CHAPTER 44: 44. A ROYAL WEDDING CEREMONY

A WEEK LATER

EMPEROR LIANWEI POINT OF VIEW:

The palace woke before the sun that morning. By the time the first blush of dawn touched the sky, the corridors were already alive with the clatter of servants, the rustle of silks, and the faint scent of incense curling through the air. Today was the day. I wasn’t nervous. At least, that’s what I told myself as I stood in the mirror chamber while a small army of attendants fussed over my wedding robes. The layers of embroidered white and gold shimmered faintly in the candlelight along the hem, almost seeming to move as I breathed. My hair was drawn up and bound with a golden crown circlet, the one worn by emperors on their wedding day for centuries.

"You look like a proper groom." My grandmother said from her chair, eyes sharp but proud.

"Was there a time I didn’t?" I replied, adjusting my sleeve.

She smirked.

"You’ve looked like a proper groom since the day you met her."She said.

In the women’s wing, Mei Shen was preparing. I couldn’t see her yet, tradition forbade it but I could hear faint laughter and voices drifting from the far hall. My mother was there, along with what sounded like every lady in waiting in the kingdom. I imagined her surrounded by silk, jewels, and the chaos of people trying to perfect perfection. And, of course, Huan.

When the call came that the bride was ready, I made my way to the ceremonial hall. The sun had climbed high enough to spill gold across the courtyard, catching on the banners draped from the pillars. White lotus garlands framed the entrance, and petals carpeted the walkway. The crowd was already gathered: nobles, ministers, guards, even farmers who had been given leave to witness the ceremony. The air buzzed with anticipation. The priest, an elderly man in flowing crimson and gold, waited at the head of the platform.

"Your Majesty." He said with a bow. "We await your bride."

I nodded, taking my place. My heart, traitor that it was began to beat harder. Then she came. Mei Shen stepped into the courtyard, flanked by my mother and grandmother. Her wedding dress was an elegant fusion of imperial tradition and her own gentle style, white silk embroidered with silver cranes, a long veil of gauzy fabric trailing behind her. Her hair was crowned with delicate hairpins shaped like blossoms, and her lips curved in the faintest, nervous smile. And Huan, dressed in miniature ceremonial robes, walked proudly ahead of her, tossing petals like he was scattering blessings.

"Make way for the Empress!" He announced at the top of his lungs.

The crowd laughed and cheered. When she reached me, her eyes lifted to mine, and the noise of the crowd vanished. It was just us.

"You look beautiful." I murmured.

"You look... regal." She said softly, her smile twitching like she wanted to laugh but was holding it back.

The priest raised his hands for silence.

"Today, before the eyes of heaven and the hearts of your people, you join as one. Emperor Lianwei, do you take Mei Shen to be your Empress, to protect her, honor her, and walk beside her until the seasons end?"He asked.

"I do." I said without hesitation.

He turned to her.

"Mei Shen, do you take Lianwei as your Emperor, to stand with him, honor him, and share in both his burdens and joys until the seasons end?"He asked.

Her gaze held mine.

"I do."She said.

"Then, as is tradition." The priest intoned. "Seal your vows before heaven."

I stepped closer, lifting her veil. For a heartbeat, she was simply Mei Shen, no titles, no weight of destiny just the woman I loved. I cupped her cheek, leaned down, and kissed her. The courtyard erupted. Applause, cheers, even whistles rang out.

"They did it! They really did it!"Huan shouted.

The priest smiled, raising his voice.

"By the blessings of the heavens and the will of the people, you are husband and wife. May your union bring peace and prosperity to the land."He said.

The rest blurred into a warm haze, the walk back down the aisle as people threw petals into the air, Huan tugging on my sleeve to tell me he was ’the best helper ever,’ my mother dabbing her eyes like she hadn’t been plotting this wedding for weeks. Through it all, Mei Shen stayed close, her fingers twined with mine. She looked both radiant and... a little pale. Halfway through the reception, she swayed.

"Mei-" I caught her before she could stumble. Her skin was too cool, her smile too strained.

She murmured something about being fine, but her eyes betrayed her. One moment, she was smiling politely at a line of well wishers. Next, her knees buckled. I caught her before she could crumple to the ground, cradling her against me. Her veil slipped sideways, and the laughter and music in the courtyard dimmed into hushed murmurs.

"She’s alright." I said quickly, though my voice was tighter than I wanted it to be. "She just needs air."

My mother stepped forward, alarmed.

"Shall I fetch the physician-?"She asked.

"No." I gathered Mei Shen into my arms, ignoring the collective gasp from the crowd. "I’ll take her to our chambers."

The path cleared without a word. The petals scattered across the walkway rustled beneath my boots as I carried her back through the palace corridors. Huan tried to follow, but my grandmother intercepted him gently, promising he could visit her later. When I laid her down on the bed, her eyelids fluttered open.

"Lianwei... I-" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to ruin-"

"You didn’t ruin anything." I said firmly. "You gave them a perfect wedding. You gave me a perfect wedding. Now you’re going to rest, empress."

Her lips trembled in a faint smile.

"You always... sound so sure."She muttered.

"That’s because I am." I brushed my fingers against her cheek. "I just wish you’d told me you were feeling unwell before you collapsed in front of half the kingdom."

"That would’ve worried everyone." She murmured.

I sighed.

"It worried me more to see you fall."I said.

And then the air shifted. A faint ripple, like the hush before a storm, swept through the chamber. The light at the edges of the room seemed to brighten, as though someone had pulled back an invisible curtain. Zeirith was here. The god’s voice was a low, resonant hum in my mind, warm but tinged with unease.

"Your union is sealed. Heaven smiles upon this day."He said.

The words carried a strange weight, like a blessing wrapped around something heavier.

"Yet the threads of fate tighten. The famine lessens, but it is not gone. Your Empress carries not only her own burdens... but those of the past. Be vigilant."He said and smiled.

I closed my eyes for a breath, pressing my lips together. "Then give me the strength to help her carry it." I answered silently.

"Together, you shine brighter than the storm. Protect each other. Protect what is to come."Zeirith smiled.

And just like that, the presence faded, leaving behind only the faint echo of divine warmth. I looked down at Mei Shen. She had heard him too, I could see it in her eyes. Her fingers curled weakly into my sleeve.

"He congratulated us." She said softly. "But... he’s still worried."

"So am I." I admitted. "But unlike him, I can actually keep you in bed and make sure you eat something before you try standing again."

She made a faint huff that might have been a laugh.

"You sound like you’re scolding me."She said.

"I am scolding you." I said, though my thumb was stroking her hand the entire time. "I didn’t marry you just to watch you faint every time you push yourself too hard."

Her gaze softened.

"I’ll try to be careful."She said.

"Try harder." I said, leaning down to press a kiss against her forehead. "Because I plan to keep you for a very long time, Mei Shen. And I don’t care if the gods themselves object."

She closed her eyes, finally allowing herself to relax. I stayed there beside her, one hand still wrapped around hers, the faint hum of wedding celebrations drifting in from the gardens. For the first time all day, I let myself breathe. We had faced the vows, the crowd, even the gods warning, and we were still here. And as long as we were still here, we would keep going together

By the time I woke up again, the sky outside the windows was fading into dusky gold. The faint scent of steamed rice and braised duck floated in the air, and the palace was unusually quiet. Mei Shen was still beside me, but her eyes were open now, soft and clear.

"You’re awake."She said quietly.

"And you didn’t run off without me." I smiled, sitting up and brushing a few stray strands of hair from her cheek. "That’s progress."

Her lips curved slightly.

"I thought we might actually eat before you start lecturing me again."She said.

I chuckled, slipping out of bed and taking her hand as we walked to the low table. The meal was simple but warm, fish soup, greens, the duck, and rice still steaming in its pot. We ate slowly, more to enjoy the calm than the food. Every time she smiled over her cup of tea, I found myself smiling back without even realizing it. Halfway through, there was a thump, a patter of small feet.

Papa! Mama!"I recognized Huan’s voice. Huan barrelled into the room, nearly knocking me sideways with the force of his hug. His little arms clung around both of us at once, his head wedged between my chest and Mei Shen’s shoulder.

"You’re both here." He said in a rush, voice muffled. "I like it when you’re together."

I felt Mei Shen’s hand find mine under the table, squeezing gently.

"We’re not going anywhere." I told him, ruffling his hair until he squeaked in protest.

Before I could say more, my mother’s voice floated in from the hallway.

"Alright, little fox, time for you to get ready for bed."She said.

"Noooo." Huan groaned, but his grandmother appeared in the doorway, eyebrow raised in that way that meant she’d get her way whether he liked it or not.

He pulled back just long enough to grin at us.

"Good night, mama. Good night, papa."Huan said.

Then he was gone, swept up by my mother like a leaf in a swift current. I looked at Mei Shen. She was smiling again, her gaze following our son as he disappeared into the hall. And for that moment, with the lamplight soft around us and the air full of quiet warmth, I felt like the world outside could wait.