The day of the crowning ceremony

ShuîYuê got up from her bed as she recalled how he treated her. She shook her head, 'Forget it; it's not like the people you expect to treat you decently actually treat you decently,' she said to herself, getting off the bed.

Souxin helped her with the bath quickly as she had to be dressed in those wretchedly heavy clothes, dressed in rouge pink inner robes with sage green outer robes which had silver embroidery on them.

They weren't as tight-fitting as the ones she had worn before. She liked this way better. Her hair was kept open this time, but the upper half was still in a bun because she found hair in her eyes irritating.

She wore beautiful hairpins along with her favourite hair chain; she looked at herself feeling happy last time, she was too nervous, this time, she wasn't that nervous, only a little bit.

ShuîYuê was leaving the room when Souxin appeared like a witch, "Where do you think you are going without makeup on your face?" She asked, glaring at Water Master.

"But you already put some powder and kohl and some rouge on my cheeks and lips," ShuîYuê replied, confused.

"Na~ na~ I am talking about the Huadian or forehead decoration," she smiled wickedly, holding up a red paint tube in her hand.

"I have never put something like that," ShuîYuê denied, unwilling to try this new thing.

"Come on, you'll look even prettier," Souxin insisted as she painted something on ShuîYuê's forehead.

She looked at herself in the mirror. Her forehead had a small red flower pattern painted on it; it did look beautiful, but ShuîYuê wouldn't let Souxin have the satisfaction of doing something she didn't like initially, so she simply nodded her head before leaving the room.

She entered her Main Hall to leave the palace as Bai Yan walked in front of her; she reached the Martial Hall like last time, and it was Xiàn Fèng who greeted her once again, but things were quick this time. All four elementals gathered and waited for the Crown Prince, who appeared after a few seconds.

They walked him to the Martial hall where all the high-ranking officials sat along with the new unliked addition of Ghost King, many officials didn't like him being there for the crowning ceremony saying he'd curse the Crown Prince simply by his presence but he didn't mind all this talk as he sat bored with Zìxìn who complained about how long this ceremony would be.

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; The 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 the Crown Prince's shoulder before Fire Master secured the shoulder guards; Zìxìn narrowed his eyes at the rituals, particularly at Yìfēi.

The high priest handed Earth Master a bag of rice grains and a cup of wine; she held them up to the Crown Prince, who took a fistful of rice and buried them in a pot of soil before drinking the wine cup.

The 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 the 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.

A small smile was decorating his lips along with the golden powder; he watched ShuîYuê with loving eyes as she moved to his hands, colouring them golden before she took a fistful of golden powder and blew it on his clothes before stepping back.

"Armour placed by Fire Master on Crown Prince's body signifies he'll protect his people. The 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," High priest explained the importance and the meaning of the ritual.

"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. A little drop of water had even dropped on Huá's nose as it disappeared.

Everyone erupted into cheers as the elementals bowed before moving back and taking their seats; the royal parade was over within an hour as the Crown Prince bowed to the Emperor, who stood up with a sword in hand.

"I mean, they make it so time-consuming. You were crowned in less than five minutes," Zìxìn stated as he stared at Wind Master who was dazzling in emerald green and mustard yellow robes. She was the most beautiful woman in Heaven without a doubt, but of course, Zìxìn would never admit it.

"It's fine," Ghost King said, uninterested, but he noticed Zìxìn staring at someone; his eyes followed Wind Master, who stood at the back of Earth Master.

The left was covered by Water Master who was looking very beautiful she had painted more like her maid must have painted the Huadian on her forehead, she looked pretty dressed up nicely like this, he remembered she wasn't this dressed up the first time he had seen her which was when he had entered the Martial Hall, she wore black, who wears black robes to welcome guests? he had wondered.

"Jūn GuānYû, the first-born son of Emperor Jun Wu, stepped forward," the High priest declared; GuānYû stood before Jun Wu, who had descended the stairs of his throne.

"Do you take the responsibility of the King of Heaven ?"Jun Wu's deep voice boomed loudly through the Martial Hall.

"I swear to always protect my people, be noble, and always abide by the rules," the Crown Prince swore as he kneeled.

Jun Wu handed him the sword. Before the crown prince got up, he bowed to the Emperor and turned around bowing to the people in front of him.

"I seek the officials' guidance and support," GuānYû added, bowing.

Everyone in the Martial Hall got up and bowed to the new King, "We would be honoured Your Highness." they replied before kneeling to King GuānYû.

"All rise," he remarked politely. Before taking his seat below the Emperor's throne.

A special ward-off evil dance was performed as Zìxìn couldn't help but chuckle. Yìfēi glared at him from across the room.

Huá watched Water Master, who was talking to Xiàn Fèng excitedly about something, 'I know they are close friends but why is she always speaking to him? The first time I visited Martial Hall, she was talking to him like right now,' He thought as a bitter feeling covered him.

"Your Majesty, please ask the King to announce his to-be Princess consort," the second highest ranked official, Jang, requested.

Emperor tilted his head at GuānYû to announce his to-be wife, "His Highness will announce his consort shortly," Ling Wen announced; many senior officials cleared their throats, hoping the Crown Prince would choose their daughters or sisters, and a few lords sneered at them arrogantly.

GuānYû stood up nervously, and he stared at Water Master before speaking, "I want my queen to have high virtues, be gentle and caring in nature as well, and righteousness should follow; she must help me with anything that troubles me," he announced firmly.

"Is he asking for a wife or placing his demands for buying something?" Zìxìn asked sassily. Ghost King looked at him calmly, which was enough to shut him up.

"I, therefore, find all these qualities in Water Master and ask for her hand in marriage," GuānYû added at last.

Everyone in the Martial Hall started whispering to each other, Water Master was looking down shyly until the King called her again, "Water Master?" GuānYû asked with his heart drumming loudly in his chest.

"Yes?" she said, looking up at him smiling.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty," official Chao Han wished, bowing, followed by many as they congratulated the King. Some officials walked up to Water Master who was looking around with a small smile on her face as they congratulated her.

She thanked them politely as she noticed Ghost King staring at her, his eyes were digging deep into her soul as his hands tightened to fists.

ShuîYuê stared at him, wondering what was wrong as he left the Martial Hall with Zìxìn behind him; many officials left the Martial Hall, too, as they went to the side hall to eat and relax after the long crowning ceremony.

"Many congratulations to Water Master," Lee Chang, a female official, wished.

"Thank you, but may I please ask as to why you are congratulating me?" ShuîYuê asked politely.

"Water Master, you just accepted the King's marriage proposal and asked why we are congratulating you," Lee Chang answered as she shook her head, amused.

ShuîYuê stared at her, confused. 'What marriage proposal and wh- when did I accept?' She thought, confused.

"Water Master is too happy. Therefore, she is asking again and again," Jiang Shen, another female official, remarked, smiling,
ShuîYuê stared at Yìfēi and Xiàn Fèng confused. Who was looking even more confused, she looked at Earth Master, who had her facial expression unreadable.

"Earth Master," she called, Shù Zìrán stared at her coldly, "What are they talking about?" She asked, confused as the officials left.

"The King asked for your hand in marriage, and you said yes," she replied before getting up, "Congratulations," she added stiffly, leaving a very confused Water Master behind.

"YueYue!" Yìfēi called, worried.

"What are they talking about Yìfēi? I didn't agree to any marriage proposal," ShuîYuê asked, holding Yìfēi's hand as she shook it.

"I think when we were talking among ourselves, the Crown Prince asked you for marriage, but we only heard Water Master and thought that you were being called, so you said yes," Xiàn Fèng explained the situation as he finally understood it.

"Yìfēi I don't I- " ShuîYuê panicked, clearly worried.

"YueYue! Calm down! Go and talk to the Crown Prince. Tell him all this is a misunderstanding he'll understand for sure," Yìfēi assured, cupping ShuîYuê face gently, who nodded her head before running off to look for the Crown Prince.

She ran around the corridors asking everyone where he was. A maid said she saw him go towards the Koi fish pond. ShuîYuê ran there and she saw the Crown Prince standing there alone.

ShuîYuê took a few deep breaths as she approached him; he smiled brightly as he saw her; she walked up to him, nervously, fidgeting with her sleeves, as she stood in front of him.

'How do I explain all of this is a misunderstanding and that I didn't even hear what he had asked and had said yes absentmindedly?' She thought as the Crown Prince came closer to her. "Crown Pri-"

He cut her off with a kiss, and he pulled her closer to him by the waist. As he deepened the kiss, ShuîYuê was wide-eyed as she stood frozen; her hands reached his collar to push him away, but right then, she heard footsteps coming to a stop.

GuānYû pulled away from her as he turned his head to the left, Ghost King stood there, his face cold, and his eyes seemed to be glaring at GuānYû; his knuckles were white from fisting his hands as his jaw clenched, "Ghost King," GuānYû hissed, pulling ShuîYuê closer to him.

But Huá's eyes were staring behind the Crown Prince. He looked hurt and betrayed as he stared at her swollen red lips. Her cheeks were smudged with the golden powder she had applied on the Crown Prince.

ShuîYuê stared into his eyes, trying to tell this was all a misunderstanding. He averted his gaze forcefully, "Congratulations," he said in a cold, stiff voice.

"Thank you. I am lucky to have someone like her," the Crown Prince replied, his hand still around ShuîYuê's waist. Huá looked at his hand coldly before he looked at her once more before leaving She looked at him as he walked away.

"Even Ghost King congratulated us," GuānYû stated, staring back at Water Master, who was staring at Ghost King's retreating form, "ShuîYuê!" he called, turning her face to him. She looked at him before pushing him away.

She ran after him, hoping she'd find him soon. She ran into Yìfēi who caught her
"YueYue be careful!" She warned.

"Yìfēi he- he saw me with Crown Prince. I didn't want to he- he kissed me I don't know -"

"Shhh, calm down it's okay," Yìfēi said, hugging her best friend, who buried her head in her shoulders, "Let's go find him together," Yìfēi added as she and Water Master ran, asking guards where Ghost King was.

"He left the Palace Gates fifteen minutes ago," a guard told them.

Reaching the Palace gates, they spotted a big black smoke, which was the same as the one they had seen on the day of the ghost festival; Yìfēi and ShuîYuê ran. They were around some fifty meters from the black smoke, which seemed empty.

Yìfēi took ShuîYuê's hand as she sprinted forward, reaching the smoke within ten seconds, "Ghost King!" ShuîYuê shouted as the smoke disappeared, leaving the empty ground behind it, and there was no one; shuîyuê sunk to the floor broken.

"Yìfēi he left, he didn't even let me explain anything and left," she sniffed as she cried in Yìfēi's shoulders, who rubbed her back soothingly, "I like him, I like him so much," ShuîYuê said in between sobs.

"Calm down, it's just an announcement, we'll find a way to communicate with them," Yìfēi assured, determined as she wiped her best friend's face, who started at the ground feeling numb.

Wudu Palace

ShuîYuê was given some medicines by Yìfēi as she slept peacefully, Yìfēi paced around her room, worried. 'How the hell can they disappear so suddenly? They didn't even say anything about leaving anytime soon; even MíngLóng and YànQīng said they wanted to buy some more clothes with me this week, so why did they leave so suddenly?' she thought as she walked out of ShuîYuê's room?

Yìfēi asked a maid about Ghost King's room, but she said that it was empty when she went to serve tea this morning, so she thought that he must have left and didn't say anything.

Yìfēi frowned, "They had their things packed away and were ready to leave any moment, but why would they leave so suddenly?" She wondered out loud.'My poor YueYue, her life turned completely upside down in a moment, I need to find a way to communicate with them,' she thought as she walked back to her palace.

The next two days passed by before ShuîYuê could process what had happened; she was going to clear things up with the Crown Prince today no matter what; she entered the Martial Hall where Jun Wu sat perched on his throne, "Your Majesty," she greeted, bowing her head.

"Water Master."

"I wanted to clear a few misunderstandings, Your Majesty, " she said politely.

"Go ahead."

"Your Majesty, I wasn't aware of His Highness asking about the marriage proposal, and when he called my name, I thought he was saying something, so I said yes to address him instead of agreeing to the marriage proposal," she continued calmly.

Jun Wu stared at her quietly for some time before speaking, "Water Master that is quite a misunderstanding."

"I am aware of my fault and take full responsibility for it, but please, Your Majesty clear this up," she requested, kneeling.

Jun Wu got up, " Water Master, stand up."

"I am sorry, but I want to know your decision first, Your Majesty," she pleaded politely.

"What happened is indeed a big misunderstanding, but you must understand that the Crown Prince asked for your hand in marriage. Many pray for years to be chosen as his maid, but you, on the other hand, will be his queen consort, which will later be, of course, Empress," Jun Wu proposed calmly.

"I do not wish for titles, Your Majesty; I only wish to clear this up," she pleaded stubbornly.

"I understand what you want, but please understand my hardships as well. You agreed in front of all the officials, and everyone congratulated you both. If I suddenly decline the proposal, it will gravely affect you and GuānYû as well," Jun Wu replied firmly.

"Your Majesty, please help me," she said as she bowed her head down.

"Water Master, please get up first," he ordered as she got up, "Now, I understand your problem, but you must understand this too that I can't announce this right now, he has just been made King it would affect his reputation badly and it will have a bad reputation for you as well people will talk."

"I don't love the Prince at all. I have never thought of him romantically, and I don't want to be in a relationship that is one-sided. Neither me nor the Prince will be happy," she admitted.

"I know, but you must wait for some time before I can come up with an excuse to decline the announcement. You will be officially engaged tomorrow," he said as he walked away.

"Your Majesty, isn't engaging us officially even worse for us?" She asked, worried.

"You don't understand, Water Master; it would be easier for me to find an excuse if you two are officially engaged, so for now, just flow with it," he responded, leaving her alone as she stood there worried.

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A/N: So GuānYû is finally crowned King. This chapter is short. I am quite evil for the misunderstanding, hahahheheh. Take care people, Bad Bunny BunBun is your friend, so don't be sad! Bye-bye!!

Word count:3k