That day when Goujian came back to his palace and looked for Xi Shi, he could not find her. Her two maids also disappeared. Goujian knew that something was wrong, and he knew that it must be his wife who was the culprit. Yet his wife was so devoted to him, even in the hardest time. He could only close his eyes and pretended that nothing had happened.
At the same time, Fan Li had grown impatient. He had prepared to leave Yue to go back to his native state Chu, or another place. He wanted to take Xi Shi away as soon as possible. He was not happy that these days King Goujian showed some interest toward her. He went to the palace to meet Xi Shi, but the palace maids said that Xi Shi was not feeling well. It's already seven days, and he hadn't seen her.
King Goujian then summoned Fan Li and said, "Fan Li, now that you've worked hard and helped me to wipe out Wu, therefore I want to bestow you to marry the beauty of Yue, the most beautiful woman of Yue! The wedding will be arranged for you tomorrow!" Fan Li had never expected Goujian would bestow him a marriage with Xi Shi - the beauty of Yue. Apparently, he was wrong in his judgment. He thought Goujian had grown interested in Xi Shi.
The same day, the queen went to meet Ying and said, "Ying, I have told His Majesty about your intention of leaving. He doesn't agree. And I think…that you don't have to leave. You have a lot of reasons to stay here!"
"My queen, what reasons do I have to stay here? I don't have anyone here at Yue anymore. My mother had passed away. I want to wander and roam all over the world!" Ying said.
"Fan Li! He's the reason why you have to stay here!"
"My queen, what do you mean?"
"His Majesty has bestowed a marriage between you and Fan Li. Fan Li had accepted it! We're preparing a wedding for you both, tomorrow!" the queen laughed happily.
Ying confused and said, "My queen, how can that be? Mister Fan…he only loves Xi Shi! He would not agree!"
"Aye, Xi Shi had stayed with Fuchai for many years. She even bore Fuchai's child - although the child didn't survive. Although at first Fan Li still wanted to be with her, but after all, in the end, he could not accept the fact that Xi Shi was Fuchai's wife!"
"It's not Xi Shi's fault! It was for the country that she had to sacrifice herself!" Ying said. "Mister Fan should not treat her like that!"
"Xi Shi also feels embarrassed of herself. She left a few days ago and gave up Fan Li already!"
"Shi Yiguang? Did she leave? Why didn't she even say goodbye to me or Zheng Dan?" Ying surprised.
"I don't know! And that's not important! The most important thing is…you would be the wife of Minister Fan!"
"My queen..I…I.,' Ying stuttered.
"Please don't reject!" the queen said and caressed Ying's hair. "Fan Li himself asked the king if he is allowed to marry you. Of course, the king is very happy to know that. The king thinks that you and Fan Li are both talented people! A perfect match!"
"Did Mister Fan said that?" Ying disbelieved what she heard.
"Of course. Fan Li said that you're not only beautiful but a rare talented woman and a kind-hearted person!"
Ying didn't know what to say. She didn't even know if she should be happy or not. But having a compliment from Fan Li - her mentor meant a lot for her. The queen had to convince Ying that it was Fan Li's decision to marry her.
Convinced that it was Fan Li's own decision to marry her, Ying agreed to marry Fan Li. After all, she's just a young naive woman, and Fan Li was her idol.
The next day, on her wedding day, the queen dressed Ying in a very beautiful wedding gown and put a thick cloth to cover her head and face as the tradition.
Ying had never felt that happy before. Finally, Fan Li would marry her. Fan Li, the man that she had been admiring for years. Although Madame Ling always told Ying that she's only allowed to marry another immortal or a king, but Fan Li was Fan Li. Although he's not an immortal, nor a king; but he's Ying's first mentor and her teacher. He was the one who taught Ying how to be an elegant woman. It was Fan Li who taught her literature, philosophy, and other skills that made her a rare talented beauty. Above all, Fan Li was her first love.
Fan Li was also very happy. Finally, after more than twelve years, he could marry the woman he loves. When his bride was taken into the room for the obeisance ceremony, he was a bit confused. Why did she look taller than usual? But before he thought too long, both he and his bride were already slowly pushed to kneel on the ground to do three times kowtow* to worship the heaven, parents, and spouse. Since they both had no parents, they paid their respect to King Goujian and his wife.
On the third kowtow, the spouse had to face each other, exchange a nuptial cup and bow their bodies to respect each other. Just as they kneeled facing each other and raised their nuptial cups, Fan Li noticed his bride's hands. Her hands and palms were so beautiful with long perfect fingers without any blemish on them. But that's not the hand of Xi Shi. He knew Xi Shi's hands so well, there's a scratch on her left palm. These palms did not belong to Xi Shi. These palms belonged to Ying.
Fan Li abruptly stopped and asked, "Ying, is this you?"
Ying answered, "Mister Fan, of course, it is me!" She was confused why Fan Li asked her like that.
Fan Li was shocked. He didn't continue his third kowtow, instead, he turned his head to King Goujian and his wife with astonished eyes. Both of them looked innocent. Fan Li became confused, and he just lifted the cloth that shielded his bride's face.
Ying's face blushed when Fan Li lifted the cloth. At the same time, she didn't get it. They had not finished the marriage rituals, why did Fan Li lift her shield in front of the guests?