“First bow to Heaven and Earth—” The one chanting the first ceremonial call was Chouyu.

Immortal Mountain Tiger Stronghold—no, it was no longer called that. It was now called Zicao Bay. In the bay, one hundred and eighty ships were moored in the inner river, each ship hosting banquet tables. Tables were also set along the shore, covered with red cloth. The people seated around the tables, whether they could see clearly or not, all turned toward the lead ship decorated most festively to offer their congratulations.

Congratulations for what?

He Hu’s death seemed like a distant event. The most beautiful building halfway up the mountain had already been converted by their new leader, Yuan Xiang, into a school for children and a place for women to do needlework and chat, along with a book pavilion where anyone could enter to read and practice calligraphy in the future. This single act won over most people’s hearts. The remaining small portion consisted of ruffians recruited by He Hu, who had been removed from their positions as major and minor leaders that very day and confined together with the He family’s womenfolk.

However, what people hadn’t expected was that today was not only the auspicious day for welcoming Yuan Xiang, but also the auspicious day for Yuan Xiang’s wedding. For the Zicao Army to become part of the Righteous Yuan Army while simultaneously hosting such a joyous celebration—this was Heaven giving face. Therefore, although Yuan Xiang said it would be fine to simply set up a ceremonial hall on the ships, everyone spontaneously and consciously made the wedding extravagant.

“Second bow to the elders—” The one chanting the second ceremonial call was Ming Nian.

Yuan Cheng and Mo Zi didn’t want complexity, but regarding who would chant the ceremonies, people from both the Yuan and Mo sides argued until their faces turned red. Chouyu said his voice was resonant and pleasant, so he should chant. Ming Nian said he was Yuan Cheng’s personal servant turned steward, so he should chant. The result was that each person chanted one line.

Neither of their elders were present, so they bowed to empty chairs.

When Mo Zi had nodded her agreement to marry Yuan Cheng, Min Song had already urgently informed the old master, thinking that by the time Yuan Cheng brought the bride back to Yangcheng for the wedding, they should make it in time. Who knew Yuan Cheng would pull such a stunning move—wearing wedding attire and saying he was bringing home his wife, regardless of being in unfamiliar territory, they were having the ceremony right then and there.

“How am I supposed to explain this?” There were only two precious granddaughters in total. For the first twenty years they hadn’t seen each other. Finally recognized, neither had lived even one day in her natal home, and he couldn’t even attend the wedding ceremony. From now on, one granddaughter would become a Yuan family person. Min Song rubbed his forehead in distress. Would the grandparents curse him to high heaven?

“What do you need to explain?” Wei Qing looked at the backs of that pair of jade-like figures standing together. “I thought Brother Mo would never marry in this lifetime. This is good.”

Min Song was also protective of his own. “What kind of talk is that? Mo Zi is beautiful and intelligent, considerate and understanding, with hands so skillful they could seize heaven’s craftsmanship. A rare woman under heaven—she’s the one who gets to choose.”

Wei Qing actually thought this in his heart, but couldn’t say such pleasant words aloud. However, seeing that Min Song had said it, he glanced at him sideways. “You’re already married.”

Min Song laughed in exasperation and retorted sarcastically, “Mind your own business.”

While they habitually trampled on each other at the side, Xiao Yi’s androgynous voice chanted the third call—

“The bride and groom bow to each other—”

Through the red veil, Mo Zi vaguely saw Yuan Cheng bow deeply. After this bow, they would be husband and wife. Was this the feeling of marrying the right person? Having experienced so much together—from the beginning when she liked him and was willing to be his profit-earning steward, her feelings had only deepened, never shallowed. Marrying him as his wife today felt as sweet as honey. She trusted him completely; he had never disappointed her. She entrusted everything to him completely; he had never treated her carelessly. There wouldn’t be another man in the world who could treat her as he did, would there?

The edges of the wedding dress’s skirt and sleeves featured lovesick fruit and lovesick branches. Upon the lovesickness were embroidered ink-purple peonies—from budding leaves, spreading branches, flower tips, buds, about to bloom, slightly open, half open, fully open—each stage absolutely beautiful. This person not only dressed himself meticulously but also loved to adorn her. He said that even with her by his side, he would still miss her to the bone. The ink-purple peonies on her wedding dress were also on his wedding robe. Against his gentle refinement, they appeared enchanting.

She bowed. The phoenix crown wasn’t heavy. Through his thoughtful care in every detail, she became his wife.

Someone started clapping, which spread into a chorus of laughter and happy voices. The most enthusiastic were Chouyu, Ding Gou, and the others, who disregarded propriety and shouted to lift the veil.

“Little old man” Ming Nian defended protocol. “No, no, the bride cannot have her veil lifted before entering the bridal chamber.”

“Little brother, it’s not even noon yet. If you send her into the bridal chamber now, the bride will be stifled. Besides, is our Brother Mo an ordinary young lady? We’ve all been through wind and rain together, life and death comrades. Let the brothers feast their eyes and see how she looks with makeup—it’s not too much to ask.” Chouyu laughed heartily.

As soon as he finished speaking, quite a few people agreed with him, clamoring for the veil to be lifted.

Only then did Mo Zi realize the timing. She secretly tugged at Yuan Cheng’s sleeve. “That’s right, making me enter the bridal chamber this early to wait, while you eat and drink outside until midnight?”

Yuan Cheng chuckled softly. “Can my wife not wait?”

Mo Zi felt uncomfortable being called “wife” by him, yet her heart felt quite sweet. Her tone involuntarily turned coquettish with reproach. “Bah, you’re the one who can’t wait.”

“Wrong. This husband is anxiously burning with impatience.” Yuan Cheng grasped Mo Zi’s hand.

They say romance is about fantasy and imagination, while marriage is about finding interest in the mundane. Mo Zi thought to herself that this seemed to be the beginning of another stage of life. A bit unaccustomed to it, but she would adapt well soon enough.

“So, shall we lift the veil or not?” Yuan Cheng asked for Mo Zi’s opinion.

“If you don’t show them now, they’ll make a ruckus in the bridal chamber later. You two choose for yourselves.” Ding Gou’s voice rang out.

Mo Zi called out loudly, “Lift it then! But after seeing me, if you can’t find wives in the future, don’t blame me.”

Chouyu shouted, “Wait, why would we not be able to find wives after seeing you?”

“Because after seeing such a beautiful bride, your standards for wives will be too high.” Following her husband’s lead, Yuan Cheng helped explain.

Chouyu had always wanted to marry, so he asked Ding Gou, “Brother, should we maybe—”

“They’re just scaring you, and you actually believe it. The more they say this, the more curious I get. On the ships, no man is more capable than her. Can putting on some makeup and lipstick really transform her into a stunning beauty? Let’s look, we absolutely must look. I’ll risk being a bachelor for life. Who else isn’t afraid?” Ding Gou said this jokingly and stubbornly, of course.

Mo Zi turned to face Yuan Cheng. “Lift it! Scare them to death right now!”

Each one more humorous than the last, everyone laughed until they swayed from side to side.

Yuan Cheng smiled as he pinched the two corners of the red veil and gently lifted half of it.

Peach blossom cheeks, lovesick lips, dark-painted eyebrows, eyes like stars, flawless skin beautiful as jade. Without makeup, her beauty was natural and pure. With makeup, her beauty could steal souls.

Mo Zi smiled at him, then her vision returned to a red haze. She froze, not understanding what he was doing. Wasn’t he lifting the veil?

“Yuan Xiang, why did you lift half and then cover it back up?” Chouyu crouched down to look. He had already committed himself—his curiosity had to be satisfied.

Yuan Cheng seemed to think for a moment, his answer somewhat slow. “Because… I don’t want you all to be unable to marry.”

“?!” Chouyu scratched his ears and head.

“Yuan Xiang was stunned, wasn’t he?” Ding Gou couldn’t help but laugh loudly. “Got stingy, didn’t you?”

“When you all marry, you’ll be even stingier than me.” Yuan Cheng indirectly admitted it. He took Mo Zi’s hand and walked away. “Everyone, please eat and drink well. Drink my share of wine too, and accumulate blessings for us husband and wife. I thank you all in advance.”

Everyone asked in surprise and confusion where Yuan Xiang was going.

“I’m sending my wife back to the bridal chamber.” Yuan Cheng carefully guided the way for Mo Zi, who couldn’t see ahead.

Luo Ying, Xiao Yi, and the other young women wanted to follow, but were blocked by Luo Yi and Zheng Yi who suddenly appeared.

Luo Ying found it strange. “We should be the ones escorting her. Why won’t you let anyone follow?”

Mo Zi didn’t hear this. She was worried about her footing and tightly gripping Yuan Cheng’s hand. As for Yuan Cheng, even if he heard, he pretended not to. Behind them, people whistled in various pitches, creating a festive commotion.

Mo Zi felt herself stepping off one sampan and onto another. When her feet began to sway, she knew the boat was moving.

“Yuan Cheng, where are we going?” she asked.

“The bridal chamber.” His laughter was clear and bright.

Mo Zi pulled off the red veil with one motion. “What?”

The ship was built according to her ship designs, one of the three vessels that left the capital together, and also the smallest. Therefore, its configuration was somewhat different, featuring high speed and flexibility as its strengths. The bow and flanks concealed weapons that could cut through iron like mud, suitable for close-range destruction of enemy ship hulls.

Another advantage—because it was small, it was quiet. At this moment, aside from Yuan Cheng, there wasn’t a single familiar face on the ship.

“You—what are you scheming?” Mo Zi was completely confused. “And where exactly are we going?”

“This river shares the mountain’s name—it’s called Cloud River. It curves inward along Immortal Mountain, passes through the entire Cloud Ridge, and divides into several smaller rivers, but ultimately originates from a large lake in the depths. Along the way there’s no human habitation, the scenery is beautiful, and both sunrise and sunset are extraordinarily stunning…”

Mo Zi interrupted him. “What does this have to do with the bridal chamber? It’s more like a honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon?” Yuan Cheng found it very “sweet,” but couldn’t guess the full meaning.

“It means after getting married—after the bridal chamber—finding a place with good scenery to play together for a few days without anyone disturbing, a world for just two people.” Mo Zi instructed her husband.

“Oh, it seems I’ve accidentally hit the mark. Then let’s change the phrasing—going to the bridal chamber is also going on a honeymoon.” Yuan Cheng smiled.

It seemed they’d been discussing the bridal chamber all along. Only then did Mo Zi feel embarrassed, her face burning and ears hot. She quickly exhaled to cool herself. “Aren’t we on the ship?”

Yuan Cheng narrowed his eyes and cleared his throat. “My wife, this husband is not that shameless. No matter how sturdy the ship is, it’s still just wooden planks.”

Boom—blood rushed to her head. Mo Zi wished she could jump into the water. She laughed awkwardly. “I… that… didn’t mean it that way.”

Yuan Cheng laughed heartily. His laughter surged skyward, echoing through the mountain valley again and again.

Embarrassed, Mo Zi turned to look at the scenery—wild deer leaping, birds dancing in flight, maple forests in red, strange rocks and peculiar peaks. Just as Yuan Cheng said, the scenery was beautiful.

Seeing her enjoyment, Yuan Cheng told her some folk legends and anecdotes about famous people.

Clever sailors brought over a table and wooden chairs. The two of them talked and watched, drinking a pot of tea for half the day. When Mo Zi suddenly realized it, the setting sun was plunging into the azure lake water.

The ship stopped. The lights came on.

Yuan Cheng took a golden glazed lamp from a sailor’s hands and said to Mo Zi, “Let’s go.”

“We still have to walk?” Ahead was a forest, the red and yellow leaves already turned deep and dark.

“Just past the forest.” Yuan Cheng took her hand quite naturally.

Mo Zi wasn’t surprised that all the sailors remained on the ship. “You’re very familiar with this place.”

“I’ve been here twice before.” That’s why when he received the news that He Hu was hiding in Immortal Mountain, he thought what a coincidence.

“There’s not a single person here. What did you come here for?” How strange.

“The first time I accidentally took the wrong waterway and stumbled in, wanting to see where it led. The second time I came on purpose—I liked how quiet it was here.” Yuan Cheng explained.

After walking for about two quarter-hours, a cliff face appeared at the edge of the forest. Mo Zi walked behind the cliff rocks, and Yuan Cheng told her to stand still.

After a short while, everything before her eyes lit up, and she was completely stunned.