Love & Redemption
Chapter 219: Volume 5 Phoenix Flower Blooms - 26 Blooming Panorama (6)

Chapter 219: Volume 5 Phoenix Flower Blooms Chapter 26 Blooming Panorama (6)

Today is the joyous wedding day of Linglong and Zhong Minyan; the Shaoyang Sect was adorned with red silk ribbons from top to bottom, even the martial arts arenas were no exception. After all, it was the beloved daughter of the Sect Leader getting married, and since Linglong had always been cherished and protected like a Bright Pearl growing up, her wedding naturally had to be a lively affair.

Zhong Minyan had once made a serious mistake and was expelled from the sect, yet firstly, he was after all raised by Chu Lei and his wife, and secondly, after many incidents, he truly had become more mature, even capable of handling some of the sect affairs for Chu Lei. With his young thoughts and ideas being particularly nimble, he handled several matters so well that even He Yang and Chu Yinghong could not help but praise him for finally growing up. Therefore, Chu Lei made the firm decision to take him back into the sect, still considering him a disciple of the Shaoyang Sect.

Early in the morning, Linglong was dragged out of bed by the women to get dressed. The wedding dress, crafted by the best tailor from the foot of the mountain, hung on an ebony rack, resembling a ball of fire from afar. Chu Yinghong, talented with her hands, busied herself with styling Linglong’s hair into a complex hairdo, causing her such pain that she kept yelling, tears streaming down her face.

Chu Yinghong teased her, "A bride is not allowed to cry, only to smile. From now on, you’re an adult, so no more wild and willful behavior." After saying that, she applied more force with her hands, and Linglong could hardly bear it, crying out like a pig being slaughtered. She felt that if this went on, her hair would surely be pulled out and she’d become a bald bride.

Seeing He Danping restlessly looking out of the window through the mirror, Linglong quickly asked, "Mother, has Xuanji not yet returned? Will she be able to make it in time?"

He Danping was also unsure, in fact, she didn’t even know if Xuanji was alive or dead, but she didn’t wish to worry Linglong on such a festive day, so she forced a smile and said, "She will come for sure, your father sent a Red Bird with the message. Don’t worry, she’ll be here soon." She stepped closer and, seeing that Chu Yinghong had almost finished the hairdo, personally picked out a large red pearl hairpin and carefully placed it next to her daughter’s bun, the beauty of the red against her black hair was truly astounding.

"Once you’re married, you’re an adult. You mustn’t be casual and unconstrained with Min Yan anymore, he is your husband, and you should listen carefully to what he says, understand?"

Although Linglong felt an overwhelming joy and sweetness in her heart, she couldn’t help but pout and say, "What he says isn’t necessarily always right, he should also listen to me properly."

He Danping smiled and smoothed out the hair at her temple, speaking softly, "Don’t be childish. Min Yan is now much steadier than you. Being someone’s wife, the key is to be gentle and considerate. If a woman bosses her husband around, not only will he feel uncomfortable, but others will also laugh at him."

Linglong nodded her head; she had already gotten her heart’s desire to become Min Yan’s wife, and was ready to comply with anything at this point.

Chu Yinghong went on to draw makeup on her forehead and was about to fetch the wedding dress when the door was nudged open slightly, and several little female disciples of textual generations peeked in, asking cautiously, "Auntie Master, Sect Leader’s Wife, may we come in and see the bride?"

Chu Yinghong laughed, "You little ghosts, coming in here will only cause trouble. Don’t mess up the bride, it took a long time to get her ready!"

The girls cheered as they ran in, surrounding Linglong and praising her without cease, their eyes filled with envy as she donned the fiery red wedding dress. The blazing dress couldn’t overshadow her radiant beauty, further accentuating her white teeth and red lips, almost breathtaking. As everyone laughed and chatted inside the room, there was some commotion outside the door; it turned out to be other female disciples who were close to Linglong coming to see her.

Young girls gathered together are inevitably loud and chatty, but Linglong suffered silently. Usually, she was the most talkative, but today a thousand pounds of gold hairpins pressed down on her neck, and fearing to mess up her makeup and wedding dress, she could only sit still without moving.

As the auspicious hour approached, Chu Yinghong led all the women out of the room, leaving only He Danping to share some heartfelt words with her daughter. In a short while, the distant sound of gongs, drums, and flutes announced the arrival of the flower sedan chair. The scene immediately erupted in frenzied excitement, with the joyful music of the suona and the chattering of young disciples looking on eagerly, as well as the gigantic flower sedan chair surrounded by a crowd of people.

Linglong was helped into the flower sedan chair, and the procession started off with even more noise and merriment than the New Year.

The main hall was bustling with extraordinary liveliness as well. Dianjing Valley, Fuyu Island, and other allied Cultivation Sects came to celebrate. With over thirty tables of banquet laid out, Chu Lei was beaming as he exchanged pleasantries with guests. He Yang and a few Elders were also busy attending to the visitors. Zhong Minyan had a big red flower pinned to his chest and was grinning like a fool—he was just waiting outside for the flower sedan chair to arrive, a matter of mere moments, yet he felt an unbearable eagerness.

Of course, when the flower sedan chair finally arrived, and Chu Yinghong handed him the red silk ribbon, he not only looked like a fool, but he truly became one. Just as he was about to lead Linglong carefully into the hall for the ceremony of honoring heaven and earth, a gust of wind passed overhead, followed by an alarmed cry from He Danping. Everyone was startled, thinking there might be trouble, only to go outside and see He Danping tightly embracing a young girl, with a young man standing behind her—it was Yu Sifeng and Xuanji.

They had been concerned about Liu Yihuan running into trouble and had stayed with him. They had just hurriedly flown to the Shaoyang Sect on their swords, fortuitously arriving just before the ceremony. After Xuanji comforted her mother with a few soothing words, she called out cheerfully, "Linglong! Sixth Brother! We’re here!"

Overcome with excitement, Linglong ripped off her veil and rushed towards her, hugging her tightly as tears filled her eyes, "You little rascal, you finally made it! I thought you were heartless enough to miss my special day!" Xuanji quickly dabbed at her tears with her sleeve, chuckling, "The bride can’t cry, look, you’ve smeared your makeup."

Zhong Minyan, unable to contain his excitement, went over to shake hands with Yu Sifeng, saying in a low voice, "You finally made it! Si Feng."

Yu Sifeng laughed, "I rushed over and didn’t prepare a wedding gift, for which I am truly sorry. I can only personally wish you both a harmonious union and a soon-to-be prosperous family."

Zhong Minyan burst into hearty laughter, patting his shoulder vigorously, his eyebrows arching slightly, "Brother, the same goes for you! Work hard."

Linglong, in her excitement, had ruined her makeup by tearing off the veil, which was quite improper, but since everyone present was from the Cultivation Sects and didn’t care much for such formalities, they simply laughed it off and even found it amusing. Chu Lei, upon seeing Xuanji’s return, was also deeply moved. However, Linglong’s wedding ceremony was of utmost importance, so he nodded at Xuanji, gesturing for them to catch up later.

Xuanji, holding Yu Sifeng’s hand, stood among the crowd, listening with great emotion as the Ji Guan loudly announced, "The auspicious time has arrived! First bow to heaven and earth—"

The couple knelt down in unison, sealing a tale of wedded bliss. Yu Sifeng saw the envy and admiration on Xuanji’s face and softly said, "We will have this day too." Xuanji blushed slightly, but for some reason, she felt a sense of panic within, squeezing his hand and whispering, "Really?" Yu Sifeng gently reassured, "It will happen. No matter how long I have to ask for, I’ll get your parents’ consent to marry you."

Xuanji inhaled sharply, looking at the blissful image of Linglong and Zhong Minyan, and felt a sudden pang of grievance and bitterness at that moment.

"Si Feng," her voice trembled slightly, "let’s not propose marriage, isn’t it good just like this? I don’t care about the wedding ceremony, as long as we are together. Don’t propose, I’m scared inside..."

Yu Sifeng sighed deeply in his heart, grasped her fingers, and said softly, "No matter what, we’ll never be apart."

Xuanji nodded slightly. Indeed, whether her father and the others agreed or not, she and Si Feng would never be separated again. Even if she couldn’t get the elder’s blessings like Linglong, she was unwilling to be parted. In fact, she could already feel the invisible rejection and isolation from the people present towards Yu Sifeng, and even toward her. Although nobody spoke up and that feeling was very slight, it still made her feel very sad.

The two of them had become outcasts in the eyes of many.

After the ceremony of paying respects to Heaven and Earth, Linglong was sent to the bridal chamber. As she left, she beckoned to Xuanji, who immediately understood that she was meant to follow to the bridal room to talk. Xuanji looked at Yu Sifeng, who smiled and said, "Go on, don’t worry about me. I still have to drink with Min Yan."

Only then did Xuanji follow the group of female relatives towards the bridal chamber. She had only taken a few steps when someone grabbed her arm from behind. She turned back to see He Danping looking at her with a kindly expression. Xuanji called out, "Mother," and leaned affectionately against her.

He Danping looped her arm through Xuanji’s, asking all the way about where she had been these past two years, what she had experienced, whether she had eaten well, and if she had been overworked. It was not until they were at the door of the bridal chamber that she suddenly said, "You and Si Feng... have you already pledged yourselves to each other in private?" Without hesitation, Xuanji had known the question was coming and nodded immediately.

He Danping’s expression turned gloomy as she said in a low voice, "Your father and I know you like him, but he is a demon. Many people saw it with their own eyes that day. You are the daughter of the Shaoyang Sect Leader; to be with a demon would make you a laughingstock to the entire world, let alone Shaoyang Sect, right?"

Xuanji took a deep breath and after a long while, said in a grave tone, "Does mother really think I am just a human and not a monster?"

He Danping was left speechless by the retort. Xuanji pushed open the door of the bridal chamber and added, "Whether he’s demon or human, all I know is that he’s Yu Sifeng. I won’t laugh at him just because he’s not a human; that would be like laughing at my past self."

The door gently closed, and He Danping stood outside for a long time before shaking her head slowly and sighed as she left.

Xuanji walked into the bridal chamber and saw nothing but the festive red color all around. The female relatives who had escorted Linglong in must have dispersed, and her sister, who had been the bride that day, was leaning against the head of the bed, lost in thought, with the bridal veil in her hands and, surprisingly, traces of tears on her face.

Xuanji was slightly shocked and hurried over to take her hand, asking softly, "Why are you crying? Who has upset you?"

Linglong shook her head and embraced her back gently, her voice trembling as she said, "Xuanji, there are so many things I want to tell you... We haven’t seen each other for two years... There are many things that I don’t know how to tell anyone but you... But now that I see you, I don’t know what to say..."

Xuanji stared at her in surprise. After a long moment, Linglong tearfully said, "I... I’ve dreamed of... that Wu Tong... almost every day for the past two years... It’s terrifying, I simply don’t know what to do. In my dreams, I feel so sorry for him, filled with regret, but when I wake up, I find it all so absurd and terrifying..."

"What... do you dream about him?" Xuanji asked softly.

Linglong spoke quietly, "It’s the same scene every time. I’m washing my hands in a lake, and he suddenly jumps out of the water and pulls me down... No matter how much I struggle, it’s no use. Tell me... do you think his spirit is haunting me?"

Xuanji patted her shoulder soothingly and said softly, "Don’t worry, it won’t happen. I went to the Netherworld last time, and the judges have already sentenced him. It’s just that you can’t stop thinking about him because you’re disturbed. With time, I’m sure you’ll forget him. Be good, don’t cry anymore, a crying bride doesn’t look good."

She wiped Linglong’s tears away and suddenly heard her sister say softly, "Forget it. Whether he’s haunting me, or I wronged him, it’s all a karmic connection. I shouldn’t have... If I had committed suicide earlier, I wouldn’t have all these troubles now."

Xuanji had nothing to say. After a while, Linglong continued, "During the day, all I can think of is Xiao Liuzi, but at night in my dreams, it’s only Wu Tong. I really am a terrible woman."

"Don’t say that..." Before Xuanji could continue consoling her, there was a commotion outside the door; it seemed the groom and many guests were coming to tease the bride. She squeezed Linglong’s hand and whispered, "I will definitely get to the bottom of this. If Wu Tong is haunting you, I’ll resolve it for you! Just be a sweet bride and don’t think too much!"

Linglong nodded and covered herself with the bridal veil. Xuanji quickly made her way to the door, but it was too late; she bumped into the jubilant and flushed Zhong Minyan, who had led the way. She nearly fell, but Zhong Minyan quickly caught her, the smell of alcohol surrounding him as he smiled and asked, "Well, have you finished your whispers? Can we go in now?"

Xuanji hurriedly nodded. Zhong Minyan patted her shoulder, and with a laugh said, "I wonder when I can drink the wedding wine for you and Si Feng? Better hurry up!" He was clearly delighted, smiling as he entered the room followed by the guests who joined in the fun, adding to the festive atmosphere. Xuanji saw Yu Sifeng standing outside looking at her, so she walked over with a smile and asked, "Si Feng, do you still have that ring from our last trip to the Netherworld? Come with me to there again, will you?"

Yu Sifeng nodded without asking for the reason.

She needed to find out exactly what was going on with Wu Tong.

*******

Ha, I’ll post an extra Chapter tomorrow as it’s the weekend.

I apologize for the recent busyness, dropping to one Chapter a day for now, but as soon as I’m free, I’ll definitely return to two a day. (To be continued. For more Chapters and to support the author, please visit www.qidian.com for authorized reading!)