Chapter 134 - Time for the Celebration

Chapter 134 - Time for the Celebration

At the heart of the Chen Heavenly Mansion, within the Dawn Pavilion, a delicate window framed a certain scene—a beauty, in the midst of her makeup routine.

Yun Xiao stood behind, watching her clad in scarlet, a bit dazed.

Her white tiger mask had been removed. Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, and those captivating eyes gazed deeply into a bronze mirror, shrouded in a mystic haze. At this moment, she bore no disguise, exuding the will of an Empress of the Immortal Empire.

Meanwhile, Yun Xiao folded the white attire gifted by Zhao Xuanran and carefully placed it into his Pouch of Holding. He, too, donned a red ensemble.

"Can I skip wearing this hat?" Yun Xiao fiddled with it, visibly frustrated. N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

"Wear it," Chen Xi replied, rising and moving towards him. Up close, her red gown trailed the ground, her lips flamed, and her eyes commanded—her presence was formidable!

Against her stunning appearance and demeanor, only the current Yun Xiao could hold his ground. The lad, with a touch of grooming, looked as charming as a prince; starry eyes, sword-like brows, and a posture as straight as a blade, his fingers long and dreamlike.

Chen Xi, with her long gown trailing, approached him, reaching out to help him with his groom's crown. Though silent, her actions radiated a domineering grace.

"This get-up feels uncomfortable all over; I'll wear it for just an hour," Yun Xiao declared. Apparently, he still preferred his Senior Sister Zhao's white robes—unrestrained, relaxed, without bindings.

"As you wish," Chen Xi replied, glancing outside where lights sparkled and drums resonated, bustling with excitement. She pursed her lips. "The hour is nearing, and the guests are almost all here."

"Indeed, but before the ceremony, I have two questions," Yun Xiao stated earnestly.

"Speak," Chen Xi responded, her cold eyes fixed on him.

"First question. What's the dowry? Is it payable now?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Dowry?" Chen Xi paused, bemused, "Money-mad much? There's no dowry!"

"No dowry? What kind of woman are you!" Yun Xiao scoffed.

Chen Xi was speechless.

"No dowry is fine," Yun Xiao peered outside, "I can vaguely hear that many have brought gifts. I demand half of them!"

"Keep dreaming, they're for my father!" Chen Xi retorted.

"Damn!" Yun Xiao exclaimed, ready to tear off his groom's attire. "I won't wed. Go marry a dog for all I care!"

"Wait!" Chen Xi bit her lip, eyeing him for a long moment before compromising, "Rest assured, I'll pay you afterward."

"After the wedding ceremony?" Yun Xiao questioned.

"After the wedding night..." Chen Xi replied.

"What...?" Yun Xiao blurted in a daze. Eventually, he broke the silence that had lingered longer than welcome. "After the wedding night...?" he repeated, incredulity plain in his voice.

Chen Xi responded with a sly smirk, "Exactly."

For a fleeting moment, he was lost for words. "Are you pulling my leg?"

"What did you expect?" Chen Xi replied with a mock exasperation. "Did you think I was in a rush to marry you because of some grand scheme?"

The thought had, indeed, crossed Yun Xiao’s mind. Perhaps the wedding was merely a ruse, a clever diversion leading to chaos and bloodshed.

"No schemes," she assured.

His skepticism evident, Yun Xiao questioned further, "Then why marry me?"

Chen Zhao's brow twitched, his voice low, "Master Han, be careful with your words."

Han Jingli chuckled softly, sipping his tea, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "In the Heavenly Realm's Ancestral Temple, which clan would be the foremost? I'd say, it's yours, the Chen."

"No, no, it should be your Han Clan. With the numerous prodigies from your family and three spots on the Grand Temple's list, who are we to compete?" Chen Zhao replied coolly.

"Magistrate Chen, having three spots means nothing if not on top. One hand of your Chen Xi surpasses all three," Han Jingli remarked, eyes narrowing, "With Ye Xingchen now a non-issue, Chen Xi is destined for the pinnacle."

"You seem more talkative than usual today, Master Han," Chen Lin interjected from the side.

"Is that so?" Han Jingli replied with a radiant smile, "I'm simply rejoicing for your Chen Clan."

Han Jingli, a renowned handsome man of the Immortal Empire, always wore a standardized smile. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, every member of the Chen Clan felt an overwhelming urge to punch him right in that too-perfect face.

Meanwhile, the auspicious hour was rapidly approaching.

A hush fell over the hall as Han Jingli gazed towards the inner chamber of the Chen Heavenly Mansion, where the bride and groom were about to make their appearance. "I'm quite curious," he mused with a glint in his eye, "about this new groom whom the Chen Clan holds in such high regard."

The mere mention of Yun Xiao caused a contemplative silence between Chen Zhao and Chen Mo.

"I heard he's a Sword Cultivator from the lower realm, at the Early Sovereign Dragon Realm," an attendant of Han Jingli remarked, an odd expression on his face.

"Oh?" Han Jingli responded with a theatrical gasp. "A hidden gem, I suppose? Perhaps his Sword Soul is in the Upper Nebula grade?"

This comment only deepened the perplexed looks around him.

Chen Zhao gently curled his hand around the armrest of his chair. "Master Han, would you care for some tea?" he offered, his voice dripping with unsaid implications.

The tension in Chen Clan's central hall was palpable.

As the auspicious time drew near, all eyes turned towards the grand entrance of the Chen Heavenly Mansion.

"No representatives from the Grand Temple or the Ye Royal Family?" someone whispered.

"And the three Sword Cultivation lineages are conspicuously absent."

Such absences dimmed the spirits of those who'd come hoping for a spectacle. "Guess we'll just have to settle for gawking at the Chen Clan's son-in-law," someone sighed.

At that moment, a man in white armor strode into the hall, taking his seat of honor amid a chorus of greetings.

"The moment is upon us!" the Master of Ceremonies announced.

In the side chamber, Chen Xi draped the red veil over her own head and took Yun Xiao's hand. "What's your father's name?" he suddenly asked.

"Chen Xiao," she replied with a soft smile.

"That sounds like our future son's name," Yun Xiao remarked.

"Yep, he'll take after his mother's surname. Speaks to my status, after all." Chen Xi chuckled.

"Wait... Let's talk this out." Yun Xiao hurriedly replied.

Unbeknownst to them, the Supreme Marshal of the Nine Heavens Immortal Army in the main hall was utterly bemused by the couple's casual chatter.

As they stepped out, all eyes were on Yun Xiao. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"This... this is the groom?"

"I get it now. Chen Xi, that sly fox, she's all about good looks!"

"I initially thought she'd marry any old schmuck from the mortal realm just to spite Ye Xingchen. But look at them! A match made in heaven—beauty and the beau!"