Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat nervous this night.
After nightfall, Dong Huaiyu came to find her and spoke at length about matters to be mindful of during marriage.
Jiang Zhaoxue had heard these words two hundred years ago, but when Dong Huaiyu said them again, she still felt somewhat embarrassed. She lowered her head, mumbling acknowledgments for a while until Dong Huaiyu couldn’t help but say: “Do you understand? Don’t let him be too reckless…”
“I understand, I understand.”
Jiang Zhaoxue quickly stopped her mother, saying urgently: “Please go sleep now.”
Dong Huaiyu was somewhat worried, but after thinking about it said: “Never mind. I trust that child Shen Chen. He definitely won’t be reckless.”
This statement startled Jiang Zhaoxue. She couldn’t help but remember that the night before she married Shen Yuqing, Dong Huaiyu had spoken again and again, repeating endlessly, afraid Shen Yuqing would hurt her. She had thousands of warnings, crying nonstop.
At that time, she felt Dong Huaiyu was overthinking and kept comforting her. Now seeing Dong Huaiyu so at ease with Pei Zichen, she couldn’t help but find it strange: “Why are you so at ease with Shen Chen? Aren’t you afraid he’ll completely change after marriage?”
“Silly child.”
Hearing this, Dong Huaiyu couldn’t help but laugh: “Who would completely change after marriage? If someone truly changes after marriage, it must be that before marriage, you pretended to be blind. A person’s character—they can pretend for a while, but not a lifetime. I trust Shicang’s character. Most importantly,” Dong Huaiyu said, turning to look at Jiang Zhaoxue seriously, “he likes you and wants to treat you well.”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s movements froze slightly. Though knowing this was in an illusion, she still felt somewhat at a loss, saying vaguely: “Of course. I’m so beautiful—plenty of people like me.”
“His affection for you is different from those children in the past.” Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue’s shyness, Dong Huaiyu smiled, only saying, “You’re still young. When you’re older and have seen more people, you’ll understand how precious true sincerity is.”
Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled awkwardly.
After seeing Dong Huaiyu off, Jiang Zhaoxue sighed, feeling somewhat restless.
A’Nan asked curiously: “What exactly are you anxious about?”
“Tomorrow I have to marry Pei Zichen,” Jiang Zhaoxue pondered. “I always feel like something’s not right. What if he can remember…”
“You’ve already done plenty.” A’Nan spoke mercilessly. Jiang Zhaoxue froze.
A’Nan continued reminding her: “Does this one thing make a difference?”
“But…” Jiang Zhaoxue considered, “we’ve obtained the secret realm. The Spirit Void Fan will be in hand soon. There’s no need for me to actually marry…”
“What if the Spirit Void Fan isn’t in the secret realm?”
A’Nan pressed.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it. A’Nan comforted: “Don’t overthink. You’ve come this far already. Anyway, you’ve done many absurd things—this one doesn’t matter. Besides, didn’t Pei Zichen say? Only after marriage will he inherit the secret realm. If you break off the engagement now, he might fixate on this matter. When would he inherit the secret realm? Just close your eyes and get married. Maybe his wish is just to perform the ceremony and experience the feeling of marriage?”
“You’re right.”
Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, suddenly gaining hope again: “He might just want to perform the ceremony. If I cooperate, maybe he’ll wake up?”
“Exactly!” A’Nan encouraged her, continuing: “And think about it—even if he doesn’t wake up, you can coax him to find the Spirit Void Fan for you. The Spirit Void Fan has definitely taken a liking to him. If he develops the desire to find it, wouldn’t that be more convenient than you?”
“Very true.”
“As for whether you’ll remember after leaving, as long as you don’t remember,” A’Nan patted Jiang Zhaoxue’s shoulder with a wing, “this matter doesn’t exist.”
“That’s right.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, clapping her hands together. “Wonderful! As long as I don’t remember, it’s as if it never happened.”
“Wash up properly,” seeing Jiang Zhaoxue persuaded, A’Nan felt relieved. “Go to sleep.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue seriously familiarized herself with everything, then collapsed into sleep.
Before sleeping, A’Nan burrowed into the blankets. Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt somewhat strange: “A’Nan.”
“Mm?”
“Why is it that every time you persuade me, I feel it makes so much sense?”
“Because I’m your fate beast.” A’Nan’s head rested on the pillow. “I’m only saying what you want to say.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze. A’Nan closed her eyes: “Go to sleep.”
Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. She lay with open eyes, looking at the bed canopy in the night, momentarily somewhat bewildered.
So she actually wanted to marry too?
But thinking about it, she understood. If not for considering the awkwardness after leaving, this was indeed the best path.
It was just somewhat awkward after leaving, after all—
Jiang Zhaoxue thought about what Pei Zichen had done and what she was about to do.
Whether it was Pei Zichen strangling her neck, or her having to extract Pei Zichen’s Tianji Lingyu, or even their awkward identities, not to mention Mu Jinyue whose female lead charm could explode at any moment…
It seemed not a single factor supported any romantic spark between her and Pei Zichen.
Don’t take the illusion seriously. Taking it seriously was the beginning of being trapped in the illusion.
Thinking this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart slowly calmed. Since it was an illusion, of course the most important thing was to exit quickly. There was no need to overthink.
Jiang Zhaoxue’s entire person calmed down and closed her eyes to sleep.
The next day, just past the Hour of the Ox, maids filed in, helped her up, bathed and dressed her hair. After tormenting her for most of the night, they finally dressed her in wedding garments and applied makeup at the Hour of the Rabbit.
This wedding was said to have been prepared by Pei Zichen for many years, so it was extremely grand. Since he was now a hero who had slain Yin Zhulong, and Emei Ruins was close to Wenjian Manor, the entire Shu immortal path attended this wedding.
The wedding ceremony was complicated. Even though Pei Zichen had reduced most rituals on Jiang Zhaoxue’s side, she was still busy from morning until evening.
When sunset arrived and the two held hands, climbing the steps up to Wenjian Manor’s altar to form their Dao companion contract, Jiang Zhaoxue was exhausted to the point of collapse. She couldn’t help but ask A’Nan with trembling legs: “How can his marriage addiction be this strong? I can barely hold on…”
As soon as Jiang Zhaoxue trembled, Pei Zichen immediately noticed.
He turned to look at Jiang Zhaoxue beside him, whose face had paled somewhat, saying in a low voice: “Are you alright?”
Jiang Zhaoxue showed a weak smile: “I’m fine, it’s just… this altar is too high.”
Hearing this, Pei Zichen paused slightly and looked up at the altar.
Wenjian Manor’s altar was indeed Shu’s highest place for forming contracts. Legend said that the more steps two people climbed together up the altar, the more sincere they were.
When Dao companions were sincere and formed contracts here, they would never separate.
At that time, he only thought they could receive this blessing, but now seeing Jiang Zhaoxue’s pale complexion, he thought for a moment and still said: “Let me carry you up.”
“Eh?”
Before Jiang Zhaoxue could react, Pei Zichen had already scooped her up horizontally, taking steps upward toward the contract altar.
By the time Jiang Zhaoxue realized what was happening, there was already discussion below. She couldn’t help but feel somewhat guilty, saying in a low voice: “This… doesn’t it require walking yourself to be sincere?”
Otherwise, given this distance, flying up wouldn’t be difficult.
Thinking of Pei Zichen’s reason for choosing this place, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t bear to go against his wishes. Anyway, it was all an illusion—letting him be happy didn’t matter. She said softly: “I can still walk. Put me down.”
“It doesn’t matter,” hearing this, Pei Zichen smiled, saying warmly, “I’ll walk each of your steps for you.”
Jiang Zhaoxue froze. Leaning in Pei Zichen’s arms, she quietly looked at this youth.
He already had the appearance of complete adulthood. Gold crown and red robes, angular features, sharp and beautiful facial features, yet his temperament was exceptionally gentle.
The greatest difference between an adult man and a youth wasn’t height, but shoulder width.
She remembered when he was young and carried her—she felt as if he were a hardy woman. But now in his arms, she could clearly sense his broad shoulders and chest, his arm muscles defined, easily carrying her upward.
The wind brought the warmth of sunset. Distant sunset clouds were like brocade. Auspicious birds celebrated. Ten thousand peach blossoms held their buds.
Jiang Zhaoxue gazed at his features, feeling her heartbeat involuntarily quicken.
She didn’t dare indulge, only waiting until Pei Zichen carried her to stand on the altar.
His master Han Zhouzi had long been waiting at the main sacrificial position. Surrounding them were relatives and friends watching the excitement on their swords.
Seeing Pei Zichen carry Jiang Zhaoxue up, Qian Sisi immediately teased loudly: “Yo, Senior Brother is so considerate?”
“Will Senior Brother not hit us anymore in the future?”
“Senior Brother won’t even be able to lift his sword anymore~~”
“Senior Brother…”
Listening to joke after joke from Wenjian Manor, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat embarrassed. Sensing this, Pei Zichen immediately cast a cold glance. Everyone fell silent in unison. Only Ye Tianjiao boldly shouted: “Sister, you’re so beautiful!!”
Jiang Zhaoxue glared at Ye Tianjiao, quite pleased in her heart.
Pei Zichen rarely refrained from arguing with Ye Tianjiao. He turned to salute Han Zhouzi: “Master.”
Han Zhouzi cleared his throat lightly, not saying much, only: “Alright, let’s begin.”
With that, Han Zhouzi became serious. Standing at the main sacrificial position, he bowed toward the east: “The universe is vast, sun and moon shine down, all things receive grace. At this auspicious time, we beseech Heaven’s witness to achieve this marriage.”
After Han Zhouzi finished speaking, he looked up at the sky.
Wedding days like this were calculated in advance—there wouldn’t be bad weather.
However, when Han Zhouzi looked up, he still saw dark clouds rapidly gathering in the sky. Everyone froze, but the instant the dark clouds appeared, they seemed to be violently shattered by something.
Jiang Zhaoxue sensed spiritual energy震動 around them and instinctively turned her head to see Pei Zichen with hands behind his back, calmly watching the sky with his usual gentle expression.
Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue look over, he smiled and turned back, as if unaware anything had happened: “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Zhaoxue swallowed, secretly asking A’Nan: “Just now… that was him, right?”
“One hundred percent!” A’Nan grew excited. “That spiritual energy was definitely him!”
“He’s become so strong…”
Jiang Zhaoxue knew this was Yuan Luogong’s power—he might even have begun accepting the Spirit Void Fan’s power—but was still somewhat shocked.
Silently shattering clouds to reveal the sun required at least divine power approaching the Divine Transformation stage.
Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t dare speak. Others were also somewhat shocked.
“I…” Sun Xin said in disbelief, “I didn’t see wrong just now, right? There were dark clouds…”
“Dark clouds my foot!” Hearing this, Qian Sisi slapped him and shouted fiercely: “Where were any dark clouds!”
“Dark clouds?” Seeing this, Han Zhouzi smiled, turned to look at the two, saying meaningfully, “As long as I can change the heavens, Heaven is mine to command. Zichen, what do you say?”
“Master speaks truly.”
Pei Zichen spoke calmly. Han Zhouzi nodded, smiling: “Alright, form the contract.”
With that, under Han Zhouzi’s guidance, Jiang Zhaoxue first exchanged spiritual energy with Pei Zichen, then drank blood wine together. Finally, each wrote talismans requesting Heaven’s permission to form a contract. Together they faced a bronze cauldron and placed the talisman papers inside.
“Forming a contract in an illusion,” Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat guilty, comforting herself, “probably doesn’t work, right? And I wrote Jiang Xue’s name, so it shouldn’t count against me?”
A’Nan said nothing, only watching the flames slowly burn the talisman papers.
When the papers finished burning, Heaven and Earth seemed to quiet for an instant. Everyone nervously waited for the result.
“See, I told you.”
Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the silent bronze cauldron: “In an illusion, even the name is wrong. How could it possibly suc—”
Before finishing, a phoenix cry representing Heaven’s approval burst skyward. Red thread flew from the bronze cauldron. Instantly, fierce winds arose. The mountain full of budding peach blossoms all bloomed in that moment!
Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes widened in surprise, watching the wind roll peach blossom petals across the mountains and valleys, drifting to their center. Jiang Zhaoxue felt a red cord bind her ring finger. Then she saw Pei Zichen turn his head, smile, and say: “The ceremony is complete.”
The ceremony is complete…
Hearing these words, Jiang Zhaoxue felt completely dazed.
This dazed feeling accompanied her back to the bridal chamber. She sat blankly in the room, looking at the red cord that had entered her hand, completely unable to understand.
How was this possible…
She… how could she have two red cords bound to her finger?
How did Pei Zichen do this?!!
She couldn’t believe it. The more she thought, the more bizarre it seemed. Hearing the drinking and revelry outside, she couldn’t help but stand up: “Maybe I should just forget it…”
“You’ve come this far.” A’Nan quickly persuaded her. “Hang on a bit longer. Maybe as soon as Pei Zichen enters the room, he’ll wake up? As long as he wakes up, we can find the Spirit Void Fan and leave.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue sat back down.
She vaguely sensed that perhaps when this wedding ended, Pei Zichen’s wish would be fulfilled.
She bit her lip, looking down at the red thread on her finger. This was the mark of a formed Dao companion contract. Though uncertain if it would remain after leaving the illusion, since she already had this thing, if she didn’t get Pei Zichen to wake up, she’d have suffered a huge loss.
This thought persuaded her to sit back down, constantly comforting herself that Pei Zichen probably only needed to enter the room for this wedding to end.
This thought persisted until Pei Zichen returned. When he came back, there was a large group of people outside. He blocked them all outside, spoke at length, finally persuaded them to leave, and only then opened the door.
He pushed open the door to see Jiang Zhaoxue sitting on the bed.
Today Jiang Zhaoxue wore makeup—radiant and dazzling. Pei Zichen only needed one glance for his heart to become uncontrollable, beating wildly. He didn’t dare speak and hesitantly entered.
He was nervous. Jiang Zhaoxue was nervous too.
After Pei Zichen entered the room, he carried the scent of wine. After hesitating for a moment, he looked at Jiang Zhaoxue’s ceremonial dress and hairpins, asking tentatively: “I… shall I remove your hairpins for you?”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue numbly nodded.
This wasn’t an excessive request. Her hair truly hurt.
Pei Zichen stepped forward. Watching Jiang Zhaoxue sit on the bed, he quietly removed her hairpins. After Jiang Zhaoxue’s hair relaxed, Pei Zichen lowered his eyes, somewhat nervously pulled her up, walked to the table to pour her wine, saying warmly: “Let’s drink the nuptial wine.”
“After drinking it’ll be over.”
Jiang Zhaoxue nervously swallowed and cooperatively drank the nuptial wine with him.
After Pei Zichen finished the nuptial wine, his face took on some red.
He seemed to want to do something but didn’t dare speak. After hesitating for a long time, he turned: “I’ll go wash up first.”
Jiang Zhaoxue nodded awkwardly. After Pei Zichen went to the washing room to bathe, she finally became anxious.
“When exactly will he wake up?”
Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at the bed behind her. When Pei Zichen removed her hairpins, she had clearly felt his breathing become somewhat different.
She knew clearly what Pei Zichen wanted to do, couldn’t help but say: “I… how far do I need to go?”
“Take it one step at a time…”
A’Nan sighed: “Maybe one kiss and he’ll wake up? You’ve come this far…”
This statement left Jiang Zhaoxue speechless. She felt like a gambler who had lost too much to let go.
She struggled without speaking, sitting by the bed waiting for a while, finally waiting until Pei Zichen returned.
When Pei Zichen returned from washing up, he was much more sober. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue still fully dressed sitting at the head of the bed, he knew clearly what he needed to do tonight. His heart jumped as he turned away, asking in a low voice: “Should I extinguish the lamp?”
“No, no need!”
Jiang Zhaoxue immediately spoke, thinking about how to talk to Pei Zichen.
However, hearing this “no need,” Pei Zichen’s face grew even redder as he nodded: “Mm.”
The room quieted. Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing, just pondering what to say when she felt Pei Zichen walk over.
He wore only a single robe, still carrying water vapor. The cold water vapor rushed toward her face. His shadow engulfed her entirely.
This sense of oppression made Jiang Zhaoxue somewhat uncomfortable. She hurriedly got on the bed, saying urgently: “Too tired today. Sleep, sleep.”
Hearing this, Pei Zichen looked up at her.
She still wore her wedding dress, obviously not planning to remove it. She hurriedly burrowed into bed, pulled the blanket over herself, then closed her eyes pretending to sleep.
Seeing her expression, Pei Zichen felt somewhat at a loss. After hesitating, he still raised his hand to extinguish the lamp, suppressing his heartbeat as he lifted the covers and entered the bed.
The bed wasn’t large. As soon as Pei Zichen entered the covers, his shoulder touched hers. Jiang Zhaoxue quickly turned to her side, her back to him, moving inward.
Pei Zichen’s movements paused slightly. He sensed Jiang Zhaoxue’s resistance and instinctively wanted to retreat.
But thinking of the red thread on his hand, his heart raced again. After all, they were already married, sharing a bed… sooner or later they would be husband and wife. Perhaps she was just too shy. In such matters, she couldn’t always be the one to take initiative. So after hesitating, he suppressed his nervousness, adjusted his position, and moved close to Jiang Zhaoxue again.
Feeling him approach, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heartbeat quickened. She quickly moved inward again. But Pei Zichen persisted—she moved three inches, Pei Zichen advanced three inches; she moved half a foot, Pei Zichen advanced half a foot.
Finally, with nowhere left to retreat, she was cornered by Pei Zichen against the wall.
She simply closed her eyes, her back to Pei Zichen, playing dead.
Pei Zichen also didn’t move, keeping half an inch of distance, enveloping Jiang Zhaoxue in his presence.
Jiang Zhaoxue felt the gradually rising temperature of the person behind her. After a long while, she heard him ask somewhat nervously: “Are you… afraid?”
Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t know how to respond, only mumbling: “Mm.”
Yes, yes, I’m afraid. This is enough, please! Otherwise how will I explain this when we get out?
Jiang Zhaoxue felt as if she were leading a young person astray. Guilt and anxiety mixed together, using her limited rationality to remind herself to keep to boundaries.
However, moments later, she heard Pei Zichen say with feigned composure: “Don’t… be afraid.”
As he spoke, he tentatively reached out, his face flushed as he grasped Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand that lay casually near her head.
[The scene continues with spiritual energy techniques and cultivation methods being employed]
[Time passes with intimate cultivation practices]
During a critical moment, Pei Zichen asked hoarsely: “Do you have a childhood name?”
“Yaoyao…”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s consciousness was already somewhat unclear. As a demon cultivator naturally inclined toward desire, she followed her instincts completely.
At the final moment, he said hoarsely: “Call… call my name.”
“Pei Zichen…” Jiang Zhaoxue blurted out. Pei Zichen froze instantly.
[CRITICAL PLOT MOMENT – Pei Zichen’s Awakening]
In an instant, something shattered violently. Memories burst through like shattered glass, flooding into his mind, connecting with his dreams.
“I want A’Xue to like me as much as I like you.”
“Regardless of why I came initially, at this moment, it’s for you.”
“You don’t… like your shimu, do you?”
Shimu…
Pei Zichen’s eyes slowly widened, looking at the person beneath him who had completely opened herself to him, suddenly realizing her identity.
What was he doing…
What was he doing?!
Terror, guilt, joy… countless emotions surged up instantly, shocking him into speechlessness.
Meanwhile, after he paused for a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue also sensed something was wrong. She instantly realized what she had called out.
Her entire body froze. Her mind raced, thinking how to explain this to Pei Zichen.
Though she had indeed called his name, Pei Zichen didn’t know that now. Revealing another name in bed was hard to explain no matter what.
Should she tell the truth?
Various explanation plans flashed through Jiang Zhaoxue’s mind.
[Pei Zichen’s Internal Conflict]
Pei Zichen only restrained his breathing, gazing at her intently, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Shimu…
This was his shimu.
If this was his shimu, then why was she here? Why was she willing to be with him?
Did she like him?
No, no.
Pei Zichen forced himself to calm down quickly, understanding upon reflection.
She was searching for the Spirit Void Fan, trying to find a way to wake him.
Her so-called affection, her proactive touches, even her identity as his fiancée… all fake.
He involuntarily tightened his grip on her hand, feeling his heart sliced by a sharp blade. Looking at the person before him, he knew clearly.
It was all false.
He had nothing, never had anything from beginning to end.
The kind master, the steadfast fellow disciples he had rescued, his fiancée Jiang Xue… he had never truly possessed any of them.
The only real thing he had was this moment.
Everything unfinished—if he withdrew now, there was still room.
This was the only real thing he possessed.
And even this possession had to be returned.
Now that he was awake, he should tell her the truth, withdraw, then kneel before Jiang Zhaoxue to confess, respectfully call her “Lady” or… shimu.
Thinking of this word, Pei Zichen felt piercing pain. Rage surged up. He couldn’t help but want to laugh.
Shimu…
Shimu?
He felt the red cord on his finger, remembering the Dao companion contract they had burned together today. His eyes darkened bit by bit.
He was also the husband who had performed the ceremony with her, the one who had formed a life-bound contract with her. They had kissed, entangled. He had touched every inch of her. What kind of shimu was she to him?
Why?
Why should he retreat? Why should he let go?
He had already deceived her once, even more than once.
He had tricked her away from Shen Yuqing, cultivated Jiuyou Realm techniques behind her back. He had already come this far—whether by deception or coaxing, she wasn’t unwilling. She had already consented. Perhaps… perhaps she truly liked him.
Why should he retreat?
Pei Zichen’s breathing gradually quickened. His grip on her hand grew tighter.
Sensing his reaction, Jiang Zhaoxue bit her lip and decided to tell the truth: “Actually…”
She looked up to meet his gaze, saying seriously: “Actually, Pei Zichen is your name.”
Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s eyes shifted slightly.
Unable to read his emotions, Jiang Zhaoxue was about to explain further when she saw Pei Zichen slowly smile: “Did you ask my master?”
Jiang Zhaoxue froze. She saw Pei Zichen lower his eyes, his fingers gently threading through her hair, murmuring softly: “Yaoyao is so good to me. You even found out the name my mother gave me.”
Huh?
Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat dazed.
Only then did she realize that in this illusion, Pei Zichen was actually the name his mother gave him?
This was possible?!
No, something’s not right.
Jiang Zhaoxue immediately sensed—his reaction just now…
However, before she could think further, she felt Pei Zichen move, leaning down to kiss her!
He gave her no time to think, overwhelming her completely.
[The night passes]
Until daylight fell through the window, everything finally ended.
Afterward, she felt Pei Zichen press against her from behind, his face gently nuzzling hers like a warm serpent, saying tenderly: “Lady, good morning.”