Yìfēi looked around nervously she stood at the back of the group with Earth Master in the front and Xiàn Fèng to the right, the only empty spot was to the left which was ShuîYuê's who was nowhere in sight,
'Crown Prince would come here any second. Where is she?' she thought to herself. As the gods answered her prayers, she saw ShuîYuê in front of her to the left, who looked pissed off for some reason.

Yìfēi whispered, "Where in the hell have you been? You know I had to fake being thirsty so many times to draw time so you would come!"

ShuîYuê handed her three beads, "Jīnyú gave them to me, pass it along." she grumbled, so Yìfēi did as Xiàn Fèng accepted it with a smile, and Shù Zìrán took it reluctantly.

"Tell me now where in the hell were you?" Yìfēi asked again carefully to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

"Nowhere."

"YueYue."

"Crown Prince was being so mean to Jīnyú."

"So you were arguing with him?" Yìfēi asked in disbelief.

"What was I supposed to do? listen to him while nodding my head!" ShuîYuê whispered back furiously.

"He's Crown Prince! You can't have him annoyed at you YueYue if it has escaped your not so apparent sharp brain Senior official Wu Yu is still crossed with you for not collecting tax from the southwestern coast,
stop going around pissing people off, especially people in power." Yìfēi warned in a whisper.

Her best friend shot her a glare, "I don't care who he is; he cannot talk shit about Jīnyú."

"So much for calling me hot-headed," Yìfēi whispered, knowing her best friend couldn't tolerate anything against that Prince. Yìfēi liked him to bits, but she knew her best friend was clever enough not to get involved with royalty given their temperaments, and ShuîYuê had always been cautious, but all that seemed to vanish for Jīnyú. Yìfēi knew why her best friend was so hell-bent on protecting and training him, he had made Yìfēi smile after a long time was depressed at that moment, and knowing ShuîYuê and the illegal things she had done without an ounce of fear for Yìfēi she knew Jīnyú wasn't going back to Central Palace unless he wanted to.

ShuîYuê was about to argue with her,
"Water Master please move to the side." ShuîYuê turned around to see Ling Wen with the Crown Prince behind her, "He needs to pass through the centre." she explained.

ShuîYuê moved aside a little too much if you asked Yìfēi, who knew she was angry at the Crown prince, but she should be careful with her behaviour. 'What if he gets angry? then I'll have to fight him alongside YueYue.' Yìfēi thought decidedly. The opening ceremony began as the four elementals walked around the Crown prince, escorting him to the Martial hall. Many people watched them eyes glued to their every move.

Martial Hall was shimmering with beauty; sheer golden curtains hugged the columns like a lover embracing her beloved, a long red carpet spread on its marble floor, and all hundred and fifteen officials containing senior and juniors stood on either side of the humongous Martial Hall. Emperor Jun Wu sat on his throne adorned in golden and red robes of silk and satin, waiting for his son to enter; a group of maids sprinkled a sweet perfume around the Martial Hall in regular intervals, whispers of officials and the jingle of jewellery kept the Martial Hall alive.

GuānYû took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He had waited for this moment for ten years, and finally, he was being crowned today; he walked with the elementals who were right around him; they were supposed to escort him and perform a fortune ceremony before they left to patrol the gates. He looked to his left slightly; Water Master walked next to him. They all had a respectful distance among them, but she walked quite far away from him; she looked upset as well, her eyes glued to the floor, unlike the other elementals who proudly looked at the audience.

Jun Wu noticed Fire Master and Water Master approaching, followed by his son, GuānYû did remind Jun Wu of his youth; he was frighteningly similar looking to his father. Jun Wu had always been a handsome man throughout his life, even when he was a hundred-year-old immortal God he looked like a magnificent youth, sometimes he wondered if he looked younger or GuānYû did, he however came to a decided conclusion that he was far more good looking than his son, who was adorned in white and golden robes, his magnanimous personality had everyone loving him.

GuānYû had always been the idol child; he was more than what Jun Wu had betted on: hardworking, kind, patient and always calm. He wasn't one to lose his well-kept temper, sometimes even Jun Wu himself wondered how GuānYû could deal with senior officials so easily, those old folks had even Jun Wu pissed sometimes, he was intelligent and a quick learner, he had mastered fighting with his sword at the age of thirteen, he had killed a Ghost King when he had turned eighteen and Jun Wu was going to crown him King that very same year but due to something it delayed,
He always helped anyone who asked for it, even helping junior officials who were very below the hierarchy, Jun Wu would never allow talking with a junior official, they were of low status in the Martial hall and he's a royal prince, GuānYû also didn't have any interests in women or wine much unlike his father, he would make a wonderful Emperor in the future which was far away as Jun Wu planned on living at least for a thousand years more, maybe then he would have lost his interest in women and wine and his favourite hobby of being a puppeteer.

Senior officials bowed their heads as the Crown prince neared, his calm aura immediately quietening the murmurs of the Martial hall, his deep obsidian eyes acknowledging every single official from seniors to juniors, he didn't keep any prejudices always respectful to everyone, as he passed by them junior officials who were summoned rarely gawked at the Crown prince soon to be crowned King, he was a man of extreme beauty and honour,
a peacefulness about him emitted from his voice and actions; even the way he looked at someone was enchanting; his tall and toned body stretched as he walked towards his father, and the four elementals around him each held a black pouch, keeping them in front of their abdomen.

GuānYû reached Jun Wu as a priest held a brazier, fire crackling from it, Fire Master stepped first dropping the black pouch he held followed by the other elementals, choking smoke emitted from the brazier, a ritual performed to ward off the effects of an evil eye, some of the officials coughed at the sharp smoke which engulfed the Martial hall before Jun Wu raised his hand and in a few seconds it disappeared leaving a light floral scent.

The High priest brought a tray which carried vambraces and shoulder guard in it, Fire Master picked them up fastening them on the Crown Prince's shoulder and forearms as a huge tray which carried a large golden cloak was brought out, Wind Master stepped up putting the cloak over Crown Prince's shoulder before Fire Master secured the shoulder guards, high priest handed Earth Master a bag of rice grains and a cup of wine, she held them up to Crown Prince who took a fistful of rice and buried them in a pot of soil before drinking the wine cup, High priest pushed a bowl of powered gold sparkles towards Water Master who dipped her fingers in the cool powder before stretching her hand up to reach Crown Prince's forehead, her fingers brushed against his skin as she ran her fingers along his face which shimmered when the sunlight reflected in the water, she moved to his hands colouring them golden before she took a fistful of golden powder and blowed it on his clothed before stepping back.

"Armour placed by Fire Master on Crown Prince's body signifies he'll protect his people, Cloak wrapped around his shoulder by Wind Master signifies he'll provide necessities like clothing and house, rice grains and wine presented by Earth Master signifies that in his command there'll be an abundance of food, scared golden powder drawn on his body and clothes by Water Master signifies he is prayed for his hard work by people." The high priest explained the importance and the meaning of the ritual.

" May I bless the elemental masters? Your Majesty." The high priest added, bowing his head as Jun Wu nodded his head.

He held a bundle of sage, lavender, rosemary, basil, rue and frankincense, performing an aura cleansing and burning any negative energy around them before handing them each a white flower which was enchanted by the Emperor to protect ghosts,

"Elementals may begin the fortune ceremony." The high priest ordered.

The Fire elemental created a bright fire which soared high followed by Wind Master's powerful breeze which ignited the fire more, officials stared at the beautiful fire Earth Master threw seeds into the fire which didn't burn but turned to flowers and dropped off like rain, at last Water Master added water to the fire which disappeared leaving small droplets which reflected the light brightening up the entire Martial Hall.

Jun Wu sat on his throne while the Crown Prince gifted each elemental a small pouch to carry as they patrolled the gates; the pouch had some herbs which were enchanted to keep off evil, but truly, what was the use of giving these out to the elementals when they were being sent straight to fight ghosts. Still, as it was customary, so it was followed; when GuānYû handed ShuîYuê one, he whispered, "Please be safe."

"Your Highness doesn't need to bother with trivial matters like my safety," she whispered back angrily.

Once outside, they looked at each other one last time. Yìfēi stared at ShuîYuê, who couldn't look her in the eyes, "YueYue?" she called Water Master, who looked up at her friend, "Take care, okay?" Yìfēi told, patting her shoulder.

"You too." Water Master said, looking away as she parted ways from her best friend. They went to the assigned gates ordering the generals to be prepared in case a calamity fell.

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Prince Jīnyú on author's note duty: Hello everyone, I am Jūn Jīnyú, my Master's favourite~
It's my older stepbrother's crowning today. Our author just created all the rituals from her knowledge. We do not intend to disrespect any culture or beliefs. Please forgive us if we offended you,
- bows his head deeply -
I am glad for my brother but also extremely worried for my Master and Fēi JîeJîe's safety, hoping they'll return safely,

Word count : 1860 minus fifty of author's note that's 1800