Empress Chang sun was meticulous in her planning. Since her husband needed to maintain his identity as Old Li through the help of Xiao zhang the shopkeeper, Red Jade's identity also needed to be resolved.
After some consideration, she waved over a eunuch and handed him her jade token from her waist, instructing him,
"Take this palace jade token and go to Yongnian County. Find the county magistrate and have Hongyu registered. Although Hongyu has been given the surname Li, she now belongs to the Zhang family. Just register her residence under Xiao zhang the shopkeeper."
The eunuch received the jade token with both hands, respectfully bowed, and went to carry out his task.
Although the harem couldn't interfere in politics, registering Hongyu's residence was merely a family matter that needed to go through the county magistrate.
As a trusted confidant by Empress Chang sun's side, the eunuch naturally knew the identity of the person Hongyu was marrying.
Only he could handle this matter without needing the Empress to explain everything in detail.
After all, others were not aware of the exceptional talent outside who could call the emperor brother and address the empress as sister-in-law with impunity.
Seeing the eunuch rushing to carry out his task, Empress Chang sun looked at Hongyu, who was now dressed in a red palace gown, and jokingly scolded her,
"You have been following me for so many years, yet you don't even shed a tear when you're about to get married!"
Hongyu knew that the Empress was teasing her, and now that she had changed her identity, she was more composed in front of the Empress. Although she still respected her as before, she now had a more intimate tone when she replied,
"There is a saying in the common folk that shedding tears is unlucky. Besides, I will have to call you sister-in-law from now on, so it's better to be festive!"
Empress Chang sun was also pleased with Hongyu's natural response. The Zhang family she would soon be a part of would undoubtedly be a prominent family. Being too small-minded would not do her justice.
It's funny to think that His Majesty's sisters rarely get to see him, but you, even though you're just an adopted sister, I'm afraid His Majesty will visit your residence frequently. We'll be able to see each other often too.
Hongyu also smiled at this, it was true. Although her husband's relationship with the Emperor was hard to understand, she couldn't deny that the two got along extremely well.
Looking at it this way, not just in court, but even throughout the entire Tang Dynasty, there was probably no one who could make the Emperor and Empress come to their door every few days like they did.
Although she hadn't officially entered the family yet, Hongyu already considered herself a member of the Zhang family. Thinking about it this way, she felt a sense of pride.
Empress Chang sun suddenly lamented, covering her forehead with her hand, and said with a sigh,
"We were so rushed today that I forgot to arrange a maid for you. Even if it's just someone from my palace, I cannot let you be lacking. Any lady who wishes to accompany you, tell me and I'll have her sent to you."
The palace maids around her pretended to be calm, but in reality, they were all listening closely.
The palace was like a walled city, and many families hoped to send their daughters there, hoping that one day they could soar like a phoenix. However, how many young girls ended up growing old within these high walls?
Hongyu spoke almost without hesitation,
"Thank you, Empress. I would like to bring Hongdou with me. We are like sisters, and it would be wonderful if we could spend our lives together."
Empress Chang sun nodded and turned to a small palace maid nearby.
"Hongdou, you shall leave the palace with Hongyu today as her maid. I wish you happiness even in the Zhang family!"
Hongdou blushed and replied excitedly,
"Thank you, Empress!"
Empress Chang sun smiled at Hongyu and said,
"Do not call yourself a maid in front of me anymore. You are no longer a palace official, and with your husband's relationship with His Majesty, you should call yourself a concubine for now. Later, you may have to call yourself a subject concubine."
Hongyu nodded with a blush, repeatedly calling herself a concubine.
Half an hour later, the eunuch who was sent out to handle the household registration matter returned, respectfully handing over a jade plaque and a paper indicating Hongyu's household registration.
Empress Chang sun carefully examined it and secretly nodded in approval. It seemed that the magistrate of Yongnian County had handled it efficiently.
At this point, Hongyu was officially registered as Zhang Li Hongyu.
Hand over your household registration to Hongyu,
" said the beautiful woman dressed in bright red palace attire before the speaker. Hongdou, who was dressed in green palace attire and carrying a small bundle, bowed deeply along with Hongyu to show their gratitude for the favor and blessing of the Empress Chang sun.
"You are now the wife of the Zhang family," continued the Empress, "although you do not have to serve your parents-in-law, you must not neglect your duties as a wife and mother. I wish you a happy and fulfilling life."
Hongyu and Hongdou bowed again to express their appreciation, and the Empress gave them a warning before they departed.
"It's getting late. Get on the carriage and don't keep the groom waiting. And remember, don't reveal the identities of His Majesty and others in the Zhang family. Your husband not only knows His Majesty but also many important officials in the court."
Hongyu nodded in agreement, while Hongdou secretly stuck out her tongue, thinking how interesting it would be to serve His Majesty even after leaving the palace, and not being able to reveal their identities.
The Empress had given Hongyu a lot of face as the wife of the Zhang family, and she saw them off to the palace gate before turning to leave.
Hongdou, five years younger than Hongyu and only sixteen years old, looked like a little girl with her small size, baby face, and childish language. She was full of excitement and anticipation for her new life outside the palace, with only her older sister Hongyu as a familiar companion.
Her mouth couldn't stop moving, and she fired off a series of questions.
"Sister Hongyu, what should I call your husband?"
"Is your husband fierce, Sister Hongyu?"
"What if your husband hits me, Sister Hongyu?"
"Does your family have delicious food, Sister Hongyu?"
"Sister Hongyu..."
Hongyu, who was a little nervous and apprehensive about her future life, was distracted by Hongdou's non-stop questions.
However, she patiently and warmly answered each one,
"You can call my husband Master or Young Master. He won't be fierce to you, and there is a lot of delicious food..."
Hongdou listened intently and was amazed that life outside the palace could be so good!