Chapter 177 – The Concubine’s Counterattack: The Most Favored Empress – The Emperor and Empress’s Grand Wedding (07)
Preparations for the conferral of titles were in full swing, and somehow, a rumor began to circulate that Lady Ma would become the head of the Four Consorts, titled Noble Consort.
Although Ma Aoshan was under house arrest in the Ganquan Palace, the rumor still reached her ears, making her quite pleased with herself.
So what if the Emperor had confined her? With the Empress Dowager backing her, even the Emperor had to show some respect. Once he came to her palace and she had Xiao A exchange for the Love Flower Elixir, she was sure he’d become infatuated with her again.
Ma Aoshan’s plans were flawless in her mind, and she waited confidently for the day she would be granted a consort’s title. That would be the moment she stepped out and established her authority in the harem.
Watching the smug Ma Aoshan, Xiao A silently kept certain news to itself—for example, that Bai Tang was going to be made Empress. In order to ensure Bai Tang’s foothold in the imperial harem, Luo Dai had decided that after the Empress Investiture Ceremony, the new Empress would confer titles to the other consorts.
Since Ma Aoshan couldn’t leave her palace, she couldn’t build connections or establish her influence in the harem. As a result, Xiao A couldn’t absorb any luck or fortune from her. It watched as Bai Tang’s aura of fortune grew stronger while Ma Aoshan’s steadily weakened. Xiao A drew progress lines in its notebook, counting down the days until their bond would be severed.
It believed—it wouldn’t be long now.
The Empress Investiture Ceremony was no small affair. Initially, the Ministry of Rites had only been preparing for rank promotions within the harem, and didn’t expect the Emperor to suddenly announce an Empress Investiture.
The Imperial Astrologers calculated the couple’s birth charts, and the date was surprisingly set for just half a month later. What could be prepared in that short time? Orders from above made it clear—this future Empress was not only favored by the Emperor but also greatly valued by the Empress Dowager.
And so, officials of the Ministry of Rites worked tirelessly, barely touching the ground, staying out all night, wishing they could stretch twelve hours into twenty-four. Even so, when superiors inspected their progress every other day, they always shook their heads in dissatisfaction.
Eunuch Xiao Fangzi, who had long served beside the Emperor, was now overseeing the preparations—showing just how much the Emperor valued his future Empress.
Officials from the outer court began inquiring about who Bai Tang was, only to discover that he was merely the legitimate son of a minor official—no power, no influence, only a handsome face.
Their thoughts shifted quickly. Where they had once lamented that their own daughters hadn’t seized the opportunity to rise in status, now they saw Bai Tang’s background as a blessing in disguise.
Having no power or influence was actually better than coming from a prestigious family background. Word had it that the future Empress had a soft personality, was blunt and ineloquent, had once been confined to the Cold Palace, and had only caught the Emperor’s favor because of his good looks.
But what use was beauty alone in the role of Empress? Without substance, wouldn’t the Emperor grow tired of him eventually? By then, their own daughters would have already gained a firm foothold in the palace. When the time was right, they could rise even higher—better that than stepping forward now and becoming an obvious target.
With that line of thinking, the officials gave their full support to Bai Tang’s ascension as Empress. In fact, being loyal officials and ever ready to ease the monarch’s worries, they even mobilized their own households and shops to fully support the Ministry of Rites.
If they were going to give, they might as well give the best.
Luo Dai had Bai Tang’s family brought to the capital. On the day of the Empress Investiture Ceremony, as the palace gates opened, Bai Tang sat nervously in the phoenix carriage, clutching a red apple.
Outside, the noise of the crowd was deafening as the imperial wedding procession made its way through the main avenue of the capital and entered through the central palace gate.
Everything felt utterly surreal to Bai Tang. As the ceremonial music came to a stop, he realized he had squeezed an imprint into the apple in his hand.
“His Highness the Imperial Consort is entering the palace—!”
The eunuchs chanted in unison. The curtain of the phoenix carriage was lifted, and Bai Tang was helped down by the eunuchs.
All the court officials stood neatly on both sides. Bai Tang looked up at the towering palace ahead. In front of it stood the one who had promised to cherish him for a lifetime, smiling gently at the center of the stairs.
One step, two steps… Bai Tang walked slowly, yet with each step, he drew closer to Luo Dai.
At last, he reached the final step. Luo Dai reached out and took his hand. The two shared a smile.
“Your subjects greet Your Majesty and Your Highness the Consort—congratulations on the imperial wedding!”
All the officials knelt in unison. Luo Dai and Bai Tang stood side by side, watching the crowd bow before them.
“Tang Tang, from this day on, through heaven’s heights and the depths of the underworld, we shall never be parted.”
Bai Tang looked into Luo Dai’s eyes, so full of deep affection, and raised a breathtakingly beautiful smile.
“Never be parted.”
What followed was a long and exhausting series of ceremonial steps: listening to the imperial edict of appointment, offering prayers to heaven, earth, and ancestors…
By the time Bai Tang was finally escorted into the Qiankun Palace, he was so tired he could barely walk. If it weren’t for the nanny supporting him, he probably would’ve collapsed.
Despite being on the verge of sleep, Bai Tang still sat upright on the wedding bed, his back perfectly straight.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime wedding. He couldn’t allow himself to ruin it.
Looking at the dragon and phoenix candles burning nearby, their scarlet flames casting a warm glow on the large double happiness character in front of him, Bai Tang couldn’t help but feel a rush of joy.
I wonder what A Dai is doing right now…
What else could Luo Dai be doing? Naturally—being forced to drink.
He was the dignified Emperor of a generation—naturally, the ministers didn’t dare to force him to drink too heavily, and could only offer toasts. But even just one cup from each person added up, and by the time the first round was over, Luo Dai’s face had already turned slightly red.
And there were still the imperial relatives to come—especially those of Luo Dai’s own generation: half-brothers, cousins… altogether, there were dozens of them. These men were the mischievous kind, always eager for some chaos and excitement. And given that Luo Dai was famously known as the War God of Great Zhou, who had repelled enemies numerous times and never once gotten drunk at his victory banquets, they were curious.
It had been years since then. Now that he was Emperor, he could no longer drink freely every day. They didn’t believe that Luo Dai’s alcohol tolerance could still be what it once was.
But as it turned out, the male lead was, after all, the male lead.
No matter how much wine he drank, Luo Dai always looked slightly tipsy—but he remained perfectly clear-headed during conversation.
The Empress Dowager watched the younger generation playfully banter with smiles and laughter, feeling deeply content. With the Emperor having now chosen an Imperial Consort, with Luo Dai governing the front court and Bai Tang managing the harem, there was nothing left to worry about. She could truly enjoy her twilight years in peace.
“All right, all right. Today is the Emperor’s wedding—don’t go too far. Be careful not to make your brother-in-law hold a grudge,” the Empress Dowager teased.
“We’re not afraid at all! I heard brother-in-law has the gentlest and most generous temperament. We’re just happy for our royal brother,” said Prince Gong cheerfully.
“Exactly! Last time I came to greet my mother, I saw brother-in-law talking to a palace servant who had made a mistake. He didn’t even scold them!” chimed in Prince Ru, who was only thirteen.
“Fine, fine. You little monkeys always have something to say. But just because your brother-in-law has a good temper doesn’t mean you should go ruining His Majesty’s wedding night.”
“We understand! A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold, after all~”
“Royal Brother, you should hurry back—don’t keep brother-in-law waiting…”
“Who knows if brother-in-law’s the one getting anxious? Maybe it’s His Majesty who can’t wait…”
The imperial relatives teased Luo Dai mercilessly, but he wasn’t angry at all. After all, urgency showed how much he cared—and it was true. He really did want to see Bai Tang.
“Today is my wedding,” Luo Dai said with a smile. “I’ll excuse myself from drinking. Another day, we’ll drink to our hearts’ content.”
With that, he drained the wine in his cup in one smooth motion—earning loud cheers from the crowd.
…
After Luo Dai left the banquet, the crowd’s enthusiasm noticeably waned. But since the elders were still present, it wouldn’t be appropriate to leave just yet.
So, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor’s uncles began discussing the younger generation’s marriage prospects. This instantly made the previously lively young men pretend to be drunk, each one finding an excuse to quietly slip away.
But could escaping now save them from the fate of arranged marriages dictated by their parents and matchmakers? Of course not. The elders were still there. Starting the very next day after Luo Dai’s wedding, his cousins and half-brothers began their descent into “marriage hell“—endless sessions of being shown portraits of eligible young ladies, while enduring nagging from their parents. But that’s a story for another time.
When Luo Dai returned to the Qiankun Palace, Bai Tang was quietly sitting on the bed, his back perfectly straight.
A palace matron stepped forward to offer auspicious blessings. “May Your Majesties be a match made in heaven, united for a hundred years…” A steady stream of well-wishes flowed as if they were free.
Luo Dai smiled and sat down beside Bai Tang. The matron brought over a small lock of hair from each of them, tied together in a knot and snipped off.
“May the Emperor and Consort be bound in eternal unity…”
Bai Tang looked at the bundle of hair and blushed, a shy smile spreading across his face.
The matron then brought two cups of wine. After they drank the ceremonial cross-cupped wine, she and the palace attendants withdrew, leaving the newlyweds alone in the room.
The candlelight bathed Bai Tang’s profile in a soft red glow, making his skin appear as smooth and translucent as jade.
Luo Dai’s throat felt dry. He gently touched Bai Tang’s shoulder and turned him to face forward.
“Tang tang, you’re truly beautiful.”
Bai Tang bit his lower lip and shyly lowered his head.
Before the wedding, a matron had already instructed Bai Tang in the rituals of the wedding night. He was both excited and nervous about what was to come—but never afraid.
The temperature in the room gradually rose. Emotions ran deep between them. Luo Dai kissed Bai Tang’s lashes, then his lips, finally tasting the one he had longed for day and night. The red wedding robes were discarded piece by piece onto the floor. Behind the crimson bed curtains, the air filled with soft, breathless whispers of passion…
Outside the bridal chamber, a husky sat staring up at the star-filled sky, letting out a long, forlorn sigh.
…
The next day, the Emperor and Empress went hand-in-hand to Cishou Palace to greet the Empress Dowager. After drinking the traditional tea offered by the newlyweds, the Empress Dowager smiled and handed each of them a large red envelope. In front of everyone, she also gave Bai Tang the phoenix seal—symbol of authority over the imperial harem.
“From now on, I can finally enjoy a peaceful life~” the Empress Dowager said with deep satisfaction.
Following the imperial wedding, the court was dismissed for three days.
Luo Dai stuck to Bai Tang like glue—after all, who could resist holding their beloved in their arms?
Even though Bai Tang tried again and again to dodge him, he couldn’t fend off Luo Dai’s persistent desire to “connect more deeply.” Every time emotions ran high, they ended up tangled together once again—half willingly, half helplessly.
The eunuchs who had served Luo Dai for years all agreed: their Emperor was simply glowing with joy after his wedding—he was absolutely not acting out of character. Definitely not!
Sweet times always seem to fly by, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
Holding the phoenix seal, Bai Tang followed the list of titles the Empress Dowager had drafted in advance and officially conferred ranks to the beautiful palace ladies.
With every name he read aloud, his chest grew tighter.
Just married, and already he had to help his husband take on concubines—what could be more frustrating?
But there was no way around it. After all, his husband wasn’t an ordinary man. Even though Bai Tang was unhappy, he still wore a smile—but that smile looked more like he was crying.
Especially infuriating was Ma Aoshan—that woman who had always been hostile to him. She was clearly dissatisfied that Bai Tang had been made Empress, but when she saw his forced smile, she flashed him a smug, provocative grin, which nearly made Bai Tang jump down and punch her.
When the final lady received her title and the group exited the hall, Bai Tang could no longer hold back his tears.
He sobbed quietly, his shoulders trembling as he wiped at his eyes with his fingers over and over.
“I can’t cry, I can’t cry… A Dai will be upset if he sees…” Bai Tang muttered to himself.
“Not just upset—I’d be heartbroken.”
At some point, Luo Dai had appeared behind him, wrapping his arms around Bai Tang from behind.
“Ah—A Dai… I—I didn’t mean to cry…” Bai Tang hurriedly wiped his tears, but the more he wiped, the more they flowed.
“Don’t cry, Tang Tang. Please, just try to trust me, okay?” Luo Dai gently wiped the tears from Bai Tang’s face. “I love only you.”
The palace fell silent for a long moment. Just when Luo Dai thought Bai Tang might still be upset, the soft, slightly muffled voice of the boy in his arms spoke up:
“You said it, okay? If I ever catch you doing anything, you’re sleeping in the imperial garden.”
Luo Dai chuckled indulgently. “What a terrifying punishment! I wouldn’t dare. I solemnly obey the orders of my Empress.”
Author’s Note:
I swear, those palace ladies won’t even touch a single strand of Luo Dai’s hair.
Bai Tang: Try touching them and see what happens.
Luo Dai (thudding to his knees on a washboard): Tang Tang, I swear I didn’t!
Xiao A: When will the puppy come snuggle with me?
Puppy: Woof woof woof (I have no idea what you’re talking about).