Chapter 817: Chapter 776: The Empress’s Grand Wedding (Second Update)

The Du Family had always been jealous of her sister-in-law’s beauty and talent. Now, upon knowing her sister-in-law had risen to become the Empress, her heart was sour with envy, thinking that once Dong Han entered the palace, her status would be different, and she would never again have the opportunity to speak to her in such a tone, so she naturally had to seize the chance to assert her authority as the elder sister-in-law.

Dong Han only listened without responding.

Seeing that she was being ignored, Du Family rolled her eyes again.

Then, Dong Wenbo, who had been silent all this while, said, "The harem is a place of strife and intrigue; no matter what happens in the future, remember what your father has told you."

Dong Han nodded.

Her father had been in the officialdom for decades, having experienced the cruel realities of life, taught her from a young age: kindness is only for those who are good to you.

Thus, she understood that sometimes one had to be ruthless to survive; otherwise, if one’s life was lost, whom would kindness be shown to?

As the family was saying their farewells, the Palace Maid, who had been waiting outside, suddenly came in to urge, "Miss, it’s getting late, we should be on our way to the palace."

The Palace Maid’s form of address for her remained unchanged even before the official coronation ceremony.

Just as Dong Han was about to get up, she realized that her future status would not allow her to kneel before her parents again, so she knelt back down and kowtowed to her parents before standing up with the help of her personal maid, "Father, Mother, Brother, Sister-in-law, Hanhan is leaving now."

Watching as the Palace Maid and palace maids escorted their daughter out the courtyard gate, Mrs. Cao bowed her head and wiped her tears.

Dong Zhe asked, "Mother, aren’t you going to see her off?"

"I won’t go." Mrs. Cao’s voice was a bit choked, "To avoid getting too sad."

Du Family felt her eyes hurt from watching and found an excuse to take her son back to her room.

...

After Empress Qi moved out, the items from Kunning Palace were moved to Cining Palace. Now, the Central Palace’s Kunning Palace was empty; however, as the future residence of the next Empress, Zhao Xi ordered for its name to be changed from Kunning Palace to Yikun Palace.

Dong Han’s Phoenix Carriage was directly carried to Yikun Palace, but as the official crowning was yet to happen, she couldn’t enter the main hall. The Palace Maid had someone waiting in the side hall, where twenty or so pink-clad palace maids stood in rows, each holding a tray filled with items, including a phoenix crown, a phoenix hairpin, a golden hairpin, the Empress’s ceremonial robe, down to hand towels for washing, all exquisite.

Long before the wedding date was set, a nanny from the palace had been sent to educate Dong Han on manners and etiquette. Therefore, even when faced with such an impressive display for the first time, her delicate face showed no trace of panic, nor did she appear overly joyful or arrogant, maintaining a very composed demeanor.

The Palace Maid was satisfied and treated her more courteously, "Although Miss has already bathed at her family home, according to palace rules, another bath is required."

Dong Han nodded slightly and followed the maid to the bath.

The Royal Family bath was lavish, and the pool was already prepared with fragrant water sprinkled with petals.

The Palace Maid bent over to test the water temperature, explaining, "After today, you will be the mistress of Yikun Palace. I am the Housekeeper of Yikun Palace. If you need anything, you can order me, and if there is anything you don’t understand..."

Saying this, she glanced at Dong Han’s slender figure.

Dong Han immediately understood and couldn’t help feeling a bit warm, knowing she couldn’t say that her family’s nanny had already taught her, so she nodded along and said, "Thank you, nanny."

The Palace Maid smiled at her, "Miss, there is no need to be constrained; women will have to face this eventually."

Saying this, she stepped forward to help her remove her clothes, advising, "Our new emperor is known for his strictness, and ordinary tricks won’t escape his eyes. So on the wedding night, Miss doesn’t need to deliberately try to please him nor be so nervous that you lose your composure. Treat it with a calm heart. If you manage to win his favor tonight and in the future bear a Prince, your position in Yikun Palace will be secure."

Dong Han listened and merely gave a faint smile.

The Palace Maid appreciated her calmness at all times, folded the clothes over her arm, and watched as Dong Han’s delicate, slender legs stepped into the bath, suggesting, "A bit too thin; you’ll need to adjust your diet to be a bit plumper for better childbirth."

...

While the palace was fervently engaged in the coronation and crowning ceremonies, the Song and Ye Families outside the palace were equally lively.

Ye Ling had already been sitting in front of the mirror, where her mother had invited a fortunate woman to comb her hair.

Looking at her beautiful and charming daughter in the mirror, Mrs. Yu sighed with emotion, "After raising her for so many years, now we still have to give her away."

Listening to her, Ye Ling smiled at her mother in the mirror, "Mother, what are you saying? I am getting married, and I will come back often when I have time. It’s not a one-time deal; see how worried you are."