The wedding was packed with high-ranking officials from the imperial court and leaders of top sects like Lingtian Ge.

The entire assembly of guests turned their heads at the sight.

Three brides, their faces hidden by veils, jumped out of their sedan chairs simultaneously and pointed at the Imperial Advisor, asking, “What are you doing here?” It was an indescribable scene.

The Imperial Advisor, who usually projected an ethereal, almost divine image, saw her reputation crumble in an instant. Yet, she seemed entirely unconcerned, instead smiling and saying, “Where are the ceremony officials? Please proceed!”

The ceremony official was no ordinary functionary; he was a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Rites, accustomed to overseeing grand sacrificial ceremonies. After a brief moment of stunned silence, he quickly recovered, smiling apologetically, “Groom and brides, please proceed to the main hall.”

Lu Xingzhou tugged at the hems of the three brides’ dresses. The three brides, somewhat reluctantly, were escorted to the hall by two bridesmaids.

With this number, the two bridesmaids found themselves sandwiched between the three brides. If not for their distinctly different attire, their positions alone would have made them appear to be the brides.

Among them, the bride with the white hair glared at the Imperial Advisor in the hall with an unblinking gaze, seeming even more indignant than the other brides.

Jiang Duxu, seated among the guests, watched his granddaughter, who was the only one completely out of place, and covered his forehead.

The groom and brides stood opposite each other. The preposterous difference in numbers left the ceremony official at a loss for how to recite the wedding vows. Traditionally, the vows involved flowery couplets praising the couple, likening them to “wings intertwined” and celebrating their perfect match. But with this numerical disparity, how could they be “wings intertwined”? What kind of monstrous bird has one wing on one side and three on the other?

Or perhaps they were all his wings?

Fortunately, the ceremony official had contemplated this special liturgy countless times over the past two days, specifically omitting any one-to-one terminology. He then recited the vows with full, resonant voice and appropriate intonation.

All the guests listened with amused smiles.

As soon as the vows were finished, Hai Ruyuan’s voice came from outside the door at precisely the right moment: “His Majesty specially bestows three measures of pearls, one hundred bolts of brocade, and one thousand taels of gold to congratulate Dingyuan Hou on his wedding.”

The timing was impeccable, giving ample face to the wedding and enhancing their status.

Lu Xingzhou politely bowed in return, “Thank His Majesty, and thank Eunuch Hai.”

A strange, sarcastic birdcall echoed from mid-air: “His Majesty the Demon Emperor sends one red date, one peanut, one longan, and one lotus seed to congratulate Physician Lu on his wedding, wishing him a prosperous life.”

With a clatter, a single red date, peanut, longan, and lotus seed fell from the sky.

Before the brides could react, the Imperial Advisor effortlessly snatched the four items from the air and crushed them to powder: “How stingy, Demon Emperor?”

The demon bird’s voice replied, “His Majesty the Demon Emperor knew the Imperial Advisor would make a spectacle, and sends the Imperial Advisor three words, which he said were written in a previous letter, and that you would understand. Oh no…”

A divine thought pierced the heavens, and the demon bird shrieked. A single feather floated down as it desperately flapped its wings and fled.

The guests: “…”

“The Ruler of Tianshuang Kingdom sends one ten-thousand-year cold crystal, ten catties of Ice Profound Star Iron, and a box of various characteristic alchemy ingredients like Ling Shuang Fruit, wishing the newlyweds a harmonious century.”

Fortunately, Si Han’s gift list diffused the awkwardness. Lu Xingzhou, his face stiff, bowed to the envoy, “Many thanks to Ruler Si.”

The continent wasn’t solely comprised of the three nations: Da Qian, Tianshuang, and the Demon Realm. Other nations existed, but they were more remote and lacked significant interaction, so these three were the most familiar. The emperors of all three nations had sent representatives to bestow blessings upon this wedding, making it the most high-profile gift exchange in the continent’s history.

Even Gu Zhanting’s wedding back then didn’t reach this level; at the very least, Long Qinghuang wouldn’t have sent him gifts.

Though, what Long Qinghuang sent this time was also quite outrageous… Anyway, even just a verbal blessing from her would have been enough to shock everyone present, completely overshadowing the not-yet-established authority of Gu Yiheng, and simultaneously making the faces of the Imperial Advisor and the three brides under their veils turn as black as pitch.

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly at Hai Ruyuan, “Eunuch, please take your seat.”

Hai Ruyuan, his face stiff, took his seat. The ceremony official smiled, “As expected of the Marquis, blessings from three nations are unprecedented in history.”

The guests mentally added a phrase: “Marrying three women at once is also unprecedented in history.”

The ceremony official, of course, knew what everyone was thinking and quickly cleared his throat, “The auspicious hour has arrived. Let us begin the ceremony.”

“First bow to Heaven and Earth!”

Here it comes, here it comes. The guests craned their necks.

What was so special about bowing to Heaven and Earth? The key was the next one.

“Second bow to the honored parents!”

The groom and brides turned to face the honored parents. Ye Tinglan leaned back comfortably, her expression serene.

Shen Tang finally sent a mental message: “You’re really not getting married later, right? You dare to accept this bow under the title of honored parent.”

Ye Tinglan replied: “What happens later is later. Right now, I just want to make you all uncomfortable, and that makes me very happy.”

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

The Ye sisters were becoming more and more alike. That inherent mischief was identical.

Anyway, she was mischievous, and the groom and brides were thick-skinned. She wasn’t afraid of not getting married later. Shen Tang, Pei Chuyun, and Sheng Yuanyao could go to hell for all she cared; they actually bowed in unison.

Ye Tinglan watched the three “vixen-like” women behaving obediently and felt utterly delighted.

In the alley outside the Lu Residence, Yuan Muyu rolled her eyes impatiently.

Idiotic.

“Third bow, to each other, as husband and wife!”

Yuan Muyu’s expression became melancholic as she stared blankly up at the sky.

Several children ran past, pausing by Yuan Muyu’s wheelchair with a touch of pity. A little girl, pretty and sweet, offered a piece of candy: “Sister, do you want a candy? The Lu Residence gave them out, they’re so sweet.”

Yuan Muyu was about to refuse, but she inexplicably took the candy. “Thank you.”

The children happily ran off again. Yuan Muyu, her mind showing the scene of the husband and wife bowing to each other inside the Lu Residence, silently popped the candy into her mouth.

Lies, it’s not sweet at all.

“Ceremony complete!”

Firecrackers crackled, drowning out the sound of “escorting to the bridal chamber” from inside the house.

Normally, “escorting to the bridal chamber” means the bride is sent to wait in the room, while the groom stays outside to drink and entertain guests, often until very late.

But this time, the guests were all very understanding.

No one dared to make the Grand Princess wait alone in the bridal chamber, especially since the groom had quite a few “bridal chambers” to visit tonight…

Lu Xingzhou simply handled a quick round of pleasantries, then left the scene to Yang Dechang, and slipped away.

No matter how many he married simultaneously, in the brides’ hearts, this night belonged to Shen Tang.

It wasn’t that they acknowledged her as the elder sister, but rather because she was the only virgin among them.

Where would Pei Chuyun and Sheng Yuanyao be foolishly waiting in their respective rooms? They had long since lifted their own veils. Sheng Yuanyao scurried off to find Pei Chuyun, and the two brides tiptoed to Shen Tang’s courtyard to eavesdrop.

Shen Tang had no idea that the other two brides could have such a twisted sense of humor. She herself was sitting on the bed, a little anxious, waiting for her husband.

Sitting alone on the bed with a veil over her head, waiting for a banquet that seemed endless, not knowing how many hours she would have to sit there… Shen Tang suddenly felt that brides were quite pitiful. When they were left waiting for their husbands like this, did they all just meditate and cultivate?

Shen Tang herself couldn’t meditate anyway. Her mind was filled with anxiety, shyness, and a touch of irritation. Thoughts swirled, making it impossible to focus on cultivation. She could only tragically sit and wait.

Fortunately, Lu Xingzhou didn’t make her wait long.

After a short while, the door creaked open. Just by the sound of his footsteps, Shen Tang knew it was Lu Xingzhou, but her heart pounded even faster than if a thief had arrived.

Lu Xingzhou sat down beside her with a smile, “Why so obedient? I bet A-lü and A-gua have already lifted their veils and are playing around.”

The two eavesdropping women clenched their fists.

We didn’t just lift our veils, we ran out to get some air!

But then they heard Shen Tang say, “I don’t care, I want you to lift it.”

The two shivered. A sword master and sect leader, usually appearing so bright and grand, actually pouting.

Lifting the bridal veil isn’t done by hand; it’s done with a steelyard called a “xi cheng” (joyful scale), which carries the meaning of “wishing for everything to go as one desires” when opening a mystery box. Therefore, wealthy people also use a jade ruyi scepter.

A jade ruyi scepter was placed on the table, but Lu Xingzhou didn’t even glance at it. He simply used both hands to lift the veil.

The warm glow of the red candles illuminated Shen Tang’s flushed face, which was burning hot.

“Why didn’t you use the ruyi scepter?” Shen Tang’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Such a vulgar custom, it feels like weighing goods,” Lu Xingzhou gently kissed her burning cheek. “You and I don’t need those. It’s always ‘as we desire’ between us.”

Shen Tang’s eyes were glistening, like spring water.

Lu Xingzhou got up, poured two cups of wine, and handed one to Shen Tang. Shen Tang took it. No words were needed. After a brief gaze, they instinctively intertwined their arms and drank the ceremonial wine.

Lu Xingzhou whispered in her ear, “Shouldn’t you call me ‘husband’ now?”

Shen Tang’s face was crimson as she softly murmured, “Husband.”

Lu Xingzhou kissed her cheek again: “When I left the Tianxing Sword Sect for the capital, it was for this day. I never even imagined it could happen so quickly… Now I can say, ‘I have fulfilled my mission.'”

Shen Tang looked at him with watery eyes. At that time, Lu Xingzhou’s sole purpose in going to the capital truly was for this day.

At his strength back then, seeking revenge against Ji Lu Wuyu would at most be making a bit of noise. Everything else he did was for the sole purpose of, one day, being able to honorably ask Gu Zhanting for Shen Tang’s hand in marriage.

He accomplished it perfectly.

In this process, she had done nothing herself… She had constantly strived to cultivate and develop the sect, trying to be of some help, but looking back, he had already achieved it.

Shen Tang’s heart softened, and she leaned gently against Lu Xingzhou’s chest: “How fortunate I am to have met you, my dear.”

“No, that is actually my fortune. Without Shen Tang, I don’t know what kind of person Lu Xingzhou would be today.”

“Without Lu Xingzhou, Shen Tang also doesn’t know what kind of person she would be.”

As they gazed at each other, memories of them sitting in wheelchairs, looking at each other as if in a mirror, flashed through their minds, and they both chuckled softly.

In just over a year, so much had changed, as if in a dream.

“Kiss me,” Shen Tang said.

Lu Xingzhou, obliging, kissed her. Shen Tang responded passionately.

Shen Tang never wore makeup, but today she had applied a little rouge. Her kiss was sweet, like candy.

The candlelight flickered, and their entwined shadows danced on the wall. Wedding garments were shed one by one, scattered on the floor.

“Put… put out the candles…” As her dudou (undergarment) was removed, Shen Tang, feeling somewhat ashamed, covered her body and whispered her plea.

Even though they had done everything short of the final step, today she was exceptionally shy.

Perhaps the very concept of “wedding night with candles” could deeply affect a woman’s heart.

“No, I won’t,” Lu Xingzhou whispered in her ear, “I want to see.”

Shen Tang bit her lower lip and slowly released her arms, letting him lean over her and begin to kiss and caress her.

She lowered her head, looking at the man’s adoring and greedy expression, and softly murmured, “Husband…”

“Hmm?” In the flickering candlelight, the man covered her.

Shen Tang closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and whispered, “I’m ready.”

Lu Xingzhou himself had been holding back for a long time. These past few months had been filled with serious matters, and it had been quite a while since he had known the taste of intimacy, especially for Shen Tang, he had essentially abstained for over a year.

Now, he finally didn’t need to hold back anymore.

He finally moved over her. A short while later, Shen Tang let out a muffled groan, her nails digging into his shoulder.

Lu Xingzhou paused, gently kissing and caressing her. Shen Tang, slightly breathless, smiled with relief, her eyes filled with gentle light: “I’m finally… married to you.”

Outside the house, Sheng Yuanyao felt like she was out of her mind.

No one was forcing her, why was she listening?