Today's Drunk, Tomorrow's Worry
When they returned to Bright Moon Peak at dawn, Elder Changyu, still bleary-eyed from sleep, opened his bedroom door and frowned at the excited crowd: "What's all this commotion?"
Despite wearing only his inner robes, he still exuded an ethereal aura.
"Master, Second Senior Brother is getting married!"
Elder Changyu paused, his usually indifferent face softening into a smile that could melt ice and snow: "Congratulations, my disciple."
Song Ping blushed: "It's not like the wedding is imminent. I haven't even proposed yet."
Jiang Yan laughed: "Master, we came to ask you to accompany us to the mortal realm to propose!"
The mortal realm? Elder Changyu's brow twitched slightly, already sensing something from his disciples' expressions.
His expression remained unchanged as he nodded at Song Ping: "You all go ahead. I'll change and join you shortly."
Xu Shulou, worried that her master might not understand mortal marriage customs, lingered behind to offer some advice. When she glanced back, she caught him silently calculating something with his fingers and froze in surprise.
———
Mortal Realm, Sheng Mansion.
Elder Changyu arrived punctually with his disciples to propose. The Bright Moon Peak delegation put on their best demeanor, hoping to leave a good impression on Song Ping's future in-laws. Even the usually mischievous Jiang Yan and Ji Ci behaved with rare gentleness and courtesy. The typically taciturn Shan Yu, under the scrutinizing gazes of Master Sheng and Madam Sheng, forced himself to flash a grin—though his unsettling smile only made them uneasy.
Fortunately, Elder Changyu's transcendent presence commanded respect. His aloof, immortal demeanor made the Sheng household speak to him with cautious reverence.
Xu Shulou sipped her Junshan Silver Needle tea. The Sheng family, being scholars, cherished elegance. From the moment they entered, the winding corridors, rockeries, and flowing water painted a refined picture.
After much polite small talk, the main topic remained untouched—Master and Madam Sheng kept steering the conversation elsewhere.
Xu Shulou noticed the worry in their eyes. Understandable. After the incident with Feng Jiuyou, mortals would naturally be wary of cultivators.
She tilted her cup, deliberately spilling tea on her robe, then turned to Madam Sheng: "My apologies. Might I trouble you to show me where I could change?"
Madam Sheng understood the unspoken request. Once they reached a secluded garden, she stopped and sighed: "Forgive me. We are eternally grateful you rescued our daughter, but... we can't help feeling uneasy."
Xu Shulou nodded: "I was once mortal too. I understand your concerns."
Madam Sheng, mustering courage for her daughter's sake, confessed: "After Feng Jiuyou, we’ve grown fearful of cultivators. You stand above mortals, indifferent to our joys and sorrows, acting on whims... Miss Xu, if we were to decline this match..."
Xu Shulou reassured her: "You needn’t worry. My junior brother is nothing like Feng Jiuyou. Even if you refuse, we would never harm the Sheng family."
Seeing her sincerity, Madam Sheng relaxed slightly—until Xu Shulou added: "But I believe you should consent."
"Why? As a former mortal, you must grasp my fears," Madam Sheng sighed. "Wuyou is mortal. She’ll age, sicken, die, while Song Ping remains in his prime. She has no spiritual power, can’t cultivate, can’t share his adventures or interests... How long can such 'love' last?"
Tears welled in her eyes. Xu Shulou handed her a handkerchief: "What does Miss Sheng say?"
Madam Sheng swallowed her tears: "She claims she isn’t afraid. Even asked me, 'Would a mortal husband never stray?'"
"Miss Sheng is wise," Xu Shulou sat beside her, offering a chilled milk pudding. "Want some?"
"..." Madam Sheng stared in silence.
"My apologies. I’m not skilled at comforting people."
"Comforting?" Madam Sheng looked baffled.
"Indeed," Xu Shulou said matter-of-factly. "This pudding always cheers up my junior siblings."
Despite her bewilderment, Madam Sheng eased slightly. "Besides, if Wuyou marries nearby, we can watch over her. If she goes to the cultivation world, who will she turn to if she’s wronged?"
"Miss Sheng is clever. Trust her judgment."
"But she could live an easier life! How can a mother bear to see her choose hardship? 'Wuyou'—'Free of Worries'—we named her hoping she’d live carefree. What parent would watch their child leap into fire?"
"Ease isn’t always what one desires," Xu Shulou mused. "Only the one jumping can say if it’s truly fire."
Madam Sheng studied her: "Does your sect truly approve of Song Ping marrying a mortal?"
"If possible, I’d spare all my juniors heartache," Xu Shulou admitted. "But once love strikes, what can be done? Mortal or immortal, emotions defy reason."
"Yet... I fear regret."
"If they regret it in twenty years, at least they’ll have had twenty happy ones," Xu Shulou murmured. "If parted now, who’s to say they won’t spend decades wondering 'what if'?"
Madam Sheng fell silent before sighing: "Being a parent is no easy task."
"True," Xu Shulou agreed sagely. "We have it rough."
"..." Madam Sheng gave her a strange look before murmuring, "After losing Wuyou for ten years, I can’t bear to part with her again."
"Marriage won’t take her from you. You can visit Dustless Island anytime, or they can reside in the mortal realm."
"Truly?"
"Of course. My junior brother can show you the cultivation world’s finest sights," Xu Shulou praised him warmly. "He’s the gentlest in our sect—raised all his younger siblings. Why, as a child he once..."
Her tales of Song Ping’s kindness filled the garden, coaxing occasional smiles from Madam Sheng.
When the two didn’t return, Sheng Wuyou grew anxious and found them in the garden—her mother and Xu Shulou sitting side by side, each nibbling a chilled pudding.
My mother, who was always particular about food, was still asking, "Are there any more? Give me another one."
"Cherry-flavored?"
"Sure."
"..."
Sheng Wuyou smiled softly and, without disturbing them, quietly left the garden.
———
On the morning of her second junior brother's wedding day, Xu Shulou crouched in the courtyard of Sheng Mansion, sculpting ice carvings. The Frost Hairpin gifted by Master Zhou came in handy as she carved a pair of enormous mandarin ducks. She examined them left and right, thoroughly pleased with her work.
Not far away, in Sheng Wuyou's bridal chamber, makeup artists and hairdressers bustled around her. Madam Sheng watched her daughter, alternating between joy and sorrow, her tears threatening to spill again. Not wanting her daughter to see, she waved her handkerchief dismissively. "Fine, I won’t stay here. I’ll go to the courtyard and find Miss Xu."
Sheng Wuyou chuckled. "You really do like her a lot."
Madam Sheng nodded. "Miss Xu is mature, reliable, gentle, and steady. Building a good relationship with her is my way of hoping she’ll look after you in the future."
"..." Sheng Wuyou fell silent. It was fortunate Madam Sheng had never heard of Xu Shou’s reputation in the cultivation world—otherwise, she might have fainted from shock.
"By the way, Mother," Sheng Wuyou called out to her, "where is Errong? She should have returned from her hometown visit by now. Didn’t she say she wanted to see me get married?"
Errong was the daughter of Sheng Wuyou’s wet nurse, and the two had always been close. When Sheng Wuyou was taken away years ago, Errong had wept bitterly. How could she miss this wedding?
"True, perhaps something delayed her at home. I’ve already sent someone to check," Madam Sheng shook her head. "Today is your wedding day—don’t trouble yourself over this."
Madam Sheng made her way to Xu Shulou just in time to admire her masterpiece. "How exquisite! Let’s move this ice sculpture to the front courtyard so the guests can appreciate it too."
Xu Shulou, pleased that Madam Sheng appreciated her work, was about to agree when she turned and noticed. "Madam Sheng, why are you crying again?"
"It’s my daughter’s wedding—who wouldn’t cry?" Madam Sheng said stubbornly. "Some people assumed that because Wuyou disappeared for ten years, she wouldn’t marry well. Now they’ll see—she’s marrying a talented and righteous cultivator."
Xu Shulou laughed.
The Sheng family’s wedding banquet was grand beyond compare. The following day, another celebration was held on Dustless Island. Song Ping was well-liked in the cultivation world, and many friends attended his wedding, surprised by his choice but offering their blessings nonetheless.
Junior disciples took turns toasting the newlyweds. Xu Shulou raised her cup to them. "May your shared journey ahead be filled with excitement and no regrets."
From the proposal to the wedding, the Bright Moon Peak disciples participated wholeheartedly, showing no arrogance as cultivators, never looking down on mortals, and treating Sheng Wuyou with nothing but respect. Master Sheng and Madam Sheng observed their behavior, and many of their worries faded away.
As the Dustless Island banquet concluded, dusk painted the sky in brilliant hues—golden sunsets and radiant clouds casting a soft glow over everyone. Bai Roushuang, ever sweet-tongued, had already begun calling Sheng Wuyou "sister-in-law." Song Ping and Sheng Wuyou held hands, smiling shyly amidst the crowd. No one could deny their happiness.
Master Sheng and Madam Sheng, witnessing the wonders of the cultivation world for the first time, marveled at everything around them. Xu Shulou, for reasons unknown, handed each of them another ice cream stick.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Xu Shulou remained at the table, sipping wine and watching the newlyweds from afar. Bai Roushuang sidled up to her. "Worried?"
Xu Shulou shook her head, raising her cup with a smile. "Drink today’s wine today."
Bai Roushuang clinked her cup against hers. "Leave tomorrow’s worries for tomorrow."
