Chapter 223: Purple Mansion Forbidden Ground
Between the massive palaces of the Purple Mansion, purple-gold flowers adorned every space, and the entire Purple Mansion was enveloped in a layer of purple light.
At the peak of Purple Mansion, there stood a huge independent palace, which seemed to have been transformed from a cave dwelling. A long corridor connected the inside and outside of the palace. This corridor was very spacious, several meters higher than other areas.
At the front end of the corridor, at the entrance of the palace, stood a statue—a massive purple-gold statue, majestic and extraordinary. This was the statue of the Purple Mansion's ancestor. Whenever a direct descendant of the Purple Mansion's main lineage married, a ritual to worship the ancestors was necessary. After that, they would step into the palace behind the statue. This palace was the Purple Mansion's forbidden ground, which only direct bloodline descendants could enter on their wedding day after offering sacrifices to their ancestors.
Along the distant path, many people came from the central area of the Purple Mansion to the side of this independent palace, quietly standing beneath the corridor, looking up at the enormous statue and the vast palace.
The palace on the mountain peak was usually sealed off. Even if they wanted to see the legendary forbidden ground of the Purple Mansion, they had no opportunity.
At that moment, a group of figures stepped onto the corridor from afar, slowly walking along it to the front of the statue. They performed three kneels and nine prostrations, then lined up in a row at the edge of the corridor, standing as still as statues.
The crowd beneath the corridor grew larger and larger. Most of these people were from the Purple Mansion's branch lineages, as well as some friends of the Purple Mansion members. Although weddings were supposed to be grand, the Purple Mansion's weddings were different from others. They had to perform blood sacrifices to their ancestors and enter the forbidden ground, which could not be disturbed or disrupted, so they did not casually invite guests.
At this moment, Lin Feng and Zi Ling had also arrived at the lower end of the palace corridor. Lin Feng was still wearing a silver mask, which puzzled Zi Ling—she couldn't understand why he insisted on doing so.
"Sister Zi Yi is here."
Zi Ling's gaze fell into the distance, where she saw Zi Yi arriving together with Lin Haojie. In just a moment, they were nearby.
"Zi Ling, why are you still staying with him?"
Zi Yi frowned and said coldly.
Lin Feng, however, looked at Zi Yi. Having entered the state of Unity of Heaven and Man, his senses were too sharp. He could clearly feel that Zi Yi was different from before.
Zi Yi had lost her virginity.
"What a foolish woman."
Lin Feng shook his head slightly. She had only known Lin Haojie for less than a day before giving herself to him. Lin Feng didn't know what to say, but since it was Zi Yi's choice, he wouldn't interfere. He had already fulfilled his responsibility and warned her.
Perhaps Zi Yi believed that Lin Haojie was her destined true love.
"Sister!" Zi Ling pouted and said, "Lin Feng came with us, so naturally we're together."
"Zi Ling, don't trust the words of a villain and be deceived by him. Last night, he didn't do anything to you, did he?"
Zi Yi's attitude was now somewhat forceful, carrying a hint of arrogance. This subtle change caught Lin Feng's attention, and he felt even more speechless inside.
In the past, Zi Yi had always been somewhat inferior in front of Zi Ling, after all, she was an adopted daughter. But now, she spoke as if addressing a junior. Perhaps she thought that by being with Lin Haojie, her status had risen.
"Sister, what are you saying?"
Zi Ling said helplessly.
But Lin Feng snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Zi Ling, Zi Yi, I promised your father to bring you to the Purple Mansion. Now, my task is complete. From now on, I have no further connection with you. Even if you see me, pretend not to know me, and I will do the same."
"As for you, Zi Yi, you must bear the consequences of your own actions. I warned you."
Leaving these words, Lin Feng turned and drifted away, disappearing into the crowd. This left Zi Ling and Zi Yi stunned.
Lin Feng had just left like that?
"Sister, look what you've done—you drove Lin Feng away."
Zi Ling said angrily, but Zi Yi snorted coldly: "It's better that he's gone, so you won't be deceived by him."
Just then, the crowd began to stir. In the distance of the corridor, a group of figures stepped onto it. The leader was an old man with purple hair, his expression solemn and dignified. He was the current master of the Purple Mansion, Zi Ying.
Behind Zi Ying followed two figures. One wore golden robes, elegant and dazzling—the groom, Zi Qiong.
Beside Zi Qiong was a woman with an incredibly graceful figure, dressed in a purple long gown, wearing a purple flower crown on her head, beautiful and moving.
"What a beautiful woman. It seems the rumors are true—Zi Qiong's wife surpasses any woman in the Purple Mansion, even the Purple Mansion's princess, Zi Xia, cannot compare to her."
"So beautiful. And she carries an innate noble aura. Her attire only enhances her beauty. Zi Qiong has excellent taste. If I could have such a beautiful wife, I would be willing to give up martial arts to spend my life with her."
Seeing the stunning woman surrounded by purple light, the crowd was filled with admiration. No wonder she was the young master of the Purple Mansion's wife—such a beautiful woman was hard to find.
They had originally thought that whoever married Zi Qiong was lucky, but now no one thought that way. This woman was absolutely worthy of Zi Qiong's status, perhaps even surpassing it.
"What a beautiful woman. Sister Zi Yi, it turns out the rumors weren't exaggerated at all. She really is more beautiful than any woman in the Purple Mansion."
At this moment, Zi Ling's gaze also fell on the enchanting face surrounded by purple light, murmuring softly. In her presence, Zi Ling felt she couldn't even use the word "beautiful" to describe herself.
Zi Yi's heart trembled as well, but she didn't speak. She turned her gaze and glanced at Lin Haojie beside her. At that moment, Lin Haojie's eyes were fixed on the graceful figure on the corridor, a strange light flickering in them. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother Zi Qiong is truly fortunate."
Seeing Lin Haojie's infatuated gaze, a sense of jealousy rose in Zi Yi's heart, and she nudged his hand.
Lin Haojie turned his gaze and looked at Zi Yi, his expression calm. Compared to that woman, Zi Yi was too vulgar—she didn't even have the right to be compared. Her aura was not even one ten-thousandth of that woman's.
"Zi Qiong is my good friend. If his wife is so beautiful, and my wife is Zi Yi, wouldn't that make me a laughingstock?"
Lin Haojie shook his head inwardly, his gaze toward Zi Yi growing colder. Now that he had toyed with Zi Yi, she no longer held any attraction for him.
Seeing Lin Haojie's increasingly indifferent eyes, Zi Yi's heart gradually turned cold.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down."
At this moment, Zi Ying spoke calmly, and the crowd's murmurs gradually ceased, all eyes fixed on Zi Ying on the central corridor.
"Zi Xia, come here."
Zi Ying turned his gaze and landed on a young girl. She stepped forward and came to Zi Ying's side.
Zi Xia, Zi Qiong's younger sister, the Purple Mansion's princess. Although she wasn't as stunning as Zi Qiong's future wife, she was still lively and charming—a rare beauty.
"Zi Xia looks even more beautiful with a casual touch-up."
Lin Haojie whispered from below the corridor, at least far surpassing Zi Yi.
Zi Yi's face turned slightly pale, her eyes fixed on Lin Haojie, but he didn't even glance at her.
"Sister!" Zi Ling beside her seemed to notice something was wrong and gently tugged at Zi Yi's sleeve, but Zi Yi was oblivious, only staring at Lin Haojie. The young talent who had whispered sweet nothings to her yesterday and promised her a lifetime—why was he so cold to her now?
"Today is the wedding day of my son, Zi Qiong."
Zi Ying on the corridor spoke again, announcing loudly: "At the same time, I also wish to find a partner for my daughter, Zi Xia, making it a double celebration. Any talented young man here who wishes to marry my daughter, Zi Xia, may step onto the corridor and challenge. The final victor will become the Purple Mansion's son-in-law and, together with Zi Qiong, perform a blood sacrifice to our ancestors and enter the Purple Mansion's forbidden ground."
The Purple Mansion's weddings were unique. The couple would receive congratulations on this corridor, then perform a blood sacrifice to their ancestors together, enter the forbidden ground, and upon emerging, they would be husband and wife.
It was said that within the Purple Mansion's forbidden ground, the couple could gain tremendous benefits.
Thus, when Zi Ying finished speaking, many people's eyes narrowed. Enter the Purple Mansion's forbidden ground?
Everyone knew the Purple Mansion's rule: only direct male descendants could enter the forbidden ground with their wives. Daughters and sons-in-law were not allowed near it. This was likely a tradition. But this time, the Purple Mansion had broken this rule, which undoubtedly sparked anticipation in many.
The young talents present all showed excited expressions, eager to try. Among them was Lin Haojie.
At this moment, no one noticed that in the middle of the crowd, a young man wearing a silver mask was staring at the stunning girl, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He placed his hand on the mask, then slowly removed it, pushing his way forward through the crowd.
The woman about to marry Zi Qiong, the breathtaking beauty who moved countless people, was none other than Duan Xinye, the Snow Moon Princess, who had been separated from him.
Similarly, no one noticed that the stunning woman surrounded by purple light had her head lowered, a look of despair in her eyes.
Earlier, the Purple Mansion had been pressuring her. If she didn't agree to marry Zi Qiong and enter the forbidden ground, they would let Zi Qiong defile her honor. She had agreed to the Purple Mansion's conditions to preserve her purity until now, untouched by anyone. But if she entered the Purple Mansion's forbidden ground with Zi Qiong, she didn't know what would happen.
If it came to that, what should she do?