jdhmnovel Chapter 140 Wedding March
Chapter 140 Wedding March
Inside the royal palace of Xijing Kingdom, from the moment Jia Xiaoyan set the wedding date, a busy yet joyous atmosphere ensued. Jiang Liushen had gone to great lengths to prepare for this wedding.
He personally drew up the layout sketches for the wedding, carefully considering every detail. From the palace's decorative style to the arrangement of the wedding process, he strived for perfection.
The officials from the Ministry of Rites, who were in charge of preparing for the wedding, worked day and night, searching far and wide for rare decorative materials according to Jiang Liushen's requirements.
Huge red palace lanterns were hung high. These lanterns were made of the finest glass, and each one was carved with exquisite dragon and phoenix patterns. Under the sunlight, they emitted a colorful glow.
On the palace walls hung red curtains embroidered with gold thread, adorned with peonies and auspicious clouds symbolizing good fortune, which swayed gently in the wind, creating a dreamlike scene.
In the days leading up to the wedding, artisans from the Western Kingdom erected a magnificent wedding stage in the palace square. The stage was made of white marble, with exquisite patterns carved all around, and every line flowed smoothly and naturally, showcasing the majesty and solemnity of the royal family.
At the very center of the stage stands a dragon and phoenix sculpture made of pure gold. The eyes of the dragon and phoenix are inlaid with rubies, making them lifelike and as if they are about to take flight at any moment.
On the wedding day, the entire capital of Xijing Kingdom was bustling with activity.
The streets were packed with people who had come to watch the ceremony, dressed in their finest clothes and beaming with joy. Soldiers, clad in brand-new armor and carrying spears, stood in neat rows on both sides of the street, maintaining order.
Jia Xiaoyan wore a gorgeous wedding dress, which was made by the most skilled embroiderers in the Nanzhao Kingdom. The dress was made of the finest red silk and embroidered with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns. Every stitch contained the best wishes for the newlyweds.
The train of her wedding dress stretched for several meters, studded with countless pearls and gemstones, shimmering brilliantly as Jia Xiaoyan moved. She wore a phoenix crown, from which a beaded curtain swayed gently, partially obscuring her shy and beautiful face.
Surrounded by a group of palace maids, Jia Xiaoyan slowly walked towards the wedding venue. Her steps were light and elegant, each one seemingly carrying a rhythm of happiness. When she arrived at the palace square, the entire venue erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Jiang Liushen was dressed in a black dragon robe, embroidered with golden dragons, each one baring its fangs and claws, majestic and awe-inspiring.
He wore a jeweled belt around his waist, a crown on his head, and his eyes were full of happiness and anticipation. He stood on the wedding stage, quietly waiting for Jia Xiaoyan's arrival.
When Jia Xiaoyan walked up to Jiang Liushen, he gently took her hand, his eyes filled with deep affection: "Xiaoyan, from today onwards, we will walk hand in hand for life, never to be separated." Jia Xiaoyan nodded slightly, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness: "Your Majesty, it is Xiaoyan's honor to spend my life with you."
The wedding ceremony officially began when a respected elder statesman stepped onto the stage, holding an ancient scripture, and began to read words of blessing.
His voice was loud and steady, echoing across the square: "Today, Emperor Jiang Liushen of Xijing Kingdom and Jia Xiaoyan of Nanzhao Kingdom are happily married. This is a blessing for both countries and for all people. May you two support each other, govern the country together, and let the people of both countries live in peace and prosperity."
Then, witnessed by everyone, Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan performed the three bows. The first bow was to Heaven and Earth, to express gratitude for their blessings; the second bow was to their parents, to express gratitude for their upbringing; and the third bow was between the couple, to make a promise to stay together for life.
At the wedding banquet, ministers from both countries offered their blessings. The envoy from Nanzhao brought precious gifts, including a "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" embroidered in gold thread, symbolizing Jia Xiaoyan's nobility and happiness. Ministers from Xijing presented carefully prepared poems praising the newlyweds' love and the friendship between the two nations.
At the banquet, singing and dancing filled the air. A group of dancers in colorful costumes danced gracefully on the stage. Their movements were light and beautiful, and the colorful ribbons in their hands fluttered to the rhythm of the music, like clouds in the sky.
The musicians played cheerful tunes, and the sounds of various instruments intertwined, creating a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.
Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan walked hand in hand among the guests, toasting and thanking each one. Their faces beamed with happiness as they accepted the blessings of the crowd.
Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan also came to Xijing Kingdom to attend this grand wedding. Gu Liuli looked at Jia Xiaoyan with eyes full of joy: "Xiaoyan, you look so beautiful today. You must be happy."
Jia Xiaoyan held Gu Liuli's hand tightly: "Liuli, thank you, I will."
After the wedding, Jia Xiaoyan and Jiang Liushen returned to their palace.
The bedroom was decorated in a warm and romantic style, with a red quilt embroidered with mandarin ducks on the bed, and various fresh flowers placed around it, filling the air with a faint floral fragrance.
On the door of the bridal chamber, two large golden "囍" characters were pasted, shining brightly in the candlelight.
Upon entering the bridal chamber, the first thing that catches the eye is the carved mahogany bed. The bed is carved with exquisite patterns that symbolize a long and happy marriage, and every line is delicate and smooth, showcasing the craftsman's superb skills.
The bed was covered with a red brocade quilt embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water. The mandarin ducks on the quilt were so lifelike that they seemed to be telling a sweet love story.
The quilt was also sprinkled with red dates, peanuts, longans and lotus seeds, symbolizing "early birth of a son".
On a low table beside the bed sat a pair of red candles, their flickering flames illuminating everything in the room and casting a soft, warm glow. Beside the table were two equally intricately carved mahogany chairs, each draped with soft red cushions, perfectly complementing the festive atmosphere of the bridal chamber.
In the corner of the room, there was an exquisite screen painted with a scene of spring flowers in full bloom. The colors were so vibrant that it seemed to bring the vitality of spring into the bridal chamber.
Beside the screen was a wardrobe with exquisite bronze mirrors inlaid on the doors. Inside, Jia Xiaoyan's new clothes and precious jewelry prepared for her by Jiang Liushen were hanging.
Various paper-cut designs, such as dragons and phoenixes symbolizing good fortune and magpies perched on branches, are pasted on the windows, swaying gently in the breeze. Several pots of blooming flowers, including vibrant peonies and fragrant roses, sit on the windowsill, their fragrance filling the entire room and creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.
A huge scroll painting hung on the wall, depicting Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan. They were smiling broadly, their eyes filled with love. Below the painting was a desk, upon which were placed the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper) and several books that Jiang Liushen loved.
On the other side of the bridal chamber, a round table was set with an exquisite tea set and several plates of pastries. A delicate vase also sat on the table, containing a few vibrant peach blossoms, adding a touch of romance to the room.