Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Things were finally moving in a positive direction, allowing Mrs. Dong to breathe a sigh of relief, while the entire Dadu City was bustling with preparations for the Empress's wedding in three days.

At the girls' academy, Lu Baohua was quite astonished to hear that the Empress was getting married in three days due to Xiao Rongyan's critical illness.

Hearing the female students around discussing the Empress's loyalty and commitment, Lu Baohua recalled the time she and Liu Ruofu saw Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan walking side by side on the long street. At that time, Lu Baohua thought Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan were a perfect match.

Later, when Bai Qingyan ascended the throne, she wondered if Bai Qingyan would still marry this merchant, considering Xiao Rongyan's status as a merchant. After all, the position of the imperial consort, like the empress, was often a means for royal alliances to stabilize treaties between two nations or secure the support of important ministers. True feelings should not be needed.

Unexpectedly, despite Xiao Rongyan's illness, Bai Qingyan still intended to marry him and bestow him with such an honorable status as imperial consort.

Lu Baohua, who once resented Bai Qingyan due to Liu Ruofu's issues, found her opinion of Bai Qingyan changed somewhat upon hearing this.

On the 13th of August in the early years of Yuanhe, Madam Dong, the mother of Dengzhou Governor Dong Qingyue, and Dong Qingyue's wife, Mrs. Cui, arrived in Dadu City, where they were greeted at the palace gates by Empress Dowager of Zhou and the Empress.

Empress Dowager Dong, already teary-eyed upon seeing Madam Dong, was shocked to learn that Bai Qingyan was to be married on the 15th of August. After all, when they left Dengzhou, they had not heard about Bai Qingyan's marriage, and now their granddaughter was getting married the day after tomorrow. If they had been any later, they would have missed the Empress's grand wedding.

After Dong explained the reasons for Xiao Rongyan's illness to Madam Dong, Minister Dong led Madam Dong into the palace, where she couldn't help but bring up Dong Changlan's pair of one-and-a-half-year-old twins, Brother An and Sister You.

Speaking of the two children, Bai Qingyan's second aunt, Mrs. Cui, couldn't stop smiling. She had been worried because young Mrs. Cui hadn't been pregnant, and now, unexpectedly, she had two children, a son and a daughter, making her very happy.

"If it weren't for the distance, I would have loved to bring those two little darlings with me," Mrs. Cui said to Dong, joy apparent in her eyes.

Dong Changyuan, walking beside Mrs. Cui, watched Bai Qingyan escort Madam Dong and Mrs. Cui towards the palace. His heart was full of mixed emotions, understanding that his cousin was now the Empress, and his position was vastly different from hers. Perhaps it wasn't his place to worry about certain matters, but with Xiao Rongyan's serious illness and his cousin's insistence on marrying him, it seemed even the Imperial Physicians were at a loss.

His cousin was undeniably loyal, but in the future… if Mr. Xiao were to pass away, he didn't know how heartbroken his cousin would be.

On the 15th of August in the early years of Yuanhe, the Empress of Zhou married Xiao Rongyan, a wealthy merchant from Yan, appointing Xiao Rongyan as imperial consort.

Due to Xiao Rongyan's frail condition, Liu Rushi simplified many of the cumbersome wedding processes to accommodate his health.

After Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan received congratulatory wishes from all officials, the palace banquet followed.

This was the first time Xiao Rongyan met Bai Qingyan after entering the palace.

Empress Dowager Dong had strictly ordered Xiao Rongyan to focus on recovering, barring any contact between Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan before the wedding. Not daring to upset Dong, Xiao Rongyan had indeed spent the past three days recovering in the palace, while Bai Qingyan was completely engrossed in state affairs.

Xiao Rongyan, feigning illness convincingly, looked pale without a hint of blood, needing Yue Shi's support to barely stand. Yet... his aura did not diminish in the slightest, resembling a God-like figure.

Bai Qingyan, clad in imperial attire, appeared solemn and dignified, while Xiao Rongyan, as imperial consort, wore a Jinxian Guan on his head, a golden phoenix dragon robe, and a jade belt. After offering incense to the Emperor of Heaven, the two stood side by side before the incense burner covered in a red carpet, accepting the bows of all officials.

In the western sky, the dark gold sun slowly descended, the evening glow purple, the last rays of the setting sun shining upon the entire Dadu City's Imperial Palace. Underneath the turbulent clouds, the palace's west side, with its grand eaves and multiple layers, was bathed in warm light. The white jade steps and golden lacquered pillars glistened in warm gold, outlining the couple in ceremonial attire on the red carpet.

All officials bowed, chanting 'Long Live' three times.

The two stood side by side, accepting the bows of officials and their families. Xiao Rongyan quietly grasped Bai Qingyan's jade-like fingertips, whispering, "Are you tired?"

"Not too bad..." Bai Qingyan still held a dignified composure, speaking softly, "It's just that today's delay, and I don't know how much work has piled up."

Xiao Rongyan, feeling a twinge of pity, rubbed Bai Qingyan's fingertips, initially intending to offer to help organize Bai Qingyan's papers after returning. Yet, remembering the Empress Dowager's warning against meddling in state affairs, he didn't want to upset her and said, "Although I can't share the burden with Kid this time, Kid can have Commandant Lu and the Ministers come to help with the paperwork."

"Speaking of which..." Bai Qingyan gently leaned towards Xiao Rongyan, whispering, "Are there any of Wu Ji's remaining books in Yan? I still want to read them. I feel like after finishing the last volume you sent me, there's a sense that Ji didn't finish writing it."

"Yes, there are still some, but... mother once said what she wrote later was too ahead of its time for this era and wouldn't be accepted by the Imperial Family, so they were all sealed away. If you wish to read them... I'll have Yue Shi bring them to you later."

Bai Qingyan nodded, "Good!"

Some officials noticed the Empress and imperial consort whispering closely and marveled at their genuine affection, yet worried about Xiao Rongyan's health, unsure if he would endure.

Elsewhere in Dadu City, noblewomen discreetly glanced at the Empress and Xiao Rongyan on the high platform. Even when Xiao Rongyan was just a merchant, his elegance, scholarship, and handsome appearance had captivated many noblewomen. Had it not been for his humble status as a merchant... he would not have been a bad choice for a husband.

Who would have expected that Xiao Rongyan, previously hindered by his status, would now become the exalted imperial consort.

That night, the dragon and phoenix candles shone bright.

Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan sat formally on the dragon-phoenix bed, having completed the rituals, as Nanny Tong stepped forward, bowing, "Eldest Mistress and Master must be tired; this old servant will lead the others out to prepare the bath for you both..."

Nanny Tong said this, bowed again, then turned, casting a glance at the maids standing within the grand hall, cleared her throat, and headed outside. Understanding the cue, the maids bowed and retreated.

Chun Tao couldn't hide her smile as she, along with Chun Zhi, began releasing the canopy curtains hooked by golden clasps on both sides of the grand hall, layer by layer, gently exiting the hall.