Translation Notes

(i)Suona is the Chinese trumpet.
(ii)Fenghuang means the phoenix.

Chapter 47

Wei Li Lian
Princess Elora
Her Highness Wei

For years upon years, the day Li Lian would be wed to the emperor of Nevoria, Bai Shen Hong, had always been a nightmare. She had despised him as she felt he ruined her life by merely existing. Her life was the epitome of devising a plan to enter the palace, and she, being the venom that would take the life of the untouchable dragon.

"Yin and yang,
The sun has the moon
The dragon has the phoenix
The empire of Nevoria has become prosperous!"

What awoke Li Lian were songs from the palace musicians that started at the crying of the rooster. They blew the suona and clapped their hands as they marched around the palace in celebration.

The first ritual, she was to be subjected to was the bathing ritual. Court Lady Ai and the rest of the entourage dressed her in pure white satin robes prepared exclusively for that ritual, though after bathing she would put on a similar golden robe to illustrate "the risen phoenix".

Her current robe had an accompanying plain white veil as no one was publicly allowed to see her until the emperor unveiled her.

"Ready, Your Highness?" Ai asked as they stood by the exit of the Phoenix Palace, ready to step out and attend the bathing ritual in Hougong.

"Yes."

She stepped out onto the platform.

"Good morning to Her Highness, our rising phoenix that will bring glory to the nation of Nevoria. Well wishes for the wedding to the dragon of Nevoria! Rule us with benevolence and we, your subjects, the Inner Court, will follow you!"

All of the Inner Court, maid or mistress, were lined before the platform of the Phoenix Palace. Mistresses standing in rank, from Noble Consort Qi to the lowest, bowed their heads while their maids knelt behind them.

"Thank you, you may rise," Li Lian permitted.

She couldn't help observing the Noble Consort Qi, who appropriately appeared as if it was any other day where all was well, yet everyone knew her demise was fast approaching. It was expected that days after the wedding, she was to be disposed of for giving her heart to an eunuch. Yuwen Hong had instructed Noble Consort Qi to be present at the ceremonies so as to not raise rumors and talk on the wedding day.

The ritual of bathing consisted of four bathes. Li Lian was to be bathed in milk, soap, steam, and lastly the flowers. These would respectively purify, cleanse, burn away, and fragrance. However, before that, Yuwen Hong had to unveil her.

She found him waiting for her at the entrance of the bathing encampment set behind Hougong. He stood in all his glory, golden robes, but without much accessory as he would go back to the Dragon Palace for his own bathing ritual. However, his would not be detailed as hers as he was already the dragon: soap and steaming only.

Li Lian caught sight of the palace painters located a mere distance from him. She had left some at the Phoenix Palace, finishing the drawings that captured her as she stepped onto the platform for the greetings of the Inner Court. Throughout the day, she would find them at all places as they were to record everything they got their own eyes. The paintings were to go down history as picture evidence of what the day consisted of.

Li Lian sauntered towards her husband-to-be and misstepping on her robe that dragged on the ground, she lost her footing.

She yelped as her hands caught onto the arms of Yuwen Hong, which unsurprisingly expected her.

He was rock solid and strong under her body, and her instincts anticipating the worst, had her heart already beating anxiously.

"Too excited to see me?" he teased.

She chuckled, a little bit embarrassed, though unlikely anyone could see it under her veil.

He helped her stand up straight, and went on to do what Yuwen Hong would always do.

"What is wrong with you all? Walking with no attentiveness towards your mistress, then what is the purpose of having you?" he snapped. "What if she had fallen and broken her leg?"

All of them bowed their heads, the atmosphere thickening with tension.

"Calm down," she took his hand and rubbed it. "Do not make the day inauspicious with the talk of death. Look at that, you are making them solemn and unhappy, while there should be excitement."

He grumbled. "This will be the last time I warn you."

"We apologise to His Majesty, we have failed to look after Her Highness," they all said.

She wanted to tell them to relax and it was all right as she was the one who made the mistake, but she had done that before. It had not gone well with Yuwen Hong, since the argument lengthened thereafter.

He had chastised her, stating they would not respect her if she kept going easy on them; they were her servants, her mistakes were their mistakes. It was their duty to ensure she was found with no fault.

"Know this, Li Lian," he brought her back to reality, "As long as I live, you will not fall, I will always be there to catch you." He breathed in to neutralise his worry. "As your husband, I will make sure you do not experience any pain. You are not allowed to cry anymore."

Yuwen Hong looked at the minister administering the pre-bathe ritual, who caught on and responded. "This servant shall then begin, Your Majesty."

Yuwen Hong released her hands to formally stand. One hand folded behind his back, the other bulking his sleeves fashionably.

"May Her Highness bow for the dragon!"

Ai came to her side and raised her hand so Li Lian could balance on her as she performed her bow.

"The bow is completed! Let the dragon lift the veil!"

Yuwen Hong took the seams of the veil and raised it over her head. She was welcomed by his delighted face, pleased with what he saw. Li Lian with no sort of make-up, the face he would wake up next to for years to come.

"You are beautiful, my love. At all times, you look like a blooming flower warmed in the summer sun. Vibrant, coruscating, and full of vim and vigour."

She blushed and thanked him, feeling every bit of happiness; that moment then served as the official beginning of the long day that awaited them.

Li Lian loved her wedding garments, a gorgeous red against her pale skin tone. Her wedding dress bodice was a tight fit, but the view of it was obscured by the wide sleeves.

The upper part of the dress had sprinkles of metallic stones that went less in number as the dress descended toward the skirt. Different types of stones which had come from nations far from Nevoria, were sewn to the various pieces of her wedding garbs.

Many could only dream to see and touch the jewelry they inserted in her hair. Befitting for an empress, they were priceless and glamorous.  Nevoria had taken this as an opportunity to show off to every person attending the wedding. To top it off, splendour was not only for what she wore, rather, for any other thing relating to the wedding.

When Li Lian was ready and word had been received that the emperor was also set, she was guided into the huge open palanquin. They were to take her around the city to show her off to the citizens.

The palanquin had a roof to cover her from the sun, open sides for people to see her, and doors in the back and front. The back door symbolised where she came from, and the front, where she was going―the future that awaited her.

As they were spreading her large dress around the palanquin, Ai knelt beside her and whispered. "Your Highness, word has come that an incident occurred last night."

Li Lian fisted her hands nervously. "Good news, I hope."

"Yes, Your Highness. Apparently, the emperor himself, a few generals and the military servicemen raided a camp with Furian soldiers. They were arrested."

Yuwen Hong was with her till midnight. She thought when she left the Dragon Palace, he had resigned for bed. Seems like that had not been the case.

"His Majesty thought he would be able to find his sister in the camp, but she was not there, the queen as well."

"All right, thank you."

In some way this was good news, if the military the queen brought along had weakened, she would need to ask for more backup before she dared present herself before the emperor. Queen Elora would not dare intervene the wedding without a bounty of her soldiers because she would not be safe.

In all things, it was better to hope than to despair. Good things was what Li Lian would continue to strive for, and Yuwen Hong's forgiveness was on top of the list.

The palace entourage escorted Li Lian through the city. Many servicemen guarded her from all sides, while her attendants, the palace musicians, and so on were a step behind. She probably had up to two hundred people accompanying her.

The citizens took a liking to her and her entourage. It was lovely to hear.

"Look at the uniform of the palace people. It is out of this world."

"The bride is wearing beautiful clothes!"

Well, except this did she not like to hear. "I want to marry the emperor as well and look like that."

Some screamed their praises, while others shouted their excitement. It was a cacophony of joy and celebration.

When they arrived at the palace, Yuwen Hong and all of the wedding guests waited. The palanquin bearers lay her down and stepped away.

Yuwen Hong rightfully took position before the front door, now in red heavy robes unlike earlier. On his head was his crowning hat, black with decorative golden embroidery of the dragon symbol.

As the groom, he had to kick the door open to signify that from henceforth, he would walk with her into the future.

After a few forceful bangs, the wood gave in and the small door fell in. Everyone cried in celebration at this act as he stepped in with his hand outstretched for her, in order to take her out.

Servants came to her help until she was standing outside with him. Joviality bubbled in her heart as she blissed in the euphoria she shared with the crowd.

"Fenghuang, the symbol of grace, virtue, duty, propriety and mercy," Yuwen Hong spoke loudly for all to hear. He turned to look at her as he continued, the noise dying down a little, "From henceforth, Nevoria will enjoy the joyful balance of yin and yang. Fenghuang, the mother of Nevoria, the feminine entity and my counterpart as the Dragon Emperor!"

Loud cheers bustled through, some already singing, "Our nation has found harmony and perfect balance with our Fenghuang, there will be no darkness or impurity in our court!"

Although Li Lian expected that day to be perfect, she did not expect it to be more than marvellous. Finally, she felt like she belonged, they were taking her as one of their own and quite content to be led by her.

Li Lian had found her home and people.

Author's Note

Congratulations, Yuwen Hong and Li Lian!!!

S.V