The people of Fei Feng Mansion have been in high spirits since this morning. Although Phoenix Vane and her team have kept things low-key, everyone in the mansion is still very excited. They are busy coming and going, with only one thought in mind: to make the wedding ceremony of their most revered beautiful goddess of war the best it can be.
Not wanting to disturb others, no invitations were sent out for the wedding, but there were still uninvited guests. Just before the chosen auspicious time, a strange carriage, escorted by seven knights, knocked on the gates of Feifeng Mansion.
The guards of Feifeng Mansion were also very perceptive. Seeing that the knights guarding them were all calm and composed, with bright eyes and the aura of great masters, they knew that these people were no ordinary people. While leading them into the front yard, they quickly went inside to report.
In the back hall of the Flying Phoenix Mansion, Phoenix Vane was carefully examining the two wedding gifts in front of her. She was supposed to be quietly getting ready in the back boudoir, waiting to be led by the matchmaker to the back hall, which was decorated as a wedding hall. However, Aurelian Dragon sent a maid to invite her to the back hall.
"They really know their stuff!"
Phoenix Vane extended a delicate, smooth hand and picked up the large red card placed on the congratulatory gift. It read in bold letters: "Greetings from Gilmans!"
"Those two guys are so boring!" Aurelian Dragon walked over to Phoenix Vane and pointed to another gift, saying, "This is from Prince Elnario."
"Wow, their congratulatory gift is really lavish!"
After the maid opened the two gifts, Phoenix Vane murmured.
Prince Elnario's gift was a phoenix with outstretched wings, carved entirely from a type of red jade extremely rare on the continent. It stood thirteen inches tall, its skin smooth and warm to the touch. Even more remarkably, it emitted a faint, elegant fragrance. Such red jade was found in only one place on the entire continent: the cliffs of the orc kingdom of Aso, and its production was extremely limited. This red jade phoenix was clearly carved from a single piece of red jade, with every feather clearly visible—truly a priceless treasure. Prince Elnario must have put a great deal of effort into this gift.
Gilmans' gift was no less impressive than Prince Elnario's: a two-foot-tall jade coral tree, crystal clear, warm and soft. Filtered light revealed its intricate patterns, and it seemed as if a pale blue liquid flowed slowly within it. Calling it a rare treasure would not be an exaggeration.
Aurelian Dragon reached out and gently stroked the jade coral tree, wondering, "We didn't tell anyone, so how did they all know?"
Phoenix Vane chuckled and said, "You even have to ask me this question? Do you really not know, or are you just pretending to be stupid?"
Aurelian Dragon touched her nose and said with a smile, "I am truly sincere in seeking guidance from my beautiful master!"
Upon hearing this address, Phoenix Vane felt a slight flutter in her heart and said coquettishly, "Fine, they'll take it. They'll definitely pay close attention to what's going on in our household. With the servants busily making purchases, how could they not deduce what we're planning?"
Aurelian Dragon nodded repeatedly, clearly understanding, and said in a very serious tone, "I understand! From now on, we must be extra careful in what we do. The thought of living under someone else's surveillance every day is really unpleasant!"
Phoenix Vane smiled slightly, extending a slender, jade-like finger to touch Aurelian Dragon's chest. "You're only finding this out now?"
Before Aurelian Dragon could answer, he heard his servant announce that a guest had arrived, which immediately filled him with doubt.
"We didn't invite any guests to the ceremony, so why would someone come here on their own?"
Aurelian Dragon looked at Phoenix Vane with a puzzled expression, perhaps simply wanting to hear her analysis and judgment. But a strange glint suddenly flashed in Phoenix Vane's eyes, and she asked urgently, "Did the person reveal their identity?"
The servant who came in to report said respectfully, "Miss, they didn't say anything else, they just asked us to tell the young master and you that you know their master."
Phoenix Vane's delicate body trembled slightly, and she murmured, "It's finally here! It's finally here!"
Noticing Phoenix Vane's unusual behavior, Aurelian Dragon quickly put her arm around her waist and asked with concern, "Who is this person? If you don't want to see them, we can just send them away!"
Phoenix Vane leaned weakly against Aurelian Dragon's chest, shook his head and whispered, "No, no... Aurelian, you go and greet them! I'll be there soon."
Although Aurelian Dragon had many questions for Phoenix Vane, seeing Phoenix Vane's demeanor, she had no choice but to keep them to herself and went out to the back hall to greet this mysterious guest.
The passenger inside the carriage had already disembarked, but was surrounded by seven tall knights clad in light blue soft armor, making it impossible to see his features or build.
Who exactly are these guys? How come they're wearing such precious dragon scale armor? Aurelian Dragon had a big question mark in her mind.
Inside the circle was a person dressed in a golden robe. Upon seeing Aurelian Dragon enter, he raised his hand, lifted the cloak over his head, and smiled slightly at him.
"Ah..." Aurelian Dragon shuddered, her steps involuntarily halting. "Your Majesty..."
The mysterious guest turned out to be Emperor Andre III of Fast, a guest Aurelian Dragon could never have imagined. Andre III put a finger to his lips, signaling Aurelian Dragon to be quiet, then whispered, "Let's talk inside!"
Aurelian Dragon was full of confusion, but since Andre III had said so, he had no choice but to comply.
On his way to the relatively secluded study at the back, Aurelian Dragon's mind was in turmoil. He couldn't figure out why this delicate and noble emperor would come to his house so mysteriously, especially right before his wedding.
"Could it be that the emperor is coming to stop my wedding with Phoenix Vane and the others?" The man, with his vivid imagination, began to let his thoughts wander. "Perhaps he's here to remind me not to forget my promise to him?"
Aurelian Dragon glanced furtively at Andre III, who was walking half a step behind her, and saw that his face was completely calm and expressionless, showing no sign of anything unusual.
At this moment, he truly wished he possessed the skills of Lyra Draconis or Phoenix Vane, capable of using the "Mind Reading Technique" to discern Andre III's thoughts. Ironically, Aurelian Dragon had already begun practicing the "Mind Reading Technique" from the "Dragon's Heart Sutra," yet the skill that Phoenix Vane mastered with ease seemed to yield no progress in Aurelian Dragon's hands, no matter how hard he practiced.
This infuriated Aurelien Dragon, because Phoenix Vane's progress was quick; he mastered the basics after just a short time, but it only became increasingly difficult to advance further. Aurelien Dragon, on the other hand, had been practicing for many days and hadn't even grasped the basics. This puzzled him greatly; was he really that much worse than Phoenix Vane?
Seven knights stood spread out in front of the study door, precisely controlling the area within their sphere of influence. Andre III followed Aurelian Dragon into the study that originally belonged to Phoenix Vane.
Upon entering the study, Andre III's eyes lit up. He waved his hand to prevent Aurelian Dragon from performing the full kneeling ceremony, his eyes fixed on the painting of mountains and rivers hanging on one of the walls of the study, his expression extremely excited.
Aurelian Dragon, who was standing to one side, waited for a moment. Seeing that Andre III did not make any move, he couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty,..."
King Andre III seemed startled, then regained his composure and asked in a low voice, "Is this study... Phoenix's? Where... where is she?"
"Yes!" Aurelian Dragon replied, bowing his head. "Phoenix is coming right away!" Andre III's address to Phoenix Vane struck him as somewhat unbelievable; it was as if an emperor would address one of his generals by name in such a tone.
The study door creaked twice, then slowly opened, revealing Phoenix Vane's meticulously groomed pink face to Andre III and Aurelian Dragon.
"Come in!" Aurelian Dragon said curiously. Phoenix Vane was standing at the door, as if waiting for something.
Andre III's mouth twitched slightly, and a warm liquid began to form in the corner of his eye.
"Feng...'er..., come in quickly! Let your father take a good look at you!"
These were very ordinary words, spoken in a low tone, and seemingly devoid of any emotional change. Yet, they elicited two different reactions from Aurelian Dragon and Phoenix Vane.
As if struck by lightning, Aurelian Dragon's eyes widened instantly. What was Andre III calling Phoenix Vane? How could he address him like that? Perhaps his ears were playing tricks on him?
Phoenix Vane's body trembled, and tears slowly slid down her beautiful eyes. She slowly, step by step, walked to Andre III, her cherry lips moving for a long time before finally calling out, "Father..."
King Andre III was also very excited. He pulled Phoenix Vane into his arms, and tears finally streamed down his face.
"Good...child, I...I'm sorry!"
Aurelian Dragon's mouth was wide open enough to fit a fist, and her eyes were almost bulging out. Phoenix Vane and Andre III were actually father and daughter? How could this be?
In the scene of the father and daughter embracing and crying, the presence of a certain man seemed superfluous, but he also inconsiderately coughed twice, completely ruining the atmosphere.
"Can anyone tell me what exactly is going on?"
Aurelian Dragon pointed at Andre III, then at Phoenix Vane, and said with a puzzled look, "His Majesty is your father? You are His Majesty's daughter? Doesn't that mean you are Princess?"
After Aurelian Dragon's interruption, both Phoenix Vane and Andre III calmed down. Andre III affectionately stroked Phoenix Vane's hair and said slowly, "Phoenix, I know I've wronged you and your mother in the past, causing you a lot of suffering. So today I've come especially to attend your wedding and offer you my blessings as a father, as a small way of making amends."
Phoenix Vane nodded with tears in his eyes and said softly, "Father, I'm so glad you could come!"
King Andre III reached out and wiped away the tears on Phoenix Vane's face. "Come on, don't cry. Today is your special day! Such a beautiful face shouldn't be ruined by tears."
Phoenix Vane smiled through her tears. Andre III took out a bracelet from his bosom. The bracelet, made of red and white pearls, shimmered with a soft light and was very beautiful.
"This is a gift from your incompetent father! Here, put it on." King Andre III placed the bracelet in Phoenix Vane's hand. "This is a bracelet made of water and fire beads, a family heirloom of the Fast royal family. You must know its power, right?"
Phoenix Vane nodded, gripping the "Water and Fire Bracelet" tightly in her hand. She knew the meaning and function of this bracelet. With this "Water and Fire Bracelet," she would have the best weapon to resist water and fire magic, because the Water and Fire Divine Bead could absorb the energy of water and fire magic attacks and completely convert it into the energy of the divine bead itself. When she used the divine bead to cast water and fire magic the next time, the attack power would be greatly increased.
What Phoenix Vane cared about even more was that this Water and Fire Divine Pearl, as a family heirloom of the Fastine royal family, could only be possessed by members of the Fastine royal family. Andre III's action signified that he had formally recognized Phoenix Vane as his daughter and accepted her into the Fastine royal family. Although Phoenix Vane herself no longer cared much about this, it was something her mother had always longed for, and now that she had finally achieved it, it could comfort her mother's spirit in heaven.
Phoenix Vane gradually calmed down. She turned to look at Aurelian Dragon, who was standing beside her with a bewildered expression, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Aurelian. I've been keeping this from you because..."
Aurelian Dragon nodded quickly and comforted her, "It's alright, it's alright! I understand how you feel!"
Seeing Aurelian Dragon and Phoenix Vane embracing, Andre III felt very gratified. He secretly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, took a deep breath, and composed himself.
"Alright, you should go and prepare for the wedding. Let Aurelian and I talk here."
King Andre III smiled and patted Phoenix Vane on the shoulder, urging her to change her clothes and tidy herself up. Phoenix Vane reluctantly left the study, leaving Aurelian Dragon and King Andre III inside. Before leaving, Phoenix Vane gave Aurelian Dragon a look full of gratitude and trust.
The study door closed again, and the room fell into silence. Aurelian Dragon didn't know how to start the conversation, while Andre III seemed to be deep in thought.
Finally, Andre III broke the silence in the room, looking at Aurelian Dragon and saying, "I'm sorry to let you know about my relationship with Feng'er only now."
Aurelian Dragon scratched his head, chuckled dryly, and said, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. It's just that I find it hard to accept right now. Why has Phoenix kept this fact hidden all this time, and why doesn't Your Majesty formally acknowledge Phoenix's status?..." He felt a lot of questions welling up in his mind, but when he spoke them, they seemed somewhat chaotic.
Andre III paid no attention to the question. His eyes were fixed on the blank space in the corner, and he slowly began to recount a long-forgotten story.
Phoenix Vane's mother was a beautiful Bai woman whom Andre III met during a private trip. The two fell in love and began a relationship. However, due to the outbreak of war, Andre III had to abandon these matters and rush back to Esnia to deal with the crisis. After the crisis was resolved, Phoenix Vane's mother left her original residence for various reasons, and Andre III lost contact with her.
When Andre III wanted to launch a grand search, he discovered that his queen was strongly opposed. The usually virtuous queen objected for two reasons: first, she believed that Phoenix Vane's mother was some unknown woman with no status or position, and wondered how she could be allowed into the Fast royal family; second, she felt very uncomfortable and uneasy seeing Andre III making such a fuss over this woman.
Because the Queen was also a woman whom Andre III deeply loved, coupled with opposition in the court and the ancestral precepts of the Fast royal family, Andre III finally gave up his search for Phoenix Vane and her daughter.
Later, Phoenix Vane arrived in Esnia and sought out the nobleman whose name Andre III had once borrowed. Andre III then learned that he had an illegitimate daughter, but by then he could no longer grant her any royal status. The only thing he could do was to ensure Phoenix Vane received the best possible education. Unexpectedly, Phoenix Vane possessed astonishing talent and quickly distinguished herself in Fast, becoming an indispensable force in the kingdom.
"I know I have wronged Phoenix's mother, and I have wronged Phoenix," a sad look appeared in Andre III's eyes. "Over the years, I have always wanted to make amends to Phoenix. Perhaps Phoenix still harbors resentment about what happened to her mother, because she has always maintained a certain politeness towards me."
"I'm so happy to finally hear her call me 'father'!"
A very happy smile appeared on Andre III's face. He turned to Aurelian Dragon and said, "Now you know why I said those things to you in the study, don't you?"
King Andre III seemed to have seen through Aurelian Dragon's thoughts. He shook his head and sighed, "I really didn't know you had such great charm that you could make my two most beloved daughters fall in love with you. This is a very difficult thing for me."
Aurelian Dragon's heart skipped a beat, and he touched his nose with a wry smile, saying, "I didn't even know I was this kind of person, but there's nothing I can do if a girl likes me."
King Andre III couldn't help but laugh and scold, "You really have a thick skin!" Then he patted Aurelian Dragon on the shoulder and said, "You better treat my two daughters well. They can't be taken advantage of, or I will never forgive you!"
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I do have some methods for dealing with girls."
"Hmph," King Andre III suddenly leaned closer and said, "You suddenly held this wedding just to put Qian'er in the back!"
Aurelian Dragon was startled and was about to offer an apologetic explanation when Andre III stood up laughing.
"Qian'er is still a child at heart. Just coax her and let her have her way. We should go out and hold the ceremony now!"
Aurelian Dragon thought to herself, "Truly a cunning and shrewd emperor, laughing and hitting, scaring and pushing! But is Princess Selene Qian still a child? I think she's ripe enough to be eaten."
As they were leaving, King Andre III gave a meaningful reminder: "Aurelian, remember your promise! Protect my two daughters well and keep them from any harm!"
※ ※ ※
As night fell, Aurelian Dragon and Phoenix Vane's wedding ceremony was held quietly in the presence of Emperor Fast. Although not a grand affair, it was simple and elegant. After offering his blessings to the newlyweds, Andre III quietly departed. Besides Aurelian Dragon and Phoenix Vane, the only others who knew about the ceremony were Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade.
Afterwards, Aurelian Dragon and Phoenix Vane came out to receive the heartfelt blessings from the people of the Flying Phoenix Palace. It was a moment of happiness and joy.
Although Aurelian Dragon and Phoenix Vane wanted a peaceful night, Esnia was destined for a lively one.