Lihua walked out in a white silver dress to match Takeshi's eyes.  It dazzled with the hand sewn pearls and diamonds every time she moved.  Four different flowers have been embroidered in white silk threads into her dress. A camellia flower to represent faithfulness and longevity.  A lotus flower, to represent purity and rising above the murk to achieve enlightenment. A Chrysanthemum for good luck and longevity. The last flower is a plum blossom representing perseverance, hope and beauty. 

Her long hair in the back had been twisted and pinned up, held together by strings of peals and diamond hair pins.  A simple long white jade hair pin had been placed horizontally within the bun.  Her front bangs were split in the middle and her bangs hung low down to her chin. A white silver veil and a see through lace covered her face that stopped right below her chin as well.  

The room was full of noise and laughter, but the moment she entered the room, the chatter died down until everyone's eyes landed on her.  With steady steps, she was guided to Takeshi who have been standing beside the holy man who was going to preside over the ceremony.  Lihua could see King Nao and Queen Yuki standing to the side of Takeshi as well.  

Her steps came closer to Takeshi, however it wasn't fast enough for him, so instead he met her half way and then led her to the alter.  Her hand griped his hand tightly letting him know of her nervousness and anxiety due to the large crowd.  His large hand squeezed hers back, comforting her with out words.  

As the ceremony began, they bowed to all four directions before bowing to each other.  The North, that represented their King.  The East, that represented their family.  The South, that represented their journey.  And the West, that represented the end of their journey.  They bowed to each other, to agree to walk together in life.  

Lihua stood still as the holy man continued with the ceremony.  Half listening, half reminiscing her wedding day with Daniel.  

When she married Daniel, it was simple. It was held in a pub were their friends attended as well as Young Master Lei.  No holy man was needed to say any vows or preform any ceremonies.  Daniel and her just said what was in their hearts and made promises to each other before sealing the deal with a kiss.  Their friends hollered and cheered in the background as they kissed.  They spent the rest of the evening drinking, eating and enjoying everyone's company.  Life was hard for her, but it was simple.  It was a good life.  

But standing next to Takeshi, brother to King Nao.  His standing in life is a lot higher than she was use to.  There were a lot of political and military intrigue and alliances that she didn't really understand.  But even though she didn't understand them, she still followed Takeshi because it felt right to be standing next to him.  

So she stood taller, straightening her back and lifting her head up high.  Her shoulders relaxed as she took a deep breath of air.  Her life had been tied to his the moment the four Lei servants threw her into that cave to die.  Maybe it was fate.  Maybe it was luck.  But whatever it is, they are tied together now, forever.  

After the ceremony went on for another hour, Lihua then drank a congratulatory drink from King Nao and Queen Yuki.  Lihua lifted just enough of her veil to drink the wine then placed her veil back down.  

Queen Yuki grabs hold on to Lihua and separates her from Takeshi as the men gives their well wishes to him, while the women give their well wishes to her on opposite sides of the room.   

"Even on your wedding day you still wear your veil like a maiden." Queen Yuki teased.  "It makes us married woman jealous of your husband's possessiveness."  

"Yes, well, no one wants to make the Hell King angry." Lihua tells her. 

Queen Yuki shutters in fear just thinking about it, before she brings her to a dais and sits next to her.  The dais is only suppose to be for the bride, however with Queen Yuki in attendance, another seat was placed next to her as to not insult the royalty.  Over on Takeshi's dais, it also had two chairs, one for him and one for King Nao. 

In front of the dais is a table that was placed to the side.  On it is a bottle of wine and several drinking cups.  The guest is suppose to pour wine into the cup and give the newly married wife or husband a celebratory well wish or speech.   

However since Queen Yuki sat next to her, everyone who came up to the dais had to bow first before being able to give her their well wishes, which in turn made the wedding celebration longer than Lihua wanted.  But there was nothing she could do, so she sat and talked with Queen Yuki, teasing her and joking around with her until Crown Princess Carita along with Concubine Lisa came up to give their well wishes to Lihua.  

They both bowed, however Queen Yuki did not tell them to rise immediately.  Awkwardly, they kept their head bowed until Queen Yuki's heart calmed down enough for her to speak.  

"Rise Crown Princess Carita."  

Carita lifted her head and she couldn't hold her genteel mask on as she smirked over Lisa's misfortune.  Because Queen Yuki didn't tell Lisa to rise, she still have to keep her head down in a bow.  Carita goes over to the table to pour wine into the cup and when she comes back to congratulate Lihua, Queen Yuki interrupts her instead. 

"Imperial sister."  Queen Yuki said slowly.  "One day, you and King Takeshi will have a son and watch that son grow up to be as magnificent as his father. And one day, you'll watch him get married to not only one woman, but two women within a two month period.  And you think, 'Ah, how blessed your son will be to be married off to two well breed noble ladies."   However, a year later and still.  No word on either of the women getting pregnant to continue your bloodline."  

Queen Yuki snared at them, "What would you do, if you were in such a situation?"  

Lihua smiled behind her veil knowing she was speaking about Carita and Lisa.  None of them were pregnant a year into their marriage and it angered Queen Yuki.  

"They say that getting pregnant is up to the Gods."  Lihua tells Queen Yuki as she stares at the two girls the same age as her.  "However the only job a woman has in marriage is to provide their husband with a continuation in their bloodline. If that cannot be done, even by two women, then only a third will do."