I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 528 The Big Wedding
Since the eldest princess entered the palace, Chu Liuzheng has personally experienced the difference between figuring things out on his own and having a mentor. His experience in handling various palace affairs has increased rapidly, and he can probably achieve a life of leisure ahead of schedule.

The eldest princess was amazed by Chu Liuzheng's resilience and intelligence, and gradually understood why Xiao Jingfan was attracted to Chu Liuzheng.

The two got along well, which displeased the Empress Dowager, but she didn't stop them. She wanted to see how the Emperor would conjure up a fairy for her on their wedding day.

Gradually, Chu Liuzheng also built his own team. Mo Xiang broke through the encirclement with her own abilities and was taken over by Chu Liuzheng from the tea room and promoted to one of the head maids by his side.

She has now come to her senses that the way out that Mo Xiang mentioned in her conversation several years ago was actually her.

She didn't blame Moxiang for not telling her sooner. After all, given her situation at the time, even if Moxiang had told her earlier that the emperor was interested in her, it would have only caused her more trouble and might have backfired, making the situation even worse.

By the time Chu Liuzheng had sorted everything out and become proficient, October had quietly arrived.

This year, the autumn heat wave left early, and the weather has cooled down completely, with thick blankets needed at night.

Because a wedding ceremony was to be held, Chu Liuzheng tried on her wedding attire one last time and left the palace on October 26th to return to the Ping Le Marquis's residence to await her marriage.

That night, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the emperor tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Looking at the empty pillow, Xiao Jingfan experienced insomnia again after several years.

In the Ping Le Marquis's residence, Chu Liuzheng had a long talk with his younger sister. They said they would sleep when they were tired, and as for insomnia... it didn't exist at all.

On October 27th, the emperor suffered from insomnia.

In the Ping Le Marquis's residence, after Chu Liuzheng finished his private conversation with his mother, he ran to the storeroom to count the betrothal gifts sent from the palace. His eyes almost turned into gold ingots.

On October 28th, the Emperor and Empress were married.

The magpies outside the window arrived early and secured a good spot, tilting their heads to watch the two-legged creatures bustling about inside.

After finishing her makeup, Chu Liuzheng suddenly felt a little nervous.

There's no way around it; this is my first marriage in two lifetimes combined, so it's incredibly significant.

I tend to forget things when I'm nervous. If I forget any part of the process, my husband should remind me, right? After all, it's his second marriage, so he shouldn't be nervous.

The man, who wasn't nervous about his second marriage, asked Prince Rui for the fifth time, "What time is it?"

Prince Rui was annoyed by the questions, but thinking that today was his elder brother's wedding day, he patiently answered, "There is less than a quarter of an hour until the auspicious time."

Xiao Jingfan calmly said, "I think it might be better to move it forward a little earlier."

Prince Rui: "..."

King Xiao, standing to the side, chuckled and shook his head. "Why be in such a hurry?"

Xiao Jingfan looked at him and said, "Back when you married the Queen, you set off half an hour early, but the gatekeeper wouldn't let you in. I had to help you get in."

That means, don't laugh at someone who's only slightly better than you.

King Xiao smiled and said, "This is my first marriage."

Xiao Jingfan, Second Marriage: "..."

King Xiao: "It's understandable that he couldn't hold back his emotions when it was his first time getting married."

Xiao Jingfan, Second Time: "..."

He should have only sent Chu Shangming back when he sent the message.

But it's too late to regret it now.

Xiao Jingfan calmly instructed the young Kunqi, "Push your master out."

That annoying older brother should go somewhere cool and stay somewhere else!
Just then, Zhou Yuande strode in and reported with a smile, "Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Prince Rui and Prince Xiao both breathed a sigh of relief; they had finally arrived. They exchanged a glance and followed Xiao Jingfan, who was walking out, to see the spectacle!
*
The emperor rode out of the palace in his palanquin and arrived at the residence of the Marquis of Pingluo.

Wherever the procession passed, the people bowed down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" three times.

Chu Qin led Chu Shangming to the door to greet them, and they knelt in a salute. Xiao Jingfan alighted from his carriage and personally helped them up.

Zhou Yuande shouted, "Present the jade goose!"

A palace maid brought forward a jade goose, which Xiao Jingfan took and handed to Chu Qin with both hands.

Zhou Yuande, standing to the side, exclaimed: "The geese of Yin and Yang are a perfect pair, steadfast in their bond. We offer this auspicious bird to witness our covenant. May Heaven and Earth unite in virtue, and may our descendants prosper forever!"

Chu Qin accepted the gift and replied, "The Emperor has bestowed upon me this noble honor and the Phoenix Embroidery. I, your humble servant, respectfully accept this gift and humbly pray that Your Majesty and the Empress will live in harmony, shining as brightly as the sun and moon, that the nation's destiny will be forever secure, and that it will prosper for ten thousand generations!"

This exchange drew cheers from the onlookers. Chu Qin breathed a sigh of relief, secretly glad that he had memorized it. He hurriedly took the jade goose back to his residence, leaving Chu Shangming to test his brother-in-law, the emperor Xiao Jingfan.

When the auspicious hour arrived, Chu Liuzheng bid farewell to his parents in the main hall and listened to their admonitions.

Bai Shi suppressed her tears and gave detailed instructions until she heard others advising her not to miss the auspicious time. She then personally covered Chu Liuzheng's head with the veil.

Chu Qin turned her head away and secretly wiped away her tears, while Chu Yuxin helped Chu Liuzheng onto Chu Shangming's back.

Chu Shangming carried his sister out and whispered, "I just asked all the questions you wrote down, and His Majesty was able to answer them all, and the answers were exactly the same as the ones you gave me."

Chu Liuzheng was genuinely surprised to hear this. Did the emperor really know her that well?

With the gate right in front of them, looking at the majestic emperor standing at the entrance, Chu Shangming couldn't help but add, "We've discussed it. If he dares to betray you, we'll beat him up together."

"We" here naturally refers to him, Chu's father, Bai Shi, and Chu Yuxin.

Chu Liuzheng chuckled, "He is the emperor. Disrespecting the emperor is punishable by death."

"I'm not afraid, at worst I'll pay with my life." Chu Shangming slowed his pace. "Remember, you also have your family backing you up."

Yes, when it comes to supporting each other with their lives, who can match the strength of my family?

The tears that Chu Liuzheng had been holding back when he said goodbye to his parents finally flowed out. He sniffed, suppressed a sob, and nodded firmly, "Yes, I remember."

*
With drums and music playing, Xiao Jingfan rode in his palanquin in front, followed by Chu Liuzheng in a phoenix palanquin carried by sixteen men. The procession, adorned in red, stretched for miles.

The crowd of onlookers formed three or four deep, and many shouted "Phoenix Maiden!" Chu Liuzheng wanted to squeeze out and wave to everyone to fulfill their expectations.

As the horn sounded, the imperial carriage entered through the Dasheng Gate, passing through the Chengtian Gate, the Qian Gate, and the Wu Gate.

At the Meridian Gate, female officials knelt to greet the emperor and presented him with the imperial edict and seal.

Chu Liuzheng dismounted to receive the imperial edict and seal, and after receiving the ceremony, he boarded the phoenix palanquin again and arrived at the Ruide Gate.

Xiao Jingfan alighted from his carriage and personally welcomed Chu Liuzheng alighting from his phoenix carriage. Palace attendants knelt in worship, and the two went hand in hand to the Wenhua Hall for their grand wedding ceremony.

The master of ceremonies announced the ceremony, and officials and foreign guests watched the ceremony.

After bowing to heaven and earth, Xiao Jingfan picked up the wedding scale on the tray and lifted the veil.

Chu Liuzheng subconsciously looked up.

Wow~ The tyrant in his wedding attire is incredibly handsome! I want to make him into a collectible figure!!

Xiao Jingfan: ?
What are figurines?
Seeing the emperor staring intently at the empress, Zhou Yuande, who was standing nearby, had to cough lightly to remind him.

There are still procedures to go through. Can we wait until the wedding night to see if that's okay?

[What are you looking at, Tyrant? My eye makeup is ruined from crying?]

Chu Liuzheng secretly winked at Chen Xing.

Chen Xing gently shook her head at her.

Chu Liuzheng was immediately relieved.

[As long as my makeup isn't ruined, that's good. With so many people watching, I don't want to look like a laughingstock with a face covered in makeup.]

[Shouldn't the next step be the sharing of food ceremony?]

[Hey? Why is the tyrant still staring? It's not like he hasn't seen me putting on makeup before.]

Chu Liuzheng glanced at the emperor opposite him and gave him a meaningful look.

[Hurry up, next step! After we're done here, we still need to go to offer sacrifices to the heavens!]

Looking at her vivid eyes and brows, Xiao Jingfan suddenly felt that the wedding ceremony was still a bit too complicated.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the emperor and empress shared sacrificial meat and fruits, and drank nuptial wine.

The master of ceremonies shouted, "The ceremony is complete!"

"kneel--"

The crowd knelt down and shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

(End of this chapter)