Chapter 81 - The Ceremony

It was the day of Long Xia's coronation with Yuan Bojing.

She spent most of the morning fighting the nerves that crept into her heart. She knew members across the eight organizations disproved her legitimacy. She knew people did not accept Yuan Bojing's survival, thinking it unfair to the families that lost a loved one while he got to live. 

But, they were slowly beginning to accept their marriage. Unifying the two winners of the tournament made their empire look powerful because Long Xia and Yuan Bojing were, indeed, the strongest. 

"You look lovely," Shi Yen said after helping Long Xia dress into her ceremonial clothes.. Shi Yen wore a stunning red-gold dress, whereas Long Xia wore blue and gold. 

Long Xia flushed. "Thank you, mother-in-law." 

Shi Yen smiled before placing a long dark-blue robe that resembled a cloak over Long Xia's shoulders. "You remind me of myself from my younger days," she began. Long Xia's eyes widened as she listened to her. "It was frightening to see how much you've followed my steps. I even scare myself sometimes. So, to see a girl as young as you embark on the same hard tasks and impossible missions as me, I was afraid of what'd you become. They usually come out as monsters. Not everyone goes through what we do and comes out with a bit of compassion." 

She continued. "But when I was younger, to prevent me from losing myself was the people who kept me grounded—the people I love. My sister was the only thing that kept me going for a long time. Without her, I wouldn't be who I am today. Then I met my husband. He follows me everywhere I go, fearful for my life. But instead of stopping me from what I want to do, he propels himself forward, with me, next to me." She paused. "And I'm almost certain my son has inherited the same wild, carefree nature. I don't think anyone else matches him better than you. That is why it makes me happy that you will be my daughter-in-law. I can't imagine anyone else." 

Long Xia turned around to face Shi Yen with tears brimming in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around her.

Shi Yen was beautiful and wicked, but nothing about her was evil. Shi Yen had to show the harsh and ruthless sides to others, but that did not take the softness of her. She was anchored by the people she loved. 

Long Xia was the same. She had her family. She had Yuan Bojing. She had her friends. There was no way she could lose herself. "You can trust to leave everything in my hands," Long Xia told her future mother-in-law. 

"I don't doubt you will do well," she replied. "Now, let's go." 

Shi Yen had been the first to enter the hall first with her husband, joining the other guests. 

Long Xia found her father, who took her arm and wrapped it around his. He walked her down the aisle when she saw Yuan Bojing, who wore dark blue with golden dragons embroidered in his clothing. 

When he saw her, his eyes followed her and never left, even when she let go of her father, even now when she stood before him. 

Yuan Bojing believed that no one could fit, could look more perfect together than he and Long Xia. It was as if they were made to be together. 

He complimented her in every way, as she did with him. 

Long Xia took his hand, entwining their fingers together, and the ceremony began. 

They exchanged vows, shared a light kiss, and by the end, Shi Yen and Yuan Shun had adorned the faces of the new Empress and Emperor with masks—one a dragon, the other a lion. 

Once the ceremony was complete, Yuan Bojing held his wife's hand as they stepped down the platform, walking between the guests. 

Their wedding was different from all the others, since it contained guests across the eight organizations.

It was not anyone's dream wedding, but it couldn't be any different since it was for the new Empress and Emperor. But to Long Xia, it was still perfect. 

There was food, but as for entertainment, the guests indulged themselves in drinking, gambling, and fighting. 

"This is so barbaric," Shao Lin said as she took in her surroundings with wide eyes. 

Long Xia chuckled. "Is it too much for you, sister-in-law?"

Shao Lin shook her head. "It's not something I haven't seen before." 

Long Xia laughed again. She knew Shao Lin was still adjusting to this side. She may have been born into it, but she wasn't raised into it. Long Yat-sen even held her by his side, not letting her go, as he took a sip of Bourbon, eyeing anyone with a stern gaze if they got near them. 

Shao Lin looked oblivious as to how many death glares her husband gave to people. 

Yuan Bojing wrapped his around Long Xia. "Are you ready to go home?" he asked. 

Long Xia looked around. Most of her family was already preparing to leave soon after they did. Everyone else was either passed out drunk or still indulging themselves, too busy to notice their exit. 

Long Xia glanced at him with a knowing look. "Let's go," she said. 

Yuan Bojing then swept her in his arms excitedly. "I'm leaving with my wife!" he announced, carrying Long Xia toward the car. He loved calling her that. 

Once they were inside, away from everyone's eyes—including the chauffeur—Yuan Bojing removed his mask, then Long Xia's, and kissed her with aggressive, heated passion. 

He gave his wife the kiss he wanted to do inside, the one he waited all night for. Though no one would take offence to their PDA, Yuan Bojing did not want anyone to see the expression Long Xia made when he kissed her until she was panting for breath. 

She whimpered once he finally released her. 

Yuan Bojing was smiling. He reached out to caress her flushed cheeks. "How are you feeling tonight, wife?" he asked her. 

His stunning and courageous wife smiled. "Happy," she answered silkily. "The happiest I've ever been." 

She meant it.