As the wedding fleet drew closer, the entire isolated island erupted into excitement, the ceremonial wedding music growing louder and more festive by the moment. Down on the beach at the mountain’s foot, the isolated island’s clan members had already broken into song and dance without anyone quite noticing when it started, and even those lining the mountain path had begun singing and dancing along, filling the air with joyous celebration!
Yet amid all this joy and excitement, the mountaintop remained strangely still, as everyone watched Ziqing carefully open the treasure chest that Xiong Bao held out to her.
In that instant, she froze!
Seeing Ziqing’s shocked expression, everyone crowded around, jostling to look, no one noticing that Xuanyuan Lige alone did not look—his eyes were fixed entirely on Ziqing herself.
Inside the chest lay a complete set of garments, resting in perfect stillness—from the shoes at the very bottom to the headdress at the very top, everything present, everything complete!
It was, unmistakably, a phoenix robe and phoenix crown!
Indescribably resplendent in gold, indescribably magnificent and exquisite—the shoes, the robes, the crown were all crafted from the most precious gold thread, while every single ornament was fashioned from red gemstones!
Gold represented imperial authority; red represented celebration and joy.
The phoenix robe and crown—this was, without question, the formal state attire of an empress in her own right!
A betrothal gift like this—if this wasn’t offering up the realm itself as a wedding gift, seeking her hand as an equal, inviting her to share sovereignty over rivers and mountains together, then what else could it possibly be?
Everyone stared, utterly dumbstruck, never imagining Prince Yao would offer such a betrothal gift!
After all, throughout history, even the most honored of empresses had never once received such treatment.
Since ancient times, no man had ever been willing to offer up his entire realm as a bride price to win a woman’s hand.
In that moment, Ziqing could think of nothing else at all. As she stared and stared, she hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand, terrified she might burst into tears—but though her mouth was covered, her eyes instantly reddened, growing damp.
She had never cared for power or dominion over the realm—but this depth of devotion, she had never once dared to hope for either.
The realm as matchmaker, the nation as betrothal gift—she was the very first in the history of Longyuan to receive such an honor!
For a long moment, no one could recover themselves, and by then, the magnificent wedding fleet at the mountain’s foot had already docked.
Xuanyuan Lige glanced over, the smile at the corner of his lips never once fading. “Shouldn’t the bride be getting changed? The groom has already arrived.”
This reminder snapped everyone back to attention. Hongyi quickly packed away the treasure chest and hurried Ziqing toward the house. “Mistress, quickly, quickly!”
Ziqing, still dazed, let Hongyi push her along without resistance.
But when the door opened once more, Ziqing appeared before everyone in her full phoenix robe—a fitted waist, a fishtail hem trailing along the ground in a long train, the gold threads catching the light with a faint, shimmering golden glow, making this already noble woman look even more regal and exalted.
The vivid crimson ornaments, carefully arranged and accented, gave her an indescribable beauty that left both Baili Weisheng and Xuanyuan Lige outside the door utterly speechless with awe!
“Even the Holy Mother in the heavens above couldn’t possibly be as noble as you,” Baili Weisheng said, marveling.
Ziqing burst into laughter, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink—only now did she feel a touch of genuine reality, a reminder that this woman was no goddess, but simply human.
“May we come in?” Xuanyuan Lige asked.
Before he’d even finished speaking, Xiong Xiaobao had already darted inside, tugging Ziqing along into the room.
“What do you two want, coming in here?” Hongyi said, amused.
Baili Weisheng was about to answer when Xuanyuan Lige spoke instead. “Consider us her family from her natal home—let us keep her company a while before she’s married off!”
As Hongyi hesitated, Baili Weisheng quickly added, “When Jun Beiyue comes calling to open the door later, can you really hold your own without us?”
Hongyi froze for a moment, then understood at once, bursting into laughter and cheerfully letting Baili Weisheng and Xuanyuan Lige inside.
Meanwhile, at the foot of the mountain, Jun Beiyue, resplendent in ceremonial attire, rode atop a magnificent warhorse, striking and handsome as a god descended from the heavens, cutting through the singing, dancing crowds who’d come to welcome him, galloping swiftly toward the mountain path.
The clatter of hooves drew closer and closer, as if he’d already reached the door.
Seated before the mirror, touching up her makeup, Ziqing grew more and more nervous with every passing moment. In truth, she and Jun Beiyue were already an old married couple by now, yet in this moment, her heart still pounded wildly.
She hadn’t quite realized just how fortunate she truly was, but everyone around her could clearly see her nervousness, and every one of them felt genuinely happy for her, genuinely delighted on her behalf.
After all, with a child already this grown, how many people, going through a wedding all over again, could still hold onto that very first flutter of the heart—still feel nervous at the thought of finally seeing the groom, seeing the father of their child?
How many people had simply grown numb to it all?
How many people, going through a wedding like this, treated it as nothing more than a formality, a mere ritual to secure a proper title, something performed purely for others to see—where was the happiness in that? Only bitterness remained.
Yet here was Ziqing, nervous as she was, and utterly, genuinely happy.
At last, the clatter of hooves outside the door came to an abrupt stop, and in that same instant, Ziqing’s heart nearly stopped along with it.
Those who’d been sitting cheerfully by, waiting to watch the fun unfold, found themselves growing tense right along with Ziqing without meaning to, holding their breath—and before they could even release it, a knock sounded at the door: knock, knock, knock.
“Ziqing…”
It was Jun Beiyue’s voice, unmistakably!
Ziqing turned her head, about to answer, when Baili Weisheng suddenly darted forward and clapped a hand over her mouth, signaling her to stay quiet.
Ziqing’s eyes widened in confusion, not understanding what Baili Weisheng was up to. He whispered, “How could we let you go with him that easily? That’d be letting him off far too lightly!”
Well, it seemed even brides could turn a little foolish under pressure.
Only belatedly did Ziqing realize—of course this fellow hadn’t come inside just to watch her finish her makeup!
“Knock, knock, knock. Ziqing.” Jun Beiyue’s voice came again.
“Heh, this fellow’s awfully calm, isn’t he!” Baili Weisheng said, a mischievous grin spreading across his lips as he moved toward the door. Just then, Xiong Xiaobao immediately blocked the doorway, glaring darkly. “What are you trying to do?”
“Get your old man a little more worked up,” Baili Weisheng said with a wicked grin.
“Not allowed!” Xiong Xiaobao, having come specifically to clear the way, wasn’t about to let his father be turned away at the door. With that, he tucked his little hands behind his back, ready to open the door.
But Baili Weisheng simply scooped him up bodily. “So you’re the mole in our midst, huh!”
“Let go of me, or I won’t hold back!” Xiong Xiaobao shouted.
Baili Weisheng carried him off to one side and set him down, laughing. “Behave yourself now. Your father’s taking a bride—as his son, this is a rare chance to watch and learn, understand?” This… what kind of nonsense was that!
Xiong Xiaobao was just about to summon a poisonous beast when Baili Weisheng quickly added, “As long as you don’t get involved in this, I promise I’ll take your side, and I’ll take you roaming the martial world, undefeated across the land!”
At this, Xiong Xiaobao’s eyes went wide, and he blurted out immediately, “What are you planning to do to my daddy? I’m helping you!”
Baili Weisheng narrowed his eyes, snickering, and crooked a finger, beckoning Xiong Xiaobao over.
Off to the side, Ziqing watched, shaking her head repeatedly, while Xuanyuan Lige looked at her and said softly, “Ziqing, your brows look a little faint. Let me draw them for you.”
Draw her eyebrows…
Ziqing froze for a moment, but seeing Xuanyuan Lige’s gentle, warm smile, she found herself nodding without thinking, agreeing to it.