Chapter 163: The Imperial Procession

“Grandmother, is she ready yet? Her Majesty has arrived in person to receive the bride!”

The announcement sent the room into a frantic scramble.

In this world, the greatest distinction between an imperial wedding and those of the nobility lay in this very act. For nobles and high-ranking ministers, the groom was required to personally travel to the bride’s home to escort her after the pre-wedding rituals were completed—a rite known as the “Personal Reception.” It was a gesture of profound respect.

An Emperor, however, usually dispatched envoys to the Empress’s residence to bestow the formal title and investiture. The Chief Commissioner of the Wedding would then act as the Emperor’s proxy to escort the Empress into the palace. This was known as the “Envoys’ Reception.”

As the Son of Heaven, it was unheard of for an Emperor to deign to travel to a subject’s home to pick up a bride like a commoner.

Yet, Her Majesty was here? In person?

After a stunned silence, the attendants snapped back to reality. They rushed to finalize Shangguan Liqian’s appearance while shouting toward the door with uncharacteristic urgency.

“Wait a moment! Just a little longer!”

“Her Majesty arrived too early; Liqian’s makeup isn’t finished yet!” Madam Lu, Lu Xuanxiao’s wife, called out before turning back to direct the maids with renewed vigor.

In truth, by any normal standard, the timing wasn’t particularly early. However, the one waiting outside wasn’t just any groom; it was the reigning monarch. Who would dare keep the Sovereign waiting outside their gates?

“Understood!” the messenger shouted back before scurrying off to deliver the word.

Knowing the messenger was reporting back to the Emperor, everyone in the room doubled their pace. It wasn’t long before another messenger arrived to urge them along. It was clear that Her Majesty was becoming incredibly impatient.

“Almost there! We’re almost done!”

The Old Matriarch responded, her eyes fixed on the freshly adorned Shangguan Liqian. After a moment of quiet observation, she smiled warmly. “Our Liqian is truly breathtaking.”

The room erupted in a chorus of agreement.

“Indeed, indeed!”

“Liqian is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. She will surely leave Her Majesty spellbound tonight!”

“Without a doubt…”

The women gathered here—the wives, daughters-in-law, and young misses of the Protectorate Grand Duke’s Mansion—were the “family” Luo Wushuang had meticulously selected for her. Men were forbidden from entering the bridal chamber at this hour.

Shangguan Liqian’s face flushed at their teasing. Her crimson cheeks were more vibrant than the finest rouge, heightening her peerless beauty until she looked like a vision capable of toppling empires.

Once the final touches were complete, Madam Lu personally stepped forward to push the wheelchair.

By tradition, since she had been adopted by Lu Xuanxiao, his two sons were technically her foster brothers. One of them should have carried her out of the house on his back today. However, knowing Luo Wushuang’s possessive streak, how could the Empress tolerate another person carrying her “Sister”?

Luo Wushuang had issued a stern warning early on: neither of the brothers was allowed to touch her. If a hand touched her, that hand would be severed; if an arm touched her, the arm would go…

Terrified, the two sons of Lu Xuanxiao hadn’t even dared to set foot in the courtyard today. Thus, the task fell to Madam Lu, Liqian’s nominal foster mother, to push her out.

As they exited the room, the world outside exploded into sound. Gongs and drums shook the air, and strings of firecrackers roared in celebration. Amidst the jubilant chaos, every gaze was slowly drawn to the woman in the wheelchair.

Her brows were arched like distant, mist-shrouded peaks, and her eyes held the depth of shimmering autumn pools. Her skin was like polished jade, and her lips were as red as fallen blossoms. Every subtle movement of her features exuded a grace that could stop a heart.

The morning light spilled across the sky, illuminating her face and leaving the crowd breathless. They stood in a daze, finally understanding why Her Majesty was so obsessed with this woman. If they possessed such beauty, they too would want to hide her away, to keep her for themselves night after night…

The moment such scandalous thoughts surfaced, they were ruthlessly suppressed. To covet the Empress Consort was a crime; if the Emperor found out, even the execution of their Nine Clans wouldn’t be enough to appease her wrath.

Liqian, looking more like an immortal than a mortal, let her gaze sweep over the crowd before finally resting on Luo Wushuang, who sat atop a magnificent steed.

Today, Wushuang looks beautiful… and quite dashing, Liqian thought.

Luo Wushuang wore a crimson wedding robe identical to her own, the vibrant color making her fair skin look radiant. With her hair swept up in a high knot and her features sharp and heroic, she looked even more handsome than the finest of noble sons.

But that wasn’t what caught Liqian’s attention. What mattered was the look in Luo Wushuang’s eyes—she was staring so intently she seemed to have lost her soul. Despite her attendants’ whispered reminders, the Empress failed to snap out of it.

Amused by her “silly” expression, Liqian couldn’t help but let a faint smile grace her lips.

That smile was the final blow. Luo Wushuang’s heart skipped a beat, and she stumbled, nearly falling off her horse in her daze. Fortunately, Ling Yun was nearby to catch her, preventing the Empress from making a public spectacle of herself.

By the time Luo Wushuang regained her composure, Ling Yun was frantically tugging at the hem of her robe, muttering under her breath, “Your Majesty, wake up! We’re here for the wedding! You have to actually bring her back first, Your Majesty…”

Realizing she was in the public eye, Luo Wushuang quickly smoothed her expression. “Quiet,” she snapped.

She dismounted with forced composure and walked toward the person who held her entire heart. The roar of the crowd faded into the background; in her vision, there was only Shangguan Liqian—the woman she had schemed for so long to have, the woman she had kept imprisoned for so long.

At this moment, Liqian’s eyes held only her as well.

When the distance between them was less than a meter, Luo Wushuang leaned down slightly until they were eye-to-eye. Her expression was solemn and her voice steady as she spoke each word with profound sincerity.

“Sister, I have come to take you home.”

Hearing Liqian’s soft murmur of assent, Luo Wushuang could no longer suppress her inner joy. She leaned down, her hands trembling slightly, and carefully lifted Liqian into her arms to place her upon the specially prepared Phoenix Palanquin.

The onlookers were moved by the deep affection between the Imperial couple. They raised their voices in a thunderous shout:

“Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, may you live for ten thousand years! Long live the Empress Consort! May you live for a thousand years!”

Amidst the passionate cheering, Luo Wushuang vaulted back onto her horse, riding side-by-side with the palanquin. Her gaze drifted toward the Phoenix Palanquin every few seconds, her heart itching with the desire to simply climb inside and sit beside her bride.

The grand procession began its magnificent journey toward the palace. All along the way, citizens lined the streets, their cheers and blessings echoing through the capital.