The skies were clear— unusually so.
Which, considering the last time Yueli and Di Yan planned something ceremonial a rift to the void opened…
was progress.
The Celestial Garden had been
transformed into a tapestry of moonlight and blossoms. Silver lanterns swayed in the breeze. Spirit beasts lounged lazily around the edges like invited aristocrats. One phoenix— very much uninvited— was already sipping from a wine gourd and giggling.
Yueli paced behind a curtain of rose petals, trying not to rip her wedding dress.
" I hate this."
" You look stunning," said the seamstress spirit, trying to adjust her sleeve.
" I look like a sugar- dusted pastry."
" You look regal," Isadora said, popping into view with her usual smirk and at least three hairpins stabbing dangerously from her bun.
"Try not to incinerate the altar, alright?"
" I make no promises," Yueli muttered.
" Where's Di Yan?"
" Probably sharpening something dramatic and brooding about how much he loves you."
" Hot."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the garden, Di Yan was, in fact, brooding.
And being dressed by two spirit wolves who were now experts in ceremonial knots.
" Are we done?" he asked for the fifth time.
The wolves barked in unison.
" Great. Let's go make her mine… again."
He arrived at the altar as the bells chimed, just as the petals began to fall in streams of soft gold. And then— she arrived.
Yueli stepped out, veil fluttering, eyes glowing with more mischief than mercy.
The crowd gasped.
Di Yan forgot how to breathe.
" Do you like it?" she teased under her breath as she reached him.
" You look like war in silk," he said, eyes locked to hers. " And I'd lose every battle just to kiss you."
She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed. " Charmer."
The priest cleared her throat. " Shall we begin?"
" Please do," Di Yan said. " Before someone crashes this too."
Just as the vows began, the baby—
nestled in a floating bassinet above the altar— let out a loud squeal and threw a mini lightning bolt into the air.
" Is that a blessing or a threat?" Yueli whispered.
" Knowing her? Both," Di Yan replied.
The priest continued. " Do you, Shen Yueli, daughter of flame and fury, take this silver- haired menace as your bonded mate—"
" Absolutely," Yueli said before the question finished.
" And do you, Di Yan, willingly bind your life to this chaotic, dangerous—"
" Yes," he said immediately. " She's mine."
" You may now exchange—"
CRASH.
The drunk phoenix knocked over the wine altar.
Everyone gasped.
Yueli groaned. " Every time."
" It's fine!" the phoenix slurred, wings flapping as it tried to re-perch on a branch. " Love is messy!"
The priest sighed. " Proceeding anyway."
Di Yan took Yueli's hand and placed a silver flame pendant around her neck— a symbol of eternal vow in the old magic.
She took his hand and kissed it first,
then slipped a moonstone band around his finger.
" You're stuck with me," she whispered.
" I'm exactly where I want to be."
When the kiss came, it wasn't gentle.
It was wildfire and storm surge, the kind that made thunder roll through the skies and several elder spirits swoon behind their fans.
The baby clapped her hands and summoned a halo of floating roses that rained down on the guests.
Even the drunk phoenix shed a tear.
Later that night, long after the guests
had either left or passed out under tables, Di Yan and Yueli sat under the stars, watching their baby sleep inside a protective sphere that gently pulsed with starlight.
" You married me twice now," Yueli said softly.
" Only because I plan to kiss you a thousand times more."
She laughed, leaning on his shoulder.
" You're such a sap."
" And you love it."
" I do."
Silence passed between them—
comfortable, warm.
Until—
" I can hear you planning something,"
she said.
"… No, you can't."
" Yes, I can. Your eyebrow twitched."
" … I was not planning to sneak you into the waterfall shrine tonight."
Yueli grinned like a cat. " Oh, we're doing that. Right now."
Di Yan stood and swept her into his arms. " Try not to destroy it this time."
" No promises."
As the moon climbed higher, casting silver fire across the landscape, Yueli leaned into Di Yan's chest, their daughter nestled between them,
glowing faintly with untamed power. For a fleeting moment, all was calm— until a haunting chime echoed in the wind.
Di Yan's expression shifted. " They're coming."
Yueli tensed, her senses sharp. But the sound faded into the night like a forgotten memory, leaving only silence behind. No enemy emerged. No storm broke. Not yet.
And so, the night held its breath… waiting.