The day of the Imperial Banquet was hectic for everyone. Since early morning, the servants were busy preparing before the sun even rises until ten in the morning.
But the day was also busy for Huang Shu and Yunyu. The servants were busy fitting their clothes as they were boldly using matching apparel of red with golden embroidery robe. It was such a bold move because this trademarked robe was only used by the Emperor. For an Empress to use this, she must have cemented her position first, let alone a Ger man who had just married the Emperor and yet to be the Empress.
"Husband, do you think this is the right idea? I feel like I can just use a regular robe instead of the red-golden one.
"Nonsense, you will be my Empress. It's better to let everyone know!" Huang Shu said eagerly. He saw nothing wrong with this. He didn't do this in the past. At least, he didn't allow Yunyu to wear the same robe as him. Because he felt it wasn't necessary.
But now, he wanted everyone to know that Bai Yunyu was HIS EMPRESS, and nobody could deny that nor slander him.
"Besides, I've picked your Empress name, don't worry, wife!" Huang Shu added.
[Larva, why do I feel like I have a bad feeling about this?]
[Larva: Wu? Um… Larva also feels something is off. I think Master Han—I mean, Huang Shu is too eager! Too reckless!]
[Exactly…]
Huang Shu and Bai Yunyu walked together to the imperial hall, where the nobles were all sitting at their tables with their families, talking to each other, discussing many things, though mostly it was just boasting.
The guard announced the Emperor and future Empress' arrival,
"HIS MAJESTY, EMPEROR XIANLIANG, AND HIS WIFE, FUTURE EMPRESS, BAI YUNYU, HAS ARRIVED!"
The guests were surprised when the guard casually claimed Bai Yunyu as the 'Future Empress,' they had just been married for two months, and the harem hadn't been filled yet. How could it be so easy for Emperor Xianliang to determine his Empress? How about the rest? They would become Imperial concubine at best?
The nobles bowed their head as they cupped their hands in front of them. Yunyu and Huang Shu sat on the higher seat designated for them.
"Raise your head, my subjects," Huang Shu said. The guests raised their heads to see their Emperor and future Empress.
"Zhen has invited everyone to this banquet to celebrate our prosperous country, and to announce about Zhen's future Empress, my wife, Bai Yunyu, in the future, he will be called Empress Xiuying," Huang Shu announced.
It was abrupt and shocking, but Emperor Xianliang had already fixed his mind, so nobody could stop him.
Bai Yunyu could see the hatred and jealousy from the young women in the banquet, which made him uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Huang Shu noticed the number of men, especially young men, who were heartbroken because Huang Shu married and claimed Bai Yunyu first. He was so proud of himself that he started regretting he didn't do this in the previous world.
'If only I knew that showing off my wife to these people could feel this amazing, I would've done this a lot sooner,' Huang Shu thought. He glanced at Yunyu, who lowered his gaze. He nudged at Yunyu and whispered, 'Wife, don't be scared. I'm here with you. You're gorgeous and fresh, like a spring flower. Raise your head proudly.'
Bai Yunyu raised his head, bearing the fear and shame in his heart. He was well-versed in poetry, math, and many subjects. He was also an excellent fighter.
But none of those helped him right now. He never realized the sneer and the contempt in these nobles actually made him anxious. He felt like a psychic who could read their minds because he knew they were thinking the same thing.
'A Ger man, from a merchant family, actually become an Empress? Emperor Xianliang is really blind and bewitched.'
That was what Yunyu read inside these people's heads. It got even worse since he barely knew people here, and his family refused to come because his parents were too scared mixing with the nobles. They were still very down to earth after all.
The banquet continued, and a minister approached their seat and whispered to Emperor Xianliang about something. Emperor nodded and said, "Go on."
Soon, there were nobles who queued to pay tribute to the promising young and handsome Emperor.
But Bai Yunyu noticed that most of them were old men bringing their fully dressed daughter to the front.
"Your Majesty, Marquis of Chang from Chang Tien region, pays tribute to Your Majesty. I also bring my young daughter with me," the old marquis said with his daughter beside him.
"Mm." Huang Shu replied nonchalantly.
"Y—Your Majesty, she is young and beautiful, she is also well mannered and well educated, I wish Your Majesty would consider her for—"
"I have no intention of taking any concubine now," Huang Shu said. He didn't even spare the girl a second glance, and the girl was disappointed. She wished that the handsome Emperor would pick her to no avail. Thus she only cursed in her heart and left with her father.
Dozens of these noble young ladies were queueing with their father, hoping that Emperor Xianliang would spare a glance at them, thinking they could at least became the consort.
But Huang Shu's loving gaze was solely for his wife, Bai Yunyu.
Yunyu felt it was too much, not that he hated it. In fact, he liked it a lot. But this was in an Imperial Banquet, where there were so many nobles watching.
'You should at least show them some goodwill. Their eyes told me that they hate me because you keep showering me with love…' Yunyu whispered.
'You're too cautious. Relax, as long as there is me here, then everything will be alright,' Huang Shu said proudly.
[Larva: Huang Shu is very romantic and devoted! Larva approves!]
Larva was swirling around Yunyu. It also wore a red-gold robe, like it was trying to imitate Huang Shu.
Larva looked happy, but Yunyu wasn't.
[I don't think this is the best move… Huang Shu is enjoying this too much. I'm scared that I might've made enemies without knowing…]
'Husband, you should pay more attention to your subjects as the Emperor. This is not good for your image,' Yunyu advised.
'I can't take my eyes off you. Do you want us to return?' Huang Shu grinned perversely, which made Bai Yunyu blushed and looked away immediately.
Every young man and woman watched this with envy. Many of the young men here had fallen in love secretly to Bai Yunyu, while the women hated him for getting all the Emperor's attention.
Huang Shu and Bai Yunyu stayed in this pink bubble of theirs for a moment until a guard suddenly announced the arrival of an important guest.
"Prime Minister Xi, and his granddaughter, Lady Xi Yue, has arrived!"
Everyone darted their eyes at Lady Xi Yue. She wore a peach pink hanfu with flower brocade. Her appearance awed every man in the banquet since she had a small face with milky white skin and long jet black hair.
She walked side by side with her grandfather, strutting towards Emperor Xianliang's side.
Bai Yunyu was the first to notice something was off when his husband suddenly stopped chatting with him. He glanced at Huang Shu and saw that his husband was staring at Lady Xi Yue…
Huang Shu was mesmerized.
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