It was deep winter, and a thin mist permeated the air.
Heavy snow weighed down the branches. With a gentle blow of the winter wind, thousands of snowflakes fell like rain, startling a few crows and magpies.
More than half a year had passed since the end of the Immortal Seeking Gathering.
Xie Jingci was curiously observing the scene by the window when her forehead was suddenly tapped lightly. She heard a helpless laugh: "Miss, don't space out."
Her consciousness returning, she turned her gaze and saw the makeup lady right in front of her.
"Ever since three days ago, this girl has been completely distracted."
Yun Zhaoyan, who was beside her, teased with a smile: "Perhaps she's so nervous that she's about to lose her soul."
Xie Jingci took a deep breath.
Nonsense, how could she not be nervous?
This was her first time getting married in this life. She couldn't just rush out carelessly with spirit stones like she was treating someone to dinner.
Not to mention, the person she was marrying was Pei Du.
Ever since the Immortal Seeking Gathering ended that day, she had been thinking about when she should fulfill the marriage contract with Pei Du. Later, after discussing it with Xie Shu and Yun Zhaoyan, somehow, the date was set for today in a daze.
Starting from three days ago, the little Nascent Soul figure in her sea of consciousness had been rolling around and spiraling up to the sky non-stop. Today, wearing a bright red wedding dress and sitting by the window, her heart was so nervous that it felt suspended in mid-air.
Nervous as she was, she was also very expectant.
This status of being a fiancee was finally going to change to "wife."
"Just treat it with a normal heart, Miss."
The makeup lady chuckled softly: "Young Master Pei is a man of striking appearance and born with sword bones. He definitely won't treat you poorly."
As she spoke, she carefully examined the appearance of the young woman in front of her and couldn't help but sigh: "You are extremely beautiful, Miss. Young Master Pei will surely be happy to see you."
She had heard of Xie Jingci's name long ago and had seen her from a distance a few times. Back then, it was just the stunning feeling after a fleeting glimpse, but now that she was close, she couldn't help but sincerely sigh that the young lady truly had a good appearance.
Because they sought immortality and the Dao, most women in the cultivation world were elegant and otherworldly, like fairy dew and bright pearls, unattainable.
Xie Jingci's beauty, however, was extremely aggressive. Her willow-leaf eyes were slender and slightly raised, her skin was delicate, her posture was magnificent and gorgeous, carrying a natural romantic charm. Not to mention that at this moment, she had drawn a flower forehead ornament and applied lip rouge. Her thin lips were like cinnabar, making her face look like peach blossoms, making it impossible for people to look away.
"Done."
After the makeup was finished, Yun Zhaoyan smiled with great satisfaction: "Let's go."
Weddings in the cultivation world were not as complicated as those in the mortal realm, but they still had to follow the etiquette of bowing to heaven and earth and entering the bridal chamber.
The bride did not need to wear a bridal veil, so as soon as Xie Jingci stepped out the door, she saw Pei Du waiting quietly outside.
She couldn't hold back, and the corners of her mouth quickly curled up.
Pei Du's clothes had always been simple and elegant. This was his first time wearing all red.
The bright red outlined the young man's slender and straight back and waist. He was already born with a clear and exquisite appearance, and now it highlighted his jade-white skin, adding a beautiful color between his eyebrows.
Pei Du looked good no matter what he wore; this truth should be framed and hung by the bed.
He stared at Xie Jingci fixedly for a long time, as if he hadn't come to his senses, until she stepped forward and poked his face. Only then did the dark color in his eyes suddenly fade, and he heard her ask with a smile: "What's wrong? Haven't woken up?"
This was just a joke. Xie Jingci asked casually, but she didn't expect Pei Du to be a little shy, answering in a low voice: "...It feels like a dream."
Even now, he still felt it wasn't very real.
Miss Xie's appearance was like a watershed.
Before meeting her, his life was a mess, bound by a quagmire, unable to move; after meeting Miss Xie, everything around him became shining because of her, as beautiful as an illusion.
Seeing her walking over in her wedding dress, Pei Du's heart almost leaped out of his chest.
When he spoke, his voice was extremely low, wrapped in an uncontrollable smile, like blowing a breeze by Xie Jingci's ear, making it slightly itchy.
Although it was a bit inappropriate, she suddenly... looked forward to the night even more.
Xie Jingci preferred mountains and rivers, so the new house was located in the suburbs of Yunjing City. It covered a huge area, including several rolling mountains behind the large mansion.
Before this, she had never discussed money matters with Pei Du. It was only when they bought the new house this time that she was startled by the full bag of bank notes and spirit stones in his storage bag.
No wonder Pei Du didn't even frown when he returned the one million she had thrown to Pei Fengnan back then.
Come to think of it, there are many opportunities and encounters in the cultivation world, and evil demons and monsters are running rampant. With Pei Du's strength, he could earn a lot from a casual commission.
The young man's palm was gentle and powerful, holding her hand all the way to the front hall.
The courtyard was deep, and goose-feather snow was falling heavily. The world was covered in silver. Xie Jingci moved closer to him to capture more of his gentle heat, and suddenly looked back.
Pei Du also followed her gaze.
The ground was covered with thick snow like a quilt, and now it had been trampled over, leaving a string of dark marks side by side.
He had endured piercingly cold winters countless times, and had walked through the snow alone countless times. The road ahead was vast, and he didn't know where to go.
But now, the footprints belonged to two people.
Before reaching the front hall, they could already see many guests eager to watch the fun.
Mo Xiaoyang was as moved as an old father marrying off his daughter. With red eyes, he suddenly gave a thumbs-up: "Beautiful! Beautiful! Young Master Pei and Miss Xie are simply heavenly immortals descending to earth, mandarin ducks flying together, magnificent, radiant, and endearing!"
"How many of those idioms did you use correctly?"
Meng Xiaoting quickly pulled him back: "Come back quickly and don't block the way. Be careful not to delay their bowing ceremony."
"Miss Xie and Young Master Pei are indeed a perfect match."
Long Xiao laughed heartily: "I saw long ago that there was something going on between you two. When it comes to the word 'love', no one can hide it from me."
He was truly happy because in the past he could only spar with Miss Xie alone. Now, adding Young Master Pei, it would be a mixed doubles match, double the happiness, ultimate enjoyment, and of great benefit to his body-tempering cultivation.
Moreover, this way, he might be able to show weakness pitifully, claiming that one person couldn't beat two, and let Miss Meng fight side by side with him.
Hehe.
Although the first time he suggested this to her, Meng Xiaoting looked him up and down very seriously with a complex expression: "You and me, against Cici and Pei Du? Are you serious?"
So the person standing next to him became Mo Xiaoyang.
Long Xiao just wanted to look up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.
Over there, a male voice had already risen: "First bow to Heaven and Earth, second bow to the parents—"
Pei Du had no relatives present. The one acting as his parents and sitting in the hall was the beaming Xie Shu.
Even though it was a day of great joy, Xie Jingci couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness in her heart. She heard a buzzing in her ears: "Husband and wife, bow to each other—"
So she turned around and made eye contact with Pei Du.
After today, they would logically be husband and wife.
The young man remained silent, gazing fixedly into her eyes. His expression was tense because he was too nervous, but after a moment, he revealed a clear and gentle smile.
At the moment Xie Jingci bowed, the corners of her mouth finally couldn't be suppressed from rising.
*
At the banquet, cups and chips were exchanged, and voices boiled over. The red curtains contrasted with the snow, creating its own romantic charm.
Xie Jingci followed Pei Du to toast. The wine directed at her was blocked one by one by the latter. Before long, the young man's cheeks had flushed red.
"Stop pouring him drinks, stop it."
A guest watched with amusement: "Today is a big day, Young Master Pei can't get drunk senseless."
Another person laughed heartily: "If that really happens, the two of them will top the Chao Wen Lu rankings again."
Heaven is witness, over the past year, Xie Jingci and Pei Du had almost become regulars on the Chao Wen Lu, making an appearance every few days.
First it was the grievances and entanglements between Pei Du and the Pei family, then Pei Du falling off a cliff during the Immortal Seeking Gathering. The most outrageous was the finale of the grand event, which truly made people's jaws drop.
An unprecedented tie was one thing, but the barrier was actually shattered. The poor, innocent spectators in the stands—almost ninety percent of them died.
Tragic, too tragic.
You were supposed to fight to the death, not harvest the audience like leeks. Fortunately, the Black Tortoise Realm wasn't reality. After some restoration, a joss stick's time later, everyone was alive and well again.
In short, no matter what these two did anymore, the gossip-loving crowd wouldn't be surprised.
...Alright, there might still be some surprise, but it would change from the initial "How could this happen?" to "Ah, as expected of you."
"This wine is so spicy."
Gu Mingzhao had stayed in Lingshui Village for a hundred years and this was his first time in Yunjing. He took a sip of wine and couldn't help but frown.
Beside him, Bai Han offered a piece of sweet pastry to his mouth.
Thanks to Lin Que's help, the Gu poison in the little girl's body was finally suppressed, revealing fair and tender skin. She had been poisoned for too long, so it couldn't be completely eradicated in a short time. Although it still ached faintly, compared to her former emaciated appearance, she had recovered a lot.
It had been a long time since she could sit under the sun, among so many people.
Caught off guard by this feeding gesture, Gu Mingzhao opened his mouth somewhat reservedly to accept it, lowered his head, and rubbed his sleeve against his cheek.
Wandering Immortal Yunshui was far away in the mortal realm. Hearing of their marriage, he had someone deliver a massive pile of wedding gifts as if they cost nothing. The Xie family had many retainers. Amidst the endless chatter, Xie Jingci heard an incredibly familiar voice.
[Finally made it, your wedding isn't over yet, right?]
Since the end of the Immortal Seeking Gathering, the fractured planes finally gradually merged. The system, as the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao of this plane, had bid her farewell and continued to carry out tasks all over the cultivation world. It occasionally came back to visit, like catching up with an old friend.
Xie Jingci chuckled: "Mm."
By the time the banquet ended, the twilight was already deepening, and it was nearly time to return to their room.
Pei Du had previously taken a sobering pill, so he didn't pass out on the spot. Only his steps were slightly unsteady, which was no big deal.
The bedroom was located in the inner courtyard, where two plum blossom trees in front of the courtyard secretly exuded fragrance. In the overwhelming snowy landscape, one could only see clusters of white, almost unable to distinguish which was snow and which were the freely blooming flowers.
Compared to the noisy scene just moments ago, the room was overly quiet.
First came the creak of the door closing, then Pei Du's heavy footsteps, and finally, even his soft breathing could be heard, carrying wisps of heat that burned Xie Jingci's ears.
She knew perfectly well what should be done on the wedding night.
Xie Jingci touched her earlobe.
Even though she had read countless storybooks and her head was filled with abundant theoretical knowledge, previous hugs and kisses were one thing; now, to be completely bare and have skin-to-skin intimacy—either concept was enough to make her nervous.
But...
The Nascent Soul miniature inside her sea of consciousness covered its face and rolled around, kicking its legs non-stop.
She was really, really looking forward to it.
Both of them were complete novices. Xie Jingci took the opportunity to sit on the edge of the bed, almost unable to hold back her smile, and could only purse her lips to look up at him.
Pei Du was also gazing into her eyes.
There was still a fog-like darkness in his eyes, while the depths of his eyes held a light blush. Following the upward curve of his phoenix eyes, it was incredibly beautiful and incredibly seductive.
Xie Jingci was originally a bit nervous, but seeing his dazed appearance, she couldn't help but burst into laughter, raising her hand to wave it: "Come back to earth."
She gave a light cough, pretending to speak in a nonchalant tone: "You should know what we're supposed to do next, right?"
"...Mm."
Only then did Pei Du's eyelashes flutter as he responded in a deep voice.
Outside the window, a clump of snow fell from the eaves, the muffled sound brushing against their eardrums. Sounding alongside it was the rustling of clothes and the sound of footsteps stepping forward.
Pei Du was approaching her step by step.
Xie Jingci quietly clenched her cuffs.
The young man had a tall and slender figure, casting a deep, dark shadow when he stood by the bed.
A hand with distinct knuckles landed on the side of her face, slowly moving down from the corner of her eye. Pei Du's touch was very light, as if caressing fragile porcelain.
What he touched was not an illusion; Miss Xie was truly sitting in front of him.
From today onwards... she was his wife.
His gaze was too fervent, as if hiding a dark undercurrent that could swallow everything. Xie Jingci felt her ears heat up from his stare and slightly averted her eyes.
She heard an almost inaudible chuckle.
"Miss Xie."
Pei Du leaned over, tracing the contours of her face with both hands. His thin lips pressed close to her ear, speaking in a whisper-like volume: "I am so happy."
The winter days were bitterly cold, but when he spoke, he exhaled puffs of hot air.
Setting aside the fact that such a tone was too full of desire, like a silent seduction, just those wisps of breath alone could spread from her earlobe all the way down her spine, bringing a tingling itch.
Xie Jingci shivered.
She was almost unable to take it, yet Pei Du was still lightly rubbing his lips against her ear: "Since ten years ago, I have been in love with Miss Xie."
He was not one to be good with words and was often the one being teased. But today, Pei Du wanted to tell her more.
He loved her so, so much.
"Actually, in the beginning, I never thought... thought things could be like this."
The boy from the remote village was silent, lonely, and frail, separated from her by an insurmountable chasm. For the Pei Du of that time, just being able to look at her from afar was enough to make him leap with joy.
Being taken in as an adopted son by the Pei family, and then meeting her at the academy—everything felt so unreal.
"Back when you came to the Ghost Tomb and told me you wouldn't break off the engagement."
His voice was slightly hoarse, seemingly choking up for a moment: "At that time... I thought I was dreaming."
That was the most decadent and desolate moment of Pei Du's life.
But when he saw that gradually approaching shadow and incredibly vividly felt her breath and warmth, that brief moment was also the happiest time of his life, aside from today.
It was as if all his silent admiration had received a response. In the boundless darkness, a burst of bright color capable of igniting the entire world had intruded.
His heart full of affection simply had nowhere to hide.
The hands cupping her face slowly moved back, wrapping around the back of Xie Jingci's neck.
Her heart practically melted into a puddle of water. Glancing sideways, she could only see the young man's obscure, unfathomable pupils, as well as a deep and ambiguous red.
"Catching a glimpse of Miss Xie from afar at the academy could make me happy for a whole day; seeing you spar with your senior brother, even Zhan Yuan would be unhappy."
Pei Du said: "I wanted to get close to Miss Xie very early on, but my cultivation base wasn't high, my personality was dull, and I didn't know how to make you like me. I was afraid that if I got closer... I would scare you away."
He paused as he spoke, "I'm sorry, I'm still not good enough right now."
That wasn't true at all.
Xie Jingci instinctively wanted to refute it.
However, before she could even open her mouth, the young man right in front of her kissed her earlobe. "I don't have much... but it is all yours."
It was as if something had struck her right in the heart.
On this freezing winter night, all things had fallen silent. The bedroom was completely still, and Xie Jingci heard him say, "My wife."
...Ah.
Her inner Nascent Soul miniature lay flat peacefully, and as it closed its eyes, the corners of its mouth curled up into an increasingly rampant smile.
"What do you mean 'not good enough'? My husband is naturally the best in the world."
As soon as the word "husband" left her lips, Xie Jingci saw his ears turn red. Unable to hold back her smile, she turned her head and kissed him. "Husband, husband, husband, why is my husband blushing?"
"Xie—"
The more flustered he got, the hotter his face became. He instinctively wanted to stop her teasing, but just as he opened his mouth, he stopped in an instant.
Pei Du: "...Cici."
Xie Jingci smiled even more brightly. She suddenly tilted her head up and kissed his sharply defined jawline. "Is here mine too?"
He was a bit stunned by her directness and belatedly nodded. "Yes."
Xie Jingci didn't stop. She kissed the corner of his tightly pressed lips. "And here?"
Pei Du felt an inexplicable nervousness. His heartbeat faintly accelerated, and he hesitated slightly. "...Yes."
Sure enough, in the next moment, a hand suddenly landed on his chest, trailing down to his lower abdomen and pressing gently.
The young man's movements instantly froze. He heard her whisper intimately close to him, "If you block here and other places with clothes, they won't be mine, right?"
"Other places" referred to—
She felt Pei Du's temperature skyrocket in an instant.
Xie Jingci tried her best to adjust her breathing, suppressing her pounding heartbeat.
Pei Du had looked forward to this day for a long time, and so had she.
Whether it was a green tea, a tyrant, a yandere, a domineering CEO, or a crybaby, even without her memories, wandering through so many completely different character settings, the only one she could fall for and get close to was Pei Du.
From beginning to end, it had always been only him.
He had lived alone in the mire for so many years. Without anyone to care for him or love him, every inch he moved forward was a struggle.
Xie Jingci wanted to give him all the sweetness she had. She also wanted Pei Du to know that he wasn't bad at all. In this world, there was someone trying very hard and earnestly to love him.
Thinking about it this way, the shyness that had almost filled her chest earlier actually lessened a lot.
"You just said so much to me. In return—"
The red candle on the wooden table suddenly flickered, and the wind chimes by the window jingled.
The candlelight and moonlight blended together, casting dim shadows. Pei Du caught a glimpse of her slender, fair neck and her disheveled collar.
The girl in the wedding dress was like a radiant piece of uncut jade. She gently held his fingertips, guiding them across her collarbone and further down. "Husband... do you want to know more of my secrets?"
And so, the lights suddenly went out, and the bed curtains rustled. In the encompassing darkness, Xie Jingci smelled a warm, fresh bamboo scent.
When everything settled into peace, returning to the truest character setting, at this very moment, she was Xie Jingci.
As the original Xie Jingci, she deeply yearned for Pei Du more than anyone else.
The winter night deepened, and the moonlight was like a hook.
By the window, sparse branches cast slender shadows, and the snow reflected the swirling wind. Compared to a normal night, there was much more clear, cold light.
When the young man's soft, thin lips touched hers, Xie Jingci thought that tomorrow would definitely be a beautiful day with a clear, boundless sky.
