The various gods were both frightened and relieved, momentarily frozen in place. That black figure also froze for a moment, then turned and gracefully drifted toward him. Slender waist, delicate shoulders, pale wrists—it was a goddess.
She wore on her head one of those black conical hats commonly worn by warrior goddesses of that era, probably to prevent demon blood from splashing on her face. When the conical hat was removed, her eyebrows and eyes were also like ink. Divine Lord Jiran suddenly thought she looked much more beautiful than that legendary third imperial daughter famed for her matchless beauty. Though her skills were formidable, she didn’t have that kind of hardness—she looked rather graceful. She came over and curtsied elegantly to him, her voice clear: “Many thanks to Divine Lord Jiran for saving me.”
This was Yaoying, belonging to the command of Gouchen Great Emperor, under whom he had just been assigned.
Later, he gradually came to know that she was the eldest princess of Supreme Unity Imperial Lord. Though she appeared delicate, she was extremely skilled in close combat and entangling fights with divine weapons. Many things in this world cannot be judged by appearance alone. For instance, someone so beautiful and noble as her was particularly passionate about breaking through martial dao and cultivation realms. For instance, though she clearly seemed timid, she acted very boldly.
The eldest princess of Supreme Unity Imperial Lord fell in love with Divine Lord Jiran of the Huaxu Clan at first sight, and earnestly and passionately confessed her feelings to him.
It was a winter day with swirling snow falling all around. The eldest princess, who followed Divine Lord Jiran around like a tail all day, with a natural and composed demeanor yet also carrying a determination that would not turn back, told him word by word: “Divine Lord Jiran, I like you. If you think I’m not bad, would you consider me?”
Actually, there was no “not bad” or “bad”—he was so indifferent to everything. It could be her, or it could be someone else. So many goddesses, and she was the first to confess her love so boldly and directly. Then let it be her.
Divine Lord Jiran thought for a moment, his voice gentle: “Consider what?”
Princess Yaoying’s pale face finally showed a trace of red. Knowing how to be shy now, she still forced herself not to lower her head and said, “Consider… consider the matter of marriage after you assume the position of Qing Di.”
He had thought this lazy yet refined divine lord would probably decline gracefully, or give that indifferent smile as usual. Who knew he would ponder for a while longer, then agree cheerfully as if agreeing to dinner: “All right.”
Princess Yaoying’s mouth fell open, revealing an adorably strange expression: “…You really don’t need to consider it carefully?”
Divine Lord Jiran found this expression of hers truly amusing and couldn’t help reaching out to close her mouth for her.
So she asked again: “Do you like me?”
This time, however, Divine Lord Jiran gave her a faint smile: “The Huaxu Clan is one life, one pair. I will be devoted to my wife for this lifetime.”
As long as he married her, he would faithfully uphold the Huaxu Clan’s way and protect her to the end. As for whether he liked her or not… what did that matter?
Princess Yaoying’s expression was not as happy as he had expected. Instead, she furrowed her brows, her eyes rolling for a moment before she spoke again: “I hope you marry me because you like me. If you don’t like me now, we can take it slowly.”
Divine Lord Jiran fell silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: “What do you like about me?”
Princess Yaoying’s face reddened again, but she counted on her fingers and continued boldly: “I, I think you handle matters gently and appropriately, with the demeanor of a true gentleman, which I greatly admire. Moreover, you saved me, and your sword dao also makes me admire you.”
…You could like someone for these reasons? That didn’t sound like anything difficult.
Divine Lord Jiran said slowly: “I also think you are… very interesting, and your martial dao is also very sharp, so…”
He had originally thought he could say it fluently, but somehow when the words reached his lips they came out in fits and starts. Feeling this posture was inappropriate, he simply stopped speaking.
Opposite him, Princess Yaoying’s eyes, clear as autumn water, gazed at him as if trying to see through this shell of refined laziness and discover his pale and barren heart. For the first time in his life, Divine Lord Jiran suddenly felt a surge of helplessness and irritation. He stepped back two paces, bowed elegantly in courtesy, turned and quickly walked away.
His wide sleeve was grabbed. Princess Yaoying stared at him fixedly for a long while, then blushed again. This time she finally lowered her head, her voice becoming small: “Then… as long as you don’t like other goddesses, that’s fine.”
What a fickle princess… Divine Lord Jiran looked at her silently. She also secretly peeked at him for a while, her face full of blushes, then gave him a smile.
A very beautiful smile—even to this day he remembered it with perfect clarity.
At the age of two hundred fifty thousand, he assumed the position of Qing Di. Three years later, Qinghua Imperial Lord and Princess Yaoying, the eldest daughter of Supreme Unity Imperial Lord, were wed.
Divine Lord Jiran always felt he was doing everything perfectly. When he should be considerate, he was considerate. When he should be gentle, he was gentle. From then on, he was exclusively devoted, caring earnestly. Being husband and wife was nothing more than this. Whether he liked her or not, what did it matter? It could be anyone, it could be her—treating each other with respect, being courteous and attentive, peacefully living out a lifetime.
But the smiles on Yaoying’s face grew fewer and fewer. Even in those intimate matters of the bedchamber, she was no longer joyful, but rather seemed to be enduring something.
Until one day, when he had drunk too much the night before and woke up late, reaching to the side of the bed and not finding her. Putting on his clothes and walking to the shores of Chengjiang Lake, he saw that she had removed her magnificent wide-sleeved robes and changed into practical warrior’s garb, wielding her long halberd with a focused expression as she practiced.
Since marrying him, this was the first time he had seen her put on warrior’s garb again. The forbearance and hidden disappointment had all vanished now. Her absorbed expression was just like when she had confessed to him all those years ago.
Divine Lord Jiran suddenly felt that she looked more vivid and distinct at this moment than at any other time. Perhaps it was because the sunlight by Chengjiang Lake was too bright—she was covered all over with sunshine.
After practicing one set of moves, she tossed the long halberd lightly, and it planted itself inverted by the lakeside. She leaped up lightly and gracefully, placed her hand over her brow, gazed into the distance at the golden roof of Qing Di Palace on Mount Tai, and let out a long breath.
Then this eldest princess drifted down like a falling leaf, pulled out the long halberd, turned around and saw him. She was slightly startled, but then smiled: “I haven’t practiced with the long halberd in so long. It feels so good.”
With that said, she brushed past him.
As if by instinct, Jiran raised his hand to grasp her wrist, turned her around, and seeing her face covered in sweat, used his sleeve to wipe it.
Yaoying’s eyes, clear as autumn water, fell upon his face again. He did not look at her. After a while, she spoke: “I want to break through in martial dao. I don’t want to be disturbed for now. Tomorrow I’ll move to the courtyard halfway up the mountain.”
Move away from Qing Di Palace? Didn’t she say she liked him? Why was it that after marriage, things were worse than before?
Yaoying sighed and said softly: “I may have done something terribly wrong. I feel that probably someday I’ll… It’s my own mistake. I’m really afraid I’ll become a resentful woman in the future—how terrible that would be. Fortunately, I haven’t forgotten my pursuit of martial dao and cultivation realms.”
She touched his sleeve: “Everything about you is very good. It’s not your fault.”
It was just that he didn’t like her. It was just that he didn’t like anyone, including himself. All these years of being husband and wife, he had always done his best, but these things were not what she wanted.
“If the spiritual dream comes, tell me.” Yaoying smiled again, a layer of red rising on her face, just like the day she confessed. “But it probably won’t come so early, right?”
Jiran quietly watched as she pushed away his hand, carrying the long halberd and slowly walking away along the lakeside avenue. This eldest princess who had always said she liked him had ficklely chosen to retreat once again.