Chapter 984: The Empress Arrives
Chapter 364: Praying for the EmperorChapter 984: The Empress Arrives
Ancient people placed great importance on the inheritance of descendants, and for descendants to be inherited, they first had to get married.
For the common people of China, regardless of whether you are at the very bottom of society or a noble lord, if you are unmarried, you belong to the category of children. You are not qualified to participate in major family decisions by default.
Setting up a family and establishing oneself in a career, setting up a family and establishing oneself in a career, the family is still in front, only when a family is set up can it be considered a separate household, breaking away from one's parents' family.
As for the prince, this is even more so.
In ancient times, it was normal for people to marry at the ages of fourteen or fifteen. For royal families who placed a greater emphasis on expanding their lineage, this age might even be lowered by a year or two.
So Li Chen is considered a late bloomer when it comes to marriage.
This is precisely why, under pressure, Li Chen had previously married Zhao Rui as a Crown Princess. After all, being the Crown Prince, choosing a Crown Princess wasn't something done casually. Coupled with Emperor Taishang's machinations and intentional suppression, until now, even though Li Chen is the Crown Prince of the Great Qin Empire, he has only just truly gotten married.
The marriage alliance between the East Palace and the military god family is the biggest event in the capital these days.
Although the event had been publicized for some time, it was only as the wedding day approached that the entire region truly felt the weight and significance of what was about to happen.
The Great Emperor's health is failing, and it is unclear when he will pass away. Therefore, the current Crown Prince is very likely to become the next emperor, and his wife, the current Crown Princess, will most likely become the Empress.
Therefore, whether in political significance or practical importance, this grand wedding is a monumental event.
Two days before the wedding, according to custom, the elders of the groom's family would visit the bride's home. Even in the royal court, this tradition wouldn't be any different.
So, as empress, Zhao Qinglan left the palace for the first time.
The imperial empress's chariot led the procession, followed by Li Chen's prince's palanquin. A grand and lively throng, escorted by Imperial Guards and a ceremonial guard, arrived at the Su family mansion.
The Su family, from the elders to the young, had already prepared.
The entire courtyard was completely renovated. Not only was the house spotless, but the entire Su family, even the most common servants, were all wearing new clothes and stood in neat lines at the entrance to greet the Empress and the Prince.
Dressed in a phoenix crown and fine attire, Zhao Qinglan descended from the palanquin with Li Chen's support. Led by Su Zhening, followed by Su Pingbei, Su Jinpa and other members of the Su family, they knelt down to pay their respects.
"We, your humble servants, pay our respects to the Empress Dowager and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. May the Empress Dowager and His Royal Highness live a thousand years, a thousand years, and ten thousand years."
Zhao Qinglan, with meticulously applied makeup, still bore a hint of pallor and weakness on her face. Nevertheless, she went through the customary greeting rituals with unwavering composure.
She raised her hand in a gesture of dismissal and said, "All of you, stand down."
"Greetings, Empress Xie."
After such a greeting, the group arrived at Su's main hall.
Zhao Qinglan sat in the main seat, even Li Chen could only sit in the guest seat below, Su Zhen and others didn't even have the qualification to sit.
"The marriage between the Crown Prince and the eldest daughter of the Su family is a major event for the country, and even more so for our two families. Today, the Imperial Palace, on behalf of the Royal Family, thanks the Su family for raising such an outstanding woman who can bring prosperity to the royal family. It is also to formally establish this marriage alliance with the Su family. I hope that all members of the Su family will appreciate the grace of the royal family and live up to heaven's blessings."
Zhao Qinglan spoke very fluently, after all, she had only experienced it a few years ago. It was just that at the time she was sitting in Su Jinpa's position now.
Thinking of this, Zhao Qinglan couldn't help but look at Su Jinpa.r forces at this point, they wouldn't even need us to fight. The Eastern Isles would just surrender."Su Pingbei spoke, poking a plain area on the map with his finger. "Between King Ping's capital and...