# Chapter 363: The Rhythm of Forced Marriage
Xia Qingyue had just left when the door was pushed open again. Xiao Lingxi hurried in, followed closely by Xiao Lie, whose expression was equally anxious.
"Xiao Che, you're awake!" Xiao Lingxi almost flew over to him. "How do you feel now? Is there anywhere that feels uncomfortable?"
Yun Che had already changed his clothes. He jumped straight down from the bed and said with a relaxed expression, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I don't have any serious injuries, just some fatigue. After sleeping for two days, I've mostly recovered."
Yun Che's movements were smooth and quick, and his complexion was completely normal. Xiao Lingxi immediately let out a big sigh of relief. Xiao Lie walked over and said with a smile, "It's good that you're fine. Don't force yourself just to reassure us."
Yun Che patted his chest and said confidently, "Grandfather can rest assured. When we were in the Canghuo Region, you saw firsthand how fast my body recovers... Have you been comfortable living here during this time?"
Xiao Lie smiled faintly and said with emotion, "I've been doing very well here. Being able to come to the Imperial City was once the dream of my life. I never imagined that not only would I arrive at the Imperial City, but I would also enter the Imperial Palace, be personally received by His Majesty, and treated as an honored guest... In the past, I wouldn't have dared to dream of such things."
Regarding Xiao Lie's arrival, Cang Wanhe not only personally welcomed and entertained him but also personally attended to every matter. Although he was an emperor, he treated Xiao Lie with courtesy and even respect. He even accompanied him for all three meals a day, eating state banquets. Xiao Lie's residence was adjacent to the emperor's bedchamber... Xiao Lie naturally understood that he was being treated like this by an emperor solely because of Yun Che. Especially in the past two days, after Yun Che and Xia Qingyue had jointly defeated Ling Tianni, Cang Wanhe treated him with even more courtesy and respect. In the Imperial Palace, from eunuchs and guards to princes and ministers, everyone was extremely deferential to him, even fawning.
Because he was Yun Che's grandfather.
All of this truly felt like a dream.
"If you like it here, Grandfather and Little Aunt could stay in the Imperial City from now on, how about that?" Yun Che immediately suggested. "If Grandfather doesn't want to, New Moon City is also a good choice. I've already spoken with Senior Brother Sikong of the New Moon Mystic Palace not long ago. Sikong Han would definitely be very happy to see Grandfather. It's not too far from Liuyun City either. If Grandfather feels homesick, you can return anytime."
Yun Che's reputation had long been at its peak, and now that he had defeated Ling Tianni, he had become the foremost figure in Cang Feng. As his grandfather, Xiao Lie knew that no matter where he went, people there would be eager to welcome him from eight hundred li away. Xiao Lie chuckled and said, "Lingxi really likes it here, and I've been quite comfortable these past few days. I don't want to leave for now. We'll talk about the future later."
"Hahahaha!"
A dignified and hearty laugh came from outside: "These past few days, I've been having wonderful conversations with Old Brother Xiao. If Old Brother Xiao were to leave, I would be a thousand times unwilling to let him go."
Amidst the laughter, Cang Wanhe, wearing a golden dragon robe, walked in side by side with Cang Yue. Behind them, Dongfang Xiu followed three steps back, his gaze immediately falling on Yun Che.
Cang Wanhe now had a ruddy complexion, a strong and vigorous voice, clear and sharp eyes, and even his mostly white hair had turned thick and black. Compared to his half-dead appearance lying on the dragon couch last month, he seemed completely reborn. With the abundant resources of the Imperial Palace, Cang Wanhe's recovery speed was even faster than what Yun Che had previously stated. Cang Wanhe was also deeply grateful to Yun Che. The reason he treated Xiao Lie with such courtesy was partly due to Yun Che's influence, but mostly out of heartfelt gratitude. Because Yun Che had not only saved his life but also saved the entire Cang Feng Imperial Clan.
Cang Wanhe's words made Cang Yue roll her eyes at him and say with a coquettish tone, "Father, Grandpa Xiao is Yun Che's grandfather. Addressing him as a peer like that... it will mess up the generational hierarchy."
Age-wise, Cang Wanhe was only two or three years younger than Xiao Lie. However, after these disastrous few years, he was deeply grateful and doted on his only daughter. Hearing her words, Cang Wanhe showed an embarrassed expression, then burst into loud laughter: "Yes, yes, Yue'er is right. Generational hierarchy certainly can't be confused. Um... Then I'll address... Senior Xiao from now on?"
"This... this won't do." Xiao Lie was greatly startled and quickly waved his hand. "If Your Majesty addresses me like that, it would truly overwhelm me."
Cang Yue smiled slightly, swaying gracefully forward in her splendid phoenix gown, and said gently, "Junior Brother Yun, you just woke up. Your body must still be very weak. You should go back to bed and rest properly."
"No need." Yun Che thumped his chest. "I know my own body. I'm definitely not as delicate as Senior Sister thinks."
"Haha." Cang Wanhe laughed. "Someone who can defeat even the Sword Saint—I'm not worried at all. Yue'er, you don't need to worry too much either... You've hardly slept or eaten these past two days. You've been coming to check on him every half hour. It's been breaking your father's heart."
"Father..." In front of so many people, Cang Wanhe had undoubtedly exposed her feelings without any concealment. She let out a soft whimper and lowered her head, not daring to meet anyone's gaze. This sight made Cang Wanhe and Dongfang Xiu burst into laughter.
A warmth spread through Yun Che's heart. He smiled gently, then suddenly looked up at Cang Wanhe and asked, "Your Majesty, Headmaster Dongfang, during the two days I was unconscious, did any outsiders break into the Imperial Palace?"
Dongfang Xiu shook his head without hesitation: "I was originally worried that someone might try to take advantage of your unconsciousness to strike at you, so I kept up my guard. But it seems I was overthinking. These past two days, the Imperial Palace has been calm, with no intruders. Or perhaps it's because Fairy Xia has been staying in the palace. Some people may have had ulterior motives, but they feared Fairy Xia and didn't dare make a move."
As Yun Che's reputation grew stronger, more and more people learned about his past, and stories gradually spread. Among them was naturally the grudge with Xiao Kuangyun of the Xiao Sect from three years ago. During the two days Yun Che was unconscious, the person Dongfang Xiu was guarding against was precisely the Xiao Sect.
"But quite a few people came bearing heavy gifts to visit you." Cang Wanhe chuckled. "In total, over a thousand large and small sects or clans sent countless spirit pills and treasures. They've piled up like a mountain. Even the vast Imperial Palace almost couldn't find a place to store them all. As the emperor of Cang Feng for so many years, I've never seen such a grand spectacle, hahahaha."
"The Xiao Sect's gifts were the most valuable," Cang Yue said slowly. "They sent Purple Vein Heavenly Crystals, Purple Jade Golden Scale Ointment, and Red Eagle Profound Blood—all priceless treasures. There were also thirty jin of Purple Crystal and twenty jin of White Profound Jade, more than the Imperial Palace had accumulated in decades. Besides that..." Cang Yue suddenly smiled ambiguously. "There were also three great beauties under twenty years old, with national beauty."
"What... what great beauties!" Hearing this, Xiao Lingxi pouted and stamped her foot indignantly. "They're clearly three ugly trolls, a hundred times, ten thousand times worse than me and Princess Senior Sister! Xiao Che wouldn't spare them a single glance! Right, Xiao Che?"
"Mm, mm, mm, mm!" Yun Che immediately nodded like a chick pecking at rice, his face serious. "Those ordinary women—how could they compare to my Little Aunt and Senior Sister! I promise I won't even look at them. They can go back the way they came... Oh, if Little Aunt wants, I'll give them to you as maidservants."
"Hehe, I don't want them." Xiao Lingxi giggled.
"The Xiao Sect's heavy gifts were delivered personally by Grand Elder Xiao Boyun. He hasn't left yet, claiming he wants to meet with you after you wake up. Are you interested in seeing him?" Cang Wanhe asked, his expression somewhat complicated. In the past, when elders of the Four Great Sects entered the Imperial Palace, they were all arrogant and haughty, not even putting the emperor in their eyes. He had to treat them with courtesy throughout and dared not offend them. But this time, Grand Elder Xiao Boyun of the Xiao Sect entered the palace with utmost respect, humble, polite, and amiable. The huge contrast made Cang Wanhe feel melancholy... Ultimately, this world respected power above all. Only absolute power could truly intimidate all quarters. The Cang Feng Imperial Clan's political power, which seemed to cover the entire country, was utterly insignificant before absolute power.
"I see..." Yun Che tapped his chin and laughed. "See him? Of course, I will. The Grand Elder of the Xiao Sect traveled thousands of li with heavy gifts—how could I let him leave empty-handed?"
"Good." Cang Wanhe nodded lightly. "I know a little about the grudge between you and the Xiao Sect. As for how to handle it, that's up to you... Mm, oh, ahem..."
As a generation emperor, Cang Wanhe suddenly began to hesitate and fidget. Yun Che twitched his lips and asked somewhat cautiously, "Does Your Majesty have any instructions for Yun Che?"
"It's not exactly instructions, just... just... ahem..." Cang Wanhe cleared his throat and finally spoke smoothly. He straightened his expression and looked at Yun Che with burning eyes. "Yun Che, you saved my life. If it weren't for you, I would have passed away long ago, and I wouldn't even know how I died. Now, because of you, I've been reborn. Although the Imperial Clan's internal strife hasn't settled, I'm already grateful to the heavens and have no more wishes. It's just... there's one thing that weighs on my mind day and night that I can't let go of."
"The matter Your Majesty refers to is..." Yun Che suddenly had a premonition.
Cang Wanhe stepped forward, pulled Cang Yue over, and said with full affection and longing, "Yue'er is my only daughter. Over the years, I was plotted against by treacherous men and an unfilial son. Only Yue'er stayed by my side, toiling and worrying, enduring hardships, and even found you, my benefactor, to save our father-daughter fate. My greatest wish now is for Yue'er to find her happiness and a good husband... Unknowingly, Yue'er is already twenty-one. In the thousand years of the Cang Feng Imperial Clan, princesses unmarried beyond twenty are as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. As her father, I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly these years. I often grieve and weep, dreaming every day of finding Yue'er a worthy husband early. If I could fulfill this wish, I would willingly reduce my lifespan by thirty years. If Yue'er can't marry this year, I will have failed her for the rest of my life. After death, I will have no face to meet her mother..."
As Cang Wanhe spoke, his eyes reddened, and tears seemed about to fall.
After Cang Wanhe's long speech, Yun Che's face was already twitching. But his next words made him completely unable to handle it...
"I can see that Yue'er is indifferent to other men, but only shows you special care and deep affection. If you feel the same way about Yue'er, that would be the best. If Yue'er could marry you, I would die with a thousand comforts. But if you have no feelings for her... sigh, of course, I can't force such a thing. It's just pitiful—Yue'er's heart is like the bright moon, but she can only live a bitter and lonely life. I have failed her..."
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# Chapter 364: The Wedding Date
"Father, you... why did you suddenly bring this up?" Cang Wanhe's words caught Cang Yue off guard. She tugged at Cang Wanhe's clothes, her expression half-flustered... but the gaze she secretly cast toward Yun Che was filled with barely concealed anticipation.
What Cang Wanhe meant by these words was crystal clear to anyone who wasn't a fool. And he said them with Cang Yue right there. With her present, Yun Che naturally couldn't evade the topic verbally. His lips moved, and his eyes briefly met Cang Yue's gaze, then he said seriously, "Your Majesty, Senior Sister and I have feelings for each other. We have shared hardships and life-and-death experiences, and we once made a lifelong promise. But at that time, I didn't know that Senior Sister Xueruo was actually Princess Cang Yue. I, Yun Che, am just an ordinary man. If Senior Sister is willing, if Your Majesty doesn't object, I will protect Senior Sister with my life for the rest of my days and never betray her."
"Junior Brother Yun..." Cang Yue's lips trembled, and her beautiful eyes instantly became misty with tears.
"Good! Hahahaha!" Cang Wanhe nodded vigorously, then threw back his head and laughed heartily. "Yun Che, with these words of yours, the greatest worry of my life is laid to rest. You were willing to wipe out the entire Fen Tian Gate in a fit of rage for your loved ones—that shows me you are a person of deep loyalty. Entrusting Yue'er to you, I can rest a hundred times at ease, hahahaha."
Cang Wanhe laughed wholeheartedly. Yun Che's current strength and influence had reached the pinnacle of Cang Feng. He had defeated the Sword Saint, made all the sects of Cang Feng tremble, and compelled the mighty Xiao Sect to travel thousands of li to seek compromise. If Cang Yue could marry him, with his strength, his deterrent power, and his almost extreme protection of his loved ones, Cang Wanhe could rest ten thousand times assured. The entire Imperial Clan would also rise powerfully as a result!
Dongfang Xiu, standing behind Cang Wanhe, also nodded and smiled.
Cang Wanhe stopped laughing and then turned serious, saying matter-of-factly, "Since you two have feelings for each other, there's no problem. The eighth day of the month in two months is the most auspicious day of the year. We'll hold your wedding right here in the Imperial Palace. Do either of you have any objections?"
"Ah!" Cang Yue let out a soft cry. She had never imagined that Cang Wanhe would suddenly bring up the wedding.
"Ah... this... this..." Although Yun Che had anticipated it, Cang Wanhe's firm decision in two months caught him off guard. "Wouldn't that be... a bit too rushed..."
"Too rushed? Where is it rushed?" Cang Wanhe glared, his voice rising by an octave. "Yue'er is twenty-one this year—she should have been married long ago. You're nineteen this year, also long past the age to marry. The palace has plenty of staff. In two months, even a dozen weddings can be prepared, let alone one. Where is the rush!?"
"Father..." Cang Yue tugged at Cang Wanhe's sleeve, her head bowed, and said somewhat awkwardly, "Father, isn't this decision a bit too hasty? Besides, Junior Brother Yun already has a wife from three years ago. If he marries again, shouldn't we first..."
"I know all that!" Cang Wanhe waved his hand dismissively. "These days, which man doesn't have three wives and four concubines? This isn't an issue at all! Yun Che, at nineteen with only one wife—as a man, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed in you. Even if you don't care about this yourself, you should consider your grandfather's..."
When he mentioned "grandfather," Cang Wanhe slapped his forehead. "I actually forgot such an important matter... Old Brother Xiao, ah no, Senior Xiao, you are Yun Che's elder. His marriage naturally requires your approval. What do you think?"
Cang Wanhe called him "Senior Xiao" willingly. He was Cang Yue's father, and Xiao Lie was Yun Che's grandfather. If the two married, Xiao Lie would genuinely be his elder in terms of seniority.
Of course, Xiao Lie had no objections. For his grandson to marry the only princess of the Cang Feng Imperial Clan was something he wouldn't have dared to dream of before. And the two had clearly long had deep feelings. How could he hesitate? He chuckled and said, "For Che'er to marry Her Highness the Princess is the greatest fortune of his three lifetimes. I naturally have no objections. It depends on Your Majesty and the young couple's wishes." He turned to Yun Che and said calmly, "Che'er, since you and Princess Cang Yue have already pledged your lives to each other, what's wrong with becoming husband and wife sooner? If the timing is inconvenient, you can speak up and let His Majesty set another date."
In the time since leaving the Tian Jian Villa's Sword Control Platform, Yun Che had gone to the Imperial City, to the Snow Domain, back to New Moon and Liuyun, to Canghuo... without a single day's rest. He had never had leisure to think about the word "marriage." When Cang Wanhe suddenly brought it up, he instinctively panicked. But slowly calming down, he suddenly felt that this was clearly a very beautiful thing.
He liked Cang Yue, not because she was a princess, but because she was Senior Sister Xueruo, who had unknowingly been engraved in his heart.
He had failed Ling'er...
He had lost Chu Yuechan...
Now, Cang Yue was right by his side. Shouldn't he firmly hold onto her and make her his forever?
He looked at Cang Yue, and at that moment, she also cast a glance toward him. In her eyes, he saw nervousness, fluster... but more than that, anticipation and shy joy. He couldn't help but smile. The slight panic on his face disappeared completely. He bowed to Cang Wanhe and said decisively, "To marry Senior Sister is also my lifelong wish. I thank Your Majesty for your blessing. Let everything be as Your Majesty says."
"Good! Good! Good!" Cang Wanhe said three times, then raised his head and laughed heartily, laughing until tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.
At this moment, Yun Che suddenly sensed an unusual fluctuation of profound force outside. Then, that aura rose into the air and quickly moved northward.
That's... Qingyue's aura?
She had been outside all along? Then she must have heard everything they said.
Wait, the direction she was going, and her increasingly fast speed... she was clearly leaving the Imperial Palace!
"Quickly announce to the world: My Princess Cang Yue will marry Yun Che in two months! Have the Academy of Letters draft invitations immediately and send them to all corners of the world..."
Half a quarter-hour later, Cang Wanhe's roar echoed through the palace, and the originally quiet Imperial Clan burst into commotion like a boiling pot. Meanwhile, Xia Qingyue had left without a word...
---
Two months passed without notice.
These two months in Cang Feng Country were not peaceful, and the reason was only one... the grand wedding of Princess Cang Yue and Yun Che.
Originally, a princess's wedding, though a semi-national celebration, was limited to commoners and had nothing to do with the sects. But with Yun Che as the other party, it was a completely different concept.
A nineteen-year-old who had destroyed the Fen Tian Gate and severely injured Ling Tianni—his future could only be described as immeasurable. He had undoubtedly earned the admiration and reverence of countless people, just as he had also aroused the fear and dread of countless others. Now, at the time of his wedding, it was the perfect opportunity for them to show off. If they could personally attend, even leaving a slight impression on him would be a huge gain. On the other hand, if other sects attended and they didn't, it would certainly be seen as disrespect. Yun Che could destroy the Fen Tian Gate on a whim—if they truly incurred this ancestor's displeasure, wiping out their entire sect would be as easy as playing.
Instantly, whether large or small sects, whether they received invitations or not, all began bustling about, racking their brains to find various wedding gifts that would satisfy Yun Che or, preferably, make him take notice. For this reason, the auction houses of every major city were packed to the brim. Whenever a rare treasure appeared at the Black Moon Chamber of Commerce, all the major sects would swarm in... This caused quite a few disputes of varying sizes among the sects.
Fenghua City, located in western Cang Feng, was one of the larger major cities of the country.
At this time, in a tavern in Fenghua City, several tables of people were chatting among themselves.
"Three days from now is the wedding day of Yun Che and Princess Cang Yue. Our sect expended a thousand hardships and only managed to find a three-thousand-year blood ginseng. I'm just not sure if it's presentable." A middle-aged profound practitioner said as he took a sip of wine. Although his words were modest, a hint of pride flashed across his face. Blood ginseng was already rare, and a three-thousand-year blood ginseng was priceless.
"Sect Master Hua is too modest. Our sect barely scraped together three pieces of Dragon Vein Purple Jade. I'm afraid we won't even have the face to present it." Another middle-aged man said with a look of "shame."
Another person at the same table said, "I didn't find any decent gifts this time. Compared to the two sect masters, mine is utterly worthless. But, I did bring my daughter, hehe, hehehehe."
When he let out that laugh, the other two immediately knew what he was thinking. They both snorted in disdain: "Are you trying to play the beauty trap? Give it up! Yun Che's legal wife, Xia Qingyue, is as beautiful as a celestial maiden, no less than Chu Yuechan back in the day. She's recognized as the number one beauty in Cang Feng. And Chu Yuechan, whom he got pregnant, is even more so. Princess Cang Yue is also a national beauty, and her status is nobler than anyone else. Would he take a liking to your daughter? Not to discourage you, but he probably wouldn't even glance at her... heh."
The surnamed Li profound practitioner wasn't angered at all. He squinted and said, "It seems the two of you aren't well-informed. I heard that two months ago, Grand Elder Xiao Boyun of the Xiao Sect personally brought three gorgeous young maidens as gifts to Yun Che... Tsk tsk, Yun Che accepted them all without exception. He's not even twenty yet, right in the prime of a man's vigor. Would a man of this age mind having more women around? My daughter's looks may not compare to Xia Qingyue's, but she's still one in ten thousand. If Yun Che takes a fancy to her, even if she serves as a maidservant or concubine, that's still a meteoric rise. Then... heh, who would dare provoke our Suiyu Sect?"
This speech left the two opposite him with blank expressions and trembling lips. They could only hate themselves for not having a stunningly beautiful daughter.
At that moment, a group of four walked into the tavern. Their steps were slow, their gazes haughty, each wearing an air of superiority, looking down on all mortals.
Among the tavern's patrons were quite a few sect masters on their way to the Imperial City. Such looks and postures made them extremely uncomfortable. The four people walked to the only empty table and, before sitting down, slapped a gold-embossed invitation onto the table. Their expressions became even more arrogant.
Seeing that invitation, the entire tavern fell silent. Some stared wide-eyed, holding their breath on the spot.
"It's an invitation!"
"I see it... Keep your voice down. Only the top hundred sects by strength receive invitations. We can't afford to provoke them."
"Alas, large sects have it good. Those of us without invitations probably can't even get into the side halls."
"I recognize them! That's the Iron Palm Sect! The one in blue clothes is the sect master of the Iron Palm Sect. I heard his profound strength is already at the fifth level of the Heavenly Xuan Realm. The Iron Palm Sect is one of the three tyrants of the northwest. In the previous ranking battle, they placed twenty-seventh!"
As soon as the Iron Palm Sect showed their invitation, the entire tavern quieted down considerably. The lively conversations before turned into whispers. The four sat down slowly, scanning their surroundings with superior gazes, their arrogance clearly visible.
"Trash like this can rank twenty-seventh? Heh... Am I hearing a joke?"
In a corner of the tavern, at a somewhat worn table, sat three people. The young man in the middle appeared to be in his early twenties, wearing a qilin robe, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, an extraordinary temperament. His tied-up hair was black mixed with red. He toyed with the wine cup in his hand, a faint smile on his face. It was he who had spoken. His voice was by no means quiet, but none of the other patrons in the tavern heard him, as if his voice was blocked by some invisible barrier.
His tablemates were two old men who looked to be in their fifties or sixties. One wore a black robe, the other a red robe. Their eyes held a depth that was impossible to fathom. The black-robed old man said calmly, "Your Highness need not be surprised. In Cang Feng, Spirit Xuan is already an expert, Earth Xuan can be a mentor, Heavenly Xuan can be a revered grandmaster admired by tens of thousands, and the late Heavenly Xuan realm is nearly invincible. King Xuan is as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. Apart from the Four Great Sects, no other sect has a King Xuan powerhouse. The sect master of this sect is at the fifth level of Heavenly Xuan. In the Cang Feng profound world, this can already be considered a first-rate sect."
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