"Boom, boom!"
Fireworks burst into bloom, scattering in countless strands like a magnificent meteor shower.
At the steps of Song Courtyard, He Qingqing and Chen Hongzhu looked up together.
A cold breeze carried the faint scent of gunpowder. The night sky shifted colors—one firework not yet extinguished before the next ignited, shimmering in brilliant gold or enchanting green, crimson red or silvery white.
Their faces were illuminated, appearing now eerie, now sacred.
"If not for your engagement ceremony, I wouldn't have seen such beautiful fireworks," He Qingqing sighed.
"Though beautiful, fireworks vanish in an instant, leaving only smoke behind," Chen Hongzhu began, but before she could finish, someone called from beyond the path: "Young Lady, we shouldn't disturb you, but it's time to return. You must prepare for tomorrow's ceremony."
Chen Hongzhu frowned and snapped, "What's the rush?!"
The Outer Sect fell silent for a moment before another voice chimed in: "Young Lady, please don't make this difficult for us. Young Master Wei has come personally to escort you."
Amidst the sound of hurried footsteps, Chen Hongzhu climbed the peach tree to glance outside.
Not only were the Chief steward and Deacons present, but also members of the Discipline Hall and Enforcement Hall. Over twenty people gathered as if fearing she might flee—whether to escort or detain her was unclear.
He Qingqing whispered softly, "He's here, isn't he?"
Chen Hongzhu's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands with a laugh. "Right, if it weren't for him, why would they go to such lengths?"
Her voice suddenly dropped. "But at times like this, I... I almost wish he hadn't come."
"Since he's here, I must go see him," He Qingqing said with a smile.
Chen Hongzhu couldn't help but look surprised.
She realized He Qingqing had not only shed all her timidity but was now bolder than most female cultivators.
"If Miaoyan knew, she'd be furious," Chen Hongzhu remarked.
The higher a Fairy Sound Sect Female Cultivator's status, the more rules they had to follow. Miaoyan would never meet a male cultivator late at night without an invitation or prior notice.
He Qingqing replied, "My grand-teacher Qin Xian's old ailment has flared up. My master Jiangyun and Miaoyan's master Wangshu are both staying at the Celestial Sound Sect to attend to her. As Miaoyan's senior sister, where I go and whom I meet is none of my junior sister's concern."
"I never liked Miaoyan before, but now I think she must have her own struggles," Chen Hongzhu sighed softly.
"I know what you mean. As long as she doesn't stand in my way, I won't trouble her. I already have too many enemies ahead of me. If she's willing to step back, I won't even notice her."
He Qingqing laughed, her delicate face shifting colors under the firework lights, reminding Chen Hongzhu of a mountain spirit that had taken human form.
Recalling certain rumors about the Celestial Sound Sect's head disciple and observing the young woman beside her, Chen Hongzhu felt the night wind grow colder.
The fireworks had faded, but the full moon remained.
"Is it worth it?" Chen Hongzhu asked.
He Qingqing didn't answer directly: "Everyone must walk their own path. Once you start, there's no turning back."
Chen Hongzhu thought to herself that as Sages gradually retreated or fell, the Cultivation World was destined for upheaval—who could predict the future?
Tonight's fireworks and moonlight, once passed, would never return.
And what about herself?
Where would she go from here?
Outside, the urging voices rose again, chaotic and noisy, with disordered lantern lights drawing nearer.
"I want to see him too!" Chen Hongzhu suddenly declared, looking into He Qingqing's eyes. "Not at tomorrow's ceremony in Cosmos Palace, but tonight—right now!"
...
To prevent Song Qianji from forming closer ties with other guests, their group was lodged in an extremely remote guest courtyard.Yet when Song Qianji opened his window, all he could see was the stark white snow on Broken Mountain Cliff.
Empty mountains facing each other, loneliness like snow.
Other sects and families, such as Purple Cloud Temple, Green Cliff Academy, Red Leaf Temple, and Celestial Sound Sect, could enjoy the beautiful sight of five-colored carp leaping in the Cloud Sea Grand Formation.
Major families like the Wei Family, Zhao Family, and Ji Family could view the frozen, mirror-smooth surface of Yaoguang Lake in deep winter.
During the Grand Audience Assembly, when Chess Devil, Calligrapher Sage, and Qin Xian suddenly arrived, the entire Huawel Sect felt immense pressure. Even Sect Leader Xu Yun was so troubled he didn't know how to arrange things.
Having once been a timid, trembling host, this time they finally held their heads high and truly experienced the advantage of home ground.
—Want Song Qianji to see snow? Then let Song Qianji see snow!
Meng Heze inspected utensils, tested tea and snacks for poison, and busied himself making the bed and tidying up.
Ji Chen scrambled about with the Array Disk, spinning like a top.
Song Qianji: "No need to rush. We're only staying one night."
Ji Chen didn't stop working: "What if assassins come in the middle of the night?"
Lin Feiyuan lazily raised his hand: "The assassin is right here. Stop shouting."
Meng Heze passed by and punched him: "You're quite proud of that, aren't you?"
When there were no outsiders, Lin Feiyuan still maintained his disguise and concealed his cultivation, but brazenly occupied Song Qianji's reclining chair:
"Hey, that Liu Xianguan from Hongfu Prefecture is staying in Chengping Palace. Making you stay in this broken tile house—you're both regional Immortal Officials, and you're even a Nascent Soul. Isn't this bullying?"
"Isn't this place fine?" Song Qianji asked, standing under the eaves watching the sparkling icicles gleam in the moonlight.
Meltwater dripped from the tapered tips, splashing and freezing into frost, transforming into a ground of scattered jade and shattered jasper.
He found the view comfortable, regretting only one thing—such a nice place, why weren't there any cold-resistant flowers, plants, or vegetables planted?
"Fine, if you say it's good, then it's good." Lin Feiyuan leaped up onto the roof. Two or three icicles in front of Song Qianji fell, shattering into seven or eight ice fragments.
Lin Feiyuan called to Meng Heze and Ji Chen, "Go back and rest. I'll be on the roof tonight."
Ji Chen blinked his confused big eyes: "What will you do on the roof all night? Watch the moon?"
Lin Feiyuan said irritably: "We assassins don't have nights!"
Meng Heze snorted lightly: "If you want to keep watch, just say so. Let's go. He's the chief assassin—no assassin can get in."
Ji Chen stubbornly walked outside the courtyard gate, placed the final piece of Formation material, and confirmed the formation was complete.
Looking up, he suddenly exclaimed: "Who said there are no assassins! Aren't these two... Oh, are fellow disciples from Celestial Sound Sect here? My apologies, my apologies."
The two maids wore lake-green Celestial Sound Sect dresses, keeping their eyes downcast as they carried green gauze lanterns.
From a distance, they looked like two will-o'-the-wisps floating out of the darkness.
Behind the maids, a young woman in mallow-red ceremonial robes walked with her head slightly lowered.
"Fairy He, please come in quickly." Ji Chen had seen He Qingqing in Thousand-Ditch Prefecture and knew she was here to see Song Qianji.
The two maids stood on either side of the courtyard gate, holding lanterns as they waited.
The young woman didn't speak, lowering her head as she stepped over the threshold. She hurried past the laughing, joking Guard Squad disciples and entered the courtyard where Song Qianji was.
"Fairy He, how are you..." Ji Chen sensed something strange and looked more carefully, suddenly exclaiming, "Who are you?!"
Two figures flashed by. With a clang, the small courtyard gate closed. Lin and Meng had already blocked the visitor's retreat from front and back.
The young woman spoke: "I took an Appearance-Altering Pill. It only lasts for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.""You are..." Meng Heze found the voice extremely familiar.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Chen." Song Qianji's voice rang out.
Ji Chen suddenly clapped his hands, surprisingly excited: "I knew I wasn't mistaken!"
Brother Song and Miss Chen indeed had some mutual interest.
Ji Chen had studied many aristocratic etiquettes since childhood, but Song Qianji was an exception to him. He felt that if Brother Song killed someone, he would help bury the body. If Brother Song eloped with a female cultivator under the moonlight on the eve of her wedding, or publicly snatched a bride during the ceremony tomorrow, he would also assist.
Meng Heze glanced at him and said coldly, "Control those messy thoughts in your head."
Ji Chen exclaimed in surprise, "How did you know what I was thinking?"
Song Qianji entered the room and poured a cup of hot tea.
Chen Hongzhu followed him inside with her head lowered, breathing rapidly, her heart almost leaping out of her chest.
She couldn't help but blame herself for being impulsive.
Only when Song Qianji handed her the tea did she feel the stiffness and coldness in her fingertips gradually warming up.
Song Qianji opened the door. He then opened all the windows, letting in a stream of bright moonlight.
He said to Ji Chen, "Light the lamps."
Ji Chen lit a small candle on the corner of the table.
The room wasn't large, and the candle was enough to illuminate it, though dimly and hazily.
Song Qianji glanced at him: "Light all the lamps."
In an instant, the doors and windows were wide open, bright lamps shone high, and the room was as bright as daylight.
On the eve of her engagement, a noble female cultivator had come here disguised as someone else.
Moreover, Song Qianji had a reputation for being flirtatious, and Lin Feiyuan, accustomed to being unrestrained, initially wanted to make a few teasing remarks upon seeing this.
But Song Qianji had arranged such a serious setup, with not a trace of a frivolous smile on his face.
Lin Feiyuan immediately found teasing pointless and slapped Ji Chen's shoulder: "Get to work, what are you staring at? Aren't you going to test your formations?"
"Will you test them with me?" Ji Chen instantly perked up.
Chen Hongzhu silently swallowed a mouthful of the coarse tea.
It was the same unpleasant taste she had first experienced at Song Courtyard.
But this time, she didn't cough. She didn't know what to say at this moment.
He Qingqing seemed to possess a fearless power; after just a few words with her, Chen Hongzhu felt bewitched, anxiously dodging all patrolling disciples, and came here in a dizzy, excited rush.
She would regret not coming, but she also regretted coming. Chen Hongzhu looked outside; she had always been proud, and if she were teased or mocked now, she would probably want to draw her sword and kill someone.
Fortunately, the three people around Song Qianji were calm, acting as if they hadn't noticed, still busy with their own tasks.
It was as if she hadn't rushed here at night, but had merely met Song Qianji on the road and exchanged a few words.
Chen Hongzhu finally let out a long sigh of relief, but her eyes suddenly reddened.
Song Qianji pulled out a handkerchief: "Don't cry."
Outwardly calm, he was panicking internally—don't cry, please don't cry.
Fortunately, Chen Hongzhu didn't take it and instead glared at him: "I'm not crying! Am I crying?"
Under the candlelight, her face was unusually pale.
"Alright, alright, my apologies." Song Qianji said helplessly, "Fellow Daoist Chen, what brings you here so late at night?"
Chen Hongzhu lowered her head: "I wanted to see you. I should resent you, yet I came to thank you."
"It is I who should thank you." Song Qianji said, "Xiao Meng—ahem, Meng Heze's matter, thank you for that."
Chen Hongzhu suddenly grew angry, as if about to whip someone: "You think I did it for you? And you expect me to want your gratitude and repayment?!"
It seemed that every time they met, she would get angry after just a few words.
"Of course not for me, and not for my repayment either." Song Qianji said calmly."You understand, that's good! Hey, I just saw Miss He."
Song Qianji nodded. It was expected that the Celestial Sound Sect would attend the banquet.
Chen Hongzhu avoided looking at Song Qianji and turned toward the window. "I’m not afraid you’ll laugh at me, but seeing her and then looking at myself, I think… everyone has a fixed measure of good times in life. When I was young, I got whatever I wanted, had every advantage…"
Outside the window, withered trees and wilted grass stretched beneath snow-covered barren hills.
Chen Hongzhu continued, "Now it’s like spring has passed and winter has arrived. In this vast expanse of white snow, red flowers can no longer bloom."
"Even in the harsh winter, whether flowers wish to bloom or not—we must still try," Song Qianji said with a light laugh.
Chen Hongzhu was puzzled. "How do we try?"
Then she smiled too. It was just a metaphor, using the scenery to express emotion. Song Qianji seemed slow-witted and hadn’t grasped her meaning.
Without waiting for his reply, Chen Hongzhu said, "I should go. Tomorrow… you, be careful."
There was nothing more to say. This risky visit had come to an end.
Song Qianji saw her out.
Chen Hongzhu glanced back and saw him standing in the snow in his brand-new ceremonial robes—posture erect, wide sleeves hanging down, adorned with intricate patterns.
A "plain and gentle" demeanor was strangely blended with an "aloof and unapproachable" aura.
After Chen Hongzhu had gone far, Lin Feiyuan remarked, "All that talk of him dallying with flowers and grass, having a romantic reputation—it’s all nonsense. That guy is utterly boring."
Meng Heze retorted coldly, "Senior Brother Song has the demeanor of a gentleman. What would someone like you understand?"
Lin Feiyuan, always adhering to the principle of "I can mock myself, but others can’t mock me," immediately provoked, "Someone like me? What kind of person am I? Go on, say it."
Ji Chen interjected honestly, "Stop arguing, you two."
…
Wei Zhanyang walked reluctantly on the path to the Hall of No Worries, occasionally stealing glances at the woman beside him.
Because of the incident at Fleeting Water Bridge during the day, some gossip had started circulating.
His father had told him to fetch Chen Hongzhu, say a few gentle words, and show affection and respect. He had no choice but to comply.
They walked in silence the whole way. As they passed Yaoguang Lake, he decided to break the ice.
"Hongzhu." He cleared his throat softly. The people behind them deliberately kept their distance, giving them space.
The girl in the white cloak suddenly stopped and transmitted her voice, "You may go. There’s no need to escort me further."
Wei Zhanyang froze, finding the voice strangely familiar. His face paled in shock. "Fairy Qingqing, it’s you?!"
"Shh—" He Qingqing raised a finger to her vermilion lips and transmitted softly, "You won’t tell anyone, right?"
Wei Zhanyang waved behind him, signaling the others to move farther away.
His eyes sparkled, his face flushed with excitement. "Of course, of course! I know… Fairy Qingqing, you did all this for me."
He Qingqing thought, What nonsense is he spouting?
But Wei Zhanyang believed, She took such a risk, disguised as my betrothed, to meet me late at night. How deep her affection must be! It must be love at first sight, mutual devotion!
Under the moonlight, Yaoguang Lake was breathtakingly beautiful. The glassy ice surface shimmered with faint, chilly mist.
The stone pavilion at the lake’s center gleamed like a pearl, flanked by jade-like trees and exquisite blossoms. The person beside him seemed veiled in celestial clouds.
The world was draped in silver, a perfect snowy night—who wouldn’t be enchanted?"Everyone says Fairy Miaoyan is the most beautiful woman in the world. But I find her unreal—every expression identical, like viewing a lake through clouds where one sees only cold mist, never the mountains or waters." Wei Zhanyang summoned his courage. "Fairy Qingqing, I must tell you, you are the most... the most beautiful person I've ever seen."
"You like this face of mine?" He Qingqing murmured faintly.
"Of course it's not just the face. How could I be so shallow?"
Wei Zhanyang's thoughts raced—Chen Hongzhu enjoyed pampering, and the Huawel Sect could offer a Spirit Stone Mine as her dowry.
But Chen Hongzhu held no real power. Even after marriage alliance, Huawel Sect's affairs would still be controlled by Xu Yun.
By comparison, the Celestial Sound Sect was naturally better, and Senior Sister He Qingqing was better.
Fortunately, the engagement ceremony hadn't taken place yet—it wasn't beyond redemption!
"I'll return tonight to inform my father and withdraw from the engagement tomorrow!" Wei Zhanyang declared excitedly.
He Qingqing showed some surprise, but mostly bewilderment: "You want to break off the engagement?"
"For you, Fairy, I'd face any hardship willingly."
He Qingqing suddenly burst into laughter, the sound shaking accumulated snow from the branches.
Wei Zhanyang paled: "Quiet! Don't let anyone discover you're not Hongzhu."
He Qingqing glanced at him and chuckled lightly before turning to leave: "With such little courage, you still talk of breaking engagements?"
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