The reconstruction of the Jade Phoenix's kingdom ended in success. The refugees soon moved in enjoying the festivities that was prepared by Wei Yue. Happiness filled his entire being after seeing his people smile after enduring a long time of strife from the war that ravaged the kingdom.
As the people rejoiced at the outer part of the palace, Moxiao and LanRong were instructed by Wei Yue to prepare for the banquet of the bride. Leading the maids and chamberlains to the venue, Moxiao took charge of preparing the food while LanRong took charge of preparing the cloths and ornaments needed for the ceremony. Their work finished in an hour and Moxiao headed up the watch tower of the castle. Even though they are inside a stronghold of power and are safe in Wei Yue's presence, Moxiao couldn't shake off the thought that something bad might happen. Moxiao sipped a cup of liquor while looking at the distance of the night. Although lights of different and festive colors filled the whole kingdom, he decided to look at the pitch black darkness of the night.
After a while, LanRong joined him in bringing also a cup of liquor in her hand. She seated at an adjacent position where Moxiao sat.
"I thought you're liquor intolerant."
"I am. I just drank a little."
"Well, don't drink more, if you do... I'll be forced to bring you back into your room."
"Hmm... You always find the storm inside me, LanRong. Where have you been all my life?"
"Umm... The Ninth Heaven?"
"Ah, that's right. I was a fool to ask that question."
LanRong and Moxiao laughed together. Two days ago they barely knew each other but now, it seems like Moxiao found himself a partner. As Moxiao tearfully laughed, he stared again at the pitch black darkness. From far away, he saw a carriage escorted by royal guards of Dragon Blade and riding on the horses on the front was his sister and Xian Hua.
"They're here. The bride is here."
He led LanRong on the banquet and out into the opening of the palace. Escorted by royal guards, Li An emerged from inside the carriage looking completely elegant. She was clothed in a red robe wrapped with golden linings of silk and rare jewels on her hand. Her head was also decorated intricately. Wei Yue led Li An inside the holding room before the ceremony. He let Yingluo stay with her and some maids to retouch Li An's appearance with a hint of Jade Phoenix's finest powder and tint.
"Yingluo, I'm just a vice general. I don't have the dowry to be wed to a prince from another kingdom."
"That's something Wei Yue would fix. For now, Li An... Do you truly love Zhang Xiaoxing?"
"I- I do... But, I'm just a commoner, an orphan... He's fit to be with someone of his rank."
"Yes he is fit to be someone of his rank. However, have you thought about yourself? How you are fit for him? You should be proud. He saw something inside you that an ordinary prince couldn't see."
"Yingluo, I don't know how to thank you."
"There is no need to thank me yet. Thank me when I have done something great for you."
"You've done plenty of great things for us and thank you for that."
"Come here."
Li An hugged Yingluo. Tears were about to fall from her eyes however, she controlled her emotions so that the make up wouldn't be ruined. It was truly a blessing for her. After all the troubles she had gone through.
The murder of her parents.
Her being tortured.
Taken advantaged by her uncle as an assassin.
Being rescued by the Jade Phoenix's former General.
These things weren't really meant for a person like her. It was as if a dream. She told herself that she her life was meaningless but here she is now, wearing a red robe for her wedding to her grand wedding with a prince.
After a while, Yingluo led her to the banquet where Zhang Xiaoxing stood waiting. Wei Yue announced the bride's arrival and Zhang Xiaoxing faced her with glee.
Yingluo lifted Li An's robe from hitting the floor as she walked on the red carpet laid across the banquet.
'My whole life... I never imagined that something wonderful like this could happen.'
Zhang received her hand and together they both seated at the ceremonial chair. Wei Yue stood in front of them and read a scroll from his hand. He read an enchantment which binds the person into one of the Jade Phoenix's blood pact.
"From now on, I, One true emperor of the Jade Phoenix's Kingdom, proclaim Li An as one of my blood birth."
After saying those words, A giant spirit of a jade phoenix, swooped down and hit Li An. Her red embroidered robe turned into lush green which resembled a jade. A mark of the jade phoenix appeared in her forehead.
The guests applauded along with King Fu. Li An reverted her sight to Yingluo. She shrugged her arms signaling Yingluo... "What on earth?"
Yingluo just applauded and smiled along with the guest and also shrugged.
'Well, Wei Yue did plan this all along.'
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Zhuge Liang sat on his chair at his study. Remembering how Yingluo slain the Tian Lang that commanded, sends his blood boiling. He took his all-seeing crystal and looked in it. He almost popped a vein seeing LanRong acting like a mortal in front of Moxiao.
'This is ridiculous! My daughter is planning a rebellion against me?'
He threw the crystal away and it shattered into pieces.
Guan Yu went inside the room and sat in an empty seat.
"What's the fuss, Liang?"
"They killed my Tian Lang and now, they're corrupting my daughter?"
"If I were you, I'd keep a cool head and think of a plan."
Zhuge Liang's eyes glinted. He thought about something.
"If I stop that wedding, maybe I'll get the siblings to give the box to me."
"Now, we're talking."
Behind the door of Zhuge Liang's study, XuanWu peeped and heard all of their conversation. Her heart beat rapidly. Maybe Zhuge Liang plans something sinister and she couldn't do anything but to defy once again the rule between Gods and mortals and that is, descending from the ninth heaven and into the mortal realm.
She could not waste anymore time. Like a struck of lightning, she descended down in the mortal realm directly into the bonfire of the happy wedding banquet. All of the guests gasp as XuanWu appeared from the bonfire unscathed.
"Sorry to disturb the wedding but it'd be best to keep me here."
"M-mother?!"
Both Moxiao and Yingluo took a step closer to her. XuanWu then embraced her children. The happy celebration did not halt. Instead, it continued and lasted for night till dawn.
______________________________________________________________________________
Zhuge Liang could do nothing but just wait patiently and plan his next move when a bolt of thunder flashed from outside his window. The lightning looked familiar so he conjured another crystal ball and peeked on it.
When he looked at it, he saw XuanWu descend from the ninth heaven joining the celebration of the banquet. He throw a punch on the table and clenched his fists in anger.
'She never gives up.'
He calls in Guan Yu and plucked a feather from his fan. He gave him the feather and said...
"Eliminate them."
Guan Yu bowed and excused himself.