Arc 5.19 Empress of Four Kingdoms

The next morning, Hua Shen did not want to wake up his wife from her sleep. After all, even if they'd returned early the previous evening, she didn't sleep until almost sunrise due to his vigorous activities that resembled the night prior.

In the end, he had managed to expertly dress her up as she slept like a log, by seating her up against the head of the bed and slipping on the official wedding robe he had prepared for her.

Unlike the previous night's gown, this wedding robe was even more extravagant, and the shade of red was more vibrant by manifolds. Instead of having golden embroidery intricately laced around the hems and sleeves of the dress like the former, this wedding outer robe was purely red as customary for ancient-set weddings.

The phoenix on the back of the robe not only had four talons as traditional for the Empresses of the Li and Shi kingdoms but also nine tails that danced in the red sky of the dress, symbolizing her status as the Empress of Hua and Zhao.

It was embroidered using a lighter shade of red than the fabric of the robe, giving the entire gown a shimmer effect when viewed under the rays of the sun. Flames of similar, some lighter and darker, also fanned and spanned around the phoenix as it flexed its large wings arrogantly.

Each of its tails led towards their own respective directions on the expanse of the fabric as if interweaving a tale of death and rebirth.

As each of the four kingdoms used the phoenix as the symbol for the Empress, Hua Shen was basically declaring to the whole world that his Empress was going to reign above the four kingdoms together with him.

Similarly to the customs that could be blatantly seen with just a single glance on the back of Li Feifei's robe, Hua Shen's red wedding robe had possessed a formidable qilin with the figure of a scaled war-horse, two antler-esque horns, and dragon claws instead of hooves. It had a long mane, whiskers, and a beard. The reptilian tail had a the tuft of hair at the end resembling a lion's tail somewhat.

Even though Hua Shen had yet to become the Emperor of the four kingdoms, it possessed six claws which solidified his rule as the emperor of the kingdoms that used dragons as the symbol of their rulers.

Both the Li and Zhao kingdoms used the dragon to symbolize their Emperors, while the Hua and Shi kingdoms used the qilin.

To Hua Shen and Li Feifei, this wasn't treachery, it was a declaration.

But the people and ministers of Li did not know of the agreement between their Emperor and Hua Shen yet, so when Hua Shen was seen riding on his horse with the red gown, those with sharp eyes couldn't help but to take in deep breaths at the young emperor's arrogance!

Some felt that maybe Emperor Li did not know about the matter, so they sent people to alert him. However, when they got to the throne room, the Emperor was nowhere in sight. He was also not in the study or even in his own palace, resting! For a short while, everyone in the palace was panicking so they sent for the Empress.

However, the Empress was also missing ah!

Maybe if they were more composed they would have been able to find a little note on the Emperor's desk in the study that read, "Zhen will be back. Take care of things for Zhen."

Unfortunately, he forgot that his most competent eunuch had tagged along with him and his Empress on this undercover journey to send off their daughter.

Thankfully, Li Yun happened to be in the palace at the time of the panic and quelled it before it got serious. He simply sighed when he found the slip, handing it to his own men to take care of the mess made by his Imperial Father before also setting off to send off his beloved little sister.

He was the one who had carried Li Feifei up her wedding sedan but decided not to set off with the wedding procession because he had a premonition that his Imperial Father was scheming something the moment a eunuch was sent in his place to represent him and the Empress.

In the wedding sedan, Li Feifei was still knocked out cold. No one could tell because she was wearing a veil, even if she was slightly inclined to the side they felt that it was just because she was curiously looking out without lifting the carriage curtains.

But it was very festive and loud outside. The procession was currently on their way to the center of the capital, where most of the rites of any kind done by the royalty were held. There was a raised circular platform that spanned over a large distance.

How could Li Feifei actually continue sleeping in the midst of this cacophony of shouts, banging of gongs and firecrackers, and music? She had woken up half-way into the venue and in her drowsy state she didn't even bother looking outside or lifting her veil as she already somewhat vaguely remembered what was going on.

By the time they arrived, the spectators were already gathered around below the platform as they parted to allow the procession through. This central part of the capital was where Hua Shen and Emperor Li had agreed to perform the wedding rites.

Actually, the Emperor and the Empress could have been legally present at this ceremony. After all it was the wedding of their only daughter.

However, they had only sent in a eunuch to represent them while the two of them remained low-key and hidden to the side amongst their own citizens and ministers.

When questioned by his Empress, the Emperor simply smiled slyly, "Isn't it more exciting this way?"

Moreover, he did not care about the so-called treacherous designs on their clothes. After all, he really did agree to hand over his throne to the little emperor the other day.

When it was time for Li Feifei to alight from the sedan, Hua Shen had already walked up to it and pulled her out by the hand. Even though they had been married in all but one of their lifetimes (as in their third world they'd died before they could), Hua Shen still felt that he was the happiest man alive.

Unfortunately, they couldn't partake in the nightly activities for the next two years otherwise he would have felt that this world was better than the last.

Of course, in his jovial mood he didn't neglect his tired wife beside him as he allowed her to rest her head on his shoulder as they walked to the center of the platform to begin the wedding rites.

Li Feifei couldn't be blamed for her exhaustion as it was extremely early in the morning coupled with the fact that she didn't get any ounce of sleep that night. She could normally contend equally with this devil in bed but waking up this early in the morning was asking for too much even on normal days ah!

"Bow to the Heavens and the Earth!" Zero, who was Hua Shen's personal eunuch in this world called out shrilly in that distinctive feminine voice of his.

Speaking of Zero, when he found out he was in the body of a eunuch he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. After all, that part had been cut off but at the same time he was a system, so gender didn't matter.

But, he still had some pride as a man even if he was a spacecraft in the last world...

Shortly after his words had been delivered, the husband and wife dropped and bowed as required by the customs. Then, they proceeded to bow to the parents, and as they were aware of Li Feifei's sneaky parents' presence in the crowd they simply ignored the eunuch that was sent and bowed directly to Emperor Li and the Empress below the platform.

At first many people were confused as they bowed towards a seemingly random direction, so when their gazes were led to two eerily familiar figures in the crowd the ministers' faces immediately either darkened or turned as pale as a white sheet of paper.

The moment the Emperor saw that his daughter and son-in-law were bowing in his direction, he had immediately tried to drag away his Empress to go hide. Alas, he didn't make it in time and could only curse his luck internally.

Thankfully, not all of his ministers were entirely incompetent as they had immediately helped the two escape the clamors of the startled citizens. Emperor Li also reassured his common people as he walked away with his Empress, telling them that it was an auspicious occasion and that the only people who should be bowing at the moment were his daughter and her husband.

After that small hiccup, Zero couldn't hide the smirk on his face when he called out lastly, "Bow to the husband and wife!"

If anything, this was his proudest moment aside from winning the last Void Competition. After all, he was personally hosting his partner's wedding ah! The partner who he'd believed would never settle down was actually serious.

He enjoyed watching Hua Shen struggle for Li Feifei's affection like a concubine trying to gain an emperor's favor. It always made him feel immense schadenfreude that even such a proud man as Hua Shen would have to one day yield to the wife.

And towards Li Feifei, Zero had no complaints. That girl was insane, always ignoring the delicious meat right in front of her but it made him have a more enjoyable time making fun of his host who never appreciated him enough.

Not that he could proudly say that he was worth appreciating, since Hua Shen could do everything he could, but better...

In the last world, since he was simply an AI, Zero felt immense regret that he couldn't take any direct role in the wedding. He wanted to at least be his host's best man, but he couldn't even do that!

This world made him feel completely reconciled.

Li Feifei and Hua Shen then turned to each other and offered a bow, completing the wedding rites.

Li Feifei had felt that sure enough, ancient weddings were truly different. They gave off a more serious atmosphere in terms of the dedication required to be husband and wife, especially having to bow to each other instead of giving a simple kiss. She felt like rubbing her nose, having this devil bow down to her so easily ah. Unfortunately, she wasn't sitting on a throne arrogantly laughing like a villainous princess otherwise it would have been a comical sight.

But, this way wasn't bad either.

Taking a peek at Hua Shen through the semi-translucent veil, Li Feifei could tell from his vague figure that he was sincerely bowing. For some indescribable reason, she felt her heart jump and as a result she'd unconsciously bowed even more earnestly.

Hua Shen didn't even have to look to know the shift in his cute little wife's mentality, as her dress had shuffled slightly with her movements. Unbeknownst to everyone else—including Li Feifei who was busy trying to contain her flustered state—aside from Zero, who was an unparalleled system, Hua Shen had on a gentle smile just seconds before rising to a stand again.

By the time his face was visible to the onlookers, he'd already regained the dominant and regal air of a monarch. Even if he was only fourteen, he was still an Emperor above the common people. Not even the slightest curve could be seen from his sexy pair of thin lips, so no one could tell how he truly felt about the marriage with their princess.

However, they knew he didn't dislike her because his betrothal gifts were plentiful. Likewise, the dowry that Emperor Li had sent were equally as bountiful. This congregation of treasure truly made one go blind.

Also, there were already stories and rumors going around that this young Emperor of Hua had promised never to take in concubines as his love for his Empress was enough to encompass the world and possibly even more.

His declaration at the farewell ceremony had spread amongst the Kingdom of Li, that he belonged solely to his Empress and likewise, she belonged solely to him. All the romantics couldn't help but praise Hua Shen for his courage and devotion.

Now that the ceremony had been completed, it was time for the two to finally move on from this peaceful kingdom of Li.

Before long, Li Feifei had entered another carriage led by guards on their horses and some walking on foot, as well as the other ambassadors in their own carriages. Hua Shen chose to ride on horseback, keeping his pace so that he strode directly beside Li Feifei's carriage.

Long Zheng, who had been present during the wedding rites, rode on the other side of the carriage without a care in the world for propriety.

With his sharp senses, he had also noticed how genuine Li Feifei's bow had been at the end. At first, she was simply doing things out of necessity, but for some reason she had suddenly put her heart into the last bow, which was the most important one to these two men, Hua Shen and Long Zheng.

At that moment, he felt that something unpleasant was lodged in his chest, but he didn't understand why that was so. As an ambitious man and a scheming general, he only knew that he wanted Li Feifei as a useful asset and a beautiful trophy. But, was there more to it than that?

Just as he was pondering, Li Feifei had reached the limit of her patience in the carriage as she lifted the curtain on Hua Shen's end.

They passed the gate of the capital and had already gone some distance away, so she felt that it was about time for her to get out of the boring confines of this ancient vehicle.

But she had never rode a horse before, so she could only turn to Hua Shen.

There was no point in going to Long Zheng as with Hua Shen around, Long Zheng probably wouldn't even be able to touch a single strand of her hair much less teach her to ride a horse.

Besides, maybe feeding that general some dog food could awaken the competitive streak inside so that he could finally fall in love with her along the way.

He seemed like the type to covet the things he couldn't have, after all.