Lin Yijun recovered first. “Money is minor,” he said. “Sun Fuyu, where is your meaning?”
Sun Fuyu took a deep breath. “Yes. I love Wen Zhihao with all of my heart. I promise to walk by his side, following wherever he may lead. I promise to always protect Wen Zhihao against any adversary.”
“Is that so?” Lin Yijun drew his sword.
Sun Fuyu drew his own sword. “Against any and all enemies, I will always protect Wen Zhihao!”
A patt-ah of feet jumping. A SHING as swords clashed!
The wind rushed around them so fast that they made slight humming noises. The petals on the ground rose and danced in the air.
Sun Fuyu countered Lin Yijun’s every move, in the air, down on the ground, to the side. His focus intensified. His robes fluttered majestically, the red a sharp contrast to Lin Yijun’s golden robes. Their swords glinted dazzlingly as they reflected off the bright sunlight.
Wen Zhihao watched with wide eyes. Handsome! Sun Fuyu was so handsome and overbearing!
“—Good.” After one last exchange, Lin Yijun jumped back and sheathed his sword. “You may pass.”
Sun Fuyu sheathed his sword a moment later, catching his breath. He bowed respectfully. “Thank you.”
Sun Fuyu approached Wen Zhihao. He was about to hug him, but then he remembered everyone watching them.
So instead, he reached out, taking Wen Zhihao’s hands in his. Wen Zhihao’s grip was familiar and warm.
Sun Fuyu smiled back. Why had he been so nervous? With Wen-ge, nothing would go wrong. Wen-ge was so amazing, he was now a Nascent Soul Cultivator!
“The red knot of the two Dao Companions before me has been tied. Now, it is time for the three bows,” Elder Liu Ru said formally.
Liu Jing and Old Tang sat down on opposite sides of the prepared altar: on top of the red cloth surface were candles and flowers and fruit. Liu Zhongmin and Elder Liu Ru stood on the far sides of Liu Jing and Old Tang.
“First, bow to Heaven and Earth,” Elder Liu Ru said.
With their backs to the altar, facing their audience and the open space in front of them, Sun Fuyu and Wen Zhihao bowed.
“Second, bow to the parents.”
Sun Fuyu and Wen Zhihao turned around and bowed.
Sun Fuyu’s biological parents were not worthy. The original Wen Zhihao’s parents had dropped Wen Zhihao at the sect and disappeared; the current Wen Zhihao’s parents were in another world altogether, having a much better life with their new children.
While their biological parents were on their minds, most of Sun Fuyu and Wen Zhihao’s respect were for those in front of them.
Aunty Liu Jing, Old Tang, Elder Liu Ru, and Senior Liu Zhongmin all played elder-figure roles in their lives.
Liu Jing swallowed, her eyes growing sour.
“And third, bow to the husband.”
Sun Fuyu and Wen Zhihao now turned to each other.
Husband, Wen Zhihao mouthed.
Sun Fuyu’s head inclined, his eyes curving.
The two of them bowed. With this bow, they promised to respect each other, and they became husband and husband.
The audience started to clap.
“Congratulations,” Elder Liu Ru said warmly.
Wen Zhihao lifted Sun Fuyu’s head and the two of them shared a long kiss. Wen Zhihao’s heart soaked in the sweetness. Sun Fuyu was so happy he could float up and up, if it weren’t for his grip on Wen Zhihao.
Someone wolf-whistled.
“Aiyaaa, the dog food!!”
“It’s a wedding, what did you expect?”
“Meowww!!”
Xiao Bai walked over, carefully holding a tray in his hands. Upon that tray were a teapot and numerous teacups.
“Thank you, Xiao Bai,” Wen Zhihao said. While Sun Fuyu held the tray, Wen Zhihao heated up the sweet tea inside, made from the tropical fruits that he had helped grow.
Then, he poured out a cup. Kneeling down, he presented the cup to Aunty Liu Jing—mother-in-law Liu Jing.
“Mother Liu Jing, please drink this tea. Don’t you worry, I will take care of Sun Fuyu every day.”
“I’m not worried,” Liu Jing sniffed. She accepted the cup, sipping the sweet tea. After she handed the cup back, she pulled out a small golden hair ornament and gifted it to Wen Zhihao.
Wen Zhihao grinned. “Is Mother making a comment about my hair?”
“Just wear it for me,” Liu Jing said with a huff.
“En.”
Wen Zhihao then poured tea for Senior Liu Zhongmin. “Shifu Liu, please drink this tea. Xiao Fuyu will be under your care and training, please mentor him well.”
“Of course, of course,” Liu Zhongmin drank the tea in one gulp. Her gift to Wen Zhihao were two communication tokens.
Wen Zhihao thanked her, and immediately tucked the other token in Sun Fuyu’s spatial ring.
Sun Fuyu’s eyes shone with a smile. “Thank you, Shifu.”
“If you can contact Wen Zhihao easily, you can rest assured,” Liu Zhongmin replied.
Wen Zhihao now took the tray and Sun Fuyu served tea to Old Tang.
“Old Tang, please drink this tea. I will do my best to make sure Wen-ge is happy every day.”
“He is happy simply seeing you,” Old Tang chuckled. He sipped the tea and smiled. He then presented Sun Fuyu with a scroll, which unfolded to reveal a beautiful landscape painting.
Sun Fuyu’s eyes were drawn to the two figures of himself and Wen Zhihao in the background. “Thank you…”
“We can put this next to Sun Fuyu’s winner’s banner,” Wen Zhihao said with a smile.
Sun Fuyu nodded, tucking the scroll away in his spatial ring.
Sun Fuyu then served Elder Liu Ru. “Elder Liu, please drink this tea. I will protect Wen-ge, please guide him on his talisman cultivation.”
Elder Liu Ru nodded slowly. “I will endeavour to help Wen Zhihao along that pathway.” She sipped the tea.
Chuckles emerged from the audience. Who didn’t know that Wen Zhihao followed the untraditional talisman-writing road?
Wen Zhihao cleared his throat awkwardly. “Yes, all the better to write talismans to help Xiao Yu.”
Sun Fuyu tilted his head up and smiled, eyes squinting in happiness. “En.”
“But this is for you, Disciple Sun.” Elder Liu Ru presented him with a small palm-sized shield: a powerful magical treasure capable of blocking a Nascent Soul level attack.
Sun Fuyu bowed, thanking Elder Liu. Together, he and Wen Zhihao bowed once again to all four of the elders.
“Live long and live well together,” Liu Jing said. With a somewhat nostalgic sigh, she stood up. “That completes the tea ceremony. Thank you to everyone patiently watching. Head inside now, the wedding banquet awaits!”
This time, the clapping was even louder. Wen Zhihao understood perfectly: eating good food was the true purpose of having celebrations!
“Yes, food!”
“I’ve been smelling it for so long...!”
“Meow!”
Directly inside the building was a large hall, with long rows of tables laden with steaming hot dishes—little heating talismans under the plates and bowls and pots kept them warm. Red double happiness banners and flowers decorated the sides, as warm lights bathed the space.
“Please, sit down where you wish, and begin!” Liu Jing said. As the head of catering, it was her pleasure to see everyone enjoying the food.
Cultivators and mortals alike mingled as they sat down at the tables. Demonic beasts smartly turned into their human forms to fit into the hall.
Sun Fuyu led Wen Zhihao and the children to sit at the front table with their closest family.
Roast duck, roast chicken, roast pork, lobster and fish and other seafood, noodles of multiple kinds, stir-fries and soups... These dishes smelt delicious and looked bright and appetising. There were also jars and teapots of various beverages upon the tables.
There was no rush to eat: the savoury course lasted a few hours. Various cultivators and mortals sometimes came to the front to play a little music. Wen Zhihao and Sun Fuyu also toured the hall, accepting the well-wishers of the attendees.
Wen Zhihao smiled so much. His hand held Sun Fuyu’s almost the entire time.
With all their friends and family gathered, Wen Zhihao felt connected with this world, place and time. It was so warm, in a way he had never felt back in his old world. He was deeply glad he had inexplicably transmigrated over. Now, he had a husband, children, a warm extended family, pets, a house...it was more than he had ever thought he could have.
Long gone were the long work hours. The enjoyment of the little things every day awaited him.
When it came time for dessert, Liu Jing bought out a big three-tiered cake that surprised many of the attendees who had never seen such a thing before. Alongside the cake, there was also the tropical fruit harvested from their own trees in the Sect and sweet red bean soup with tang yuan. There was always space for a little dessert.
Wen Zhihao’s eyes shone. He and Sun Fuyu made the first slice before Liu Jing smartly took over. The three layers were flavoured with coconut, mango, and sweet potato, and the cake was covered with a mild soft cream.
The cream got all over the children’s faces. Wen Zhihao smiled fondly as he wiped the excess off.
Wen Zhihao yawned first—he had missed his afternoon nap. The children yawned with him.
Liu Jing rubbed the children’s heads. “Let’s take you back to your new home ba.”
“But the banquet is not over yet—” Sun Fuyu’s brows pinched together.
Liu Jing patted Sun Fuyu. “No, no, Mum will clean up. This is my duty. Now come.”
Outside, the sun had set. Moonlight and starlight shone down.
The sleepy children were loaded onto the flying cart while Sun Fuyu, Wen Zhihao and Liu Jing walked, glowing talismans lighting their way.
They stopped outside their new home.
“Thank you for preparing everything, Aunty—I mean Mother,” Wen Zhihao said.
“It was my duty, of course,” Liu Jing said with a wave of her hand. “I’ll help you put the children to bed.”
“Thank you.”
Sleepy children climbed out of the flying cart and onto the floating lift that took them up to the bedroom floor. Now that they had more bathrooms, it was quicker to get all the children washed, teeth brushed. The three girls were tucked in bed in their room, and the three boys were tucked in the bedroom next door.
Once the little buns fell asleep, the adults closed the door quietly behind them. Wen Zhihao and Sun Fuyu escorted Liu Jing downstairs.
“Will you be alright to walk back?” Sun Fuyu asked, worried.
“Of course,” Liu Jing said fondly, patting Sun Fuyu’s arm.
“Here, have these talismans just in case.” Wen Zhihao handed her some defensive talismans. Only then did Sun Fuyu relax.
Liu Jing kissed Sun Fuyu on the forehead. After a moment of thought, she kissed Wen Zhihao on the forehead too.
“Have a good night, okay? And I expect you to both come visiting in three days—” Traditionally, the married couple would visit the bride's family home after three days.
“Why three days? We’ll come by the kitchens tomorrow for the children’s breakfast,” Wen Zhihao said, confused.
Liu Jing blinked. “Ah yes, of course.” She shook her head slightly and smiled in farewell.
The two newly married husbands stood at the door for a while, watching quietly as Liu Jing walked away. Once they saw her approaching the banquet hall, the two closed the door behind them and went up to their bedroom.
The front of the door was decorated with a red double happiness banner. There was a plate of red dates and walnuts on the bedside table, along with a small teapot with a sweet drink and two cups.
Their bed had red covers, and sweet-scented flowers cast soft glows around the room.
Wen Zhihao held Sun Fuyu’s hand. Their gazes met.
“Wen-ge…”
Anticipation of what could happen next pushed back Wen Zhihao’s sleepiness. He closed the door of their bedroom behind them.
“You can call me Zihao or Hao-ge if you want. Or husband.” Wen Zhihao’s lips quirked up. “Husband Yu.”
Sun Fuyu wet his lips, his heartbeat rabbiting in his chest, a tingling feeling growing down there. A flush climbed up his neck. “Mmm...husband.”
Wen Zhihao’s eyes saw only Sun Fuyu. “Hm?”
Sun Fuyu reached out and started to undo the sash around Wen Zhihao’s waist. Despite the nervousness in his chest, he wanted this next step in their relationship.
Wen Zhihao’s heart skipped a beat. Sun Fuyu’s meaning was clear. With a sweep of a hand, Wen Zhihao activated the soundproofing talismans.
Hehe. Did you see how I ended the chapter there?
And wow, that was a long chapter! I took out the Q&A part of Chinese wedding door games because… I’d fail on the Q&A even though I’m the author hahaha.
Extras coming up~! The extras are somewhat episodic, if you'll like to read more, I hope you'll enjoy them ????
???? BL Palace ???? | ???? The Daily Eggplant ????