The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 821 - 779: The Emperor Passes Away (Second Update)

Seeing Zhao Xi focused intently on the parrot inside the cage, Eunuch Sanbao whispered softly, "If Your Majesty finds it noisy, I can have someone take it away."

"No need."

Zhao Xi withdrew his gaze, no longer paying attention to the parrot, and stepped toward the Empress’s sleeping quarters.

Earlier, when Zhao Xi had just entered Yikun Palace, a palace maid had already reported to Dong Han.

If it were any other day, Dong Han would inevitably come out personally to greet him.

But today was special; not only was it the Empress conferral ceremony, but also her and Zhao Xi’s wedding night. After returning to Yikun Palace, she had been directed by Nanny Xin to change into wedding attire with palace maids helping her, and now she was seated on the dragon-phoenix wedding bed according to customary practices, her head covered with a veil. The bed was adorned with hundred-boys curtains, the bedposts draped in crimson double-happiness curtains, and even the bedding was a bright red hundred-boys quilt, symbolizing many children and grandchildren.

Zhao Xi disliked the bustle, so upon entering, he dismissed all palace maids and eunuchs, including Nanny Xin, who was in charge.

According to palace rules, when consorts attended to the Emperor, there should always be a red history female official outside the hall to record the proceedings. However, the palace knew well of the new emperor’s cold, indifferent, and stern demeanor. Since he chose not to have anyone remain, it was clear he wished for no disturbances.

If anyone were to insist on staying, the consequences would be predictable.

Nanny Xin contemplated thoroughly before simply taking the red history female official out with her.

Soon, only the newly crowned Emperor Xuanjing Zhao Xi and Empress Dong Han remained in the inner hall.

Taking the golden balance rod from the tray on the three-legged table, Zhao Xi moved toward the dragon-phoenix wedding bed. Bending slightly, he lifted the red veil on Dong Han’s head.

Finally emerging from the darkness, Dong Han brushed aside the pearl tassels hanging before her eyes, meeting Zhao Xi’s deep, dark eyes, and her lips curved into a slight smile, "Your Majesty."

Zhao Xi set down the golden balance rod and sat beside her, asking softly, "Are you tired?"

"A bit," Dong Han replied truthfully, then added, "But compared to Your Majesty, I shouldn’t be as tired."

Speaking thus, she pointed to the heavy phoenix crown on her head, "Could Your Majesty help me take it off?"

Zhao Xi raised his hand, gently removing the phoenix crown and placing it on the tall table at the bedside.

On the Eight Immortals Table sat the wedding wine, with two small silver cups tied together with a red string. Dong Han walked over, took the wine, and handed Zhao Xi the other end of the red string.

Zhao Xi understood well the significance of this wine and did not refuse, tilting his head back to drink it all.

Only after seeing him finish did Dong Han raise her own silver cup to her lips, soon emptying it as well.

No wedding chamber games took place during the imperial wedding, and though the fine scenery lent itself to a valuable spring night, Zhao Xi’s heart harbored resistance.

His first woman was Wan Qiu, and after just a single night of serving him, she had been humiliated to death by eunuchs.

Though that event had long passed, the shadow it cast on Zhao Xi remained impossible to fade.

Knowing that Dong Han had been hungry all day, he said, "I shall have some food brought for you."

Seeing that Zhao Xi was troubled, Dong Han didn’t press him, simply nodding, "Thank Your Majesty."

Zhao Xi called Nanny Xin, who was waiting outside, and gave some instructions. Shortly after, palace maids brought delicate snacks into the inner hall.

Dong Han sat at the table and asked Zhao Xi, "Your Majesty, won’t you join me?"

"I’m not hungry."

Dong Han asked no more questions.

A wedding chamber awaited that night, so the Imperial Kitchen had sent light food. With little interest in rich flavors, Dong Han only sipped half a bowl of the mild lotus seed porridge before having the rest taken away.

The inner hall once again fell into silence.

In the midst of the quiet, Dong Han broke the silence, "Your Majesty, shall I massage your shoulders for you?"

Skilled in medicine, she could discern from Zhao Xi’s appearance that he hadn’t rested well recently and was not in good spirits.

"The night is deep; there’s no need for the Empress to labor," Zhao Xi said. "You rest first; I’m going to Qianqing Palace."

Dong Han knew he was going to see the Emperor, "Should I accompany you?"

"No need." Zhao Xi’s face revealed no emotions, his attitude toward her much colder than before.

Dong Han did not think too much.

When Zhao Xi was still the Crown Prince, he’d been held in the Imperial Clan Court. She had used Emperor Guangxi’s Token to attend to affairs, and since then she had suspected the Emperor’s intention was to temper the Crown Prince into being firm and detached, distancing himself from romantic entanglements so as not to be swayed emotionally, which could prevent national disorder.

Having been taught by her father from a young age, Dong Han understood how to make choices about important matters; her heart harbored Zhao Xi but did not prioritize personal feelings. As Empress, she was meant to support him.

With lips curved into a smile, Dong Han said, "Then Your Majesty, return swiftly; I shall wait for your return."

With a glance at her, Zhao Xi turned to leave.

Just as they were about to step out of Yikun Palace, an Imperial Eunuch came rushing over from Qianqing Palace. When he saw Zhao Xi standing outside the main hall, he knelt down with a thud, "Your Majesty, the Emperor..."

Zhao Xi’s voice was slightly cold, "Speak properly!"

The Imperial Eunuch knelt down in tears, unable to speak, "The Emperor... has passed away."

Zhao Xi remained silent for a moment, his expression unchanged, "I already know. Send the order, the entire city is to be on guard. The Royal Temple and Daoist Temple are to toll the bell thirty thousand times."

"Yes."

The Imperial Eunuch wiped his tears, got up, and ran out again.

Zhao Xi looked up at the dark sky, then quickly looked away. As he turned around, he saw Dong Han standing by the door.

"Did you hear everything?" Zhao Xi asked her.

"I heard it." Dong Han nodded.

"Change your clothes, and accompany me to Qianqing Palace."

"I will go immediately."

...

Song Mansion.

After the newlyweds bowed to the heavens and entered the bridal chamber, Yuanbao lifted the veil but did not immediately drink the wedding wine. Instead, he took Ye Ling to the West Garden Ancestral Hall.

In the ancestral hall, the memorial tablets of Yuanbao’s biological father Song Dalang and mother Mrs. Wang were enshrined.

Kneeling on the cushion, Yuanbao’s gaze fell on the tablets, and he said to Ye Ling, "These are my biological parents."

Ye Ling had heard before that Yuanbao was not actually Song Wei’s biological son, but was the son of Song Wei’s elder brother. However, because the Da Lang couple passed away early, Yuanbao was young and was raised by Song Sanlang. When Yuanbao got older, he began to call Song Wei ’father.’

She only knew that Yuanbao was not Song Wei’s biological son, but had never heard how the Da Lang couple died.

But thinking about it, these were scars that Yuanbao might not want to reveal, so naturally, she would not foolishly ask.

Thinking this, Ye Ling collected her thoughts and, along with Yuanbao, kowtowed three times to the tablets of the Da Lang couple. Then, she stood up, lit a stick of incense, and placed it in the incense burner.

"Father, Mother, I got married today and specifically brought her for you to see." Yuanbao said with a smile, "Isn’t she beautiful? I chose her myself. In the future, I’ll give you more grandchildren. The grandchildren will marry, and the granddaughters-in-law will have great-grandchildren, so that the Song family’s legacy continues."

The initially solemn occasion was turned humorous by Yuanbao’s words, making Ye Ling blush. She didn’t dare speak in front of the tablets, so she just glared at Yuanbao with her eyes.

Yuanbao chuckled, "You’re shy. If my parents know in the afterlife and hear what I said, they would probably be very happy. Come on, wife, tell them how many sons you’ll give me, so my parents can be happy."

Ye Ling couldn’t listen any longer and ran out of the ancestral hall with her skirt held up.

The Song Mansion was very large, and Yuanbao worried she would get lost, so he quickly chased after her.

By the time the two returned to the bridal chamber, many people were already there waiting, all with mischievous smiles.

Yuanbao was embarrassed, "The banquet isn’t even over yet, and you’re already eager to make mischief in the bridal chamber? That’s not right."

One of his classmates spoke up, "Whether we eat or not isn’t important, but making mischief in the bridal chamber is essential. We heard that the Champion Scholar’s wife once painted a portrait for our Champion Scholar, and it was included in the dowry. We’re all very curious, could you show it to us?"

Yuanbao looked at Ye Ling.

Ye Ling’s mind went blank.

She didn’t remember telling anyone about this. How did they know?

"Was it you who told them?" Ye Ling quietly asked Yuanbao.

Yuanbao swore to the heavens, "Heaven and earth as witness, it was our little secret. Why would I tell anyone?"

"Then it must be that naughty Xiang Ning." Ye Ling huffed, "I’ll sew her mouth shut sometime!"

Yuanbao quickly comforted her, "Wife, don’t be angry. Since they want to see, just let them see."

"Do you really want them to see?" Ye Ling looked hesitant. She really didn’t want to share the little secret between her and her husband with others.

"Go on, it won’t cost you anything. If you want to paint more later, I won’t mind any pose."

His words were ambiguous, and Ye Ling’s face blushed bright red again.

She shyly ran into the bridal chamber, picked up the painting scroll from the twin phoenix and peony vase, and was about to open it when the heavy, solemn bells from the Royal Temple rang out.

Everyone in the bridal chamber changed their expressions.

"It’s the death bell." Someone counted, recognizing the sound, "Something happened in the palace!"