Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 253 - 235 Wedding Wine, Ceremony Complete

Chapter 253: Chapter 235 Wedding Wine, Ceremony Complete

In the past, Lu Yuan was already someone you wouldn’t dare cross; now, with the Miao King as his maternal grandfather, he’s even more untouchable.

But he’s just a petty Chief of Staff; he can’t provoke the Grand Commander, let alone the Supreme Emperor!

"Grand Commander, this... surely isn’t in accordance with the rules."

Good heavens, it’s not even your wedding night chamber, why are you in such a hurry?

Lu Yuan arched his brow and said, "If the Supreme Emperor takes issue, my... grandfather will handle it."

The Minister of Rites: "..."

At that moment, the Miao King hadn’t yet realized his grandson had thrown him under the bus; he only felt an odd chill on his back, followed by an inexplicable pair of sneezes.

"It must be Xian’er missing me."

Xian’er, Lu Yuan’s grandmother.

"After handling affairs in the Capital City, I’ll go visit Xian’er. I’ll bring that brat too; hopefully, she won’t kick us out this time."

With this thought, the Miao King swaggered, hands on his hips, brimming with spirit, looking even more dashing than the groom himself.

He glanced at the heavily guarded main road and muttered, "Tch, why is it taking so long?"

For the imperial wedding, some officials went to the Duke Mansion to escort the bride, while others—including the royal relatives—waited outside the palace gates for the Empress’s ceremonial entourage.

The civil officials stood to the east, while the military generals gathered to the west. Though the Miao King was originally assigned to the eastern side, he didn’t want to stand near Prime Minister Xun, so he sauntered off to the opposite side.

But what was puzzling was that the old man standing to his right was equally annoying.

The Miao King frowned and scrutinized him from head to toe.

The man, noticing the Miao-style attire, instantly guessed his identity based on his position and offered a polite greeting: "Miao King."

The Miao King furrowed his brows and asked, "And you are—?"

The man chuckled and replied, "From Duke Yao Mansion, Yao Sheng."

The Miao King’s body trembled: "You’re that—man—"

Yao Sheng eyed the Miao King quizzically, not understanding what’s gotten into him. Was he shocked by his background?

After all, with his daughter as the Supreme Imperial Concubine and granddaughter now crowned as the Central Palace Empress, it wasn’t surprising that the Miao King reacted dramatically.

The Miao King folded his arms and rolled his eyes skyward: "Male concubine!"

Meanwhile, Liu Qingyun, bored of waiting for someone else’s daughter-in-law, had already taken Bao Shu to Consort Li’s Changchun Palace.

Consort Li snapped irritably, "What are you doing here? I’m far too busy to entertain you!"

Liu Qingyun, holding the sleeping Bao Shu—who had dozed off in the carriage—sat down unceremoniously and said, "It’s not as if you’re the Supreme Empress, obligated to receive imperial salutes and ceremonial honors!"

Consort Li flared up with anger, sending dagger-like glares her way!

Liu Qingyun brushed Bao Shu’s tender cheek and joked, "Careful, or you’ll lose your eyes."

Consort Li, both fierce and timid, clung to her handkerchief tightly.

Meanwhile, Meng Qianqian hadn’t entered the palace yet; she was outside with Yu Li and Tan’er waiting for the Empress.

Tan’er, holding a skewer of candied hawthorns, said, "Sis, when will the Empress arrive?"

Meng Qianqian knitted her brows and replied, "Forgot to ask."

Yu Li said softly, "The conferral ceremony started at the hour of the dragon. Judging by the sequence, it’ll likely take two hours. Factoring in the travel from Duke Mansion to the Imperial Palace, she should be here by dusk if everything proceeds smoothly."

"That long?"

Tan’er shrieked, "Oh no, my poor tummy—it’ll starve flat!"

Meng Qianqian curved her lips and teased, "Isn’t that why I bought you candied hawthorns?"

Tan’er pouted, "But I want meat... Palace-style braised pork belly..."

Meng Qianqian couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Officials ranked Fifth Grade and above, apart from those escorting the bride, awaited at the palace gates. Lu Xingzhou and Lu Lingxiao were there as well.

Unfortunately, their positions weren’t particularly high, so they stood far from Meng Qianqian.

The two of them had spotted Meng Qianqian earlier. Lu Xingzhou glanced briefly before coldly averting his eyes, while Lu Lingxiao couldn’t take his gaze off her.

He couldn’t imagine that the radiant and enchanting woman before him used to be his neglected merchant-wife.

Back in the Lu Family, she was always lifeless, utterly uninteresting.

But now, with her charming smile and expressive eyes, she radiated vitality and youthful vibrancy, like a budding flower on the verge of blooming.

Just as he was lost in thought, Meng Qianqian suddenly turned her gaze toward him.

Startled, his breath hitched as he instinctively dodged her eyes.

"She’s here, she’s here!"

Excited officials exclaimed.

Regaining his focus, he followed their line of sight down the main road. Leading the procession were Lu Yuan, Han Ci, and the Imperial Guard, escorting the Empress’s grand and imposing entourage.

Lu Yuan wore his official robes, yet somehow—perhaps just an illusion—his disdainful and arrogant expression made it seem as if he were the one getting married all over again.

Meng Qianqian froze in place.

What’s going on? Didn’t cousin say they’d arrive by dusk? It’s barely past noon.

What’s wrong with the Ministry of Rites? Did they skip a whole sequence?

My own wedding paraded around half the Capital City, is the Empress skipping her parade?

Once-in-a-lifetime occasion, you know! Have the commoners fully admired the Empress’s regal demeanor?

Tan’er was positively thrilled: "Grand Commander is so handsome! So fast! So cool! I adore him!"

Meng Qianqian muttered awkwardly, "Didn’t your mother say men being too fast was a bad thing?"

Tan’er pouted and thought for a moment: "Mom said being slow to eat means bad thinking!"

Meng Qianqian: "..."

The Empress’s entourage arrived far earlier than expected, but none of the officials minded.

Though autumn had arrived, the summer heat lingered, and no one wanted to roast under the sun like dried fish.

Under Lu Yuan’s orderly arrangements, the civil and military officials, along with the royal relatives, swiftly performed the Empress’s welcoming ceremony.

Next was entering the Jinluan Palace to pay respects to the Emperor.

"Your servant, of Yao bloodline, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live for thousands upon thousands of years!"

"Cousin..." Zong Zhengxi was about to instruct Yao Qingluan to rise when he caught Lu Yuan’s stern glance and obediently sat upright again.

Eunuch Qin announced, "The Emperor and Empress, please proceed to Shouhuang Hall."

So Zong Zhengxi and Yao Qingluan visited Shouhuang Hall to pay respects to the ancestors, then to the Buddhist Hall to greet the Empress Dowager, and finally to the Zhaoming Palace for an audience with the Supreme Emperor and Supreme Empress.

Eunuch Qin lifted his horsetail whisk and declared, "Enter—Jiaofang Palace—"

Lu Yuan inquired of Eunuch Qin: "Is the ceremony complete now?"

Eunuch Qin replied with a smile: "Not yet, Grand Commander. You still need to drink the wedding wine."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow: "What wine?"

Eunuch Qin explained, "The wedding wine. Grand Commander, you drank it on your own wedding night as well. Only once it’s drunk can the ceremony truly conclude. Don’t worry, Grand Commander, the wine isn’t intoxicating, not even for the young Emperor."

A bolt from the blue struck Lu Yuan.

"Grand Commander."

"What is it?"

"Will we still drink the wine?"

"You still want to drink wine? Why? Planning to get drunk and take advantage of me?"

Wait a moment—was that wedding wine back then?!

Eunuch Qin noticed Lu Yuan’s stricken expression and quickly asked, "Grand Commander, are you alright?"

"It’s nothing!"

Lu Yuan stormed off, his face dark as thunder.

The Miao King swaggered over and called out, "Hey, grandson, where are you going? Ignoring me? You brat!"

He waved dismissively and cheerfully strode into Zhaoming Palace: "Supreme Emperor! Let’s start the feast!"