Chapter 50 (2/2)

Grandether “You both are such good kids, but also such tragic fated kids No matter how the world treats you, you will forever be each other’s closest and dearest person No matter what happens, you will never leave or abandon each other Youas there is one person to rely on then no et over it”

After speaking their grandhtened around Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao’s hands Xiao Yao thought that death was just going to sleep and never waking up, which randmother would not be able to read stories to her or help her when Zhuan Xu was being mean to her…… Xiao Yao’s tears fell and she murmured “Grandmother, I don’t want you to die, I don’t want you to die……”

Zhuan Xu had no tears and was like an adult as he said “I will remember what Grandmother said”

Her grand for her response but Xiao Yao didn’t really even understand what her grand “I don’t want you to die, I don’t want you to die……”

Her grandain but she couldn’t talk with all the coughing Zhuan Xu anxiously wrenched Xiao Yao’s ear which hurt so bad she stopped crying Zhuan Xu stared at Xiao Yao and repeated each word carefully “Grandic fated kids No matter how the world treats us, ill forever be each other’s closest and dearest person No matter what happens, ill never leave or abandon each other We must always take care of each other Do you remember all of this?”

Xiao Yao held her tears in and nodded her head

Zhuan Xu said “Repeat it to Grandmother”

Xiao Yao repeated Zhuan Xu’s words to her grandhtly as if she had s to say to thehs directly to Zhuan Xu “Zhuan Xu, in the future do not let anyone be mean to Xiao Yao, you have to protect her”

Zhuan Xu solemnly vowed “I will remember and protect my little sister!”

Xiao Yao huffed, Zhuan Xu couldn’t even beat her in a fight, she would be the one who took care of Zhuan Xu and made sure no one was mean to him!

Grandestured to Auntie Ju Li to take the kids out and let her speak with Xiao Yao’saunt

Xiao Yao and Zhuan Xu stood outside for a while until they heard their eldest aunt sobbing Zhuan Xu held Xiao Yao’s hand and ran back inside and they saw their grandmother with her eyes closed in peace

Zhuan Xu kneeled down silently with no tears as he big down hard on his lips

Xiao Yao called out for her grand……

A hand reached out to join Xiao Yao in cleaning the weeds and she raised her head to see Zhuan Xu through her hazy tears

He was calm and collected with his lips pursed, just like when he was a child Xiao Yao felt all the sadness bubble up and she burst out sobbing

Zhuan Xu kept his head down and continued to clear the weeds until he was all done He walked up to Xiao Yao and wrenched her ear “Okay, stop crying! If you keep crying then Grand you off!”

Xiao Yao grabbed her stinging ear and stared at Zhuan Xu in a daze

Zhuan Xu turned his head and walked over to their Eldest Uncle’s grave and bowed three tirave beside it He then cleared the weeds and Xiao Yao wiped her tears and walked over to join hi down the tombs

Each did their tasks silently though Xiao Yao snuck a few peeks at Zhuan Xu but he never once glanced over at her

After finishi+ng the graves of their eldest uncle and eldest aunt, they went to clean their second uncle’s grave Xiao Yao followed and they did the same there

After she finished she sat down crossed legged watching Zhuan Xu plucking weeds with his head lowered

Xiao Yao bit her lip before asking “That night, how did you know Grandmother was about to die?”

Zhuan Xu replied “I can’t explain it, I just woke up suddenly and felt uneasy and afraid The first ti that ht before my mom committed suicide”

“I see”

After finishi+ng their second uncle’s grave, Zhuan Xu walked over to the joint tomb of his parents and kneeled down

Xiao Yao went to the creek to fetch a pail of water and when she got back Zhuan Xu was still silently kneeling

Xiao Yao kneeled down and bowed three times “Fourth Uncle, Fourth Auntie, I’rabbed a towel to wipe down the tomb but Zhuan Xu said “I’ll do it”

Xiao Yao handed him the towel and sat down to watch him clean She heard that when Fourth Aunt corave so this area had no weeds growing and instead was covered with bright red flowers

After Zhuan Xu finished wiping he kneeled down and bowed three times “Mom, I don’t hate you anyirl who I want to give the ruo mu flower to, and then I would understand why you did it I’ve met her, Mo her here so you and Dad can see her I brought her here, Mom, and I know you and Dad will like her very much”

Zhuan Xu turned to Xiao Yao “Come here!”

Xiao Yao stood frozen “What do you want?”

Zhuan Xu opened his hand and in his pal stem and folded petals, brilliantly beautiful like it was just plucked It was the Ruo Mu Clan’s rew on it Since the dawn of time the floas only worn by the clan leader or the clan leader’s wife Xiao Yao remembered that her Fourth Aunt alore the flower in her hair pin And on the day she committed suicide she handed the flower to Zhuan Xu

Zhuan Xu said “Xiao Yao, come here so my dad and mom can see you clearly”

Xiao Yao didn’t move and instead started to scoot back and Zhuan Xu coolly said “If you want the wedding to be cancelled then go ahead and leave”

Xiao Yao angrilyat him

Zhuan Xu looked her over and placed the ruo mu flower in her hair and smiled “Really pretty! Mom, what do you think?”

Xiao Yao was about to say so when Zhuan Xu put his hand on her head “Bow!”

It was to her Fourth Uncle and Fourth Auntie so Xiao Yao didn’t resist, she kneeled beside Zhuan Xu and the two respectfully bowed three times After the third bow Xiao Yao suddenly felt weird, it was just like she and Zhuan Xu were a couple gettingthe wedding ceremony

Xiao Yao asked “Zhuan Xu, what do you want?”

Zhuan Xu said nothing and got up, walking over to Xiao Yao’sit

Xiao Yao wanted to take out the ruo mu flower and toss it but it was her Fourth Auntie’s precious item…Xiao Yao didn’t dare and didn’t have the heart to She rushed over to Zhuan Xu and perhaps because this was her e and yelled “Zhuan Xu, I know you’re not suddenly deaf! What do you want? Today tell randmother, and our uncles!”

Zhuan Xu coolly said “After I clean up Auntie’s grave”

All the air deflated from Xiao Yao and she sat down dutifully and stared at Zhuan Xu

After Zhuan Xu plucked all the weeds and cleaned the to a hole and buried a knife inside

Xiao Yao couldn’t help but ask “What are you burying?”

“This is your dad’s military knife It’s called the Qi Yo Knife andto acquire it I had it found and brought to me to bury it noith Auntie’s battle arrave it will finally feel like closure”

Xiao Yao was so touched and could say nothing

Zhuan Xu fixed the grave and then gestured for Xiao Yao to come over

Xiao Yao kneeled in front of the grave as did Zhuan Xu who said “Auntie, Uncle, today Xiao Yao will uys don’t need to worry, he’s not bad and will take good care of Xiao Yao”

Xiao Yao turned in shock to gape at Zhuan Xu who looked at her “Aren’t you going to bow to your mom and dad?”

Xiao Yao and Zhuan Xu kneeled side by side and bowed three times to her mom and dad

Xiao Yao stood up and was going to rush back and change She touched the ruo mu flower on her head to take it off

Zhuan Xu said “This flower is now yours and keep it safe It’s not just a powerful mystical flower, it’s also the token of the Ruo Mu Clan No matter when or where this flower can coht”

Xiao Yao’s heart softened “Gege, you……you…did you cos……or………or, you know Fourth Auntie wanted you to give this flower to your wife…”

Zhuan Xu asked “Do you want to successfullytoday?”

Xiao Yao turned to look across at all the graves “I do!”

“Then proe”

Xiao Yao said “I agree!” But she asked “Tell me what first”

Zhuan Xu said “Wear this flower every day for the rest of your life”

This easy? Xiao Yao touched the flower and thought “Okay, I promise you!”

Zhuan Xu said “In a short while during the wedding you can’t take it off either!”

Xiao Yao furrowed her brows “Don’t be so difficult!”

“I’gest step back already!” Zhuan Xu’s face was impassive and his voice steady

Xiao Yao sto to view it as Fourth Auntie’s present to me!”

Zhuan Xu smiled “Whatever you want, you just have to alear it!”

Xiao Yao glanced at the sun “It’s almost the auspicious hour and I have to hurry!” She ran off but then ca back until she stood before Zhuan Xu all out of breath “Froe that Grandht?”

“Yes!”

“You mean it?”

Zhuan Xu glanced over across the six graves “Do I dare not mean it here?”

Xiao Yao wanted to smile but instead started to cry She reached out her pinky and Zhuan Xu did the same and the pinky swore When they were kids and about to do sohty they would first pinky swear

Xiao Yao wiped her tears and run off while yelling “Zhuan Xu, don’t you dare be late!”

Zhuan Xu watched until Xiao Yao was gone froht before he looked away

He glanced at the six graves – everyone was his and Xiao Yao’s dearest family members In thissaid before he died, that the idea to abandon Xuan Yuan Mountain for Sheng Nong Mountain was an idea that Jing came up with He knew that the only place in the entire world that Xiao Yao could successfully get married was Xuan Yuan Mountain

On this mountain were all the happy memories he shared with his little sister Xiao Yao Here a happy carefree little Zhuan Xu lost his father and saw his rando to war It was here that he had no choice but to allow Xiao Yao be sent away Xuan Yuan Mountain was so big yet there was no place for Xiao Yao to live safely He bla so weak and small

When news of his aunt’s battle death reached hirandraves He knew Xiao Yao would be so scared and devastated and he wanted so badly to go pick her up and spend day and night with her just like she did with him But he saw in the eyes of his royal uncles flashes of death and he finally understood his auntie’s words, that he had not the power yet to protect Xiao Yao

That night he vowed that he would never ever lose the final family member he had left! He would become powerful, more powerful than anyone else so that no one could haro to Jade Mountain to pick up Xiao Yao and protect her!

But life is so ironic, he started the path to become Emperor to protect Xiao Yao, but when he overca the way!

Zhuan Xu softly spoke to all his relatives “I’m sorry, I can’t keep my promise from that day anymore I need to let anotherand he is kind and more clever than anyone He is also co her to his care will disappoint you guys, so please be assured!”

The wind rustled through the graves Thousands of years, all the sche……everyone was dead but in the end he and Xiao Yao survived, they not only survived they were living well!

Zhuan Xu turned and walked off with a steady foot towards the sunlight path

Miao Pu finished dressing Xiao Yao in her wedding dress “So beautiful!”

Xiao Yao glanced at herself in the waterattire!”

Miao Pu laughed “This time will be a success”

Xiao Yao asked “Do you knoas invited?”

Miao Pu shook her head “His Majesty and Master are both very secretive but it can’t be a big group because the kitchen isfood for no more than ten people”

Xiao Yao sighed in relief “That’s good”

The et the bride

Miao Pu placed the phoenix crown on Xiao Yao’s head as the jewels draped over her face and she helped Xiao Yao walk out

As Xiao Yao neared the grand hall she sensed someone beside her but couldn’t turn her head to look and started to get nervous until a hand reached over to take hers

It’s Jing! Xiao Yao relaxed and couldn’t help but smile

The talked hand-in-hand into the grand hall of Cao Yun Court and through her beaded head curtains Xiao Yao gli in the center, the White Emperor to his life a step below, and Zhuan Xu even further below to his right Beside Zhuan Xu sat Ah Nian while Ah Bi and Lie Yang sat beside the White Emperor

Xiao Yao was stunned and forgot protocol, pulling aside her head cover and asked “Grandfather, why are you here?”

The Yellow Emperor acted insulted “What do you mean why am I here? I’m not welcome?”

“No…no, of course not! I just thought if Zhuan Xu was here then you couldn’t come, and I was very sad about that……”

The Yellow Ehed “Zhuan Xu and I traveled separately, and after your ceremony I’ll leave immediately so it’s not a problem”

Xiao Yao looked at the three Ee and happy

The ceree rites

The first bow to the Heavens

The second bow to the Elders Xiao Yao and Jing got on their knees and bowed, rising after the Yellow Eestured

The third bow to each other and Xiao Yao looked at Jing for the first time but was so embarrassed she kept her eyes lowered

The officiant declared the were married? Like that? What’s she supposed to after that?

The servants brought out the meal and the White E shortly so no need for protocol Jing and Xiao Yao, come here”

Jing removed Xiao Yao’s heavy headpiece and took her hand to walk over and sit down below the White Emperor

Jing poured them each a cup and the teds toasted the Yellow Emperor and the White Emperor

When it was ti and Zhuan Xu were perfectly composed

Jing boith a toast and Zhuan Xu picked up his cup and said “I used your strategy and you took my most precious treasure, let’s call it even”

Zhuan Xu gulped the wine down and Jing bowed low “Thank Your Majesty”

Xiao Yao toasted Zhuan Xu, looking like she had a lot to say but also didn’t knohere to start, so she just gulped down her wine and Zhuan Xu followed He said “Husband and ith hearts as one, wishi+ng love and happiness until both hair all white”

Xiao Yao stared at Zhuan Xu and knew fro well

Zhuan Xu warmly said “Only if you are well does my world have purpose”

Xiao Yao’s eyes reddened and she said “you……you have to be well too!”

Xiao Yao pulled Jing over to Lie Yang and Ah Bi, anted to leave when Jing bowed low but Xiao Yao stopped hireeting you both as her elders”

Ah Bi stood there stiffly and accepted the bohile Lie Yang re the toast

Ah Bi drank the wine and said with a smile “Your mom and dad is for sure very happy”

Xiao Yao and Jing walked over to AH Nian who quickly stood up Xiao Yao joked “Even though you are the Eathering so you toast us!”

Ah Nian laughed “Big sister and brother-in-law, I’o!”

Xiao Yao and Jing poured a cup of wine and toasted Ah Nian who said “I wish big sister and brother-in-law a lifetietherness!”

Ah Nian then poured a toast to Xiao Yao “Many years ago you gave o, neither of us could have i sister, taking care of ood little sister back”

Xiao Yao didn’t think too deep into what Ah Nian said as she gulped down her wine

After the toasts everyone finished theMountain

Walking thee, can I speak privately with you?”

Everyone continued walking leaving Xiao Yao standing there with Zhuan Xu as she said “I heard that Ru So’s relentless attack has backed Gong Gong’s army into the corner”

Zhuan Xu said “I was planning on a slow attrition to ’s death has left me no choice but to launch a full on assault”

Xiao Yao said “Gege, can you……can you……spare Xiang Liu?”

Zhuan Xu was shocked “He killed Feng Long, don’t you want to avenge his death?”

“Killing Xiang Liu won’t bring Feng Long back”

Zhuan Xu stared long and hard at Xiao Yao as she continued “I know you are in a tough spot, but I’ve never asked you for a favor when it’s difficult for you This is ”

“Xiang Liu is Fang Feng Bei, right?” Zhuan Xu appeared to be asking Xiao Yao but his expression was certain

Xiao Yao didn’t want to hide it anymore and woefully nodded

“So that’s it! No wonder I’ve felt that certain things were so odd, but now it alleach other?”

“We’ve severed all ties, I never want to see hiain in this lifetime and he certainly will also never want to see me! But no matter how he’s treated me……I…I still want him to stay alive”

Zhuan Xu took a deep breath “Xiang Liu killed Feng Long and I need to give a reckoning to the Chi Sui clan and Sheng Nong tribe otherwise it cannot appease the Middle Plains! But, as long as Xiang Liu is willing to stop, I can give him a chance to disappear”

Disappear doesn’tXiao Yao se!”

“Don’t thankLiu to our side and I even gave him carte blanche to na Actually all this time it’s not I ouldn’t stop, it’s hiht to the death then there is nothing I can do, I can’t sacrifice Ru So and the soldiers His life is a life but so are the lives of those fighting for me”

Xiao Yao bit her lip and lowered her said as she quietly said “I know”

Zhuan Xu patted her on the shoulder “He chose his path and now you’ve chosen yours and have done all you can do I think you’ve done enough for the friendshi+p No et it all!”

Xiao Yao nodded her head

Zhuan Xu got on the cloud carriage and Xiao Yao said “You take care!”

Zhuan Xu stared at the ruo mu flower in her hair and calmly said “I will!” Not just for myself, but for Xiao Yao also

He s “I leave Xiao Yao in your care!”

Jing bowed low “Your Majesty can rest assured”

Zhuan Xu closed the door and ordered “Depart!”

The cloud carriage rose into the sky

Xiao Yao watched as the cloud carriages carrying the Yellow E Mountain This was the fate of emperors, even if blood related there was never complete trust and each had to walk his own path Only feether, male birds were destined to always fly alone

Xiao Yao softly sighed, froer part of her life She was no longer the granddaughter to the Yellow E his path Xiao Yao glanced at Jing and leaned her head on his shoulder, from now one she was his wife!