2 (I) Prince Wang Li Jun

"You look great, Mei Zhen," Mother said, standing back to take a look at me.

I was wearing a dress, I couldn't describe how beautiful it was. It was red and was lined with gold, another masterpiece by my Aunt. All of my family members gaped at my dress and I suddenly felt nervous. There was a huge audience who will watch the wedding, mostly the Wang and Zhou family members. Mother hurriedly told everyone to leave the room so she could talk to me, almost like it would be our last time.

"Mei Zhen," she began. "Take good care of Li Jun, okay?"

Li Jun. Prince Wang Li Jun. He had a very nice name.

"I will, Mother," I promised as I took her hands. Her hands were slightly cold so I tried to warm them up. "What if he would be a very harsh person?"

"Nonsense," Mother replied. "Wang Li Jun is a very smart man and is also honest. You also remembered how he was too shy to present himself when we met with Mr. Wang and his wife. He could also be a very gentle person."

I nodded, hoping it would be true.

I was going to live with a person I have never met. I've never seen this man too and now I'm going to marry him and live with him. Then the thought hits me. I would become the mother of his children. I began to panic all over again. Mother quickly embraced me, careful not to mess up my hair and necklace. "Mei Zhen, calm down. I felt like this too when I was arranged to marry your father. But he turns out to be a good man." Mother said.

"I'm nervous, Mother," I said softly. "I'm starting to think that he would be a horrible man."

"If he will," my Mother's voice began to sound serious. "then show him kindness. Learn to love him no matter the circumstances. And maybe, just maybe, you can change the beast."

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Mei Zhen graciously walked down the aisle, trying her best to avoid the stares of everyone. She felt all of them looking at her. She looked forward and had a quick glimpse of the groom before lowering her head, looking down at the floor. He was wearing a blue robe and was also facing her. Mei Zhen began to hear people whispering, "Oh my, she's really young." "She's very beautiful for a Zhou." She shook her head in an attempt to shake off the thoughts in her head.

She made it to the front, face to face with Prince Li Jun. Her eyes were still glued to the carpet. She then heard the presider cough and whisper, "Mei Zhen, face front please." Mei Zhen breathed in, fingers shaking. She raised her head, immediately seeing Prince Li Jun's eyes. They were ocean blue and his hair was not as long as the other men. It was quite short but long enough to be tied in a high bun with a golden clip. He smiled softly as they made eye contact.

"It's an honor to meet you, Zhou Mei Zhan," Prince Li Jun greeted.

Mei Zhan bowed and greeted back, "It's an honor to meet you as well, Prince Wang Li Jun."

She looked up to see Li Jun chuckling softly. "You don't have to keep calling me Prince, Princess Mei Zhan." Mei Zhan noticed his dimples and felt her face growing hot as she found it adorable.

The presider chuckled louder, "It seems like our young couple already feels comfortable around each other."

The audience laughed and the two joined in. The event went on and in the end, Zhou Mei Zhan and Wang Li Jun were officially husband and wife. Almost everyone in the land, rich or poor, young or old, was invited to the reception. Mei Zhan and Li Jun sat beside each other and politely received the many gifts they received. Before the end of the reception, Li Jun's father Wang Ju-Long prepared a small speech. The man stood beside the couple and said in a loud voice, "Good day everyone."

Everybody raised their glasses and greeted back. Ju-Long cleared his throat.

"Thank you for coming to the wedding. It makes me so happy to finally see my son Li Jun standing before us with a woman to love. We welcome you to our family, Mei Zhan."

Everyone applauded as Mei Zhan humbly bowed her head. Ju-Long continued, "Most of you may have known how much I love my dear Li Jun. You've probably heard of how I would do anything to keep him safe and happy. But now, I need to realize that he's not my little boy anymore."

Li Jun chuckled as he gently patted his father's shoulder.

"Li Jun," Ju-Long began, facing his only son, "take care of yourself, okay? Take good care of Mei Zhan and her family. Soon, you'll both start your own family. I expect grandchildren, Li Jun."

Laughter from the audience.

"But no matter what happens, promise me that you will protect Mei Zhan," Ju-Long said. "She is your wife and you need to love her with your whole heart. She will also be the mother of your children."

Li Jun took a quick glimpse at Mei Zhan and smiled as if to say, "I will."

I will.

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They arrived at the Wang Mansion in a very luxurious carriage. Mei Zhan was just silently watching outside the whole time, she and Li Jun didn't talk all throughout the ride. It held an awkward atmosphere but it helped Mei Zhan clear her head after the party. She began to think deeply about her father-in-law Ju-Long. He talked very fondly of Li Jun and obviously favored him so much.

'They're possibly really close,' Mei Zhan thought to herself.

When they got down, a row of maids bowed in greeting as their masters arrived. One of them stepped forward and said, "Welcome home, Mrs. Wang."

Li Jun smiled and faced Mei Zhan, "This is Chao-Xing, the head of the maids. She'll look after you, especially while I'm away at work."

Mei Zhan smiled at the middle-aged woman before her. Chao-Xing smiled gently, understanding how the young woman was currently confused with the new surroundings. "Don't worry, Mrs. Wang. I will try my best to make sure you are comfortable in Mr. Wang's home."

"You can be close friends with Chao-Xing," Li Jun added with a chuckle. "She loves to talk about the new rumors in the market."

Chao-Xing chuckled. "Oh, Li Jun, stop it. I'm glad I have Mei Zhan here with me. I can finally share my stories to her instead of the other maids who only care about the new princes."

The maids behind her giggled. Li Jun laughed. He gently gestured Mei Zhan to get in.

"Welcome home, Mei Zhan," he greeted as she entered the door. He said it softly, almost like a gentle whisper.

Those words alone made sent a tingle down Mei Zhan's spine.

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"Are we going to stay in the same bed?" Mei Zhan asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

She was now wearing her sleeping garments and her hair was let loose on her back. Li Jun stood beside her in his own sleeping garments and glanced at his wife. He smiled and replied, "You can sleep there by yourself. I can sleep on the mat by the garden porch."

Mei Zhan turned towards him and said, "N-No! This is your bed. Besides, we are husband and wife. Please sleep with me."

Li Jun raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh?"

Mei Zhan realized what she said and blushed madly, her face growing hot. "N-No, that's not what I meant!" Li Jun laughed.

"It's alright, I know what you mean. But I see you're not comfortable with me yet. I can sleep in the po--"

BOOM!

Thunder clapped and it began to rain heavily. Li Jun began to hear the servants downstairs struggling to close all the windows. The window in their bedroom was slightly open, allowing a small shower of cold rain to enter.

Suddenly a flash of lightning was seen outside and Mei Zhan quickly wrapped her arms around her husband, her face buried in his chest. Li Jun felt his heart beating rapidly at the sudden contact. "Please," Mei Zhan whispered as she lifted her head to face him, "I can't stand thunderstorms." Her eyes were brown and sparkled in the moonlight. Li Jun couldn't escape them. He nodded, ears turning red.

"O-Okay, I'll stay." Li Jun replied. Mei Zhan lets go of him, her hands shaking. Li Jun takes one of them which were cold. Mei Zhan immediately felt the warmth as she held her husband's strong hand. He leads her to the bed and they both quickly tucked in as another roar of thunder comes.

Xx Xx Xx Xx Xx

"Li Jun?" Mei Zhan whispered, her head tilted to her left, facing Li Jun's sleeping face.

She was surprised to hear him mumble, "Yes?"

"I'm sorry if I pushed you to keep me company," Mei Zhan whispered.

"I want to keep you company," Li Jun replied, eyes still closed. "I don't care what reason it is, I want to be with you. I promised to protect you."

She was immediately touched by the words he said. She felt her face turning red again in the cold night. Li Jun opened his eyes and locks his with hers. He looks at her almost delicately. He smiled at her very softly. "I married you wholeheartedly."

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