The Assassin's Enemy Lover

The mix of lilies, orchids, peony and lotus flowers draping down the arches at the entrance of the royal hall, recently build just for this moment, was like stepping into a beautiful fantasy with pixies and fairies.

It was absolutely stunning especially with the grooms walking down the aisle but the grooms had this to say. “They did too much didn’t they?” said Zi Han in a whisper and Yi Chen leaned down and replied,

“They did but it looks good.”

They did do too much but Yi Chen was right. It was incredibly stunning. But this is only the beginning. When they stepped inside they were speechless. Their mothers had taken it from zero to a hundred with the wedding decorations. Zi Han never dove into the world of decorations so he never knew one could make a room look like this.

He was so mesmerised by the centrepieces and lights all in a vibrant red that he didn’t hear the elder announcing their arrival. It was Yi Chen who squeezed Zi Han’s palm and Zi Han came out of his trance and gazed at him.

He could surely say that this was the most perfect day in his entire life. In front of their parents and amazing family, he signed a marriage contract and bound himself to Yi Chen in the marriage registrar network. Finally, they were legally bound together and never to be separated again.

As soon as the forever-binding marriage contract was signed loud applause and jeers ripped through the once-silent hall. Zi Han showed a radiant smile as he raised his head and met his mother’s reddened eyes.

Because of the chaos earlier, he didn’t see her until now. When he saw that she had been crying Zi Han’s heart hurt. He wanted to ask what was wrong but she reassured him with a wonderful smile.

.....

It seemed like she was okay but Zi Han could see what others couldn’t see. It was the look of reluctance and intense sorrow like she had lost something dearest to her heart.

Zi Han knew she was putting on a brave front for him so he didn’t pursue the matter. He turned to Yi Chen standing beside him and found out that he was looking at him as well.

Yi Chen lowered his head and whispered in his husband’s ear his voice chasmic and pleasant. “Are you regretting it?” he asked and Zi Han averted his gaze with a crease at the corner of his eyes from all the smiling.

“Never... I would never regret ever marrying you,” he said and Yi Chen bit his lower lip suppressing the tender smile at the corner of his lips.

The elder beckoned them over and Yi Chen knew it was time to perform the three bows.

The pair of newlyweds walked alongside each other neither fast nor slow.

This harmonious image stirred something in one’s soul leaving their hearts contented and sweet. With both of them holding either end of the red hydrangea flower ball they arrived in front of the family altar.

The elder seemed satisfied by this lovely pair. He cleared his throat and said, “You should bow three times to show your gratitude... bow to heaven and earth.”

Zi Han, “???”

He wanted to say which earth but when he glanced at Yi Chen from the corner of his eye he saw that he was already moving to kowtow. Zi Han joined him and kowtowed till his forehead touched the ground.

His heart beating in his ears he rose up to his feet. The elder’s voice overshadowed the sound of his tremulous heart.

“Show respect to your elders and bow to the parents,” he said and Zi Han clutched the red ribbon tightly as he spotted their four parents looking at them.

Zi Han bit his lower lip his eyes sour on the brink of tears. He didn’t know why he was being emotional. He was just glad no one could see his emotions through the veil.

He kowtowed before his family and as his forehead pressed the floor a tear flowed down the bridge of his nose onto the veil leaving a wet stain.

He wasn’t sure why he was even crying but one thing was for certain. It wasn’t a tear of sadness but a myriad of complicated emotions. It was a mix of extreme joy, nervousness and great accomplishment. His dream had come true so how could he not be overcome by his emotions?

When he rose to his feet he didn’t realise the wet patch on his veil. He didn’t even notice the wetness on his face staring at his parents who seemed very proud of him.

“Bow to each other,” said the elder and the pair turned to face each other. Yi Chen’s hand trembled in excitement as he stared at his man.

From here henceforth this person officially belonged to him and he belonged to Zi Han. Everything was perfectly well, except the wet patch on that red veil. Seeing it Yi Chen’s heart lurched. He wanted to ask him what was wrong but this wasn’t the time to talk about it.

He clenched the red ribbon in his hand tightly as he kowtowed with Zi Han. As his forehead touched the ground, Yi Chen felt an explosion in his heart the corners of his lips quirking into a joyous smile.

The sound of firecrackers and loud applause flooded his ears as he raised his head glancing at Zi Han. Their gazes met as though connected by an unbreakable electric current. The sparks struck their hearts simultaneously making them beat in synch.

“You may exchange the rings,” said the elder as Ming Ming brought over the rings clad in an embroidered hanfu cheongsam with the tassels of her pearl and flower hair pins swaying with her movements.

Seeing her prancing around like a princess, Lin Ruoxi couldn’t help but recall how hard it was to put her in that outfit.