A few weeks after he found out he had a son Xuelang asked Lianhua to marry him. The news had come as a shock to his father and the entire country for they knew the emperor was adamant that he would not marry.

When Xiaolang, Xuelang’s younger brother, found out that Xuelang had a son he had immediately rushed over to the Imperial Palace to see for himself if it was true. And for the third time in her life (Xuelang was second) she saw a man cry.

Both lovers, well Xuelang mostly, had decided that they should get married right away. Xuelang’s father and brother had wholeheartedly and eagerly agreed. Lord Zhaohui couldn’t believe he had finally become a grandfather and Xiaolang couldn’t believe he had a nephew, and they were most impatient for the couple to start having more.

Xuelang had scoffed at this but when he wiggled his eyebrows after with a smirk both men knew he was onboard with the idea. This had earned him a smack to the back of his head, a smck Lianhua had made sure to put all her strength in. She had watched as he went tumbling to the floor which everyone around him to laugh, including Quan who had really taken a liking to the palace and the people that resided within it.

After the wedding, which was as glorious as it was extravagant, Lianhua had made an announcement that had filled the eyes of all the men in her new family with tears. She was with child again. Right in the middle of the throne, which is where they were standing, Xuelang had fallen at her feet and took her in arms, pressing his face to her still flat stomach. Everyone present had watched in surprise and awe at the emperor’s behavior.

“Lianhua, you’ve just made me the happiest man alive.” He had mumbled up to her, his head still attached to her stomach.

“I thought you already were happy.” She replied.

“Well, in that case, you’ve made me a thousand times happier.” She had watched as desire pooled within the depths of his ocean deep eyes and in the blink of an eye he had her off her feet and rushing towards their wedding chamber where they would spend their first night as husband and wife.

Nine months later, after going through another strenuous labor which was by far longer and harder than the first time Lianhua had given birth to a son and daughter; twins. This had come as another great surprise for they had been expecting for one and not two babes.

Her son, which they had named Huan, came first. He was a strong and healthy baby boy with a shock of curly silver hair and wolf ears popping out on top. He shared the same eyes as his father.

Her daughter, Mingxia, was born second. She had been a tiny little thing and unlike her brothers she had a head full of raven black hair similar to Xuelang’s. As for her eyes, they were quite something to look at. It could be said that she shared something from both her father and mother. Mingxia’s left eye was a bright emerald and her right a dull grey with lightning white streaks.

Both parents had been shocked at this but it didn’t make them love her any less in fact it only served to make them love how unique she was from everyone else.

Holding her son in her arms and her husband holding their daughter she took a glance at Xuelang’s face and her family surrounding her and it was as if she hadn’t known true happiness until this day. She had found the love of her life and he had given her their precious children. Her life had undergone a lot of change and she had a lot to be grateful for.

But when it was all said and done though and all other thanks had been given, a special acknowledgment must be given to their ancestors, who created the rite of passage.

Translations:

Huan – happiness

Mingxia – bright glow through the clouds at dawn