Xiao Chengjun held one end of the trailing ends of the red silk flower in his hand and gave the other end to Lou Jing. He didnât say anything and simply looked at him smilingly with love in his eyes.
Xiao Chengjun had survived all odds to sit on the throne as Emperor. He was still a young man, but he was mature beyond his years after having lived through all that. His eyes were usually like deep, dark pools, calm and serene, wise and contemplative. At this very moment, however, his usually serious eyes were full of joy and laughter as they gazed at the person who occupied his whole heart. It was like a majestic dragon had leapt out of the calm pool, bringing life and warmth to the atmosphere.
Lou Jing was mesmerised by those eyes, and it took him a while to collect his wits. He wrapped the red silk around his wrist, then took hold of the Emperorâs hand. That hand was warm and soft. It felt exactly like it had when he had been forced into the palace with injuries all over his body. Back then, Xiao Chengjunâs hand had gently supported him, giving him comfort and courage.
Xiao Chengjun stared in surprise for a moment, then threaded his fingers through Lou Jingâs under cover of the red silk. They walked hand in hand toward the main hall.
The dignified, auspicious-sounding wedding music of an Imperial wedding rang out, and the Imperial Court officials lined up in two rows on each side of the wedding couple. âKneel!â the Master of Ceremony sang out.
The red silk on the floor stretched all the way to the jade steps. A thick red carpet was placed on the steps instead of red silk to prevent the wedding couple from slipping and falling. The Imperial Court officials kneeling on both sides kowtowed respectfully.
Xiao Chengjun and Lou Jing held hands as they walked onto the river of silk together in between the two rows of kowtowing officials. The world was literally at their feet.
In aJiaofangwedding ceremony, the Emperor and the Empress walked together, side by side, symbolising that the sun and the moon were equally valued and equally bright, and that the mountains and the rivers were both in harmony.
They walked step by step up the jade steps, looking just as serious and solemn as Xiao Chengjun had been on his coronation day. Lou Jing couldnât help but be influenced by Xiao Chengjunâs stately demeanour, and he too held his head high, deporting himself with dignity and refinement.
When the Emperor and Empress reached the top of the jade steps, the Master of Ceremony sang out once more. âAll rise!â he said.
The officials rose to their feet and moved in two single files into the main hall.
Ji Zhuo sat in the main seat on a high raised dais in the main hall of the Fengyi Palace, clad in a phoenix robe of golden silk, looking dignified and composed amidst the red carved phoenix pillars. His usually sharp eagle eyes were soft and gentle now as they looked at the wedding couple.
The Emperor and Empress hands were still linked as they stepped over the tall threshold. The Imperial relatives were already waiting inside, and when the officials came in, they all knelt to welcome the wedding couple.
The last time, Lou Jingâs head had been covered with a veil, and he couldnât see anything at all. This round, he was not veiled, so he could see every detail of his own wedding ceremony, and accept the kowtows from the gathered officials. It was truly a new and exciting experience for him. Lou Jing looked around at the auspicious red decorations all around him, then at Ji Zhuo sitting on the main seat and Guard Xu standing right behind him. He suddenly started feeling a little nervous for no reason at all.
Lou Jing had just been drunk on happiness earlier, and it was only now that he realised that he was now going to really and truly be married to Xiao Chengjun, and that the whole world would be bearing witness to their wedding. From this day forth, he would be Xiao Chengjunâs Empress forevermore.
Xiao Chengjun felt the person beside him tense up, and he pinched Lou Jingâs palm reassuringly. He tugged him over to the centre of the main hall.
The bright yellow long cushioned chair had been prepared much earlier on, all ready for the wedding couple to sit on. The music stopped, and the Master of Ceremony stood at the front of the main hall, reading out the wedding edict in ringing tones, âIn accordance with Heavenâs will, and as all the world bears witness, the Emperor and the Empress are wedded today. With their wedding, the Imperial family will remain prosperous, and the Yu Dynastyâs future will be shining and secureâŚâ
The auspicious pronouncements read out by the Master of Ceremony echoed in the huge main hall. He proclaimed that Lou Jing and Xiao Chengjun made an excellent match, and said how great a blessing their union was for the Yu Dynasty. Lou Jing listened to all this with great interest, and to him, these exaggerated sayings were nothing more than the naked truth.
Xiao Chengjunâs expression was calm and composed. He stole a look at his Empress and saw the latter smiling surreptitiously to himself. He knew exactly what that fellow was thinking. He wiggled their linked hands slightly to tell him to hold it in, but the corners of his own lips couldnât help curving upward.
There were probably countless men in love with each other, but only he, as the Emperor of the Yu Dynasty, had the right to openly marry the one who stood at the pinnacle of his heart. When the Hongyuan Emperor thought this, he suddenly felt like he was on top of the world.
After the auspicious pronouncements finished, music started playing again, and the main hall returned to liveliness and cheer. The Master of Ceremony sang in a drawl, âKowtow to heaven and earth!â
Since Xiao Chengjun had already been crowned as Emperor, there was no need to kowtow to the Emperor, and as such, they only kowtowed three times.
One kowtow to heaven and earth, facing the bright blue sky outside the main entrance to the hall they were in. They knelt, hand-in-hand, and gave their thanks to the powers above. Gratitude for sending them each other, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer.
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Guard Xu knelt on one knee directly behind Ji Zhuo, dressed in shining red armour. He knelt to show that he was not the one that the wedding couple were paying their respects to. As he gazed at the two happy, handsome young men, wearing matching robes, matchingguanand matching joyful expressions, he couldnât help feeling a little envious. This was the first time he felt that being a male Empress might not be too bad.
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Their linked hands came apart for a moment so they could each hold the red silk flower with both hands. They looked at each other, then knelt and kowtowed to each other deeply.
The moment that Lou Jing lowered his head to kowtow, he suddenly felt his eyes prick with tears. Since ancient times, Xiao Chengjun was the only one who had done this much for his Empress. To be together with someone who would do so much for him â there was nothing more that he could want in this lifeâŚ
When the kowtow ended, the couple linked their hands again, and they stood up straight, looking down at the gathered officials and relatives in the hall.
âThe ceremony is complete!â the Master of Ceremony sang.
The Imperial Court officials kowtowed, and cried out as one, âWe officials heartily congratulate the Emperor and Empress on their auspicious wedding! This union shall bring prosperity to the Imperial family for a thousand years!â
The newly wedded couple then walked hand-in-hand past the gathered officials, who followed a distance after them to escort them to Qiwu Chamber, the private chambers of the Fengyi Palace.
The whole Palace had been renovated, and the inner chambers were lighted by so many candles that it was as bright as day. The room was well appointed, and the fixtures, furniture and ornaments were no less luxurious than those in the Emperorâs own Panlong Palace.
The palace servants halted at the entrance of the inner chamber. Only the Emperor and Empress walked into that room slowly.
They sat down on the spacious phoenix bed. Both of them couldnât find the right words to express themselves, and for a moment, the only sound that could be heard was the snap and crackle of the burning candle wicks.
Lou Jing wiggled his fingers, then realised that their hands were still tightly intertwined. The red silk clasped between their hands was wrinkled beyond words. âItâs time for us to drink ourhejinwine,â Lou Jing said.
âRight,â the Emperor said, collecting his wits only then. He coughed softly, then pulled his hand away from Lou Jingâs and got up to get the wine.
Lou Jing couldnât help pressing his lips together in an amused smile. His husband looked so calm and composed, but was he actually incredibly nervous inside?
The small jade winecups were carved into the shape of calabash gourds. Xiao Chengjun filled one with clear liquor and gave it to Lou Jing, then sat down next to him again. âZhuoyu, weâll be husband and wife from today on,â he said. His gaze was tender in the candlelight.
Lou Jing cradled the small winecup in both his hands, then grinned at Xiao Chengjun. âI hope your Majesty will have pity on me,â he said.
Xiao Chengju chuckled. There were many things he wanted to say, but there was no need for them any more. He raised a hand and clinked cups with him, drank half the wine, then exchanged cups with Lou Jing and drank half the wine remaining in Lou Jingâs cup. With that, they were well and truly married.
Lou Jing scooted over and licked up a stray drop of wine that hung at the corner of Xiao Chengjunâs mouth. The candle flames flickered. The two of them wrapped their arms around each other and exchanged a long, passionate kiss, unable to contain their emotions any longer.
âYour Majesty, the banquet is about to begin,â the unfortunate Le Xian, who had been pushed forward by the rest to do the unhappy task of bringing the lovebirds back to reality, had a pained expression on his face as he reminded the newlyweds of this.
Xiao Chengjun coughed softly, then gave permission for the servants to enter. The servants assisted them to remove the elaborate wedding robes, exchanging them for simpler daily wear robes overlaid with an overcoat made of fine, gauzy material. The Empress could also wear bright yellow robes, and so their outfits were still matching. The only difference in their outfits was that where the Emperorâs robes had a five-coloured dragon embroidered on it, the Empressâ had a five-coloured phoenix.
The Emperorâs daily wear robe was a wide-sleeved robe that swept the ground. The gauzy outer layer was secured in place by his belt, and he looked serious and solemn in them. The Empressâ daily wear robe was a narrow-sleeved one, secured at the wrists by golden vambraces inlaid with rubies. The belt of the Empressâ robe fastened only the bright yellow inner robes, and the diaphanous outer layer floated around him like a pair of pale red cicada wings. It looked light and thin, but was actually made of three different shades of red gauze, and the colour changed in an eye-catching manner as Lou Jing moved.
A male Empress who had been married in accordance with theJiaofangrites could go to the front palace and host the banquet together with the Emperor. This custom had not been in existence before the Shizong Emperor. The latter had married an Empress who was a great and mighty general, and he wanted to drink a toast with his officers. Because of this, the Shizong Emperor had decreed that his Empress was allowed to attend the banquet because he was a man. Since there was such a precedent, there was no issue with Xiao Chengjun allowing Lou Jing to go forward tonight.
The Emperor and Empress sat on the main seat, lifting their winecups to signal the start of the feast. The officials all knelt in thanks, then started eating, drinking and making merry.
As the civil officials, the military officials, and Imperial relatives looked at the Emperor and Empress toasting to each other with real feeling and warmth, they felt that they had returned to the time of the Shizong Emperor. Since then, there had never been an Emperor and Empress with genuine feelings for each other.
The wedding banquet did not carry on for too long. After three rounds of wine, the Emperor and Empress took their leave. The guests all left as well after kneeling to send them off.
The newlyweds returned once more to Qiwu Chamber.
Xiao Chengjun allowed An Shun to help him remove his clothes. Only his bright yellow underclothes remained. He washed up simply to get rid of the smell of wine, then opened his eyes wide as he stepped into the inner chamber.
The Empress had already tidied himself up. He supported his head with a single hand and was lying on his side in bed. Hisguanhad been removed, and his long hair fell softly down his shoulders and onto the bed. His beautiful eyes were half-lidded, and in the warm candlelight, that flawlessly perfect face of his looked slightly and alluringly flushed.
The Hongyuan Emperor felt his throat tighten. He walked over to the side of the bed, then took a lock of Lou Jingâs hair between his fingers, slowly sliding his hand down its silky length.
Lou Jing opened his eyes fully, and he smiled as he grasped the Emperorâs hand and tugged it in front of his lips. He planted a soft kiss on that hand.
Xiao Chengjun swung his legs onto the bed, then let down the bedcurtains and pressed Lou Jing down beneath himself without saying a word. âMy Empress, do you know what it means to submit to your husband?â he asked.
Lou Jing blinked innocently at him, then gave a muffled laugh. He relaxed his body and adjusted himself to lie flat on his back, looking up at Xiao Chengjun. He caressed the Emperorâs cheek gently. âThe Emperorâs wish is my commandâŚâ he said softly. His voice was slightly raw and husky, and Xiao Chengjun felt like his very soul had been hooked out of his body by those words.
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction. He lowered his body, pressing it onto his Empress, then kissed Lou Jingâs lips, which still had the faint smell of wine on them.
That fair-skinned cheek was even more flushed now, and his beautiful eyes, which usually burned coldly like stars in the night sky, looked like they were shimmering pools of light at this moment. Xiao Chengjun kissed those lovely eyes, then trailed his lips downward, moving toward his neck, gnawing gently at the tender flesh there.
The robes slipped off. Lou Jingâs toned, athletic body was revealed. He practised his internal martial arts regularly, and the lines of his body were clean and flowing. His muscles were perfectly symmetrical, and his skin felt like fine silk over steel. The feel of Lou Jingâs body was incredible, and Xiao Chengjun couldnât get enough.
The corners of Lou Jingâs mouth twitched upwards. He let the Emperor kiss and bite and pinch him as he pleased, and as time wore on, his breath became a little ragged. He reached out and pulled off the busy Emperorâs clothes, and the two were soon naked before each other.
They exchanged a long, deep kiss in each otherâs arms before their motions became more intense. They rolled around in the sheets in the throes of passion, nuzzling and necking each other.
Lou Jing lay beneath Xiao Chengjun as he used his hand to bring the vigorous parts of them together, rubbing them against each other slowly and deliberately. Xiao Chengjun quivered in pleasure, and Lou Jing pulled him closer to bite his ear. âWe havenât done⌠for a month⌠nn⌠your Majesty, you canât be too fastâŚâ he said a little raggedly.
Xiao Chengjun rescued his ear, then pulled out a little black box with plum blossoms carved on it. âMy Empress, you can be the judge of how fast it is in a bit,â he said, his voice deep and husky.
The Emperorâs voice had always leaned toward being a baritone to begin with, and at this moment, that huskiness gave it an incredibly enticing quality. His expression was solemn, but his dark onyx eyes were misty with desire. Lou Jing couldnât resist such an alluring sight. He groaned softly, then pulled the person above him over to kiss him fiercely.
When Lou Jing finally released Xiao Chengjun, Xiao Chengjun found that the hand that had originally been stroking his front had now moved to his behind. The Emperor immediately sensed something was off, and he tried to prop himself up.
âMmph⌠no, this isnât⌠ahâŚâ
Before he could string words into a coherent sentence, a finger had glided into his body like a lithe little snake.
Xiao Chengjun went limp. He plunged into Lou Jingâs arms, and his brows furrowed. âIâm the husband here, and it should be me on⌠nngh⌠topâŚâ he protested weakly.
There were now two slender fingers in him. Those two fingers expertly found that sensitive spot of Xiao Chengjunâs, and they stroked it relentlessly. Lou Jingâs face was the picture of innocence as he said, âThatâs right, hasnât your Majesty been on top this whole time?â As he said this, he added another finger, and when Xiao Chengjun had fully loosened up, he gripped the Emperorâs hips firmly and thrust in quickly.
âMmphâŚâ Xiao Chengjun had been entered all of a sudden, and he arched his neck with the impact, his long, slender neck drawing a graceful arc in the air.
Lou Jing sat up and gathered the wincing Emperor into his arms. He sucked on a little pink bean to comfort him, and when the Emperor had acclimatised, he slowly started moving.
âYou scumbag! Everything you said in the past⌠mmph⌠they were all⌠nngh⌠lies!â Xiao Chengjun said, holding on to Lou Jingâs shoulders and glaring down at him. Lou Jing had guilt tripped him by saying that they were having an illicit relationship, but now that they were legitimately married, he was still behaving in this shameless manner and taking the husbandâs position when he was the wife! The wise, astute Hongyuan Emperor finally came to the realisation that heâd been tricked!
âHow so?â Lou Jing purred, smirking slightly at Xiao Chengjun before biting his chin. âIâll do as I promised, and let you be on top of me the whole night.â With that, his thrusts became more powerful and vigorous.
The Emperor, who had been displeased earlier, slowly lost his ability to think straight. The quick thrusts beneath him made him bite his lip, but that bitten lip was quickly rescued and replaced by a pair of warm lips on his own.
The dragon-phoenix candles lit the red wedding bed with a cosy glow, and the intertwined figures behind the bedcurtains never ceased moving all night.
In the end, Xiao Chengjun was unable to continue thinking about the significance of husbands and wives or tops and bottoms. He was pure sensation now, a small boat tossed about by the waves of pleasure, lashed by storms of ecstasy, his breath taken by the winds of passion. His legs trembled, and he clung on almost helplessly to the person by his side.
Lou Jing put the quivering Emperor back onto the bed, never breaking the connection between their bodies. He folded the trembling legs over his shoulders, then pushed himself in even further. A ragged gasp of pleasure escaped Xiao Chengjunâs lips, but it still wasnât enough for Lou Jing. He pulled his whole length out and stabbed fiercely into Xiao Chengjun, going in deeper than he had ever been before. Xiao Chengjunâs hands tightened around the bedsheets as he moaned uncontrollably.
Lou Jing stopped for a brief moment. He reached out to stroke Xiao Chengjunâs sweat-soaked temples and called out to him softly, imploringly. âYuanlang⌠YuanlangâŚâ
A satisfied sigh was buried in the muffled moans that followed. The night was long, and the newlywedsâ night had just begun.
In the first year of the Hongyuan Emperorâs reign, the Emperor Xiao Chengjun married Lou Jing as his Empress in a ceremony that spoke of his supreme regard for his wife. Thus began a glorious era of co-governance between the Emperor and Empress, and a time of unparalleled prosperity that the Yu Dynasty had never seen before, known as the Golden Hongyuan Age in history books.
The Imperial Court was given a Court vacation for nine days after the Emperor and Empress were married. The day immediately after the wedding night, the Hongyuan Emperor decreed that the customary worship at the Imperial Ancestral Temple would be postponed to the third day after the wedding as the Empress was feeling unwell.
In the Fengyi Palace, the Empress was all smiles as he sat by the bed. He gently prodded the sleeping Emperor. âChengjun, you should get up and eat something. You can continue sleeping after,â he said.
After a long silence, the Qiwu Chamber was filled with the Emperorâs angry voice. âMy Empress, do you or do you not know what it means to submit to your husband?!â
A warm voice immediately answered. âOf course I know!Chenwill not tire out his Majesty in bed next time!â Lou Jing said.
The Golden Hongyuan Age ushered in prosperity for the people, and also an exciting, titillating new life for the two in the Imperial Palace.
Weâve come to the end of SUBEMP! Thank you all for reading all the way. It has been a pleasure to translate for you guys.
ETA: Due to some unforeseen circumstances, all chapters in this novel will soon be transferred to another translator with my consent, and I will disappear from the picture. The new translator will also be doing the translation of the extras. Please support the new translator as well!