Xie Hongchen had finally asked about the Heart Sword!

He Xijin and Qu Manying’s expressions immediately turned grave, both looking toward Huang Rang together.

—Their child was so accomplished that, being busy with her wedding these past days, the two had actually forgotten about this matter.

Huang Rang gazed at Xie Hongchen. After quite a while, she said, “This matter is rather strange. When I was young, I entered dreams, and in my dreams I took Sect Master Xie as my master. The way of the Heart Sword was all personally transmitted by Sect Master Xie.”

“This…” Xie Hongchen frowned. Clearly, he did not believe it.

Qu Manying and He Xijin did not believe it either.

How could such a bizarre thing exist?

Huang Rang looked fixedly at Xie Hongchen, saying, “In my dreams, I became Sect Master’s disciple, and Sect Master and I had a master-disciple bond spanning a hundred years.”

Xie Hongchen was stunned. After a long while, he said, “Miss Arang, these words are truly difficult to believe.”

Huang Rang said, “Yes. But… the facts are indeed so. In my dreams, Sect Master Xie lived in the Trailing Clouds Hall on Emerald Peak. I often went to the martial arts training ground in the back courtyard. In the grounds there was a parasol tree. I practiced sword techniques under the parasol tree, with its leaves drifting all over the ground.”

Xie Hongchen stood up. Huang Rang said, “Because Sect Master loved orchids, I specifically cultivated a pot for Sect Master. Sect Master cherished it greatly and kept it beside your desk.”

She slowly recounted the scenes from the Second Dream, depicting the master-disciple bond in great detail.

Xie Hongchen’s heart was filled with inexpressible shock.

Huang Rang gave him a slight bow, saying, “If Sect Master does not believe me, you may test my techniques.”

Xie Hongchen immediately said, “Sect Leader He, please let me borrow the training grounds.”

What difficulty was there in that? He Xijin was also very curious, saying, “Please!”

He led the two of them all the way to the inner courtyard. Inside, a flat area had been specially cleared, dedicated to entry-level disciples practicing sword techniques.

Xie Hongchen used the Heart Sword to spar with Huang Rang. But the tacit understanding between them far exceeded his expectations.

He could confirm that Huang Rang’s Heart Sword came from his personal transmission.

Huang Rang was not nervous at all, because she actually couldn’t even be considered lying.

She and Xie Hongchen truly did have a hundred-year master-disciple bond, and moreover, their relationship was probably even more intimate than what Xie Hongchen could currently guess.

“Sect Master… no, Master—are you willing to believe me now?” Huang Rang changed her form of address.

Xie Hongchen felt his mind in complete chaos—how could this be?

He asked softly, “In the dreams, you and I… were only transmitting techniques? When did this happen?”

He began to pursue the details of time and specifics. Huang Rang also had her own explanation: “Starting from when I was eight years old, from the first time I saw Sect Master in Immortal Tea Town.”

He Xijin and Qu Manying exchanged glances, both their eyes filled with confusion.

Xie Hongchen asked, “Then why, after all these years, have you never mentioned this to me?”

Huang Rang said, “Because I knew well that even if I mentioned it, Sect Master Xie would be filled with suspicion and questioning, is that not so?”

Xie Hongchen fell silent.

Huang Rang said, “Who would have thought that fortunately receiving Sect Master’s teachings in dreams would actually save me once again. Arang thanks Sect Master.”

After a long while, Xie Hongchen finally said, “Then… why did you refuse my marriage proposal back then?”

This was simply not like a question he would ask.

His voice gradually weakened, yet he still said, “If we had a hundred years of teaching in dreams, you and I should be closer, should we not?”

These words made the He couple feel awkward.

Huang Rang contemplated for a moment, then said, “But I was gradually growing up. I understand that what I’m seeking is a companion who loves me, not merely a man of noble status.” She looked toward Xie Hongchen and smiled gently at him: “The two are different.”

Xie Hongchen fell into silence. Huang Rang then turned and said, “If Sect Master Xie can believe my words, then I have one more matter I wish to tell Sect Master. However… it must wait until after I am married.”

“You may speak plainly now,” Xie Hongchen said.

Huang Rang smiled, saying, “Not now—it must be after the wedding.”

“Then this sect master shall wait until after the young lady is married,” Xie Hongchen raised his head, looking toward Huang Rang. Meeting his gaze, Huang Rang smiled warmly and gently.

In that moment, Xie Hongchen even wondered—if he too, like Di Yiqiu, pleaded with words, would Huang Rang change her mind, also postpone the wedding date, and wait a while longer?

But he did not.

He and Di Yiqiu were inherently different.

Half a month later, Jianzheng Di Yiqiu and Division Scholar Huang Rang were married.

The court attached great importance to this wedding. The ceremonial procession traveled far to Ruyi Sword Sect, welcoming the bride across a thousand miles.

Even the usually stingy Ministry of Finance gritted their teeth and bled money, preparing much wedding candy and celebratory coins to scatter along the route.

Huang Rang was pulled up by Qu Manying in the middle of the night for makeup and grooming.

Huang Jun checked Huang Rang’s dowry over and over again. He Cui and He Xijin had been greeting guests since early morning, while He Dan kept checking on the whereabouts of the bridal sedan chair.

Everyone was extremely busy, and Ruyi Sword Sect was a sea of celebratory red.

Lord Jianzheng, dressed in ceremonial robes, sat on horseback. The procession moved very slowly—so slowly it made him anxious.

“At this rate, won’t bringing back the bride take until next year?!” Lord Jianzheng complained to the official matchmaker beside him.

The matchmaker, all joy and cheer, said, “Groom, don’t be anxious. Once we’re out of the capital, we can naturally travel by carriage.” After speaking, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief, “This old woman has arranged so many weddings, and this is the first time I’ve seen one so impatient.”

When she said this, she didn’t realize she would soon encounter an even more impatient bride.

Where there were crowds, the procession played and drummed, lively and bustling. After passing the busy market, they indeed got into carriages and traveled swiftly all the way.

Thus crossing prefectures and counties, they finally arrived at Ruyi Sword Sect.

Lord Jianzheng raised his head. When he saw that sword piercing the heavens, even his heart trembled!

This day had finally come.

However, at this moment, the main gate of Ruyi Sword Sect was tightly closed. Two brothers-in-law along with Huang Jun blocked the entrance, not permitting him to enter.

He Cui said, “Future brother-in-law, do you know the rules of fetching a bride?”

Lord Jianzheng raised his eyebrows: “What rules?”

He Xijin and Qu Manying watched with smiles. After all, on such a joyous day, they could let them have their fun.

He Cui said, “The husband my sister marries must be a man of profound talent and learning. I must test you!”

Lord Jianzheng put back the magical treasure he had taken out and frowned, saying, “This seat had originally prepared two storage magical treasures as gifts. Who would have thought that only talent was needed? Very well, then bring it on!”

With a whoosh, the mansion gates opened.

The He Cui and He Dan brothers rushed over competing with each other: “Talent and such really isn’t that necessary…”

The two brothers scrambled to grab the magical treasures from his hands, not forgetting to stuff one to Huang Jun as well, then began enthusiastically showing him the way.

…

Lord Jianzheng had celebratory coins distributed by the Ministry of Finance opening his path all the way, entering the mansion smoothly and successfully.

Huang Rang was helped before He Xijin and Qu Manying, the couple both deeply moved.

“She was only this big when she came…” Qu Manying held Huang Rang’s hand. After quite a while, she said, “After marriage, you’ll be an adult. You must care for your husband, manage the household, and can no longer be mischievous.”

But Huang Rang—this was actually her third time donning wedding clothes.

When she first married, Xi Yin was already dead, and Huang Shu’s eyes were filled only with Yuhu Xuanzong’s betrothal gifts and the glory of his daughter marrying into a noble family—where was there even half a word of advice?

The second time, she knew it was false, so naturally she took nothing seriously.

But only this time, as she returned the grip of Qu Manying’s hand, she had a feeling of wanting to cry.

Beside her, He Xijin said, “If, if if you’re wronged, wronged, you, you must come, come home. You, you have fa-father and bro-brothers, we’ll na-naturally help, help you make, make de-decisions!”

Huang Rang held hands with both husband and wife. After a long time, she choked out, “Arang knows.”

Qu Manying patted her hand, saying, “Your mother didn’t come, but Arang, she doesn’t want to cause you trouble. Don’t resent her.”

Huang Rang shook her head. Starting everything anew, what resentment could there be?

“Come, go out!” Qu Manying took her hand and they slowly stepped across the threshold.

Di Yiqiu stood at the doorway, watching that person in wedding clothes fiery red, like a red sun, coming toward him. He slowly opened his arms, as if embracing his own sun.

Huang Rang, guided by Di Yiqiu, finally boarded the bridal sedan.

The wedding attendant distributed another wave of celebratory coins. Finally, amid deafening firecrackers, the bridal sedan was lifted. The ceremonial procession played and drummed, heading toward the capital.

Huang Rang sat in the sedan, quietly lifting a corner of the veil to peek outside.

Di Yiqiu sat on horseback—she could only vaguely see a straight back.

Yet she felt as if she held a candy in her mouth, filled with indescribable joy.

Di Yiqiu, today this old lady is finally marrying you!

The court seemed to deliberately show off—this wedding procession passed through an especially large number of towns.

All along the way, firecrackers rang out in unison, wedding candy was scattered, as if celebrating throughout the realm.

Jianzheng urged several times. The wedding attendant covered her mouth and said, “Oh my, Jianzheng, rest assured, the bride can’t run away.”

Just at this moment, a corner of the sedan curtain was lifted, and the bride whispered quietly, “Though I can’t run away, I can’t wait either!”

Unexpectedly, the members of this ceremonial procession also had some cultivation, and everyone heard it loud and clear. Outside erupted in laughter.

The wedding attendant hurriedly ran over, laughing so hard she nearly fell, forcibly lowering the sedan curtain: “Oh my, bride, please stop talking!”

Three days later, the bridal sedan finally arrived at the capital.

The common people all knew this was the wedding of Di Sanmeng and Lord Jianzheng. Both sides of the streets were packed with onlooking citizens.

The procession protected the bridal sedan, playing and drumming all the way, entering the inner city, arriving at Si Tianjian, and directly delivering the bride to… Lord Jianzheng’s official quarters.

All things considered, even the wedding attendant felt this was truly too shabby.

This cramped bridal chamber, paired with such a grand wedding—it was like a chamber pot rimmed with gold!

Of course, no one dared say so.

In any case, neither the groom nor bride minded, so what were they being pretentious about?

Everyone still followed propriety and had the two drink the nuptial wine.

Lord Jianzheng went out to entertain guests and friends.

Huang Rang sat on the edge of the bed, casually feeling for a peanut from the red bed curtains, peeling the shell and tossing it in her mouth.

Getting married today—who knew how much gift money they could collect?

Xie Hongchen should come, right?

How much betrothal gold had he given her before?

Huang Rang thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with a specific number. Ultimately, at that time the money hadn’t entered her pocket—it had all been taken by Huang Shu.

She waited a full hour before Lord Jianzheng finally escaped back to the bridal chamber.

Outside, the sound of guests laughing uproariously was clearly audible. Jianzheng didn’t even care about face anymore—as soon as he returned, he closed the door!

Huang Rang’s heart pounded rapidly. In the flickering red candlelight, her face finally also flushed crimson.

She turned to sit in another direction, giving Lord Jianzheng her back.

Lord Jianzheng found a towel and wiped his hands clean before placing both hands on her shoulders and turning her around to face him. He gently lifted Huang Rang’s veil. Under the lamplight, the beauty was like jade, stirring the heart.

Lord Jianzheng’s throat moved slightly. This one gaze of concentration was enough to be remembered for thousands of lifetimes.

“I…” He thought for a long time but couldn’t find any good words, and could only say, “Wife, let us sleep.”

This was too direct! Huang Rang was so embarrassed. Jianzheng embraced her, feeling his arms full of fragrance.

In that moment, as if his blood had awakened, he kissed her jade-white earlobe in an intoxicated, entranced manner.

Huang Rang’s face bloomed with crimson clouds. She lightly punched him once and asked, “How much gift money did we collect today?”

Jianzheng’s hands were not idle, urgently helping his wife change clothes, saying, “I don’t know.” He lightly kissed beside Huang Rang’s lips, saying, “We’ll count tomorrow.”

Just at this moment, someone next door said in a low voice, “Eight hundred ninety thousand taels of silver, plus countless antiques and paintings.”

“…” Both Huang Rang and Jianzheng’s faces turned green!

This… this…

After quite a while, Huang Rang mouthed the question, “Zong Zifu?”

Jianzheng nodded—he was in charge of recording the gift money.

You’re really damn conscientious, aren’t you!

Huang Rang finally knew who lived next door to Di Yiqiu’s official quarters.

The two stared at each other in dismay. Lord Jianzheng wanted to pull her into his embrace, only to be beaten back by a flurry of soft fists.

—Even if Huang Rang had all the means in the world, these conditions simply didn’t allow it!

Buy a residence! Buy a residence tomorrow!

Otherwise, damn it, if the couple told a joke at night, before they even laughed, the neighbor would laugh first!

How… how could they face people! The two were mortified!