Chapter 101
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Chapter 101: Title
"How lovely," Suiyin sighed.
Xia Shi wiped sugar stains from Suiyin’s lips. "This happy?"
"Absolutely!" Suiyin bit off half the candied hawthorn and fed the remainder to Xia Shi. "Nothing beats staying with someone you love."
They shared the skewer, finishing it quickly.
"More?" Xia Shi asked, noticing her lingering look.
Suiyin shook her head. "Save room for Qingxue’s lunch and Jiang Yun’s dinner."
The pair stayed in Lingyang City, surviving on three borrowed meals daily.
"Quick! The Lin family’s young lady is marrying!"
"That girl who enraged her father by liking women? She’s marrying now?"
"Her father’s just a live-in husband! Madame Lin runs the household. She’s not marrying out – she’s taking a wife! Even Madame Lin approved!"
"Must see this!"
Crowds surged toward the Lin residence. Female-female weddings were rare sights.
"Let’s watch!" Suiyin tugged Xia Shi’s hand, joining the flow.
Unlike the Nine Realms, the mortal realm obsessed with bloodlines. Same-sex unions faced harsh trials – such open celebrations were extraordinary.
The wealthy Lin residence already overflowed with spectators.
Rumors said the bride was Miss Lin’s childhood sweetheart. They’d pledged devotion long ago.
The procession approached from southern streets, drums echoing through lanes. Onlookers caught tossed sweets – luxuries common folk rarely tasted.
Rich Lins spared no expense for their sole heir’s wedding, sharing joy across Lingyang City.
Children chorused blessings behind the parade, whether for treats or sincerity. Their cheers earned extra candy showers.
Miss Lin rode a white horse, radiant in bridal red instead of groom’s attire. Her beaming face glowed with happiness.
Here, now, she publicly claimed her heart’s choice.
The noisy procession reached Lin House.
Eagerly dismounting, Miss Lin approached the bridal sedan. She extended her hand, murmuring invitation – breaking tradition to personally guide her beloved home.
None protested. This wedding followed the couple’s own rules.
After entering the courtyard came the main event: bowing to heaven and earth.
Watching the silhouettes of the two brides, Suiyin munched on their wedding candy and chuckled, "They’ll surely stay together till their hair turns white."
"They face no real misfortunes in their fate – just meaningless chatter that can’t harm them," Xia Shi said, pulling Suiyin to leave.
A maid hurried from Lin residence and stopped them.
"Young misses, please wait!"
Suiyin blinked in surprise. "What’s the matter?"
They were merely passersby joining the festivities.
The maid smiled brightly. "If you’re free, our young lady invites you to share wedding wine."
Free food!
Suiyin’s eyes sparkled as she nodded eagerly. "We’re free!"
Noticing the maid glance at Xia Shi, Suiyin added, "She’s free too!"
"Let’s go!"
Xia Shi sighed and followed.
The maid ushered them inside where newlyweds were Bowing to heaven and earth.
At the ceremonial table sat a man and woman. The woman wore rich silks, smiling at the couple, while the man beside her looked stormy-faced. He managed a stiff smile only when the woman nudged him.
These must be the Lin young lady’s parents.
After the ceremony, the Lin young lady escorted her wife to their chambers.
"You’re here too?"
A familiar voice sounded nearby.
Suiyin turned to see Jiang Fenghe and Jiang Yun.
The maid seated the acquainted group together.
The banquet overflowed with costly delicacies and premium wine.
Jiang Fenghe, flushed from drink, grabbed Jiang Yun’s hand to pat his own cheek. "Sister."
Jiang Yun steadied him. "Hm?"
"Sister, let’s marry too?" he slurred.
Jiang Yun froze.
Marriage…
She pressed her lips, speechless.
"Does Miss Jiang hesitate?" Xia Shi inquired, swirling her cup.
Her left hand held the wine vessel above the table, while her right remained hidden below.
Suiyin had gulped three cups in excitement and now snoozed against Xia Shi’s lap.
Xia Shi stroked the flushed cheek, enjoying its warm smoothness.
"Just call me Jiang Yun," she answered, never forgetting the Divine Lady’s status.
“Concerns… I have no concerns, just a little…”
Xia Shi noticed the faint blush on her face and understood.
Shyness.
Though Jiang Fenghe’s drunken mind remained muddled, Jiang Yun stayed clear-headed. The sudden marriage proposal from her beloved had left her flustered.
“Are you enjoying yourselves?”
Miss Lin of the Lin family came to toast them. Seeing only two conscious people at the table, she chuckled.
“Seems I came late.”
“Not late!” Suiyin suddenly sat up, her eyes still unfocused.
Xia Shi pulled her closer, letting Suiyin nestle into her arms.
The movement roused Jiang Fenghe, who drowsily lifted his head.
“May you share a century of marital bliss.” Xia Shi raised her wine cup.
“Thank you.” Miss Lin drained her cup cheerfully.
Her alcohol tolerance proved impressive – she’d toasted nearly every guest yet remained steady on her feet.
“We should thank you for the invitation, Miss Lin.” As Jiang Yun moved to drink, the cup was snatched from her hand.
“Your health can’t handle this. I’ll drink for you.” Jiang Fenghe downed both his cup and hers.
“Excellent!”
Miss Lin matched them drink for drink without hesitation.
After finishing, she settled in an empty seat and studied the group meaningfully.
“You’re newcomers to Lingyang City.” Miss Lin’s clear eyes fixed on Xia Shi. “From the Nine Realms, yes?”
All four at the table snapped to attention, sobriety returning instantly. Though stripped of spiritual power, Jiang Fenghe maintained his wariness.
His hand automatically reached for a missing blade – left behind in the Nine Realms.
“No harm intended,” Miss Lin hurried to explain.
“You know of the Nine Realms?” Xia Shi neither confirmed nor denied.
“I’ve read obscure texts describing that realm – its people beautiful and ethereal, like otherworldly immortals. I’d thought it mere fantasy…” Miss Lin’s gaze swept over them. “Until now.”
Suiyin giggled drunkenly against Xia Shi’s shoulder, warm breath tickling her neck. “Do we resemble immortals, Miss Lin?”
The Lin girl first nodded, then shook her head. Her stare locked on Xia Shi. “This girl carries immortal essence. An elusive aura surrounds her – like mist between wind and rain. I’ve never witnessed such… immortal energy.”
“You see my energy?” Surprise flickered briefly in Xia Shi’s eyes.
Miss Lin nodded.
“Can you see it?”
This question went to Jiang Fenghe. Though reduced to the mortal realm, his natural talent remained.
He shook his head. To him, Xia Shi appeared ordinary – save for her striking beauty.
“Why ask about the Nine Realms?” Xia Shi pressed. “Do you wish to go there?”
The Lin family’s young lady was perceptive. She guessed parts of the truth from the others’ reactions and the girl’s questions.
The Nine Realms truly existed. Though the others remained uncertain, this spiritual energy-veiled girl must be from there.
"Books say the Nine Realms overflow with spiritual energy where all achieve Longevity. Is this true?" The Lin family’s young lady inquired curiously.
Xia Shi nodded.
The young lady’s eyes widened immediately.
Longevity – something even emperors and nobles couldn’t obtain through power – truly existed in the Nine Realms?
"Do you desire Longevity?" Xia Shi asked evenly, meeting her gaze. "You possess rare talent. Among our sects, you’d be considered a prodigy unseen in centuries. With steadfast State of Mind, immortality could be yours within a hundred years."
The Lin lady laughed, clarity undisturbed in her eyes. "You flatter me. I’m but an ordinary person without such aspirations."
"I only sought to verify the texts. Having my answer satisfies me."
"Remarkable." Xia Shi’s lips curved as she produced a jade bell.
"Our wedding gift for you both."
The exquisite bell felt cool yet radiated comforting warmth.
Suiyin stared fixedly at the bell, unable to look away.
She’d begged Xia Shi for that bell countless times! And now it was being casually gifted?!
Feeling the burning gaze, the Lin lady hesitated. "This… it’s too generous."
"Hmph!" Suiyin nibbled Xia Shi’s shoulder in protest.
Xia Shi patted her head while offering the bell. "I’ll craft you eight or ten more later," she compromised.
Still pouting but mindful of the occasion, Suiyin swallowed her displeasure – storing it up for later retaliation.
…
"We’ll take our leave now."
As they departed Lin Manor, Jiang Fenghe – mostly sobered – revived his persistent question.
"Sister, marry me?"
Jiang Yun flushed, glancing sheepishly at their companions. "The Divine Lady could officiate!" Fenghe pressed eagerly. "Tomorrow! Let’s wed tomorrow!"
His urgency suggested fear they might escape.
"But… isn’t this too rushed?"
“There’s still time! Let’s go find Qingxue!” Jiang Fenghe was overjoyed, pulling Jiang Yun toward Qingxue’s home.
Xia Shi: “…”
The officiant hadn’t even agreed yet.
She turned to Suiyin beside her and softly asked, “Do you want to get married?”
Suiyin thought seriously for a moment and asked, “Is there anyone who didn’t know our relationship?”
Who in the Nine Realms didn’t know the Divine Lady’s partner was her sword?
Because of this, many sword cultivators imitated them, vowing to stay with their swords forever. Some even threatened to die with their swords when the blades got destroyed.
Of course, Xia Shi knew nothing about this.
“It’s different,” Xia Shi murmured, absently rubbing Suiyin’s fingers as they walked.
Suiyin had noticed this habit long ago—when Xia Shi was troubled, she’d fidget with her sword’s hilt. Now those restless fingers squeezed Suiyin’s hand instead.
The pressure made Xia Shi blink back to awareness.
Suiyin leaned close to brush a kiss against her lips, staring intently into her eyes:
“Let’s get married too.”
Xia Shi’s breath caught before a slow smile bloomed.
“Yes.”
