From early morning on, the Wu Guo Gong Fu was quiet.

  It was as if even the magpie's cry was gone.

  Lin Xiang stood behind the screen, looking at the peony pattern on the screen, and Mu Qing and Mu Zhi helped her change into a formal dress.

  The deep blue robe, with twelve floral patterns on the collar and two on the shoulders. The garment is made of deep blue silk, with a pattern of feathers in the shape of a swallow. The fabric is plain, with five colors and twelve grades. The white silk undergarment has a crimson collar, and the gauze and silk fabrics are all dyed red. The knee cover matches the color of the skirt, with a purple border, using feathers as ornaments, in three grades. The wide belt matches the color of the garment, with a crimson lining, and a pattern on the outside, with crimson brocade above and green brocade below, and the knot is made of blue silk. With a blue robe, leather belt, blue socks and shoes, white jade double pendants, and black silk double large sashes. It is worn for receiving imperial decrees, assisting at sacrifices, and attending grand ceremonies.

  The Book of Rites says that the Ao robe is one of the six robes for empresses, and it is the most solemn among the "three layers" of clothes worn by imperial consorts during sacrificial ceremonies and court gatherings.

  Later generations referred to the "Zhou Li", and the ao robe became the highest ceremonial attire of the empress, which was both a sacrificial dress, a court dress, and an auspicious dress for enthronement and wedding ceremonies.

  This cheongsam has been tried on many times by Lin Xiao, but none of them were as significant as today.

  Lin Xiao walked out wearing this elaborate and majestic dragon robe.

  The welcoming ceremony for the empress's procession stretched from the central hall of the Duke of Wu's mansion all the way to the outer gate.

  Envoys, attendants, announcers, masters of ceremonies, palace eunuchs, inner servants, and commanders of the various guards...

  Lin Xiao felt for the first time the true significance of the word "Empress" and its connection to herself.

  Mr. Song, as an envoy, glanced at her and said: "Song Mou has been ordered to present the imperial edict and hand over the ceremonial objects to the Empress Dowager."

  Lin He followed the instructions of the matchmaker and the imperial concubine, presenting the imperial seal and certificate to the empress in an orderly manner. After three bows, she then received the edict following her appointment.

  "Ta Wei Song certain sealed and appointed, Lin Ying's daughter Lin Shi from Shaanxi as the Empress. Refer to you I Ching Qian Kun, Poetry first Guan Ju, Wang Hua's origin, actually from internal support. Therefore, Imperial Concubine Yu Xun, Emperor's way with light......"

  Then again, he kowtowed three times.

  Then all the Lin family members, guests and envoys knelt down to pay homage to the empress.

  After three kneels and nine bows, the grand ceremony was completed. Lin Xiang was led out of the Wu Guo Gong Fu by the Shang Gong and boarded a phoenix carriage.

  Zhuang led the ladies of the Lin family and the female guests to the front of the phoenix carriage, while Lin Ying and Lin Yong led the young men of the Lin family in kneeling farewell at the outer gate.

  Lin He looked at the misty-eyed Zhuang Shi and Lin Ying, who was kneeling solemnly on the ground, then stepped onto the Phoenix Carriage, escorted by the welcoming guards, and set off towards the Imperial Palace.

  Inside the imperial palace, bells and drums sound together.

  The chariots and horses passed through the Zhonghe Gate, passed through the Duanmen Gate, and went all the way to the bottom of the steps outside the Qiankun Palace.

  Lin Xiang followed the lead of Gong Shifu's wife and got out of the phoenix carriage, raising her eyes to see the Emperor standing in front of the Qiankun Palace.

  He wore a ceremonial robe, with twelve symbolic patterns embroidered on the upper part: sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and auspicious insects were woven into the fabric of his clothes; ritual vessels, jade, fire, millet, and other designs were embroidered on his skirt. He wore a twelve-tasseled hat on his head.

  Standing tall and upright, with an air of majesty and dignity.

  That was a real emperor.

  A long time ago, Lin Xiao thought she had already forgotten his appearance.

  But at this moment, the face of the man who was radiant and gentle, holding her hand when she was young, overlapped with the man in front of her, crystal clear.

  Apart from having more of an emperor's majesty and aura than before, the years have not left too many marks on him, he is actually still very young.

  Perhaps knowing she was looking at him, the emperor showed her a hint of a smile, and his face softened slightly.

  Lin Xiao stepped up step by step, each step was steady and solemn, and finally walked in front of him.

  The emperor held out his hand to her.

  Lin Ya looked at the hand, with distinct joints and slender fingers, without a single fine line or defect, now suspended in front of her, gentle yet powerful - Lin Ya thought, that was a hand that could bring peace of mind.

  Lin Yan slowly stretched out her hand and placed her own hand in his palm.

  His hand wrapped around hers, perhaps with a few comforting intentions. He led her, step by step, towards the grand hall of the Qiankun Palace.

  Then he walked her to the front of the dragon throne, turned around with her, facing the officials, and accepted the court's courtesy.

  Lin He saw the crown prince among the officials.

  He stood at the very front of all officials, wearing the crown prince's ceremonial attire. In such a conspicuous position, it was hard for Lin Xiang not to notice him.

  His gaze at her was melancholic, with a deep-seated hatred.

  This made Lin Xiao's heart feel somewhat downcast.

  Then followed the tedious three bows and nine knocks, drafting of documents, Empress Dowager's thank-you note...

  After a series of tedious rituals, it wasn't until almost evening that Lin Xiang and the Emperor were led by the palace attendants to Changkun Palace.

  The Empress led the Emperor into the East Warm Pavilion, took off his imperial robes and changed into casual clothes. Lin Xiang also took off her thick and complicated dragon robe under the service of the Empress.

  The emperor and empress sat facing each other, with the eunuchs leading the palace maidens carrying in three sacrificial animals, food, wine, and fish, to perform the ritual of sharing a meal together.

  The three animals used in the same prison are cattle, pigs and sheep. Newlyweds share one animal to eat together, meaning they will enjoy good fortune and longevity together.

  Lin Xiao watched as Shang Shi cut the meat into slices and placed them in a bowl, serving it to the Emperor. After that, he picked up the remaining half slice and brought it before himself.

  Lin Xiao looked at the half piece of mutton with teeth marks still on it, and for a moment she was stunned. She paused for a moment before opening her mouth to put it in.

  He again ordered that rice, millet, glutinous millet, wheat and legumes be taken from the granary, and had the emperor and empress eat together.

  Take the cup and put wine in it, make a toast with the emperor and empress, and have them drink together.

  Only then can it be considered polite.

  Shang Shi and Shang Gong led the palace maids in kneeling down to pay their respects, wishing the Emperor and Empress a harmonious union, with phoenixes singing in harmony.

  The emperor waved his hand at them.

  Then Shang Gong and the palace maids retreated in a line.

  Inside the bedroom, it was quiet and still. The thick dragon and phoenix candles made crackling sounds, casting a reflection of two people's shadows.

  From the time of Qiankun Palace to the ceremony of Tonglaoheji just now, there were about a hundred officials or Shanggong palace maids present, and Lin Xiao still didn't feel anything.

  At this time, there were only two people left in the house, and she felt shy and uneasy.

  The emperor smiled and looked at her, saying softly: "Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something first?"

  Lin Dai shook her head: "Not hungry."

  This is not a lie. Although the various ceremonies of this day are indeed hard, Lin Xiao's appetite is not much, and he has just had three sacrifices and leeks, five grains, one mouthful, and is already full.

  The emperor was afraid that Lin Daiyu would go hungry but didn't dare say it, so he said: "Then let's have some food together."

  Then he picked up a piece of mutton and put it in her bowl, and he also started eating.

  Lin Xiao glanced at the mutton in the bowl, picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, then put down her chopsticks again.

  The emperor looked at her for a few moments, convinced that she was indeed not hungry, and then put down his chopsticks, called the palace maid to take away the food in the house.

  The house returned to its quiet state, Lin Xiao felt uneasy, her face slightly red as she lowered her head to look at the intricate floral patterns on her clothes.

  The emperor, however, continued to stare at her, making Lin Yu feel increasingly uneasy. Then, feeling somewhat indignant, she raised her head again and met the emperor's eyes, staring back at him.

  The emperor looked at her and suddenly burst out laughing, his tone filled with doting and indulgence, saying: "You've really grown up."