The Great Han Dynasty * Netizen uploaded Volume 2 Mountain has wood, wood has branches.

  The moment I saw him, the determination in my heart suddenly turned into a little cowardice, and I didn't dare to get close to him.

  The sky was dimly lit, and the grand hall above lit up one by one with lanterns. He stood on top of it, his face slightly blurred, wearing a dark robe, and the evening wind blew over the jade pendant at his waist, colliding with each other, producing a crisp jade sound.

  "Your Majesty," the palace maid said softly, holding up a lantern but not daring to raise her head, "please ascend to the throne."

  Zhang Yan nodded, took a deep breath, and put on a brilliant smile. The hibiscus and osmanthus flowers embroidered on her long skirt fluttered as she stepped onto the palace steps, passed through the crowd of officials in the court, and walked step by step towards Liu Ying, bowing down to pay homage: "Your humble servant Zhang wishes Your Majesty ten thousand years."

  At a very close distance, she heard Liu Ying's gentle voice saying "Get up". She secretly looked up and saw that in the dim light of dusk, he was wearing a black robe, his figure slightly thinner than when they last met, but his jawline remained strong, his complexion somewhat pale, yet still handsome, with warm eyebrows and eyes.

  He then ascended to his position immediately, and the officials took their positions and paid homage. In order, they made obeisance to the Empress. After the Yellow Gate drummed and blew three times, the Empress's enthronement ceremony was complete, and a grand amnesty was declared throughout the empire.

  Then, "A Yan," he called her, stretching out his right hand, with distinct finger joints and a beautiful palm shape.

  Her heart gradually calmed down, she looked up at him with a smile, also stretched out her hand to shake hands with him, and they walked into the Xuan Shi Hall together, without looking around.

  Where they held hands, his palm was big and hers was small. She could feel the temperature of his fingertips, which was indeed cool as water. He was always such a gentle person, although he was unwilling in his heart, but still didn't want to make himself feel excluded, so he took care of her with courtesy.

  Your whole life, how many such gentle men can you meet?

  The Xuan Shi Hall is spacious, with dark-colored curtains fluttering gently. The atmosphere is solemn and dignified. Ninety-six lanterns burning brightly with tallow oil illuminate the entire hall as bright as daylight. The air is filled with a pungent aroma of pepper and incense, accompanied by a dry, fragrant scent.

  The wedding of Emperor Han's empress was held in this palace.

  The palace people came out to welcome them, holding copper basins to pour water for the newlyweds to wash their hands.

  Zhang Yan stretched out her hands, and the palace maid poured warm water from a copper container onto them, transmitting warmth, which finally fell into the basin. The sound of gurgling water echoed. In the hall, the charcoal in the stove burned fiercely, occasionally making crackling sounds, giving her a sudden illusion that she had returned from a cold winter night to a spring morning with blooming flowers.

  In the temple, a ceremonial seat was set up, and there was also a lacquered wooden food tray with a dragon and phoenix pattern. Liu Ying stood in the west, bowed to invite Zhang Yan to take her seat, and they sat facing each other. The matchmaker used a small spoon to cut off a small piece of venison from the dish on the table and placed it in front of the newlyweds, who ate together. When Zhang Yan secretly raised his head to glance at Liu Ying, he saw that her face was expressionless. However, her movements as she picked up her chopsticks to taste the wine and rice were natural, looking calm.

  She smiled with a slight curve of her lips for some reason.

  Suddenly remembered many years ago in Shangshan that night. She had also been involved in the Liu Ying case.

  She had eaten the fermented bean paste on his case, he had smashed her peach and plum fragrance, as if there was a heavenly intention in the darkness, and thinking so, even the dry and cold food became delicious and sweet.

  The officials presented a tray of fine silk, on which were placed two halves of a newly picked calabaza squash, tied together with red thread. The emperor and empress performed the ritual of sharing a cup of wine. Liu Ying and Zhang Yan each held a ladle, pouring wine for each other to drink. The calabaza squash was bitter, and even the fine wine, when poured into it, took on a bitter taste. When the wine went down Zhang Yan's throat, she couldn't help but wrinkle her brow. However, the celebrant beside them offered words of congratulations: "Together they form a perfect pair, like two birds with wings entwined. Husband and wife share a common fate, from now on their status will be equal. The calabaza squash ritual unites husband and wife as one body, sharing honor and shame, sweetness and bitterness without distinction. May your love last as long as heaven and earth." The voice was solemn, and they suddenly felt the weight of the occasion.

  The couple exchanged the remaining half gourd of wine, and as they handed it over, she accidentally touched Liu Ying's skin, causing her face to flush and her heart to beat faster. She drank from the same gourd that he had drunk from before, feeling the fragrance of his breath between her nostrils, already intoxicated by the thought of him.

  The so-called "same prison and same cup" ritual refers to the newlyweds eating together on the same table, with red threads connecting their cups as they exchange drinks, symbolizing that from now on they will be husband and wife, united as one, sharing joys and sorrows, and forever bound together. The entire wedding ceremony is solemn and subdued, with a power that engraves itself in people's hearts.

  The toastmaster poured wine again, placed the cup on the table and bowed once. The new husband and wife both returned the bow. The toastmaster sat on the ground to offer wine, then drank a full cup and bowed once. The new husband and wife both returned the bow. The banquet food was removed. The hairdressing ceremony was completed, and Liu Ying and Zhang Yan were sent into the bedroom.

  Sitting on the couch, Liu Ying lowered her head and looked at this little wife who was less than chest-high to herself, suddenly feeling a bit at a loss.

  Zhang Yan took a deep breath and carefully hid her sadness, raising her head to call out, "Uncle." A bright smile spread across her face.

  Liu Ying was taken aback for a moment.

  This familiar address dispelled the awkward atmosphere between them, bringing back many memories of the past. It allowed him to pretend to forget that they had become husband and wife, finding a safe way to interact with each other. From dawn till dusk on their wedding day, Zhang Yan's face also showed signs of fatigue, and she couldn't help but curl up her toes and relax her tense muscles.

  "You must be tired after a busy day?" Liu Ying noticed and asked, helping her take off the dragon and phoenix crown on her head. After untying the hair bun, when a head of black hair fell freely on her shoulders, Zhang Yan let out a breath and indeed felt much more relaxed.

  Liu Ying glanced at her for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "You still look better with a plain face, earlier in the front hall, when I first saw you, I was startled. It's almost unrecognizable."

  "What's wrong?" Zhang Yanqi said, "Don't you like it? Mother and the others all say that after I put on makeup, I'm much prettier than before."

  "What's so pretty about it?" Liu Yingxue said, "Her face is blurry like a wooden puppet, can't even see her eyebrows and eyes."

  "Really?" Zhang Yan felt a bit disappointed, but didn't know why, and yet some delight rose from the bottom of her heart.

  A group of palace maids covered their mouths and giggled, then exchanged glances and left with candles in hand. In an instant, the vast bedroom was left with only the newlywed couple.

  The man in front of her, from now on, would be her husband and her lord. Zhang Yan's lips curved into a gentle smile as she couldn't help but softly call out "husband".

  Liu Ying's back stiffened slightly.

  She suddenly had an epiphany, secretly thinking it was not good, and resenting herself for being too hasty. In her anxiety, she reached out from behind and hugged his waist, sweetly calling out, "Uncle Husband".

  "What's all the fuss about?" Liu Ying slapped her head with a bad temper, "What kind of strange and weird title is this? How did your brain come up with it."

  "Huh? Isn't that right?" Zhang Yan slightly curled up the corners of her mouth, "I think it's great. You see, you're my uncle and also my husband. If I call you like this, isn't it just perfect? Ah, right." She clapped her hands, with an innocent and mischievous expression, "I forgot that you're also the Emperor. Hmm, this is good, I'll call you Emperor Uncle Husband, and that's everything. Is that okay?"

  "Enough." He rubbed his temples and groaned, "I'll get a headache if I listen to this."

  "You don't like it?" Her voice was filled with a deep sense of regret, as if she was cutting off her own arm, "Then let's just drop the last two words and stick to the original plan, we'll just call him Uncle Husband."

  It's better if you still call me Emperor Uncle as before.

  Liu Ying slightly turned her head back, and saw Zhang Yan looking up at the candlelight. She had a pair of big, shiny black eyes that were slightly narrowed, pure like an innocent child who would never grow up. Her heart softened as she let out a sigh, turning her head to the side, watching the thick candle flames dance.

  Zhang Yan was at a loss. Helplessly, she suggested, "Let's play chess."

  I know there are too many problems between us, I know nothing will happen tonight, but she glanced at the candles burning brightly in the hall, this once-in-a-lifetime wedding night, shouldn't it be so boring to sit until dawn.

  "Good." Finally having a plan to kill time, Liu Ying actively agreed.

  The night was deep and dark. The candles in the hall continued to burn, dripping with wax tears. A large bed made of nanmu wood, big enough for four or five people to lie on without feeling crowded, had a canopy with crimson silk embroidered with peony patterns, and inside the canopy was a soft, nine-layered quilt made by the imperial workshop, covered with mandarin duck patterned brocade. Two people who had just been married but were still not used to each other sat on their knees facing each other over a chessboard in the middle of the bed, arguing.

  "Since you've already lost, return my chess piece. Don't be a sore loser." This was said in a clear male voice.

  "How can you be like this? You're my elder, how could you not let me have my way?" This was the voice of a spoiled girl.

  "What does this have to do with letting or not letting go? ---- Forget it. I won't argue with you, just regret one step."

  "Alright... Then I'll." "Clack" The sound of a chess piece falling onto the board. "I'll place it here."

  "Is that so." Liu Ying thought deeply with his eyes fixed on the white piece. After a long while, he made his move, "It's your turn now."

  "A Yan ----" He lifted his head, but saw that the girl had already fallen asleep, lying on her side.

  "Really." He softly called out, helplessly smiling and shaking his head.

  She lay quietly there, listening to him being silent for a while, then got up and put away the chessboard. After pausing for a moment, he walked over, picked her up, and laid her curled-up body flat, "After all, she's just a child." He sighed, untied the ribbon that bound her, and finally pulled over the brocade quilt to cover her tightly.

  She struggled to hold back the sourness in her nose, actually she wanted to cry, but "only when I fall asleep will you feel a little better?" She thought sadly, closing her eyes and pretending to sleep. On the first night of becoming your wife, I was only a foot away from you, yet there was a vast distance between us.

  She didn't dare move a single step, listening to the silent and stillness in the hall, without any sound at all.

  After a long while, he let out another sigh, clasped his hands behind his back and walked out of the bedroom.

  But she thought she would stay awake all night, yet though her mind was racing with thoughts, drowsiness really did creep up on her, slowly, slowly slipping into dreamland.

  This chapter is so entangled and has been bothering me for an entire afternoon, every single word and sentence was carefully considered.

  I'm in tears, if it's like this every chapter, I won't need to write anymore.

  I don't know what everyone's ideal wedding night is like. But in my heart, their wedding night can only be this way. Writing it out is bittersweet, very entangled and self-tormenting.

  It's decided, from today on, give this article a nickname, call it "Uncle's Plan to Overthrow".

  Continue to ask for pink tickets. By the way, not only is my home's big wedding, but also this April has reached the end of the month, and the pink tickets should be cleared out.

  Applause in unison.