Dong Hua and Feng Jiu were reminiscing their time that they spend during their love trial many years ago. Both remembered their special places. They stood in front of the lake where he almost drowned and was saved by her when she was his consort.

"I can't believe that you came to be an emperor and not knew how to swim?" Feng Jiu teased him.

"Is one of those things that you don't have control over when you are in a trial. Besides, I remembered that day was beautiful." Dong Hua said teasing her.

"I bet as to why you remember it so well." She glared at him.

"How so?" Dong Hua playfully smiled her.

"I saw you eyeing that pretty dancer. I wanted to push her and make her disappear so bad. I held the urge to do it." Feng Jiu pouted at him.

"You were jealous?"

"Of course I was jealous. Your eyes were glued to her"

"I was just enjoying the view my little fox." Dong Hua whispered to her ear.

"For someone who didn't have a care of having women around, you were paying too much attention to the view" Feng Jiu looked away avoiding him.

"Jiu'er look at me." He raised her chin to meet his gaze. "Although I seemed entertained back then in my mortal self, when I came close to you after you saved me, I couldn't be close to anyone else but you. I disbanded my harem just to be with you my Noble Consort. All my nights were only yours, during those 20 years we spend here. I remember each night that we spend together. Each pillow talk, each touch, each caress, each kiss, each embrace, each passionate desires that we shared together during our lovely nights are all right here, in my heart."

"You never forgot?" Feng Jiu was blushed.

"I promised you, so I didn't" He kissed her forehead.

"Let's keep walking to our courtyard." When they arrived at the Lotus Courtyard it was in ruins. Dong Hua wanted to immortalize this space for them. With a wave of his hand, the courtyard returns to its original splendor. Feng Jiu's eyes were full of emotions especially when she saw again the kai pond that she loved back to life. Dong Hua was enjoying Feng Jiu's joyful expressions.

"Do you remember the first night you came to my door?" Feng Jiu asked him.

"I couldn't sleep trying to recollect when was the first time you became my wife in the harem. After you saved me from drowning, I was mesmerized by your courage and beauty. I wanted to know you more so I went to visit your quarters. You were so nervous, pretended to know how to play weiqi." Dong Hua laughed.

"Right." Feng Jiu smiled. "I couldn't sleep either, I was just thinking about you all day long, I knew that I probably was not going to see you anytime soon, since my name was taken off the concubine's list by the empress. So when your arrival was announced I didn't know what to do. Then you told me that you wanted to spend the night with me and I..."

"You are reacting the same now as before Jiu'er. Why is that?" Dong Hua flirtatiously asked her.

Feng Jiu shyly said: "Dijun those were the best moments that you and I shared. Our intimacy was something that I treasured the most. It was like two pieces of a puzzle that perfectly interlocked with each other. You knew how I felt, what I needed. It felt special, genuine. During our mortal trial I learned to value you more as a man. I discovered your likes; I knew when you were overwhelmed with your duties and how to lure your appetite when you refused to eat from anyone else's cooking. I mostly paid attention on your behaviors when were alone. You smiled more, talked freely, and engaged in conversations with me about any topic that we wanted to talk about even if the topics were absurd. You were merely my husband rather than the emperor that everyone feared. I felt privileged to be able to see this side of you." Feng Jiu absently smiled.

Dong Hua was listening to Feng Jiu and couldn't believe that his little fox was so attentive to him in that way. He considered her as being clingy and hungry for affection when she was younger. This was new to him to hear her describe their past relationship in another level of comprehension. He regretted his misjudgment of her character back then. "Jiu'er, please forgive me for being distant at times when you were offering me comfort. I forgot how sensitive and empathic you are towards others needs. I misunderstood you many times and treated you coldly because I failed to see how special and pure your actions were towards me."

"Dijun, I grew up surrounded by affection. I learned thru my upbringing different ways to show fondness, kindness and understanding to my friends and family. You didn't grew up in the same environment that I did. It took me a while to figure you out, my initial intentions towards you were to simply repay in kindness for saving my life. I wasn't pursuing you to seduce you, since I was unfamiliar with those types of feelings back then. Yes I felt attraction for you but the more time that I spent with you serving  as your maid I realized that my feelings towards you changed. My servitude to you was a way for me to self-discover many things. One of them was how the attraction bloomed into unconditional love, I truly fell in love with you Dijun and wanted to show you in my way how much you meant to me. That was unknown territory to me as it was to you that lead to many misunderstandings between us."

"And for that you have gone thru some much pain and suffering because of me. I mistook your persistence and perseverance with unruly behavior when in reality you were showing me another way of caring unfamiliar to me. I'm terribly sorry for the way I treated you Jiu'er.  I chastised myself for the pain that I caused you. During our separation I missed you so much. Everyone around fears me and do things automatically because of duty. Nobody paid attention to details like you did. When I saw my flowerpot empty in my study,  when there was no fresh tea made up. Your particular way of folding my bed blankets and organizing my scrolls. I knew when you were cleaning my chambers. Your left behind your peach blossom scent. So when I sent you away thinking that I was protecting you, I knew how deeply felt about you. I didn't know what to do with those feelings stirring inside me back then. You deserve all the happiness that a man can give you. You are precious gem."

You missed me Dong Hua? Tears were running from Feng Jiu's face from hearing Dong Hua apologizing again. She felt the truth behind his words. She didn't know how to respond to that.

Dijun wiped her tears away. "Yes Jiu'er. Very much. I was thinking about our last pillow talk about possibilities. I want to rewrite our fate Jiu'er. I want a second chance for us to be together, but this time forever. What do you say to that?"

"How Dijun?" She was still sniffling.

"Do you remember what happened that night when I came here, and we had our little chat?"

"Yes, you told me since you didn't remembered when I became your wife, you offered me a wedding ceremony so we could start over and acted against royal protocol in order to be with me that night." She gasped surprised at her own realization.

He materialized a document and placed it on the table. "What is this Dijun?"

"Read it."

"A marriage license?" Her eyes widened when she saw their names on the document.

"Let's get married now Jiu'er, let's re write our fate. Let's have a simple ceremony here, just like we did before and build a new life with our love. My life without your love will be like a road that doesn't know where it goes just a memory from the past, a story that has come to an end. My life without your love will be that of a lover with a broken heart. My life without your love is a ship on the high seas without port or illusion. My life without your love is no more that the harsh winter of my loneliness in the silence of the immensity, a soul that does not find its place. My life without your love is no more that the warm embrace that will not return, it will be the loneliness of being without you, me without your love, I don't know how to live without your love. My life without your love will be like an enigma that has no solution, a cloud with no rain." Dong Hua was looking at Feng Jiu earnestly. He embraced her.

Her heart was bursting with many emotions, hearing her beloved confess his love to her. "Really Dijun? Am I dreaming?" She incredulously asked. 

"No Jiu'er. You are not dreaming. I don't want to waste more time. This place holds our special memories. You probably would want a big ceremony worthy of an empress and we can have all that you want later on. But right now, I just want to be your husband. I want to be selfish and don't want to care about anything else. I want to be happy with you and show you how much you mean to me." Dong Hua knelt in front of Feng Jiu and asked: "Queen Bai Feng Jiu would you grant me the greatest honor and be my wife and empress for all lifetimes and beyond?"

Feng Jiu couldn't believe that Dong Hua was proposing to her like this. "Yes I do Dong Hua Dijun." He got up and placed on Feng Jiu's finger a beautiful purple jade band. Feng Jiu looked at Dijun with pure love. He couldn't resist her eyes; he could see so many emotions radiating from them. He gave her a sweet kiss on her forehead. "My sweet Jiu'er, you are making me immeasurably happy." He tenderly hugged her. She snuggled her head on his chest.

Dong Hua summoned Lian Song and Zhong Lin with the necessary arrangements for the intimate ceremony. He hired a judge from the mortal court near by to perform the ceremony. Lian Song was happy to see Dijun finding his happiness. He knew that he needed to act discretely to prevent any problems within their tribes. But was ecstatic to be a witness for this important occasion.

Zhong Lin was delighted that his master finally pursued the love that he knew he had for Feng Jiu long ago. He made sure to take care of all the details to make this ceremony special and worthy of their love. He was getting emotional.

Feng Jiu summoned her mother and her great uncle Zhe Yan. She knew she could trust them. They were surprised when they came to the courtyard and saw what was about to happen. Zhe Yan knew that his brother was not going to take a no for an answer and preferred not to ruin their moment of happiness. Deep inside he knew all along that Dong Hua harbored feelings towards her. He knew about the risks of this relationship but couldn't stand in their way of happiness. He knew not to question Dong Hua's decision of this marriage. He was happy but worry at the same time.

Feng Jiu's mother helped her prepared with her wedding attire. She was happy for her daughter but at the same time was worry for her future. "Jiu'er are you sure you want to go thru this, do you remember our talk?" Her mother asked.

"Mama, didn't you say to let him prove his love to me? This is his way. We don't want to wait any more. I know that we are going against protocol and tradition here; but we both agreed to have it this way. You know I don't care about formalities; we will deal with that later. Having you with uncle Zhe Yan here with me means a lot. I just want your discretion. We will deal with the rest."

"As long as you are happy, I will help you my dear in any way that you need. Zhe Yan and I will always be here for you no matter what." She hugged Feng Jiu and placed her veil on her head.

Zhe Yan decided to have a little chat with his brother Dong Hua before the ceremony. "Dong Hua I want you to know that if you hurt Xiao Jiu I will severe our bonds forever. She is precious and especially important to me and her family. I know that this decision was not easy for you to make. Just know that if you need my help in the future, I'm here for you and Xiao Jiu. Count on that." Zhe Yan head bow to Dong Hua. He simply respected him.

"Thank you Zhe Yan. I know that this ceremony is not what Jiu'er deserves, but both of us have decided not to waste more time on hiding our feelings. We are determined to face whatever obstacles that might come after today. You have my word that I will do everything and anything in my power and beyond to love and protect Jiu'er as the precious gem that she is to you. I sincerely appreciate all that you have done for her and I'm honored to have you by our side and witness our union." He placed his hand on Zhe Yan's shoulder and gift him a smile.

"Very well Dong Hua let us go and not keep the bride waiting." 

Zhe Yan and Feng Jiu's mother escorted Feng Jiu to the small hall where the rest were waiting. When Dong Hua saw his Jiu'er coming to him, his chest was full of warmth and mirth. Feng Jiu decided to wear the bells on her ankle like she did before. Dong Hua saw the bells and heard the sound on each step that Feng Jiu took. He was in awe of this little fox. She remembered to include this detail just to please him on their special day. He simply smiled at his Jiu'er. Zhe Yan and Feng Jiu's mother gave her a kiss on each cheek and Zhe Yan proceed to place her hand on Dong Hua's. Feng Jiu's mother greeted Dong Hua with a smile and teary eyes. "I give you my precious daughter to you, please cherish her forever", she managed to say to him.

"I promise." Dong Hua replied to her.

Dong Hua and Feng Jiu were wearing matching red ceremonial wedding robes. His was ornate with Golden dragons and Feng Jiu's with golden phoenixes. Each one had golden and purple borders around. Zhong Li specially chose these robes as a tribute to their mortal ceremony many years ago. His master was pleased with his selection and details.

Dong Hua and Feng Jiu completed all the required ceremonial bows. When they faced each other Dong Hua unveiled Feng Jiu, he was in awe to see how magnificent she looked. Her love had melted his heart and had shown him to be alive. His eyes were on her birthmark, it was beautifully adorned with small purple and red crystals around. She was the vision of beauty; he was mesmerized that she was finally his. His eyes were teary upon contemplating her sweet gaze. He wanted to memorize her delicate features and was taking his time. She was waiting for him to kiss her, but he seemed distracted with her exquisite features.

"Dijun, aren't you going to kiss your wife?" Lian Song teasingly said breaking the awkward silence. Zhe Yan snorted and Feng Jiu's mother was chuckling. Dong Hua was unaware that he was being undecided. Feng Jiu seeing that Dong Hua was lost gazing at her, she sweetly kissed him, which startled him a bit but responded to her kiss passionately. He forgot for a moment that they were not alone. He broke their kiss and Feng Jiu's face was blushed.

Everyone congratulated the newlyweds. Dong Hua directed Lian Song and Zhong Lin to register their marriage immediately. Zhe Yan wanted to witness the marriage registration so he asked to go with them. The time came to bid goodbye to her mother. She was glad she was there to see with her own eyes the beginning of her own happiness.

"Mama, thank you for being here with me. Please don't worry, I'll be alright." They hugged each other earnestly.

"Sweetheart, promise me that you will take good care of your health. I don't know when I will see you again kittling. Remember that we are here for you no matter what." Her mother told her. 

"Yes mama"

"I will take good care of her, I promise." She nodded to Dong Hua.

"Xiao Jiu my precious come here" Zhe Yan dramatically called Feng Jiu to his arms. He was too emotional and couldn't contain his tears. "Kittling look at me please. I will dearly miss you my darling. Remember that your uncles will be your forever backers. You know where to find us. Keep your temper under wraps and don't let anyone drag you around. You are now a Dihou and not any Dihou, but Dong Hua Dijun Dihou. You are precious, worthy, powerful, regal and unique. Don't bow to nobody, let them bow to you. He gave Feng Jiu a kiss on her head and dearly hugged her to his chest." He was crying like a child.

"Great uncle, Feng Jiu will always love you" she wiped his tears away and nodded at his words.

Dong Hua was studying Zhe Yan display. He had never seen Zhe Yan is their long existence affected like he was now. He was surprised to see him so attached to Feng Jiu. After all he practically raised her. But his emotional state was more dramatic than usual.

"Am I the bad guy now for taking her away from you?" Dong Hua mockingly said to Zhe Yan.

"Ah his venomous tongue" Zhe Yan thought. He gave Dong Hua a deadly stare and Dong Hua simply chuckled at his display. 

"Go now my precious before I take you away from your husband grip! See you soon you two." And he left with Feng Jiu's mother.

They were now alone, and Feng Jiu was staring at his handsome husband. "At last you are mine."

"Yours Jiu'er and only yours. Forever more."