Return of the Pearl

Chapter 39: Marrying at the Same Time

Xiao Yun, a commoner, was able to become an imperial concubine. This caused a huge uproar in the harem and sparked countless controversies and arguments. Everyone was full of doubts about her life experience. Moreover, no one knew whether she was Manchu or Han, because her identity was impossible to verify. This made many people dissatisfied and questioned her existence.

In the court, the ministers argued endlessly about this matter, and the argument was extremely fierce. They expressed their opposition in harsh words, believing that such an enthronement was against common sense and undermined the dignity of the royal family.

They listed various reasons and tried to persuade Qianlong to change his mind. Some ministers painfully described the various hidden dangers that this move might bring, while others emphasized that the purity of the royal bloodline should not be easily destroyed.

However, Qianlong stood firmly on Xiao Yun's side. He was well aware of his feelings for Xiao Yun and firmly believed that his choice was correct. He was not moved by the opposition of the ministers and insisted that the imperial edict had been issued and could not be changed. He told the ministers in a firm tone that he believed in Xiao Yun's character and talent and that she deserved this honor and status.

Qianlong's attitude made the ministers feel helpless and frustrated, but they also understood that Qianlong was determined. Although they still had many dissatisfactions in their hearts, they could only accept this fact.

And Xiao Yun, in this noise and controversy, became the focus of everyone's attention, and her fate changed drastically. She will start a new journey of life in this deep palace.

The days passed silently like the sand in an hourglass, getting closer and closer to the important moment. On the first night of their wedding, Xiao Yun and Ziwei gathered in a warm room, and as they had done on countless nights in the past, they confided their feelings to each other.

The soft candlelight flickered gently in the air, illuminating their faces. Xiao Yun's eyes were filled with sincerity and affection. She gently held Ziwei's hand and said softly, "Ziwei, after tomorrow, we will each embark on a new journey. I sincerely wish you a life of happiness. May your life be filled with sunshine and laughter. May everyone you meet be kind, and may everything you experience be smooth."

Ziwei's eyes sparkled with tears of emotion. She held Xiao Yun's hand back and said with a choked voice, "Xiao Yun, you are also my dearest friend. I also hope that you can be happy. We have been through so much together, and these memories will always be treasured in my heart."

They recalled every little detail of the past, the days of laughing and being sad together, as if they were still before their eyes. Xiao Yun talked about the time they played in the imperial garden, while Ziwei recalled the scenes of them reading and writing together. They shared each other's dreams and aspirations and were full of expectations for the future.

As the night deepened, their words became less and less, but their feelings for each other were conveyed more clearly through their eyes. In this quiet night, their hearts were closely connected, as if time had stopped for them. Until the dawn, they fell asleep in each other's arms reluctantly, making final preparations for the upcoming separation.

On a sunny day, the bachelor's mansion was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns inside and out, and the atmosphere was festive. The pavilions and towers in the mansion were all carefully decorated. The vermilion beams and pillars and the emerald green glazed tiles set off each other, making it look particularly solemn and gorgeous. The stone steps in front of the door were covered with a bright red carpet, extending all the way to the street, as if welcoming this grand wedding.

In the garden of the mansion, flowers are in full bloom, competing with each other in beauty and emitting bursts of charming fragrance. Butterflies are dancing among the flowers, as if they are also blessing the newlyweds. In the clear pond, fish are swimming happily, and ripples are appearing on the water surface, adding a touch of lively beauty to the entire bachelor's mansion.

In Shufangzhai, it was also very lively. Xiao Yun and Ziwei were wearing gorgeous wedding dresses, quietly waiting for the moment of getting married. Xiao Yun's wedding dress was as gorgeous as colorful clouds, embroidered with exquisite patterns, and the hem was inlaid with pearls and gems, which shimmered slightly with her movements. She wore a dazzling phoenix crown on her head, and the pearls and jade on it swayed gracefully, adding to her nobility and beauty. She had a faint smile on her face, and her heart was filled with both expectations for the future and a hint of reluctance.

Ziwei's wedding dress was an elegant pink, embroidered with lifelike flowers, making her look particularly gentle and charming. She wore an exquisite flower crown on her head, wrapped with pink ribbons, which complemented her temperament. Her eyes were full of happiness and longing, and the corners of her mouth were slightly raised, as if she was imagining a beautiful future with Erkang.

At the same time, at the Bachelor's Mansion, the wedding procession was ready. The bridal sedan was beautifully decorated, with gorgeous brocade and tassels hanging all around, shining in the sun. The horses were also carefully dressed up, covered with bright silks, looking majestic.

As the auspicious time arrived, Xiao Yun and Ziwei walked out of Shufangzhai respectively, surrounded by the crowd. Their faces were filled with happy smiles and their eyes were shining with tears of joy. Xiao Yun prayed silently in her heart, hoping that her future would be happy and fulfilling, while Ziwei held the handkerchief tightly in her hand, her heart full of longing for Erkang.

Amid the sound of ceremonial music, Xiao Yun was helped into the bridal sedan. She sat in the sedan, feeling both nervous and excited. The sedan was slowly lifted up and began to move towards Jianjia Palace. Along the way, the streets were crowded with onlookers, who all sent their blessings.

Ziwei, accompanied by everyone, got on the sedan chair heading to the Bachelor's Mansion. Her heart was filled with sweetness as she imagined the moment she would meet Erkang. The sedan chair was driving steadily on the street, and the laughter of the wedding procession could be heard from time to time.

Finally, Xiao Yun and Ziwei arrived at their respective destinations. In Jianjia Palace, Xiao Yun was welcomed into the bridal chamber, which was decorated warmly and romantically, with red wedding characters and ribbons everywhere. She sat quietly by the bed, waiting for Qianlong's arrival.

In the Bachelor's Mansion, Erkang was also anxiously waiting for Ziwei's arrival. When he saw Ziwei's sedan chair slowly approaching, his heart was filled with joy. He couldn't wait to step forward, took Ziwei out of the sedan chair, bowed, and walked into the bridal chamber.

In the new house, Erkang and Ziwei sat opposite each other, their eyes full of love. They held each other's hands, their hearts full of beautiful expectations for the future. At this moment, it seemed that their world only had each other, and all their troubles were left behind.

The entire wedding was filled with romance and warmth, and became an unforgettable memory in everyone's heart. On this day, Xiao Yun and Ziwei also started their new life journeys and moved towards a happy future.