Chapter 5-Bound By Wedding Vows 2
1473 Words
Ji Ling stood tall, his crimson robe flowing, golden dragons gleaming beneath the sunlight. He was handsome in a way that stole one's breath -sharp features, cool eyes, a presence that demanded attention without effort. Beside him, He Wang whispered under his breath, "Heavens... the two of you standing together-it's like a painting come alive."
Ling Yu'er lifted her gaze, meeting Ji Ling's for the first time. Her lips curved into a polite smile, though her eyes held a spark of mischief, the kind she always carried. Inside, however, her heart was racing.
So this is him. The man I am bound to.
Ji Ling, in turn, regarded her with a steady, unreadable look. Beautiful, yes-but that was not what caught him. It was the way she stood so proudly, not shrinking under the weight of the empire or his gaze.
For a moment, time seemed to still-the princess of Jianghu entering the empire's heart, the emperor's son waiting at the altar.
Only when the ceremonial officer declared, "The rites shall begin!" did the spell break.
The hush that followed Ling Yu'er's appearance was not entirely silent. Beneath the surface, whispers curled like smoke.
"Such a young girl..." one minister murmured behind his sleeve.
"But striking-no wonder the Emperor chose her," another replied, eyes narrowing with envy.
Among the court ladies, some smiled politely, while others tilted their heads with thinly veiled disdain.
"Pretty enough, but can she manage the palace storms?" a concubine scoffed softly.
Ling Yu'er, hearing none of this but feeling every gaze, straightened her shoulders. She had always been cheerful, playful, even silly-but in this moment, she was her father's daughter, a princess of Jianghu.
Li Tian, unable to keep her tongue, leaned close to Yu'er as they walked. "If only they knew you're the same girl who once ate three steamed buns in one bite. They'd faint on the spot."
Yu'er bit her lip to hide a laugh, but her eyes glittered with mischief for a fleeting second.
On the steps, Ji Luo tugged at Ji Na's sleeve. "See? That's her. Our new sister-in-law."
Ji Na's eyes widened, admiration plain on her little face. "She's even prettier than I imagined!"
Ji Xingling, the crown prince, gave a knowing smirk toward Ji Ling. "Well, brother, fortune favors you today."
He Wang, standing beside the prince, lowered his voice with a teasing grin. "The princess has the whole palace staring. If you don't take a good look now, you'll regret it."
Ji Ling's expression did not change much, but his gaze followed her every step. Her scarlet gown shimmered like fire under the sun, her small face calm but her spirit shining through with each movement. He said nothing, but inside, he thought: Not timid at all. Interesting.
As Yu'er neared the steps, she finally raised her eyes to meet his. It was only for a heartbeat-but in that heartbeat, two worlds collided.
The girl who laughed too easily, and the prince who rarely smiled.
The princess carried on her shoulders the honor of Jianghu. The prince carried the weight of an empire.
The ceremonial officer's voice rose again, shattering the tension.
"The rites shall begin! Heaven and earth shall bear witness!"
The drums thundered once more. The marriage that would bind kingdoms, families, and fates was about to begin.
Together, they walked toward the Hall of Radiant Clouds, where the emperor, Ji Chen, and the empress, Lu Yinger, sat upon the dais. Ministers, generals, noble ladies, and officials lined the grand hall, their eyes following the pair with a mixture of awe, envy, and curiosity.
"The bride and groom, present yourselves!" cried the ceremonial officer.
The hall stilled. Not even a cough dared break the silence.
Yu'er caught the faintest glimpse of the emperor's gaze. His eyes were sharp yet kind, and she immediately felt the weight of his approval-or was it judgment? Beside him, the empress watched with a gentler expression, her lips curved faintly as if to reassure.
Whispers stirred quietly at the edges of the hall.
"She's lovely."
"So young... can she truly bear the weight of the palace?"
"They say she's lively and mischievous. Let us see how long that lasts."
Li Tian, standing at Yu'er's back, clenched her fists. If only they knew, my princess shines brighter than any of them!
Yu'er, though, merely lowered her head demurely. This is it, Ling Yu'er. Smile and survive.
Ji Na wriggled free from her nursemaid and ran up a few steps before Ji Luo quickly caught her. The little girl pouted, whispering much too loudly, "Brother! She's so pretty!"
The ministers chuckled quietly, but Ji Ling's stoic expression never wavered-save for the briefest twitch at the corner of his mouth.
The emperor's deep voice finally cut through the hall.
"Begin the rites!"
The drums thundered, echoing against the high ceilings as attendants stepped forward to guide the ceremony. "First, bow to each other"
-First, the couple bowed to Heaven and Earth.
-Second, they bowed to the emperor and empress, as symbols of their parents and the empire.
-Finally, they turned toward each other.
Yu'er lifted her gaze just enough to meet Ji Ling's eyes through her veil. He bowed with perfect precision, every movement regal. She hesitated for half a breath, then let out the faintest laugh under her breath-soft, almost imperceptible-before bowing in return.
The hall erupted into applause and cheers.
"An auspicious union!" the officials cried.
The emperor raised his cup high, his voice booming, "Let this marriage bind Tiandou and Jianghu as one family, as one heart, for generations to come!"
Wine flowed, the music swelled, and the great feast began.
But beneath the red silks and golden lanterns, Ling Yu'er stole another glance at Ji Ling and thought, This is the man I must call husband. Cold as ice, and yet... why does he feel so solid, like the earth itself?
And Ji Ling, watching her laughter slip through her veil, thought, Cheerful, silly, unafraid. Just what has Father brought into my life?
The ceremonial officer's booming voice carried across the great hall once the final bow was complete:
"By the will of Heaven, the blessings of the ancestors, and the decree of His Majesty the Emperor-this marriage is sealed! The bride and groom shall now proceed to the wedding feast!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and polite claps. Ministers exchanged congratulatory smiles, while noblewomen whispered behind embroidered fans.
Drums rolled again, and the grand doors to the Banquet Hall were thrown open. A wave of fragrance drifted out-roast duck, spiced venison, steamed buns stuffed with lotus paste, and rows of golden wine jars glittering like jewels under the lamplight.
The ceremonial officer raised his voice once more, his words sharp and formal:
"Escort the Crown Prince Ji Xingling, the Third Prince Ji Luo, and Her Highness Ji Na to the seats of honor! Escort the bride and groom to the head table, beneath the dragon and phoenix banners!"
All eyes turned to Ling Yu'er and Ji Ling as they were guided to their seats. Yu'er walked carefully, veil fluttering lightly with each step, her lips twitching at Li Tian's whispered encouragement from behind:
"Princess, if the food is as good as it smells, I might just sneak into the kitchen later."
Yu'er almost laughed out loud but managed to keep her composure.
When they reached the head table, the ceremonial officer proclaimed,
"Let the bride and groom offer the first cup of wine to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress!"
Two cups of golden nuptial wine were presented. Ji Ling accepted his with steady hands. Yu'er took hers, the cup trembling slightly in her fingers. Together, they stepped forward.
"Your Majesty," Ji Ling spoke clearly, "this son and his wife offer this cup in gratitude for your endless grace."
They both knelt, raising the cups high. The emperor's eyes gleamed as he accepted. He drank deeply, and the empress followed with a smile that warmed the hall.
The ceremonial officer clapped his hands, signaling the next stage.
"Now, let the bride and groom share the nuptial wine!"
A hush fell over the hall. The attendants stepped forward with two cups bound together by a single red silk ribbon.
Yu'er's heart thumped so hard she feared all of Tiandou might hear it. Ji Ling, calm as a mountain, lifted his half of the cup. Their gazes met briefly-hers nervous, his unreadable-as they tilted the cups and drank in unison.
The hall erupted in thunderous applause.
"An auspicious match!" "Blessings upon them!"
Ji Na jumped up from her seat, clapping wildly. "Yay! Big Brother and Sister Princess look perfect together!"
Even Ji Luo chuckled, while Ji Xingling smirked knowingly at his younger brother.
The ceremonial officer raised his voice one final time:
"The rites are complete! Let the banquet begin!"
- Writer
