The Empress's First Running Dog

Epilogue of Chapter 686: The Grand Wedding

After three months.

In the summer, the capital city is lush and green, and this ancient capital with a history of thousands of years has regained its prosperous atmosphere.

The war is over, and the people of Yu have ushered in a long-awaited peace.

In the Zhao residence, inside a study, the carved window is open. Through the window lattice, one can see a hand with well-proportioned joints, holding a brush dipped in ink, leaving words on a large book:

"...Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva finally perished, and this battle to ascend to heaven went more smoothly than expected."

In retrospect, it was found that the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's divided souls had become one, making his foundation unstable. Furthermore, he drew faith by causing immense suffering to the living, which violated the laws of Heaven.

Although Zhang Yanyi is dead, the Heavenly Dao he stirred up still lent me a helping hand in that battle..."

"Upon careful consideration, when Ksitigarbha collapsed, I even sensed the resistance of the Nyingma masters and Bianji within him. This may be one of the many factors that contributed to the collapse of this false god."

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. This contest between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, spanning hundreds of years, has finally come to an end.

Having had his soul completely erased, Ksitigarbha has no chance of ever making a comeback.

"After the war, the Buddhist sect, having lost almost all of its high-level combat power, was no longer a threat, and the soldiers from the Western Regions also surrendered one after another... I didn't concern myself much with the aftermath, leaving it to the court generals to handle, which I trusted."

After this battle, the Yu Kingdom has made up its mind to establish a 'Protectorate' in the Western Regions. As for the dissatisfaction of the various kingdoms in the Western Regions, Zhenbao's idea is to leave it to Princess Wenzhu to appease them.

"The upper echelons of Buddhism have undergone a major purge, but there are still a large number of believers at the lower levels, as well as a deep-rooted grassroots foundation."

This is easy to solve. Just as I envisioned a long time ago, the best candidate is Prajna Bodhisattva, who has been tested and proven his own position.

The female bodhisattva no longer needs to think about dual cultivation... Heh, I've given her a difficult task: to travel to various places and integrate the scattered Buddhist disciples in the Yu Kingdom and the Western Regions, completing the 'merging'. How can this not be a great meritorious deed?

Hmm... Although her eyes were filled with resentment when she received the task, I pretended not to see it. Clever as I am.

"The Liao people in the southwestern Xinjiang region are also a potential threat, but this only wasted half a day of my time."

I brought Tuoba Weizhi back and took him to Dajiang. I also found out the clan chief, Song Zhi. He didn't run away, but instead waited for me to come to the clan chief's residence with dignity and asked to commit suicide. I granted his request.

From this point on, the Liao people will once again be under the administration of Tuoba Weizhi.

By the way, I unexpectedly spotted a small remnant of the Kuangfu Society at DJI. What surprised me, however, was that Xu Jianwen's wife and children had both died at their residence before I arrived.

Zhao Shixiong said that it was likely that Princess Wen poisoned her offspring before committing suicide... presumably to avoid humiliation. She was a woman of strong character, what a pity.

I hope their family can be reunited in the underworld and that they will not harm others in their next life.

But Zhao Shixiong actually asked me to retire from the military and return to my hometown… Oh well, let him be. He's fought a lifetime of war; he deserves to enjoy his retirement.”

"Speaking of the Kuangfu Society... I suddenly thought of that girl Yunxi. I haven't seen her for a long time. After returning to the capital, I sent someone to inquire and learned that she was still tirelessly hunting down the remaining rebels of the Kuangfu Society. You can imagine how much damage Zhuang Xiaocheng's deception caused her back then..."

However, Yu Xiu's younger sister, Nie Yu Rong, got involved with Yun Xi and even became friends with her; that's quite an interesting story.

"After the War of the Eight Princes ended, among the princes, apart from the Prince of Lingnan, who did not participate in the war at all and lived a leisurely life in the most remote place, only the Prince of Huai'an and the Prince of Chen were still alive."

I asked Zhenbao for her opinion, and she said, "We've stripped them of most of their wealth and power, leaving them only with a small fortune. Let them live peacefully. That's fulfilling the promise we made when we recruited them."

"There's an interesting story. Du Ruhui, the clerk I casually recruited back in Yongjia City on the Huai River, has reportedly shone brightly in the rear this past year, and has been transferred to the capital to work in the Ministry of Personnel. When I chatted with Lord Yuan, he told me that he believes this man has the talent of a prime minister..."

I suspect that old rascal Yuan Li is subtly flattering me. Ha, everyone knows Du Ruhui is one of my men; how could the entire court dare not give him the green light?

"After the war, when rewards were distributed based on merit, the Duke of Zhenguo retired due to injuries and illness, and the young Duke Tang Ping succeeded him, becoming the youngest Duke. That's good."

Dong Da also survived the battlefield and returned to the capital with everyone. He is sure to rise to prominence soon, and it is said that he intends to take over the Hanlin Academy.

Ning Zechen was reinstated as the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, overseeing the Jiancheng and Huai River routes.

Wei Xianzong also regained his position through his military achievements, and Zhenbao promised to forgive his past transgressions.

"...The day before yesterday, Xiao Ma (Ma Yan) came to me and asked what to do with all the people locked up in the imperial prison. I almost forgot about Chai Keqiao and his group from Qingshan. After thinking about it, I decided to release them."

It's not that I'm soft-hearted, but when I think about it, I am the true founder of the Green Mountain lineage... Now that Wu Xiankui is dead, his followers pose no further threat, so it's better to let them continue the Green Mountain tradition than for it to end."

"Speaking of inheritance, Yu Xiu led the priests back to the Celestial Master's Mansion and was elected to become the first 'female Celestial Master' in the history of Taoism."

Having experienced the baptism of war, she suddenly attained enlightenment after the war and stepped into the realm of half-human beings. I gave her the heavenly book left behind by Zhang Yanyi.

I believe that under her leadership, the Celestial Master's Mansion will rise from the ashes and return to its former glory within a few decades.

"Is there anything else to worry about? After thinking it over, there are three things."

"Firstly, it was to mislead the Taoist priest into not knowing whether he was dead or alive. By now, this old Taoist priest is no longer a threat. I just want to thank him in person... and say, Taoist priest, you are truly a good person. (Serious face)"

Secondly, Pei Niannu refused to return to the capital with me, instead staying alone in the Mubei Forest, intending to spend the rest of her life there... until her soul is completely annihilated...

Ah, as I write this, I realize I forgot to mention this important matter: after careful consideration, I have decided to fill in that spatial rift.

Although I've considered whether I could keep this entrance and try to return to Earth in the future, ... since I already have a new life, why dwell on the past?
Whether this rift will reappear in the future remains to be seen. We'll have to wait for the 'disaster star' to descend again hundreds of years from now—but that's such a distant prospect, so let's not think about it now. We can simply trust the wisdom of future generations.

"Thirdly, there's Old Xu... Before his reincarnation, he didn't say where he was roughly born, but I think if he's reborn, he'll come to the capital sooner or later. Perhaps this time I can guide him onto the path of cultivation..."

In the study.

With his well-proportioned hands, he placed the brush back on the brush holder.

The summer breeze blew in through the open window, drying the ink stains, causing the paper to rustle and then finally close up.

The book cover prominently displays the words: "Diary of a Serious Person".

Zhao Du was admiring his masterpiece with great satisfaction when he heard the maid's crisp voice coming from outside the door:

"Master, the old lady wants you to come over. If you're any later, you might miss the appointed time!"

Zhao Du'an said helplessly, "They're here."

Today, the entire Zhao mansion is adorned with red silk and candles. Before dawn, the whole mansion was bustling with activity for today's important event. Preparations, in fact, began half a month ago.

Not only the Zhao residence, but the entire capital, and even the entire Yu Kingdom, had known for days about the major event that was about to take place today:
Lord Zhao is going to marry His Majesty!

……

In the wing room.

Having already become an immortal, Zhao Du'an was pressed in front of the mirror by You Jinhua like a puppet on strings, allowing her to manipulate him.

Finally, after completing the last step, You Jinhua stood behind her stepson, looking at the handsome young man in the mirror, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Why is Auntie crying?" Zhao Du'an asked.

Yu Jinhua hurriedly turned her head away, wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, and then smiled:
"I'm happy, I'm happy."

Having gone through countless hardships, her eldest son, whom she had long regarded as her own son, was finally going to get married. How could she not be happy?
At this moment, the door to the side room was pushed open, and Zhao Pan'er, dressed in a brand-new dress, with a hairpin in her hair and a Pekingese dog following behind, pushed open the door and shouted:
"Mother! Eldest brother! The wedding procession is here!"

Outside the mansion, the sounds of knocking and banging could be heard as a procession of hundreds of people, all dressed in their finest attire, arrived. Upon closer inspection, the servants lined up in rows were actually dressed as officers of the Imperial Guard.

The surrounding alleys and lanes were already under curfew, and the families of high-ranking officials and dignitaries stood outside their doors to watch the ceremony.

As Zhao Du'an, dressed in a bright red robe and befitting a groom, walked out of the house surrounded by his stepmother and sister, he witnessed this scene.

Hou Renmeng, Shen Juan, and Qian Kerou, holding large, embroidered red flowers, smiled brightly and said, "My lord!"

Behind them, Zhang Han, Haitang, and other officers from the Imperial Guards chatted and laughed, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

After the war, in order to match the Empress's status, Zhao Du'an was quickly granted the title of Prince.

Zhao Du'an rolled his eyes and joked, "At least you didn't bring a bridal sedan chair."

"How could we dare?" The secretary said with a grin, tying a large red brocade ball around his neck.

The Empress got married.

This is unprecedented in ancient times.

The question of how to handle the etiquette caused great distress to a large group of officials in the Ministry of Rites.

It would be fine if he were just an ordinary prince consort, but the imperial consort is the strongest person in the world, with a reputation and cultivation level that are even higher than Her Majesty the Empress.

He was the true pillar of the Great Yu Kingdom.

The final decision was that the ceremony would follow the traditional male-to-female marriage procedure, but the banquet would be held in the palace.

"I think you all have quite the nerve," Zhao Du'an laughed, then leaped and tumbled onto the pure white BMW in the group, its body completely unblemished.

Firecrackers were going off continuously in front of the Zhao residence.

Zhao Du'an rode his horse, and the grand procession of the kings of the capital, composed of lords of hell, paraded through the city and headed straight for the palace.

On both sides of Zhuque Avenue, the imperial guards stood watch, while countless ordinary people held flower baskets to watch the ceremony.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhao Du'an rode a white horse into the imperial city.

Outside the Meridian Gate, a large number of officials and civil and military officials were already lined up to welcome them.

Dong Xuan, Yuan Li, Ma Yan, Xue Shence, Hai Chunlin… familiar faces, now facing the white horse, offered their congratulations in unison:
"Welcome, Your Highness!"

……

……

The Empress's bedroom.

The curtains hung low, and the scent of sandalwood wafted through the air.

The bedroom door was wide open, and the ladies-in-waiting were bustling about, creating a lively atmosphere.

Before the dressing mirror, Xu Zhenguan sat upright, her beautiful eyes gazing at her reflection in the bronze mirror.

The woman in the mirror is an absolute beauty, a blend of ethereal fairy and regal emperor, as if a goddess descended to earth.

Only a goddess is worthy of being the foremost human god of our time.

"Your Majesty, you are so beautiful."

In the mirror, as Mo Chou, who was applying makeup behind her, secured the last hairpin to her dark hair, the female prime minister gazed intently at the empress in the mirror, who was dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, her beauty unparalleled.

Xu Zhenguan smiled, slowly stood up, and turned around. Today, she had none of the majesty that an emperor should have, and looked just like a woman getting married in the mortal world.

At this moment, the gaze directed at Mochou was not that of the maids and servants, but rather that of her close friend.

Xu Zhenguan took Mochou's hand, his gaze sincere, and said softly, "Do you still not like him now?"

Mo Chou pouted, somewhat unconvinced, but ultimately said:
"I was short-sighted back then; this time, he won you over."

That's what they say, but after going through so many hardships, Mo Zhaorong is now completely convinced of Zhao Du's authority. If there is anyone in this world who is worthy of the Empress, it is him.

Xu Zhenguan couldn't help but chuckle. As intelligent as the Empress, how could she not see through Mo Chou's thoughts? She said earnestly:
“I have no relatives left, and even Master Sun is gone. You are my last remaining relative.”

Tears welled up in Mo Chou's eyes as she tightly gripped the Empress's hand, choking back sobs as she said:
"This servant will never marry and will serve Your Majesty. When Your Majesty gives birth to a prince, this servant will then serve the prince."

The Empress blushed and was about to speak when a female official approached from outside the palace:

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Consort has arrived outside the Meridian Gate."

……

Royal weddings involve a wide variety of elaborate rituals.

After Zhao Du'an entered the Meridian Gate and exchanged pleasantries with the officials for a while, he was led by palace ladies and officials from the Ministry of Rites to the South Gate to change into his formal imperial son-in-law robes and present betrothal gifts such as wild geese and silk.

This is a "flying goose," symbolizing fidelity and a lifelong commitment to one person.

After the wild goose ceremony concluded, Zhao Du'an and the wedding procession took their seats, awaiting the auspicious hour.

At this moment, it was inevitable that officials would come one by one to offer their congratulations.

"Congratulations on the marriage of the Prince and His Majesty."

When Ma Yan, with his fair complexion, clean beard, and tall stature, walked by, those around him instinctively stepped back, demonstrating the power of his reputation.

Zhao Du'an smiled and said, "In the past few years, I have been very fortunate to have the support of the Grand Eunuch."

Ma Yan was terrified and said earnestly, "It is Heaven's blessing that the Prince has come."

Haha, even someone as stubborn as you can flatter now... Zhao Du'an found it very amusing.

After Ma Yan left, Yuan Li approached. This high-ranking official, who had weathered numerous storms, wore a smile etched with the marks of time.
"When I first met the prince, I knew he was an extraordinary person."

Zhao Du'an smiled softly and said, "When did you learn to flatter, Lord Yuan? Say it a couple more times and let me hear it."

Yuan Li was taken aback.

Zhao Du'an laughed heartily.

Yuan Li smiled. Whether he is a god or a prince consort, he is still the same person.

"Grand Tutor. Why didn't you stay home to rest? Why did you have to come all this way?"

Zhao Du'an looked at the elderly man in his eighties who was being pushed over by Dong Da in a wheelchair.

Dong Xuan looked much older than before, but his complexion was still quite good. He smiled and said:

"As the master of ceremonies for this wedding, how could I not come?"

Finding a master of ceremonies for the grand wedding of an emperor and a celestial being is a difficult problem.

Originally, if Zhang Yanyi hadn't died, he would have been the most suitable candidate. But after all the deliberation, the choice ultimately fell to Dong Xuan, the imperial tutor.

Zhao Du'an said earnestly, "Thank you for your trouble, Grand Tutor."

He then looked at Dong Da and smiled slightly: "Brother Dong, how have you been?"

Having been tempered and transformed by war, Dong Da, now much darker-skinned, smiled calmly, showing no stage fright whatsoever. He took out a piece of paper from his sleeve:

“When I went to war in the past, the prince presented me with a poem. Today, on the prince’s wedding day, I should return the favor with a poem.”

"Oh?" Zhao Du'an was greatly surprised, but gladly accepted the paper. After seeing the grandfather and grandson off, he unfolded the paper and saw that there was no "poetry" on it at all, only one sentence:

"Don't go to prostitutes anymore."

Zhao Du'an's expression froze. He thought to himself, "This is slander! This is slander... I went to Qinglian Xiaozhu to investigate a case with Miss Zhao Xiaoya. Alas, people's hearts have changed. Xiao Dong has become cunning after experiencing the trials of war."

He wailed inwardly, wailed inwardly... and then he laughed again.

What high and mighty deity?

This is the kind of everyday life he loves.

"The auspicious time has come!"

At this moment, Eunuch Hai, dressed in a brand-new python robe and carrying a whisk, came out.

Zhao Du'an rose solemnly and led a large group of people to the palace, where the Empress was already waiting.

At this moment, the Empress, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, was helped out of the palace by Mo Chou, followed by rows of female officials.

The ruler and his subjects.

Male and female.

Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other.

Having weathered countless calamities, the ruler and his ministers remain; upon meeting again, a smile from them is enough to captivate a hundred hearts.

"Please invite the newlyweds to the Imperial Ancestral Temple!" Eunuch Hai shouted again.

The wedding was to be held at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, a decision made jointly by the emperor and his minister.

Although it is against etiquette, the relationship between the ruler and his subject is one of proper etiquette.

The Empress slowly ascended the vermilion carriage, while Zhao Du'an rode on horseback.

Amidst the resounding drums and music, and adorned with flowers, the group arrived at the newly decorated Imperial Ancestral Temple, which was already packed with people, including court officials, their families, and noblewomen.

Among them were members of the Zhao family, including You Jinhua and Zhao Pan.

There were also Celestial Master's Mansion officials such as Yu Xiu, Jin Jian, Gongshu Tianyuan, Han Zhao, and Li Wushangdao who came to observe the ceremony.

Even the Bodhisattva Prajna, who was far away in the martial arts world, sent a congratulatory gift.

When the Empress got married, no one could withstand a single bow, so many memorial tablets in the wedding hall were temporarily removed, leaving only the memorial tablet of the Xu family's founding ancestor and the memorial tablet of the old Celestial Master, which was arranged separately by Zhao Du'an.

Not a grandparent, but better than a grandparent.

Everyone's face beamed with smiles, offering their heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds.

Grand Tutor Dong presided over the ceremony as the master of ceremonies, and the emperor and his minister bowed to each other in turn.

Finally, with a cry of "The ceremony is complete!", Zhao Du'an, holding the red silk ribbon, looked at the empress covered by her veil. Their minds met, their eyes locked, and everything was understood without words.

……

……

The noisy and elaborate wedding has ended, and the banquet in the palace will last all night.

As the bright moon hung high in the sky, Zhao Du'an, reeking of alcohol, pushed open the door to his bedchamber, which was decorated with the character for "happiness."

In the candlelight, the Empress of Yu sat quietly on the bed. Sensing his arrival, she clenched her ten fingers on her lap.

"Your Majesty," Zhao Du'an picked up the golden scale rod, lifted his veil, and gazed dreamily at the stunningly beautiful Empress under the candlelight, whispering, "Your subject..."

Xu Zhenguan raised his eyebrows, feigning displeasure: "Still calling us ruler and subject?"

Zhao Du'an's heart stirred: "My wife..."

The empress's cheeks were flushed as if she were drunk.

In the enchanting atmosphere, the door closed, and Zhao Du'an sat beside the Empress, showing no interest in the traditional nuptial wine ceremony, and hesitated to speak.

"Say what you want to say."

Xu Zhenguan felt the hot skin beside him, as if he were leaning against a furnace, and his neck turned red.

Zhao Du'an slowly moved closer to her earlobe and whispered:

"My brother's dual cultivation...you see..."

A younger brother? The Zhao family has more than one sister? The Empress was stunned, then suddenly gasped, leaping into the air before sinking into the crimson brocade quilt. She pushed him away shyly, seemingly resisting but actually welcoming him:

"You reek of alcohol, go wash up..."

In Zhao Du'an's eight extraordinary meridians, the flow of Qi was smooth, and the smell of alcohol dissipated completely.

"Don't go to court tomorrow..."

He braced himself on the bed frame with his arms, accompanied by the rustling sound of fabric tearing.

On the paper windows of the new house, dark shadows overlapped, and red waves were turned upside down.

After a long time, the divine and the human merged, and they went to Wushan again.

(End of the book)

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

PS1: There will be an author's closing remarks at the end.

Thank you. Sincerely.

(End of this chapter)