amaotonovel Chapter 1055: Gold and Stone Can Be Sold, I Will Never Let You Down
Chapter 1055: Gold and Stone Can Be Sold, I Will Never Let You Down
Shi Anxia knew that the road to Liang State was bound to be full of thorns. In the years to come, their family would have to tread a bloody path on the edge of a knife.
The flowers and splendours before our eyes are only appearances. The turbulent undercurrents in the court are the real living conditions.
Her identity as the Princess of the Northern Wing would be criticized sooner or later. Those hands hidden under the wide sleeves of the court dress were always ready to bury the flash of swords in the memorials.
The ministers will keep a close eye on her husband's harem, and how her three children can grow up healthily are issues that she needs to think about calmly from the moment of her wedding.
Is she afraid?
In fact, she is not afraid. The thorns in her previous life are the armor of this life.
Besides, with her husband to protect her from the wind and rain, what does she have to be afraid of?
But she must teach her children well, let them know that they are different from other children, that they have received more than others since birth, and therefore must bear more.
Gains and losses are always equal.
So her husband discussed with her in the letter that he wanted to appoint the crown prince on the day of the wedding. Shi Anxia agreed without any hesitation.
She understood that this was a top priority.
Only by settling things down first can we stabilize the political situation.
At the auspicious time of three quarters, the two countries' historians stood solemnly by the river, one holding a jade tablet of the alliance, the other holding a gilded bronze book.
The two recited in unison: "The Huai River and the Xing River are surging, the sun and the moon are shining. The river is our witness, the mountain is our border. The Yiliang is our eternal bond, the Qin and Jin dynasties will prosper forever. The sunken box is our oath, those who disobey will suffer from heaven's calamity."
After the recitation, the historian ordered them to hold the golden box. The cover of this box was embossed with a map of the two countries' territories with the Huaixing River as the boundary. The box body was cast with the four characters "山河同寿" in seal script, and the inside was covered with brocade with the Big Dipper pattern.
The dragon-patterned jade belt and the covenant letter were placed in the box together.
"Sink the box--" As the ceremonial officer shouted, the golden box was wrapped nine times with colorful silk ropes and escorted by twelve golden sword guards from both sides to sink the box.
The moment they entered the water, the two countries swore an oath of alliance, with the mountains and rivers as their bond. The Huaixing River suddenly became as calm as a mirror, reflecting the complete reflection of both banks, just like the seamless border on the map.
The ceremonial officer stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "Princess, please move."
Shi Anxia nodded slightly, and slowly stepped down from the sedan chair with the help of the maid.
The river breeze blew gently, lifting the pearl curtain in front of her, revealing her bright, dignified and peerless face.
The majestic black dog Ye Baoer jumped down from behind her. It shook its shiny fur, looked around vigilantly, and then followed closely beside its master.
Several children also got out of the sedan chair and stood solemnly beside their mother.
This appearance surprised many people who did not know the truth.
"Hey, the emperor and empress are getting married, why does the empress have several children?"
Of course, there are many people who know the inside story. "Look at how ignorant you are. Liang Guoyu Emperor is the consort of our Northern Wing! They are a married couple who were married through three matchmakers and six betrothals. What's so strange about having a few children?"
"No, that's not right. How come there are three of them at once?"
"The princess gave birth to three children in one pregnancy, and she almost died. If the prince consort doesn't treat the princess well in the future, we, the people of the North Wing, will not agree."
"That is that is!"
The people on the other side of Liang State were too far away to see clearly, so they were waiting for Princess Beiyi to cross the river so that they could catch a glimpse of her beauty.
Want to see what kind of beauty could make Emperor Yu obsessed with her and offer half of his country as a betrothal gift?
Is it the beauty who brings disaster to the country and the people, or... who can tell?
The ministers who were quick-witted secretly glanced at Emperor Yu's profile, and were already thinking about what qualifications their daughters of marriageable age had to enter the palace.
Only Wu Xianwen, Wang Yi and other envoys knew that their Emperor Yu might break the regulations of the three palaces and six courtyards, which would disappoint the ministers.
Two pleasure boats sailed into the center of the river, heading for both banks.
Those with good eyesight will notice that there is a thin red line connecting the two boats. In fact, the red line is connected to the two jade cups.
A cup was presented to Emperor Yu of Liang.
The other cup was presented to the Princess of the North Wing.
It's time to drink the wedding wine.
Zhuo Qiran had stood aside for a long time, and now he stepped forward steadily. He tapped the jade cup with his fingertips to judge the quality by the sound; he also tested the wine with a silver needle and observed the color to test the smell. After he was sure that it was correct, he nodded to Xiyue.
Xiyue held the gilded wine jug in both hands, her expression solemn. This jug of wedding wine was opened at the hour of Mao, and Zhuo Qiran personally tested it and affixed a cinnabar seal on it, and then held it in Xiyue's hands all the time, never letting it go.
Emperor Yu was also equally cautious.
Every step of this marriage ceremony had been rehearsed and prepared for many times. Every step was absolutely precise.
The emperor and empress raised their glasses across the river, drank them together, and then threw the glasses into the river, meaning "sharing the joys and sorrows".
Afterwards, Nan Yan held up a pair of golden scissors wrapped with colorful silk and cut off a strand of Shi Anxia's black hair. Wei Yuzhi then used a specially made arrowheadless ceremonial arrow to shoot it steadily towards the center of the vermilion lacquered target on the opposite bank.
The Feather Emperor raised his hand and drew out the jade sword from his waist. The sword flashed, and a piece of sleeve embroidered with dragon patterns fell off. The ceremonial officer leaned over and placed the torn robe on the lotus river lantern. The wick was soaked in pine resin and could not be extinguished in water.
Cutting hair means saying goodbye to the past years of separation and never being separated from you in the future.
The broken robe is a pledge of clothing, and the lantern is a date of return. It is the marriage vow of the Feather Emperor: My heart is as firm as a rock, and will never change. Even if gold and stone can be melted, I will never betray you.
The arrow breaking through the air is Yang, and the river lanterns following the water are Yin, which implicitly conforms to the auspicious sign of "harmony between heaven and earth".
The ceremonial officer sang in a loud voice, "The auspicious time has arrived. Princess, please board the boat and cross the river!"
The attendants on both sides of the river moved upon hearing the sound, and simultaneously spread out scarlet brocade, laying a ten-mile-long carpet along the river bank.
Thirty-two boys and girls, holding golden bells and flower baskets, walked slowly along the shallows. The petals from the flower baskets fluttered in the river breeze, reflecting dots of golden light in the sun, creating a beautiful contrast with the sparkling water.
A vermilion-painted ship slowly approached the north wing shore. The bow of the ship was carved with a golden phoenix holding a pearl, and the hull was covered with red silk brocade curtains.
The deck is covered with five-colored soil, bronze bells are hung on the mast, and the steering wheel is inlaid with jade.
Sixteen boatmen dressed in indigo-colored arrow-sleeved uniforms, with red silk belts tied around their waists, stood solemnly beside the boat, holding long poles wrapped in gold threads. The middle of each pole was embedded with a green jade ring, on which the hydrological patterns of the Huaixing River were engraved.
Shi Anxia gently took Bei Hui's arm and slowly stepped onto the sandalwood springboard. Zhai Yi's skirt swept over the edge of the springboard, casting a golden reflection on the river.
Hong Que followed closely behind, holding the upright Yi Yi firmly in her left hand, and the black dog Ye Bao Er with a scarlet ribbon around its neck in her right hand. The black dog walked solemnly, and the golden bell rang with each step.
Dong Xi leaned over to help Er Er adjust the jade pendant on her waist, then took her hand. The little girl jumped for joy and then was gently pulled back to his side.
Nan Yan half-knelt down and smoothed San San's clothes, then took the little hand she timidly offered and led her onto the boat.
The vermilion lacquered ship let out a long, clear cry, and the boat moved, and the sounds of ritual music from both sides of the river began again.
Soon after, several ships came to the north wing to pick up the princess's wedding party and cross the river.
Huang Wanqian led the way aboard in high spirits. She was able to witness Mr. Huang's wedding and coronation ceremony with her own eyes, and felt that her life was complete.
Before the vermilion lacquered ship docked, the Feathered Emperor had already arrived and was waiting.
When An Xia finally came out after much anticipation, he personally stepped forward and helped her off the boat in front of everyone.
The moment he took her hand, he was suddenly overwhelmed with mixed emotions, as if he had been waiting for this moment for thousands of years.