「Within Lingxin Hall in the Zhou Royal Palace.」

A woman in a wedding dress sat before a silver mirror as Maids from the Imperial Palace attended to her hair and makeup.

"How can there be such a beautiful woman in this world?"

Empress Dowager Yan stood beside her clanswoman, growing more pleased the longer she looked.

Moreover, this clanswoman of hers was exceptionally well-read, possessed of a scholarly air.

The only downside was that Ruxue could not cultivate.

Otherwise, Empress Dowager Yan felt she would have done everything in her power to send Ruxue to an academy to cultivate.

Nearly an hour later, Chief Eunuch Huang bowed to Empress Dowager Yan. "Empress Dowager, we have finished preparing Miss Yan."

"Come, come, let me have a good look."

Empress Dowager Yan walked forward and helped Yan Ruxue to her feet, holding the young woman’s soft, supple arms in both hands.

"Beautiful, truly beautiful."

The Empress Dowager had no idea how many times she had praised Yan Ruxue, but it never felt like enough.

"Yes, Miss Yan is so very beautiful. I’ve never seen such a lovely bride," one of the Maids added, captivated by the sight.

"You silly girls." Empress Dowager Yan smiled. "From now on, you will address her as the Empress."

"Empress Dowager, today is merely a rehearsal. Ruxue is not yet wed..." Yan Ruxue said, lowering her head, her eyes filled with a touch of bashfulness.

"Hahaha... Although it is a rehearsal, after today, the matter of you, Ruxue, becoming Empress will be set in stone. If any other court officials wish to object, they’ll first have to ask if the rites will permit it, and if the people of the realm will permit it."

Empress Dowager Yan squeezed Yan Ruxue’s small, fair, and delicate hand.

"Besides, other than you, Ruxue, who else is worthy of being the Empress of the Zhou Kingdom?"

Hearing the Empress Dowager’s praise, Yan Ruxue simply smiled without a word.

"His Majesty marrying you is not only his good fortune, but mine as well. Here in this lonely palace, I am all by myself with no one to talk to."

As she looked at Yan Ruxue, the Empress Dowager’s eyes held a measure of sincerity.

"Soon, Ruxue, you will enter the Imperial Palace, and at least I will not be so bored."

Yan Ruxue smiled faintly. "Please rest assured, Empress Dowager. Once Ruxue enters the Imperial Palace, I will be sure to spend much time with you."

"Hehehe... Just visiting me occasionally will be enough. You should spend more time with His Majesty. The priority is to quickly give our Zhou Kingdom a Crown Prince."

But even as Empress Dowager Yan said this, she was inwardly gratified. ’This girl is truly sensible,’ she thought.

"Alright, it’s about time. Let’s go. The civil and military officials have already arrived."

"Yes, Empress Dowager."

Yan Ruxue nodded slightly.

A Maid beside her took a red bridal veil and gently covered the young woman’s face.

...

According to the rites of the Zhou Kingdom, Xiao Mo arrived at the Sacrificial Altar first, where he awaited the arrival of the Empress Dowager and Yan Ruxue.

Since this was merely a rehearsal of the ceremony, parts like the fetching of the bride were omitted. The focus was on rehearsing the most important and cumbersome rites that would take place within the Imperial Palace.

Below the Sacrificial Altar, all the court officials had gathered, standing in two rows on either side.

Many of the ministers stole glances at their Emperor. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

After all, their Emperor had not held court for about half a year, focusing solely on his cultivation. This was the first time they had seen him in six months.

And they had to admit...

Looking at their Emperor’s tall, upright posture...

For some reason, they felt their Emperor now had a scholarly air about him; his entire temperament was like that of one of the scholars.

And yet, his resolute eyes seemed to faintly carry a murderous glint, giving him an awe-inspiring presence even without showing anger.

’Even though our Emperor is a Puppet, his looks and his bearing are truly exceptional.’

Xiao Mo cared little for what these court officials were thinking.

He was, however, rather curious to see what this daughter of the Yan Clan was truly like.

DONG...

DONG...

DONG...

At the Hour of the Serpent, following three tolls of the bell, the young woman in her wedding dress walked step by step into the plaza of the Sacrificial Altar, led by Empress Dowager Yan.

Every one of her steps was graceful and unhurried. Maids held the train of her long, red gown. Her lithe figure was accentuated by the wedding dress, her posture erect, and her every movement exuded an exceptional grace.

Empress Dowager Yan placed a red silk ribbon, adorned with a red flower, into Xiao Mo’s hand.

From less than half a meter away, Xiao Mo could smell the faint, sweet scent coming from her.

Xiao Mo took hold of the red silk and led the young woman up the high platform, step by step.

The Director of the Observatory chanted the traditional benediction passed down since ancient times.

Amid the chanting, Xiao Mo and Yan Ruxue each took incense sticks to pay respects to heaven and earth.

However, because this was not the official wedding, the incense sticks were not lit.

According to the customs of the Zhou Kingdom, there were three prohibitions during a wedding rehearsal—

First, no incense may be lit when worshiping heaven, earth, and the ancestors.

Second, the Empress may not speak.

Third, the couple may not perform the marriage bows.

But after more than half of the tedious procedures were completed, the Director of the Observatory glanced at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager nodded at him.

The Director of the Observatory cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, Empress, last night, this old subject observed the celestial phenomena. The nine stars formed a perfect circle, which is a highly auspicious omen signifying a long and happy union.

Though today is but a rehearsal and not the official ceremony, this subject dares to suggest that Your Majesty and the Empress perform the marriage bows today, so as to follow the will of heaven and not let this auspicious moment go to waste."

After the Director of the Observatory finished speaking, the Empress Dowager, who was standing to one side, chimed in, "The nine stars in a circle is indeed a rare auspicious sign. I, too, agree with Lord Zhong’s proposal. I wonder what Your Majesty and Ruxue think?"

Yan Ruxue did not speak. She simply lifted her head from beneath the red veil, looking at Xiao Mo through the fabric. Her gesture seemed to say, ’I will follow Your Majesty’s will in all matters.’

Xiao Mo couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

’Nine stars in a circle? What nonsense.’

’It’s all just an excuse.’

’Their goal is to perform the marriage bows during today’s rehearsal.’

’The marriage bows are no small matter.’

’Once the bows are performed, the Yan Clan daughter’s position as Empress will be set in stone, unable to be changed.’

Xiao Mo didn’t really mind; they would have to perform the bows sooner or later anyway.

What he hadn’t expected was that the Director of the Observatory—that thick-browed, big-eyed fellow who seemed to live a life of utmost leisure—would actually side with Empress Dowager Yan and do her bidding.

Hearing this, the other ministers below the platform grew anxious.

There was still half a month until His Majesty’s wedding ceremony with the talented daughter of the Yan Clan.

A great deal could happen in half a month, and their own Noble Families were trying their utmost to see if they could replace the Yan Clan’s daughter.

"In my opinion, this is highly inappropriate!"

Just as Xiao Mo was about to agree, Elder Huang of the Wanjian Sect stepped forward and spoke loudly.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Huang Wei.

But Yan Ruxue alone looked off in another direction, toward a different part of the Imperial Palace.

In the direction Yan Ruxue was looking, a woman sat in a tree, drinking Osmanthus Wine.

As if sensing the gaze, she wiped the wine from the corner of her mouth and turned her head to look back.

Across a distance of hundreds of yards, the two women’s gazes met.