Chapter 8, Wedding Night

Father is the Protector of the Dragon Division, sharing the governance of the empire with the Emperor, almost on equal footing. Now that I am in charge of the Dragon Talisman, can he regard me as his subject rather than as a woman? He is the Emperor; what woman does he not have? With this thought, my tense heart relaxed slightly.

Here at the highest point, your father will see how I indulge his daughter, ha—ha—ha—. Sen Han's voice was cold, his gaze filled with resentment. Before I could react, his hand suddenly yanked, and that splendid thin robe was torn away from me, thrown down. My entire body was exposed to the air

The moon hangs high in the sky, the night is deep, and the Emperor has yet to arrive. My tensed heart slightly relaxes, and my body wrapped in the quilt is already drenched in sweat

The thin robe is soft and comfortable, loosely wrapping around me, but aside from this robe, I find that I am not wearing a stitch underneath, leaving me feeling as if I am still bare, which is truly bizarre

The Biyu Palace is vast, yet it is completely deserted. He carried me across the Biyu Pool, walked through a patch of grass, and then ascended to a pavilion. The pavilion is surrounded by towering ancient trees, which shroud it in a particularly deep seclusion. However, the faint moonlight just happens to fall in the center of the pavilion, making it appear especially bright in the darkness

Your Majesty

This—this—

That day I cried, cried with great sorrow, cried in despair, burying my head deep in my knees. The five palace maids seemed to be oblivious to my cries, continuing to wash every inch of my skin, washing for a long, long time, as if even the slightest impurity on my body would tarnish the dignity of the emperor, the one who holds the highest power.

Miss, what should I do? I do not want to marry this man. Can I still change my mind? Do I have any choices left? Upon entering the Bi Shui Palace, I took off the heavy phoenix crown from my head, but Li Mama came to stop me, saying it is inauspicious

The dragon bed is large, and the quilt is embroidered with a soaring five-clawed golden dragon, everywhere glistening with gold, showcasing the royal grandeur and nobility. The palace maid stands guard outside the door, in a deathly silence

He is older than I imagined, with murky eyes and a pale complexion, clearly showing signs of excessive indulgence. His skin is loose, especially the wrinkles around his eyes and the corners of his mouth are prominent. Although he does not bear the deep marks of time, he has already reached the twilight of his years. Given his condition, how can he still choose a new wife every year? I find that I cannot regard this esteemed man before me as my husband.

It was not until my body ached as if a layer of skin had been shed that they finally said it was good

After tidying up her clothes, they applied makeup on me. The woman in the mirror was not strikingly beautiful, but rather cute. Although she did not possess the beauty that could topple cities or nations, she was still considered charming and delicate. How could it be that she ended up marrying an old man in such a miserable state

The figure of the virtuous consort is truly remarkable; the Emperor will surely be very fond of her tonight. Another palace maid said with a laugh, "As soon as I hear about the Emperor and the evening, I feel a sense of blockage in my heart"

"All of you, keep your distance from me. If you disturb my interests, your heads will roll." The aged voice was somewhat unclear, and the emperor seemed to have had too much to drink tonight. Soon, chaotic footsteps echoed outside, and the palace attendants quickly departed.

The deep and solemn sound of the bell resonated throughout the Temple of Heaven, marking the commencement of the sacrificial ceremony. I moved like a puppet, completing one tedious ritual after another, and by the time it all concluded, not a single drop of water or grain of rice had entered my mouth

It is said that only someone with her ethereal grace can give birth to such remarkable children. Her three offspring are all exceptional individuals. Her second son is exceptionally talented, refined, and well-versed in music from a young age, excelling in various fields. Her youngest son, Zi Bei Tian Fan, is the most handsome man in the North, unmatched in chess skills throughout the region. Her eldest daughter, Bei Qian Qian, bears a striking resemblance to her mother. It is said that at the age of ten, she wrote "The Ten Commandments," which gained fame in the capital, leaving the talented scholars of the North in awe. Everyone sighs that Bi Yao is a celestial being who has descended to the mortal realm, capable of giving birth to such graceful and handsome children.

"Noble Consort, the time has come; allow this servant to assist you with your bath and change of clothes." As night fell, the palace maids entered in succession, bringing fragrant water. They began to remove my garments, but I hurriedly waved my hands to stop them. I am not accustomed to being undressed by others, and I am even less accustomed to having so many people assist me with my bathing.

"Noble Consort, quickly extend your hand to His Majesty," urged the palace maid following me, her voice tinged with anxiety

In the morning, the wind was strong. Through the billowing curtains, I saw the intricately carved and brilliantly decorated imperial palace. The white snow on the ground had been completely cleared, and the bare branches were tied with red silk. Large red lanterns hung high, and the floor was covered with luxurious carpets. They said that the emperor was welcoming Marry me with the full grandeur befitting a nation's princess, and the level of formality was even more than adequate.

Forget it, this old man is not an ordinary old man. There is only one such old man in the northern country. Anyway, the ones who marry are not the ones they truly love, so what does it matter whom they marry? Perhaps the emperor is still vigorous despite being sixty; he looks like he is in his prime. I keep trying to comfort myself, but as soon as I think of his hands, which are as withered as dry twigs, even the most beautiful illusions shatter.

"Noble Consort, the time has come." Although I have prepared myself to be a lamb led to slaughter, being stripped of my clothes and wrapped in a quilt and carried into the carriage still feels immensely humiliating. This wedding night is far from what I had once imagined.

"Noble Consort, this is the rule of the palace. During the night of service, it is always like this, to facilitate the Emperor's favor towards the Noble Consort. Soon, this robe will also need to be removed. In this palace, only Noble Consort Biyao and the Empress receive the Emperor in their own palaces; all other consorts must be carried to Longteng Palace for the night of service." The palace maid said while helping me adjust my robe.

"Xianfei—" An aged voice echoed in my ears, the sound was not loud, yet it felt so ethereal that I seemed to be walking on cotton, my body trembling slightly

"Your Majesty, you have had too much to drink," I said. My teeth were chattering, making it impossible to utter a complete sentence. He was very drunk, his steps unsteady as he held me while exiting, yet his grip was surprisingly strong.

The noble consort—before I could react, the Emperor had already taken my hand, which felt like a piece of withered wood in winter, cold and icy. I felt as if a long snake was coiling in the palm of my hand, and I was so flustered that I just wanted to shake it off with all my might

"Noble Consort, just ten more steps up, and you will be in the Emperor's embrace," said the palace maid to me. I ascended step by step, slowly and steadily, yet the distance of ten steps felt so close.

The palace maid supported me as I ascended step by step. She whispered softly in my ear, saying that now all the civil and military officials of the court were prostrating themselves on the steps. She mentioned that these steps were covered with the most luxurious carpets, and both sides were adorned with red flowers, which were precious varieties that bloom in winter, now trampled under my feet. She said I was the most noble woman she had ever seen, even more so than the empress in her prime.

Serving the master is the duty of a servant, and the noble consort truly overwhelms this old servant. Li Mama expressed her gratitude profusely as she left. This Bi Shui Palace, named for the artificial lake with rippling blue waves in front of it, was once the sleeping quarters of the Emperor's favored consort, Bi Yao. It is said that Bi Yao is a legend of the northern palace.

"By the Emperor's decree, the virtuous consort is the daughter of the Dragon Guardian, the custodian of the Dragon Talisman, of noble status. She shall reside in the Emerald Water Palace and will receive the Emperor there in the future, without the need to go to the Dragon Soaring Palace to serve at night" The eunuch's sharp voice echoed in the Dragon Soaring Palace

"Noble Consort, are you waiting for me?" He lifted me up with such force that I could not break free, and the foul scent of his body filled my lungs, making me feel nauseous

"Come on," I said, my face flushed. I had never experienced being stripped bare in front of so many people before, and the thought of being undressed by so many, only to be looked at and touched afterward, was truly excruciatingly embarrassing. However, when I thought about having to show myself to a sixty-year-old man tonight, it felt as if countless insects were crawling all over me. Honestly, I really wanted to cry

At noon, the joyous sedan chair arrived at the foot of the Temple of Heaven. I heard that the Emperor would take me to worship the ancestors of the Bei family. Upon arrival, I was blindly led by others to do this and that, feeling flustered in my heart. At that moment, I particularly missed the young lady, and I thought of the old master Leng, the one I had loved for so long. I dared not think about it, for such thoughts would only deepen my despair.

Due to the imperial decree, I was carried back to the Emerald Water Palace

"Today, the Consort is tired. Li Mama, please escort the Consort back to the Bichui Palace and take good care of her." The aged voice carried a tender warmth, and immediately, praises filled the surroundings. They all said that the Emperor had shown great favor to the family of the Dragon Guard, and after the death of Consort Li, he had conferred another consort, and this time she was the foremost among the four consorts.

My beloved consort is the daughter of the Dragon Guardian, how could I bear to hurt you? Tonight, I will cherish you well, to comfort the spirit of the Dragon Guardian in heaven. I will ensure that you have an unforgettable wedding night for a lifetime

"The Emperor has arrived—" As I was lost in thought, upon hearing that the Emperor was coming, I couldn't help but shiver, tightening the robe around me a little more.

He smiled at me, and for some reason, the hairs on my body stood on end. At that moment, I felt he was like a hungry wolf that had been starved for a long time, baring its sharp and chilling teeth as it approached me

"Your Majesty, please let go, you are hurting me." My heart was in a knot of panic, my words were jumbled, and my whole body was trembling

I am tired, you may leave first. The Emperor is hosting a banquet for the officials in the Imperial Garden and should not return too soon. You will wait at the door, and when the Emperor returns, inform me to tidy my attire. Today is a momentous day as it marks my grand wedding with the Emperor, and I am grateful to the matron for her care along the way. I pressed a jade bracelet into her hand.

She is extraordinarily beautiful, known as the Fairy of Biyiao. She is the biological mother of the Fifth Prince Beitianfan, the Third Prince Beitianhong, and the Second Princess Beiqianqian from the Northern Kingdom. During her lifetime, the Northern Emperor showered her with affection. Even though every year the Emperor selected beautiful women to enrich the imperial harem, his grace towards her remained undiminished, and the rewards bestowed upon her increased year by year, making her the most favored concubine in the world

"Your Highness, I am but a servant who has not done well." The palace maids, upon seeing my refusal, all knelt down in fear and trepidation, as if I might behead them at any moment, no matter how I tried to explain.

Only the color red is short-lived. Seven years ago, Bi Yao passed away due to illness. Her daughter, Bei Qian Qian, also left this world from excessive grief. In one night, the Northern Emperor lost both his beloved concubine and his cherished daughter, fainting several times and not attending court for half a month. The people of the Northern Kingdom mourned deeply. On the death anniversaries of the fairy Bi Yao and Bei Qian Qian, the citizens would release a flower lantern at Warm Lake in remembrance. The Bihui Palace remained empty all this time. Seven years later, the Emperor unexpectedly allowed me to take residence here. No wonder they all say the Emperor dotes on me.