Chapter 6: Great Wedding

Supported by two bridesmaids, Xia Qingyue finally appeared before Xiao Che. She wore a grand crimson phoenix coronet, from which a dense pearl veil cascaded, completely obscuring her face and making her expression unreadable. Her glossy black hair was softly swept back. She was dressed in a vibrant crimson wedding robe of a straight-hemmed style, crafted from brocade adorned with "Four Joys and Ruyi" cloud patterns. The robe was cinched at her waist, emphasizing her slender figure. A delicate jade belt, from which fine pearl tassels hung, adorned her waist. Gold-threaded slippers graced her feet. Her entire magnificent ensemble made her appear dazzlingly resplendent.

With the bridesmaids' support, Xia Qingyue slowly approached Xiao Che, who stood by the wedding sedan. Each step was light and elegant, as if she were treading on clouds. While an ordinary woman simply walked, her movements were like a fairy gliding across the clouds; even this most common of gestures was breathtakingly beautiful, delighting Xiao Che.

Xia Qingyue finally reached the wedding sedan, and the two bridesmaids released their hold, stepping back. According to the wedding customs of the Azure Wind Empire, the groom was to escort the bride into the sedan. Xiao Che stepped forward and extended his hand to Xia Qingyue, who gently raised her own. However, just as Xia Qingyue's hand was about to rest in his palm, an icy coldness suddenly emanated from his hand, causing his entire right hand and arm to stiffen with a stinging sensation, rendering him unable to move. Xia Qingyue's hand hovered over Xiao Che's palm as she gracefully and slowly entered the sedan. To onlookers, it appeared as though she had placed her hand in his and he had helped her inside.

The icy sensation slowly receded from his hand. Xiao Che's arm dropped, his expression serene, without uttering a word. Apart from a brief furrowing of his brow the moment the coldness struck, he showed no other emotion and made no sound.

Had one lifted the fine pearl veil covering Xia Qingyue's head at that moment, a flicker of surprise would have been seen in her beautiful eyes, which immediately reverted to indifference.

Xiao Che mounted his horse, and the wedding procession grandly turned back, with the Xia family's escorting party following closely, heading directly for the Xiao Sect.

An hour and a half later, the procession arrived back at the Xiao family gate. The journey there and back had been long, yet it was remarkably smooth and uneventful. The highly anticipated drama of a bride abduction, which many had hoped for, never materialized, much to the disappointment of those with a jaded mindset.

Xiao Lie was already standing at the gate, personally welcoming the arriving guests. Of course, those who came specifically for Xiao Che could be counted on one hand; most were there for Xiao Lie and the Xia family. Given Xiao Lie's prestige in Flowing Cloud City and the Xia family's extensive connections, there was a considerable number of guests. Outside the Xiao family's main gate, countless onlookers had gathered, completely blocking the roads. These spectators had clearly come to witness the wedding of Flowing Cloud City's most beautiful woman.

Xia Qingyue's wedding sedan slowly came to a halt. Amidst the clamor, a corner of its curtain was gently lifted, and her maid, Xia Dongling, softly announced, "Miss, we have arrived."

Then, a hand extended, and she slowly descended with Xia Dongling's assistance. The moment she emerged from the sedan, the previously deafening clamor surrounding them instantly subsided, replaced by a series of collective gasps.

It was nearing noon, and the sunlight was exceptionally bright and soft. The shimmering light reflected off her phoenix coronet and ornate robes, making them appear alluringly radiant, proudly gleaming, and dazzlingly resplendent. She wore a four-paneled phoenix coronet atop her head, with exquisite golden hairpins adorning her high cloud bun. Several gold hair ornaments, carved with luan-phoenix motifs, dangled from it. She was dressed in a crimson wedding gown of brocade with Ruyi cloud patterns, secured by a wide, matching belt, and wore gold-threaded slippers. The grand crimson gold-threaded luan-phoenix coronet was laden with long, slender pearl tassels. As the pearl tassels swayed gently, her dark eyebrows, snow-white skin, bright eyes, and jade-like lips were faintly revealed, presenting a flawless and delicate beauty. Though her face remained veiled, she appeared like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal realm, too beautiful to be of this world.

Wave after wave of uncontrollable gasps overlapped, and countless onlookers simply stared, their eyes wide and unfocused, unable to recover for a long time. Such was Xia Qingyue's charm: even without revealing her face, her extraordinary, ethereal demeanor and graceful figure made her seem like a fairy stepping out of a painting, so exquisitely beautiful that it was impossible to look away.

Xia Dongling tied a red silk ribbon around Xia Qingyue's hand, with the other end naturally fastened to Xiao Che's. Xiao Che, with a faint smile, walked ahead, guiding Xia Qingyue as she stepped over a brazier, then over a saddle, and across the threshold, heading directly towards the main hall.

As they entered the Xiao family's main gate, the clamor around them remained undiminished. Xiao Che's expression stayed neutral, and his steps remained steady; he naturally wished for the wedding to conclude as soon as possible.

This was the Xiao Sect's central deliberation hall, a venue reserved for weddings only by the Sect Master or an Elder's direct lineage. For this wedding, it had undergone extensive decoration. Carved beams were inlaid with citrine, and the four walls were adorned with carved depictions of twin dragons playing with pearls, interspersed with several rare luminous pearls. A grand crimson carpet stretched through the very center of the hall, leading directly to the golden steps at the front. A faint golden light infused the hall, illuminating its lavish splendor and making it even more resplendent. Of course, the Xiao Sect would not have been willing to spend such a significant sum for Xiao Che; all the expenses were borne by the Xia family. For his daughter's grand wedding, Xia Hongyi spared no expense.

At the highest point of the hall, Xiao Lie and Xia Hongyi were already seated, both smiling as they watched Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue enter. Rosewood tables were arranged on either side of the red carpet, three rows on each, all filled with guests. Xiao Yunhai, the Xiao Sect Master, was notably present, along with the other four Xiao Sect Elders. As Xiao Che entered, beaming, their expressions remained composed, but deep within their eyes, a collective disdain was evident.

As a profound cultivating family, the Xiao Sect considered Xiao Che's innate profound vein disability, despite him possessing a direct lineage, a complete disgrace. Had he not been the grandson of Fifth Elder Xiao Lie, he would have long since been expelled to manage the Xiao family's businesses, instead of remaining within the sect. Furthermore, if he were not marrying the most prominent daughter of the Xia family in Flowing Cloud City, they would not only decline to attend in person but wouldn't even bother to inquire about the wedding.

For Xiao Che, the only word that came to mind when his name was mentioned or heard was "waste." They paid him no attention, barely even remembering his appearance. In the Profound Sky Continent, without strength, there was no dignity, even within the same family—this was the harsh reality.

The expressions of the younger generation within the Xiao family were also strikingly uniform. When their gaze fell upon Xia Qingyue, they revealed an uncontrollable infatuation. However, when their eyes shifted to Xiao Che, the flames of jealousy in their eyes almost erupted. This lifelong cripple, whom even the outer disciples of the Xiao family looked down upon, was actually marrying Flowing Cloud City's most radiant jewel—a woman they dared not even dream of. Watching the two of them, connected by the red ribbon, step into the wedding hall together, was a sensation more unbearable than swallowing a dead fly.

The wedding officiant was Xiao De, the Chief Steward responsible for the Xiao family's logistics. The grand ceremony officially commenced with his resounding pronouncement.

The officiant began by introducing the bride and groom, then proceeded to announce the arriving dignitaries. Xiao Che maintained a consistent, calm expression, his mind as still as water. He had already stopped listening to the officiant's subsequent pronouncements, his thoughts repeatedly returning to a single, pressing question.

What exactly was that sudden, intense coldness that emanated from Xia Qingyue's hand at the Xia family's residence, just as she was about to touch his? Could it be some kind of profound art? Yet, he had never heard of such a profound art in Flowing Cloud City. Xia Qingyue reaching the tenth level of the Elementary Profound Realm at sixteen was undoubtedly astonishing talent. However, considering her level was still within the most basic Elementary Profound Realm, how could she silently release such chilling cold qi, completely immobilizing his entire arm? What kind of profound art could possess such astonishing power at such a low level?

Or... had Xia Qingyue, who had reached the tenth level of the Elementary Profound Realm by age sixteen, still been hiding her true strength?

The officiant's chanting ceased at this moment. After a brief pause, his voice resumed, now eight tones higher:

"First bow: to Heaven and Earth!"

Xiao Che's thoughts quickly snapped back. He cast a sidelong glance at Xia Qingyue beside him, and simultaneously, their bodies bent in unison, bowing to Heaven and Earth.

"Second bow: to the Elders!"

They turned their bodies and respectfully bowed in the direction of Xiao Lie and Xia Hongyi. Xiao Lie nodded with a smile, looking affectionately at Xiao Che and his new granddaughter-in-law, who had finally entered their home. Xia Hongyi, too, was beaming, showing not the slightest hint of dissatisfaction or reluctance regarding the marriage.

"Third bow: the couple bows to each other!"

Xiao Che's body turned towards Xia Qingyue, and almost at the exact same moment, Xia Qingyue's body also turned towards him, with no hesitation or delay in her movements. This caused many of the younger generation of the Xiao Sect present to secretly grit their teeth. In their minds, it was absolutely impossible for Xia Qingyue to willingly marry Xiao Che, a complete cripple; her presence here today must surely be due to coercion from the Xia family. Yet, to their immense disappointment, Xia Qingyue's behavior had been perfectly conventional up until this very moment, with no one detecting any trace of resistance from her.

As they bowed to each other, the moment their bodies bent, through the slightly parted pearl veil, Xiao Che caught a fleeting glimpse of a pair of icy, clear eyes—so cold that they seemed devoid of any emotion.

At this juncture, enthusiastic applause, laughter, and cheers should have erupted. However, only a few scattered claps resonated through the hall, creating an extremely awkward silence.

"Heh heh, Fifth Elder, and my dear Brother Xia, congratulations indeed," Xiao Yunhai said as he stood up. He was in his early forties and had a gentle demeanor.

"Indeed, significant congratulations are due to the Fifth Elder," First Elder Xiao Li, standing beside Xiao Yunhai, interjected flatly. Anyone could discern the thinly veiled sarcasm in his words.

Second Elder Xiao Bo also let out two strange chuckles and slowly remarked, "The Fifth Elder has gained such a granddaughter-in-law; our entire Xiao Sect feels doubly honored. The Xia family, generations of merchants, has found such a son-in-law, heh heh, quite excellent. Congratulations, congratulations."

The atmosphere in the hall immediately grew a few degrees colder. Though they offered "congratulations" verbally, the underlying sarcasm was unmistakably clear to anyone who wasn't a fool.