Chapter 83: The Wedding Night

It was past noon by now.

At the King of Chu’s residence.

The banquet was set up inside the mansion, and guests were arriving one after another with their invitations. Mendu was responsible for welcoming guests outside.

“Please come in, gentlemen,” Mendu said with a wry smile, looking at the scholar and drunkard who stood out from the surrounding crowd.

“Thank you!”

The people behind them cast surprised glances. All those who came today were prominent officials and nobles of the city, each dressed in fine silks and brocades. Yet these two men in plain clothes also had invitations – what was their background?

Amidst everyone’s surprise, no one noticed Wu Ming climbing over the wall into the royal residence.

“Who goes there? Stop!”

Shen Jun blocked Wu Ming’s path and said sternly.

Wu Ming looked at Shen Jun in surprise, took half a step back, and silently pulled out an invitation and gift from his bosom.

Shen Jun accepted the invitation and gift, checked them, then turned and left.

His Highness had mentioned before that someone might come to the banquet in an unconventional way today, because that person was “socially anxious.”

“Greetings to the National Master!”

“Mm.”

Lu Wenxuan stood motionless in front of the ceremonial hall like a mascot. As people entered the mansion and saw him, they were all startled, revealing expressions of disbelief. Upon realizing it was really him, they hurriedly came over to pay their respects.

After paying their respects, everyone felt dazed, wanting to confirm once again if it was real. How did His Highness the King of Chu manage to invite this immortal from the Heavenly Gate Pavilion?!

“Fourth… Brother, the… the teacher is here too?!” 

Shen Luoyan hid behind Shen Jingyu, speaking fearfully upon seeing Zhou Xiu.

Shen Jingyu smiled calmly, “Get ready, let’s go pay our respects to the teacher together.”

“Fourth Brother… can I not go?”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

Shen Luoyan was a head shorter than Shen Jingyu, and as he tried to escape, his shoulder was already held firmly.

“Fourth Brother, Seventh Brother.” Shen Muchen approached with Shen Tengfeng.

“Eldest Brother, you’ve arrived.” Shen Jingyu released Shen Luoyan and smiled.

“Greetings to the National Master.” Zhou Xiu stepped forward and bowed.

Lu Wenxuan’s eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Zhou Xiu and asked, nodding, “Has your master not yet returned?”

“In response to the National Master, my teacher is still traveling and studying,” Zhou Xiu respectfully replied.

“This old daoist rather envies your master,” Lu Wenxuan remarked.

“My teacher also often admires the National Master’s vast knowledge spanning ancient and modern times.”

Amidst the casual conversation, the sound of gongs, drums, and firecrackers erupted from outside the residence.

“The bride and groom have arrived!” A child from some family ran in excitedly shouting.

Lu Wenxuan sighed inwardly. This was his first time acting as a wedding officiant, and he hoped the scene wouldn’t become too chaotic.

A red carpet extended from the main entrance to the ceremonial hall. After alighting from the bridal sedan chair and completing the threshold-crossing ceremony, Shen Yian and Ye Liyan walked together holding a silk cloth and they were the focus of everyone’s attention.

Lu Wenxuan stood silently in the ceremonial hall, holding his tassel whisk.

Many people noticed Lu Wenxuan in the auditorium, and after looking at where he was standing, they felt their heads buzzing and almost popped their eyes out.

Isn’t that where the officiant stands? Why is the National Master standing there?

Could it be…

Hiss…

The National Master is officiating!

This was an absolutely mind-blowing occurrence in the entire world.

Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat. Could it be that His Highness the King of Chu had some leverage over the National Master?!

Thinking back to the auspicious signs that descended from the heavens earlier, and now with the National Master presiding over the wedding, it all served to destroy those negative rumors about Ye Liyan.

Would an ill-fated girl attract heavenly blessings?

Looking at the National Master’s gaze towards the newlyweds, full of approval and recognition.

Would the National Master approve of a bringer of disaster?

His Majesty didn’t take the rumors seriously, the National Master didn’t take the rumors seriously, and His Highness the King of Chu certainly didn’t take the rumors seriously.

In short, the ignorant masses believed it, and many of them believed it too. The fools (clowns) turned out to be themselves!

Lu Wenxuan’s face was full of smiles as he watched the two enter the ceremonial hall.

Shen Yian smiled and transmitted a message to Lu Wenxuan, expressing his deep gratitude.

After a brief exchange, the wedding ceremony began.

Soon, the complex ceremony ended, and Shen Yian escorted Ye Liyan to the bridal chamber.

After completing a simple ritual, Shen Yian was responsible for coming out to entertain the guests, while Ye Liyan needed to sit quietly waiting for his return in the evening.

Shen Yian reflected that if it weren’t for his inner strength, just sitting on horseback all morning would have given him heatstroke.

“Congratulations, Your Highness the King of Chu!”

“Brother An! Congratulations!”

“Sixth Brother, congratulations!”

“Thank you, thank you all for coming.”

In a corner table, the drunkard took a sip of wine, his eyes shining: “What good wine!”

He then added somewhat regretfully, “If I had known this lad was a prince, I wouldn’t have treated him to so many drinks back then.”

The scholar laughed heartily and called to Wu Ming beside him, “Brother Wu Ming, let’s drink!”

Wu Ming picked up the wine glass and drank it silently.

“Three gentlemen, may I sit with you?” Lu Wenxuan asked with a smile as he sat down.

“Cough… please, be our guest…” The drunkard hastily put down his cup and stuttered.

The bookworm smiled awkwardly, still in awe of seeing the legendary “Immortal” up close.

Lu Wenxuan, on the other hand, looked at the nameless one with great interest.

The nameless one raised his eyes and met Lu Wenxuan’s gaze.

“Teacher, why are you here?” Shen Yian asked with a laugh as he walked over.

“It’s quiet here, so I’ll just sit down,” Lu Wenxuan said with a slight smile.

“Brother Bei’an, no, I should call you King of Chu,” the drunkard said as he stood up.

“Forget it. Brother Bei’an still feels more comfortable hearing you call. I didn’t expect that only the three of you would come in the end.” Shen Yian sighed.

The drunkard laughed and said, “They’re all busy people, but I’m different. I’m just here to mooch off your wine.”

“I’m the same,” the bookworm chimed in.

The nameless one remained silent.

Lu Wenxuan looked at Shen Yian and asked, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to these three gentlemen?”

Shen Yian raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Teacher, in the world of sword cultivators, there’s only one Sword Saint and four Sword Immortals…”

The drunkard was Li Wuyou, the Wine Sword Immortal.

The bookworm was Mo Pill, the Ink Sword Immortal.

The nameless one was the Great Luo Sword Immortal.

Three of the Four Great Sword Immortals had arrived.

Most of the guests in the mansion were officials who didn’t know much about the martial arts world, so no one recognized them.

Shen Yian took out three small peach wood swords from his sleeve and handed them to each of the three Sword Immortals, each sword containing his own sword intent.

The three of them received the swords as if they were treasures.

After chatting for a while, Shen Yian went to attend to Shen Muchen and the other guests, busy until nightfall. As the night deepened, the guests gradually departed.

“Your Majesty, the servants are almost done cleaning up. You can attend to your duties now,” Mendu came over and said.

Shen Yian’s face turned red as he coughed and said, “I’ll take a rest first, no hurry.”

A moment later, Jinxiu and Jinlian, who were guarding the bridal chamber, bowed and said, “Your Majesty.”

“Well, you guys go down first.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Jinxiu and Jinlian left with blushing faces.

In the bridal chamber, Ye Liyan clenched her fists nervously when she heard the conversation and the sound of the door opening.

Suddenly, the red veil was lifted, and Shen Yian’s eyes met hers.

“Liyan,” Shen Yian called out softly, his eyes fixed on Ye Liyan, who was dressed in red and adorned with jewelry, her lips looking luscious and her blue eyes shining brightly.

“Your Highness.” Ye Liyan realized that she had called the wrong name and said shyly, “Husband… Husband.”

Shen Yian felt that all his efforts were worth it when he heard Ye Liyan’s sweet and gentle “husband”.

The two of them drank the wedding wine, and Ye Liyan began to carefully remove her hairpins and decorations, until her black hair was completely undone.

“H-husband, let me serve you and help you rest…”

As Ye Liyan removed her outer garments, she pushed Shen Yian gently onto the bed, following the instructions of the old servant.

Shen Yian was stunned by Ye Liyan’s beauty and couldn’t believe that things were happening so fast. Shouldn’t he be the one taking the initiative?

Before he could say anything, Ye Liyan had already removed her last piece of clothing, and their lips met. Shen Yian felt his body burning with desire, his hands moving on their own, his brain in a mess, but he still remembered to take out the Two Qi Marrow Fruit.

“Husband, I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long…”

“I have too…”

That night, Shen Yian had a dream where he climbed mountains, crossed rivers, and indulged in the beauty of nature, feeling like an immortal.