Chapter 8: The Wedding Night

Summer Qingmei did not ask again, for the robed woman’s certainty about her height and status meant there was no possibility left at all.

“Qingmei, I know you’re eager to repay the favor of your birth, wishing to do so before returning to the Azure Cloud Palace, but you’ve married him, which is already sufficient. When you return to the Azure Cloud Palace, your identity will be revealed. He may face more mockery afterward, but regardless, the identity of a disciple of the Azure Cloud Palace stands before him. With that identity, at least in this small Liaoyun City, no one will dare to truly harm him.” The robed woman consoled her.

Summer Qingmei slightly nodded: “I hope so.”

“His primal energy is crippled, and he has no other talents; he will never achieve anything in life. Yet you are not only beautiful and intelligent, but even gifted, a rarity in the Azure Cloud Palace. That is why the Palace Master agreed to your marriage request, breaking protocol to ease your heart. He has married you, the greatest blessing and fortune of his life. You have reached this point, showing utmost loyalty and duty. Even if his father, Master Xiao, were to reincarnate, if he were wise, I believe he would have already withdrawn the previous marriage contract… I must leave now. I will return in a month to take you. During this time, I will not be far away. If there are matters I cannot resolve, I will inform you via a transmission token at any time.”

“Farewell, master.”

The robed woman nodded, turned, and instantly revealed an exquisite beauty tinged with a cold elegance. She wore no makeup, her skin as white and smooth as snow and jade, evoking the phrases “ice-like flesh, jade bones” and “snowy complexion, crimson lips.” Her features were exquisitely refined, so beautiful they seemed almost untouchable, radiating a sacred yet haughty coldness, like a deity standing atop the heavens, untouched by the smoke and fire of the mortal world.

She opened the window, her body swaying slightly, and with a whisper of ice, she dissolved into the mist beyond.

The Xiao family hall was filled with guests.

“Uncle Liu, please have some wine.” Xiao Che respectfully placed a wine cup before a man of scholarly bearing.

The one called “Uncle Liu” smiled, rose, and drank the wine in one gulp, then said warmly: “My nephew, in my younger days, I was close to your father. Seeing you settled and married to such a fine wife, my heart is glad.”

“Thank you, Uncle Liu.”

“Elder Brother, please have some wine.”

Xiao Bo, the eldest elder, took the cup, drank, and slammed it down on the table. Apart from a brief snort from his nose, he said nothing, not even glancing at Xiao Che. His demeanor was as though he had drunk the wine as a great honor.

Xiao Che said nothing, moving to the next table. After taking two steps, Xiao Bo spat a mouthful of mud onto the ground, emitting a cold sneer: “A fine flower, planted in dog dung. I sneeze!”

Xiao Che’s expression remained unchanged, his steps unhurried, as though he had not heard a thing, though deep in his eyes, a coldness settled like frost.

Approaching Xiao Bao, the second elder, Xiao Che bowed slightly: “Second Elder, I offer this wine to you.”

Xiao Bao did not look at Xiao Che, turned his face away, and said faintly: “Yang, have it for me.”

“Yes, Master.” Xiao Yang said nothing, took the cup from Xiao Che’s hands, and drank it in one gulp.

The wine meant for a superior had been drunk by a junior in place of the elder—a blatant humiliation. After drinking, Xiao Yang set the cup down, sat, and revealed open disdain and mockery in his eyes.

Xiao Che said nothing, nodded slightly, and moved on. After two steps, another cold sneer echoed: “Hmph. A useless creature, even if he climbed the Sun family, he remains useless. Old Master Xiao, do you still expect him to rise through his son-in-law’s influence? Pah!”

The words dripped with contempt and scorn, tinged with jealousy. Not even considering the Sun family’s wealth, if Qingmei’s extraordinary talent had married him to Xiao Yang instead of Xiao Che, he would have laughed until his sides ached.

Xiao Che continued walking, smiling as though nothing had happened.

After offering wine and receiving guests, night had already fallen. Throughout the evening, few showed genuine joy and blessings—Xiao Che could count them on his ten fingers. Most were polite, for it was his wedding day, yet their eyes betrayed clear disdain. Some sighed, others seethed with envy; some wore open arrogance and derision, their faces painting their contempt for this failure.

For his primal energy was crippled, he could never achieve anything. They had no need to be courteous or pretend, nor did they care about offending him, for even if they did, his crippled primal energy would yield no consequences. They could freely show their superiority, their hearts full of pride, looking down on this weakling who would never surpass them…

This was the reality and the ugliness of most humans’ nature.

“Rest early,” Xiao Bo patted Xiao Che’s shoulder, smiling gently.

Yet Xiao Che knew, beneath that gentle smile, lay something else.

As Xiao Bo aged, his temper softened. But in his youth, Xiao Bo’s temper was like his name—quick to flare, never forgiving a slight. Who dared provoke him? Xiao Che understood clearly: Xiao Bo’s gentleness was not from age alone, but because…

He had to be gentle, to be discreet, to protect this useless grandson of his. Even if insulted or bullied, as long as it didn’t cross a line, he would endure it to the utmost. Thus, whether in this life or the next, he would have no enemies. If he didn’t do this, those he wronged would seek revenge on his helpless grandson, as easily as snapping one’s fingers. Once the strongest of the five elders of Liaoyun City, Xiao Bo now endured constant bullying and mockery from the other four elders, even the younger generation showed little respect or caution.

Looking at Xiao Bo’s retreating back, Xiao Che’s mind flashed to those faces full of sneers and contempt. His hands slowly clenched, his fingers turning white, his eyes radiating a coldness like a blade. Then, a chilling smile spread across his lips.

Xiao Che was certain of one thing: he would never forget a grudge. In the final years of the Cangyun Continent, his heart was filled with hatred. For those who treated him kindly, he would remember; for those who didn’t, he would remember just as well… nearly to the point of vengeance.

“You… will… regret it…”

A low, venomous voice seeped from Xiao Che’s lips, like a dark curse.

If Heaven gave me a second chance at life, I would not let Grandfather and I be bullied again!

Returning to his courtyard, the full moon hung high in the sky. Xiao Che went to the corner, extended his left hand, and a water rocket shot from his palm.

At the banquet, he had drunk plenty of wine. By the end, he was swaying, nearly unable to stand, yet he was completely sober. Not because of a strong tolerance, but because every drop of wine had been transferred to the space within the Tianpu Dan the moment it touched his lips. The Tianpu Dan had merged with his body, and controlling it was as effortless as controlling his own.

“Swish-swish,” he finally expelled all the wine from the Tianpu Dan. Xiao Che raised his wine-stained left hand, smiled broadly, and splashed the wine onto his face, then held his breath until his face turned red, stumbled, and pushed open the door to the bridal chamber.

The door swung open, releasing a wave of wine scent. Xiao Che staggered in, nearly falling, and looked up at the dazed Summer Qingmei. She sat quietly on the bed, her eyes closed, her beauty serene. The dim red candlelight cast a dreamy, seductive glow on her flawless features.

Xiao Che’s eyes blazed, a lecherous smile spreading across his face as he stumbled toward her: “Heh heh heh heh, my wife… I’ve waited so long… Now… we can… be together…”

Summer Qingmei’s eyes snapped open, her right hand waved forward.

An unyielding cold breeze swept toward Xiao Che, knocking him backward out the door, his rear slamming into the earth, nearly toppling the lone stone table.

Xiao Che groaned, rubbed his backside, and after struggling to his feet, roared in anger: “Dammit! I was just joking! How could you be so harsh? I have no power, yet you struck me so hard… Did you want to kill your husband?”

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

Xiao Che pushed it, but found it locked solid.

He sank into despair… this woman couldn’t even joke around! How could they possibly get along happily?

“I was just joking… Besides, I’m a mere first-level cultivator, a worthless scrap. Even if I dared to offend you, it’s impossible.”

Summer Qingmei said nothing.

Xiao Che waited at the door, but it remained closed. His courtyard had only this room—no side chambers, no storage, no stable. Normally, he could sneak to the aunt’s room to sleep, but tonight was their wedding night, where could he go?

A night breeze blew, making Xiao Che shiver. He knocked again, weakly: “Hey, would you really lock me out tonight? You know there are many who have thoughts about you in the Xiao family. Our bridal night, they’d be so uncomfortable. But they’d also believe you, a jewel, wouldn’t deem me worthy, so even after marriage, they’d never let me near you, not even under the same roof. In a bit, someone will sneak over to mock me. If they see me locked out, I’ll be the laughingstock.”

“After all, I’m your husband now. Don’t you dare leave me out to be mocked?”

The room remained silent. As Xiao Che struggled not to kick the door, it slowly opened.

Xiao Che lunged inside like a thief in the night, slamming the door shut behind him.

Summer Qingmei remained seated on the bed, her posture unchanged, yet exuding a hazy nobility and grace. Her eyes flickered over the disheveled Xiao Che, then she spoke faintly: “No closer than five paces.”

“…Where am I supposed to sleep?” Xiao Che pouted. The room was small, with only a bed, a desk, a small table, and two cabinets. From east to west, it spanned no more than seven or eight paces. Beyond five paces… it’d be the wall opposite the bed.

“You sleep on the bed.” Summer Qingmei rose from the bed.

“No need!” Xiao Che refused firmly, then collapsed onto the farthest corner of the floor, closing his eyes. Though his strength was a hundred times hers, bearing a man’s dignity, he would not kneel and let her sleep on the bed.