Chapter 163: The Grand Wedding.

Chapter 163: The Imperial Wedding.

Why would the courtiers wish for His Majesty to marry early?

Because only after the imperial wedding could His Majesty legitimately begin governing the realm.

Now that the Empress Dowager had voluntarily proposed allowing His Majesty to participate in governance, many courtiers saw this as a favorable sign.

Having ruled for years, raising His Majesty single-handedly and quelling both internal and external threats to Great Yan, the Empress Dowager's prestige was unquestionably high, both for the nation and the imperial family.

If the transition of power between mother and son could proceed smoothly, it would naturally be the scenario most desired by the courtiers.

Otherwise, should conflict arise between them, those courtiers who supported His Majesty's personal rule would find their knees shaking at the mere thought of standing against the Empress Dowager as her adversaries.

Ji Xianshan, while enthusiastically participating in state affairs, also began preparations for his imperial wedding.

Huo Ling, as his mother, allocated funds from her personal coffers and entrusted them to the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department, instructing them to make the imperial wedding even more magnificent and grand.

Occasionally, when Ji Xianshan came to report on political matters, Huo Ling would also remind him to visit Fengyi Palace more often.

"The palace servants naturally wouldn't slack off. But if you visit a few more times, they will surely be even more diligent."

Ji Xianshan nodded in agreement.

Huo Ling added, "Also, most of the flowers and plants in Fengyi Palace were planted to my taste. I’m not sure what flowers A Zuo likes. The Imperial Household Department should plant more of her favorites."

Ji Xianshan actually knew this: "She loves phalaenopsis orchids the most. Mother, have you forgotten? A Zuo is also fond of painting—one in three of her paintings is of orchids."

Huo Ling said, "Now that you mention it, I remember. A few years ago, for the Emperor's Birthday, I did receive a painting from her titled 'Butterflies Playing Among Orchids.'"

Ji Xianshan suggested, "We could have the palace gardeners develop new cultivars, so A Zuo can paint them in different styles."

As he spoke, Ji Xianshan felt it necessary to visit Fengyi Palace himself.

Coincidentally, he had nothing else scheduled that afternoon, so he asked Huo Ling, "Just now, when Mother mentioned Fengyi Palace, there was a nostalgic tone in your voice. It’s been a long time since you last set foot there. Would you like to go and see it together?"

...

The Imperial Household Department had just started renovations, focusing mainly on repairing the exterior of the palace—repainting flaking columns and mending broken stone steps—while the layout of the courtyard had yet to be altered.

Thus, at a glance, every plant, tree, and scene in Fengyi Palace still bore traces of its former appearance.

As they strolled together around the grounds, Huo Ling suddenly raised her hand and pointed to a stately phoenix tree in the distance:

"This phoenix tree was planted by your father the year you were born. Do you remember?"

Ji Xianshan lifted his head, gazing at the lofty canopy: "I remember. Mother once told me about it."

Huo Ling stepped into the tree’s shade and pressed her palm against its trunk: "Before I entered the palace, your father had two other princes. One died shortly after birth, and the other passed away at the age of two due to a sudden illness.

"After two decades of rule without being able to raise a single prince to adulthood, the courtiers grew increasingly anxious. At times, even your father worried about the succession.

"So, yielding to the persuasion of Wen Shengan and other courtiers, he finally relented and agreed to bring the eldest son of Prince Duan into the palace for imperial upbringing."

Ji Xianshan was barely three when the late emperor passed away.

Most of his impressions of his father came from Huo Ling’s stories.

Huo Ling never avoided mentioning the late emperor in front of Ji Xianshan, though she seldom mentioned Prince Duan’s family.

Ji Xianshan didn't quite understand Huo Ling's meaning, but he listened quietly while subtly shifting his position to shield her from the dappled sunlight.

Noticing his gesture, Huo Ling's gaze softened. "I clashed with Prince Duan's household and the Duke of Liu's residence, so I would never allow Prince Duan's eldest son to inherit the throne—especially after I entered the palace and had you.

"The year your father died, Great Yan was thrown into chaos.

"At court, Prince Duan and the Duke of Liu raised troops in rebellion; at the northern border, Great Mu sent a hundred thousand troops marching southward. And you were still so young—too young to understand why your father had suddenly disappeared, too young to avoid frequent illnesses.

"No matter how fierce the political struggles were, we could endure them. But during those nights when you were sick, I was too afraid to close my eyes, terrified you might die young like the Emperor's other children."

Ji Xianshan's heart ached at her words. "Mother, you suffered so much in those years."

Huo Ling shook her head with a faint smile. "An Er, you haven't married or had children yet. A child can never fully grasp a mother's heart.

"Watching you grow up little by little, and now seeing you about to marry and start a family—I hold no grievances.

"Your father's greatest worry during his reign was the succession crisis. All I hope is that after your marriage, you and A Zuo will be happily wed and soon welcome a royal heir."

Ji Xianshan coughed lightly and nodded vaguely.

Huo Ling smiled faintly but didn't press the matter further. Instead, she remarked, "Wen Shengan is your teacher, and I shouldn't speak too critically of him in your presence, but I dislike his character. He was a trusted confidant of the late Emperor, owed him everything, and should have prioritized the Emperor's interests. Yet he spoke only of state affairs, as if his actions alone were for the people's sake, while the late Emperor's decisions harmed the state.

"After I became Empress Dowager, he constantly opposed me, leveraging his position as head of the officials and Regent to repeatedly challenge my policies.

"He pretends to disdain women, but in truth, he aspires to be a power-grabbing chancellor controlling the court. By suppressing me and forcing me back into the inner palace, he could seize control of the court."

"I know," Ji Xianshan said, clasping her hand. "No matter how eloquently the courtiers speak, they are outsiders. You and I are closest kin."

Huo Ling recounted many stories from Ji Xianshan's childhood.

That evening, she even personally cooked a bowl of noodles for each of them.

Ji Xianshan had feared the worst possible scenario.

In his mind, the worst would have been his mother thrusting upon him a queen he neither liked nor knew—perhaps from the Sang family, the Zhenguo Duke's household, the Qiu family, or some other faction aligned with the Empress Dowager Faction—and stubbornly refusing to yield an inch. Unless the courtiers hinted otherwise, she would act as if all was normal, delaying his involvement in governance indefinitely.

But the worst never came to pass.

His mother didn't select a queen from the Sang, Zhenguo Duke, or Qiu families—instead, she chose A Zuo from the Lu family. She hadn't sought to manipulate his marriage for political gain.

Nor did she remain unyielding. Before the courtiers could even hint, and before his formal wedding ceremony, she had already relented, allowing him to participate in governance and handle state documents.

Thus, as they walked through Fengyi Palace together, listening to her reminisce about their past—both tender moments and turbulent trials—he was deeply moved and remorseful.

The noodles exuded a faint, comforting aroma, warm steam curling up before them.

In this serene and intimate atmosphere, the night of bloodshed on New Year's Eve in the tenth year of Celestial Reign seemed to fade into the distance.

The nightmares that had haunted Ji Xianshan for countless days and nights faded like mist.

In this steaming bowl of noodles, the estrangement and distance that had once existed between mother and son seemed to dissolve like the rising vapor.

In the blink of an eye, as Fengyi Palace was restored and new orchids flourished in the courtyard, the day of Lu Zuo's hair-pinning ceremony arrived.

Huo Ling did not attend in person, but on the day of the ceremony, she sent generous presents and an edict conferring upon Lu Zuo the title of Lady of Xiangcheng County.

With the imperial wedding imminent, no one had expected the Empress Dowager to issue such an edict.

Yet it only proved her approval and high regard for the future empress.

The empress's enthronement was one matter, and the conferment of the title of County Princess upon Lu Zuo was another. Who wouldn't say that the Dowager Empress handled this beautifully?

Even Lu Zuo herself would have to be really grateful for the Dowager Empress’s kindness.

The coronation ceremony was held with such grandeur and magnificence that it amazed everyone who saw it.

The day after the grand wedding, the Emperor and Empress together went to Shouning Palace to greet Huo Ling and serve her tea.

Huo Ling accepted the teacups from the newlyweds and instructed Wu Mo to bring out the gifts she had prepared in advance.

Later in the day, Dowager Consort Shu, accompanied by other dowager consorts, came to greet the newlyweds.

Lu Zuo gave a partial bow to Dowager Consort Shu.

Dowager Consort Shu stepped aside and returned the gesture.

The Empress’s seal and the Phoenix Seal had already been personally handed to Lu Zuo by Ji Xianshan during the coronation ceremony.

Now that Dowager Consort Shu had arrived, she brought up the matter of managing the six palaces: "Previously, Her Majesty the Dowager Empress was occupied with court affairs, and His Majesty had yet to marry, so I temporarily managed palace affairs. Now that Her Majesty has a daughter-in-law, I'd like to take it easy for a change."

Dowager Consort Shu had already discussed this with Huo Ling beforehand, so the latter was not surprised by the reminder. She merely smiled and said, "I know you wish to move to the Grand Princess’s residence soon, but A Zuo has just entered the palace, and it’s year-end. You must stay a while longer to guide her."

Lu Zuo also added, "I hope Dowager Consort Shu will not hesitate to instruct me."

Dowager Consort Shu beamed. "I wouldn't presume to instruct the Empress. I’ve been quite comfortable in the palace—whether I move out now or after the New Year makes little difference. I only mention it now so the Empress can prepare."

With the support of the Dowager Empress and the Emperor, as well as Dowager Consort Shu’s careful guidance, Lu Zuo was not the kind of person who couldn’t stand firm. She adapted easily to palace life.

When Xu Shidu entered the palace to visit her daughter, she could tell just by Lu Zuo’s complexion how she was doing in the palace.

Unlike Lu Zuo, who was growing more accustomed to her role as Empress, Ji Xianshan’s days in court were anything but smooth.