Chapter 45: Wedding Procession and Fireworks

Worried, Su Qianqian took out a volume and casually flipped through a few pages.

The writing style was rather refined and literary; it didn’t seem like the sort of thing someone would write carelessly.

Well, that made sense—since it was placed in such a conspicuous spot, it was unlikely to be anything too over-the-top.

Su Qianqian let out a sigh of relief and continued browsing to see if anything else piqued her interest, while Luo Wuhen also sat down, taking out the first volume and beginning to read.

Although scanning it with her divine sense would only take a few seconds, Luo Wuhen preferred to read at leisure when it wasn’t necessary—besides, it felt like ages since she’d had the time to read a book she actually liked…

She wondered whether that unfinished Hua Ce had been updated yet? With the pace at which the Fanren Shijie changed, it might have already disappeared in the tides of time…

Turning past the table of contents, there was a prologue, with just one sentence written on a single page:

“That day, I fell in love with a young girl—she was beautiful and gentle, like the brightest star in the night sky. In the name of treasure, I built an impenetrable cage, thinking that was love given with all my heart… But the light in her eyes gradually faded, and she told me, I did not understand true love…”

Luo Wuhen’s gaze lingered on this passage for a long time.

Her fingers gently brushed over the coarse paper, then turned to the first real chapter.

It told the story of a female emperor falling in love with a girl…

The entire tale was written from the girl’s perspective, yet Luo Wuhen found herself empathizing over and over again with the emperor who fell in love with her…

Gradually, she became absorbed in the story, experiencing a feeling she hadn’t felt in a long while…

“This beautiful lady, are you the young miss of some family? Your bearing is so lovely… Eh? You want to invite me to walk the night market together? Of course! That makes us friends, right?”

“Wow, you’re really generous, but even if you’re rich, you still have to be thrifty, you know~”

“Hehe, this Xiang Nang is for you—it’s cheap, but it’s a symbol of our friendship, so keep it safe…”

……

As the story developed, it soon reached a small climax.

When the protagonist faced a ruffian’s harassment, the classic “hero saving the beauty” plot was about to begin—when Luo Wuhen noticed Su Qianqian had returned, holding a large pile of books.

“All done?” Luo Wuhen marked her page and closed the book, looking at Su Qianqian gently.

“Just about. Let’s go. You seemed really engrossed just now—do you like that book?”

“Mm. The emotions are written in great detail.”

“I’ll read it when we get back. Since you said it’s good, I’m sure it’s worth it.”

Su Qianqian hugged the pile of books and started walking out, but how could the Shun-Ying Sisters let Su Qianqian walk out with her arms full?

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was looking, they quickly stowed everything away into the Storage Ring and then continued to follow her out…

Inside the shop, the attendant saw that the customers who’d just bought a stack of books were leaving empty-handed and hurriedly called out:

“Miss, miss, did you forget to take your books?”

“Don’t worry, they’re already packed away.”

The attendant scratched his head, then suddenly realized—these people might be Immortal Masters!

After all, Book Immortal Study also served cultivator clientele, so she had some understanding, though for cultivators, Book Immortal Study also sold Xian Dian Ji, while mortal shops only sold ordinary books…

Having left the bookstore, Su Qianqian had achieved her goal for this trip.

While it might not have completely swept away the gloom in her heart, she was indeed feeling much lighter, and so she wandered along leisurely…

Not long after, they came across a small stall, with many exquisite trinkets—some Xiang Nang, fans, and other little items.

Luo Wuhen was reminded of the scene from the book.

She picked up a red Xiang Nang and held it out in front of Su Qianqian’s eyes: “How about a little gift for you?”

“Huh? I don’t really mind… but why suddenly give me a Xiang Nang?”

Luo Wuhen smiled at the corners of her mouth without answering.

She bent down slightly and hung the Xiang Nang onto the clasp of Su Qianqian’s collar.

As Su Qianqian puzzled over the Xiang Nang that Luo Wuhen had hung on her, Luo Wuhen glanced at a Zhe Shan on the stall.

Memories surged. A Zhe Shan appeared in her hand, with a cute little rabbit painted on it…

“Swish—” The sound of the fan opening and closing caught Su Qianqian’s attention.

She looked over just as Luo Wuhen opened the Zhe Shan, its leaves hiding her mouth, only the smiling eyes showing above.

Su Qianqian felt… this scene was so familiar—when had this happened before…?

That day, an innocent girl not yet caught up in the struggle for power wandered the streets of the mortal world.

Forgetful as always, she’d left her coins behind, but she desperately wanted to buy a Zhe Shan with a rabbit motif.

A deep-minded man who had left the Sword Sect under the pretense of tempering himself—but was actually seeking his next “target”—happened to pass by and lent this troubled cultivator a helping hand.

That day, the girl had smiled just like this. Neither of them could have imagined how entangled their lives would become in the days ahead…

Su Qianqian stared blankly, as if the pure young girl had briefly returned—yet it was as if she had disappeared completely.

Once innocence leaves a person’s nature, it’s hard for it ever to return…

Just then, Luo Wuhen reached out to Su Qianqian, holding a Zhe Shan decorated with purple flowers.

“This is…” Su Qianqian stared at the familiar fan, instinctively reaching out to take it.

She stroked its well-known patterns, feeling as if it had only just left her hand…

“This is the Zhe Shan I returned to you when we met again. It is… a symbol of our bond.”

“You gave it back to me that day, and now you’ve returned to my side—so I ought to give it to you again.”

Luo Wuhen’s sincere smile made Su Qianqian’s thoughts blur once more.

Caressing the familiar fan, a flood of old memories rushed forth. They weren’t exactly happy ones, but they belonged to the two of them alone…

Before Su Qianqian could gather her thoughts, the street suddenly grew exceptionally lively.

From a distance came the sound of music, drawing nearer and nearer. Looking up, it was a vibrant, boisterous Yin Qing Duiwu!

The wedding procession passed with drums and gongs! At the front, musicians played the suona in a joyous, lively tune.

Behind them trailed a big crowd holding red silk and hoisting Xi Zi Denglong, each face beaming with smiles.

The groom rode a tall horse, red silk tied to its neck, a big red flower pinned to his chest, unable to conceal the smile on his face.

Behind him, the wedding Hua Jiao followed, its red curtains embroidered with festive flowers, four porters carrying it steadily.

A gentle breeze blew just then, as if sending its blessings.

The Hua Jiao’s curtains were lifted lightly by the wind, revealing a glimpse of the bride inside, her head covered in a red veil…

As the procession moved along, someone tossed Xi Tang to each side!

Children squatted, scrambling for the Xi Tang, stuffing it into their pockets the moment they grabbed it.

Adults smiled as they reached out for their share, too.

All the shops on the street paused business, the shopkeepers and clerks leaning against their doors, calling out, “Congratulations! Congratulations!”

The sound of gongs and drums, the suona, children’s laughter, and adults’ blessings blended together, making for an exceptionally lively scene!

Standing in the crowd, Su Qianqian and Luo Wuhen watched this bustling, joyous spectacle, each lost in thought—who knew what was on their minds…

Soon, the Yin Qing Duiwu had passed.

Su Qianqian came back to herself, her heart complicated as she stroked the Zhe Shan in her hands once more, silently putting it away.

Seeing her put away the fan, Luo Wuhen couldn’t hide her smile, and then tried to reach out her own hand to her…

Yet Su Qianqian seemed even more lost than before. Still, she instinctively held onto Luo Wuhen’s hand.

Behind them, the Shun-Ying Sisters were so excited they nearly jumped for joy!

After that, the journey grew much lighter, all the way until nightfall.

Su Qianqian felt a bit weary and wanted to return to rest…

“Let’s go back, I’m feeling a little tired,” Su Qianqian said with exhaustion.

It wasn’t a physical fatigue, but a weariness of the spirit.

Su Qianqian couldn’t even say why her heart felt so inexplicably heavy now…

“Mm, let’s go back… But I have one last gift for you. I hope it’ll bring a smile to the beauty’s face!”

No sooner had Luo Wuhen spoken than enormous fireworks blossomed across the night sky of the city, filling the heavens with dazzling brilliance!

People all over the city came out to marvel at the display, and at the wedding banquet, everyone praised the bridegroom’s wealth and generosity.

Inside the Hunfang, the groom and bride also opened their window to gaze at the magnificent fireworks.

The groom wondered about this unexpected turn in the ceremony, while the bride hugged him with renewed joy…

Watching the sky filled with fireworks, Su Qianqian felt a swirl of emotions—perhaps some were moved, some left speechless, maybe there was a sigh in her heart, maybe there was confusion…

So many feelings intertwined, leaving Su Qianqian feeling ever more drained.

In a daze, Su Qianqian found herself back at the palace, then somehow in bed, pulling the quilt over herself.

Feeling that familiar figure quietly slipping in after her, Su Qianqian only wearily closed her eyes, but the warmth of that embrace actually brought her a trace of peace…

……