That Fair-Faced 'Sage' {Completed}

94. Bonds

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It was a quiet temple pagoda, and four-season flowers bloomed around it in brilliant colour. Moonlight bathed the entire pagoda, and beautiful lanterns hung on the intricate pillars and swung in a gentle breeze.

Shuǐ ChénLín knelt across from LanFen, who looked around in awe.

"Shuǐ Chén, what is this place?!" She asked, as she bundled up her hair, then pinned it in place with the jade hairpin he had given her.

He remained silent, and she smiled mischievously. "Heh! I assumed we would fly to the closest inn! Don't tell me you intend to do unrighteous things here!"

Shuǐ ChénLín ignored her teasing, but he replied. "It's called 'Moonlight Pagoda', and the rumors say that any couples who share wine here, will grow old together."

LanFen felt a flood of warmth, despite the night air. She knew Shuǐ ChénLín wasn't the type to believe in such nonsense, but he was willing to do it with her.

She herself didn't believe in such things, but if it would increase their chances with surviving the Elder... she would do it several times over.

'We need all the luck we can get.'

'We need all the luck we can get!' They both thought at the same time.

As LanFen watched, Shuǐ ChénLín quietly arranged an intricate gourd of wine and two liquor cups on a small table beside them.

"Shuǐ Chén, you know I would never say no to wine..." LanFen said, as he began to fill a cup. "However, is this all there is? Don't you know only one gourd is considered a mere taste of the win-?"

"Shhh..." Shuǐ ChénLín simply began to fill the other cup.

LanFen sighed and picked up the full cup, but he caught her hand, just as she was about to drink from it.

"Not yet." He said and took the cup from her, gently setting it back down on the table. He drew closer and faced her, then took her hands in his.

"Zhao LanFen, I've bowed to your father, and you've bowed to mine. You've bowed to me, and I will bow to you." He released her hands, then cupped his own hands.

Colour instantly rushed to LanFen's face, and she felt tears form in her eyes, as she watched Shuǐ ChénLín bow to her.

Her heart felt like it might burst from sheer love, and she reached out to try and stop him. "You're a 'Surprise-attack specialist' even with something like this?"

But Shuǐ ChénLín caught her hands and simply bowed again, holding her hands. "Won't you let me bow to the woman I love?" He asked, then raised his head.

"Zhao LanFen, all that is left is bowing to the Heavens together... Before that, I will swear before the moon, that I won't exist without you! I will become your family, and you will become Mine.

"I will love only you in all my lifetimes, and I will be your confidante and shield against anything this world throws your way. As long as the sun rises in the sky, and as long as the moon and stars exist, I will pledge myself to only you."

He let go of her hands, removed the jade necklace around his neck, and then placed it around hers, before holding her hands again.

"Zhao LanFen, if you are willing, I will bow to the heavens with you here, and I will be married to you from this moment onwards."

A single tear had made its way down LanFen's face, and she couldn't utter a single word.

She eventually removed her hands from his, and he seemed a bit confused at first, but she just turned in the direction of the moon.