Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“The two of you are finally here,” said a familiar lady’s voice. They looked up to see Tao Chu on the throne in the palace, still looking as beautiful as before. However, there was now a peach blossom image in the middle of her forehead. She was dressed in pink robes and was leaning into the arms of the man beside her. There was a certain demonic seduction about her.
The person whose arms she was leaning into was Lonemoon. He was gazing at her gently, focused on her features. He did not even notice the two people who just walked in.
“Father Niu?” Yi QIng called out.
It was then that Lonemoon turned to look at them. But without more, he turned back to face the woman in his arms, as if he could not bear to look away from her for too long.
“I thought the two of you would not be able to make it for our wedding.” Tao Chu stood up and addressed the two of them joyfully. “It’s a good thing that you made it.”
“Little Chu!” Lonemoon called out gently. He picked up the shawl draped on the backing of the throne Tao Chu was sitting in, then gently draped it over her shoulders. “Be careful that you don’t catch a cold.”
Tao Chu turned around and smiled at him. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Don’t thank me – if you catch a cold, it is my heart that will hurt.”
Tao Chu gave him a seductive glance, then buried her face in his arms once again.
As the two of them put on this public display of affection, the master and disciple both shivered. Goosebumps were raised all over their bodies. Shen Ying could not help but rub her arms. So this is what it feels like to witness public displays of affection.
“The two of you…” Yi Qing studied them closer.
It was then that the both of them seemed to snap out of it. Tao Chu blushed and gave Lonemoon a deeply loving look. She said, “It’s my fault. Before telling the both of you, Sir Lonemoon and I decided to get married and commit to each other for the rest of our lives. Tomorrow is our big day. Please be on time!”
Yi Qing looked at Lonemoon, startled. “Father Niu, do you really want to be her… king? You’re not coming back with us?”
“Once the two of us get married, this place will be mine and Lonemoon’s home,” Tao Chu answered. “Of course, if the two of you don’t mind, you can stay as well.”
Yi Qing frowned and turned to Lonemoon, who was still gazing at Tao Chu lovingly. He asked, “If that’s the case, why did the two of you suddenly disappear that night?”
“That’s all my fault!” Tao Chu blushed. In a gentler tone, she said,”That night, I went to express my feelings to Sir Lonemoon. It was then that I found out that he felt the same way about me. I was so excited about this that I agreed to tie the knot with him immediately. Who knew that Sir… would be so anxious to get married as soon as possible. That’s why the two of us rushed back to the palace that night without informing the both of you.”
That anxious? In other words, the two of them were eager to get married the moment they realised they had the same affections toward each other?
Yi Qing felt that something was amiss.
Tao Chu added, “The two of you have had a long journey. I’ve already prepared the accommodation for you both. You can go and take a rest. You’re Sir Lonemoon’s family and tomorrow’s the wedding – you have to be there to witness it.”
Once she finished speaking, she gestured at two of the palace servants to bring them to their room.
Shen Ying and Yi Qing could not find any excuse to remain any further. They took one last look at the couple who looked deeply in love. Yi Qing could not help but say, “Father Niu, if you’re going to get married, what’s going to happen to our allowance for next month?”
The two people behind paused. Something flashed across Tao Chu’s eyes, but she suppressed it immediately. She smiled and said, “It’ll carry on as before.”
“Oh.” Yi Qing turned and pulled Shen Ying next to him before the both of them followed the palace servants out the door. On the way to the guest rooms, Chef set up several isolation arrays. In a low voice, he said, “Master, Father Niu is under the control of the flower demon.”
“That’s right.” Did he just find this out?”
“Then… we should go and save him as soon as possible, right?” Back in the hall, Father Niu did not even say one word to them. It was almost like he did not even recognise the two of them.
“There’s no hurry,” Shen Ying sniggered. “The wedding hasn’t even happened yet.” Let’s wait for it to be done first..
“…”
Yi Qing frowned. He pondered for a long while before he said, “Master… if we sit by and take this entire thing as a joke, and we don’t have a valid reason for doing so, Father Niu will really explode when he regains consciousness. What’s more…” Yi Qing shook the bag in his hand. “We’ve already used up all the ingredients we had left in the last couple of days.” There’s nothing left in their storage.
“Er…” Shen Ying hesitated. She lowered her head and said, “What do you think about saying that we couldn’t find a way to undo the spell she cast on him?”
Yi Qing paused. That did sound like a good point. With a serious expression, he said, “Master, you’re right! This world is strange and very different from the world we’re from. What they use for cultivation is neither immortal nor spirit Qi. What’s more, there’s no demonic Qi about them at all. If we take action, we might be able to save Father Niu, but we might not be able to undo the spell she cast on him to control him.”
“…”
“I understand now, Master!”
Shen Ying opened her mouth, paused, then patted Yi Qing on the shoulder. Very seriously, she said, “Mm. It’s good that you know that.” Her eyes brightened as she skipped the rest of the way. “Then after tomorrow… how do you think they’ll consummate their marriage?” That’s right, we have to prepare the Shadow Preserving Stones for tomorrow. We’ll bring a couple more than usual.”
“…” Was Master really taking Father Niu for a joke? She really was, wasn’t she?
————
On that day.
Tao Chu was an empress after all – her wedding was a huge occasion. The entire palace was in a celebratory mood for the entire day. There were lanterns and decorations set up everywhere. Crowds were jostling about and there seemed to be more peach blossoms falling down on that day than usual.
When the auspicious hour arrived, they watched Lonemoon, dressed in red, walk in with Tao Chu, who was also dressed in red. Tao Chu had not lied – both Shen Ying and Yi Qing were seated right in front as witnesses of the occasion. Even the high-level gremlins were seated behind them.
After a long and confusing ceremony, the wedding was finally completed. Throughout the entire ceremony, Lonemoon was smiling genuinely and widely. He did not look at all like he was being forced into this. The way he looked at Tao Chu was gentle and loving. They looked exactly like a match made in heaven.
After they finished the wedding, they returned to their wedding room. The wedding banquet was to take place soon after. Since Tao Chu was the empress, she naturally had to entertain her guests. Thus, after leaving Lonemoon behind in the room, she left.
Yi Qing was seated at the main hall, but his divine perception followed the newly wedded couple closely. Thus, he saw the lonely Lonemoon seated alone in the wedding room, with that wide smile still on his face. He sat on the bed, staring into space. It was almost like he was in a trance.
“Master, should we…” Yi Qing told Shen Ying about the situation in the wedding room. He asked about what they should do next. If they acted now, they could have a chance of saving Father Niu.
“Is he awake?” Shen Ying asked.
“I don’t think so.” Yi Qing shook his head.
“Then there’s no hurry. Let’s wait for them to consummate their marriage!” Heh heh heh.
“Yes, Master.” Yi Qing continued to keep an eye on the situation in the wedding room until the sky slowly darkened. The guests left the palace in huge groups, and Yi Qing and Shen Ying also took their leave.
Once they reached their own guest rooms, they turned right around and headed for the wedding room.
