Chapter 7: The Grand Wedding

The grand wedding took place in the mortal realm, within a small, elegant pavilion.

Inside the hall, several white-bearded elders sighed heavily. "Are we to keep this from Yu Jing forever?"

"He'll discover the truth eventually, and he'll surely resent us. That child from the Zhan family is so pitiful—are we truly going to stand by and watch him die? Wouldn't that betray the Lord of Changya Mountain?"

The mention of this matter weighed on every heart present, a deep and unspeakable sorrow.

On the day of the great battle between immortal sects, Pei Yu Jing, under his master's orders, had retrieved the Xihe Divine Sword from the dynasty's covetous grasp. Severely injured at the time, his thoughts had turned immediately to his fiancée on Changya Mountain—he wanted to return to save Zhan Yunwei. Madam Pei had stopped him, her lie smooth and practiced: "Yunwei has already retreated with the Lord of Changya Mountain."

"Mother didn't lie to me?"

"How could Mother lie to you?"

His injuries were too severe. He eventually lost consciousness. The elders of Penglai quickly transported him to the mortal realm.

But truth has a way of surfacing. A few days ago, Pei Yujing awakened to find his mother and the Penglai elders at his bedside—but Zhan Yunwei nowhere in sight. Realization dawned gradually. His voice turned cold. "Where is Junior Sister Zhan?"

One lie always requires another to sustain it. Madam Pei knew perfectly well that the Lord of Changya Mountain had lost his elixir, that Zhan Yunwei and Zhan Shujing were in the Dynasty's hands, yet she continued the deception. "It was too chaotic at the time—we became separated from the people of Changya Mountain. Focus on recovering from your injuries, and we'll search for them once you're healed."

The elders had no choice but to corroborate her story.

This was half-truth—they had indeed become separated from Changya Mountain.

Ordinarily, even if they disapproved of Pei Yujing compromising his swordsmanship for a woman, they wouldn't have conspired to deceive him so thoroughly.

But circumstances had shifted dramatically. The Immortal Sect stood at its nadir, while the Dynasty's power reached its zenith.

Pei Yujing represented the Immortal Sect's hope—the Immortal Alliance would protect him with their lives. How could they permit him to throw away his life and promising future for Zhan Yunwei?

Raised with excessive naivety, Pei Yujing never imagined that the elders who had guided him so earnestly were conspiring against him.

Two days ago, Yulou Xiaozhu sent another message: the dynasty had betrothed Zhan Yunwei to Yue Zhiheng.

The wedding was today.

Everyone felt guilt and unease gnawing at their conscience. After all, they weren't truly evil people. Remembering the clever, adorable girl from their childhood academy, the elders felt genuine pity. They considered the contributions Zhan Yunwei's father had made to the immortal sect and the people over the years, and their resolve began to waver.

What had Zhan Yunwei done wrong? Even during the final moments of the great battle, she had defended the mountain gate, saving countless lives.

Should they tell Pei Yujing? Or, if they maintained the deception, how long could it possibly last?

"You cannot tell him." The elegant Madam Pei entered, her eyes weary yet resolute with maternal determination. "If Yujing discovers this later, let him hate me! I will bear all consequences alone."

As a mother, she would rather endure her son's resentment than watch him risk his life recklessly.

"But how can we do nothing?"

"Everyone knows how precious Spirit Masters are. The Dynasty won't kill Spirit Masters," Madam Pei said coldly. "Zhan Yunwei's life isn't in danger. The Sect Leader has also stated that those trapped in the Dynasty aren't abandoned, but must be addressed gradually. Yu Jing is so badly injured now—going there would be suicide. Those traitors in the Dynasty are arranging this marriage now precisely because they're exploiting his injury. The Immortal Sect cannot afford any more sacrifices."

The elders' expressions turned solemn. After a prolonged silence, they nodded. "But what if Yu Jing discovers this later..."

Madam Pei closed her eyes. "If we can retrieve her, then let him go." But she thought coldly: Is it so easy to snatch someone from Yue Zhiheng's grasp? Even if they succeed, she'll already be another man's wife. Once the moment is lost, it's lost forever. Even if they don't mind, how many times can a relationship withstand such fractures?

Besides, there was something more important now—something that could definitely hold Pei Yu Jing back.

"The Xihe Sword has reacted."

Ten days ago, the previously dormant Xihe Sword began responding, its blade radiating waves of sword intent. No sword case in the world could contain a divine sword. To prevent the sentient blade from wandering off or accidentally harming anyone, it was necessary to have the sword recognize its master first.

However, the recognition of a master by an ancient divine sword existed only in historical records. Millions of years had passed since then—no one knew how a divine sword would choose.

This didn't prevent the elders from displaying their joy. Was there anyone more suitable than Pei Yujing?

Everyone had long prepared for this day. Penglai possessed a cultivation method specifically designed for divine sword master recognition, but it required six months of seclusion with the sword.

Six months later...

The elders exchanged knowing glances. Even if Zhan Yunwei was rescued by then, they hoped Pei Yujing would no longer be so stubbornly persistent.

In front of the pavilion, upon learning that Pei Yujing would enter seclusion in a few days, Mingxiu breathed a sigh of relief.

She was the daughter of the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley and had loved Pei Yujing since childhood, though he had never truly seen her. Her family had repeatedly warned her that his innate sword-like nature forbade romantic entanglement. If that were truly the case, she could accept it—but Pei Yujing had unexpectedly fallen for another woman.

Mingxiu felt envy twisting into bitter resentment. Fortunately, Zhan Yunwei had been left in the dynasty this time and was about to be forced into marriage with someone else.

Mingxiu recalled what she'd overheard and felt satisfaction bloom. She pushed open the door. "Senior Brother Pei, I've brought your medicine."

The man inside possessed a handsome face and clean, refined temperament.

In the mortal realm during May, wind blew through the window. Countless spirit birds, used for reconnaissance, materialized in the man's hands and flew out.

Pei Yujing coughed twice, not even glancing at her. "Thank you, Junior Sister Ming. Leave them there."

Mingxiu glared resentfully at the spirit birds. "Senior Brother Pei, my father said you need complete rest and shouldn't consume any more spiritual energy."

"It's fine," Pei Yujing said calmly.

Worry gnawed at him. Although his mother and the elders had promised to find the Lord of Changya Mountain and Zhan Yunwei, he couldn't find peace until he received news of her.

In a few days, he would enter seclusion with his divine sword, hoping one of his released spiritual senses would locate her.

Countless spirit birds flapped their wings, flying from the mortal realm toward the spirit realm.

Madam Pei stood before the Jade Pavilion's barrier, using a magical artifact obtained from the Penglai Sect Leader to trap the spirit birds.

With her cultivation level, she could no longer directly stop Pei Yujing's spiritual power.

However, Pei Yujing's weakness was his naivety—he trusted people's hearts too readily.

By the time he stopped trusting and became cold-hearted, that child Zhan Yunwei...

would have already disappointed him countless times.

---

Fenhe County, Spirit Realm, Yue Family

Everyone knew the eldest son of the Yue family was marrying today. The people of Fenhe County arrived at the mansion early to witness the spectacle. But unexpectedly, although the mansion was decorated festively, no high-ranking officials or nobles came or went. Instead, imperial guards surrounded the estate in layers.

Some couldn't help muttering, "This doesn't look like a wedding at all. There are hardly any guests—only lackeys from Chetian Mansion."

Another lowered their voice conspiratorially. "You're right. The bride is that 'Heavenly Jade Capital's' fiancée, Miss Zhan from Changya Mountain. Anyone with eyes can see the ulterior motives."

People secretly pitied her but dared not discuss Chetian Mansion's affairs openly. They could only ask curiously, "It's said Miss Zhan is a beauty of unparalleled grace. Will we see her today?"

"The Xuanwu carriage is almost here. When the young lady emerges, you might catch a glimpse from afar."

Inside the heavily guarded Yue mansion, Fang Huai looked at the returning figure, raising his eyebrows with amusement. "So? Was I right?"

The person lowered their veil, revealing Yue Zhiheng's cold, handsome face.

Yue Zhiheng remained silent. From the moment Yun Wei boarded the Xuanwu chariot, he had secretly accompanied her with Chetian Mansion's forces. Yet the journey from the Dynasty to the Yue family had been remarkably smooth.

He had clashed with Pei Yujing before—that man possessed profound spiritual power and exquisite swordsmanship. Without activating the Compassionate Lotus Pattern, Yue Zhiheng might not match him.

Considering this, even injured, Pei Yujing with the Immortal Sect's backing might have a fighting chance.

But he hadn't come.

Fang Huai said, "Miss Zhan must be heartbroken."

Even if the girl rationally understood Pei Yujing shouldn't have come, who enjoys abandonment? Whether intentional or not, betrayal remains betrayal.

The Immortal Sect had sheltered Pei Yujing too thoroughly—one day he would suffer grievously for it.

Fang Huai couldn't help glancing at Yue Zhiheng. Now things had worked out peculiarly. Originally setting a trap, he'd actually stolen someone else's fiancée.

Then again, Yue Zhiheng wasn't as naive as Pei Yujing.

"You didn't do this deliberately, did you!" Could the Dynasty's rumors be true?

Yue Zhiheng glanced at him with a cold smile.

"Me, doing this deliberately? Intentionally marrying a troublesome Spirit Master to serve?"

Fang Huai suddenly remembered that while the entire Spirit Realm eagerly recruited Spirit Masters—beings with gentle natures, exquisite appearances, who could even exorcise family evil spirits—Yue Zhiheng was an exception.

He seemed to harbor prejudice against Spirit Masters.

He wouldn't even visit Danxin Pavilion for evil spirit exorcism, preferring pre-made Spirit Cleansing Slips.

Yue Zhiheng said, "I need to change clothes. Aren't you leaving?"

After dismissing Fang Huai, Yue Zhiheng picked up the wedding garments.

Fang Huai's speculation seemed absurd to him.

From the moment the Yue family pledged allegiance to the dynasty, Yue Zhiheng had calculated many things—power, status, human nature—but never unfounded emotions.

His Majesty's temperament was unpredictable. Yue Zhiheng needed to locate those Immortal Sect remnants, and Zhan Yunwei was the most suitable bargaining chip. As long as she remained in his hands, those remnants would inevitably come.

As dusk descended, during the gentlest moment of the twilight sky, the black carriage carrying the only glimmer of light arrived at the gate.

May still carried a hint of coolness, the sky tinged with beautiful orange hues.

Yun Wei had traveled from the royal city to Fenhe County, and just as in her previous life, she still hadn't seen Pei Yujing.

But perhaps knowing the outcome already meant no disappointment, no heartbreak.

No one could save her and Zhan Shujing—they had to save themselves. Bai Rui had glanced at her several times during the journey, her eyes conveying: "Miss, you understand."

Yun Wei didn't really want to understand.

She touched the demon puppet pill in her bosom. If absolutely necessary, she would have to use it—she only had one chance.

If she did, and Yue Zhiheng reacted poorly, being pushed away would be acceptable. But if he remained loyal to Miss Qu and felt violated, wouldn't he kill her on the spot?

Lost in thought, they arrived at the Yue residence.

She noticed many people on both sides, though they only dared observe from afar. A large area before the Yue residence remained empty, no one daring to approach.

Considering Yue Zhiheng's notorious reputation in the area, she wasn't surprised.

At that moment, a tall, elegant man stood at the doorway—Yue Zhiheng, dressed in crimson with a jade crown adorning his head, his face strikingly handsome. Hearing the approach, Yue Zhiheng raised his eyes, gazing at her from across the distance.

The matchmaker beside her was an ordinary person hired by Chetian Mansion, unaware of this marriage's intricacies. Seeing them, she covered her mouth with a delighted chuckle. "Oh my, in all my years as a matchmaker, this is the first time I've seen such a handsome young man and such a beautiful lady. You two are truly a perfect match."

She hoped for a generous reward.

However, the handsome young man before her remained expressionless, and the charming young woman beside him merely pursed her lips behind the beaded curtain.

The atmosphere grew strange. No one spoke.

The matchmaker gradually sensed something wrong. Looking around the mansion, she saw only soldiers with cold, solemn faces. Her smile froze, but she still had to urge nonchalantly, "Please, young master, come forward and assist the madam."

Yue Zhiheng didn't move, his brows furrowing slightly.

The matchmaker forced herself to repeat the prompt.

After a moment, through the red beaded curtain before her, Yun Wei finally saw a hand with distinct knuckles, slightly rough, extended toward her.

In her past life, she had been even more unwilling than Yue Zhiheng. Already heartbroken, she'd had no patience for pretense and wanted to slap his outstretched hand away publicly.

But Yue Zhiheng wasn't someone to be trifled with.

He had seemed to anticipate this, coldly grasping her hand and pulling her down from the carriage.

"Miss Zhan," he'd said, "he didn't come, so why take your anger out on me?"

Yun Wei's spiritual power had been locked. She'd almost tumbled into Yue Zhiheng's arms before recovering. Her eyes reddened as she looked at him coldly.

But the person before her had also looked down into her eyes, his gaze cold, tinged with anger and mockery.

This time, however, Yun Wei had other plans. She glanced at Yue Zhiheng, gritted her teeth, and placed her hand on his.

The hand beneath hers paused. He looked at her with surprise but didn't create difficulties. Using moderate force, he pulled her down from the Xuanwu carriage.

Unexpectedly, his palm was slightly warm. He released her quickly.

The matchmaker didn't dare let him hold her hand longer, so she stepped forward to assist the bride, quickly leading the strange couple through the ceremony.

Because there were so few "guests," and Yue Zhiheng's biological mother, the eldest wife of the Yue family, was absent, they only needed to use heart jade to seal their vows.

The heart jade had been prepared beforehand. They both placed their heart's blood upon it—this was considered their oath.

After the contract formed, a cinnabar-like mark would appear on each other's elixirs.

The process moved so rapidly that before Yun Wei could fully process what was happening, they were already in the bridal chamber.

It was still early. The red candles in the room had just begun burning, casting Yue Zhiheng's shadow dimly before her.

The bridal chamber was spacious—not the room Yue Zhiheng had lived in previously, but rather the one allocated to him by the Yue family after he became head of Chetian Prefecture.

The matchmaker signaled a maid, who brought over a jade tray carrying wedding scales.

"Please, young master, lift the beaded curtain for the young mistress."

The two exchanged glances.

Yun Wei looked at him through the beaded curtain, feeling strange unease. Despite all their unwillingness, in this life as in the last, they had still completed the marriage ceremony.

Court officials remained outside, perhaps wanting to finish quickly. Yue Zhiheng took the wedding scales. As the beaded curtain lifted, a fair, jade-like face was revealed.

Previously, Yue Zhiheng had always scoffed at Fang Huai's insinuations. How could he be so despicable as to deliberately steal Pei Yujing's fiancée?

But now, perhaps because the candlelight was so gentle, he understood why Fang Huai harbored such suspicions.

In Fenhe County's summer night, fireflies fluttered everywhere. The moon had just risen, and purple cicada flowers bloomed in full glory.

Unlike her disheveled appearance from previous days, her eyes resembled autumn water today. When she looked up at someone, her gaze was captivating—almost impossible to look away from.

She possessed pure, natural beauty. With just a touch of adornment, she seemed to eclipse everything else in the summer night.

Yue Zhiheng had never thought people could be that beautiful before. He himself was quite handsome. However, in comparison, he realized for the first time that the difference in beauty between people could be truly vast.

He finally understood why those cowardly officials had fought so fiercely for her in court.

Not only that, she wore lipstick today, making her already alluring lips even more striking.

Yue Zhiheng looked away, frowning as he turned to the matchmaker. "What else remains?"

The matchmaker snapped from her reverie. "We still have the nuptial wine."

He glanced at Yun Wei and saw she also wore a strange expression. Yue Zhiheng said, "No need. Everyone get out."

Why bother with such pretense? No one truly took this marriage seriously.

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