New Beginning

"Without further delay, I want to thank everyone for their presence, May Shòumìng always be with you"

"May he listen to your words" all the leaders and people of the kingdom responded to the fire king's greeting.

Shòumìng was not a guardian, he was the god of life, an old legend says that before being a God he was a human who found his way to enlightenment and became the first god and celestial emperor in the immortal world.

"Before we start I want to announce something important…"

Everyone was expectant since the king had never made an announcement on his son's birthday, most of the time he didn't even talk much because it was not only Xichen's birthday but also his wife's death anniversary but it seemed that this time it will be different.

More so because he had his current partner in his arms even though they had always remained their relationship with discretion.

"Today before all of you and with the permission of my beautiful wife Li Wen…"

Hearing those words Zhao tightened his clothes, he wanted to run away but he couldn't do it ... he had an idea of what his partner was going to say but despite the pain and his pride he had to swallow everything at that moment and be there next to Xichen and the king, however, he never expected what would happen next.

The king accommodated Zhao next to him, Xichen and all the king's sons had risen to stand in front of both of them, leaving Zhao confused and nervous.

"With the god of love Hu Tian Bao as my witness, I want to ask you, Wang Zhao, for the opportunity to make you the happiest person in the world and share the rest of our lives... together"

Everyone was in shock because, in front of all the clans the king had knelt in front of Zhao and extended a small box with a golden ring which has a phoenix surrounding a small piece of coal with its wings, he was asking him to marry him despite his promise with his late wife.

A *drum music began to sound on the sides, they were doing a ritual to ask the late queen for permission to bless that union, if she accepted from the spiritual realm, the coal should turn into a ruby but if she didn't allow it, the coal would turn into dust.

*Música de batalla China - Legends of China*

Everyone was nervous, especially the king's children because if his mother did not accept it, it must be for a reason and that would only unleash his father's anger because his suspicion about the death of his mother could be correct.

The music increased in rhythm and tension as well, Xichen was not nervous because he had known Zhao for as long as he could remember, he was always his support and the only mother figure in his memory, so he never thought that he could damage someone.

The song increased the tension and the jewel began to light up, something normal in any ceremony, Zhao had not been able to get out of the surprise, he had not even moved a muscle looking at that coiled ring designed especially for him, it was a design he had made in his adolescence when he thought he would marry a young woman and was surprised that his partner still remembered it so clearly.

...

The light became blinding for everyone, the music ceased in coordination with that strong glare, everyone covered their eyes for a moment, opening them in surprise at the sound of falling sand.

Huan was the first to react, he opened his eyes annoyed and ready to attack him.

"I knew it you damn liar…"

Although he fell silent immediately upon seeing that huge ruby glowing with intensity, the rest of the coal is what had fallen in sand form, it had never passed in any ceremony that the color was as pure as the one they saw at that moment.

Zhao couldn't say anything because he was already crying, his friend Li Wen had allowed him to continue loving his first love, he covered his eyes in shame and didn't know what to say.

A long time ago the fire king had also doubts about his wife death so he lied to supposedly leave the castle only to be able to secretly followed Zhao to his late wife's grave when they were there, Lan Yang witnessed something that he would never forget.

"A-Zhao... don't torture me, I'm dying of nerves"

Zhao only laughed a little cleaning his eyes before beginning to nod euphorically, the king breathed a sigh of relief as he placed that ring on his finger but the surprise was still not over, all the king's children had prepared somethi say to ask him, if Zhao accept them as his children after all he was always there to listen and support them when they needed it the most.

"Zhao you know that I love my mother a lot, I think I was the one who enjoyed her presence the most, she saw me grow up but you were always there to pick me up, my mother let me make my own mistakes but you always advised me not to make them... Both you and she were my guide and that is why today I want you to allow me to consider you not a stepmother, but my second mother" Suihua was the first to speak.

"A-Zhao, I remember that mom was always busy, Suihua was a problematic child and I felt that no one had time for me, but you were always there when I need, you were a teacher, a friend, and even my play partner in adventures when I didn't have someone to play with but above all, you were my only support when I had bad times, for some reason I couldn't trust my weaknesses to my parents but I could be honest with you, because you didn't have high expectations of me, you only encouraged me to be myself, and for that reason It would be an honor for me to call you my mother" Shen was the second to talk.

When it was Huan's turn the younger couldn't speak, he had rushed and felt embarrassed. Zhao got up from his seat and approached the minor to hug him, he didn't blame him for hesitating, he was the person closest to the late queen and it was easier to blame someone than to accept that it was her time.

"I'm sorry… Even though… you've always supported me… maybe I hold on to blaming you…" he gasped as he cried.

"I know very well A-Huan, I don't blame you and this doesn't take away all my love for you, the fact that I'm now your father's partner is a very hard change and you must take all the time you need, when you'll feel ready I will be there …"

Huan just looked at the opposite with eyes full of tears hugging him tightly. Zhao looked at the others and extended his arms to join them in a strong hug.

"Mom… you are the only one I know as a mother and it will always be that way, it's good to see you two together"

Xichen joined the hug and shortly after the boys released him, Zixuan and Xia also approached the opposite to hug him, since he would now be like his mother-in-law to them.

They bowed to him and walked away letting the Fire King approach Zhao, all the leaders took a glass to make a toast.

"For the New Queen"

They all said in unison just like the townspeople, everyone knew about that surprised except Zhao.

"You planned it all, didn't you?"

"Well I'll just say it's thanks to your deep sleep"

The king mentioned in a joking tone, holding his cheeks with his hands, approaching him until he finally could kiss his partner freely, revealing his great love without the ties of before.

Zhao could not be happier and moved by such a beautiful surprise, after that kiss Zhao did something that no one expected. He took out a gold ring but it had a pair of phoenixes joining in a half heart.

"I wanted to do it in private but... since you made it public, I can only repay it with the same big love you show for me, I love more than anything and I love your wonderful children who are my family"

Zhao placed that ring on his partner's finger leaving a kiss on his palm, he was happy but he could only cry with a smile because of the emotion, he had no words for all that event, they returned to their table to have their drinks and make the toast.

"For more unexpected... surprises"

Said Zhao to end the toast and drink altogether, when Zhao calmed down he looked at his great love Lan Yang there and he did not care about appearances anymore, he approached to plant a new kiss on his lips in front of everyone, the princes were truly embarrassed to see them kissing so freely.

...

The way to the castle had become a little longer than they had anticipated, fortunately, they had left a little earlier thanks to the preparations.

Madam Li was in the first carriage followed by Shuoyue and three other larger carriages with the rest of those who would show up that night.

They arrived just in time although they witnessed the awkward moment between the kings Bai Lian and Lan Yang. They had to enter through the back of the castle to prepare. The young Councilor Ling had noticed their arrival and greeted them in silence to guide them.

Shuoyue looked at the king and his partner curious becaude he knew them from somewhere but he couldn't remember where he saw them from.

"Honey, are you ok?"

"Madam… I'm fine, I just got distracted, wow you look awesome"

Madam Li was a beautiful woman with jet black hair and violet eyes, that day she was wearing a black hanfu with purple clothes inside and some details in gold, she had her hair tied in a bun with some hairpins.

Madam Li looked almost the same as the old queen Li Wen because they were half-sisters. Madam Li had been the product of an infidelity by the previous King who had not recognized her, but she didn't care.

Her life had been much freer thanks to not having a strict father but of course, she had also her difficulties, the current leader knew who she was so she had to be careful not to show herself too much since they were on bad terms.

"If you feel bad, don't hesitate to say so, you can come and rest"

"Of course I just… I think I'm just nervous"

Shuoyue showed a wide smile, he was sure to have known that place, and not only that, he had vague moments coming to his mind where he saw himself walking in the corridors of that castle with someone else but he didn't remember that person anymore.

...

After the toast and the kiss, everyone took a seat, Ling gives the announcement of the first event of the night because Zhao was too busy talking and laughing with the king for such news and it was something to rejoice about.

"For today's opening number we have a very interesting presentation of the... most famous place in the capital"

Everyone started to pay attention, the members of the brothel arrived to accommodate the scenery of Shuoyue's number with which he would do the opening, they made a path with paper lotus flowers.

The sun was going down fast and the night was already giving a mystical effect at that moment. They used some candlelight projectors with different colors of paper to make another effect.

Zhao took advantage of the fact that everything was being arranged to approach Xichen.

"A-Chen… I want to say something, your father was more stubborn than you when he was younger… I know it's not easy to let go of the person you loved the most, but here you have a young beautiful boy who supported you a lot during that tragic event… I'm not asking you to make a decision today, but to think of the possibility of new love, can you do that for me?"

Zhao wanted to show him that even if you lose someone, you could love again. Xichen only nodded a little his head, he knew what the other was referring to and glanced at Shuang Hua who blush instantly when they made eye contact.

He was about to get up and go to him when Madam Li came out to introduce the first of her "artists."

"Good night everyone, today we will transport you to an icy place with our dear and mystery divine moon, Shuoyue"

The applause was immediate but Xichen's heart tightened when he heard the name, it was inevitable not to think about his former partner, but the young Bai Zhen almost drowned when he heard the name of the young boy who would dance.

Madam Li was the only one who knew that Shuoyue came from the Ice kingdom but for the same reason she knew she had to protect his identity, after much asking she convinced him to use a small spell to change the color of his hair to black.

Shuoyue didn't understand why she insisted so badly to change his hair color but he still agreed, with that change, his green eyes shone even more. Its color still seemed strange to him but he had already gotten used to it, he waited outside the main gate of the palace courtyard with a veil covering half of his face.

To be continue