After a new emperor ascended the throne in the Great Ye, Song Yinghuai changed the era name to Yongchang and titled himself Emperor Zhaolie.
On the day Emperor Zhaolie married his empress, he issued a shocking imperial edict with remarkable speed:
"I shall not take concubines during my lifetime, nor remarry after my death."
The imperial edict was announced to the world. With the emperor's unalterable words, the whole nation was in an uproar.
It dashed the hopes of numerous families planning to send their daughters into the palace.
In the first year of Yongchang, there was more than one happy event. On the day Emperor Zhaolie married Miss Lan San into the palace, the eldest and second daughters of the Lan family also got married on the same day.
The two most respected first - rank dukes in the Great Ye, Xiao Rencheng and Xu Ziyi, both rode tall horses. Accompanied by Lady Lan seeing off the brides, they received the two daughters of the Lan family from Lady Lan respectively.
Lady Lan's face was still a bit pale. Even the rouge and powder couldn't hide her sickly complexion.
Lan Jinqin and Lan Jinxiang looked at their mother reluctantly, turning back every few steps.
Lady Lan curled her lips into a smile and said, "Go. With the great master Guangzhi taking care of me, my health will gradually improve. Don't worry."
Back then, when the Lan family was exiled, she fell ill from excessive worry and was bedridden in Hainan. Later, they were chased by the Eastern Depot. During the evacuation, she inhaled a large amount of smoke and fell into a coma.
Thanks to Song Yinghuai who invited the great master Guangzhi for careful treatment, she finally woke up from the coma.
It was a great blessing in misfortune.
Moreover, waking up to the news that all three of her daughters were getting married made her feel that her life was worthwhile!
Firecrackers thundered!
The grand wedding procession stretched for miles...
——
The newly - renovated Chengqing Palace.
A white jade incense burner with a beast's head holding a pearl.
It was filled with the precious ambergris, and wisps of blue smoke curled in the palace.
On the phoenix bed adorned with countless rare treasures, Caiyu, wearing a phoenix crown, sat upright for a while. Finally, she couldn't pretend anymore.
She lifted the bridal veil in one go and said, "I'm so tired and hungry! I want something to eat!"
Xiangye was startled and quickly said, "Your Majesty, the emperor hasn't come in to lift the veil. You can't..."
Caiyu waved her hand and frowned, "I've already lifted it. Which inhumane ancestor made this rule? Whoever wants to follow it can, but I won't!"
Song Yinghuai, dressed in a magnificent red dragon - embroidered robe, stepped into the bridal chamber and saw half - eaten food and wine on the wedding table.
His empress was lying on the phoenix bed on her side, pretending to sleep with her chin in her hand, looking a bit tired.
The complicated phoenix robe had already been thrown aside. A section of the woman's gauze dress had slipped off, revealing a fair and jade - like shoulder. Coupled with her peerless beauty, she was like a vivid picture of a beauty lying on her side.
When Xiangye saw Song Yinghuai, she was about to call out, but the man stopped her and just whispered, "Go and prepare some hot water!"
This...
Xiangye understood. Blushing, she quickly backed out.
The man leaned closer to the phoenix bed. Caiyu lifted her eyes. Her slightly drunken eyes were filled with a lazy smile. "Your Majesty is here?"
Song Yinghuai lay down beside her, picked up a lock of her hair and sniffed it. He said gently, "Tired?"
Finally, he had fulfilled his long - cherished wish of marrying Miss Lan San.
The charming and naive look of the woman in front of him was even more endearing than the former maid in Yanjing. He actually felt happy.
The messy table of food and wine was like that once - willful girl reappearing in front of him. It brought back a flood of memories.
"Sure am." Caiyu pouted unhappily. "I was almost falling asleep waiting."
Song Yinghuai chuckled. "It's my fault. There were too many court officials and envoys from vassal states coming to congratulate us, making you feel neglected. I'll definitely make it up to you tonight."
"How will Your Majesty make it up to me?" Caiyu asked cutely. "If I'm not satisfied, I'll return the goods."
This threatening remark was taught by Lan Jinxiang.
When the second sister heard that her younger sister hadn't fully experienced a man's love before and the only time she had was when Song Yinghuai was being escorted to the capital,
she immediately snorted and taught Caiyu the way to manage her husband in bed.
A woman didn't have to just cater to a man in bed.
It was better for the man to do the hard work.
As soon as Song Yinghuai heard the words "return the goods", his eyebrows twitched. He immediately knew who had taught this.
It seemed that if he didn't serve her well tonight, the little girl would go and complain the next day.
Half of the alcohol Song Yinghuai had drunk outside had sobered up due to nervousness. He immediately mustered up all his energy.
He stared straight at her. There was a fire burning in his deep, black eyes. "Before the wedding, I asked my two brothers - in - law for a lot of advice. I guarantee Your Majesty the Empress will be satisfied tonight."
With that, he picked her up in one go and strode towards the hot spring at the back. "Shall I serve you to take a bath first?"
Caiyu was startled and unconsciously wrapped her arms around the man's neck, looking at the steaming and sparkling pool.
Their relationship had started in a hot spring!
Song Yinghuai carefully removed her clothes. He originally wanted to really serve her first, but unexpectedly, Caiyu clung to his waist and refused to let go. She winked at him coquettishly, and her bright red lips uttered words that made his heart race:
"Your Majesty, I'll take a bath with you. A lovers' bath."
Before her words faded, the man lost his composure and fell into the hot spring pool with her.
There was a loud "splash"!
The woman was soaked in water, looking like a fairy who had fallen into the mortal world.
Her skin was fairer than snow. The peach blossom makeup on her forehead added a touch of charm.
Her chest rose and fell slightly due to excitement.
Her pretty face was flushed.
Her lips were bright red.
She was like a flower petal covered with dew, so delicate that one couldn't help but want to pick and taste it.
After the initial shock, the woman giggled and took the initiative to lean in.
The man's thin lips were right next to her pink lips. He sniffed the fragrance like a big dog, and the hot air he exhaled tickled Caiyu.
Caiyu laughed coquettishly and reached out to pull at his clothes.
The red silk fluttered on the water. His strong and well - built upper body was covered with water droplets, making people blush.
Caiyu could finally openly admire the man's good looks. Her eyes lingered boldly on his firm chest muscles and abs, and finally stopped on the red lotus on his chest.
Song Yinghuai's breath caught in his throat. He said hoarsely, "Yuer, I'm your husband. Please, Your Majesty the Empress, let me keep this lotus!"
Caiyu didn't answer his request directly. Instead, in the man's gradually heavy breathing, she cupped his handsome face.
In the hot spring water, she stood on tiptoe and kissed his chin. She kissed him inch by inch upwards until she found his thin lips and gave him a deep kiss.
The man's hand immediately wrapped around her waist and pulled her into his arms. Their hot bodies were tightly pressed together. His iron - like arms tightened around her waist as if he wanted to melt her into his bones.
"Um..." Caiyu loosened her lips, nodded, and said proudly, "I'll wipe it off if I'm not satisfied tonight."
Song Yinghuai tightened his iron arms. He lifted her two fair legs onto his shoulders and pressed her against the edge of the pool.
The mist rising from the hot water added a touch of mystery and ambiguity.
They were truly the most understanding lovers. Even after being separated for two years, Song Yinghuai was still extremely familiar with Caiyu.
The woman's voice rose like huge waves under the splashing of the spring water, winding and overlapping.
Before long, the hot spring water seemed to have a fire burning beneath it, boiling hot. The woman's forehead was covered with fragrant sweat, and her cheeks were as red as apples.
Her delicate fingertips ran through the man's black hair and tugged tightly, like a floating duckweed on the water.
Her eyebrows were relaxed.
Although Song Yinghuai was a man of indomitable spirit, he didn't complain at all when his hair was tugged by her slender wrist.
All he had was a surging desire to possess her, like a tamed tiger willingly submitting to her...
After a long time, the woman in the water looked extremely charming under the palace lanterns.
She was like a snow lotus on a snow - capped peak, just battered by the wind and rain, with the melted snow turning into crystal - clear water droplets.
This beautiful sight made the man squint his eyes. He couldn't help but want to pick that flower again.
The man didn't hesitate to pick her up and strode back to the phoenix bed...
Outside the palace, Qingqing shouldered a burden. She took a look at the towering palace and whispered,
"Goodbye, Sister Caiyu, Brother Sheng."
"Take care."