Chapter 2: Unable to Restrain

At this moment, he stood resplendent in a crimson wedding robe, the room adorned from corner to corner with the character for "auspicious" and red cloth. It was his grandfather, Xiao Lie, and his young aunt, Xiao Lingxi, who had lovingly decorated the space last night. This was his usual chamber, now transformed into the new home for his upcoming wedding.

The door swung open, and a lithe figure rushed in swiftly. Xiao Che rose immediately, smiling warmly as he called out, "Aunt Xiao, is Grandfather back?"

Xiao Lingxi was Xiao Lie’s only daughter, though still only fifteen years old, a year younger than Xiao Che. Though young in age, she possessed a beauty and charm that rivaled the most exquisite flowers, her mystical energy already reaching the sixth stage of the initial mystical realm. While not matching the prowess of Summer Qingyue, she was nonetheless remarkable, highly esteemed within the Xiao clan.

"Ah, my child, you’re awake."

A gentle voice resonated, and Xiao Lie stepped forward, his gaze softening as he took in his grandson, now seated upright with a complexion quite fine. His expression eased further. Behind him followed two attendants: Xiao Hong, the steward who attended to his needs, and Si Tu Yan, the renowned physician of Liu Yun City.

"Glad to see you’re up. Your complexion seems unharmed, though let Si Tu give you a thorough examination. Today is your wedding day—every detail must be flawless. Si Tu, your expertise is needed."

Xiao Lie stepped aside as Si Tu Yan set down the medicine box he had been holding, taking his place across from Xiao Che. His fingers brushed the pulse at Xiao Che’s wrist. After a moment, his hand withdrew.

"Master Si, how is my grandson’s condition? Is anything serious?" Xiao Lingxi blurted, her voice tinged with palpable anxiety and concern.

Xiao Lie’s eyes lingered on Si Tu Yan. Though silent, his expression carried equal weight—he too had sensed the abnormality of Xiao Che’s sudden fainting.

Si Tu Yan bowed slightly, his smile serene. "No need for worry, Elder Xiao. Your grandson’s health is excellent—no illness, not even a minor ailment. The previous fainting may have been due to overwhelming emotion, his qi and blood surging too violently. After all, young Xiao is about to marry the princess of the Summer family—Liu Yun City’s most beautiful woman, hahaha."

Though Si Tu Yan tried to mask his words, a hint of regret lingered in his tone. A daughter of such worth, given to a useless, hopeless man—this was a fate no one could accept.

"Then all is well," Xiao Lie sighed, nodding. "Thank you, Master Si, for coming so early. Xiao Hong, escort him to the parlor and let him rest."

"Not necessary," Si Tu Yan waved dismissively, lifting the medicine box. "Since young Xiao is unharmed, I’ll take my leave. Congratulations, Elder Xiao, on soon gaining such a distinguished daughter-in-law. How many will envy you, hahaha. I bid you farewell."

"Do come for a toast later, Xiao Hong, and escort Master Si."

As Si Tu Yan departed, Xiao Lie furrowed his brow, his concern undimmed. "My grandson, is your body truly alright? Do you feel any discomfort?"

Xiao Che dismissed him with a relaxed wave. "Grandfather, I’m fine." He glanced at Xiao Lie’s weathered face, his nose twitching with an unspoken emotion.

Within the Xiao clan, five great elders held sway. Though Xiao Lie was one of them, his mystical power rivaled the strongest. Five years prior, he had already ascended to the tenth stage of spiritual mysticism, and now stood at its pinnacle, needing only a single opportunity to break through into the realm of the countless mystics’ dreams—the level of the Earth Mystic.

At fifty-five, Xiao Lie possessed the power of a spiritual mystic at its peak, yet his hair was entirely white. Each time Xiao Che beheld those strands, his heart tightened with an ache.

The cause of Xiao Lie’s premature greying was known to all in Liu Yun City. His sole son, Xiao Ying, had been the city’s greatest prodigy—breaking into the initial mystical realm at seventeen, reaching the fifth stage of the mystical realm by twenty, and surmounting directly into the true mystical realm at twenty-three. He had shaken the entire city, becoming the Xiao clan’s pride and Xiao Lie’s own. Nearly everyone believed Xiao Ying, upon reaching middle age, would be the most qualified to inherit the Xiao clan’s leadership.

Alas, fate seemed to mock talent. Just a month after Xiao Che’s birth, Xiao Ying was assassinated. At that time, he had expended vast mystical energy to save the Summer family’s daughter, leaving him weakened. When the attack came, he could not even muster half his usual strength. He perished in a ditch, and his wife, overcome with grief, took her own life by severing her heart. The crushing blow left Xiao Lie with white hair overnight. Nine months later, Xiao Lingxi was born. Her mother, consumed by prolonged grief, died a month after her birth.

The loss of his wife and son left Xiao Lie to endure those years in silence. His snow-white hair concealed an ocean of unspeakable pain, sorrow, and hatred.

To this day, he had never uncovered who had killed Xiao Ying. He poured all his hopes into Xiao Che… yet the cruel truth of his grandson’s damaged mystical root became another thunderclap in his life.

Yet, toward this hopeless grandson, Xiao Lie had never shown a trace of disappointment or resentment. Instead, he showered him with care, almost to the point of indulgence. For in his eyes, the damage to Xiao Che’s mystical root was a cruel twist of fate, the last thing he deserved was condemnation or scorn. Rather, he should be enveloped in love. Years passed as he sought every possible method to repair the mystical root, but a broken root was like severed mystical veins—how could it be so easily mended?

With such a grandfather, Xiao Che, though raised under others’ disdain and mockery, still felt fortunate.

Looking at Xiao Lie’s snow-white hair, Xiao Che’s gaze grew steadier. If Heaven had granted him a second chance, and allowed him to carry memories from two lifetimes, then even if it was to bring his grandfather peace, he would live a life of grandeur and distinction! A damaged mystical root—what mattered! He was the heir of the Sage of Medicine. With the right herbs, within three weeks, he could fully restore his mystical root.

"Then all is well," Xiao Lie sighed, nodding. "You must be tired. Let me help you prepare. The auspicious time is near—I’ll arrange the wedding procession… and tell me, would you prefer to ride a horse or travel in a sedan chair?"

If it were the Xiao Che of yesterday, he would have answered, "A sedan chair." Though a descendant of an elder, he was otherwise without merit, a world apart from Summer Qingyue. On the wedding procession, he would undoubtedly face countless pointed fingers, whispers of envy and scorn. If he appeared in public, the feeling would be unbearable. But today’s Xiao Che merely smiled faintly. "Of course I’ll ride a horse! Grandfather, rest assured. Even if Summer Qingyue is the most noble, she is already destined to become our Xiao family’s daughter-in-law. I’ll take her openly and honorably, and not bring shame to your name."

Xiao Lie’s expression faltered, as if unprepared for such words. A gentle smile crossed his face, and he nodded. "Good."

A single word, yet it carried a joy he hadn’t felt in years. Xiao Lie stepped out, closing the door softly behind him.

Once he was gone, Xiao Lingxi rushed to Xiao Che’s side, her lips parting in a pout, her eyes holding a trace of irritation. "You fainted from excitement, didn’t you? All that worry and fear for nothing. You and Summer Qingyue barely know each other, yet you’ve been so infatuated… well, she is the most beautiful woman in Liu Yun City, after all, huff!"

"Impossible!" Xiao Che waved his hand. "Summer Qingyue is beautiful, but you’re far more lovely, Aunt Xiao! If it was her fainting, I’d be relieved—I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve fainted from your presence alone."

"Ha…" Xiao Lingxi’s forced smile finally cracked, her face softening into genuine warmth. "You always know how to cheer me up. But don’t worry, young Xiao. Even if you fainted from excitement about marrying her, it’s nothing. Summer Qingyue is indeed the city’s first beauty, from the wealthiest family. How many have dreamed of taking her as their wife. Yet, in the end, she’s married to our Xiao Che."

She said this with pride, her expression brightening. Then, her gaze grew distant, her voice growing softer. "It feels so fast… Xiao Che is about to be married soon…"

"Knock, knock." The sound of footsteps echoed, and Xiao Hong’s deep, weathered voice called from outside, "Young Master, the auspicious time is near. It’s time to proceed to the Summer family’s for the wedding."

"Oh… it’s that soon?" Xiao Lingxi glanced at Xiao Che’s attire, growing anxious. "Uncle Hong, wait just a moment longer. It won’t be long now."

She rushed forward, her delicate hands beginning to smooth his wedding robes. "This garment is so troublesome. After the earlier incident, it’s all disheveled. Just stand still for a moment. It’ll be ready soon."

Her snow-white, delicate hands began to gently straighten his collar, refastening the loosened sash. Her movements were unsteady, yet filled with earnest focus. Xiao Che watched silently, his eyes growing hazy…

He was about to marry Summer Qingyue, yet he knew in his heart whether she truly wished to be his wife. If not for his father, Xiao Ying, and Summer Qingyue’s father, Summer Hongyi, making that agreement years ago, she wouldn’t even look at him, let alone marry him. The only people who had ever treated him well were his grandfather, Xiao Lie, and the Xiao Lingxi before him.

In his youth, Xiao Lingxi clung to him like a piece of candy, following him everywhere. When he was out of sight, she would weep bitterly. When Xiao Che was ten and his mystical root was confirmed as damaged, Xiao Lingxi seemed to mature overnight. She understood the consequences of a broken root and the meaning of her role as "aunt." She began to diligently cultivate her mystical energy, determined to protect her little brother, who could only dwell in the lowest realm of the Tianxuan Continent.

After experiencing the twenty-four years of the Cangyun Continent as a fleeting dream, Xiao Che felt the true value of Xiao Lingxi’s kindness—more precious than gold, more luxurious than silk.

Summer Qingyue, soon to be his wife, would remain as distant as the cold moon in the sky, unseen and untouchable.

If he could marry someone as wonderful as Xiao Lingxi, how perfect that would be… Such thoughts, unbidden, took root in his mind.

The wedding robes finally arranged, Xiao Lingxi exhaled a sigh of relief, her toes rising as she smoothed the hair from Xiao Che’s forehead. As her feet lifted, her delicate face neared his, her eyes and expression bearing the tender softness of a young girl, evoking an overwhelming urge to protect and cherish her.

In a daze, Xiao Che suddenly leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her brow.