CHAPTER 31: 31. MEI SHEN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY

IN A BIT

LIANWEI POINT OF VIEW:

The heavy wooden doors of the ballroom loomed ahead, carved with intricate dragons and phoenixes, symbols of power and legacy. My heart thudded, not from nerves, but because this moment felt monumental. After all the battles, the doubts, and the long years away, tonight wasn’t just a ball. It was a declaration. Mei Shen, by my side, was stepping fully into the life she’d earned. I reached out, taking her hand gently, feeling how her fingers trembled ever so slightly in mine.

"Are you ready?" I asked softly.

She glanced up at me, eyes wide but steady.

"As ready as I’ll ever be."She said.

I offered a small smile, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"Then let’s go."I said.

Inside, the room burst to life with golden candlelight, crystal chandeliers scattering glitter across polished marble floors. Nobles in elaborate gowns and silk robes paused, heads turning, whispers rippling through the crowd like wind through leaves. But none of that mattered. Only Mei Shen did. I guided her forward, steady and proud, letting her take in the stunned faces and bowed heads. Servants had already spread word of her status, my mother’s decree was clear, and the respect shown to her was now noticeable. As we reached the center of the ballroom, the murmur of voices faded into silence. All eyes were on us.

"Mei Shen." I said, my voice firm but full of something deeper. "You’ve walked through fire and shadow to stand here today. I am honored to call you my wife, my partner, my future empress. Will you marry me?"I asked.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she nodded, barely able to speak.

"Yes, Lianwei. I will."She said.

The room erupted in applause, cheers ringing out like thunder. My mother stepped forward, her regal presence commanding attention as she smiled warmly at Mei Shen.

"Welcome to the family, my daughter." She said.

Around us, friends and nobles came forward to offer their congratulations, words of joy, hope, and respect pouring in from every corner. A younger cousin clapped my shoulder.

"Finally, brother. The empire will flourish with you two united."He said.

I laughed softly, still holding Mei Shen’s hand.

"Together, we’ll face whatever comes."I said.

"Thank you, for believing in me."Mei Shen muttered.

I kissed her forehead.

"Always."I said.

I had expected noise. Applause. Perhaps even polite, reserved congratulations from the nobles still testing the wind. I had not expected my grandmother. The moment the ballroom doors swung open with a resonant crash, all sound ceased. The musicians froze mid note. Nobles stiffened, their rehearsed smiles faltering as they turned toward the entrance. And there she was.

Lady Aurelienne of the Western Isles. The woman who had once been the jewel of three kingdoms. My mother’s mother. My grandmother. She was as radiant as the stories whispered of her, silver hair coiled like waves beneath a sapphire, studded coronet, her gown a breathtaking cascade of blue silk and pearls that rippled with every measured step. She carried herself like the sea: elegant, unyielding, timeless. I straightened instinctively, my hand still curled around Mei Shen’s fingers as we stood together in the center of the ballroom.

"Grandmother." I said carefully, bowing my head just enough to be respectful without seeming timid. "I wasn’t aware you would join us this evening."

Her eyes, bright and sharp as polished opal fixed on me briefly before sliding past, landing squarely on Mei Shen.

"This is her?" She asked, her voice cool but not unkind. The faint lilt of the Western Isles still clung to her vowels like salt spray.

"Yes." I said, my tone firm. "This is Mei Shen. My intended. And Huan’s mother."

For the longest moment, silence held the room hostage. Nobles shifted uneasily. Even the empress dowager, my mother, seemed slightly tense as she watched her own mother advance. Then Aurelienne’s expression softened, and her lips curved in a smile so warm it startled me.

"Well." She said, eyes never leaving Mei Shen’s face. "Aren’t you lovely."

Mei Shen stiffened beside me, bowing deeply.

"Your Grace, I... thank you."Mei Shen said.

"None of that, child." My grandmother stepped closer, her pearl bracelets chiming faintly. She reached out, taking Mei Shen’s chin gently between two elegant fingers and tipping her face up. "Oh, you’ve got fire in your eyes. And grace in your movements, even now, surrounded by vipers." Aurelienne chuckled, the sound rich and musical. "It’s no wonder my grandson fell so disastrously for you. He was always a difficult one, weren’t you, Lianwei?"

"Grandmother." I muttered, though heat rose unbidden to my cheeks.

She ignored me entirely.

"And Huan..." Her gaze flicked to where my son clung to Mei Shen’s skirts, peering up at her with wide eyes. "You’ve given this family its future. For that alone, I had welcome you as my own."She said.

Mei Shen blinked rapidly, clearly fighting tears.

"You honor me, my lady."Mei muttered.

"No more ’my lady.’" Aurelienne’s tone brooked no argument. "You’re family now. I’ll not hear otherwise."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the hall. I caught sight of several minor nobles exchanging glances, this was unprecedented. My grandmother was notoriously difficult to please. She had dismissed potential brides for me in the past with a single raised brow. Yet here she was, declaring her affection for Mei Shen without hesitation. The empress dowager approached then, placing a hand on her mother’s arm.

"Mother, you surprise us."She said.

Aurelienne gave a sly smile.

"Do I? I may be old, but I’m not blind. I see the way the boy-" She moved her head toward me- "looks at her. And I see how she looks back. That’s all I need."

Mei Shen glanced at me then, her dark eyes glossy under the chandelier light. I tightened my hold on her hand, trying to anchor her in the moment as the room began to thaw.

"Very well." I said softly, just for her. "Even the sea approves of you, it seems."

She let out a shaky laugh.

"And here I was terrified of drowning." Mei Shen whispered.

I leaned down to whisper, lips brushing her temple.

"Never. I’d hold you above every wave."I muttered.

The god’s voice purred at the edge of my mind, clearly entertained.

"Oh, how precious. Even the ancients of this family bend to her. Did I not tell you she’d be your salvation?"God smirked.

The system chimed.

"Update: Family Support Level—MAXIMUM. Imperial Resistance reduced to 0%. Congratulations."System said.

As the crowd recovered, the music resumed faintly. My grandmother waved for more wine, for sweets, for music loud enough to shake the floor.

"Tonight." She declared, sweeping her cloak aside with a flourish. "We celebrate not just a birthday, but an engagement that will secure the empire’s future."

Applause roared anew. Courtiers and servants alike raised their cups, shouting their congratulations. Even my stiff faced ministers offered murmured blessings as they approached us one by one.

"Seems your position is unshakable now." Mei Shen whispered as we were swept toward the dance floor.

I smiled down at her, my chest so full it almost hurt.

"Not mine. Ours. And after tonight, they’ll never forget it."I said gently.

She squeezed my hand back, her lips trembling in a shy but luminous smile. I knew that no matter what, I would make her happy.

"Do you realize." A sly voice interrupted my thoughts. "That you’re staring at her like a besotted youth at his first festival dance?"

I didn’t need to look up. Only one person in the empire dared to speak to me like that.

"Grandmother." I said dryly, though warmth tugged at the corners of my mouth.

Lady Aurelienne of the Western Isles stood beside me now, having swept through the party like a storm. She sipped delicately from a crystal goblet, her eyes glittering as they watched Mei Shen laugh nervously at something the dowager empress whispered.

"She’s lovely." Aurelienne said simply. "And she’s far too patient with you. Don’t squander it."

"Noted." I murmured, though I couldn’t help the grin tugging at my lips.

"Besides." She continued, her voice dropping conspiratorially, ’She’s given us that darling boy. Look at him."

I followed her gaze to Huan, now being cooed over by half a dozen noblewomen. My son was valiantly trying to escape their pinching fingers and admiring sighs, his expression somewhere between confusion and pride.

"He’s perfect." I said softly.

Aurelienne gave me a sharp look, but there was approval in her eyes.

"You seem happier than I’ve ever seen you."She said.

"I am." I admitted.

She smiled faintly.

"Then perhaps I can forgive you for being such a brooding child all those years."She said.

Before I could retort, my mother never one to be outdone glided over in a gown of deep jade, her expression a mix of delight and mischief.

"Mother." She said to Aurelienne with a mock sigh. "Don’t encourage him. He’s smug enough already."

"I’m standing right here." I pointed out.

"Indeed you are." My mother said archly. She turned to Mei Shen, who had just joined us with Huan perched on her hip. "And yet it’s your future wife who makes this room shine."

Mei Shen flushed crimson. I could feel her fingers tighten slightly around mine.

"Your Majesty..." She began, but my mother waved her off.

"None of that. You’re family now. And speaking of family-" She fixed her sharp eyes on me. "When exactly do you plan to marry her? Or are you going to keep us all waiting while the poor girl fends off every noble woman trying to stake a claim on your attention?"

The nobles within earshot stifled laughter. Mei Shen’s blush deepened as Huan clapped his little hands.

"Marry mommy!" He chirped, grinning.

The room erupted into warm laughter. Even I couldn’t suppress a low chuckle as I bent to ruffle Huan’s dark hair.

"You’re too smart for your age, little one." I murmured.

Aurelienne smirked.

"You should listen to your son, Lianwei. The whole empire’s waiting."She smirked.

Mei Shen hid her face in Huan’s shoulder.

"You’re all terrible," she whispered"She muttered.

"Terribly honest." My grandmother countered. "But I think I like you even more for your modesty."

The music shifted then, swelling into a slower, richer melody. I caught Mei Shen’s hand before she could retreat again.

"Dance with me." I said softly.

Her eyes widened.

"Here? In front of everyone?"She asked.

"Yes. Here. Now. With everyone watching."I said.

I took her hand gently. A small dance with her was what I wanted the most at this perfect moment.