บท 75: Engagement Ceremony

Hai'an was bursting in excitement. Firecrackers filled the streets and the commoners wore their best. Today, their crown princess would come.

Unlike outside, it was a mess at Yue Manor. Hundreds of servants scurried along the corridors of the once quiet residence running errands. Everything had to be perfect, their young miss must look her best on this special day.

Li Wei, the main focus at hand, paced back and forth in her room. San'er, who only followed the young miss' movements with her eyes, was already drained. "Miss, must you really have Madam Yan accompany you as your special guest? We'll be late if we wait for her."

"Madam Yan was the creator of this masterpiece. Naturally, she should witness it in its full glory," Li Wei replied.

"Miss, you're so different these days..." San'er muttered quietly. All morning long, the servants worked endlessly putting all the betrothal gifts that lined the block away. Maids ran swiftly about, trying to make everything the best they could and now, the carriages by the gates have been waiting for them for the past two hours.

Li Wei stopped walking and gave San'er a glance, "Just do as I said. Have Song Yishan personally invite Madam Yan."

"Big sister, worry no more. I've arrived with the esteemed guest of honor today!" Song Yishan walked in proudly, with Madam Yan and Yan Ruo following close behind.

"Please accept my deepest apology, I was out of town so it took us longer to return," Madam Yan explained. "Li Wei, you really didn't have to..."

"Why wouldn't I, when all the credits belong to you?" Li Wei gushed with joy. "I want everyone to see the amazing work you've done. Such a beautiful design will be the talk of the city and your business will boom. It's the least I could do in return for the sleepless nights you traded."

Before Madam Yan could reply, Yue Shangwu entered the room and Song Yishan quickly went to his master's side. "Master, just to let you know, big sister looks absolutely beautiful today."

"How beautiful?" He asked knowingly.

Song Yishan grinned, "Like a fairy."

Li Wei embraced her father lovingly. "Of course, the daughter looks good because her father is handsome."

"Don't think I've forgotten what you did with Khan Bojing," Yue Shangwu clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

"But father, he asked you beforehand, didn't he? It was you who gave approval behind my back," Li Wei pointed out in a whisper so only they could hear her.

"A father knows her daughter's heart," Yue Shangwu replied simply, but his eyes had gotten teary.

"No matter where I go, you always hold a special place in my heart," She assured him before turning around. "Madam Yan and Yan Ruo, if you're both ready then let's go. I can't let my prince wait too long."

Madan Yan nodded and motioned politely for her to lead the way. Song Yishan quickly came over to his big sister's side. He'd never miss an opportunity to tease her, "Big sister, that's such a great point. There's a high chance the prince is chasing around thinking you've ran away!"

"Does your big mouth have nothing good to say?!" Yue Shangwu's angry voice roared from behind.

Li Wei smirked at the scared Song Yishan. Her eyes said it all, you're on your own.

Song Yishan immediately slowed down his steps to stay by his master. "Master you're the most handsome today, if I must say so myself."

Yue Shangwu fastened his pace. "Hmph, don't think I trust that cheap sugar coated tongue of yours!"

Li Wei sent a small smile towards Madam Yan and her daughter who looked visibly uncomfortable amidst the family's affectionate interactions. "Don't mind us, this is our everyday."

Madam Yan smiled and nodded.

----

The gigantic palace hall stood magnificently in gold.

All the noble families were invited as well as the families of a hundred lucky commoners, per request by Khan Bojing. The guests sat in rows of seats around the exquisitely decorated platform.

Leading from the large doors to the center platform was a flower path meant to signify the joyful event of two individuals coming together. Along both sides, the highest ranked officials stood in their immaculately ironed court garments.

Khan Bojing, in his dashing gold outfit, reached out his arm. "Ready?"

Li Wei looked at the crowd of people, full of smiles on their faces. Even from afar, she could feel the warmth of their welcome. She hooked her arm with Khan Bojing and looked up to meet his gaze. "Ready."

The head musician snapped and on cue, soft music filled the air. The guests stood up and the officials bowed as the couple made their way across. Witnessing the prince and his fiancée walking hand in hand was a sight to behold and remember for the rest of their lives.

The prince had stars twinkling in his eyes, as if he had the whole world in his hands, and the crown princess glowed like a blossom opening in the morning sun, accepting and giving in return the prince's love. Never had there been an engagement ceremony so full of happiness before. Both individuals were fully willing to be with the other.

"Crown princess," Khan Bojing teased.

To his surprise, Li Wei didn't bat an eye and only smoothly responded, "Yes, my prince?"

"You look lovely today, wife..."

"Khan Bojing!" She hurriedly glanced around. "Behave yourself."

Seeing her face adorably scrunched up in worry brought him a chuckle. He couldn't help but teased her furthermore, "Yes, I'll listen to you... wife."

His timing was immaculate. Before she could reprimand him, they already stood in front of his parents and her father.

The emperor stood up as the guests bowed and sat down, giving him their full attention. Khan Yingjie's gaze lingered on his son swiftly before pausing at the crowd. "Welcome and thank you to those who came today to congratulate the crown prince on his engagement ceremony. As your emperor, I proudly present to you my son and your future ruler. As a father, I have dreamed of this day for so long. Khan Bojing, I may not speak of it much, but I am so proud of who you've become."

"Standing beside him is his chosen beloved, our crown princess, and your future empress. In full bluntness, thank you my friend, for raising such an exemplary daughter. Shangwu, who would've thought that one day, we'd be in laws?"

The emperor and the royal advisor laughed together-- of relief, humor, and bitterness. There was a time when both were carefree young boys, climbing on trees and running around wondering about their futures. There was a time when the weights on their shoulders weren't so heavy.

Li Wei snuck a peek at Khan Bojing, whose corners of the eyes shone in the sunlight. He stood tall and cold, but she knew deep inside, he was touched. No matter what, to have the emperor, his own father he'd tried so hard to prove himself to, give them his blessings was something he had not dared to dream of before.

Furthermore, the scene of the his father and her father laughing like old friends, reminiscing the old days was something that surprised even her.

Chu Fangyin smile and stood up next to her husband. "Before this ceremony continues, as per custom, we must have the High Priest give his reading."

Everyone stood up once again and bowed. The High Priest, dressed modestly in white robes, made his way towards the imperial family. He took out a book and whispered a quiet chant.

When the book was placed in front of her, Li Wei placed her palm on the cover. The High Priest then laid the book flat on both his hands. The cover lifted and by itself, the pages turned. The flipping of the pages filled the whole room as everyone held their breath in anticipation.

The glow on the book became brighter as the pages turned faster. The middle came and past, the pages showing no sign of stopping. Eventually, the last page flipped and the book closed itself.

The elders in the room gasped lightly to themselves. To have the book come to a complete close was something they've never seen before. What... what was the meaning of this?

Every person looked at each other in confusion. A commotion started rising as whispers travelled around.

The emperor and the empress shared an ominous look. No one had expected this outcome. Never in the imperial family's history had the book come to an end through the course of a person's fate.

Song Yishan whispered into his master's ears of the current situation. Yue Shangwu's previously bright face darkened.

Khan Bojing felt fear coursing through his body, but he reached out for her hand first and gave a squeeze. "Don't worry, Xiao Wei."

Li Wei returned a squeeze to comfort him. If anything, she was fine and he wasn't.

The room had now become absolute chaos as nonstop murmurs were exchanged amongst the crowd.

"Look! It's moving again!" Someone in the crowd screamed.

True enough, the torn and faded book once again lifted its cover and pages after pages turned over. The last page to turn was the exact half, and the book didn't smoothly stop either. It shook crazily, as if it'd jump off the High Priest's hands any moment.

The High Priest calmly whispered a chant and obediently, the glow of the book was gone. The pages remained absolutely still now, as if it was any other ordinary book. The High Priest motioned for the crowd to calm down.

"From the house of Yue, Yue Biya was born in the early hours of the morning when the moon fell and the sun rose. The exchange of time from darkness to light signifies an auspicious blessing. With this marriage, she'll bring luck and fortune to his highness, the crown prince. Your Majesty, you can rest assure."

"The two children are compatible in the charts and their persons. Truly, congratulations to the imperial family."