Welcome Ceremony

Lan Castle

Within an hour Zhao managed to arrange all the decorations for the event, checked the food of each kingdom for the banquet, and finally confirm that the outfits for the princes had been shipped according to his specifications.

"Doctor Zhao, are you ready? It's still a little early, isn't it?"

"Counselor Xiao... Nice to see you."

Lan Zhao wore a beautiful golden-colored hanfu with copper details to highlight the outfit, especially the flying phoenix design on his back. The representative color of the fire's kingdom was yellow, but for important events they wore gold-colored garments with copper, these outfits carried the symbol of their guardian God, which was the phoenix.

"Yeah, well…I had a little accident so I decided to change early"

The elderly gentleman who wore a similar hanfu but of a darker gold looked at the young man until he found that red mark on the doctor's neck, he coughed a little clearing his throat realizing what could happen. The entire empire knew about Zhao's relationship with the fire king even if they tried to hide it.

"It is good to know that the king is still as vigorous as ever"

That comment caused Zhao's face to burn bright red.

"Counselor Xiao! What nonsense..."

"Hahahaha I think it would be a good idea for you to stop hiding in the shadows, I don't think there is someone who doesn't already know"

"That's not up for discussion"

Zhao wanted to continue complaining but the guests had begun to arrive, with a bow he said goodbye to the counselor to go receive everyone.

Being such an important celebration that it would last for three days, the five clans gather these for the ascension ceremony of the crown prince. Zhao had to make sure that the guests from the neighboring clans felt comfortable and cheerful at all times.

Zhao was waiting at the gate of the Jīn gōng palace where all the banquets were held when he saw the first carriage arriving, Zhao came to greet the leader Lu Huā and his son Shuāng Huā.

From a beautiful carriage with light green curtains came out a young adult who looked about 27 years old, with delicate features, long hair of an intense and shiny grass green, dark gray eyes, and white skin.

"May Shuǐlóng's blessing always protect you" Zhao greeted, bowing with a hand on his chest.

"May the blessing of Fènghuáng always protect you" answered the leader Lu Huā, bowing with his hands together in front of him.

To show respect between kingdoms they had to know how to greet and how to make the corresponding bows since each leader was a different entity and had customs completely opposite from each other.

"A-Shuāng get down now" commanded the water leader who was waiting for his son to get out of the carriage.

From the vehicle came out a young boy who was quite as handsome as his father or more, with mesmerizing light gray eyes and lemon green hair so long that despite wearing it in a high ponytail it dragged a little on the ground.

Both members of the water kingdom wore a light green hanfu with the symbol of their guardian Lîyú a fish in his natural form embroidered in white color, his guardian was a dragon but long before his transformation he was a carp fish called Lîyú that thanks to his perseverance became Shuǐlóng, however, the leader wanted his kingdom to always remember his humble origin with which the dragon began, that is why his symbol was the fish.

"Please join me I will show you your place"

"Thank you very much"

Lu Huā and his son followed Zhao to a table set in beautiful shades of green and gold in the castle courtyard.

"Excuse me, Councilor Zhao... Is Xichen already there?" Shuāng Huā asked shyly.

"A-Shuāng don't be impatient"

Zhao only smiled a little before answering the doubt about the prince’s water kingdom.

"It's fine, his highness's curiosity is normal, I think Xichen is still getting ready but he will be there at any time"

The prince blushed a little, everyone knew that now that Xichen had no lover, he and Shuāng Huā would get married thanks to their tradition.

Shuāng Huā smiled gently and thanked the other for the answer, following him the rest of the way in silence. When they both sat down, King Lu Huā spoke again.

"Counselor Zhao, I've always wondered what should I call you? Because you are the court doctor too."

"Ah… I know, I mentioned the same thing to his majesty but he doesn't pay attention to it …"

"Hahaha, maybe should I call you your majesty too?"

"Of course not" Zhao denied euphorically with an embarrassed face.

He cleared his throat before calling a pair of servants to attend both of them, he gracefully waved off to greet the Wind kingdom royal family.

"A-Shuāng believe it or not, councilor Zhao is like a mother to Xichen so if you want to win the prince's affection you must also win the councilor's favor"

"I know father, don't worry I know I will win Xichen's heart"

"I hope so, take advantage of the fact that Lan Yue passed away and is no longer a hindrance to you"

"Of course father"

Zhao repeated the greeting of the Wind kingdom who wore a completely white hanfu with Silver details with his God Baí Zè, a mystical enormous cat with big horns.

The attendants of that kingdom were King Wei Qiáng, his two sons Wei Tian, and Wei Li, and his only daughter Wei Qian.

They all had incredible beauty, golden blonde hair, and eyes of a very curious but beautiful white color.

The next to arrive were those of the earth clan, who wore purple hanfus with lilac tones in some parts with the figure of their Guardian God Xuanwu, a giant turtle with a snake coiled in its shell.

The Earth Clan Leader Li Luo, a beautiful woman with onyx-black hair and purple eyes, was the younger sister of Li Wen, the former wife of the Fire King, as well as Xichen's aunt. She arrived with her husband Li Xue and her two sons, Li Yuan and Li Jin.

Li Luo also approved of the relationship between Zhao and the fire king because she knew some of Zhao's secrets that not even the Fire King knew, she was aware of the beautiful human being that Zhao was, so she fervently supported them.

"Brother Zhao!"

"Your Majesty Li… you shouldn't call me like that"

Zhao rebuked the girl with a blush plastered on his face, he really didn't understand why everyone had conspired against him by telling him nonstop that they were aware of his relationship with the king.

"Don't call me her majesty, it's sister Li"

"But…"

"No buts!"

Zhao sighed in defeat although he couldn't tell her "sister Li" he said no more about it, Zhao led her to the table prepared which was adorned in purple with gold accents.

Only one clan was missing to arrive but they had sent a messenger winter owl that they were somewhat late therefore having all the guests gathered he went to look for the princes and the king to enter the hall.

He began by going to the room of Suihua who was the eldest son of the king of fire with his 26 years, a young man with quite attractive pale skin, red hair, and violet eyes which he inherited from his mother. He wore a light gold outfit with a pair of phoenixes making a heart on his back.

Suihua was waiting in his room with his husband Zixuan, a young man with black hair and honey eyes who also wore the same outfit as his husband.

"Your Highness Suihua, Zixuan, are you ready?"

Zhao knocked on the door of the room and both young men immediately came out looking at each other with a soft smile.

"A-Zhao you don't have to be so formal"

"I guess it's the custom, your highness"

Suihua and her husband could only laugh as they followed Zhao down the hall to the room of Second Prince Lan Shen, the 24-year-old with pale skin, golden eyes, and black hair. He wore a dark golden outfit with a phoenix in its nest.

Shen's wife Lan Xiu, a beautiful young woman with red hair and black eyes who wore a similar outfit to her husband's except that the phoenix on her back had an egg in her nest, a sign of the future prince to come on the way.

The young couple settled behind Suihua and her husband to go for Lan Huan, the third son, a rather androgynous young boy who many mistook for a girl, red-haired with beautiful golden eyes, fine and delicate features, with a small body. He wore an almost light yellow hanfu with a couplet of phoenixes rising from the bottom of the garment on his back.

"A-Huan, you look astonished"

"Thank you, Zhao, you also look great"

"I appreciate it… well let's go get the birthday boy before going to the king"

Although everyone had let Zhao be his father's lover, Lan Huan did not fully accept Zhao, he still felt uncomfortable because he had gone from being his “Zhao's uncle” to his stepmother Zhao it was a radical change that he certainly did not like very much, although he didn't say anything for the happiness he gave his father.

They arrived at Xichen's room and Zhao knocked on the door but there was no answer, Zhao knew Xichen so much that he didn't have to be a genius to know what was happening.

"Sorry guys give me five minutes"

Zhao mentioned to the princes with a sigh before entering the young prince's room, the elders knew how attached Xichen was to Zhao who practically raised him and was the only mother he knew, but Lan Huan was looking for any excuse to separate him from his father and couldn't wait, with curiosity he opened the door a little.

"A-Huan, don't peek"

Although Suihua tried to stop him, they had already seen the interior of Xichen's room completely destroyed. Zhao caressed Xichen's head who was crying disconsolately, probably because of Lan Yue's death.

Huan closed the door immediately upon seeing that, feeling bad seeing his younger brother like that, much more for thinking that Zhao was doing something inappropriate with his brother Xichen who Zao considered almost his biological son.

After a few minutes in total silence Zhao walked out with Xichen, he greets all of his brothers with a subtle smile.

"Hello … I'm sorry I kept you waiting"

"It's ok Xichen, today is an important day, it's good that you take your time"

Suihua, being the oldest, approached his brother to caress his hair trying nm to not mess with its hair.

"Thanks, brother"

Xichen walked in front of them as he finished his talk with Zhao, upon reaching the King's room he stood behind his brother Huan.

"Your majesty, the princes await you"

Zhao was waiting for his partner who took a while to come out but after a few minutes the doors opened and the king of fire, that sexy and attractive red hair man with golden eyes, those mature and manly features but who did not look to be more than in his thirty came out of the room looking at his partner Zhao with a smile.

"You look divine A-Zhao"

"Your majesty, refrain the praise for later"

Zhao coughed a little at the surprising compliment, unconsciously frowning his eyebrows, he looks at his attire and reached over him to adjust the sash of his inner hanfu that the opponent had misplaced.

"You are like a baby A-Yang"

"I am thanks to you"

"Don't blame me, you little lazy"

He forgave that they were in front of his partner's children and when he realized that fact he just kept quiet and tried not to show his flushed face.

The king wore a deep golden hanfu with shades of copper, on his back was a phoenix courting another. It was a new design, previously he only wore the hanfu that demonstrated his bond with Li Wen.

All the king's sons except Huan smiled to see his father's big change, they were proud of him, after they smile at that view all began to advance together.

Zhao explained to his partner who had come from each kingdom and the delay of the Ice royal family, when they reached a door that connected that corridor to the banquet hall, Zhao stepped aside to let them pass first.

"Zhao... won't you come in with me?"

"I wouldn't dare to be so rude to the queen"

They liked a lot that side of Zhao, despite having already spent 17 years, he still respected the memory of their mother in important events, although they were also worried about Zhao who could not stand proud next to his partner.

"How stubborn…"

"You won't change my mind, your Majesty so … please come in"

Everyone just sighed in unison, the resigned king asked the guard to be announced and without further delay, all of them entered.

Shuāng Huā look at Xichen anxious while Li Luo looked annoyed at the king for not having entered with Zhao, but then sighed knowing that it must have been the other's idea.

The banquet was being held in the courtyard and outdoors to watch the sunset that day. Zhao entered after the royal family and approached the Fire people who were already there. It was the only party in which the people could talk to the leaders from the others kingdoms and have dinner with them.

When he finished seating the people at their tables that had no decorations, he returned to the leaders.

There were 5 tables with copper gilt decorations for the royal family, on the left of the king sat Suihua with his husband Zixuan, and after them were Shen with his wife Xiu. On the right side of the king was Huan sitting on a table and next to him was finally Xichen.

"We welcome all those present, this is a day with many meanings for everyone, many years ago on a day like this one our dear prince Lan Xichen came to this world, he almost reaches adulthood, we gathered here to saw him being formally ascended as the crown prince of the fire kingdom and our god Fenghuang will bless him”

"Long live to God Fenghuang" the civilian of the fire kingdom answered for tradition.

"Today we will celebrate his birthday party, tomorrow it will be his accession and the third day is the mourning ceremony for our dear queen Lan Wen who departed while she was still very young, remember that during the three days at twelve her spirit can accompany us to this world for brief moments."

Zhao's face was deformed in sadness, that day was not a celebration but he and the kind didn't want Xichen to remember his mother's death on every birthday, so they move his date of death to the third day, although Zhao knew he had to tell Xichen the truth one day.

"To begin today's ceremony, the king will shortly give a few words to the prince"

The fire king was about to start his speech but a strong snowy wind made them close their eyes for a moment. After a few seconds, the air dissipated revealing two very peculiar people who were removing the snow from their clothes.

The Ice King and his son had arrived, both wearing light blue outfits with white details, at the bottom they had their Guardian God Huli-Jing, a nine-tailed white fox.

King Bai Lian and his son Bai Zhen had beautiful snow-white hair, pale skin, and intense blue eyes like the color of the sky.

"Sorry for the delay... my son almost forgot the gift"

"Your majesty... may Hulî-Jing always protect you"

Zhao was the first to speak, bowing, placing one of his hands on top of the other in front of his body.

"Zhao…"

Bai Lian looked at the boy who came to lighten the mood, and a somewhat flirtatious smile settled on his lips, he approached Councilor Zhao to take his chin and lift his face with one of his hands.

"Long time no see… you're still as pretty as before"

The fire king was enraged to see such an action against his partner, between flames of fire he approached both to hug Zhao and separate him from Baj Lian while he held his wrist.

"Bai Lian, you know you can't use magic in other realms" Lan Yang rebuked him with a fierce look.

"What a character… I'm so sorry, I just didn't want to arrive too late for your son's birthday"

"I appreciate the thought leader Bai… Ling, take them to their table"

"Yes, your majesty"

Bai Lian knew why his old rival was upset with him, it hadn't been for arriving with magic but rather for having touched his current partner and that was good because now he knew one of his weak points.

Without further surprises, Lan Yang released the other’s hand and carried Zhao on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, who immediately blushed and began to complain.

Ling the young counselor girl now was in charge of taking the ice king and his son to the only table, the one that was empty with blue and gold decorations in which they were observing the small tantrum of the fire king.

"Your majesty … I can walk on my own"

"Forget it"

"Don't be so childish"

"So what if I am?"

The king looked at his partner with a raised eyebrow leaving Zhao speechless, he went directly to sit at his table leaving Lan Zhao on his lap.

"A-Yang…"

"If you don't stay still I'll kiss you" the king threatened his couple with a smile.

Zhao keep silently unable to stop blushing as the king began to speak.

"Without further delay, I want to thank everyone for being here, before I start I want to announce something very important…"

To be continue