The Sorcerer is the Groom

LiangLin wasn't going to be able to do this. His hands shook, the tea sloshing dangerously against the edges. He had been sitting in the carriage for too long, and his muscles were all either numb or burning. 

How could he climb all 100 steps without spilling the tea? Could he take a sip while no one was looking?

"I can't do this. Why do I need to do this?" LiangLin complained.

Nobody told him marriage or wedding included this! The last time he crawled up those stairs, he almost died and met his ancestors in the afterlife. 

That's it, no matter how much he enjoyed the thought of marriage, he couldn't do something ridiculous like this! 

XueYa could come and shove the tray up his rear end!

LiangLin was about to turn around to leave, but the royal guards blocked his escape.

"Lin'er, do it for QingYu," LiBai whispered as the tall gates to the palace pulled open. 

"I-, but sis!" LiangLin whined.

It was easy for his sisters to say, they didn't have to balance the damn thing! He could barely stand straight. 

LiangLin was quite sure the right side of his hip down was paralyzed from the cut in blood flow from all the sitting. 

"Do it, 51, before I rain the slipper on you like ma. You wanted the fake marriage to begin with."

"I-" LiangLin heard a low chatter come from within the tall white walls and sealed his lips. 

He did insist on marrying XueYa, but this - this would humiliate him in front of the entire palace, its servants and officials. 

Without his snake, he tripped, fell and plain hit his head everywhere imaginable. It wasn't even cute!

"My beloved."

LiangLin felt a pleasant shiver rake through him at the words. He had to use all of his self-discipline to keep his hands steady, or he would spill the tea before he reached the first stone step. 

With small, careful steps, LiangLin turned around to face the palace and its waiting party.

A blush bloomed over his cheeks, a glint of wonder sparkled in his eyes as LiangLin saw XueYa for the first time in days.

Yu Zhong reached out to keep the tray level as LiangLin parted his lips in surprise. They hadn't reached the steps yet, so the guards could still help LiangLin balance the tray.

The eyepatch was gone, slanted eyes crinkled from XueYa's bright smile.

LiangLin blinked, but XueYa still looked exactly like YaYun. The resemblance was uncanny. Only the mischief in his eyes and the smug grin pulling at his thin, wide lips told LiangLin this was XueYa.

-.-.-.

XueYa had been standing there since the sun rose, anxious to see his bride. The nearer the sounds of the band came, the more impatient he had grown, pacing around the courtyard like a headless chicken. 

Red wedding hanfu fluttered with his every step, his hair was pulled up into a tight bun under his crown. 

The officials had gathered around the emperor, there to welcome the new concubine. Only after the officials pointed his impatience out did XueYa stand still, itching to climb walls to see LiangLin, and witness his beauty along with the crowd.

He only wanted LiangLin all to himself, but he couldn't just kidnap his bride without a proper marriage either. Even for a Mang and a sorcerer, his old man would kick his ass for dishonouring a spouse like that.

Now that he was posing as YaYun, the least he could do was have a grand wedding, gift his in-laws properly on such short notice. Once one was married to Mang XueYa, they would never have a day of struggle, or he would have failed as a husband.

When the gates had pulled open, XueYa could finally utter the words that he had played around on the tip of his tongue throughout the nights he spent alone in his bedchamber. 

"My beloved."

XueYa's lips pulled into a wide smile as he noticed LiangLin's silhouette shivering at his words. In front of his officials, he would use the term, just like all emperors were supposed to address their spouses.

The red gown perfectly fitted LiangLin's tall, lean frame, accentuating his slim waist and broad shoulders. Under the diffusing sunlight, LiangLin moved slowly towards XueYa, a sense of wonder edged over his pretty features.

Rose petal lips parted in awe. Pale skin was dusted with the colour of plum blossom. Dove eyes were wide and blinking shyly at XueYa, as LiangLin came to a stop before him, the tray tightly clasped in his hands. 

The gold and red wedding hanfu caught the light, glimmering as if woven with hundreds of fiery gems. The flowers and hairpieces adorning LiangLin's hair winked cheerily under the sun. 

At this moment, XueYa wanted to stop time so he could carve every detail into his memory, fearing he might never get to witness such a sight again. 

How many times could a couple marry?

No matter how memorable XueYa had tried to make it be, this moment was all that mattered. To have LiangLin stand before him, willing to accept this marriage. 

Even though XueYa was posing as YaYun, and the marriage was a forced one, he brushed those thoughts aside for now. He wanted to live in the moment, for as long as it could last. 

"Are you feeling unwell?" XueYa whispered as he reached out to caress LiangLin's cheek with his hand.

The blush had darkened, the skin hot against his touch, but LiangLin shook his head, evading XueYa's gaze.

Just now, XueYa had noticed a slight limp to the snake's stride. The travel from the city gates to the palace must have been tiring. Despite XueYa making sure the bridal carriage was filled with soft pillows, the rigid position would still be uncomfortable.

LiangLin was looking at him from under his long, curved lashes, a little defiance shining through.

Ah, XueYa was going to be killed for this, but he was going to bully LiangLin, even on their wedding day. LiangLin was just too cute when he was angry and trying to slap the hell out of XueYa.

"Yu Zhong, take the tray," XueYa ordered, and a wave of surprised murmurs broke out over the officials. Yu Zhong's brow twitched, but he took the tray away from LiangLin's hands obediently.

"What are you trying now?" LiangLin hissed under his breath, but a relief seemed to wash over the snake, his posture relaxing.

"I noticed my beloved walking with difficulty," XueYa said, his smile reaching his ears as he leaned over, placing his hands on LiangLin's hips, pulling him closer. As if he would let anything or anyone else make the snake's feet shake except for XueYa himself.

The snake didn't fight back, only tensing under his touch. 

XueYa was glad, he was planning on more than just touching LiangLin once they reached the wedding chamber. Being shot down this early on would be brutal.

LiangLin's cheeks burned hotly when XueYa whispered into his ear, "I won't let my beloved exhaust himself this early on to the wedding. We still have the whole night to spend together."

"You damn-!" LiangLin let out a surprised yelp as XueYa suddenly swept him off his feet. His hands instinctively reached around XueYa's neck, holding onto his dear life.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm helping you finish my family tradition," XueYa chuckled.

LiangLin liked how XueYa's voice vibrated against his touch, how a giddy warmth washed over him for being this close to him. But no way in hell was LiangLin going to admit it! XueYa was trying something here. He could sense it!

"Let me down!"

"If you ask me politely, I might."

"You-"

"Say it," XueYa's smile was punchable as he tightened his hold, making sure LiangLin couldn't wriggle away from his bridal carry. "If you say, 'please let me down, husband'. I will."