Although the Emperor threatened to go on a hunger strike and refuse to bow to the Empress, the two Empress Dowagers reluctantly agreed to give Wan Zhen’er a concubine title to console her for serving the Emperor for over a decade. However, Wan Zhen’er was not happy. Who would want to be a mere concubine?
Just think about it, why did her idol Sun Empress Dowager go to such lengths if not to climb onto the Empress’s throne?
Everyone knows how powerful an Empress can be. She can be the mother of the nation, control the six palaces, and be imposing.
But Wan Zhen’er could not sit in the Empress’s position. It was occupied by that lucky Wu girl, allowing her to ride over Wan Zhen’er’s head and act arrogantly. Wan Zhen’er was truly unconvinced and could not swallow this grievance. Hmph, ask her to bow down to the Wu girl and call her the boss? To be submissive and compromise? No way, not a chance!
Wan Zhen’er’s heart was seething with hatred.
Yet she was helpless.
The Emperor’s wedding was lively and grand. The imperial palace was decorated with lanterns and streamers, golden and splendid. Red candles with golden double happiness characters were everywhere, and red felt was laid on the imperial path.
Three ceremonial whips cracked, and amid the drum music, all princes and officials bowed to the Emperor, kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times.
“Long live! Long live! Long live forever!”
The ground shook.
Civil and military officials, imperial relatives, palace maidens, and eunuchs gathered joyfully outside the Kunning Palace gate. Not every Emperor could have such a grand wedding. Emperors who were already adults with wives before ascending the throne would only hold a ceremonial empress installation, not a full wedding.
Wan Zhen’er stood among them, lost in her thoughts. In the whole world, only she and the Emperor were not smiling.
Indeed, how could Wan Zhen’er and the Emperor possibly laugh?
This was more painful than torture.
Facing such a delicate and tender beauty, would the Emperor abandon Wan Zhen’er? Although the Emperor had said he would treat Wan Zhen’er well for a lifetime, love her forever, and never have a second thought! But times change.
