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Let it be known, that there had been so many hints that Hua Cheng and Heavens laughing stock were a thing, that it was absolutely laughable how much people refused to see the truth.
Heck, even the windmaster had seen Hua Cheng and Xie Lian kiss during their infiltration mission in Paradise Manor, masquerading as a servant.
They'd put it off as a hallucination and later called Hua Cheng his “sworn brother”.
By now, many heavenly officials had heard about the Ghost King lurking around at his ramshackle shrine and there had been a myriad of nefarious theories as to why, one more crazy than the other.
So no, he hadn't told them about their marriage yet, he didn't think they would believe him anyway.
Slightly bored, Xie Lian stands together with the windmaster at the balustrade of a gigantic balcony in the palace of divine might.
They had convinced him to join them at the Mid Autumn Festival and while he'd had some fun talking with them, he just wanted to go back to ghost city.
He wanted to go back and see his San Lang.
San Lang who'd decked him in incredibly luxurious robes for the evening.
…He'd even tried to have him go up in Hua Cheng's telltale crimson robes and jewellery!
Xie Lian only agreed to fine, white robes, stitched, silvery butterflies almost hidden on the pearly, white fabric. His San Lang took it with grace.
The heavenly officials however had the time for their life, discussing where he might have gotten such high quality robes.
Surely a scrap god can't have that much money and then the rumours about him stealing came up again.
He tuned out after that.
Next to him, the windmaster starts to squeal when their name comes up with several hundreds of lanterns.
He congratulates them and then watches them dash over to their brother.
…Xie Lian really wants to go home.
The rest of the lanterns are being counted and then, finally, it's over.
He pushes away from the railing, glad that he can finally go home and cuddle up with his husband, but then a god nearby shouts out, “Wait, there's still one missing.”
Murmuring starts up and, confused, the person counting checks their list.
And then brilliant light flashes up from the realm below.
Thousands of thousands of blessing lanterns slowly make their way up, turning the previous dark night into daylight.
Awed, Xie Lian steps back to the railing and gently catches one with his hands.
It's beautiful craftmanship– they look different from the lanterns you can purchase in the mortal realm and then he notices the hush falling over his fellow gods.
He turns around, just to find every pair of eyes already staring at him?
“Why is everyone staring at me?” he asks cutely, still holding the lantern in his hands.
The official who'd been previously counting all ascending lanterns points a shaking finger towards him.
“His Highness, the crown prince of Xian Le, Qiandeng Temple.” his voice is shaking terribly now.
“T– three thousand lanterns!!”
Xie Lian's eyes go wide as saucers and the Officials around him start discussing loudly.
“This must be clearly a mistake!”
“Yes, who'd send up even one lantern for the laughing stock of the heavens?”
Weakly, Xie Lian can hear Shi Qingxuan raise their voice in his defense, because normal lanterns wouldn't be able to reach the heavenly realm, but they are ignored.
With a huff Xie Lian let's out a quiet laugh and raises the lantern up so he can inspect it more.
Indeed, on the backside is his name and temple engraved in neat calligraphy.
Oh San Lang, he thinks fondly and wishes he could see him now.
…he also hopes Yin Yu will get a raise for having to sign all three thousand lanterns, because Xie Lian knows his handwriting by now.
Just when the voices of the other gods get louder and louder, suddenly the tall gates of the heavenly palace slam open and thousands of butterflies swarm in.
The hall takes a collective deep breath–
The gods out of fear and Xie Lian because Hua Cheng is stunningly beautiful tonight.
Well, every day and night, honestly but he's wearing something Xie Lian was dubbed his “Full Ghost King Regalia”.
Incredibly elegant and sharp, not his true form either, but something sharp and lethal, inhumanly beautiful. With every step his jewellery is chiming and more than one god has their weapon at hand now, even if they don't dare attack.
“Hua Cheng,” Jun Wu acknowledges calmly.
“for what reason are you here?”
The Ghost King gives him an arrogant smirk and glares at the frightened gods.
“I’m here to take my wife home,” he says and turns towards Xie Lian, who stands rather stunned at the balustrade.
Ah, Hua Cheng has had enough of the secrecy, Xie Lian thinks hysterically, while his husband gets closer.
Before the ghost can reach him though, someone steps before him, bow drawn and blocks his sight.
“Stay away from His Highness,” Feng Xin bellows loudly and Xie Lian doesnt know whether to laugh or cry.
So he does neither and gently steps around Feng Xin and walks towards Hua Cheng, who grins at him teasingly.
Xie Lian really hopes that his blush isn't too visible for the gods, because Hua Cheng has clearly seen it by now and speeds up his steps.
Behind him Feng Xin stands frozen.
“San Lang,” Xie Lian mumbles quietly when he's right in front of his husband.
“Thank you for the la–”
But Hua Cheng doesn't let him finish before gathering him into his arms, incredibly gently and then his lips are on his own.
Ah–
What a statement, Xie Lian thinks, slightly hysterical but he loops his arms around the Ghost King's neck and brings himself impossibly closer.
He can't see heaven around him anymore and can't hear the collective shocked intake of breath–
There's only his San Lang.
When he finally opens his eyes again and leans back to take a breath, heaven has fallen away and the familiar red and black if paradise manor surrounds him.
He can't help but laugh and Hua Cheng joins him.
If they still don't know about them know… he really doesn't know how to break it to them!