Quan Mo Ran glared at the man in black and threw his arm upward while simultaneously pushing the other man out of the way. The swords broke contact as the black man's arm flew backward. The black man whirled around and seeing that he was outmatched, he quickly turned and fled. Quan Mo Ran turned to go back into the room.

The man Quan Mo Ran had just saved cried out indignantly, "Chase him! Why are you going into the room?!"

Quan Mo Ran gave him a cold look.

The other man backdown a bit.

Quan Mo Ran turned to go. But then the man suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "Eh? You can't go yet."

Mo Ran merely looked at him and tried to side step the man. The man moved with him and still blocked the way.

Mo Ran glared at the other man. "What do you want?"

"You just saved my life. I have to return a favor."

"No need," he tried to move past him.

"There is a need," the man said as he crossed his arms. "Tell me, what do you want? Money?"

This man isn't going to leave me alone if I don't let him do something for me. Stubborn man. Quan Mo Ran thought.

Before he could say anything, the man said, "Oh! I just realized! I didn't introduce myself! I'm Fang Han Jun."

Quan Mo Ran merely nodded.

"And you are?" Fang Han Jun asked.

Quan Mo Ran glared at him, hoping he would get the cue. He didn't.

"Li Qing."

"Nice to meet you Li Qing! How can I repay you?"

He's going to insist on doing something for me. I have to think of something. A memory came to his mind then. It was when Quan Rui Ming and him were little. They had gone to their mansion in the hills and leaves were falling all around them. Suddenly, Quan Rui Ming hit Quan Mo Ran and dashed away. There was a mountain of rocks that towered over them, and Quan Rui Ming started to climb it. Mo Ran started to follow her as he yelled, "Come back here! Rui Ming!" Rui Ming was giggling as she kept climbing the rocks. Then she suddenly stopped her ascent and clung to the rock ledge.

"What's going on?" Mo Ran asked as he pulled himself up to her side.

In a hole, not far from where they were standing, was a black flower. Sunlight shone on it from the top and it glistened, dazzling with it's obsidian color. Mo Ran glanced at his sister who was staring at it with wide, shocked eyes.

"So pretty..." She said, mesmerized.

"You want it?"

She looked at him with those big eyes and said, "Yes! Yes!"

"If Mei Mei wants it, I'll get it for you," he said as he reached for the flower in the hole.

"Your Highnesses!" A voice suddenly exclaimed.

Quan Rui Ming jumped in surprise and accidentally let go of the ledge of the rock. She fell and hit the ground with a thud. Quan Mo Ran quickly climbed down and rushed to her side. "Rui Ming! Rui Ming!" She was not responding.

The next few hours Mo Ran waited outside her bedroom door as the doctor tried desperately to save her. When he had finally emerged, Mo Ran hurried to him and asked, "How is she?"

He sighed. "She will be fine."

Quan Mo Ran met his eyes and knew he wasn't saying everything. "There's more, isn't there?"

The doctor bit his lip.

"Dan shuo wu fang. It's alright to say whatever you're thinking," Mo Ran replied.

He sighed again, "Her lungs were badly bruised and she will have trouble breathing and will cough a lot. I'm afraid, she will be plagued by chest pain for the rest of her life."

"WHAT?!" Mo Ran cried indignantly. "You useless doctor! Is there no other way to heal her?"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I tried my best!" The doctor said as he cowered in front of Mo Ran.

"Well! You better find a cure or else you will not live either!" Mo Ran told him sternly.

"Yes! Your Majesty! I will work on it!"

"Good. You may leave."

The man got up, bowed, and fled from Mo Ran's presence.

Mo Ran entered Rui Ming's room and when he saw her trying to sit up, he hurried to her side. "Rui Ming, don't try to get up. You need to heal."

"Ge Ge, I heard everything. You don't need to pretend," there were tears in her eyes.

"Sure you're going to heal! The doctor will do his best to cure you! In no time you will–"

"Ge Ge," Rui Ming said softly. Mo Ran stopped talking.

She grabbed a small piece of cloth and brought it to her mouth and started coughing violently. Mo Ran watched helplessly as she was attacked by a coughing fit. His heart ached for her. She did not deserve this.

After her coughing had subsided she said, "Where is my flower?"

"Your flower?" Mo Ran asked.

"The one we saw...the black one."

"Why are you still worrying about a flower? You need to start worrying about your health."

"That flower was pretty," she said dreamily.

The look in her eyes compelled Mo Ran to make a decision then and there: he would go and pick that flower.

"Wait Mei Mei, I will be back," he told her.

He ran to the pile of rocks and started to climb furiously. When he finally reached the ledge where they had seen the flower, his heart was beating with excitement. He looked into the hole and his heart crashed. The flower had already wilted and all its petals had fallen to the ground. Dejected he returned to Rui Ming.

It was only later that he learned, that flower was called the Ce Xin and only bloomed once every twenty years for only ten minutes. He had missed his opportunity. The Ce Xin cost so much as the demand was high and only a few could afford it. He glanced at Fang Hao Ran. He may be rich, but he definitely wouldn't be able to afford the Ce Xin. Maybe he will feel bad for not being able to afford it that he will leave me alone. Making up his mind, Mo Ran said, "If you really want to repay me, get me a Ce Xin."

"A Ce Xin?" repeated Han Jun.

"Yeah, it's a flower with black petals," Mo Ran replied.

"Oh..." he nodded. "Wait for me, I'll be back." He said as he scurried away.

Finally, he's gone. Mo Ran thought to himself.

He looked into the room to see Ru Xiang sitting at the table, a cup in her hand as she drank tea. He smiled and quickly turned and closed the doors. When he was facing her again, he strode to her and quickly sat down across from her. With a serious face, he said, "I'm sorry, Ru Xiang. I didn't get to finish what I wanted to say."

"It's alright, " she said as she was about to take another sip.

"But it's not alright," he said as he grabbed both her hands in his. She dropped the cup and spilled tea everywhere. She didn't notice.

She gazed into Mo Ran's eyes. There was something different in those cold ,dark eyes. She looked deeply into them and realized that she saw a hint of warmness, of sincerity, and most of all, desperateness.

In that moment she knew: she loved him, and he loved her.

"Ru Xiang, I always wanted to tell you this...but I never knew how, I–"

Before he could say anymore, she kissed him on the lips to stop his talking. He leaned into her and they kissed deeply and lovingly. When they pulled themselves apart, Mo Ran coughed, "Do you...I meant, you know, if you want to–"

"Yes," Ru Xian replied before he got to finish his sentence.

"Yes?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"How many times do I have to tell you? Yes is my answer."

Mo Ran's face lit up and he said, "We can pick an auspicious occasion to get married and we could invite lots of people and hold a big banquet and–"

"Why should we wait? Let's get married tonight. I don't want a big ceremony. I want a small one with only me and you."

"Are you sure, Ru Xiang? I want to give you the best. If you want a big ceremony..."

"I already told you, Mo Ran," she smiled at him. Mo Ran felt his heart melt.

"Alright! I have to make some preparations for tonight," he said as he got to his feet happily. "You don't have to worry about anything, Ru Xiang. I will make all the arrangements."

She smiled as she watched him walk out of the room. She loved him so much.

*************************************************************************************

Mo Ran smiled into the mirror. His mask covering most of his face.

From head to toe, he wore a red garment decorated with white patters. He adjusted his collar which he wore under the red garment and shook his arms. The long sleeves that draped off his arms made a flapping sound. Satisfied with how he looked, he turned to a rack and took a red outer robe from it. Putting his arms in the massive sleeves, he slid it up his arms and to the side of his neck. It was just as long as his inner garment. He checked himself as he again looked into the mirror. He turned this way and that as he tried to make sure he looked good at every angle. Finally satisfied, he walked out of the dressing room and went to Ru Xiang's room.

In front of the doors, he knocked gently on the door and leaned toward it.

There was no response.

He knocked again.

Same response.

He took a deep breath and was about to push open the door when it suddenly swung open.

His eyes flew open and his jaw dropped. He rubbed his eyes. Am I dreaming?

In front of him, stood a beautiful woman who wore red clothing. Her arms were delicately folded in front of her and the long sleeves hung off her thin arms. Though he could not see her face as it was covered, there was no doubt that the woman underneath was very beautiful.

"What are you staring at? Come in," she said as she beckoned him in.

Before he could do anything, she grabbed his arms and pulled him in, closing the door behind her.

She led him to a small cabinet in the corner of the room and opened it. Inside the cabinet, were two epitaphs with fruit in front. Mo Ran started to tear up.

Ru Xiang grabbed his hand and said, "I've been waiting for this day my whole life. In my free time, I carved out your parents' names on these wooden epitaphs so that they could see us get married."

Mo Ran could barely speak. "Could I..." he whispered, unable to finish his sentence.

She nodded.

Mo Ran took an incense and dipped it into a nearby candle. He flipped his robes to his side and knelt and holding the incense in front of his chest, he half bowed. He straightened and bowed again. Then a third time. Finally, he got up and then stuck the incense in a pot located in the front and to the middle of the epitaphs.

"Mother, Father, I pray your souls in heaven will rest in peace. It's been a while since I last spoke to you... I just wanted to let you know... that Rui Ming and I..." He sniffed. "Are doing fine...Rui Ming..." Mo Ran paused as he wiped away a tear. "S-she's still sick, but otherwise...she's alright. Don't worry, Mother and Father...I didn't forget what I need to do. I will let justice prevail...and let the world know the truth...and clear our names." He paused and this time, he smiled.

"Mother and Father... there is another piece of good news I wanted to tell you... I am getting married today.... You don't need to worry about me. My wife...she is the most beautiful, and kindest woman I've ever known. If you were here... you'd love her as I do. I brought her to you today so that you could see her," Mo Ran got up and made room of Ru Xiang.

She took an incense and also held it up to her chest. Then she bowed once. Then twice. And finally a third time. Straightening up, she put the incense in the pot. "Parents of Quan Mo Ran, I am Ru Xiang, his soon-to-be wife...you don't need to worry. Mo Ran is doing well," she glanced at his teary eyes. "He's a filial son and takes care of Rui Ming. Rest assured. He will make it. He misses you very much." She rose.

She turned to him and smiled, "Shall we start the ceremony?"

He nodded.

"The first bow is toward the heavens," Mo Ran said as the faced away from the altar and turned to the side.

They stood side by side and bowed to the heavens simultaneously.

"The second bow is toward parents and ancestors," Ru Xiang said.

They turned to the epitaphs and bowed deeply.

"The third bow is toward each other," Mo Ran said.

They faced each other and bowed deeply.

"And now comes my favorite part," Mo Ran said as he stepped up to Ru Xiang. He smiled at the cloth covering her whole head and face. He grabbed the sides of the cloth and then lifted the cloth up and threw it away. It flew gracefully a few feet away and landed. The face that was revealed stunned him.

He stared into her face.

Her eyes twinkled like the stars in the sky. Her lips were as pink as a peach. She gazed into his eyes with love and sincerity. He looked at her hair which was adorned with many golden pins and some hung down her head.

I must be dreaming.

"Mo Ran...Mo Ran..." her lips said.

"H-huh?" He asked.

She smiled and his heart melted right then and there. She went on her tip toes and kissed him. He blinked quickly, trying to process what just happened. Saying nothing more, she grabbed his arm and led him to the table full of food.

"Sit," she ordered.

He sat obediently in a daze.

"Eat," she commanded.

He picked up his chopsticks without much thought and pinched some food and put it in Ru Xiang's bowl. " Here, eat some," he said. She smiled her dazzling smile and Mo Ran felt warmth spread across his chest. He couldn't take his eyes off of her for a second and tried to take in her full beauty. When she smiled, little dimples appeared on both sides of her cheek.

"Mo Ran, stop staring at me. You're making me uncomfortable," she told him.

"Huh? Oh. Sorry," he quickly looked away but after a second, his eyes strayed back to her.

"I'm full," she said. "Do you want to conduct the hé jǐn now?"

"Yes," he said, still dazed.

Ru Xiang picked up a ceramic blue pot and poured wine into two small jade cups. She placed one in front of Mo Ran and took another in her hand. "Let's do it then," she said.

Mo Ran didn't respond.

"A-hem," Ru Xiang said.

Mo Ran glanced down and said, "Oh," as he quickly grabbed the cup. They interlinked arms and drank from their cups. After they had downed the wine in their cups, they looked into each other's eyes. Ru Xiang smiled and Mo Ran quickly looked away, feeling uncomfortable.

"Shall we head to bed?" Ru Xiang asked.

"Yes," Mo Ran answered.

She gently led him to the bed. "Sit," she said gently.

He obeyed.

She helped him lie down and throughout the process, he couldn't take his eyes off her. After he had lain down, she slid under the blankets beside him and faced him. Reaching her hand toward his face, she slowly unfastened his mask. This time, he didn't resist, but let her. It was their wedding night, after all. Having unfastened the mask, she slowly took it off and placed it on a table by the bed. She admired his clean shaven face and smooth skin. Her fingers touched his face and she spoke gently as she caressed his cheek. "Mo Ran, I am the luckiest woman in the world. I know to the world, you are the world's best assassin known for your coldness and cruelty, but I know you are actually a sweet soul who deeply cares for those around him. Quan Mo Ran, I love you..."

"I love you too," Mo Ran replied.

There was a comfortable silence.

Then Ru Xiang sighed.

"What's the matter, my darling?"

"I know it will be useless but I must try anyway...Mo Ran, I know you made a vow that you would avenge your parents and clear their name. But Mo Ran, have you ever thought that your parents might not want you to put yourself in danger just to clear their name? If they saw you today, don't you think they would rather you live happily and carefree?"

Mo Ran sighed and replied, "Ru Xiang, even if that was the case, how could I let those unjust people get away with their crimes? How can I face my grandchildren and tell them that they were part of a treasonous family?"

"Mo Ran, please. If you need to have your revenge, send someone else to do it for you. There is no need to put yourself in danger."

"Ru Xiang, you know me. There are somethings I have to do myself, and this is one of them."

Ru Xiang sighed. "I knew it was useless. Since I can't convince you, I'll support you."

"That means a lot Ru Xiang," Mo Ran said. He searched her eyes and only saw love and trust.

"It's late. Get some sleep," he whispered as he moved a strand of her hair out of her face.

"Goodnight, Mo Ran," she whispered back.

He closed his eyes.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Hé jǐn (合卺）: it is a ceremony where newly wed couples drink a cup of wine and interlink their arms as a sign of marriage.