An Auspicious day

Before the end of the day, the city was hot with news of the marriage of Prince Xi the proclaimed god of war, and Fang Xiaoting the reigning queen of the guipin and the capital sage queen.

Feng Xiaoting was known for her kindness and selflessness. Even with her higher status as the left prime Minister's daughter, she treated everyone with respect no matter their class or wealth.

Feng Xiaoting was famous for her mastery of the four characters and values and was considered a good choice of a wife for any man.

The news of the marriage of Prince Xi and Fang Xiao Ting was joyous indeed. Fang Xiaoting had the bearing of a princess consort, hence most expected a royal marriage for her.

it was rumored years back that she would be the crown princess, but that was before the marriage of the Crown Prince and Liu Jianjiu the eldest daughter of the right prime Minister was announced.

In other states where there was no law of succession, the marriage of Prince Xi and Feng Xiaoting would be considered a powerful alliance for the throne.

Due to the victorious return of the army, Court sections were canceled for three days. A banquet was hosted the next day after the armies return from the war.

The Emperor announced the good news during the banquet. The various noble families began to Pay their respect and congratulate Fang Xiao Ting on her engagement.

Two days later ten sedans were sent to Fang Manor with her bride price from Prince Xi Manor while Ten more were sent from the palace with the engagement letter.

On the first day of court, the auspicious day for the wedding was fixed for two months later on the second day of the Lunar New year.

The Emperor rewarded the notable persons that contributed to the victory of the Great Han in the war. Prince Xi was rewarded with control of half of the military power and some estates.

The families of the deceased soldiers were also given some lands and property for the sacrifice made to achieve victory.

Among the rewarded soldiers was commander Li Ming, Liu Liangliu's second during the war.

He was promoted to General and given his estate separate from that of the Li family. The rest of the army was given a pay raise and one-step promotion.

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The Lunar New year marked the beginning of the new year and the end of the past year. It signified new beginnings and hence prayers were made to the gods for the new year. it was one of the most celebrated festivals.

The Emperor usually promoted officials and granted leniency on the Lunar New year. during the lunar new year fireworks, firecrackers were lit.

Banquets and festivals were hosted to celebrate the new year, there is also an exchange of gifts in Noble families between the family members, friends, and from Noble families to their servants.

The Lunar New year was usually one of the busiest times of the year for business and inns as people came far and wide for the new year celebration.

This year was the busiest as many traveled far and wide even from other states for the new year and the marriage of Prince Xi, the reigning god of war and Conferred Princess Fang Xiao Ting who was one of the five sage Queens of the world.

On the day of the long-awaited wedding, the entire capital city was bubbling with joy and anticipation. It wasn't every day that a royal wedding occurred and the wedding of one of the most loved princes at that.

Every Noble family in Chang'an was present to witness the wedding, the path from the Left prime minister's Manor to Prince Xi Manor was decorated for the wedding.

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**Right Prime Minister's Manor**

Fang Xiao Ting had been awake since daybreak, her maid Rulan woke her up to start the preparation for the wedding.

First with her bath then she was dressed in her Hand embroidery wedding gown with golden phoenix embroidery which represented her new rank as a princess consort of a royal prince.

Only the royal family was permitted to have golden phoenixes and dragons embroidered on their wedding robes. It was a tradition for the bride to embroider her wedding gown for good luck.

After she was dressed in her wedding robes her maids began to apply her make-up, then her hair was packed up signifying her new married status. Her hair was decorated with a gold phoenix hairpin and crown.

As she was being made up, female members of the Fang family begin to advise her and present gifts.

When her headdress was placed finally and her veil was worn, she was lead out to the bridal sedan where she was lead up by her elder brother Fang Tang. He was a Vice Minister of justice, who escorts her to the door.

Where Prince Xi stood waiting by the gates to escort her to Prince Xi Manor. Where she would be received at the auspicious hour, it was considered bad luck for the bride to miss the auspicious hour.

As they arrived the matchmaker announced that it was now the auspicious hour, Prince Xi and Fang Xiaoting walked hand in hand into the compound.

Notable members of the imperial royal family including the crown prince and the other princes apart from Prince Ji who was at the war front were present.

The emperor's chief eunuch good infant to represent the emperor, who though secretly present could not be seen officiated the wedding.

The bride and groom walked up to the officiator and they began the kowtows

"first bow to Heaven and Earth '

The bride and groom made them bowed.

"The second bow to the parents"

The prince directed the bride to where the Emperor and Empress and her parents sat and they performed their bows after which the officiator announced

"Third bows to each other"

The bride and groom turned and bowed facing each other.

Which announced the conclusion of the bows, the bride was then lead to the nuptial chamber, where female members of the Imperial Royal Family cane in a group and welcomed her into the Family.

The Empress was the first to welcome her and gift her two Jade Bangles. Which signified her officially acceptance as her daughter-in-law.

After a while, the Groom came into the nuptial chamber and the Goodwill mama presented them with the nuptial wine which they drank.

The goodwill mama and servants congratulated the couple and vacated the chamber.

The prince then raised the red bridal Vail, officially proclaiming them husband and wife.