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Xie Lian has been wandering around for a few years when it happens.
One moment the night sky is littered with tiny specks of stars; the next it brightens, as if daylight has dawned early. It’s not the sun, but rather thousands upon thousands of lanterns hovering above houses and trees. No one can tell which direction they come from, just that the skies are suddenly bright and festive, as if the Mid-Autumn Festival has come early.
“Where did the lanterns come from?” a passing merchant asks the stall owner. The stall owner shrugs.
A young lad is too curious and climbs up the roof of his house to grab a lantern flying low. “Look at this! Made with such expensive materials!” He shows it to the merchant.
“That’s true,” the merchant agrees. “Yet the only figure drawn on it is a flower. What does it mean?”
The people have gathered on the streets to admire the view.
“Mama, look, they’re so pretty. Which god are they for?” a curious child asks.
“We don’t know, child,” replies the mother.
In an alleyway, near the scraps of the town and away from the growing crowd, Xie Lian observes with keen eyes.
Xie Lian hears the child’s question and knows for sure that the floating lanterns are intended for no god. For some reason, the lanterns never fly past the skies and into the heavens. Thousands of bright light hover a few hundred feet above the mortal realm, as if their intention is to amuse the mortals themselves.
Xie Lian doesn’t know who the lanterns are for, but he likes that they appeared today. A coincidence it may be, Xie Lian feels a bit happy to see such a beautiful sight today. Of all days. Even though he knows it isn’t for him.
Because if it isn’t a coincidence, then who would intentionally do this for him? There is simply no one in the three realms who will light up even a single lantern for the god of misfortune.
Xie Lian shakes his head at his own foolish hope. It’s just a coincidence. Yet, despite it not being meant for him, Xie Lian appreciates the view. His heart feels lighter. He is truly happy to see such a beautiful scene.
He gives himself a few more moments to admire the view, the confused but awed sounds of the townsfolk washing over him, before he goes back to scrap picking. After all, today is no exception. He needs to earn money for a meal.
After that, on the same day every year, bright paper lanterns take over the dark night sky. Eventually, the mortals have grown accustomed to the sight. After all, who will say no to a beautiful view? Whoever this mysterious benefactor, whether he’s celebrating or praying, the mortals are thankful.
Because of the lone flower design on the lanterns, they have called it the Flower Lantern Festival.
Soon, some humans join in on the festivities and light their own lanterns. Any lantern won’t do, however. When they try to light a lantern written with prayers and wishes, for some reason, the lantern never floats. Only a flower-decorated lantern can fly. When they find out, many are discouraged, but there are still humans who participate with this now decade old tradition.
Despite its doubtful origins, the festival does no harm and even provides something to look forward to in the mortal realm. Maybe a rich noble is behind it, maybe a god. Who knows. The mortals have no way of knowing, so they spin tales, speculations, and gossip.
“To be able to light up this many lanterns, it’s gotta be the work of a god.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Why would a god light these up for us when we’re the ones who need something from them!”
“Why can’t we light up lanterns with prayers then? I’m telling you; there’s some powerful being involved here.”
“Maybe it’s the work of the cultivators. Some new ritual or something.”
“You think the cultivators have the money to waste on paper lanterns?”
“So if not the gods or the cultivators, then who? Ghosts?”
“Ah! Watch your mouth! What ghost are you talking about? Why would a ghost light up lanterns for us without some evil intent. The children love the Flower Lantern Festival. If they hear those words, it’d scare them!”
“I was kidding! I was kidding!”
Despite the rumors regarding the festival’s origins, the humans take it as a chance to celebrate and let loose. Stalls set up in the busiest streets, yuanxiao steaming in bowls. On sale are lanterns with various floral decorations. Children are dressed in their best robes, happily running around and playing at the game stalls. A storyteller in a corner makes a show of exuberantly telling the story of a flower-loving god who created the festival, obviously another wild speculation at the festival’s origins.
Xie Lian himself has grown fond of the so-called Flower Lantern Festival. The celebrations are entertaining, and the view is breathtaking every year, the flowers reminding of him of a distant past long gone. It gives him something to look forward to every year, makes the day go by easier.
However, if Xie Lian is being honest with himself, he likes the Flower Lantern Festival because he can pretend that the lanterns, the festivities, are meant for him. The gods in the Heavenly Realm have their Blessings Lanterns, while Xie Lian has his Flower Lantern. It’s foolish, no one will really care if Xie Lian looks at it that way. Xie Lian seeks comfort and joy sometimes, too. After all, fallen god or not, he is only human.
Tonight, Xie Lian is readying for bed, stomach full after a successful day of scrap picking. In exchange for a full stomach, he chooses to sleep under open skies to witness the festival. He fixes the cot he’s setting up by the tree.
“Ah, it is really so wonderful,” Xie Lian murmurs. He leans back against the tree and watches the magnificent sight before him. He’s really glad he decided to sleep here.
Because of the vast land around Xie Lian, some of the lanterns are drifting lower than they would in a bustling city. One particular lantern flutters close to Xie Lian.
Xie Lian smiles as he holds out a hand to support the lantern, gazing at the figure of a flower painted on its side. Surprisingly, Xie Lian has a feeling the same experience has happened to him before, but with a smaller, more excitable bright light.
“Thank you for visiting me,” Xie Lian whispers and feels silly at once, so he pushes the lantern up and lets it soar again.
Warmth spreads throughout Xie Lian’s body. There’s a feeling that tells him he isn’t alone anymore. That the lanterns will act as a sort of companion to Xie Lian every year.
And in a once important day of Xie Lian’s life, he finds himself happy, the loneliness and pain almost dissipating, the weight on his shoulders lightening.
It might even be his favorite festival. Xie Lian laughs at the thought and irony that he likes a festival on this day of all days.
Eight hundred years pass and Xie Lian has grown to know that day as only the festival of the Flower Lanterns.
#####
800 years later
Xie Lian wakes up in a cold and empty bed. How unusual. San Lang never leaves the bed unless Xie Lian has awoken. He sits up and rubs his eyes. The room is bathed in the soft morning light sifting through the curtains of Paradise Manor.
Maybe San Lang is changing clothes? “San Lang?” he calls out. No reply.
When Xie Lian leaves their room, he finds the manor in an uproar. The servants are walking left and right, all busy doing one thing or another. There are servants cleaning, decorating the halls, working in the kitchen. It’s like everyone’s preparing for a grand celebration.
Xie Lian tries to remember if he forgot about a festival. It’s been a while since the Dragon Boat Festival, but it’s not yet time for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Then Xie Lian remembers. Of course! How can he forget his favorite festival?
Tomorrow is the Flower Lantern Festival!
Xie Lian claps his hands, overwhelmed with excitement. He has always loved the festival. For years, he wanted to light up a lantern, but he was too poor then. He couldn’t even buy food for himself.
But now, everything’s different. Xie Lian receives some money from donations in his Puji Shrine, nevermind the fact that his husband is a rich Ghost King ruling over a realm. This time, he can participate in the festival!
He is almost skipping in his steps when he sees Yin Yu talking with one of the female servants. Yin Yu notices his stare and stops his conversation to smile and bow at Xie Lian.
“Your Highness, good morning. I apologize if the commotion interrupted your sleep.”
Xie Lian did wake up earlier than usual, but he does not blame it on the servants. His missing husband is to blame. Xie Lian fights a blush and replies, “No, I wasn’t interrupted at all. Lord Yin Yu, I have a question. Are you preparing for the festival tomorrow? If so, I would like to participate.” Xie Lian smiles. “I have always loved the Flower Lantern Festival. I’m glad to know Paradise Manor celebrates it, too.”
Yin Yu stares at Xie Lian as if he has spoken an alien language. He opens his mouth to speak, but closes it again. Xie Lian tilts his head in bemusement at Yin Yu’s silence. However, before Xie Lian can ask what’s wrong, a male servant grabs Yin Yu’s attention.
Before leaving, Yin Yu turns to Xie Lian and says, “Breakfast is to be served, Your Highness. If you would excuse me for a moment, I will serve it myself.”
Xie Lian puts up a hand to stop him. “Oh no, I can ask someone to do it instead.” Plus, Xie Lian absolutely cannot ask a former martial god to serve him food. “Please attend to your matters. Thank you, Lord Yin Yu.”
Yin Yu bows once again to Xie Lian before leaving with the servant. Xie Lian observes his surroundings, and it really looks like everyone is busy except himself. He decides to help around once he has breakfast. Xie Lian heads to the direction of the dining hall.
“Ah, I forgot to ask Lord Yin Yu where San Lang is,” Xie Lian mutters to himself.
Ah well, Hua Cheng, as the lord of Ghost City, has responsibilities that he surely must attend to. Xie Lian remembers that Hua Cheng has been busy the past few days. Maybe there is some problem he must take care of. It would explain why he has left their bed so early this morning.
Xie Lian misses him.
It’s silly, Xie Lian knows. And his body still flushes with embarrassment when it comes to his feelings for Hua Cheng. But Hua Cheng has become Xie Lian’s most important person.
Xie Lian touches the outline of the ring, Hua Cheng’s ashes, above his robes. Just as Hua Cheng has entrusted his life in Xie Lian, he has entrusted Hua Cheng his heart and everything.
And so it will mean the world to Xie Lian if he gets to spend his favorite festival with Hua Cheng. He hopes his husband is not too busy.
When he arrives at the dining hall, he finds a female servant and asks for breakfast to be served. Once the food arrives, plentiful and lavish as usual, Xie Lian asks, “Do you know where San Lang went to this morning?”
The female servant bows before answering in a quiet, respectful tone, “This servant does not know the whereabouts of Hua Chengzu, Your Highness.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Xie Lian starts eating. Halfway through his meal, he feels melancholy settle in his heart. He has gotten so used to spending his meals in Hua Cheng’s company. It really is so silly. He’s spent eight hundred years eating alone, but now he finds he can’t endure one meal by himself.
He pushes away his half-eaten congee, his appetite long gone. He wants to see Hua Cheng.
Xie Lian raises his right hand and sees the red string attached to his middle finger. The string is invisible if he doesn’t focus on it, but now, a glowing bright red string appears, extending slowly from his finger then out of the room.
Standing up, he follows the string until he’s out of the manor.
Ghost City this morning is as busy as it is at night. Just like the manor servants at Paradise Manor, every ghost is scrambling with work. The stalls are open, but the sellers are busy. The human guests are confused but know better than to start trouble. As Xie Lian passes by the busy streets, the ghosts notice him and brighten up.
“Great grand uncle! Good morning! What brings you to our fine city on this beautiful morning?” greets the pig ghost at the butcher shop.
Xie Lian smiles. “Just out for a stroll. Don’t worry about me.”
“If you need us to cook again, just let us know!”
Xie Lian follows the string through the crowded streets and greets back the enthusiastic ghosts. It’s only been a while, but Xie Lian’s grown fond of the chaotic enthusiasm of Hua Cheng’s ghost subjects.
Eventually, he’s left the city and finds himself traversing a familiar path. Soon, he is in front of Qiandeng Temple. Xie Lian is about to reach the door when it opens from the inside.
As always, Hua Cheng looks handsome in his elegant red robes and long black hair. He smiles when he looks at Xie Lian. “ Gege , good morning.”
Maybe it is because he hasn’t seen Hua Cheng all morning, missing him so terribly, that makes Xie Lian courageous. Xie Lian steps forward, reaches up to cup Hua Cheng’s cheeks, and kisses him. Hua Cheng makes a sound of surprise, but is quick to wrap his arms around Xie Lian’s waist, kissing him back.
Xie Lian is never one to initiate kisses—he stubbornly doesn’t count the kisses they shared to transfer spiritual power—partly because he is too shy, mostly because he is ashamed of his lack of technique.
Still, Hua Cheng is patient with him. He teaches Xie Lian and takes things slow. He brings Xie Lian to heights he never experienced before and lets Xie Lian reciprocate if he wants to. And oh, with how perfect Hua Cheng is, how can Xie Lian not?
He wants to please Hua Cheng the same way he does with Xie Lian. So he learns.
Xie Lian kisses his husband, soft and sweet. Their mouths move against each other languidly, savoring the slow, sunny morning. Xie Lian’s hand cradles Hua Cheng’s jaw, his thumb sweeping in an unspoken request. Hua Cheng complies and opens his lips in offering, and Xie Lian gladly takes.
At once, the kiss turned heated, fervent. He tilts his head as his tongue meets Hua Cheng’s, his senses immediately assaulted with the familiar, addicting taste, strong and sweet. His other hand goes around to tangle with Hua Cheng’s hair, and his husband groans, hands at Xie Lian’s waist tightening, but not going anywhere.
Xie Lian hums, happy that Hua Cheng lets him take the lead. They kiss passionately until they have to break for air. Well, Xie Lian has to, to his grumbling disappointment.
Xie Lian tucks his face against Hua Cheng’s neck as he struggles to bring air to his lungs. Desire simmers low in his gut, and Xie Lian holds back from doing more, taking pity at his poor heart jack-rabbiting in his chest. He can feel Hua Cheng’s perfectly sculpted chest heaving underneath him, and is deeply pleased that his husband is as affected as him.
Once he can speak, Xie Lian pulls back slightly and smiles affectionately. “Now it’s a good morning.”
Hua Cheng’s answering smile is just as affectionate, bright and loving. “Has gege eaten already?” Hua Cheng asks gently. Xie Lian nods and Hua Cheng’s face turns remorseful. “Apologies for this San Lang not joining gege in today’s breakfast.”
“It’s fine,” Xie Lian assures, as always quick to appease Hua Cheng. But Xie Lian is not unaware of the fact that Hua Cheng remains rooted in the doorway, as if he cannot let Xie Lian enter into his own temple. His curiosity intensifies. Xie Lian is sure his husband means no harm, but he really wants to know.
Noticing his wandering gaze, Hua Cheng smiles and takes Xie Lian’s hands in his, all the while leading him out of the temple. The door shuts behind them before Xie Lian can even try to glimpse what Hua Cheng is hiding.
“I would love to show gege , but now is not the right time.”
“Alright,” Xie Lian again assures. But he has to make sure. “It’s not any problem, is it?”
Hua Cheng shakes his head, smile still pleasant that Xie Lian is convinced nothing unseemly is happening without his knowledge. “No, it’s nothing to worry about. Come, let us have a stroll.”
And so they walk, hand clasped between them. The mountain’s inhabitants are only waking up, and Xie Lian enjoys the pleasant morning stroll with his husband.
When they decide to go back to Paradise Manor, Xie Lian finally remembers about the festival.
“Ah, that’s right. San Lang, are the preparations being made in the manor for the Flower Lantern Festival? Is there any way for me to help? I’ve always wanted to light up a lantern, but I didn’t have the money to spare before,” Xie Lian admits sheepishly. His scrap picking history is nothing to be ashamed of, but admitting that he can’t even save up for a single lantern in eight hundred years is just too embarrassing.
He is so absorbed in his embarrassment he does not notice Hua Cheng’s baffled expression.
“Ah, the Flower Lantern Festival? Gege knows it?” Hua Cheng asks in a light tone.
“Of course!” Xie Lian answers happily. “It’s my favorite festival of all. I know it has a mysterious start hundreds of years ago, but I was around the mortal realm that time. The sight was simply magical, I cannot forget it. I even—San Lang?”
They are still walking, but Hua Cheng has turned to stare at Xie Lian, expression unreadable. Upon Xie Lian’s prompt, his expression smooths and his usual smile appears. “ Gege likes the Flower Lantern Festival that much?”
Maybe Xie Lian is wrong to assume that the preparations are for the festival. A pang of guilt hits him. “Ah, if San Lang does not celebrate it, it’s perfectly alright.”
“I would love to celebrate it with gege , of course.”
Xie Lian beams, thrilled that Hua Cheng has agreed to spend the day with him.
Just then, a voice rings out in the spirit communication array. Your Highness, we require your assistance on an urgent matter. It was Ling Wen.
Noticing his distracted look, Hua Cheng says, “Are they calling for gege again? How incompetent of them.”
“San Lang,” Xie Lian chides, but his tone bears no warning at all. He’s used to Hua Cheng’s attitude. And as a Supreme Ghost King, Hua Cheng doesn’t need to be cordial with any other gods apart from Xie Lian. “I have to leave for Heaven, for now. I will see you later in the manor?”
Hua Cheng nods and smiles in agreement. Then Xie Lian jumps up to Heaven where he ends up staying most of the day.
Yet even though his body is present, his mind and heart are somewhere else.
When Xie Lian wakes up the next day, a familiar scene greets him. San Lang’s side of the bed is empty, and Xie Lian barely holds back a grumble. He tries not to be disappointed as Hua Cheng is probably getting his work done so he can spend the festival with Xie Lian.
At the reminder that today is the Flower Lantern Festival, Xie Lian perks up. He hurriedly dresses up and brushes his hair. He steps out of the bedroom.
And immediately stumbles upon a lean, hard chest.
Arms encircle Xie Lian’s waist and a face is tucked in his hair. Xie Lian relaxes as he takes in the familiar build and scent of Hua Cheng. He hugs back, arms wrapping around his husband’s waist.
They stand there, absorbed in each other’s presence for a few moments, before Xie Lian asks, “Let’s get breakfast?”
Hua Cheng pulls back and smiles radiantly. Xie Lian, despite himself, feels his face flush as he gets pulled gently to the dining hall. They are almost there when Xie Lian notices that the manor, while decorated in festive colors, is surprisingly empty of people, a contrast to the bustle of yesterday.
He is about to ask Hua Cheng where everyone is, when the doors of the dining hall blast open and Xie Lian’s mouth drops open.
In the center of the hall, the usual single table is accompanied by five more tables. Served on them are heaps upon heaps of food and delicacies, all bountiful and mouthwatering. Yin Yu and everyone else working in the manor are waiting inside the hall, smiles on their typically respectful miens. He has never seen the hall so crowded before!
“I—This is... Is this all for the festival?” Xie Lian asks incredulously, his eyes wide.
From beside him, Hua Cheng chuckles and wraps an arm around his waist. Once they’re facing each other, Hua Cheng lifts one of his hands and kisses his fingers softly.
“S-San Lang?”
“ Gege , happy birthday,” Hua Cheng says suddenly. Plainly, lovingly.
Xie Lian blinks, his eyes wide. “It’s my birthday? You know my birthday?”
Hua Cheng mirrors his expression. “ Gege , you.” The expression on Hua Cheng’s face is funny if Xie Lian himself isn’t making the same face. “You didn’t remember?”
“I, I forgot?” Xie Lian replies in an equally dumbfounded tone. And he is not joking. It has been many years since he celebrated his birthday. Probably when he was still human and the prince of a grand kingdom, where his life yet to unfold with twists and turns, both painful and pleasant.
Xie Lian wants to explain that It’s just that he has spent more years celebrating the day of his birth as the Flower Lantern Festival. Naturally, he has forgotten! He can’t even remember the red coral earrings that Hua Cheng claims to have stolen when they first met.
Still, that should not be an excuse.
“I’m sorry,” Xie Lian blurts out. A god who forgets his birthday? How silly and laughable.
Hua Cheng’s eye softens. “ Gege , you don’t have anything to apologize for.” He takes Xie Lian’s hands in his. “Now would you like to have a taste of your birthday breakfast?”
Xie Lian’s eyebrows rise. “You mean, this feast is for me?”
“Everything is for Your Highness.” Hua Cheng smiles.
An unknown emotion clogs up Xie Lian’s throat as his eyes scan the long spread of food and trinkets, so lavish that it can beat the New Year’s banquet. He spots his favorite dishes in the centermost part.
“Thank you,” Xie Lian says softly. Strength has left him and all that is keeping him upright is an overwhelming feeling of love and affection for Hua Cheng.
Xie Lian turns to his smiling husband, rises up on his toes to press a kiss on those rosy lips. The servants in the room fade in the background. All Xie Lian can focus on is only Hua Cheng.
“Happy birthday, my husband.”
Breakfast is an incredible affair. Each of Hua Cheng’s staff comes up to him and greets him, and Xie Lian is left giving embarrassed but heartfelt thanks. They had to see his very stupid blunder earlier, so Xie Lian is mortified but Hua Cheng, like the great husband he is, distracts him with his favorite snacks.
When they are walking in the gardens after the meal, Hua Cheng surprises him yet again. “In the afternoon, I... invited some people to the manor. I hope gege doesn’t mind.”
“Oh, San Lang, how can I?” Xie Lian is truly touched. He almost feels guilty about the mess that happened on Hua Cheng’s own birthday. He quickly shakes away the memory, not wanting to ruin the good day.
They reach the resting area with the divan, table, and a red umbrella. There is a white box on top of the table which Hua Cheng opens and pulls out something purple.
Once it is straightened, Xie Lian sees it is a set of robes, dark lilac for the outer robes and lavender for the inner ones. The outer robes are highlighted with a golden lining in intricate embroideries and spirals. It is clear that anyone who wears it will give the impression of royalty. The ensemble is reminiscent of the robes Xie Lian used to wear as a child.
Hua Cheng smiles at his astonished expression and holds out the robes to him.
“Now please wear this for later, gege . They will look so beautiful if you do.”
The earlier revelations still clings to Xie Lian, making him amenable to almost everything. He takes the robes and smiles at his husband. “I will wear them. Thank you, San Lang.”
After a stroll, Hua Cheng innocently offers to help Xie Lian bathe so he can be more comfortable once he changes clothes. Amidst Xie Lian’s burning face, he agrees again. Thankfully nothing unchaste happens in the bath, though his husband takes a long time gently scrubbing every inch of Xie Lian’s body.
By the time they finish, it is time to prepare to meet their guest. Acting like Xie Lian’s personal attendant, Hua Cheng helps him into the new robes, his eye shining with a strange light. Xie Lian understands that look and lightly bops him in the head. They cannot afford to get distracted when they are expecting guests.
Once they are all set, Hua Cheng leads him back to the gardens.
“What—” Xie Lian stutters, because the scene in front of him cannot be true.
While he is used to lavishness as a former prince, the state of Paradise Manor’s gardens is exceedingly grand. Large golden pillars are placed strategically to make it look like a grand hall. Jade vases filled with flowers in whites, reds, and yellows stand tall and proud near the entry ways and the pillars. Two long tables are set up, covered by white and gold linens, while the seats are cushioned with silk sheets.
It has only been three hours since Xie Lian last saw the gardens, but this transformation is simply too quick! Even Xianle’s most efficient servants cannot manage such a feat.
“San Lang, this is too much,” Xie Lian says weakly.
“This is just the beginning, gege ,” Hua Cheng laughs.
What do you mean this is only the beginning?
As if on cue, the servants enter carrying large porcelain plates of meals. If Xie Lian thought the breakfast feast is ostentatious, then the lunch courses are just excessive. Every inch of the two long tables are filled with steaming dishes.
Xie Lian can feel Hua Cheng observing him, pleased with his actions, and in the end, Xie Lian can only sigh in defeat. “Let’s make sure no food will be wasted today.”
Hua Cheng grins. “Of course, gege .” Then he encourages Xie Lian to try the food as they wait for their guests.
The first to arrive is Shi Qingxuan, and Xie Lian is too happy to see him. It’s been a long time since they last saw each other, and he adores the Lord Wind Master and their easy friendship. Ban Yue and Little Pei come in next, with the former bowing repeatedly in apology for bringing Little Pei when she’s the only one invited. Xie Lian waves a hand and tells her they have plenty of food for everyone.
More people arrive and Xie Lian cannot keep track of anymore, but he thinks he sees Yushi Huang, Quan Yizhen, Ling Wen and Pei Ming amongst the crowd. To his surprise, the gods have come bearing gifts for him. Xie Lian accepts them all, except Quan Yizhen’s box full of gold bars.
Sometime later, Feng Xin and Mu Qing arrive and they hear from Shi Qingxuan about Xie Lian forgetting his birthday, and their faces are a mix of guilt, exasperation, and fondness. Xie Lian just offers them more food.
In the middle of the feast, a group of ghosts stands at their makeshift stage and performs a dance. They seem to be esteemed dancers when they were alive. The ghosts in attendance clap and cheer, and even the gods look entertained. A few wine bottles later, the scene becomes more chaotic and everyone’s chatting loudly and laughing.
Amused, Xie Lian thinks that the celebration feels more like a festival than a birthday.
When Xie Lian excuses himself to the washing area—Feng Xin and Mu Qing have started fighting again and spilled wine on Xie Lian. Luckily, he has fast reflexes and only his arms got wet—he finds Hua Cheng accompanying him. Wordlessly, Hua Cheng produces a cloth and wipes him down.
“ Gege , aren’t you going to ask me for your gift?”
“Aren’t the two feasts and these robes your gift?” Xie Lian reminds him.
“My gift is hidden in Qiandeng Temple. I will show it to you tonight once we light up the lanterns for the festival.”
Xie Lian’s heart leaps. When he found out about his birthday this pmorning, Xie Lian thought that the preparations he saw yesterday were all actually for his birthday, and not the Flower Lantern Festival. He implicitly accepted that Hua Cheng never celebrates the human festival and simply became content and happy with his husband spoiling him on his birthday.
But Hua Cheng remembers that he loves the Flower Lantern Festival. He sees how important it is to Xie Lian and goes out of his way to spend it with him.
“You have a flower lantern for the festival?” Xie Lian clutches his husband’s arm. “San Lang, thank you! Can we watch the lanterns from the temple? The view will be exquisite up there!”
The afternoon ends and twilight has come. With most of their guests indisposed due to alcohol, Hua Cheng convinces Xie Lian to leave them asleep in the gardens. Xie Lian worries for a bit, but once he realizes none of their guests will get sick or die from sleeping in the open, he lets himself be arrayed to Qiandeng Temple.
Hua Cheng leads the way out of the array room. He paused before entering the main hall. “I prepared one hundred lanterns for tonight, gege .”
When will his husband stop with the lavishness? “San Lang, it cannot be helped since you’ve bought them already.”
Hua Cheng finally opens the door and shows him the lanterns he has prepared. All one hundred of them make Xie Lian pause.
“I did not buy them. I made them.”
“San Lang, why !” Xie Lian wants to press a hand on his forehead and groan.
Hua Cheng did make the lanterns for the festival, but they are not the usual flower-themed lanterns. Instead, a portrait of Xie Lian’s face is immaculately painted on each and every one. Xie Lian gets a flashback of encountering the same scene in the Cave of Ten Thousand Gods, but much worse because they have to let the lanterns go.
Apparently reading his mind, Hua Cheng grins mischievously. “Don’t worry, gege . I will infuse spiritual energy in the lanterns so they will only float around the mountain. It pains me to say this but no one but us will see them.”
It feels like Xie Lian can cook an egg on his face with how warm it is. “This was too much work. Why did you even—wait, is this why you’ve been so busy?”
Hua Cheng smiles beaufically. “ Gege is so smart. They’re my gifts.” This husband of his...
Xie Lian lets Hua Cheng’s antics go with a sigh. “Really, thank you but a single lantern should have been enough. But, ah! I almost forgot. We can’t use these lanterns, San Lang. Only flower-decorated lanterns can fly in the festival. Whoever started this, they must have put a spell,” Xie Lian mutters the last part. He has that thought for the past hundred years. The creator of the festival must have been a powerful cultivator.
“Truly, gege ’s insight knows no bounds.” Hua Cheng beams. “I did put a spell on those lanterns, so I could control those partaking in the celebrations.”
Xie Lian is absorbed in his thoughts as he hums. “Hm, yes, that’s right, you need a—” His husband’s words catch up to him. “San Lang, you. You started the flower lanterns?!” Xie Lian gapes in shock.
Chuckling in enjoyment, Hua Cheng says, “I did. At first I wanted to sketch gege ’s face on the lanterns, like with these ones. But gege was in the mortal realm. It might give gege trouble. Now that gege has ascended, I thought I can finally light up gege’s /p lanterns but alas.” Hua Cheng sighs, as if disappointed.
Xie Lian still feels discombobulated. “ But why ?”
Even at this point in time, Hua Cheng remains patient, smiling, and answers Xie Lian calmly, “Of course, it is to celebrate husband’s birthday. Simply put, the Flower Lantern Festival is meant for gege .”
Xie Lian is truly, utterly speechless. Vaguely, he recalls the first time he witnessed the floating lanterns, recalls the feeling of wonder and happiness. Reels that out of all the days, someone out there chose the day of his birth to begin such wondrous festivity. He recalls daydreaming deep in the corners of his heart that those beautiful lanterns are lit up just for Xie Lian.
And now to find out that his wish has come true. All these years, the lanterns are all for Xie Lian.
Xie Lian is powerless to stop the tears from overflowing. They fall down his cheeks and drip down his chin. Upon seeing him crying, Hua Cheng becomes alarmed. He quickly puts down the lantern in his hands and goes to Xie Lian’s side.
“Your Highness.” Even Hua Cheng’s voice is wavering in panic and fear. “Your Highness, please don’t cry. I beg you. I—please, tell this San Lang what to do.”
Xie Lian turns to his husband and falls to him. Hua Cheng is quick to envelop him in an embrace, patting him gently, comfortingly. He presses his face against San Lang’s chest as he cries out from the overwhelming realization.
San Lang has never let him be alone.
Even during the gap between his second and third ascension, when he thought he was all by himself, he has not been alone. Even then, Hua Cheng makes sure to remain by his side.
“I don’t deserve you, San Lang,” Xie Lian gasps amidst his thick throat. “You’re too good to me.”
Really, what has he done to deserve his San Lang? Xie Lian could live for eight hundred more years and never know the answer.
Hua Cheng makes a noise of disagreement, and his arms tighten around Xie Lian’s back. “Please don’t think like that. I did all of these things because you saved my life, because I am your most devoted believer.” He pulls back a bit to cup Xie Lian’s face, thumbing away the tear tracks. Hua Cheng pins him in an intense stare and Xie Lian is transfixed. “Because I love you.”
Then they are kissing, with Xie Lian not having any idea or any care in the world who started it. All he cares about is the man in front of him who he trusts more than life. A man who remains devoted to him in eight hundred years. A man who loves him. A man he loves back.
Xie Lian groans loudly as Hua Cheng deepens the kiss. His husband growls, clutching at his robes with one hand while the other roams the lines of his body. The loud beating of his heart and their harsh panting are all Xie Lian hears as he clutches Hua Cheng’s shoulders like a lifeline.
Thank you , Xie Lian tries to tell Hua Cheng in every kiss, with his every breath and touch. I love you .
Eventually, they do manage to light up the lanterns with Xie Lian’s face. Even though Xie Lian knows they will only remain within the vicinity of the mountain, he cannot stop from blushing. Hua Cheng merely smiles as he continues setting up the rest of the lanterns.
“The residents of Ghost City will light up the flower lanterns, as they have every year. This time, I added something to make them more special.” He pulls out one lantern behind the pillar. It is a flower lantern, the familiar flower design painted so beautifully. But below the flower are words in exquisite calligraphy: From Qiandeng Temple, Palace of the Flower-Crowned Martial God Xie Lian.
Xie Lian can’t help but laugh in delight. “Look at this calligraphy, San Lang! Did you write this?”
For the first time, Hua Cheng looks sheepish. “ Gege knows my calligraphy is far from perfect. I enlisted the help of someone who owes me a lot of money, is all.”
Ah, so it is Black Water’s handwriting. Xie Lian is amused and teases his husband until they finish lighting up all the Xie Lian lanterns, even the flower one.
By then, night has fallen, completely shrouding the world in darkness. And yet, the temple is illuminated with the presence of one hundred and one lanterns. Xie Lian’s breath is knocked out of him yet again at this familiar sight.
Hua Cheng guides him to sit in one of the benches outside the temple, pulling Xie Lian to lean on him. “Ah, it truly is magical,” sighs Xie Lian.
The starry night is made more spectacular a while later when thousands of twinkling lights emerge from the horizon. They come from the vicinity of the Ghost City, and Xie Lian makes a note to thank the residents later. Even though they had no way of knowing at the time, they have celebrated his birthday for years.
Lanterns float above in pale pinks and whites. From the distance, Xie Lian can hardly see his own face etched on those lanterns, so he keeps enjoying the scene. He curls closer to his husband and feels lips kiss his hair.
“Are you happy, gege ?”
Xie Lian closes his eyes. “Mm. I am. Very much, thanks to San Lang.”
“Can this San Lang get a reward later?”
“ San Lang! ”
Laughter echoes in the distance.
#####
In the mortal realm, a new legend is passed down. The Flower Lantern Festival, originating from eight hundred years ago, is actually a tribute to the Flower-Crowned Martial God, Xie Lian. Coincidentally, Xie Lian is the crown prince of Xianle Kingdom from the stories of old.
To the new generations, Xie Lian’s name is commonly known as the unlucky Scrap Picking God, the God of Misfortune. To the three realms, Xie Lian is widely known as the partner of the fearsome Supreme Ghost King, Crimson Rain Sought Flower. Together, these two are more powerful than any god, as long as one builds a shrine in their honor.
The legend says that Crimson Rain Sought Flower is responsible for lighting up all the first flower lanterns. That the reason why he shielded the flower as per his moniker is because he’s always been in love with the unlucky Prince of Xianle!
Hearts of romantics are melted by this new legend and if they sponsor one or two temples for Xie Lian and Crimson Rain Sought Flower, no one will be the wiser.
Mortals are quick to make stories, and this time they have no idea how close they are to the truth.