16. The Wedding

In Wu capital, the town was filled up with commoners who were lined up on the sides of the road as some were peeking to see what was happening.

"What's going on?" One woman asked. She stood on her toes trying to look at something at a distance amidst this unbearable commotion.

"Haven't you heard Our Emperor is marrying the most beautiful woman ever to be seen on this continent?" One lustful scoundrel could not help but answer back. His eyes seemed to be shooting out hearts to show that he was interested in this famous beauty.

"Another one? How many concubines has he taken in since his coronation? I wonder how he is able to keep up with the work."

"Mind your tongue lad. You know his temper. Your head will be off in no time."

The people continued gossiping while they waited for the carriage carrying the bride to pass.

In no time they could hear some creaking followed by thudding sounds made by hooves getting closer to where they were standing. Drums were beat as trumpets sounded. Some figures wearing red appeared from the other end, while leading a carriage behind them.

Everything was draped in red, making the commoners wallow in envy, as they tried to see in between the curtains, as to confirm if the new bride was as beautiful as mentioned.

Inside the carriage, a woman was cladded in a red wedding dress and a maple red veil falling from her head. By her side was her servant who was grinning with pride seeing that her master was to be bonded in marriage with the Emperor.

"My Lady, are you getting nervous now that we are almost at the palace gates." She tactfully asked looking at her lady's hands that were clutched tight on top of her lap.

Mei Su remained silent while she tried hard to ignore the uproar that was outside. She hated noise. And added to that, the voice beside her increased her frustrations more.

"My Lady can you hear me." Her thickheaded maid once again kept on shrieking in her very sensitive ear.

It did not take too much time for the carriage to come to a halt in front of the palace gates. Mei Su sat upright and raised her head waiting to be by his side. The doors opened with a creak paving a way to let them pass. When they had moved past it the coachman stopped the carriage. Mei Su got excited and eagerly searched for him. She caught a glimpse of his red gown sweeping the floor and his hand stretched out for her to take.

She could not help but smile as she took it and got out. The two stopped to look at each other, whilst the one man who was writhing in pain to this scene looked at a distance. He clutched his fist, his friend patting his shoulder.

All the ministers and other servants moved to the front of the palace hall where a red carpet was spread on the steps, waiting for the two lovers to stroll on.

Lui Xian took a seat at the far end of the crowd. He looked at the other concubines who were scowling and some busy in thought on how to deal with the newbie. He felt somewhat better. As he waited for everything to be over so that he can prepare to report to his newly appointed work with a clear mind.

He did not pay much attention to the rest of the ceremony. He was preoccupied in his own world. That he only came back to real world when it was time for everyone to get on their knees as they praised, "Long live the Emperor!"

"Xian let's leave from here. You have to prepare for tomorrow remember." His attention was soon drawn to Rushan who was getting worried for him.

"... Sure. But Your Highness, aren't you supposed to be by His Majesty's side?" He asked not wanting to get him in trouble. He knew too well how messed up his life was.

"It doesn't matter come on." The Prince urged him as he took tge lead to stand up.

Lui Xian followed up and the two were about to leave when Lui Xian perceived a burning gaze, from high up the stairway, where the two lovers were situated. He stopped for a second to look back only to find no one looking his way.

He turned and hurriedly started to make his way to his quarters. After he had gotten on his bed, he could not let go of the weird sensation he felt at the time he was being watched. 'Does it perhaps have anything to do with those attacks?' He wondered, feeling quite restless. He felt his head starting to ache, and then stopped stressing himself out. He closed his eyes and relaxed, letting everything go, leaving everything to the divine being.

Late in the evening, Lui Xian moved to his window trying to get a look at the view outside.

The wind was quite provoking and harsh but he still stayed there, at times looking at the sky that was darkening, it's beauty diminishing.

He knew from tomorrow onwards he had to focus on his work and leave unnecessary emotions behind.

"I wonder just how happy he is today." He found himself not feeling the pain anymore. He forced a smile on and went to bed. It had become his most faithful companion these few days he had spent in the palace. Well, except Rushan he had no other loyal friend than this.

It was his first time to be put in the military branch and on his very first day he was late. 'Oh, heavens help me get along with these people.' He prayed silently in his heart whilst he waited to be scorned.

His supervisor was very tall and looked very strong. His aura itself told everyone that he wasn't someone be messed with. The scar on his right cheek made his temper more obvious.

"Hey come help me in setting this up. There's going to be an urgent meeting in a moment." Lui Xian hurried to grab up scrolls before he joined in the meeting. He was relieved that no one spared him lectures on why he was late.

"We have been informed that at the southern border, there have been constant attacks going on and they require reinforcements as soon as possible. All the generals are already out on camps and we had left the south weakly guarded, and His Majesty has decided to send one thousand men to aid them. Any volunteers?"

The room was filled with silence. Everyone was in deep thought. One of the high post officials raised his hand. "I volunteer. I have with me, three hundred soldiers, we will strengthen that side."

A second one raised his hand, "I do too. with five hundred surely we will bring down the enemy"

"We need two hundred more. Anyone of you lords."

"I volunteer with one hundred and ninety-nine men." The last one of the leaders offered and that left Lui Xian, as the only one left so there was no need to raise his hand or any need to refuse. The situation was sending him in the field on his very first day at work.

'How unfortunate.'