A Star Reborn: The Queen's Return

Given that they were family to the bride, the consideration was always how to protect Xia Ling first and foremost, so that she had a handle on Li Lei.

The Xia Family was highly respected, and marrying Xia Ling came with a whole host of benefits for the groom. At the same time, he would have to give up many things. Only a commitment to serve the Phoenix always was worthy of her hand in marriage.

Hence, this matter was decided without the knowledge of Xia Ling and Li Lei.

Hearing her brother’s declaration, Xia Ling looked up in shock before glancing over at Li Lei.

Li Lei’s expression was calm. “I’m fully willing to protect Xiao Ling forever.”

The ceremony was complete.

Fireworks lit up the night sky, celebrating the comeback of the Phoenix.

In the midst of the celebrations, the three of them stepped off the altar. Xia Ling grabbed onto her brother and asked, “A lifetime of servitude. What’s that all about?”

Xia Moyan’s remained expressionless. “That he’ll love you always.”

Xia Ling did not make a sound.

Xia Moyan continued, “The celebrations will last throughout the night today... There’s wine, a feast, and lots of singing and dancing. You guys should relax and enjoy yourselves. You’ve had it hard these few years.” With that, he turned and left.

The grand fireworks show continued.

Xia Ling was a little downcast as she sat down on a big rock.

“It’s chilly here. Let’s go into the house.” Li Lei said. “Why are you upset?”

Xia Ling lifted her head to look at Li Lei. “Will you love me forever?”

Li Lei was taken aback. “Why not? Your brother said that I’ll be yours always.”

“Will you really be mine always?” She asked softly again.

Li Lei laughed. “What’s wrong with you today? You’ve come back home... we’ve made our commitment... all these are things to be happy about! Why is it that you’re unhappier after the ceremony? Are you not used to your new status?”

Xia Ling was quiet for a long while.

She wanted to ask Li Lei: What if there came a day that he didn’t love her anymore, but he was stuck in this commitment and unable to extract himself? He was stuck loving her for the rest of eternity! The only thing that was more painful than lovers being apart was being forever in a one-sided love.

However, she didn’t dare ask this as the question was sensitive, and she didn’t want him to be sad. She forced a smile. “I’m alright... just a little tired. You’ve suddenly become mine, giving me the feeling that we’ve somehow gotten married early.” She made up her mind to ask her brother if there was any way to undo the commitment.

Li Lei said, “Silly girl... we already have a child together. We should have been married a long time ago. After we go back home, I’ll get a matchmaker to come and request for your hand in marriage. We should get this sorted as quickly as possible.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

Xia Ling felt tears fill her eyes. He was calling her silly, but he was the silly one. Did he know what it meant to make this commitment that was to last forever? This was too unfair. Perhaps he had agreed to the commitment in full awareness of what it entailed given his intelligence, completely willing and even celebrating their livelong partnership.

How much did he truly love her?

She couldn’t resist putting her hands around his waist and burying her head in his chest. “I will do all I can to be good to you.” This was her promise to him. She told herself that she had to be responsible for him and never have a change of heart.

“Silly girl...” Li Lei laughed again. The fireworks in the night sky were reflected in his eyes—grand, beautiful, and dream-like. He happily took her hand and led her into the celebrations.

Auntie Liu returned to Father Ye’s side after picking up a huge plate of food. “Come, you need to try this wild rabbit meat roasted with mountain fruits... it’s delicious! How did they make it taste so good? And this salmon... I can’t identify what fruit they used in this wine... and these wild mushrooms. Old Ye, I’m telling you... it was worth making the trip down here. This poor village is full of delicious things to eat! No wonder that butler dared to brag that the rice here would fetch ten thousand yuan.”

She spoke while munching through the food, her saliva spitting out in all directions.

Father Ye was still overcome with sadness and didn’t respond.

Auntie Liu elbowed him while holding onto a piece of meat. “Hey... go help me get some of that pork knuckles... I want the one that is marinated with red wine! I saw some people eating that over there... The smell was amazing!”

Father Ye stood up listlessly and obediently brought some pork knuckles over for her.

Auntie Liu continued after he returned, “Old Ye, you should eat as well. Eat as much as you can! We need to make this trip as worth it as possible! When we’re about to leave, I’ll get them to make some of these for us to take back to Feifei. We should let Feifei try the organic and clean delicacies they have here! Why aren’t you saying anything? What are you thinking about? You shouldn’t be caring anymore about that idiotic girl... she’s part of another family now! It’s useless thinking about her... the one that’s going to take care of us when we’re old is Feifei!”

Father Ye snapped back to his senses at her words and gave a bitter smile. He stuffed a pork knuckle into his mouth.

Auntie Liu commended. “That’s right! Who cares about what happened? We’ll just eat away our worries! Come, have more! These villagers seem like they are actually quite rich... they eat well and dress well!” After living here for two days, she could tell that the village was not as poor as she had initially thought. Even though she had no idea what the extent of the Xia Family wealth was, she knew that they were wealthy.

She started calculating in her head what they would be able to take back with them.

As they ate, someone from the village came over to chat with them. “Are you two Mr. and Mrs. Ye? Nice to meet you both.”

Auntie Liu was eating happily when she heard the question. She raised her head to look at the person and realized that it was a middle-aged woman with a head peppered with white hair. Even though she was dressed in the same high-quality green ceremony robe, it didn’t serve to hide her yellowing skin and wrinkles that revealed her age.

Auntie Liu asked while eating, “Who are you?”

“I’m Xia Shujuan. Madam Ye, you can call me Shujuan.”

This was the first time Auntie Liu heard someone refer to her as Madam. It made her feel more important. Thus, her impression of Shujuan rose a notch. She smiled and said, “So you’re Shujuan! Come, come, have a seat. Don’t need to be so formal! Come have some food with us.”

Xia Shujuan did as she said and sat down beside them.

She had two polite mouthfuls of food as they made conversation. Xia Shujuan said, “Madam Ye, congratulations! You’re so blessed that a Phoenix has been reincarnated into your family!”

Auntie Liu gave a huff. “What use is that? Didn’t you see us cut all family ties with her on the altar?”

“Oh, but you can’t say that...” Xia Shujuan said. “I heard that every family that fostered a Phoenix would be blessed immensely.”

“Tsk, what blessing? I haven’t earned back all the money that I used to raise her.” Auntie Liu remarked. Thinking of something, she asked curiously, “You guys keep saying that she’s the Phoenix... why is it that I can’t see what you guys see? Can you explain to me why she’s the Phoenix? What exactly is a Phoenix?”

“Oh, so you don’t know?” Xia Shujuan explained. “The Phoenix is a legend in the Xia Family. Legend has it that she will die and be reincarnated.”