I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 488 The Big Wedding
Zhu Yijun got married as the crown prince and took a crown princess. The Ministry of Rites repeatedly agreed to conduct the wedding at a lower level than that of an emperor.

That is, the process is the same, but the specifications are downgraded.

The first of the six ceremonies in a wedding is asking for the bride’s name.

On August 15th, Xue was designated as the Crown Princess, and the Ministry of Rites immediately began the six-ritual process.

First, the Ministry of Rites sent officials to inform heaven, earth, and the ancestral temples and make preparations in advance.

On the sixth day of September, Emperor Longqing personally went to the Fengtian Hall and summoned all officials. The imperial edict was announced in public by the imperial edict officer.

"The Crown Prince inherits the order of heaven and carries on the great plan.

The way to govern a country is to regulate the family. The relationship between husband and wife is the righteousness of heaven and earth.

In fact, with the respect for the ancestors and the sincerity of the care and support, it is important to maintain the importance of the princess. I only obey the order of the emperor and the empress, and now choose the daughter of Yangwu Hou Xue as the crown princess. I order the cabinet minister Zhang Juzheng and the minister of rites Ge Shouli to be the chief and deputy envoys, and hold the imperial seal to ask for the name of the bride and groom, and select her according to the etiquette. "

The chief and deputy envoys Zhang Juzheng and Ge Shouli knelt down to take the imperial edict and the decree, placed them in the sedan chair, and led by a ceremonial guard and great music, they went out of Chengtian Gate and arrived in front of the main gate of Yangwuhou Mansion in a grand procession.

Xue had been sent back to Yangwuhou Mansion early and was ready.

On that day, all the men and women of the Xue family, young and old, were waiting in the front yard, with the men wearing court robes and the women wearing imperial edicts.

The ritual officer stepped forward and said, "According to the decree, we will marry the Crown Princess and send an envoy to perform the ceremony of accepting the marriage and asking for her name."

The Xue Mansion opened the main gate and paid tribute to the imperial edict and the festival. Xue Han, Marquis of Yangwu, accepted the imperial edict and the gifts, set out wine and food, and presented gifts of thanks to the envoy.

After three rounds of drinks, Xue Han presented a letter of thanks with Xue's name and birth date on it.

The chief and deputy envoys took it, then returned to the outside of Fengtian Gate, handed the memorial to the officials of the Imperial Household Department, and brought it in to report.

At this point, the first step of the wedding, "asking for the bride's name", is completed.

Then choose an auspicious day to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth and the ancestral temple, and continue the procedures of "paying the betrothal gift, requesting the date, and conferring the title", thus completing the first four rituals.

"Naji means that the divination has yielded auspicious results and one goes to report it" was used for the emperor.

"When offering the betrothal gift, one uses a bundle of silk to announce the completion of the marriage ceremony," which is used for the crown prince and the prince.

"To ask for a date means to ask for a day."

The Crown Prince is taking a concubine and he asks for a date.

The emperor's wedding is announced.

Both of them are about notifying the woman of the wedding date, but the wording is different.

The Imperial Household Department received the "festival petition" from the Xue family, and the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory and others consulted with divination to determine the wedding date, which was then notified to the Xue family. The identity of the Crown Princess was then officially confirmed through canonization.

The wedding date was originally scheduled for February 16, the fourth year of the Longqing reign, but Empress Chen and Emperor Longqing agreed to change it to December 12, the third year of the Longqing reign.

At the beginning, there was an uproar in the government and the public.

Later, news came out that the emperor was ill and the queen wanted to get married early to bring good luck. At this point, people in the court and the public understood that the emperor and the queen were trying to race against time.

The emperor has serious health problems.

November 26th, an auspicious day.

Emperor Longqing appointed Zhu Xizhong, Duke of Chengguo, and Hu Zongxian, Duke of Xuancheng County, as the left and right chief envoys, and Zhang Rong, Duke of Yingguo, Li Chunfang, the chief minister of the cabinet, and Chen Yiqin and Gao Gong, the cabinet ministers, as deputy envoys, to confer the title of Marquis of Yangwu on Xue Mansion.

The main gate of Xue Mansion was opened, and Zhu Xizhong read out the imperial edict of enthronement.

"I have established a successor, which is the foundation of the world. Marriage is the basis of the king's rule. According to the law of yin and yang, human relations are established. The rites are first corrected and the graceful ones are sought to carry out the internal duties. The thought is to promote the virtuous.

Since the magistrate has issued an edict, I would like to ask you, Ms. Xue, who is elegant and gentle, virtuous and kind, born in a famous family, and well-versed in poetry and literature.
The envoy was sent with imperial seal to confer the title of Princess Xue of Yangwu on the Crown Princess.
The wind sings the teachings of returning to our capital, the elegant songs are in harmony with the hearts of parents, and only obey the words of instruction and receive great blessings! "

As soon as the official decree of enthronement was announced, Crown Prince Zhu Yijun and Crown Princess Xue Baoqin were officially engaged.

At three o'clock in the morning on December 12, Zhu Yijun got up early, and with the help of eunuchs and palace maids, he put on a black robe and red skirt with nine patterns, a jade pendant, and a Pingtian crown, and came to Fengxian Hall.

All civil and military officials in the capital from the fourth rank onwards were present, wearing blue and red sacrificial robes and Liang crowns on their heads, and lined up in the open space in front of the hall waiting.

Zhu Yijun entered the venue and all officials knelt and saluted.

At four o'clock in the morning, Emperor Longqing, wearing a black robe and a red skirt with twelve emblems and a flat crown, came to Fengxian Hall, supported and surrounded by four eunuchs, and sat down on the throne in the middle.

Zhu Yijun led all the officials into the hall and knelt down to pay their respects.

The ritual officer sang praises and the prayer ceremony began.

After the ceremony, civil and military officials stood on both sides, and Zhu Yijun stepped forward and knelt before the emperor.

Emperor Longqing said, "Go and welcome your Prime Minister, and take over my clan affairs. Encourage the commander to be respectful."

Zhu Yijun knelt down and replied: "Your son Zhu Yijun respectfully obeys your order."

Emperor Longqing continued, "The prince is gifted with pure talent, well-educated, wise and virtuous, and has reached adulthood. It is appropriate for him to have a harmonious family. You, Xue, are the daughter of Xue Han, Marquis of Yangwu. You have always been a talent in the boudoir. You have been able to follow the teachings of your mother and tutor. It is a match made in heaven that you will die!"

Lead the people to keep the heart of vigilance like the crowing of cocks, and be kind and benevolent like the feet of unicorns, so that there will be many descendants, and celebrate the prosperity of the country for hundreds of millions of years."

After Emperor Longqing finished encouraging him, Zhu Yijun thanked him, stood up and left the hall to go and welcome his bride.

All the officials saw and heard it clearly.

Emperor Longqing had put on powder on his face and looked fine, but his eyes were dull, his face was thin, and his voice was frivolous and hanging like a gossamer thread.

Li Chunfang, Zhang Juzheng and other old ministers of the two dynasties suddenly discovered that Emperor Longqing's condition at this time was not as good as that of the previous emperor, Emperor Jiajing, one or two months before his death.

I was shocked.

Gao Gong's eyes were red and his heart was filled with regret.

Why don't you give the emperor some good advice?

But Gao Gong knew in his heart that he could not persuade him.

Zhu Yijun left the hall and sat on the golden carriage, followed by a Yan Di carriage, with a full range of ceremonial guards. With Fengning Marquis Qi Jiguang and Minister of War Tan Lun as guides, he went out of Chengtian Gate and went to Yangwu Marquis' Mansion to welcome the bride.

A sacrifice ceremony was also held at the Yangwu Marquis's mansion at three o'clock in the morning.

Xue Han and his wife sat in the main hall in sacrificial robes, and Xue Baoqin, dressed in her best clothes, saluted her parents. Then Xue Han and his wife instructed them to "respect the grace of the emperor, practice the virtues of a woman, serve the emperor with filial piety and sincerity, and be diligent and frugal to maintain themselves."

After some instruction, the Xue Mansion began to wait for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to come and pick up the bride. The gate of the mansion was surrounded by red cloth early in the morning, forming a curtain. The Fengchensi and the Beijing Camp soldiers were on guard outside.

When the auspicious time arrived, the prince and his entourage also arrived and entered the tent.

The door to the Xue Mansion was wide open, and the official in charge of ceremonies stood on the east side and asked, "What may I ask?"

Tan Lun stepped forward and replied, "The Crown Prince has ordered to come and welcome him personally."

The host of the wedding, Hai Rui's mother, invited by the Xue Mansion, Mrs. Hai, came out and knelt down to greet them.

Qi Jiguang came forward with the wild goose and presented it to Zhu Yijun, who took it and handed it to Madam Hai. Madam Hai took it with both hands, stood up, presented the wild goose, and led Zhu Yijun and his party through the main gate to the door of the boudoir.

There was a desk in front of the door. Zhu Yijun walked to the desk and Mrs. Hai handed him the goose. Zhu Yijun placed the goose on the desk, bowed and worshipped it, and then stood aside. Mrs. Xue Hou came out of the door, walked to the desk, and bowed to the goose.

Zhu Yijun bowed to the wife of Marquis Xue again.

Mrs. Xuehou nodded. After the mother-in-law saw her potential son-in-law, she said, "Yes!"

Eight palace maids entered the pavilion and helped Xue Baoqin out, who was wearing a nine-winged and four-phoenix crown and a phoenix robe. She looked like a fairy from the mural who had descended to earth, and stood on the left of Madam Xue Hou.

Madam Hai, the host of the wedding, said in a clear voice: "Be careful, be diligent day and night, and do not disobey orders."

Xue Baoqin replied softly: "Yes!"

Madam Xue Hou exhorted: "Try hard, try hard. Your father has given you instructions, so go and follow them."

Xue Baoqin replied softly, "I obey my parents' orders."

Mrs. Xue took Xue Baoqin's hand and handed it to Zhu Yijun.

At this time, a sedan chair stopped in front of the pavilion. Zhu Yijun escorted Xue Baoqin into the sedan chair and out of the gate of the marquis' mansion.

The golden carriage and the Yan Zhai carriage were parked one after the other in the open space in front of the gate, with twelve palace maids waiting on both sides. Xue Baoqin got off the carriage and entered the Yan Zhai carriage with the help of the palace maids.

Zhu Yijun got back on the golden carriage, and Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang took the lead again, leading the ceremonial guard to clear the way, escorting the golden carriage out of Chang'an Street, entering Chengtian Gate, and all the way to the outside of the East Palace.

With the help of the palace maids, Xue Baoqin got off the Zhai carriage and rode in the imperial carriage.

When they arrived outside the inner palace gate, Xue Baoqin got off the sedan chair and entered the right side hall of the inner palace to change into formal clothes.

Zhu Yijun entered the left side hall and changed into a leather cap. Then the two of them entered the inner hall and took their seats, facing east and west.

The palace attendant brought the food tray to the front, and the female official took four golden cups and poured wine into them.

After drinking, food is served.

After the wine and meal were served again, the female official poured wine into two cups, put them together and presented them.

After drinking and eating, the two men stood up and went to the left and right side halls to change into their regular clothes.

The Prince's attendants ate the Crown Princess's leftovers, the Crown Princess's attendants ate the Emperor's leftovers, and then they left the inner hall, leaving the newlyweds behind.

At this point the ceremony is over and the couple is escorted to the bridal chamber.

Then, in the blink of an eye, it was dawn in the hibiscus tent in the inner hall.

On the same day, at Chongshan Temple in Daqing Mountain in the south of the desert, Altan Khan and his third wife knelt on cushions in the main hall and worshiped Buddha respectfully.

The Buddha statue is of Mahavairocana Buddha, 26 feet tall, reaching the top of the hall. It is covered with gold foil and sparkles.

Aldan Khan clasped his palms together, closed his eyes, and muttered something.

"May the Buddha bless my son, and may he grow up healthy and healthy without any misconduct, and inherit my family business smoothly."

After finishing reading, he and Sanniang kowtowed three times respectfully.

After the ceremony, Monk Xuan Chi came forward and said, "Amitabha, Great Khan and his wife, please sit in silence in the abbot's room."

"Okay." Altan Khan stood up with the help of Sanniang.

"No, he fell asleep?"

"Khan, he's asleep."

Altan Khan looked at Sanniang's belly and said, "I hope you can give birth to a son this time. On the grassland, you must have many brothers to resist the siege of wolves."

"Khan, I forbid you to say that."

Altan Khan had aged a lot, his hair and beard were gray, the wrinkles on his face had increased several times, his cheeks had become much thinner, and the skin under his eyes had not only turned darker, but also drooped.

Monk Xuanchi brought Aldan Khan and Sanniang into the abbot's room. As expected, they lay on the bed against the wall and slept soundly.

"I will prepare tea for the Khan and his wife."

After Monk Xuanchi left, Altan Khan said to Sanniangzi, "The twelve thousand tents are the confidants that I have brought with me over the past few decades. I have asked all the one hundred and ten centurions to pay homage to you.

Then Yan Chu, take good care of the gold medal I gave you. It is the token for mobilizing troops in times of crisis."

The third lady said with red eyes: "Great Khan, I don't allow you to say that. You have to wait until our second son is born, and wait until he grows up without being disrespectful, and then teach him to ride a horse and shoot arrows."

Altan Khan had a gloomy expression. He sat down on the bed and gently stroked Bu Heshili's little face. After touching it twice, he was worried that his rough hands would scratch Bu Heshili's tender skin, so he stopped quickly and just looked back and forth with pity in his eyes.

"I can't wait any longer. I may not be able to wait any longer. I can only take advantage of this birthday party to get rid of the worst wolves to avoid future troubles."

The third lady was stunned, "Great Khan, the people who came to the banquet this time are your brothers, nephews, and your relatives."

"Family members? Family members can be your best helpers, but they can also be your most ferocious enemies. Mongolian warriors are never afraid of facing swords and guns, but the cold arrows shot from behind are hard to resist."

Knock, knock, someone is knocking on the door.

"Great Khan, Madam, I have brought you tea."

"Please come in."

Monk Xuanchi brought a tray with a teapot and three teacups on it and placed it on the table. He picked up the teapot and poured tea into the three cups. Then he said to Altan Khan and Sanniangzi, "Here is some newly arrived Jiangnan tea. Great Khan, please have some, Madam."

Altan Khan and Sanniang sat down opposite them, neither saying a word nor picking up their teacups.

Monk Xuanchi picked up the teacup, nodded to Altan Khan and Sanniang, and drank it all in one gulp.

Altan Khan then picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp, "Good tea!"

The third lady took a sip and frowned, "It doesn't taste good!" Then she put down the half-empty teacup.

Monk Xuanmiao picked up the teapot, filled the cups of Altan Khan and himself, and said calmly: "This tea comes from Fujian, Ming Dynasty. It is rock tea, which is said to be roasted. It is a positive yang tea. That's why my wife doesn't like to drink it, but the Khan loves to drink it."

After saying that, he drank another glass.

Altan Khan laughed and said, "Southerners just like to do these weird things. Master, we'll need you to chant more sutras for us in front of the Buddha later."

"This is my duty!" Monk Xuanmiao replied quickly.

The two of them talked and quickly finished a pot of tea. After chatting for a while, Monk Xuanchi said goodbye and left.

Along the way, he took small, leisurely steps and greeted the monks he met in a friendly manner.

After returning to his residence and closing the door, Xuan Chi's face changed. He rushed to the bedside in a few steps and found a small bottle. His right hand holding it trembled unsteadily. He took off the cork with his left hand. The small bottle shook constantly, and a green pill rolled out of the bottle mouth and fell into the palm of his left hand.

Xuan Chi hurriedly stuffed it into his mouth and swallowed it hard, but the pill got stuck in his throat. He hurriedly picked up the teapot, put the spout directly to his mouth, and gulped down several gulps of water.

After finishing, Monk Xuanchi sat on the edge of the bed, breathing slightly, and wiped his forehead, which was covered with sweat.

(End of this chapter)