Chapter 65

In the side hall, many people knelt on the ground like a calm sea. The middle-aged woman walked indifferently, and the sea of people naturally parted, causing slight ripples. A eunuch leader gently coughed twice, and those who were kneeling, including the priests, palace maids, and eunuchs, quickly got up as if they had been granted a great pardon and quietly exited the hall.

The eunuch leader, with a face full of wrinkles, looked extremely aged but carefully held the middle-aged woman's hand, speaking in a low, humble voice, "Even if there are some issues with that boy's background, is it really worth Your Majesty's concern?"

The middle-aged woman was Empress Saint. Hearing the old eunuch's words, she said indifferently, "If he were just an ordinary person, it wouldn't be worth the effort."

The eunuch leader knew that when the Empress said 'ordinary,' she was not referring to the ability to practice cultivation, a minor matter. After a moment's thought, he said, "We have investigated the letter of recommendation, and there are no problems. It is indeed the one left by the Pope for Miss Moyu and Princess Pingguo to play with... The news from the Cathedral indicates that the Pope is unaware of this matter. The boy was likely just caught up in it by chance. Although his engagement to the Xu family is unexpected, I truly don't see anything special about him."

Empress Saint stopped walking and looked at the deep night sky behind the side hall. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Have you ever seen someone who is not afraid of death?"

The eunuch leader knew that the Empress's question must have deep meaning and began to think seriously.

It is often said that heroes can treat life and death lightly and part with loved ones calmly, but only those who have truly experienced countless life and death can understand that such lightness and calmness are merely the result of strong willpower overcoming the fear of death. But that fear has always been there.

This eunuch leader had lived in the imperial palace for several hundred years, holding immense power. After the late emperor's death nearly two decades ago, the royal family opposed the Empress's ascension and attempted to storm the palace. The Empress was able to stabilize the situation easily, not only because of the Pope's clear support but also because of his crucial role.

He was a great man who had experienced countless life and death. He was very certain that no one was unafraid of death, not even a great man like Emperor Taizong, who, on his deathbed, could not remain calm, staring at the stars in the night sky with eyes full of reluctance and fear.

He was by the emperor's side at that moment and saw the scene clearly.

"No one is unafraid of death," he said.

"For a moment earlier, that boy truly was not afraid of death, so he is not an ordinary person," Empress Saint said, thinking about the words the boy spoke before the black dragon. "I always thought only the child of the Qiushan family could match that girl, but now it seems... not necessarily."

The eunuch leader was startled, wondering if the Empress was going to change her stance on this matter.

The side hall fell silent again.

The night breeze gently brushed the flower pots outside the railing, causing the green branches to tremble and rustle. In the distant forest, squirrels ran faster along the branches.

"It's the seventh night of the seventh month tonight. It must be very lively outside the palace. I plan to go out and take a look."

"Your Majesty... I thought you would wait in the palace for the results of the Qingteng Banquet."

"Wait for what? To see which academy's students are the most accomplished? I have no such interest."

The eunuch leader was puzzled and said, "Don't you want to know if this marriage can be arranged?"

Empress Saint said, "Whether the Xu family marries into the Qiushan family or fulfills the old promise by taking Chen Changsheng as a son-in-law is not something they can decide on their own."

The eunuch leader bowed slightly and said, "Everything in the world follows Your Majesty's will."

Empress Saint said calmly, "You are wrong again. This is not something I can decide either."

The eunuch leader was surprised, wondering who else could decide the course of this marriage.

"The one who is to be married is Yourong. Therefore, whether she wants to marry and whom she wants to marry ultimately depends on Yourong's attitude."

Empress Saint said, "That girl is a person with her own mind. No matter what others do, what is the point? It just adds to the laughter."

...

...

Outside the southern city of the imperial palace, there was a street that, unlike the brightly lit areas on the night of the seventh, was relatively quiet. This might be because it was too close to the imperial city, or perhaps because many ice blocks were transported out during the day, leaving the roads wet and cold, with no one willing to set up stalls here.

This place was called Beixin Bridge, but there was no bridge. More accurately, the arched bridge made of blue stone was fake—the Luo River bypassed the edge of the imperial city, flowing slowly along the long embankment of Qidaoli, but here it made a detour, and there was no water under the bridge.

Not far from Beixin Bridge was a well, from which a chill emanated, as if it contained not water but ice that had never melted. It was late at night, and the lights from the imperial city did not reach here. The willow branches, like dried pens dipped in ink, swayed gently around the well.

Empress Saint stood at the well's mouth, holding a night pearl she had picked from the Gannulu Terrace. She extended her hand over the well and let go, and the night pearl instantly illuminated the well walls before quickly falling and gradually being swallowed by the darkness at the bottom.

After an unknown amount of time, a hum came from deep within the well. Because of the distance, the sound was not loud, more like the echo of water splashing against the well walls, but she knew it was not the sound of water but the angry growl of the black dragon.

The black dragon was angry because it felt deceived. It was agreed that a night pearl would be given, and the boy had taken one, so you should have given me two. Even if you are a woman I cannot provoke, you shouldn't bully me like this!

Empress Saint was somewhat displeased and said, "Beast, that one was his to begin with. Didn't the old dragon teach you arithmetic when you were young?"

...

...

Chen Changsheng's arithmetic was excellent. More accurately, he was strong in any ability related to learning, but his sense of direction was not. After leaving the side hall and entering the deep, dark palace under the night sky, he soon realized he was lost.

The stars were in the sky, and the lights were ahead. He knew where north was and could determine where south was, even faintly seeing the lights of Weiyang Palace. However, the palace was filled with many flowers and trees, and the paths wound around, making it difficult to navigate. He was afraid of encountering guards and did not dare to take the main roads, unsure of how to reach his destination.

At this moment, a very slight sound came from the imperial garden under the night sky.

A black sheep emerged from the darkness, moving silently as if it were part of the night itself.

Chen Changsheng had seen it before at the National Teaching Academy and outside Weiyang Palace. For some reason, he was certain that the black sheep had no ill intentions toward him. He thought for a moment and said, "You... want to help me?"

The black sheep looked at him quietly, then turned and walked back into the darkness.

Chen Changsheng did not hesitate and quickly followed. Before leaving, he glanced at the direction of Weiyang Palace, which was still brightly lit, but the music and ceremony had ended. How far had the Southern delegation's proposal progressed? Was there still time for him to arrive?

...

...

The Qingteng Banquet was in its middle phase, and the Southern delegation formally began the proposal.

Weiyang Palace was filled with important figures, such as Elder Xiaosonggong of Lishan, the woman from Holy Maiden Peak, the Dean of the Heavenly Dao Academy Mao Qiuyu, Xu Shiji, Prince Chenliu, and Moyu. In the proposal process, they played different roles.

There were the parties involved, the witnesses, and the observers.

The graceful music and dance had just ended, and the fine wine and food were still warm. No one had started eating, and people smiled as they watched the proceedings.

The head of the Qiushan family stood up to begin the ceremony. Moyu, representing Empress Saint, expressed gratitude, stating that the Zhou Dynasty was very pleased with this marriage and hoped that humans could unite more closely through this union to better fight against the demons.

The woman from Holy Maiden Peak, Xu Yourong's aunt, represented the current Southern Holy Maiden and expressed her approval of the marriage. Xu Shiji then stood up, welcoming the Southern guests and formally agreeing to the marriage, though everyone knew his formality was feigned.

How is a marriage considered successful?

The proposal marks the beginning, the bowing is the ceremony, and the contract is the engagement.

Heaven, earth, ruler, kin, and teacher.

Now, Empress Saint agreed to the marriage, Xu Shiji agreed to the marriage, and the Southern Holy Maiden agreed to the marriage.

Heaven and earth are silent, and now the ruler, kin, and teacher all agree to the marriage. In everyone's eyes, the marriage was naturally considered successful. No one had ever thought about what Xu Yourong herself thought of the marriage, and of course, no one thought she would oppose it.

As the most brilliant young couple in the continent, the marriage between Xu Yourong and Qiushan Jun was seen by all as a perfect match. Their story had been widely circulated for a long time, and everyone thought it was the most beautiful story.

Next came the last of the three questions in the engagement ceremony.

The Zhou Dynasty's etiquette was not overly complex, mainly derived from the relevant scriptures of the National Religion. As the National Religion flourished, the Zhou etiquette spread to the South. The Southern delegation's proposal tonight followed the Zhou etiquette, not just out of respect for the bride but also for themselves.

The three questions were: asking heaven, asking the family, and asking the ruler and teacher, whether they would oppose the marriage. The last question was asking the world.

The reason for these three questions in the Zhou etiquette, especially the last one, was nominally to give the world one last chance to point out any hidden issues with the groom or bride. In reality, this rarely happened and was more like a last chance for the groom or bride to back out.

In most cases, no one would raise objections during the engagement ceremony, as it would offend both the groom and the bride. Tonight, it was clear that neither party would back out, so the last question to the world was just a formality.

Prince Chenliu stood at the front of the hall, looking at the hundreds of people inside, and smiled, asking, "Does anyone oppose the marriage between Qiushan Jun and Xu Yourong?"

The hall was silent, but the atmosphere was not tense. Everyone's face was filled with smiles, and in this beautiful moment, people only thought of offering blessings and waiting for Prince Chenliu to finish his question before standing up to toast the couple.

In a corner, Luoluo's small face was pale with shock. She had already opened the brocade pouch in her sleeve and looked at the slightly yellowed marriage contract, seeing the two names on it. She realized that her jest that day was actually true. She finally understood the enmity between her master and the Dongyu Divine General's residence and why Moyu and others had tried so hard to keep her master away...

The question to the world was asked three times.

Prince Chenliu smiled warmly and asked again, "Is there anyone who opposes?"

The hall remained silent, and people's faces were filled with smiles of blessing. The world was beautiful.

Prince Chenliu looked at Xu Shiji and smiled in congratulations.

Xu Shiji gently stroked his short beard, no longer feigning formality, and nodded in acknowledgment.

Prince Chenliu then looked at the head of the Qiushan family and nodded with a smile.

The head of the Qiushan family smiled silently, clearly very pleased.

Prince Chenliu looked around the hall and asked for the last time, "Is there anyone who opposes?"

The whole world approved of this marriage, and no one opposed it.

Thus, the world was quiet and beautiful, and everyone was waiting.

In the corner, Luoluo suddenly stood up.

No one noticed her.

At that moment, a voice came from outside the hall.

"I oppose."

A young man walked in from the hall entrance.

He was drenched, his black hair disheveled, his clothes torn, and he looked very disheveled.

He looked at the people in the hall, his eyes bright and his expression determined.

The hall suddenly fell silent.