Due to suffering His Majesty’s censure and the manor’s treasury being depleted, though Ningyuan Marquis Manor had done everything possible for the wedding ceremony, it still appeared somewhat stingy.

The sparse wedding procession wasn’t even as lively and lengthy as when the betrothal gifts were delivered.

Wen Zhenxue sat in the bridal sedan, her expression rather unpleasant.

Marriage determined a woman’s entire latter half of life. The current Ningyuan Marquis was far from his former glory, and had even borrowed money from her family before the wedding—how could he still be considered a good match?

But having made such a scene over their force engagement Liu Ruyi retreated, and the whole city knew about it. Now there was no way back.

With a sullen face, she got out of the sedan and entered the manor. Wen Zhenxue turned her head and happened to see Ruyi standing in the crowd nearby.

She looked at her from afar, her eyes dark and unreadable.

She must be jealous, right? Wen Zhenxue finally felt somewhat relieved.

No matter how terrible this marriage was, it was still what Liu Ruyi had dreamed of. No matter how calm and indifferent this person appeared on the surface, she must hate her to death inside.

Right now, it was she herself who wore wedding robes and a jeweled crown entering the gate, and only she could have her name written in the He family genealogy.

Thinking of this, she raised her chin and stepped across the red paper covering the ground with a smile, crossing through the main entrance of the marquis’ manor.

Firecrackers exploded, and gongs and drums rang out. In the fluttering red paper, Ruyi watched Wen Zhenxue’s retreating figure, contemplating as she said to Fuman beside her: “Even if it’s just for pride, she shouldn’t default on our restaurant’s bill, right?”

Fuman thought it wasn’t certain, but now the wine and dishes were already prepared in the kitchen—even if they did default, there was nothing to be done about it.

She turned to look to the other side, then tugged at Ruyi’s sleeve.

Ruyi looked back in puzzlement and saw Shen Qiyuan dressed in azure brocade robes, looking at her from afar.

Amid the bustling crowd, he stood pure and solitary, the jade hairpin with dragon and carp on his head glowing warmly.

He Zeyou actually didn’t have the face to invite Shen Qiyuan, but for some reason, he had come so easily, and had even told her yesterday to leave early to watch the lion dance competition on Gongshen Street together.

Since he was being so proactive for once, Ruyi naturally agreed wholeheartedly. But for some reason, she always felt there was a scent of locust flowers in today’s wind, drifting about with the flavor of yellow earth and scorching sun.

The newlyweds performed the wedding ceremony, and guests took their seats. Just as Ruyi sat down, Zhou Tingchuan appeared at her side.

“Miss Liu.” He looked around and said quietly, “The lord is already waiting for you at the east side gate.”

She looked back in surprise: “Leaving without even eating? The lion dance troupe probably doesn’t even have a shadow yet.”

Having at least given a gift, and with Wen Zhenxue ordering dishes made with top-quality ingredients, it would be such a waste to leave like this.

Zhou Tingchuan hesitated somewhat. Judging by the lord’s expression, he seemed urgent to see Miss Liu, but he also found it strange—with so many people and eyes around, why did the lord insist on being with Miss Liu? This wasn’t his usual style.

Ruyi’s table was relatively inside, mostly seated with people close to He Zeyou who all knew her somewhat. Everyone looked at her with rather strange expressions.

She didn’t mind, just waiting for the dishes to be served.

More and more guests arrived, gradually filling the tables. The last guest at the table arrived late, still wearing armor as he embraced He Zeyou who had come out from the bridal chamber.

“Ah Jue, you made it after all.” He Zeyou laughed heartily, very pleased.

The man also laughed, his voice warm and pleasant: “I wore out two horses on the road, but at least I didn’t miss it.”

This voice…

Ruyi was stunned and instinctively looked up.

A patch of azure suddenly blocked her view, covering both He Zeyou and that person completely.

She raised her eyebrows and looked up to see Shen Qiyuan with a grave expression, saying flatly: “Master Shen conveys the Princess’s message, requesting Miss Liu to come once.”

The Princess? Ruyi found it amusing. Zhaoying was perfectly fine in the palace, preparing for her wedding—why would she want her to come?

Noticing the surrounding gazes becoming even stranger, she had no choice but to rise with him: “Thank you for the trouble, Lord Shen.”

Shen Qiyuan walked beside her. Being tall to begin with, his long robe, draped with azure gauze, was also obstructive. No matter how she peeked left and right, she couldn’t see what the owner of that voice looked like.

Reaching a deserted place, Ruyi looked up with a cold laugh: “What does the lord mean by this?”

Shen Qiyuan didn’t look at her, his thin lips pressed tight: “Didn’t we agree to leave first? Even Tingchuan couldn’t persuade you?”

“Even if you’re good-looking, you still have to be reasonable.” She was both angry and amused. “What time is it now? Where could we see a lion dance competition? It would be perfectly fine to go after I finish that table of dishes.”

“You don’t keep your word.” His face was gloomy.

“I…” Ruyi scratched her chin. “Wait, haven’t we got it backwards? Lord Shen, a dignified man—do you need me, a little woman, to coax you?”

Previously, it had always been her doing the coaxing; today, things had changed.

Shen Qiyuan flicked his sleeves and stepped onto the carriage shaft with cold voice and manner: “As you wish.”

He was angry.

Ruyi looked up at the blue sky in silence, wondering whose former lover was getting married today. She was perfectly fine, so why was this person being so moody?

Forget it, forget it. She shook her head. A thousand-year-old great demon shouldn’t quarrel with a little immortal.

Ruyi gathered her skirts to board the carriage.

However, just as her embroidered shoe touched the carriage shaft, Fuman came running over.

“Master, master.” She said anxiously: “The bride, the bride wants you to go, to go once.”

Wen Zhenxue?

Ruyi pouted: “I sold her a banquet, not myself.”

“She, she just wants you to come, come settle the account.”

So readily?

Ruyi was delighted and turned to get off the carriage.

Shen Qiyuan reached out and suddenly grasped her arm. When she turned back, she saw him asking in a muffled voice: “Must you go?”

Both crying and laughing, Ruyi touched the back of his hand: “My lord, eight thousand taels for the banquet silver—if I don’t collect it while she’s competing with me, it’ll be hard to collect later.”

Though he understood the reasoning, Shen Qiyuan still didn’t let go.

He even said, “I’ll give you eight thousand taels. Come with me.”

Ruyi suddenly narrowed her eyes.

If all his previous actions had only seemed like acting spoiled, then this current behavior was more like he was afraid.

What could a Nature God of the mortal realm fear? And it was related to her?

Ruyi pried his fingers apart one by one.

“I’m not your caged canary, much less a courtesan who’ll follow you for money.” She smiled roguishly. “Since the lord says this, I’m determined to go see what remarkable trap is waiting for me inside.”

His stiff fingers slowly clenched in the air. Shen Qiyuan leaned back in the carriage compartment, frowning as he closed his eyes.

It couldn’t be avoided. Some things were destined long ago. What use was his blocking? He was acting like a child throwing a tantrum.

Still, a thread of hope remained in his heart: “Half an hour.”

“What?”

“I’ll wait for you here half an hour.” Shen Qiyuan said softly. “The wind is cold today and the carriage curtains can’t keep it out. Come out early.”