Liang Xiao, Xiao Qing, and Zuo Jing each led Zhuo Yun, Zhen Mi, and Yue Wenxin by the hand to the front of the stage.
The crowd felt a sudden brightness before their eyes.
"When I ruled as a woman, the old aristocratic clans had not yet been eradicated. To stabilize the situation, I took Liang Mansion's talented daughter, Zhen Mi, as a concubine. We were as close as sisters. Since Consort Mi sacrificed her reputation for the nation, how could I betray her? I shall grant her freedom and hereby confer upon her the title of Princess Luoshen!"
"General Who Conquered the North's daughters, Zuo Jing and Yue Wenxin, were as valiant as men, silently training elite soldiers for the Emperor, repeatedly capturing and killing members of the Rejuvenation Sect, and protecting the nation and its people. Their father also rendered meritorious service to the country. I hereby confer upon Zuo Jing the title of Princess Weiyu, and Yue Wenxin the title of Princess Chaolu!"
"Minister of War's daughter, Zhuo Yun, revitalized the game of Go, promoted Xiangqi, and propagated the culture of Da Qian. I am also grateful for the merits of her grandfather, Duke Wenzheng, Zhuo Lingjun. I hereby confer upon her the title of Princess Yunjin!"
"The four princesses are all betrothed to the Emperor. Among them, Princess Weiyu's marriage is a supplementary one, to compensate for her efforts in working behind the scenes to eliminate the Rejuvenation Sect!"
As Xiao Qing's announcements spread throughout the venue, the military and civilians once again cheered and blessed Liang Xiao.
"So the second young lady of the Zhuo family is to marry the Emperor? No wonder!"
"Besides Princess Christie and Princess Luoshen, the others – Princess Wanfeng (Jian Qinwan), Princess Wanhua (Zhuo Xun), Princess Qingxue, Princess Xiyue (Yue Lian), and Her Majesty herself, formerly Princess Ningshuang… Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon, Cloud, Frost, Rain, Dew, how wonderful! Blessings to the Emperor! Blessings to the esteemed consorts!"
After bowing to the assembled military and civilians, Liang Xiao looked back at his wives and fiancées. Remembering the words of his late father, Liang Anguo, he was filled with emotion.
"My son, you are my only child. Your mother went through hell to give birth to you, and I cannot bear to let her risk it again. As for taking concubines… I once failed several women who were close to me, so I have abandoned the idea of taking anyone else as a concubine. Therefore, you must marry at least ten wives and concubines in the future, lest our lineage end!"
On that day, Zhuo Yun had only left him a soldier and a king, challenging him to win two out of three games.
In the first game, Zhuo Yun easily won, clapping her hands in delight. She even told Zhuo Wulüe and old Madam Zhuo not to comment on the game, nearly driving them mad with anxiety.
Unexpectedly, in the second and third games, she started to slack off, allowing his single soldier to advance fearlessly and capture her king…
So, now he truly had ten wives…
With empire and beauty, what more could he ask for!
Limited by productivity and transportation, he was currently unable to fulfill the visions of Liang Anguo and Mu Cheng.
Now that the four seas were united, and the nation was prosperous and its people peaceful, it was enough to comfort the two elders!
The Three Sages of Da Qian – Sword Saint Jian Nanfeng, Medical Saint Mu Xueqin, and Music Saint Gongsun Jing – also ascended the stage as representatives of the people, offering their most sincere thanks and blessings to Liang Xiao and his consorts.
Below the stage, the heroes of Mount Tian Shan, led by Chen Shaoling, applauded with emotion.
From the Chen Residence in Chuzhou, the Li, He, and Liu families of Jinling, the Taishou of Jiangyou, Chen Hun, who was the first to surrender to Nan Jiyun, as the representative of Yizhou, the Taishou of Panyu, Yan Shiming, as the representative of Jiaozhou, and Kristi's adoptive father, Gati, as the representative of the Western Regions…
From all over the country, the citizens most beloved by the people or who had rendered meritorious service to the nation participated in this grand ceremony as local representatives, clapping and cheering with the masses. Some even wept tears, silently recounting the prosperous era of today to their ancestors in their hearts.
Zhen Mi, Zhuo Yun, and Yue Wenxin had already blushed, and after accepting the imperial edicts, they tried their best to maintain their composure. After that, they dared not speak again, fearing they would reveal their current bashfulness. They could only gaze at Liang Xiao with affectionate eyes.
Finally being able to marry the man they had always yearned for, and to be with him under the moonlit flowers, with hearts full of love – this was true lifelong happiness!
Countless beautiful women below the stage watched with envy, offering tearful blessings.
Most of them were still unmarried, often imagining their ideal husbands could be like this Marquis Anguo, or even be the Marquis Anguo himself… Even if their husbands possessed but a tenth of his merits, it would be enough to bring honor to their ancestors.
At this moment, they suppressed their jealousy and silently gazed at Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing, sighing in unison.
"So, the greatest woman in the world has married the greatest man in the world!"
Xiao Qing vaguely heard the sighs from the crowd and inwardly rejoiced. Nestling in Liang Xiao's embrace, her gaze followed the direction of the populace towards the stone monument erected in the distance.
"Jiang Shan Di Jun" (Imperial Army of Empire and Land)!
After General Tian rescued the White Robe Soldiers and Christie, she was so grateful that she wrote these four characters for him and the soldiers, had them cast into a stone monument, and erected it in the northern border of Yanzhou.
Now, these four characters became a true portrayal of her beloved, and a symbol of the lives of countless soldiers who had shed blood and fought!
The officials gradually approached the high platform and congratulated Xiao Qing.
Lu Yi in the far west, Mu Hong in the East Sea, Nie Yuan and Mo Hongming in Liaodong, Liu Fan in Yizhou, Li Xiuyun in Jiaozhou, and Cheng Qing in Da Liang all had relatives present to offer their congratulations.
At this moment, even the usually steady Qin Feng could not hide his tears of relief.
The people of Da Liang could now live a better life than before. Henceforth, Da Liang would not just be prosperous on the surface, but truly flourishing!
His hair had returned to black, and his wives no longer worried about him, as he had voluntarily requested the court's supervision, and Xiao Qing had specifically assigned shadow guards to protect him closely.
After the officials' congratulatory gifts, Xiao Qing reminded the subjects.
"I hope everyone will remember that today's prosperity was hard-won. We must be vigilant in times of peace and not become extravagant and decadent, prey on the common people, and corrupt the foundation of the nation! I hope that every generation of Qian people can be as united and progressive as they are today!"
"Of course, the nation cannot just shout slogans without action. Henceforth, all military, political, and national policies shall prioritize national interests and the welfare of the people!"
"We, your humble servants, remember Your Majesty's teachings and will dedicate ourselves until death! Your Majesty, with divine wisdom and martial prowess, has inherited the throne and should receive the investiture of heaven and earth!"
The civil and military officials all pledged their allegiance, and the crowd below erupted in another round of applause and cheers.
Under the gaze of tens of thousands of people, Xiao Qing, using the Nine Tripods as witness, raised the Imperial Seal and offered it on the pre-prepared altar to accept the rites of Feng Chan (sacrifices to heaven and earth).
"The weight of the Nine Tripods surpasses Mount Tai!"
On this day, the people praised her, and everyone shouted, "Long live Your Majesty!" and "The Emperor is wise and benevolent!"
"Be vigilant in times of peace!"
Before the ceremony concluded, the people, led by the court herald, repeatedly chanted these four characters, satisfied.
As citizens of the Qian nation, they had received both a sense of honor and tangible benefits.
"One day, our Da Qian army will surely sweep through all nations and repay the kindness of His Majesty and the Emperor!"
In the Western Palace Garden, Xiao Qing nestled into Liang Xiao's embrace, clutching his waist. They remained in silence for a long time.
After a while, Liang Xiao felt his chest dampen and, with a pained expression, gently stroked Xiao Qing's hair, comforting her.
"See, everyone still supports you and blesses us as always. Your final burden and worries have also been resolved."
"Yes, because I have Brother Xiao…" Xiao Qing choked back a sob.
On this day, she felt an unprecedented sense of ease.
She had both returned to herself and preserved the name of her imperial brother, continuing to benefit the people!
Hearing their mother's choked voice, their two sons came running, hugging Xiao Qing and Liang Xiao's legs, their small faces pressed together in comfort.
Luo Qingxue and the others also stepped forward to embrace Xiao Qing.
After a long while, Xiao Qing gently said, "Brother Xiao, your wedding is imminent, you must prepare well…"
"Your Majesty, Zhang Yang, the Assistant Minister of Works, has something to report…"