Countless young men looked on with envy and adoration, each one already fantasizing about what it would be like to possess such prestige, such dominance, someday.
Numerous young women blushed shyly, their cheeks flushed crimson, their eyes filled with longing, constantly imagining how wonderful it would be if they were the bride.
Everyone greeted the wedding procession’s advance with the most fervent cheers…
And trailing behind Ye Jingyu were Gongsun Xiangyi and Hu Yanqi, these two exquisitely beautiful women both wearing happy smiles. No one could know what thoughts truly lay hidden in their hearts, but their mounts were two Blood-Patterned White Tigers, themselves formidable Rank Six Desolate Beasts…
Behind them still followed one hundred Unicorn Dragon Lions and two hundred Silver Snow Demon Leopards—such a grand display was utterly breathtaking…
The entire path was cheers, flowers, and accolades; Cloud Capital City was boiling over with excitement…
At this moment, the plaza outside the Imperial Palace was already packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Because Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling’er wished to take this step under the gaze of the common people, citizens who normally had no right to be here had all flooded in. This placed immense pressure on the Imperial Guards, who could only form human barricades on the outer perimeter to prevent the jubilant crowds from breaching the center.
Now, beneath the main palace gate, a magnificent, brilliant yellow Daluo Umbrella was erected. At the base of the stand, a massive Dragon Throne had been placed. Luo Ruofeng, clad in golden-yellow Dragon Robes, sat upon it. Beside him were several chairs occupied by the current Prime Minister Zhuge Yi Shi, the (Xiaoyao Gong) Liang Xiaoke, and all the civil and military officials and nobles entitled to be present. Every face was alight with eager anticipation as they gazed forward…
With a supreme master like Liang Xiaoke present, there was absolutely no concern that anyone would dare cause trouble at this juncture. This was precisely why Ye Jingyu dared to hold the wedding in the plaza outside the Imperial Palace.
He wanted the entire world to know that he was marrying Luo Ling’er, and even more, he wanted to proclaim to all that he possessed the absolute capability to protect her, cherish her, and grant her the greatest happiness…
At this juncture, the silhouette of the wedding procession gradually appeared in everyone’s sight. Upon seeing those beasts, all tamed and utterly docile, even Luo Ruofeng—save for Liang Xiaoke, who had been privy to earlier events—wore an expression of shock.
In a mere few months, how had he managed to subdue so many fiercely untamable Desolate Beasts until they were completely docile?
One had to understand that these were all adult Desolate Beasts. Subduing a single adult beast was exponentially more difficult than slaying him, yet Ye Jingyu had not only found these beasts in such a short time but had also managed to tame them into such gentle obedience. How could this not inspire awe?
At least half the onlookers could not help but stand up, straining to catch a full view of the approaching wedding entourage…
The already bustling plaza erupted once more as Ye Jingyu and his party entered. The common people shouted and screamed, as if only these outbursts could convey the joy swelling in their hearts. Thankfully, these people all revered Ye Jingyu, understanding this was the Duke of Ye’s greatest personal happiness; no one would recklessly break through the Jin Guard’s defense line and disrupt the ceremony…
As the procession drew near, melodious music began to echo from within the Imperial Palace. With the start of this sound, everyone, including Emperor Luo Ruofeng, rose to their feet…
A line of brilliantly dressed palace maids led the way, stepping out in formation. As they walked, a long, red carpet unrolled from inside the palace…
Next came the brightly adorned honor guard. Behind them walked attendants carrying even more luxurious Daluo Umbrellas. Beneath these parasols was a magnificent Dragon Carriage, drawn by eighteen strong steeds. Seated within the carriage, adorned in a phoenix coronet and wedding finery and veiled by a red covering, was Princess Yongle. Beside her sat a man and a woman…
They were her own birth parents: the Retired Emperor Luo Xiaofeng and the Empress Dowager Li Xuelin…
Luo Xiaofeng’s face was naturally alight with joy, and the Empress Dowager also wore a happy smile. Having been confined within the palace for so long, she had never once ventured out, yet today, because of her daughter’s great happiness, she had stepped outside the palace walls—how could she not be delighted? Yet amidst the joy, there lingered a thread of apprehension: was it truly safe to hold the wedding outside the palace grounds?
However, as if sensing Luo Xiaofeng’s immensely powerful aura, the worry in the Empress Dowager’s eyes slowly receded…
The moment this Dragon Carriage, requiring eighteen horses to pull its weight, emerged from the Imperial Palace, Ye Jingyu’s entire wedding procession stepped fully onto the palace grounds…
Upon seeing the hundreds of high-level Desolate Beasts, the Retired Emperor and the Empress Dowager were equally astonished. Luo Xiaofeng inwardly grumbled, Isn’t this display of surprises a bit too grand? Where on earth did this fellow find so many obedient Desolate Beasts?
As for Ye Jingyu, upon sighting the massive Dragon Carriage, he had already leaped down from Ni Bo’s back and began walking step by deliberate step toward the carriage…
His face was covered in a smile, a smile stemming from the deepest part of his soul. Soon, Ling’er would be his wife. Soon, he would finally have a wife…
The warriors following him, however, moved to either side, forming a distinct pattern across the plaza: an image of “One Arrow Pierces Two Hearts”…
The Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager, seated in the carriage, though seeing this formation for the first time, immediately grasped its meaning. The smiles on their faces grew even more brilliant. This fellow is truly entertaining…
The Dragon Carriage stopped, and Luo Xiaofeng personally took his daughter’s hand as she alighted. Eunuchs and maids had already arranged everything perfectly. The two sat down across from each other, and Ye Jingyu naturally stepped forward to offer his respects…
What followed was an incredibly rigorous series of rites. Even by common customs, this was the wedding of a Princess and a Duke; it could not be handled carelessly…
The complex procedures took nearly an hour to complete before finally progressing to the ritual of Worshipping Heaven and Earth…
At this point, the entire plaza had fallen silent. Everyone held their breath. Having witnessed the current Emperor and the Retired Emperor in person, they felt fully satisfied, especially seeing the current Emperor acting personally as the officiant—it made the Emperor seem incredibly approachable…
Now, every eye was fixed intently upon the groom and bride in the center of the plaza…
“First bow to Heaven and Earth…” Luo Ruofeng’s face was wreathed in smiles…
As his voice rang out, Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling’er bowed simultaneously toward the heavens and earth…
“Second bow to the Parents…” Ye Jingyu’s parents had passed away long ago, so he could only offer his respects to Luo Xiaofeng and Empress Dowager Li…
Ye Jingyu took Luo Ling’er’s hand, turned, and bowed toward Luo Xiaofeng and Li Taihou seated on their thrones…
The Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager naturally beamed, unable to close their mouths from smiling…
“Bow to each other, husband and wife…”
The very instant these words fell, sixteen pitch-black figures materialized instantly above the plaza…