An auspicious day according to the imperial calendar, suitable for all affairs, especially weddings.

Lian Shisan thought the matter didn’t concern him and originally wanted to sleep until the sun was high overhead, then feast heartily at the wedding banquet. Who knew he’d be awakened by Uncle Fu before dawn. Lian Shisan yawned repeatedly asking the old man what was the matter, and was told—the Sect Master had called for him to patrol the mountains.

Following the Sect Master Mu in his bright red gold-woven ceremonial robes as they ran all over the mountains for two hours, Lian Shisan had gulped down a bellyful of cold wind and his face looked like moldy pickled vegetable stalks. Looking at the bridegroom ahead who was beaming with joy and radiant spirits, he finally couldn’t help but say: “On such a joyful day, Young Master, if you keep braving the mountain winds like this, what if your appearance suffers and the bride doesn’t like it?”

Mu Qingyan cast a sidelong glance with his long eyes: “How could Zhao Zhao be such a shallow person who only recognizes appearances?”

Lian Shisan turned his head: If it weren’t for your decent looks, Young Master, Miss Cai might not have been entangled by you.

Perhaps reading the unfinished meaning on his face, Mu Qingyan stepped forward, his eyes flashing fiercely: “Don’t tell me you really think mere mountain winds could damage this seat’s elegance?”

Lian Shisan skillfully retreated three steps, “Not at all, not at all. Young Master’s beauty is peerless, enduring through all changes of time.”

Mu Qingyan: “…If you can’t speak properly, speak less, and read more books in the future!”

Seeing he was about to patrol the mountains against the wind again, Lian Shisan hurriedly said: “Even if Young Master doesn’t want to wait indoors for the auspicious hour, you could go greet the guests. Elder Yan said he hasn’t seen so many people in Paradise Palace for half his lifetime.”

Mu Qingyan’s mouth twitched, “Half are people from the Beichen Six Sects, and nine out of ten among them have written letters advising Zhao Zhao not to marry me, saying things like ‘don’t step into the mire and go astray’ and ‘lest you marry the wrong person and regret it too late.’ This seat can hardly restrain from attacking when facing them, so it’s better to see them less.”

Lian Shisan scratched his head: “Didn’t you burn all those letters? Young Master, you peeked at Miss Zhao Zhao’s letters.”

Mu Qingyan said proudly: “Zhao Zhao and I are of one heart and mind, she hides nothing from me.” His tone shifted, “How did you know the letters were all burned?”

Lian Shisan: “Uh, when she was burning them, I was the one adding firewood.” Looks like you two aren’t completely of one mind either.

Mu Qingyan swept his long sleeves, his face full of magnanimity, “Those letters with poisonous words would be harmless even if kept. Would this seat really follow them one by one to settle accounts later?”

Though he felt the possibility was quite high, Lian Shisan still said, “If Young Master were such a narrow-minded person, Miss Zhao Zhao wouldn’t be so devoted to you either.”

These words greatly pleased Sect Master Mu, who decided to temporarily stop braving the mountain winds and instead go see how the wedding hall was decorated.

In the mountain evening with night falling, Mu Qingyan wore an exquisitely embroidered bright red wedding outfit, the pearls and rubies embedded in his robes and golden crown making ethereal friction sounds in the night wind. For the sake of his subordinate’s phrase “beauty that eclipses the martial world,” he had even returned to his room before meeting people to straighten his robes and crown, admiring himself in the mirror. Indeed, his eyebrows were refined and his eyes long, his face like fine jade, truly possessing an otherworldly bearing.

Dragging along the reluctant Lian Shisan, walking with confident strides, he glimpsed along the way Shangguan Haonan with a bitter expression and head topped with green, arranging seats for Yang Xiaolan and her followers—the affair of his three concubines all running away had become known throughout the sect. Shangguan the tough guy refused to accept his peers’ various glances, so he volunteered to receive the Beichen factions.

Mu Qingyan sighed leisurely, full of pity: “Unfortunately, Haonan joined under this seat’s command too late, otherwise this seat would certainly have warned him. After all, there aren’t many men in this world as magnificent as this seat—truly rare in the world. Ordinary men should have some self-awareness and constantly guard against their back courtyards falling into chaos and being abandoned by women like worn shoes.”

Lian Shisan: …

Turning a corner, he saw Elder Yan Xu holding a ledger with a displeased expression. As an active advocate for completely annihilating the Beichen sects to unify the martial world, Hu Fengge feared this old man would cause trouble and speak nonsense at the banquet, so he forced him to record the guest list and gift registry.

Mu Qingyan again let out a long sigh full of regret: “Elder Yan has spent his whole life with brush and ink as companions, without wife or children. When he goes out, it’s lonely stars and a waning moon; when he returns home, it’s just half a bowl of cold rice. I wonder if he’s ever been liked by a woman in his life. Sigh, but this seat will never discriminate against the old bachelors in the sect.”

Lian Shisan: You’re really not obvious about showing off at all.

Taking two more steps past screens, they encountered the busy You Guanyue. Lian Shisan thought to himself, now you have nothing to say—he just became united with his lover last month and is now living as sweetly as honey mixed with oil every day.

The bright red robes made You Guanyue’s face glow red. If he encountered guests lacking perception, they might mistake him for today’s bridegroom—this kind of mistake the usual You Guanyue would never make, but lately he’s been a bit too happy.

He turned to see Mu Qingyan and smiled so broadly his teeth disappeared: “Congratulations, Sect Master! Felicitations, Sect Master! Everything is going smoothly today, just waiting for the auspicious hour to arrive and the ceremony can begin.”

Mu Qingyan leaned his tall frame against the doorframe, seemingly gratified: “Elder You has worked hard. Sigh, Zhao Zhao and I truly haven’t had it easy—we’ve fought and quarreled, but fortunately we’ve still achieved this good thing. Now thinking about it, it’s better to have some arguments and disputes before marriage. If even that can’t separate us, we’re bound to have a long and happy future.”

You Guanyue was startled, “Uh, there are also couples who don’t fight or quarrel but are equally happy for a long time.” He and Xing’er had never had a single argument, let alone fighting or quarreling.

Mu Qingyan said with feigned indifference: “That’s hard to say. You know Lin Shu used to have a wife, right?”

As the sect’s walking news source and gossip star, You Guanyue naturally knew, but he joined the sect late. When he met Lin Shu, the man was already in his perpetual widower gloom and ghostly appearance. Plus, Nie Ci’s subordinates were very diligent, so You Guanyue hadn’t heard many old secrets.

Mu Qingyan sighed with full theatrical effect: “Back then he wasn’t called the Ghost Doctor yet. He and his wife were like newlyweds, treating each other with respect. Who knew that after just a few years of marriage, Lady Lin came crying and begging to leave, saying she married Lin Shu only out of gratitude for saving her whole family’s lives. Now having met someone she truly loved, she begged Lin Shu to let her go.”

You Guanyue seemed to think of something, his voice trembling: “…Gratitude…appreciation?”

Mu Qingyan smiled: “Yes, what ordinary couple doesn’t quarrel? Others saw the Lin couple as harmonious, but who knew Lady Lin was only compliant and gentle to her husband out of gratitude, never contradicting him once—”

You Guanyue’s face went pale as he listened—Xing’er had been saved by him as a child and raised by his side. They had depended on each other for years. Could it be that Xing’er too was only grateful, only repaying a debt?

He became completely flustered, stumbling away. The bright red exquisite robes were torn by the white jade stone carving at the corner, but he didn’t notice.

Mu Qingyan smiled like a little wolf cub who had stolen pastries, as if he had returned to his mischievous youth of fourteen or fifteen.

Lian Shisan couldn’t bear it: “Young Master, you’ve gone too far. Uncle Fu said that Doctor Lin Shu didn’t want to marry at all. Back then, he found a woman to pretend to be his wife only to comfort his dying parents. After his parents passed away, the act was over!”

Mu Qingyan’s handsome eyes turned, snorting: “An act? If it was really an act, would Lin Shu have stumbled around looking for that woman for decades after she left without a word? To prevent enemies from knowing Lin Shu cared for that woman, and to avoid letting the sect’s grudges implicate her, Uncle Fu helped Lin Shu fabricate an excuse that spread around.”

“Hmph, what does a young brat know… By the way, when do you plan to marry?”

Lian Shisan: “Huh?”

“Don’t tell me you still want to run when you see girls.”

“!?!”

“Can you even get married in this lifetime?”

“…”

Having completed his soul-searching triple question, Mu Qingyan looked proud: “Considering you need to care for Uncle Cheng in his old age, this seat won’t stoop to the level of someone as ignorant and incompetent as you…”

Seeing his condescending attitude, Lian Shisan got angry and spoke without thinking: “Getting married isn’t such a big deal—people have legs and can run away. If Young Master is really so confident, why did you spend these two hours leading me to check every pass and pathway around the four mountain peaks? Aren’t you afraid Miss Zhao Zhao might waver and run away in the night!”

Mu Qingyan’s face filled with murderous intent, his body radiating energy: “What did you say!”

Lian Shisan saw the situation was bad and quickly somersaulted far away: “Young Master, I advise you rather than checking around the mountain peaks, you should go see Big Gold and Little Gold. If Miss Zhao Zhao wanted to run away, what could be faster than riding them?!”

…

While shouting, Lian Shisan didn’t dare stop moving and leaped far away in one breath before daring to look back. He found that Mu Qingyan surprisingly hadn’t chased him—maybe he really went to check on the two golden-winged rocs. Hmph, saying one thing and meaning another!

Since that was the case, he was going to tattle.

Flipping over layers of guests and sect members, Lian Shisan was like a large hawk hidden behind the evening red clouds, about to jump through the window into the bridal chamber when he saw Cai Zhao climb out first. She held her swaying red-gold phoenix crown with one hand while arranging her jewelry and emeralds with the other. After standing steady, she looked around furtively, somewhat sneaky.

Lian Shisan’s heart shook—surely his crow’s mouth hadn’t really predicted the bride would run away! Arguments aside, he still hoped Young Master’s marriage would go smoothly!

Cai Zhao saw him and waved: “Shisan, what are you doing here?”

Lian Shisan was suspicious and uncertain, blurting out: “You, you’re not really going to run away, are you?”

Cai Zhao looked down arranging her skirts, “Why would I run? Even if I were to run, I wouldn’t wear such cumbersome, jingling clothes and jewelry… Hmm, what do you mean by ‘really’ run away?”

“Someone discussed me earlier, didn’t they? Was it Elder Yan speaking ill of me to Qingyan again, saying I’d leave him sooner or later?”—Miss Cai was quick to react and experienced in verbal sparring, far superior to the dim-witted Lian Shisan. She immediately caught the key point.

Lian Shisan laughed awkwardly, “Not at all, not at all. Elder Yan is busy recording the ledger right now. By the way, Miss Zhao Zhao, what are you doing out here? Uncle Fu said brides should wait in the bridal chamber for the auspicious hour.”

Cai Zhao straightened her phoenix crown with both hands, saying calmly: “The room was too stuffy, so I came out for fresh air. I asked Qiu Cuilan to watch the door, so no one knows I slipped out.”

She stepped forward, “By the way, what are you doing here at the bridal chamber? Don’t you hate chattering relatives the most?”

“A room full of red candles is quite stuffy… Ah!” Lian Shisan almost forgot his purpose and hurried forward to tattle, “Miss Zhao Zhao, you don’t know how excessive Young Master was just now—” He then recounted Mu Qingyan’s terrible behavior in detail!

Cai Zhao listened speechlessly: “The three concubines leaving isn’t Elder Shangguan’s fault! Not only did he not blame the three women, he gave them plenty of silver and let them go properly. How many men in the world are so righteous! He was hiding outside originally, but came back despite the shame to help with the Sect Master’s wedding! Your Young Master went too far—I need to have a good talk with him!”

“And Elder Yan, well… forget him. He badmouths me all day and gives me white eyes, acting like I’m here to ruin your sect’s great cause. He deserves to be mocked by your Young Master.”

“But why did Mu Qingyan have to bully You Guanyue? He and Xing’er finally got to be husband and wife!”

Lian Shisan finally found his chance and excitedly launched into a tirade—

“Miss Zhao Zhao, you don’t know—Young Master has been this domineering and tyrannical since childhood! When he practiced swordwork, no one else could wield a blade. When he meditated, no one else could circulate qi. When he walked in front, no one else could step ahead of him by half a step. All day long he’d act obedient, filial, weak, and pitiful in front of the old master, but the moment he turned around, every living thing within a hundred li of Reflection Studio was bullied by him!”

“That year when the old master praised me with just one sentence—’This child, though naturally dull, is still diligent’—just twelve words! Young Master smiled and agreed with the old master to his face, but before I could even leave the courtyard, he sealed my pressure points, tied me up like a big crab, and released me down the stream! Fortunately he still had some humanity left and told Uncle Fu in time roughly which section of the river I’d float to, otherwise there’d be no me now…”

Cai Zhao rather unkindly wanted to laugh, but seeing Lian Shisan’s grief and indignation, she tried hard to hold back.

“Young Master only suffered before age five—after five, it was only others who suffered from him! The poor birds and beasts all over the mountains, when he passed by, they didn’t even dare breathe loudly!”

—Mu Zhengfeng excelled at raising spiritual beasts. The birds, beasts, fish, and insects around Reflection Studio had all developed some intelligence under his care, making them even more aware of fear. Lian Shisan often pitied these creatures for being unable to speak, otherwise the complaints flooding into Reflection Studio would have been deafening.

“Now you know why Young Master bullied You Guanyue, Miss! When the old master was alive, Young Master didn’t like hearing him praise others. Now that he’s getting married, he can’t stand seeing others with better marriages than his! Miss Zhao Zhao, don’t you think Young Master is being excessive!”

“Too excessive!” After listening, Cai Zhao struck the snow pine beside her forcefully, shaking down a shower of snow fragments. She declared righteously: “His temperament needs changing. I’ll talk to him about it later!”

“Right, you should talk to him properly! Uh, where are we now?” Lian Shisan turned to look around—they’d already reached Cai Zhao’s small study.

Cai Zhao waved her hand: “My parents wanted to speak with me, but the bridal chamber was too noisy, so we came here to talk. Alright, Shisan, you go back now.”

Watching Cai Zhao’s bright red and golden figure, Lian Shisan scratched his head as an ominous feeling crept over him.

After a moment’s daze, he quickly turned and ran. After a frantic dash, he collided with Mu Qingyan who had just come down from the mountain path leading to where the golden-winged rocs were kept.

Lian Shisan was delighted: “Young Master, you’re really here… ” His face changed, “Big Gold and Little Gold are still alive, right? Young Master, you didn’t kill them, did you!”

“Shut your crow’s mouth!” Mu Qingyan shot him an annoyed glance: “They were personally hatched and raised by Father after all—how could I bring myself to kill them? But seeing they’ve grown into adult birds, it’s time they learned to roam the world alone, so I let them out to return after a while.”

Lian Shisan sighed in relief: “That’s wonderful. I was just about to tell you, Young Master—even without Big Gold and Little Gold, Miss Zhao Zhao could still run away if she wanted to!”

“On such a joyful day, don’t force me to seal your mute points!”

“No, Young Master, just now Valley Master Cai and his wife came to speak with Miss Zhao Zhao, and they deliberately avoided others. The three of them are talking privately in the small study!”

Mu Qingyan’s face changed dramatically.

Ever since the Beichen heroes entered the Hanhai Mountains, countless people had openly or secretly advised Cai Zhao to break off the engagement these past two days. Only Cai Pingchun and his wife said nothing, merely stating that “disciples of Falling Petals Valley have always followed their nature.”

For this, Mu Qingyan was incredibly grateful to his future father-in-law and mother-in-law. Given Cai Zhao’s attachment to her family, if Cai Pingchun and his wife truly opposed strongly, who knew when this marriage would be delayed.

Now, with only an hour or two before the wedding, could Cai Pingchun and his wife finally be unable to restrain themselves and intervene?

Mu Qingyan’s face turned iron-blue. He swept his gorgeous wide robes and immediately headed for the small study.

Lian Shisan shouted from behind: “Young Master, what are you going to do? What’s your plan?”

Mu Qingyan’s jaw was tense, offering no answer.

—If pushed to desperation, he’d tell the old Cai couple that he and Zhao Zhao had already shared a pillow. Hmph!

Leaping several times on the snow pine branches, he landed near the small study.

Mu Qingyan thought for a moment, then entered through a secret passage into the small study, quietly hiding behind a hidden panel—Paradise Palace, if nothing else, had plenty of secret passages and hidden rooms.

Who knew that just as he stood steady behind the panel, he discovered that sitting across from Cai Zhao weren’t Cai Pingchun and his wife, but Lei Xiuming and Zhuang Shu.

“Zhao Zhao, I won’t stop you from marrying that dem… ahem, from marrying Sect Master Mu. I’m not unaware of how many times he’s risked his life to save you. Hearts are made of flesh—I just hope he won’t turn into a madman like Nie Hengcheng.”

Lei Xiuming said, “The sect desperately needs a strong leader after the great upheaval. Now that Da Lou is dead, Feng Chi is ruined, Yu Zhi is returning to Broad Sky Gate, and Lingbo… sigh, no need to mention it. Neither Xing Jia nor Ding Zhuo are suited for this—one only knows herbs and medicine, the other has already packed his bags and is waiting to drink your wedding wine before wandering the world with his sword. Now, is there anyone more suitable than you?”

Cai Zhao sat sideways, smiling: “Uncle Lei, I’ve been carefree by nature since childhood. Making me be a rigid sect leader really isn’t a good assignment. However, I can’t stand by when the sect is in trouble. But I’ve already promised Qingyan that we’ll never separate again. So if I become sect leader, I’ll definitely bring my husband along. Uncle Lei, what do you think?”

“This, this…” Lei Xiuming stroked his beard repeatedly, “Oh dear, he is the Demon Sect’s leader after all. Having him live in Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff, this, this just doesn’t seem right…”

—For two hundred years, when the Beichen Six Sects fought the Demon Sect, Beichen’s slogans were often lofty like “eliminate evil and uphold justice,” while the Demon Sect’s slogans were more down-to-earth like “level Wind Cloud Peak, break through Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff, occupy Twilight Micro Palace and roast lamb legs.”

If Mu Qingyan lived openly in Twilight Micro Palace, would Azure Gate Sect be considered conquered by the Demon Sect or not?

Lei Xiuming didn’t dare make this call.

Cai Zhao smiled again: “Whether we’ll grow tired of each other as an old married couple is hard to say, but right now we’re newlyweds. If I were to leave him behind and go to Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff alone as sect leader, he’d surely cause some trouble. For world peace and martial world stability, Uncle Lei, I think it’s better for me to stay in the Hanhai Mountains.”

“But what about Azure Gate Sect?” Lei Xiuming was helpless.

Cai Zhao said: “Uncle Lei, why pretend ignorance? There’s clearly an excellent candidate right here.”

“You… mean Zhuang Shu?” Lei Xiuming turned to look beside him.

Zhuang Shu hurriedly said: “This won’t work, it won’t work at all!”

“Senior Brother Zhuang, don’t be hasty. Please hear me out.” Cai Zhao became serious: “Uncle Lei, though Senior Brother Zhuang isn’t a direct disciple of the sect leader, throughout the entire sect, his martial arts cultivation is second only to Third Senior Brother. And if we’re talking about interpersonal relations, rewarding and punishing disciples, and instructing juniors, Senior Brother Zhuang is even better than Third Senior Brother—Uncle Lei, if you don’t believe me, ask anyone in or out of Azure Gate Sect whether this is true.”

Song Yuzhi was heaven’s favored child, the most brilliant pearl of both Azure Gate Sect and Broad Sky Gate. Many matters didn’t require his personal involvement at all. But Zhuang Shu was an outer disciple who learned to handle the most basic affairs step by step alongside Li Wenxun.

“Sigh, how could I not know these things?” Lei Xiuming sighed: “This, this isn’t because of… sigh, it’s all Li Wenxun’s fault…”

Zhuang Shu lowered his head, his eyes reddening: “Master was like a mountain of kindness to me. I know he committed terrible crimes, but in my heart, he’s still my master!”

Cai Zhao smiled: “In my heart, my master is still the Uncle Qi who loved and cherished me.”

She turned to Lei Xiuming: “To be honest, my master and Uncle Li are birds of a feather. If I can be sect leader, then why can’t Uncle Li’s disciple?”

Lei Xiuming sighed: “Actually, I also think Zhuang Shu is suitable—I’m just indecisive and don’t dare make decisions alone. Zhuang Shu, what do you say?”

Zhuang Shu didn’t dare raise his head, saying softly: “People’s words are frightening. Perhaps it’s better to choose another outstanding disciple from within the sect.”

“Senior Brother Zhuang, have you seen the new sect leader of Four Horses Gate, Miss Yang Xiaolan, these past two days?” Cai Zhao suddenly asked.

Zhuang Shu was startled.

Cai Zhao continued: “Uncle Li committed great crimes, but Senior Brother Zhuang at least knew nothing about it and bears no fault. At most, people will gossip, but it’s just idle talk that passes like wind. But that Miss Yang not only killed her own father but personally severed the heads of her father, stepmother, step-uncle, and several other elders to offer as sacrifices to the spirits of the Huang family heroes.”

Zhuang Shu was speechless.

Lei Xiuming shook his head lightly and sighed, not knowing whether he pitied Yang Heying who had played with him in youth or the entire Huang family.

“Not only that, she also returned to Four Horses Gate to become the sect leader. How many people cursed her, reviled her, pulled connections to apply pressure, spoke viciously, and used every possible means—swords, poisons, hidden weapons—I originally wanted to help her, but she said she’d handle it herself.” Cai Zhao became excited: “In just half a year, at least no one in Four Horses Gate dares openly contradict her anymore.”

Zhuang Shu listened, captivated.

Cai Zhao took a breath and calmed down: “Xiaolan isn’t someone who craves power and position. Since childhood, her only wish was to properly care for her mother and reunite with her maternal family.”

Lei Xiuming sighed: “Yes, she’s been an honest child since small. Yang Heying and his concubine bullied her terribly—I often saw her with injuries. Such a pitiful sight.”

Cai Zhao looked steadily at Zhuang Shu: “Xiaolan insists on being Four Horses Gate’s sect leader not for power or wealth, but because she believes only she can reform the corrupt Four Horses Gate, transforming it from a harmful force back into a righteous sect that benefits the people.”

“Well said!” Lei Xiuming clapped his hands, excitedly patting Zhuang Shu’s shoulder: “Because of Qi Yunke and Li Wenxun’s misdeeds, how do people outside talk about our Azure Gate Sect? Haven’t you heard? Zhuang Shu, that little Miss Yang is a full ten years younger than you, with far less experience and knowledge, yet she has such determination. Don’t you have any?”

Zhuang Shu’s eyes lit up with passion: “Thank you, Junior Sister, for your guidance. I was too narrow-minded. A real man should act according to his principles—what I do is only for the sect and my conscience. What do others’ opinions matter to me!”

Cai Zhao was delighted. Hiding behind the panel, Mu Qingyan pouted—the unperceptive fool, can’t he see Zhao Zhao’s mouth is dry from talking? He doesn’t know to push the teapot toward her, just keeps drinking himself.

Watching Lei Xiuming and Zhuang Shu leave, he was about to emerge when Song Yuzhi stepped through the door.

Mu Qingyan narrowed his long eyes. What was he here for? Didn’t he know about avoiding suspicion?

Song Yuzhi sat down with a slight smile, as handsome as ever: “I came to bid farewell to Junior Sister.”

Cai Zhao found a fresh teacup from the tray and poured him tea: “Good. Let tea substitute for wine—I toast Third Senior Brother.”

Song Yuzhi drained it in one gulp: “I see you’ve convinced Senior Brother Zhuang.”

Cai Zhao said: “For years, everyone in the world thought you’d be the next Azure Gate Sect leader. Who expected such unexpected turns?”

Song Yuzhi gazed toward the misty window: “Since I can remember, Mother repeatedly described the picturesque scenery of Nine Carp Mountain, the divine craftsmanship of Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff, and most often, Grandfather’s glory days. Mother often said that no matter how formidable a hero, at Grandfather’s single call, they’d go through fire and water, ready to die. “

Cai Zhao remained noncommittal.

“Actually, Broad Sky Gate’s scenery is also beautiful, but in Mother’s heart, nowhere in the world compared to Azure Gate Sect’s Twilight Micro Palace. She constantly instructed us: ‘The Azure Gate Sect leader position belonged to your grandfather—it was given to outsiders out of helplessness. You must reclaim it in the future.’ Until her dying moment, she was still muttering about making me the next Azure Gate Sect leader.”

Cai Zhao’s fingers moved under the table—she wanted to complain.

Song Yuzhi suddenly looked at her: “You know, Mother’s obsession was so deep because she actually hated herself.”

“Ah?” Cai Zhao was caught off guard.

Song Yuzhi continued: “She didn’t truly hate your aunt—not Heroine Cai—but herself. She hated why she couldn’t be like your aunt, roaming the world alone with her sword, winning universal admiration. If she could have been like your aunt, Grandfather could have passed the sect leader position to his daughter instead of constantly seeking a suitable son-in-law.”

Cai Zhao opened her mouth but remained silent.

Song Yuzhi said: “Zhao Zhao, Junior Sister, I know you deeply resent my grandfather. Everything started from his greed. But who knows—Grandfather hurt his own two daughters just as deeply. My mother died young in resentment, and my aunt lived half her life in anger and loneliness, now even driven to madness…”

“…How are Senior Sister Lingbo and the others now?” Cai Zhao finally spoke.

Song Yuzhi shook his head: “Aunt and Senior Brother Dai are both injured and ill. I wanted to bring them to Broad Sky Gate for care, but my cousin refused. She said they’re returning to the Yin family’s old home—the Baimao clan relatives treat them quite warmly.”

Cai Zhao twisted the corner of her mouth: “At least your grandfather treated the Yin family well, never forgetting to benefit the hometown when he prospered.”

Song Yuzhi smiled: “Father said that back then, your aunt was quite angry about Grandfather’s favoritism toward the Yin clan. Even with Grandfather’s extensive connections, he couldn’t stop your aunt from throwing several Yin clan members into the icy river as light punishment during the dead of winter.”

Cai Zhao had clearly heard this story before and couldn’t help but smile.

Standing behind the panel, Mu Qingyan was consumed with jealousy, his envy burning hotter than all the massive candles on the mountain.

The handsome young hero spoke with gentle emotion: “Speaking of which, our families have been connected since our parents’ generation. I originally thought this generation would also be entangled…”

“Have you said enough!” Mu Qingyan finally couldn’t bear it and stepped out of the panel, declaring loudly: “If we’re talking about connections from the previous generation, Zhao Zhao’s aunt and my uncle were the true connection…”

“That was an ill-fated connection.” Song Yuzhi gently refuted.

“Whether ill-fated or blessed, it was still a life-and-death connection. What do your Yin and Song families count for!” Facing his rival, Mu Qingyan dropped all pretense, revealing his true nature, murderous intent blazing. As he spoke, his fingers slightly spread, gathering power in his palm.

Cai Zhao quickly grabbed his sleeve: “On our wedding day, you want to start a fight!”

She turned and hurriedly said: “Third Senior Brother, farewell and safe travels, no need to escort you out. Eat more food and drink more wine later, and may you have sons soon and achieve success!”

Song Yuzhi left with suppressed laughter.

Mu Qingyan shook off his sleeve, slightly angry: “Fine, now that he’s gone, you don’t have to worry about me killing him!”

“We were just talking as fellow disciples, what are you getting angry about!”

Mu Qingyan exploded: “Not one person in Azure Gate Sect is simple! Don’t think Lei Xiuming looked pitiful—he’d already decided to make Zhuang Shu the sect leader but was too cunning to take responsibility, so he made you speak up!”

Cai Zhao rolled up her sleeves and put her hands on her hips, puffing up her pink cheeks: “Stop changing the subject! We agreed to trust each other, so why are you eavesdropping on my conversations again?”

Mu Qingyan hurriedly said: “It was Lian Shisan who said your parents wanted to talk with you. I thought they might have some instructions for me too, so I came over. By the way, where are your esteemed parents?”

“They only had a few words to say, so naturally they went out to receive guests after speaking with me. Uncle Lei and the others came after that. You’re just making excuses—what would my parents have to instruct you about!”

“Don’t story books always say that on wedding days, fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law tearfully plead with the son-in-law to be more understanding in the future, to treat their daughter well and not bully her?” Mu Qingyan suddenly realized, “Eh, why have they never instructed me to treat you well and not bully you?”

Cai Zhao turned her head away and walked out of the small study by herself.

Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng’s actual words were—Mu Qingyan is also a pitiful child, without parents since childhood and suffering from sinister schemes. Since you’re married now, you’re family, so don’t bully him in the future.

Mu Qingyan caught up: “What did your parents actually say to you just now?”

Cai Zhao said softly: “Father said that after our wedding is complete, he wants to take Mother out to travel, to see mountains and waters.”

Mu Qingyan embraced the girl’s slender waist, being considerate: “You can’t bear to part with your parents? No matter, after the wedding we’ll travel with your parents to see mountains and waters, then you won’t feel the separation.”

Cai Zhao stared at him speechlessly.

Mu Qingyan also realized: “Is it that… four people together isn’t quite right?”

“What do you think? Would you want You Guanyue and Xing’er constantly following us around?” Cai Zhao gave him a look.

Mu Qingyan certainly wouldn’t want that.

Cai Zhao couldn’t be bothered with this madman and turned to look into the distance: “Father often says that when Mother followed Aunt around in her youth, traveling north and south, how carefree and unrestrained she was. But after marrying Father, she could only be confined to Falling Petals Valley for over ten years—actually, Mother loves liveliness very much. Now that the martial world is peaceful, let Xiaohan watch over Falling Petals Valley while I keep an eye on things. This trip of theirs will last several years at least.”

Mu Qingyan thought for a moment: “Actually, your father doesn’t need to think that way. I heard your mother say that following Heroine Cai back then was indeed carefree and unrestrained, but her heart was always unsettled. Heroine Cai was too kind and tolerant, so your mother constantly worried she’d be secretly plotted against and harmed. Your father is different—he’s thoughtful and careful, so your mother has lived very peacefully these ten-plus years.”

Cai Zhao asked in surprise: “When did my mother tell you these things?”

“When I was recovering at Falling Petals Valley. That day you went out to buy candied hawthorn, and your mother happened to come by and said all this.” Mu Qingyan had an epiphany: “I understand now—your mother said this to remind me not to be too kind and tolerant, lest you worry about me being plotted against.”

Cai Zhao thought about it: “Couldn’t it be reminding you to cause less trouble and stir up less storms in the future, so I don’t have to worry about you?”

Mu Qingyan said stubbornly: “Anyway, in your heart, I only harm people—no one ever harms me.”

Cai Zhao went over to coax him, hugging his arm and pulling his head down intimately: “People say that if you’ve seen your husband’s worst side before marriage, life after marriage will actually be good.”

Mu Qingyan was still dissatisfied: “When have you ever seen my worst side…”

Cai Zhao feigned surprise: “You have an even worse side?”

Mu Qingyan immediately said: “No more, absolutely no more.” Then he became somewhat annoyed: “You’re not afraid of me at all now. You used to be somewhat wary of me.”

Cai Zhao nuzzled him with her nose tip, breathing in the deep sandalwood fragrance on him: “I don’t want to fear you, and I don’t want to be wary of you. I want to be good to you.”—May you forget sorrow and be as carefree and untroubled as you were in childhood, mischievous and playful.

Mu Qingyan looked at her eyes shimmering with light and her crimson tender lips, as if a dream had come true.

Their lips and teeth met in a passionate breath and youthfully reckless kiss.

In the distance, a bang sounded from the mountain peak as a huge golden-red firework bloomed. The two separated and turned to look—

Under the reflection of countless candles throughout the mountains, everywhere could be seen lanterns and decorations, gold weaving and silver painting. Nimble servants moved like dense schools of returning fish, shuttling in and out tirelessly, with rare treasures flowing like water, decorating Paradise Palace like an underwater fairy realm or earthly dragon palace.

Fireworks bloomed one after another, making even people’s faces look gorgeously dreamlike.

“These fireworks are so beautiful—do they have any meaning?” Cai Zhao asked in a daze.

Mu Qingyan nuzzled the bride’s rouge-painted cheek with his nose tip, reluctant to part: “They should mean the auspicious hour has arrived.”

“Ah? Then shouldn’t we hurry over?”—The auspicious hour had arrived, but both bride and groom were absent. They could only hope the martial arts heroes wouldn’t start imagining conspiracies.

“One more kiss and then we’ll go.” Mu Qingyan kissed her again, gently biting the girl’s tender lips with his teeth, intertwining and entangling.

The girl giggled softly: “Two kisses would be fine too.”

…

That night, the wedding went very smoothly, except the groom’s lips were somewhat swollen and the bride’s lip rouge was applied rather thickly.

Shangguan Haonan wanted to escape as soon as the ceremony was complete but was surrounded by several altar masters toasting him. It’s said he later escaped down the mountain by mixing in with Yang Xiaolan’s entourage.

You Guanyue got completely drunk and cried nonsensically while holding his new wife, babbling who knows what. The usually gentle and kind Lady Xing’er lost her temper for the first time, crying as she splashed a bowl of cold water on her husband’s head to sober him up.

The next day, the young Elder You walked with a slight limp, reportedly having knelt on a washboard all night. However, his spirits were excellent—he walked with his head high and chest out, beaming with joy, seeming even happier than when Mu Qingyan promoted him to Seven Stars Elder.

When Sect Master Mu learned of this afterward, this time he wasn’t envious of others’ joy but leaned down to whisper in his wife’s ear: “They definitely aren’t as happy as we are.”

Author’s Note:

This chapter mainly ties up loose ends.