Chapter 77 - Family Name

Long Xia heard the sound of a buzzer and immediately answered the door of Yuan Bojin's apartment.

She received a bouquet addressed to him, carefully stalking toward the kitchen. She placed it on the kitchen island gently, next to the dozens of bouquets and cards lined up next to it. 

She arranged the stems in the right place before she said, "Everyone is acting like you passed away."

Yuan Bojing chuckled as he rose from the sofa, grunting softly. "They're sending me well wishes." 

Long Xia frowned. "All I see are flowers but no chocolates." 

"You think too much like a glutton," he countered. 

Long Xia's mouth curved into a bright smile.

Yuan Bojing looked at her and could not help but approach quickly, gathering her in his arms.

They had not separated since they left the hospital. Long Xia had been with him every day since they returned home. 

Long Mei had dropped some of Long Xia's clothing and essentials, while Shao Lin came by with meals every day, wanting them to eat home-cooked food until they both fully recovered. The rest of their families would visit, but only to annoy them rather than to help. 

It felt odd but fitting that Long Xia and Yuan Bojing finally behaved like a normal couple now. There was no more hiding, no more secrets. They can give and take what they want from each other without being afraid of any consequences. It was exhilarating. 

Long Xia tip-toed on her feet, giving Yuan Bojing a peck on the mouth when she said, "My ceremonial robes will be arriving soon. My sister-in-law is going to pick them up." 

He smiled. "I can't wait to see you look like a Queen." 

Long Xia chewed on her lower lip with a nervous flush at his response. She spoke again. "Your ceremonial robes are coming in too."

Yuan Bojing froze.

Normally, the spouse of the sovereign would be crowned too, but they were not spouses yet. They have not even talked about marriage.

"I think we should get marr—" Long Xia began, but Yuan Bojing covered her mouth with his calloused hand before she could finish what she had to say. 

He then looked at her muffled face. "Don't finish that sentence," he began. "I'm the one that is going to ask you the big question, and I won't have it any other way." 

Long Xia blushed at his blunt forwardness. It nearly turned her on.

Yuan Bojing continued, "Xia. Your coronation day should be all about you." 

Long Xia shook her head as Yuan Bojing let her go. 

She looked up at him. "I rather share the spotlight than spend it alone. I want to show everyone how strong we are together. They had seen the way we fought. I can't do this without you by my side." 

Yuan Bojing gazed down at her with low-lidded eyes. He picked up a strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. "You want me to be your husband and your consort?"

Long Xia's heart began to pound wildly. She nodded nervously. "Yes. All at once." 

Yuan Bojing wanted to lift her in his arms, but he could not without straining his body, so he pulled her by the hip, bringing them waist to waist, and then he kissed her. 

He put a hand into her thick black hair, pulling her close. He engulfed her mouth with his, dragging his tongue over hers, igniting sparks in her chest. He pulled away to say, "So will you be taking my name, or will you keep yours?" he asked, breathless.

Long Xia pondered for a moment. "Let me get back to you," she responded with a grin. She needed time to think about it. Taking his name felt like it cemented their bond, their relationship. But, Long had been her identity her whole life, and she was unsure if she could give it up. But Yuan Bojing gave her a choice, and it made her happy. 

Yuan Bojing pecked her mouth. "All right, then I will share one more secret. The last one." 

Long Xia raised a brow and gave him a look that said, 'are you sure it's the last one?' 

Yuan Bojing laughed. "Yes. I don't want to keep anything from you." 

Long Xia grinned, waiting for him to tell her what he needed to confess. 

Yuan Bojing caressed her hair from her face. "When you marry me, and if we have children, they will not take Yuan as a surname, but Shi." 

Long Xia widened her eyes for a moment, stunned. "What?"

"It's something my parents decided before I was born. Everything from my birth records to my identification cards has Shi registered," he paused as he let it soak in her mind. "But I went by Yuan to curb the questions. Why would they give me my mother's surname? It's simple to explain but difficult to understand. My mother has a sister, and they're the last of their line. But to them, it had always been most important that someone carries on their name. So, I use both names interchangeably, and I told myself that if I were to ever to marry, my children would carry on Shi." 

Long Xia stared at him, eyes wide.

She had admired Shi Yen down to the fibre of her being, but she never imagined that she was going to marry into the family, the very family that rivalled her but was just as legendary as Long. This meant they were uniting their families, which had never happened before. 

Long Xia knew who his mother was but never imagined Yuan Bojing to be a Shi through and through. She had three brothers to carry on the Long name.

Her father had once told her that their line would never die, but she knew how important this was to Yuan Bojing, to his family. 

"Is that all right with you?" Yuan Bojing asked, insecurity lacing his tone. 

"Yes," Long Xia answered, more sure than ever. "I would be honoured." 

Yuan Bojing no longer cared about his injuries. He swept Long Xia up in his arms, lifting her in the air. He kissed her. "You don't understand how much you make me the happiest man alive."

Long Xia smiled so brightly it made Yuan Bojing grin bashfully in return. 

Yuan Bojing put her back down on her feet when he dropped to one knee and asked her the question he longed to ask and never thought he could.

He dreamt it. Fantasized it. He buried those feelings down, thinking it impossible. It was not like that anymore. 

He reiterated his confession for her. 

He vowed to take care of her for the rest of their lives.

He vowed to commit to his role as her consort. 

He then asked the question. 

Long Xia said yes.