A Shrine Of The First Wife

"Time to go," the leader snickered and was running off with the others.

"Snow," the blonde called out and the big cat jumped after the three trespassers.

He could hear the screaming and Ying Yue forced himself to focus. Rushing over, he saw Snow had blocked their exit and was slowly approaching them. Although he wanted to get his revenge, the thought left just as quickly.

'Maybe… maybe they needed money? Robbing others… they must not be wealthy.'

"Leave what you stole and you may go," he spoke up, "I mean everything. Snow would know if you forget."

All three men reluctantly dropped the items they had stolen. They shimmied to pass the big cat before taking off in a run, shouting at one another as they went. Ying Yue let out a big sigh and looked at the stolen items, but there was a specific one that caught his eyes. A plum blossom perfectly the size of his palm was created in sparkling gold. Picking it up, he held it turning to see the blossom shine under the sun.

["Wow!" A child ran up to him, "Is it done? Is that it?"

Brown eyes shining as she stared at what was in his hand.

"Almost," he laughed and looked down at the flower in his hand.

He watched as his spiritual energy flow through his index finger, moving to finish one more petal. Once done, he tucked it into the child's hair, making the child squeal in happiness.

"Happy birthday child," he said in a calm relaxed tone.

"Thank you, thank you Sir Yue!" The child ran off showing off the gift.

He felt his lips stretched into a smile and stood up. He let out a sigh and dropped his shoulder. He felt sad, forlorn in a way, and he watched as the villagers nodded in greeting at him as they passed by. He smiled at them and returned the acknowledgement, but his heart wasn't in it today. He looked up at the sky and just stared at the passing clouds.

Then, there were shiny spots falling onto his view and he wondered what it was. More and more fell from above him, landing on his face and around him. He picked the delicate and soft thing on his face. Picking it off him, he stared at it to see the gold, silver, and a tint of red on the petals.

Amazed at it, he stared some more and felt arms wrapped around him from behind. The smell of plum blossoms and wood scented his nose, making him smile. A warm palm underneath the back of his hand, turned his hand side to side so the color changing blossom captured the sunlight.

"Do you like it?" The baritone voice said softly against the shell of his ear.

"It is beautiful," he replied just as soft and looked up from the flower in his palm.

Walking toward him was Snow, covered in the silver, gold, and red blossoms looking incredibly beautiful. The villagers all watched in awe and some of the children had reached for the blossoms. After licking a few of the children, the big cat stopped before the blonde. His eyes watched as the blossoms lifted off the snow leopard and danced around both him and the king.

"Ah Yue," Wang Li walked around and stood beside Snow, still holding his hands, "Will you be my wife?"

His heart felt ecstatic as if it wanted to burst into pieces of colors. Eyes watering, he watched the man in red walk forward to place his forehead against his.

"I have always loved you," the Ghost King's lips curled, "Won't you stay with me?"

He heard himself laugh softly as tears slid down his eyes. Nodding, he felt the kiss on his lips and he closed his eyes. When eyes watched his lover lift his hand to kiss his knuckle, he couldn't help the smile stretched across his face, before his eyes widened. There on his ring finger was a gold and black band, shining under the sunlight.

"I love you Ah Li," he wrapped his arms around his lover, "Forever."

Closing his eyes, he savored the soft laugh from Wang Li and the warmth against his heart.]

Green eyes opened, holding the golden blossom in his shaking hand. His empty hand covered his face as he cried, crumpling to the ground. His heart was so happy from that memory, but it conflicted the deep sadness he felt now. Too much feeling, too much love… too much that wasn't his.

He felt the nuzzling from Snow and he reached for the comfort. Crying against the large cat, he wondered if what he thought was a pity from the Heavens was actually a punishment.

'I should have died then feel this,' he thought pulling Snow closer to him, 'I don't want to live like this. I don't want your feelings or memories. Please, take it away.'

==

When the sun was setting at the tip of the hills, Ying Yue arrived back to the palace with Snow. Heart tired and face crestfallen, the blonde just wanted… he just wanted…

Shaking his head, he headed to dinner and hopefully feel a little better. Unfortunately for him, he noticed the man his heart yearned for was not there. Ignoring the way his heart clenched, he greeted everyone with a smile. Nodding when he heard the excuse for why the king wasn't there, he ate and conversated with them. He did his best to carry on a conversation, to stay happy, to not let everything affect him, but it was difficult.

His hands shook, his nose sniffled, his eyes felt puffy, and his chest hurt.

Excusing himself early from dinner, he walked toward his room but felt dizzy. Hand placed against his forehead, he stumbled with fuzzy eyes.

'What… what is wrong with me?' He sounded muddle in his mind, 'Did I accidently drank wine?'

Legs taking him to a destination he was unsure of, as hands tracked the walls.

'Am I… am I dying again?' He wondered feeling his heart clenching.

Stumbling, he pulled the sliding door aside and fell inside. Letting out a groan, he pushed himself up and looked around. The shadows covered most of the area, so he could only see some items in the room. Pushing himself to stand, he closed the door and lit the candles in the room. His green eyes blinked in what he saw and he immediately knew what this room was.

A shrine for the first wife: Sheng Shui.

The straw hat was hanging on the wall, the one that brought the two lovers together. There were books and a few scrolls at the floor table in the corner. The other walls… paintings that Sheng Shui had done of Wang Li, of them, of Snow, of Shen and the girls…

He found himself hyperventilating. The Heavens truly hated him to throw him into the room of the man who kept pestering him with memories and feelings. To the shrine of the unforgotten love of a king who wouldn't let go.

"Sheng Shui," he shouted lying on the floor, "What do you want from me? You died… you cannot return," he stared blurrily at the ceiling as his eyes watered, "Please move on. I know you love him, but can't I love him too?"