CHAPTER 2O, THE CORONATION DAY
There she was, sitting still as she stare at the reflection of the yellow mirror. There were maids at each of her sides handling her look for the coronation day. Li Zhang Ke was waiting outside the room, folding his arms as he observed the amazing weather for such a good event. He was happy that his first step ran smoothly, getting the Crown Princess to ascend the throne. He's already on the second step today.
The outfit was fancy in black and fold floral embodiments from the bottom and slowly growing to the part of the waist. Her hair was fully decorated with jade accessories.
The tanggu drums were slammed as the Crown Princess walked to the palace accompanied by the Chang Ge's manor's maids and servants.
The moment she stepped inside the palace, she felt welcomed with warm smiles and congrats even though everyone was standing straight with their heads down.
The ex-King, Wei Guang was in the crowd, proudly witnessing the girl he grew to turn into a leader. Gan Xin and Li Zhang Ke stood beside each other, at the side. The feeling was intense between Li Zhang Ke's excitement for his upcoming plan and Gan Xin's anxiety knowing that Wei An Ge being the Queen is just another block to get her to Wei Zhuang.
She stepped to the altar, turning back towards the people.
"Jing Nu, I successfully ascended the throne today. I'll get you the killer," she monologue as she turned to the people she will be cooperating with soon.
The scene was glorious with the sound of the tanggu drum until Li Zhang Ke glanced at one of the top ministers infront of her, Hao Lang.
"CROWN PRINCESS, YOUR LOW SUBJECT, HAO LANG DARE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION!" He appeared in front of her, nervous. His eyes were restless.
"Say it, minister," She allowed, with a toneless voice, fixing her eyes on him.
"I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR YOU TO HAVE A HUSBAND BEFORE ASCENDING THE THRONE!" He said as his voice trembled in fear.
Wei An Ge was stunned as she held her breath, speechless.
"Crown Princess is still young, having a husband as guidance will be a major good to your leading," Another Minister defenced, bowing on the floor. He was also glanced by Li Zhang Ke.
The crowd of generals and ministers glanced at each other and then fell to the floor kneeling, bowing to the Crown Princess except Gan Xin who was clueless.
"Crown Princess, please think thrice!"
She let go of a big sigh, looking at the altar steps then to Hao Lang the minister. "Is it because I'm young or because I am a girl, ministers?" She crouched to him.
"I don't dare," he replied, stationary with his posture, bowing on the floor.
As everyone fell to their knees, bowing on the floor she finally realized there were no choice left. She's not even crowned yet and already had to make a move, showing that she really can rule. She pats her knees as she stood up, scanning.
"Crown Princess, General Li should be a good guide for you," Minister Hao Lang informed.
Furiously she turned her head down to Hao Lang and pasted her view on the general just beside standing Gan Xin, as Li Zhang Ke raised from the bow. The general was acting surprised as his jaw dropped and put a deadly look on Hao Lang, trying to convince Wei An Ge that he had no idea of the sudden marriage plan.
"Crown Princess," Li Zhang Ke mumbled, as he bowed again. Shame was carved on his face.
She chuckled once, smiling afterward. "I agreed."
All of the members raised their heads, peeking for the Crown Princess's reaction. Li Zhang Ke felt a slight thrill within himself, smiling with satisfaction.
"But marrying my own guard will not benefit Hei An Guang. Lord Gan Xin from Xin Jia,"
She called, turning her head to Gan Xin that was stunned by her call and immediately connect his hands, as he slightly bent his back. "Please rise up, everyone."
"He's a good one. Even at a young age, he's an ambassador. That shows luck. Being alone, he arrived here. That shows courage. Marrying him also strengthens our bond with Xin Jia,"
She explained, pasting her eyes at him, smiling purely. "He's perfect,"
Their eyes made a contact. Wei An Ge turned her eyes down as she raised again, pasting her view to Li Zhang Ke.
"For General Li, I actually have a better plan for him,"
Upon hearing the words of Wei An Ge, Li Zhang Ke was burnt with anger and dissatisfaction. He clutched his fist. His eyes were pasted on the floor in disbelief
"CROWN PRINCESS IS WISE," The palace complimented, "LORD GAN XIN OF XIN JIA, PLEASE HAVE YOUR WAY,"
"Gan Xin, thanks to the Crown Princess for such an honor," he stepped forward to her, passing through Li Zhang Ke. Even though the marriage was sudden, it is a good chance for him to get closer to her and guide the Jade Ring back to Wei Zhuang especially with such bond.
The new match stood before each other, as they finished the wedding ceremony.
"May the Queen lead Hei An Guang to eternal peace and prosperity!" One of the eunuchs led, followed by the others in the palace.
Wei An Ge smiled in relief, ignoring Gan Xin just at her side. He peeked at her glorious smile by the side angle, realizing her determination for the kingdom. He held her left hand, the one with the glove.
She turned to their grip, shocked, and then to Gan Xin who was smiling. "The maid must be proud of you," he whispered, encouraging
"Thank you,"
Later that night, both of them were placed in the same room in the palace. The night was cold and foggy decorated by shining stars and a full moon.
"Gan Xin, it's been hard on you, I apologize," Wei An Ge bowed on her knees, worried that she might have offended him. They were still in the same outfit as they were during the coronation.
"I'm hurt, truly," dramatic, he acted.
Wei An Ge turned her eyes to him, worried. "It was just an act, I thought you would understand,"
"But was your compliment also an act?" He crouched to her. "Those that I'm a courage and lucky person,"
"Your benefits? Of course, it's true." She admitted.
Gan Xin looked calm on the outside but was actually thrilled on the outside. He was holding onto his proud smile but didn't realize that his cheeks were painted hot red.
"You sure like compliments, huh?" Wei An Ge inquired, pinching his red fluffy cheeks.
"Stop, stop-" He pulled her grips away, pressing on the red cheeks, relieving the pain. "You still have to pay me later for marrying a lady like you,"
"You look like a soup dumpling." she fell sitting on the floor, laughing. "Don't worry I'm the Queen now, your virginity is no problem." She convinced.
Gan Xin rolled his eyes, pasting his palms on his cheeks and dragged his body away from her by fractioning his bottom to the floor.
"But why did they suddenly wanted me to get married? The previous King doesn't even have a consort?" She questioned, laying on the floor with her back laying against the bed body, watching the stars shining among the dark sky through the opened window.
"You knew it was Li Zhang Ke, don't you my Queen?" He claimed.
"Of course I do. His acting was so bad"
"What was your other plan for him?"
"None of your concern. But surely it's a big one." The end of her cheeks was pulled upwards, smirking.
"We're husband and wife now. Shouldn't we be doing something?" Gan Xin dragged himself beside her, smiling with his cheeks upwards, against the gravity. He was blinking multiple times.
"Touch me then I'll kill you. We're sixteen. You're still fifteen, Underage. Go to sleep!" She panicked, sliding away.
"My Queen, you can't even hit a target." He dissed "I mean, normally the girl hid under a veil right? You didn't so I want to reveal your-" Gan Xin naughtily approached as Wei An Ge was crossing her arms, holding onto her shoulders tight, protecting her chest.
"Your hand. The one in glove," he explained, already having a grip on her left hands.
"Why am I such dirty-minded?" She mumbled in cringe, "Wait, even the King can't see it, what gives you the courage?" Her eyes were pasted on Gan Xin pulling the glove slowly.
"Shut up, I'm the husband." He glanced to Wei An Ge and continued pulling the glove.
"But-"
"Be obedient," He glanced again, encouraging.
Under the glove was a drawing of cascading plants growing along with her hands, confirming her identity as the Jade Ring. It burns his motivation more to complete the mission and immediately recovers Wei Zhuang.
---
"BROTHER!" Li Hua Rong moaned, being pinned on the wall as Li Zhang Ke pointed his arrow to his own biological sister. "Let me go!"
"WHO THE HELL IS GAN XIN?!" He pulled the string, applying force. He was serious with anger burning inside his eyes as his eyebrows furrowed in dissatisfaction.
"LI ZHANG KE!" Wang Xuan arrived on time, falling from the sky. "Li Hua Rong is your sister!"
"Then Wang Xuan, you tell me now. Who is Gan Xin?" He forced, not even sparing a glance to Wang Xuan. Drop of sweat slides through his forehead even though the night was cold. His body was shaking and his face was pale.
"The poison is acting up again," Wang Xuan responded, walking closer to him slowly. "Li Zhang Ke,"
"Hmph," he smirked. Suddenly he lost all of his energy, letting go of the string as the arrow shoot. Li Zhang Ke was falling to the ground.
Wang Xuan couldn't be at two places at once. She responded by catching Li Zhang Ke, as the arrows pierced through Li Hua Rong's chest.
"Rong'er," Li Zhang Ke called, before fainting on Wang Xuan's arm. Li Hua Rong lost consciousness with an arrow puncturing her chest.