- Chapter Start –
An hour later…
Di FeiSheng is awakened by an insistent tapping at the window. It turns out to be Fang DuoBing's messenger bird with a note tied to its leg.
"From XiaoBao?" Li LianHua mumbles, raising his head and rubbing at his eyes.
"What?" He asks when Di FeiSheng just stares at him without saying anything.
"Nothing," Di FeiSheng says in an innocent tone that is anything but. Frowning, Li LianHua snatches the note from him.
"Oh. Shiniang says I'm an ungrateful brat for not going to see her after she saved my life." He looks guilty. "I should rectify that now."
Di FeiSheng takes the note from him and reads it.
"Weshould rectify that now," he corrects.
- o –
It's just past noon when they return to Tianji Hall, again using qinggong with Li LianHua in Di FeiSheng's arms.
"You know, A-Fei, I could get used to this," Li LianHua remarks, expecting a snarky remark in return.
"So could I," Di FeiSheng says which takes all the wind out of Li LianHua's sails and leaves him speechless.
Fang DuoBing is waiting for them on the outer terrace, arms crossed over his chest and a knowing smile on his face.
"Shifu's hair looks so clean and shiny now," he says and chuckles when they both turn pink. "We have quite a few guests staying here so we three will have lunch with Qin-po in her room."
"What about the Baichuan Academy directors?" Di FeiSheng asks.
"Oh, they left after Guan HeMeng and Yun BiQiu told them that Li LianHua isn't receiving visitors yet, but I'm sure they'll come again tomorrow."
- o –
Madam Qin straightens her back and puts on a stern demeanour when the door opens to admit her XiangYi, Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing.
She had slept like the dead for the past forty eight hours, waking up only for meals before going back to bed. Her XiangYi is cured and in safe hands; that is all that matters. Besides, rest is of utmost importance after draining so much Qi and at her age. She feels more like herself again this morning apart from the additional white in her hair and a few more lines on her brow.
"Shiniang, please forgive this unfilial disciple for not coming to see you sooner." Hands clasped together, Li LianHua drops to his knees and bows with Di FeiSheng's hand under his elbow.
"Shiniang, it is my fault for not bringing him here sooner." Di FeiSheng kneels down and bows as well, paying no mind to Li LianHua's startled side glance or Fang DuoBing's widened eyes.
Madam Qin finds herself hiding a smile. Who knew that the cold Demon Leader would have this streak of mischief in him?
"Alright, get up. No doubt you find each other's company more enjoyable than an old woman's."
She holds up a hand to forestall Li LianHua's expected protest and narrows her eyes at Di FeiSheng.
"Di-mengzhu, my memory isn't as good as it used to be, but I don't recall either me or my late husband taking you on as student. Nor have our paths even crossed before two weeks ago at the Imperial Palace."
"Much to my regret since things might have turned out for the better," Di FeiSheng replies. "Regardless, Li LianHua accepted my proposal this morning. I hope you will allow me the honour of addressing you the same way he does."
"Tell the whole world, why don't you?" Li LianHua mutters.
"Wait - you two are getting married? When?!" Fang DuoBing exclaims in shock.
Di FeiSheng and Li LianHua both glare at him. Madam Qin allows herself a small smile.
"Very well. Di FeiSheng, you have proven your devotion to my XiangYi. I look forward to drinking a cup of tea from you then."
Di FeiSheng blinks at her and turns to Li LianHua who sighs.
"Shiniang, we haven't planned anything yet."
"That's good to know because I will handle everything!" Madam He breezes in, followed by two servants bearing laden trays.
Di FeiSheng and Li LianHua exchange slightly panicked looks.
"He-tangzhu, there's no need-" Li LianHua begins.
"Nonsense! You two are my guests which means it's my responsibility."
"And mine," Madam Qin tells her.
"Of course, Qin-jie. Don't you two worry, we'll take care of everything!"
"Qin-jie?" Fang DuoBing repeats. "Niang, you can't lay claim to everyone as your family!"
"Enough, brat, you don't know what you're talking about." Madam He dismisses the two servants who curtsey and leave, giggling.
Di FeiSheng and Li LianHua exchange another glance. It's obvious they know that any hopes they might have had of a private ceremony or even keeping it a secret is as good as gone.
"Well, let's have lunch!" Beaming again, Madam He sits beside Madam Qin and starts plying her with choice morsels of food. "We have a lot of things to plan after this. It's a good thing I insisted that Wu Yan and XunMing stay here, they can represent A-Fei's family!"
Fang DuoBing snickers at Li LianHua and Di FeiSheng's alarmed faces and picks up his teacup.
"And then it'll be XiaoBao and ZhaoLing-gongzhu's turn," Madam He continues.
Fang DuoBing chokes on his tea.
- o -
Later that afternoon, Princess ZhaoLing arrives at Tianji Hall, accompanied by Yang YunChun and Xuan YuanXiao. Minister Fang, having been informed early this morning, welcomes them with his family members, Li LianHua and Di FeiSheng.
After exchanging the required formal greetings, Princess ZhaoLing approaches Li LianHua with a big smile.
"Li LianHua, I'm so relieved you're cured! I hope you will live to a ripe old age."
"Thank you, gongzhu." Li LianHua bows. "You are a brave princess and have my deepest respect for what you did."
"I agree and you have mine as well." Di FeiSheng bows too, making Princess ZhaoLing the second female to receive his acknowledgement.
"Oh, you don't have to bow…"
"That's not all," Yang YunChun says. "She spent the whole night in the royal shrine, praying for Li LianHua's recovery, until she heard the good news."
"Gongzhu, that's too much," Li LianHua protests. "You should've been resting after such an eventful day. Thank you."
He bows again.
"Ah, please stop!" Princess ZhaoLing waves her hands, looking flustered. "In fact, I should bow toyousince you are Fang DuoBing's shifu and he is my-"
She presses both hands to her mouth, pink with mortification.
"Your future prince consort," Fang DuoBing finishes for her. His cheeks are just as flushed, but he's smiling.
"Fang DuoBing!" Princess ZhaoLing stares at him with starry eyes. "You said it! You said it so you should mean it… right?"
"I do," he says and ignores his parents standing a few feet away. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine," she assures him when he takes a closer look at her cheek. "That mark is almost gone. Guan HeMeng's jade beauty cream is a miracle!"
"Wonderful news indeed, gongzhu," Xuan YuanXiao says and removes a golden scroll from his robes. "I have another for Li LianHua and Di FeiSheng. His Majesty's Decree!"
At once, Minister Fang and his family step back while Di FeiSheng and Li LianHua get on their knees and exchange resigned looks. Having their every move scrutinised from now on is a gross invasion of privacy, but of course the Emperor would want to safeguard his throne and protect his kingdom from a possible invasion.
"Li LianHua and Di FeiSheng defeated Shan GuDao, neutralised the threat of a Nanyin uprising, and prevented the Wansheng Clan from seizing the royal throne. Li LianHua and Di FeiSheng are loyal citizens of Great Xi. They are free to travel the martial arts world. As long as they show that their actions are for the good of Great Xi, their activities will not be monitored. Please acknowledge."
Xuan YuanXiao has a rare smile on his face as he surveys Di FeiSheng and Li LianHua's stunned faces.
"See? Iknewfuwang would be reasonable about this!" Princess ZhaoLing says, beaming.
- o –
After a round of congratulations, Yang YunChun takes Li LianHua, Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing aside.
"Do you remember Ma-shenyi who passed away recently? His assistants burned all his research notes on the Tree Man Syndrome, but they found some inside one of his old robes this morning."
He pulls out a thick roll of papers from his robes.
"It seems that Ma-shenyi discarded this research many years ago – even though he was sure it would work – because the prescription required an ingredient he thought no longer existed."
"Let me guess - Nanyin royal blood?" Li LianHua says in a dry tone.
"Yes! But how do you know, Li-xiong?" Yang YunChun looks both mystified and impressed.
Li LianHua just shakes his head and smiles.
"I don't mind donating my blood," he says. "It's for a good cause and I'm glad my heritage will be of use."
"How much is needed?" Di FeiSheng, on the other hand, doesn't look pleased at all. "And who will be handling this?"
"I would like to." Guan HeMeng walks up to them with Yun BiQiu beside him.
"I will help," Yun BiQiu says. "I don't know much about medicines, but I do have some experience in collating and analysing data."
"Thank you, BiQiu." The warm smile Guan HeMeng gives him makes everyone feel like they're intruding.
- o –
"So much for my crush on Li LianHua," He XiaoFeng says with a sigh. "He never even noticed!"
"I'm sure he did," Madam He says and nudges her shoulder. "But you and YunFei suit each other better. I have to say, A-Fei and Li LianHua make a lovely couple. So do Wu Yan and XunMing."
"What about Guan HeMeng and Yun BiQiu?" He XiaoFeng asks with a sly smile on her face.
"Oho, so A-Li has been going around gossiping!" Madam He laughs in delight. "They do makesucha sweet couple, don't they?"
"Furen." Minister Fang comes up to the two sisters, looking a bit disturbed. "Our home is getting crowded. Even though I would consider myself a good host, I really hope this is the extent of your matchmaking."
"Mymatchmaking?" Madam He raises an eyebrow at him and pats his arm. "Don't worry, they all found each other without my help. I must be losing my touch."
- Chapter End -
furen = married woman / madam wife
gongzhu = princess
jie = older sister
mengzhu = alliance leader
niang mother
po = grandmother
qinggong = lightness skill to gain temporary flight
shenyi = doctor
shifu = martial teacher
shiniang = wife of martial teacher
tangzhu = hall master