gold filigree and inlaid with rubies. Five golden phoenixes held long strings of pearls in their beaks, swaying gently with her steps, shimmering with light.
The crown was adorned with six large sideburns, decorated with pearls and jade, making it exceptionally luxurious.
She wore a bright red wedding gown embroidered with colorful phoenixes and clouds, the fabric shimmering softly in the palace light. The phoenixes were so lifelike they seemed ready to take flight.
A jade belt cinched her waist, from which exquisite jade pendants dangled, their delicate tinkling mingling with her movements, creating a melodious and captivating sound.
She was already beautiful and gentle. Now, with light makeup, her eyebrows were delicately drawn, and her lips were lightly touched up.
Under the backdrop of this exquisitely beautiful wedding dress, she lost some of her usual timidity and gained more of the radiance and shyness that belongs to a new bride.
Princess Wenshu's cheeks were flushed with a natural blush, her eyes were lowered, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her hands were neatly folded in front of her. She walked with grace and poise.
The concubines and noblewomen of lower rank than Princess Wenshu rose in unison: "Your Majesty, we congratulate Princess Wenshu on her wedding! May the Princess and her husband live in harmony, grow old together, and enjoy lasting happiness!"
Princess Wenshu stopped and faced the crowd, giving a slight curtsy in return, her voice soft: "Wenshu thanks all the ladies and consorts."
Her shy yet joyful demeanor, coupled with her efforts to maintain the bearing of a royal princess, drew kind smiles from several older ladies of the court, who whispered in praise, "The Princess is truly radiant today!"
"Elegant and graceful, truly a match made in heaven!"
The auspicious time is approaching.
As the head of the harem, Shen Zhinian was required by etiquette to escort Princess Wenshu to the palace gate.
She rode in the imperial concubine's palanquin, following behind the procession of ministers escorting her.
The procession paused before the majestic palace gates.
Shen Zhinian alighted from the carriage and walked to Princess Wenshu's side, saying gently, "Wenshu, today you are getting married. I hope that you and your husband will treat each other with respect and courtesy, be cautious and prudent, live up to the royal upbringing, and enjoy peace and happiness in this world!"
Princess Wenshu's voice choked slightly, but she tried her best to remain calm: "Wenshu will remember the Imperial Noble Consort's teachings and will never forget them!"
Shen Zhinian nodded and took a step back: "Go."
A high-pitched voice from the Directorate of Ceremonial announced, "The auspicious hour has arrived!"
"Please, Princess Wenshu, ascend the phoenix carriage—!!!"
The sound of drums and music suddenly rang out.
Sixteen robust eunuchs dressed in specially made formal attire steadily carried the luxurious sixteen-bearer phoenix palanquin, adorned with golden phoenixes, tassels, and pendants, to the outside of the palace.
With the help of the noblewomen, Princess Wenshu took a deep breath and stepped onto the palanquin.
The palace maids carefully adjusted the hem of her wedding dress and lowered the sedan chair curtain embroidered with a pattern of phoenixes singing in harmony.
Shen Zhinian watched the procession depart until the colorful flags of the ceremonial guard disappeared at the end of the long street before turning around.
Ultimately, Wen Shu will have to walk her own path in the future.
The wedding procession set off in a grand and imposing manner.
Leading the procession was the Imperial Guard, carrying aloft the complete set of imperial regalia, including the dragon and phoenix flags, golden gourds, axes, stars, and constellations—symbols of imperial power. They gleamed in the sunlight, exuding an imposing and majestic aura.
Following closely behind was a procession of palace attendants carrying various umbrellas, fans, flags, and banners, their colors vibrant, like a moving tapestry of brocade.
Following them were a continuous procession of eunuchs and palace maids carrying the princess's dowry book and imperial treasures.
The endless rows of vermilion-lacquered and gold-painted chests silently demonstrate the wealth and prestige of a royal wedding.
The sixteen-bearer phoenix palanquin was positioned in the center of the procession, like stars surrounding the moon.
Following the imperial carriage was a procession of ministers, personally appointed by Nangong Xuanyu and headed by the Minister of Rites, as well as elite imperial guards.
Wherever the procession went, imperial edicts had already been issued.
The common people must avoid the area and must not cause any disturbance.
Along the streets, guards stood every five steps and sentries every ten. The Imperial Guards, gleaming in their armor and with solemn expressions, kept the onlookers at a distance, leaving only a wide and solemn passage.
Even so, the second floors of restaurants and teahouses on both sides of the street, and even the rooftops at the far end of the alley, were still packed with dark crowds.
They stood on tiptoe, craning their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the rare and grand spectacle of a royal wedding.
"Look! Now this is what you call imperial grandeur!"
"Bai Hanlin is truly blessed to be able to marry a princess!"
"I've heard that Scholar Bai is exceptionally talented and has a good temperament, making him a perfect match for Princess Wenshu!"