Fu Shen was very satisfied with Yan Xiaohan’s obedient cooperation, smiling and leaning closer: “Long wait… oh, are you crying?”
Seeing the redness in Yan Xiaohan’s eyes, he was startled, involuntarily lowering his voice, softening his tone: “Brother Yan… what’s wrong? Waited too long? Afraid I wouldn’t come?”
Yan Xiaohan stared at him expressionlessly, making Fu Shen uncomfortable, before turning away and laughing: “Just the wind.”
Fu Shen: “Only because we’re getting married today, I’ll let you save face. Next time, I’ll really make you cry, believe me?”
Fu Shen’s arrival was perfectly timed, the red sun setting, twilight arriving, the most auspicious moment for the wedding ceremony.
Fu Shen dismounted, and Yan Xiaohan carried him, stepping through the sunset’s remnant light, ascending the solemn and magnificent Golden Terrace.
Time seemed infinitely stretched, walking up seventy-two white marble steps, as serious as walking through an entire lifetime.
The Qilin Hall was vast and grand, showing an ancient dimness due to age. Rarely visited, it was extremely quiet, with life-sized portraits on the walls solemnly watching them, like divine beings silently observing two mortals who had mistakenly entered a sacred temple.
Without Fu Shen’s instruction, Yan Xiaohan had already found the portraits of Fu Jian, Fu Ting Zhong, and Fu Ting Xin, hanging side by side.
A following attendant handed two soft cushions; Yan Xiaohan casually glanced at the person, surprisingly recognizing him as one of the Northern Yan’s great generals, Yu Qiao Ting.
Fu Shen softly said: “Put me down.”
They knelt side by side on the cushions. Yu Qiao Ting took out a water bag and two small silver bowls, placing them on the ground before silently retreating.
Fu Shen said: “These are my grandfather, father, and uncle. My mother is buried in the hometown; we’ll visit another day.” He turned, facing north and south, “Come, let’s bow to heaven and earth.”
They bowed together in unison.
Turning to the portrait, Fu Shen raised his wine cup and toasted the empty space, saying: “Unworthy son Fu Shen, blessed by the Emperor’s marriage, today joining with the Flying Dragon Guard’s Qin Cha Envoy Yan Xiaohan in matrimony. Grandfather, father, second uncle, if you know of this in the netherworld, you can now rest in peace.”
“Bow to the elders.”
