The most dissolute couple in the capital

The next day, before dawn, Cui Qingyi was pulled out of bed by Su Xin.

"Your Highness, it's time to rise. You must go to the palace to pay your respects today."

Cui Qingyi opened her eyes groggily. The spot next to her was empty. The blanket was half-lifted, and there was a dent in the pillow.

She paused for a moment.

"Where is His Highness?" Cui Qingyi sat up and subconsciously checked her body. Fortunately, it wasn't too sore.

As Su Xin helped her spread out her clothes, she said, "His Highness got up before dawn, saying he was afraid of being late, and is already waiting in the front yard."

...Alright, at least the meal ticket has a sense of time.

The process of getting ready was long and tedious. Entering the palace to pay respects on the second day of the wedding was a grand royal ceremony, and neither makeup nor clothing could be taken lightly. Su Xin and Xiao Mama busied themselves on either side, from combing hair to applying makeup, from choosing hairpins to matching skirts, taking a full hour.

Cui Qingyi looked at herself in the bronze mirror—today she wore the Chaoyun Jinxiang bun, adorned with the kingfisher feather headdress given to her by Li Chengjing, and dressed in a bright red brocade jacket with gold decorations, with a white jade belt bestowed by the palace around her waist, exuding a dignified yet noble air.

As a newlywed princess, she certainly has the right to dress up.

Looking at Cui Qingyi's reflection in the mirror, Su Xin couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Highness looks beautiful today."

Cui Qingyi looked at herself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

It's so good to be reborn.

Young is so good.

It's nice to have money.

She stood up in a good mood and led Suxin to the front yard.

Li Chengjing was indeed already waiting in the main hall.

Today he wore a purple round-necked, narrow-sleeved robe, a jade belt around his waist, and black leather boots. His black hair was neatly tied up, clearly showing that he had dressed up carefully. His face was already very handsome, with deep-set eyes and a straight nose. Combined with this formal attire, he truly had the air of a nobleman.

Right now, he's looking down at his belt, tugging at it with a look of disgust.

"Liu Lu, is this ribbon tied crooked? Look, it's higher on one side and lower on the other."

Liu Lu looked at his master with a wry smile: "Your Highness, both sides are the same height."

"No, something doesn't feel right," Li Chengjing tugged again.

When Cui Qingyi walked in, she saw him pull his belt even more crookedly.

When Li Chengjing looked up and saw her, his eyes lit up, and his whole face turned bright red.

"Husband, wife."

Cui Qingyi smiled slightly: "Your Highness."

Lee Seung-kyung's gaze lingered on her face for two seconds before quickly shifting to her dress, then to her hair, and finally back to her face, the whole process resembling a butterfly unsure of where to fly.

"You look very beautiful today, Madam." As he finished speaking, the tips of his ears turned red again.

Cui Qingyi lowered her eyelashes, took two steps forward without making a sound, and reached out to help him re-tie the belt that had been pulled askew.

"Your Highness is also very handsome."

Lee Seung-kyung's breathing visibly paused for a moment.

Liu Lu and Su Xin tactfully took three steps back.

"Um..." Li Chengjing cleared his throat, trying to appear normal, "I'm going to the palace to pay my respects, and I have a few words to say to you."

Cui Qingyi raised her head.

"Your sister-in-law is a very nice person, so don't be nervous. The Empress Dowager is also easy to talk to, though she likes to nag, so just give her a few casual replies. As for your brother..." Li Chengjing thought for a moment, "Your brother is even easier to talk to. Just don't be too polite, or he'll find it annoying."

Cui Qingyi nodded.

She knew all this in her past life. The current emperor is a pragmatic ruler who doesn't like empty formalities and pomp, unlike the emperors of the previous dynasties who always demanded that people kneel and kowtow three times and nine times.

"Also," Li Chengjing lowered his voice and whispered in her ear, "if you're tired, just pinch my sleeve, and I'll find an excuse to take you away first. Anyway, I've never been one for rules, and they're all used to it."

Cui Qingyi was slightly taken aback.

"Okay." She smiled slightly.

-

The carriage departed from the Liang Prince's Mansion, traveled north along Zhuque Avenue, passed through numerous gates, and arrived directly at the Imperial City.

The two walked side by side into the palace gate. A palace attendant was already waiting there, and respectfully led them to the Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided.

Along the way, the palace servants she encountered all stopped and bowed, their eyes filled with curiosity as they sized up the newly appointed Princess Liang.

Cui Qingyi remained calm and composed, walking with poise and keeping her eyes straight ahead.

Morning light streamed down from above the palace walls, casting a pale golden hue on the bluestone floor. High walls lined both sides, with layered halls and pavilions, the eaves gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"Your Highness," the eunuch stopped outside the Cining Palace, "The Empress Dowager is already waiting in the main hall, as are His Majesty and the Empress."

Li Chengjing took her hand and squeezed it, stroking it as if to comfort her.

The Empress Dowager sat on the phoenix couch at the head of the table, her face kind and gentle. She wore a dark blue jacket embroidered with the character for longevity, exuding an air of elegance. Beside her sat a woman, around forty years old, with a beautiful face and smiling phoenix eyes—this was the current Empress.

To the left of the Empress Dowager sat a middle-aged man with a majestic and elegant bearing, holding a teacup and exuding natural authority.

Cui Qingyi felt a chill run down her spine.

This is the current emperor.

Although she was the wife of a high-ranking official in her previous life, she had never seen the emperor up close. Now, upon closer inspection, she was indeed no ordinary person. In terms of appearance alone, she bore a six or seven-tenths resemblance to Li Chengjing, but the calm and imposing aura in her eyes was something Li Chengjing had never possessed.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Mother!" Li Chengjing spoke first, "I've brought my wife to pay our respects!"

The emperor put down his teacup, his face feigning seriousness, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes: "So you've come, so why are you shouting so loudly? You've probably shattered the glazed tiles of Cining Palace."

Cui Qingyi stepped forward and performed a proper bow.

"Your humble servant, Cui, greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, wishing you good health and longevity."

The Empress Dowager scrutinized her carefully, her smile widening.

"My dear child, you look even better today."

Cui Qingyi dutifully played the role of a shy bride.

The Empress, smiling, added, "Yesterday was the wedding day. I was worried that Chengjing might cause some trouble, but I heard everything went smoothly, so I can finally relax."

"Royal sister-in-law!" Li Chengjing interjected, displeased. "How could I be so unreliable!"

The Queen glanced at him: "Do you want me to say it?"

"...No need, no need." Li Chengjing immediately backed down.