Chapter 188 Extra 1
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
In the second year of Pingyan, spring arrived, and the emperor was about to hold a grand wedding.
Naturally, the groom was Chu Hechao.
This was the first time in history that a male emperor was marrying another man, and they were also technically in a nominal brother and sister-in-law relationship. One would expect this to face numerous obstacles. However, Yuan Li, as the founding emperor who had fought his way to the throne, possessed unparalleled authority. With military power and abundant resources at their disposal, coupled with the unwavering support of the civil and military officials who had followed them all the way to this point, no one dared to oppose the wedding.
The most crucial reason was that a phoenix had once descended to surround Chu Hechao. The shocking scene had left a deep impression on everyone’s mind, and who would dare to say anything against Yuan Li and Chu Hechao?
Not only did they dare not speak out, but they also helped cover up the previous relationship between Yuan Li and Chu Hechao, ensuring that their wedding was clean and praised by the world.
Fortunately, the incident where Yuan Li had helped wash away Chu Mingfeng’s misfortune was only known among the literati. The common people and the less reputable gentry and landlords couldn’t inquire about the private matters of the Chu Wang family. This made the situation easier to handle.
The court historians covered up and modified the previous event of the emperor’s celebration. They changed it to a story where the young emperor’s outstanding talent caught the attention of Chu Mingfeng, who then invited him to stay in the Chu Wang residence for a period of time. During this time, the emperor and Chu Hechao met and recognized each other. After Chu Mingfeng passed away, Chu Hechao invited the emperor to the northern frontier, where the emperor followed him to govern Youzhou, as a way to repay Chu Mingfeng’s support and form an alliance with Chu Wang.
With this incident concealed, no one in the court mentioned it.
The shift in the court’s attitude quickly spread throughout the literati class, and those who were once aware of the truth kept their mouths shut, so as not to offend the emperor.
As time passed, this old story would eventually be buried in the dust of history.
Because of the unprecedented nature of this wedding and being the first joyous event after the establishment of the new dynasty, the officials from the Ministry of Rites were nearly going bald from the constant searching and cross-referencing of historical records from previous dynasties just to prepare for the ceremony.
Yuan Li and Chu Hechao also took time out from their busy schedules to discuss the wedding arrangements.
Three months before the wedding, the ceremonial clothing for the grand wedding was finally completed and presented to Yuan Li and Chu Hechao.
As both participants in the wedding were male, traditional wedding attire couldn’t be used. The wedding outfits were tailored specifically for men, designed to be handsome and distinguished, each with its unique features.
Yuan Li and Chu Hechao each returned to their rooms to try on the wedding outfits.
After Chu Hechao put on the wedding attire, he noticed the phoenix outlined with golden threads on the outfit. His lips twitched slightly, pretending not to have seen the phoenix, and stepped out of the room to find Yuan Li.
When he arrived at Yuan Li’s room, Yuan Li had just changed into the wedding attire. Chu Hechao stood by the door, admiring the red-clad “bride” inside.
The emperor’s wedding attire was intricate and luxurious, with layers upon layers of garments and a jade belt cinched around the waist. Yuan Li stood with his hands open, allowing the attendants to hang accessories on his waist. His broad sleeves lifted, exuding an imposing air. There were faint golden dragon patterns, and even Yuan Li’s complexion was tinged with joy, radiating a brilliant glow.
Yuan Li also noticed him, his eyes brightened as he looked him up and down, and with a smile, he said, “You look good.”
Chu Hechao stood tall and straight, his wedding attire making him even more towering and impressive, a picture of elegance and talent.
“You look good too,” Chu Hechao approached and adjusted Yuan Li’s collar, “My handsome wife.”
The attendants had grown accustomed to their unconventional words and, after dressing Yuan Li, quickly retreated.
The door was gently closed.
Yuan Li held Chu Hechao’s hand and walked in front of a bronze mirror, looking at their reflections.
The two figures in the mirror looked harmonious together. Yuan Li teased, “Our Great General has a phoenix’s destiny and is about to become my empress. I bet your father and brothers never thought their family would produce an empress, did they?”
“Exaggerating,” Chu Hechao choked for a moment, then turned Yuan Li sideways and pressed him against the wall, chuckling, “Your Majesty, come, let your empress help you remove your clothes.”
Yuan Li’s wedding attire became loose after only a short while, threatening to fall off. In the dimly lit room, Yuan Li’s face turned slightly red, and his hair was in disarray. The sunlight from the window created a golden halo around him, and the wall was adorned with the reflection of the red glow from the wedding attire.
For a moment, Chu Hechao lost himself as he admired Yuan Li, reaching out to adjust his clothes. He whispered in Yuan Li’s ear, “When I first saw you, you were also wearing a red wedding attire.”
“I remember,” Yuan Li murmured.
Fate was truly wonderful.
In Yuan Li’s life, he had only worn wedding attire twice. The first time was for Chu Mingfeng’s celebration, and the person he bowed to and drank the marriage wine with was Chu Hechao.
The second time was now, and again, the groom was Chu Hechao.
Chu Hechao bit Yuan Li’s earlobe, his breath slightly heavier. “Back then, we should have gone straight to the wedding chamber. It would have saved me from waiting for two years to be with you.”
Yuan Li laughed softly and pushed him away from his chest, teasingly raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile, “Then you should be grateful you didn’t do that back then, otherwise I would have made you a eunuch right away.”
Chu Hechao was speechless but then chuckled softly, “That’s even better. I like it more.”
The elaborate and expensive wedding attire couldn’t be damaged. Chu Hechao took off their clothes and threw them aside, walking around aimlessly until they unconsciously ended up near the door.
Chu Hechao was extremely excited today. Yuan Li leaned against the door, looking up with his neck stretched, his bluish veins hidden beneath his fair skin.
They were covered in sweat, but they held back their voices because there were people outside. Chu Hechao kissed him, swallowing his muffled moans and gasps.
The door shook repeatedly, but luckily, the doors of the palace’s sleeping quarters were particularly sturdy and could withstand the antics of two adult men.
Fortunately, the attendants already knew the rules and wouldn’t disturb them from nearby.
At a critical moment, a voice of an attendant came from outside the door, not too far away, “Your Majesty, Yidong Marquis requests an audience.”
Both Yuan Li and Chu Hechao stopped.
The Yidong Marquis was Yuan Dan, and after Yuan Li ascended to the throne, he had to confer titles to various people based on their merits, and Yuan Dan was given the corresponding marquis title for his achievements.
At this moment, who had the time to meet with Yuan Dan? Yuan Li was about to say not to see him, but Chu Hechao held his waist and covered his mouth, deliberately saying, “Let him come, he can discuss matters outside the door.”
Yuan Li glared at Chu Hechao, who grinned at him. Suddenly, Chu Hechao picked Yuan Li up, hooked him around his waist, draped a robe over his back, and pressed him against the wall next to the door. He whispered, “Don’t make a sound; let’s have some excitement.”
Yuan Li kicked him and whispered, “Get lost!”
“Hush,” Chu Hechao said, “Someone’s coming outside.”
Yuan Li immediately stopped moving.
Yuan Dan’s voice soon rang out, “Your Majesty, Yuan Dan pays respects.”
Chu Hechao made slow movements and used his eyes to signal Yuan Li to talk.
Yuan Li was both angry and embarrassed, but he had to maintain a dignified voice, “What brings you here, Wen Han?”
Yuan Dan said with great joy, “I’ve come to inform Your Majesty of good news!”
“What good news?”
Yuan Dan, immersed in joy, didn’t notice anything wrong with the Emperor’s tone and said with a smile, “My wife gave birth to a son early this morning. I came here especially to share this joy with you and the Empress!”
The Empress…
Pu.
Yuan Li couldn’t hold back a laugh, and Chu Hechao dangerously narrowed his eyes.
After a moment, the Emperor grunted and said hoarsely, “Congratulations.”
Yuan Dan scratched his head, “It should be me congratulating Your Majesty and the Empress.”
“Cough, cough… Where does the congratulations come from?”
Yuan Dan became even more puzzled, and he asked, “Your Majesty, when my wife was pregnant, we made a decision together. If this child turned out to be a boy, we would offer him to you and the Empress. I mentioned this to you before.”
However, after he finished speaking, the room fell silent.
Yuan Dan couldn’t figure it out and said, “Your Majesty?”
“I got it. We will visit the child in the afternoon,” Chu Hechao’s voice suddenly sounded, with impatience, “Yidong Marquis, you may leave now.”
Yuan Dan didn’t expect Chu Hechao to be there too, and he was startled. After hearing this, he quickly responded and turned to leave.
Chu Hechao called him back just in time, “Next time you see me, don’t call me Empress anymore.”
Yuan Dan stood still for a moment, contemplating, “Then what should I call you?”
Chu Hechao took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, “Why haven’t you left yet?!”
Yuan Dan felt that the Empress’s temper was really big today. He touched his nose and said apologetically, “Alright, alright, alright, cousin-in-law, I’m leaving now.”
Inside the room.
Chu Hechao stopped all movements. “…”
His face turned ashen.
Yuan Li looked strange, but after a few moments, he couldn’t hold back anymore. He leaned against Chu Hechao’s shoulder and burst into laughter, “Hahaha!”
***
In the afternoon, the two of them went to see the little son born to Yuan Dan and Miss Chu.
The child was chubby, weighing six catties, and was born very smoothly. He was all red and had sparse hair, sleeping soundly in the swaddle.
Chu Hechao stood by and watched for a while, unable to hold back, he turned his head aside, “So ugly.”
Yuan Li also found the child quite unattractive, but he understood more than Chu Hechao, “All newborns look like this; they will become better-looking as they grow. Think about your sister’s appearance and then think about Yuan Dan’s appearance; this child won’t be ugly.”
Chu Hechao thought about it and agreed, nodding his head.
After they finished looking at the child, they called Yuan Dan to talk.
Yuan Li sighed and said, “I have mentioned this matter to you before. It’s not easy to be considered as my heir. If the child’s aptitude is not good, I can only send him back to you. This back-and-forth will cause considerable harm to the child. By then, he will become estranged from you, and he will be uncomfortable, and you will also be uncomfortable.”
Yuan Dan nodded solemnly, “My wife and I have already prepared for this and ask Your Majesty not to worry about it.”
Yuan Li fell silent for a moment and wanted to say something but ultimately refrained. He patted Yuan Dan’s shoulder and whispered, “Thank you, little uncle.”
Yuan Dan’s face turned red with excitement, and he lifted his robe to kneel on the ground, loudly declaring, “I am willing to dedicate my all to Your Majesty and serve until my last breath!”
Two quarters later, Yuan Li and Chu Hechao left.
Yuan Dan originally thought they would take the child to the palace for care, but Yuan Li and Chu Hechao just waved their hands and asked them to continue looking after the child, saying they would take him after the grand wedding.
Yuan Dan smiled wryly and told his wife, “His Majesty and General are not at all anxious for an heir. It seems I’m more anxious than they are!”
Since knowing that His Majesty planned to adopt his child as an heir, Yuan Dan had been under immense pressure, with all the clan members and courtiers’ attention focused on him. For the past year, he hadn’t had a moment of peace.
His wife, Lady Chu, listened with a smile, looking much plumper than a few years ago, indicating that life was going well. She softly replied, “His Majesty and Big Brother are not in a hurry for a child. Look, they haven’t pressured you or me even once.”
Yuan Dan agreed, nodding, “Yes.”
If it weren’t for the courtiers’ eagerness to have an heir to secure the nation’s foundation and the necessity of continuing the dynasty, based on His Majesty and General’s attitudes, they wouldn’t have placed much importance on having an heir.
Lady Chu laughed for a while and then suddenly said, “My younger sister is also planning to have a child and pass it to Big Brother. In this way, at least our Chu family will have descendants. Even a hundred years from now, someone will remember Big Brother and offer sacrifices at his grave.”
Yuan Dan nodded repeatedly.
That’s the way it should be, he admired the late Chu Mingfeng very much.
Three months later, the imperial wedding took place.
Officials paid their respects, and the whole nation celebrated in unison.
The congratulatory gifts from the thirteen provinces overflowed like a sea of gifts, and the poems and congratulatory messages kept coming, leaving the military officials and civil servants beaming with smiles.
The wedding was held in a simple and even plain manner, bordering on frugality. However, the Emperor called in elite soldiers and horses to present an extraordinary and eye-opening “military parade” to bolster the grand occasion.
This move turned out to be remarkable. The military parade was grand, and the soldiers of Great Wen demonstrated their fierceness, strength, and various remarkable performances that left everyone in awe.
The three-bow bed crossbow and the divine bow crossbow showed their formidable power, and the thunder cannons resounded through the heavens, fully demonstrating the majesty and dignity of the imperial court. Even the guests from the various tribes like the Xianbei and Nanman had their smiling faces stiffened with astonishment.
Even after several years, this day was still talked about by the people and widely circulated.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
