CHAPTER 43: 43. A WEDDING PREPEARATION

AT THE SAME TIME

EMEREROR LIANWEI POINT OF VIEW:

It turned out my family wasn’t the only one conspiring. A small voice piped up from behind the garden hedges.

"Are we talking about the wedding?"Huan asked.

I froze mid step, turning to see Huan crouched there like a suspicious little fox, clutching his wooden toy sword in one hand and a half-eaten bun in the other. His wide eyes glittered with curiosity. Mei Shen blinked, clearly torn between pretending she hadn’t heard him and bolting back toward the palace.

"We are not-" She began.

"Yes, we are." I cut in smoothly, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed. "And apparently, someone has excellent hearing."

Huan grinned so wide it nearly split his face. He scrambled out from the hedge, brushing off stray leaves and grass like a miniature soldier reporting for duty.

"Then I want to help plan it! I can pick the music. And the food. And... I can guard the cake!" He puffed out his chest proudly.

I chuckled, crouching down to meet his excited gaze.

"Guarding the cake will be a very important job. But you’ll have to share the spotlight, because grandma and great grandma are already deep in their own plotting." I said.

As if summoned by my words, my mother and grandmother appeared from the veranda, practically glowing with mischief.

"Oh, he’s perfect." My grandmother declared immediately, pointing at Huan like she’d just found her favorite accomplice. "He’ll be the page boy. He can carry the ceremonial flowers-"

"-and he can walk ahead of the bride tossing petals." My mother added, clasping her hands dramatically. "And maybe shout, ’Make way for the Empress!’"

Huan gasped as though this was the greatest honor in the history of the kingdom.

"I can do that! I’ll yell really loud so everyone knows!"Huan said happily.

I couldn’t help it, I laughed, and even Mei Shen smiled despite looking like she was being backed into a corner by a pack of overexcited wolves.

"Alright, alright." I said, raising a hand. "You’re all getting ahead of yourselves. This wedding isn’t even-"

"It’s happening." My mother cut in firmly. "And it’s happening soon. Before anything else in this kingdom can go wrong."

"Agreed." My grandmother said, her voice leaving no room for debate.

I glanced sideways at Mei Shen. Her smile had thinned, her fingers were fiddling nervously with the edge of her sleeve. I knew that look, the one that said she was feeling cornered, swept up in everyone else’s excitement without getting the chance to breathe. Huan tugged at her hand, eyes bright.

"Mommy, I’ll make it the best wedding ever. You’ll see."Huan said.

Her voice was soft.

"I... I’m sure you will."She said.

That was my cue. I stepped between her and the others, resting a hand on her back.

"Alright, generals, meeting adjourned. Our future bride needs air."I said.

They tried to protest, even Huan looked like he wanted to argue, but I didn’t give them the chance. I guided Mei Shen out through the garden, down the quieter path toward the koi pond where the noise of my family couldn’t reach. When we were finally alone, I tilted my head to catch her gaze.

"Breathe, Mei."I said.

She let out a shaky exhale.

"I didn’t expect... all of that. It’s too much. I just..." She trailed off, looking down at the water. "I feel like they’re all so happy and I... I’m scared I can’t live up to what they want."

I caught her chin gently, making her meet my eyes.

"You don’t have to live up to anything except what’s in your heart. This isn’t a performance for them, Mei. This is for us. For me."I said.

Her lips trembled just slightly.

"And for Huan."She added.

I smiled softly.

"Especially for Huan. And maybe a little for my terrifying grandmother, but mostly for us."I said.

She gave the smallest laugh at that, leaning into me.

"I’m still scared, Lianwei. Everything’s been so heavy lately... famine, storms, the gods warnings. And now a wedding?"She whispered.

I slipped my arm around her, pulling her against my chest.

"That’s exactly why we need it. Not because it’s tradition, not because my mother says so... but because it will remind everyone, especially you that there’s still joy worth holding on to. Even when the world tries to drown us."I said.

Her breath hitched, but then she relaxed against me, her head resting on my shoulder.

"You always know how to say the right thing."She whispered.

I kissed the top of her head lightly.

"I just know how to say what I feel. And right now, what I feel is that I want to marry you, famine or no famine, storms or no storms."I said and smiled.

She didn’t reply, but her fingers curled into my robe, holding on tight. And that was enough of an answer for me.

We stood there by the koi pond, quiet for a moment, the soft trickle of water the only sound between us. Mei Shen’s breathing had slowed, and I dared to hope maybe the storm inside her was calming just a little. Then, out of nowhere, a small, determined voice broke the peace.

"Papa! Mama! I brought you something!"He said.

I turned just in time to see Huan tiptoeing through the garden, clutching a wildly crooked bouquet of wildflowers he’d obviously pulled up without permission. His cheeks were flushed with excitement and mischief.

"Where did you get those?" I asked, trying not to smile too wide. Mei Shen just looked at him, eyes widening in surprise.

"From the flower beds!" Huan said proudly. "I thought maybe they could make the wedding prettier! And I even caught a butterfly to keep it company!" He held out a small jar with a bright orange butterfly fluttering inside, its wings tapping nervously against the glass.

Mei Shen laughed, a soft, surprised laugh, the kind I hadn’t heard in days. It lit up her whole face, and my heart squeezed tight in the best way.

"Oh, Huan." She said, kneeling down to his level. "That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen."

He beamed like he’d won the biggest prize in the world.

"See? I’m helping! I’m a good helper!"He said.

I shook my head, chuckling.

"You’re the best helper we could ask for. But next time, maybe ask before taking flowers, okay?"

Huan nodded solemnly, then glanced at Mei Shen with a serious face.

"Mommy, I’m going to teach the butterflies to do tricks for the wedding. They’ll be the best butterflies ever."

"You and your butterflies." Mei Shen said with a teasing smile. "I don’t know what we’d do without you."

I wrapped an arm around both of them, pulling them close.

"Whatever’s coming." I said. "We face it as a family. Butterflies, wildflowers, and all."

For that moment, everything felt possible. The warmth from Mei Shen’s laughter still clung to the air when suddenly, a ripple of stillness swept through the room. The faint hum of magic shifted, Zeirith was here. I knew that feeling well, like a cold breeze through the cracks of the palace walls. Before I could say anything, a soft, ethereal voice echoed inside my mind, Zeirith’s voice, calm but serious.

"The famine eases for now. The rain brings hope, but the threat lingers. The true trial has yet to come. Prepare your hearts."He said.

I glanced at Mei Shen. Her smile faltered just a little, shadows flickering behind her eyes. I reached out and took her hand firmly. Then, unexpectedly, a gentle warmth followed, the god’s presence, kinder now, almost celebratory. It seems that Zeirith also joined the wedding preparation, and wants us to have our happiness even at the worst times.

"Your courage shines in the storm." The voice said, a whisper like wind through blooming flowers. "Together, you carry the light that can change the tide. We watch, proud."

"Thank you, Zeirith."Mei whispered quietly as I nodded.

I squeezed Mei Shen’s hand, and she looked at me, a mixture of fear and hope swirling in her gaze.

"You’re not alone in this." I told her softly. "We’ve got each other, and even if the dark comes back, we’ll stand tall."

She nodded slowly, drawing strength from the small blessing from above, but I could see the weight still pressing on her. The road ahead was uncertain, but for now, in this fragile peace, we had a moment to breathe.

"Let’s keep preparing." I said. "For the kingdom, for the babies, for us."

Mei Shen gave a tiny, grateful smile and leaned her head against my shoulder. And in that quiet moment, even the gods seemed to hold their breath, waiting for what was next. Soon we were going to get merried and it meant everything for us. This time I was not planning to let go of her and make sure that we will have our happy lives together. We and both our babies together.