With the engagement and investiture complete, the day of the grand wedding finally arrived. Out of a sense of modesty, Xincheng had insisted that Le Jinru and Ding Wei hold their wedding ceremony first. Once Ding Wei and Le Jinru had celebrated their nuptials, she and Ding Wei would then proceed with their own. This selfless gesture from Xincheng won unanimous praise from the imperial court.
On the day before the wedding of Ding Wei and Le Jinru, officials from the Imperial Board of Astronomy and the Ministry of Rites performed the necessary sacrificial rites. That same day, Ding Wei went to Taihe Hall to review documents. Once he had finished, he returned to the Imperial Palace to spend the night alone.
The next day, a procession of envoys set out in Ding Wei’s stead to welcome Le Jinru. In a playful mood, Ding Wei turned to Eunuch De and said, "Accompany me to the Empress’s sleeping quarters."
Chapter 523