Chapter 551: Wind and Rain Across the Sky

Inside Longyu Hall, those Attendants were still sleeping on the floor.

At this moment, the sky was already bright, and the inside of Longyu Hall was also filled with light, yet these Attendants were all tacitly covering their heads and sleeping soundly.

They naturally knew they had overslept, but firstly, History Supervisor Qin had not come to call them, and secondly, Li Ruozhou had escaped, and the Engagement Ceremony could no longer be held, so what was the point of them suffering like that? It was better to just get a good sleep.

Just as they were sleeping soundly, the hall door was suddenly pushed open, and the blinding sunlight from outside shone in.

History Supervisor Qin, whose back was already somewhat hunched, stood at the hall entrance, stamping his feet and roaring.

"Still sleeping!? The sun is already shining on your backsides!?"

"Get up! All of you, get up!" History Supervisor Qin ran over and began to pull the blankets off those covering their heads.

"I'm telling you, the Young Sect Master of the Tianyan Sect has returned! The Engagement Ceremony will be held as scheduled tomorrow! If today's work isn't finished, watch out for your skins!"

Once those Attendants heard that the Young Sect Master of the Tianyan Sect had returned, they all gave a start. Tomorrow's Engagement Ceremony was a major event for the alliance between the two sects, and it even involved the alliance of the two sects behind the scenes; how many heads did they have to dare to delay such a major event?

Without waiting for History Supervisor Qin to shout again, those Attendants jumped up as if they had been injected with chicken blood, rolled up their bedding, and began to busy themselves...

Duan Rong, on his end, slept until the sun was high before crawling out of bed. Seeing him get up, Xiao Yu served him while washing up, and at the same time ordered Zhu Xiaoqi to go brew some tea.

After Duan Rong finished washing up, he sat in the hall with a slightly dizzy head, took two sips of the hot, strong tea handed over by Zhu Xiaoqi, and asked, "Has Li Ruojian gotten up?"

Zhu Xiaoqi said, "Still sleeping!"

Duan Rong nodded. Just then, at the courtyard gate, the sound of knocking suddenly rang out, and the urgent voice of Ximen Kankan came from outside the door.

"Open the door! Open the door quickly!"

Zhu Xiaoqi walked out of the hall, performed the Cloud Snake Step, crossed the courtyard, opened the gate, and shouted, "What are you yelling for? It's the middle of the morning; if I didn't know better, I'd think you were here to ransack the place."

Ximen Kankan said, "I have an urgent matter. Where is Duan Rong?"

Zhu Xiaoqi rolled his eyes at Ximen Kankan and said, "He's in the hall drinking tea!"

Ximen Kankan exerted his movement technique and, like a sharp Arrow, shot into the hall.

Duan Rong set down the teacup in his hand, his expression grave. He had asked Ximen Kankan to pay attention to news about Li Ruozhou; tomorrow was the Engagement Ceremony, and Ximen Kankan had rushed over so urgently at this time. Could it be that things had changed!

As soon as Ximen Kankan entered the hall, he cried out, "Something has happened!"

Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat, and he stared intently, saying, "What is it? Speak!"

Ximen Kankan said, "Li Ruozhou has returned!"

"What!?" Duan Rong stood up abruptly, his face full of shock.

Xiao Yu was right there on the side. Seeing Duan Rong's shocked appearance, her heart couldn't help but tremble. Ximen Kankan had just mentioned Li Ruozhou; she knew that Li Ruozhou was the Young Sect Master of the Tianyan Sect and the person betrothed to Lv Qingzhu.

Last night, when the three of them gathered to drink, Xiao Yu had felt puzzled in her heart.

Sure enough, what one fears is what happens. Now, seeing Duan Rong in this state, it was clear that he had been plotting for that Lv Qingzhu all along.

Ximen Kankan said, "It was the Ancestor of the Tianyan Sect who caught Li Ruozhou and brought him back."

Duan Rong asked with a grave expression, "When did this happen?"

Ximen Kankan said, "At daybreak this morning. The incident occurred within the Elder Council. News from inside the Elder Council is not easy to probe; this news only came out from Longyu Hall, two hours late."

Duan Rong said, "You go back to Yunfu Peak and continue to monitor the movement of news."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he suddenly rose on the wind and, like a swallow skimming the water, flew horizontally out of the hall and headed toward the deep valley.

Once Duan Rong left, Ximen Kankan also turned to leave.

Xiao Yu, however, suddenly called out to stop him.

"Kankan! Has Duan Rong been asking you to investigate news about that Li Ruozhou?" Xiao Yu asked.

Ximen Kankan said, "It doesn't count as investigating; it's just paying attention to public opinion and commentary. This is, after all, the daily business of the Inner History Department."

"Is that so?" Xiao Yu said.

"I'm leaving first!" Ximen Kankan hurried away.

Xiao Yu stood at the hall entrance with a bitter expression. She knew that Duan Rong must have gone to find Lv Qingzhu. "Husband, they are about to have their engagement ceremony?! Why won't you let go yet?!"

Duan Rong walked into the deep valley and headed straight for Lv Qingzhu's Cave Abode.

Lv Qingzhu was sitting cross-legged, circulating her Qi and practicing, when she suddenly heard Duan Rong's footsteps, and her heart felt a surge of joy.

She finished her practice, sat intently on the meditation cushion, and waited for Duan Rong to enter.

The moment Duan Rong entered, Lv Qingzhu's heart skipped a beat. Because Duan Rong's face was full of worry, and his brows were knitted together.

Duan Rong looked at Lv Qingzhu and said, "Something has happened. Come out with me."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he walked out of the Cave Abode.

Lv Qingzhu immediately got up and followed Duan Rong out; her heart was in a state of turmoil for a moment. The trouble Duan Rong spoke of must be about the marriage, but tomorrow was the Engagement Ceremony, and Li Ruozhou had already escaped. At this time, what else could possibly go wrong?

After the two walked out of the Deadwood Forest at the valley entrance, Duan Rong glanced at Lv Qingzhu, then rose on the wind and headed southeast.

Lv Qingzhu also followed behind Duan Rong, her sleeves fluttering.

The figures of the two, one after the other, traveled through the wind amidst the misty clouds like large birds.

In the mist, Duan Rong suddenly descended toward a remote, dense forest in a valley, and Lv Qingzhu followed him down.

The two stood still in the dense forest.

Sunlight fell through the gaps in the leaves, dappling the dense forest everywhere.

With a ray of sunlight hitting his profile, Duan Rong looked at Lv Qingzhu and said, "This morning, Li Ruozhou was brought back by Li Ku."

Upon hearing this, Lv Qingzhu's face showed shock, her eyes instantly filled with panic, and she murmured, "Tomorrow is the day of the Engagement Ceremony. This..."

Duan Rong said, "The situation has suddenly changed! And the time is too tight!"

Duan Rong took two steps in the dense forest, the fallen leaves crunching under his feet. All along the way, he had been pondering, but he had no clue at all.

Just then, after some deliberation, Lv Qingzhu suddenly looked up, her eyes flashing with a certain determination, and she suddenly called out to Duan Rong softly. "Duan Rong!"

"Hmm." Duan Rong was deep in thought; hearing this, he responded lightly and turned to look at Lv Qingzhu.

Lv Qingzhu's expression at this moment was somewhat strange, neither joy nor sorrow; on her originally cold and beautiful face, a blush suddenly appeared, just like an ice flower suddenly stained with a faint blood-red color.

"Duan Rong, are you willing to marry me?"

Duan Rong stood there, stunned; at that moment, Lv Qingzhu's voice echoed in the quiet dense forest like a nightmare...

Are you willing to marry me?

Lv Qingzhu stared at Duan Rong with bright eyes.

"Qingzhu! I am a married man." A flash of bitterness crossed Duan Rong's face.

Of course he had Lv Qingzhu in his heart, but he could not divorce Xiao Yu to marry her. Such a thing, he could not do. Furthermore, Xiao Yu was virtuous and kind; how could he hurt her? Eight or nine out of ten things in life do not go as planned, and he was helpless.

"I know." Lv Qingzhu raised her hand to tuck a strand of dark hair behind her ear and said firmly, "I can be a concubine!"

Duan Rong looked at Lv Qingzhu with astonishment; he had never dared to let such a thought arise.

Lv Qingzhu was of the Sect Ancestor's bloodline, a member of the Lu Clan; how could someone like her be his concubine?

But now, Lv Qingzhu had said it herself, that she wanted to be his concubine. How could he not be shocked?

After his shock, Duan Rong could not help but feel deeply moved. If Lv Qingzhu did not have him in her heart, she would never have said these words.

Seeing that Duan Rong was still stunned there, Lv Qingzhu asked, "Duan Rong, I will be your concubine; do you want me?"

Duan Rong suddenly snapped out of it and said, "I do! I do!"

After saying this, Duan Rong smiled at Lv Qingzhu.

Lv Qingzhu rolled her eyes at him, then suddenly said softly, "If you marry me, they won't be able to force me into a marriage alliance anymore!"

Even without Lv Qingzhu saying it, Duan Rong had already guessed her meaning.

Duan Rong walked over and suddenly grabbed Lv Qingzhu's hand.

Lv Qingzhu's heart tightened; she trembled, but in the end, she did not pull her hand back.

Duan Rong pulled Lv Qingzhu into his embrace.

The two had once been intimate, but that was a matter of the past. Now, the two embraced in the dense forest, holding each other tightly.

Only at this moment did they realize that they had always loved each other deeply.

Tears welled up in Lv Qingzhu's eyes.

The incident seven years ago in that ruined temple on the outskirts of Xiangu County had both stirred their fate and become a barrier in their hearts.

At this moment, this barrier finally melted away; for the first time, Lv Qingzhu hugged Duan Rong deeply, pressing into his embrace, a warmth and sense of security she had never felt before tugging at her heartstrings.

The two embraced in the dense forest for a long time; they just held each other like that, as if heaven and earth did not exist.

After a long while, the palpitation in their hearts slowly faded, and Duan Rong stroked Lv Qingzhu's hair, saying, "This is indeed a way, it is just that it wrongs you somewhat."

Lv Qingzhu looked up at Duan Rong and said, "I don't feel wronged! I don't care about these worldly conventions at all. Besides, I have met Xiao Yu twice; I have no objection to her being the primary wife."

Lv Qingzhu truly did not take worldly conventions to heart, but she had never thought about sharing a husband with anyone. If it were not for the pressure of the marriage alliance, she would never have had this thought.

But once this thought arose, it could no longer be cast aside. It was only in the moment that thought arose that she deeply understood her own heart.

The only man she wanted to marry in the depths of her heart was Duan Rong.

Her unwillingness to enter the marriage alliance was actually also because of this.

What Lv Qingzhu could not be sure of was when this obsession had formed?

Was it in that ruined temple in Xiangu County? Or were there signs even before that ruined temple?

Or was it when she suddenly saw Duan Rong again in the Dark Forest? Or perhaps in the deep valley, when Duan Rong snatched her Sword in one move?

Thinking back like this, she suddenly realized that there were so many entanglements between her and Duan Rong before she knew it.

In this web of love that entangled her, who could know where the beginning was?

Duan Rong suddenly grabbed Lv Qingzhu's shoulders, pushed her away gently, and looked at her with a solemn expression, saying, "Qingzhu, time is tight. You must remember every word I say next."

Lv Qingzhu nodded and said, "Mm, speak."

About half a stick of incense later, two figures soared into the air from the dense forest, one heading east and one heading west, flying toward different valleys.

Duan Rong first returned to his courtyard on the mountain peak belonging to Shang Xiangyu.

When he walked into the main hall, Xiao Yu was sitting there in a daze.

Duan Rong glanced at her and said, "Xiao Yu, come inside with me."

As Duan Rong spoke, he had already walked into the bedroom.

Xiao Yu stood up immediately and followed him in; she could sense that the look Duan Rong had just given her was quite meaningful.

When she entered, Duan Rong was already seated on a chair.

As soon as she walked in, Duan Rong said bluntly, "Xiao Yu, I am going to take Lv Qingzhu as a concubine!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's vision went black, and she almost collapsed.

She barely managed to stand steady before saying, "Husband, this must absolutely not be done!"

Duan Rong said, "Xiao Yu, I already told you about my affair with Lv Qingzhu when I was a Registered Disciple."

Xiao Yu said, "What happened then and what is happening now are two different things. Husband, Lv Qingzhu is currently involved in a marriage alliance between two Sects, and behind it is the major matter of an alliance between the two Sects. For you to risk yourself like this is highly inappropriate! Please think thrice, Husband!"

Although Xiao Yu's expression was anxious, she remained dignified and virtuous, earnestly trying to persuade Duan Rong. She was not acting out of jealousy; she was afraid that Duan Rong would be in danger.

Duan Rong's heart stirred; he could see that Xiao Yu was concerned for his safety, afraid that he was acting foolishly and doing something reckless.

Duan Rong said, "Xiao Yu, I know your heart. But I cannot watch Lv Qingzhu marry someone else; my mind is made up on this matter!"

Duan Rong knew that if he were to take Lv Qingzhu as a concubine, according to ritual, he must have Xiao Yu's consent; otherwise, if Xiao Yu were not present during the ceremony, it would not be a complete ritual.

Xiao Yu said, "Husband, if you want to take a concubine, I, your wife, do not object! But it absolutely cannot be Lv Qingzhu."

Duan Rong looked steadily at Xiao Yu and said, "Xiao Yu, you must accept this. I must marry Lv Qingzhu!"

There was a certain resolute will in Duan Rong's words. Xiao Yu looked at the light in Duan Rong's eyes and knew that she could no longer shake this will.

Tears rolled down Xiao Yu's eyes, and she sighed, "Does Husband know that once you marry Lv Qingzhu at this juncture, there will surely be storms and sword-light and blood-shadow behind it! Husband, for the sake of one Lv Qingzhu, is it worth it?"

Xiao Yu had not yet given up; she knew deeply that the implications at this time were immense!

Duan Rong said, "This is not business! There is no such thing as worth it or not! If you ask if it is worth it, why was I willing to violate the Sect Iron Law to save you from the Tower Forest back then? Your matter and Lv Qingzhu's matter are essentially the same thing! If I were to not dare to marry Lv Qingzhu now because of those storms and sword-light and blood-shadow, then at that time, I would have also left you to die trapped in the Tower Forest because I did not dare to violate the Sect."

"Xiao Yu, do you really want a husband like that?"

Xiao Yu stared blankly at Duan Rong, a bright luster flashing in her eyes, as if she were meeting Duan Rong for the first time.

Of course she did not want such a husband; her husband was a man who would dare to make an enemy of the whole world for his own woman, absolutely not a coward!

Was a man who feared wind, rain, and the Sword, watching helplessly as his beloved woman married another, truly worthy of her love?

It was precisely because Duan Rong was such a man that she was devoted to being his wife. How could she have forgotten that herself?

Xiao Yu suddenly curtsied and said, "Husband, it is Xiao Yu who was muddled! Wherever you wish to go, even if it is filled with wind, rain, and the glint of Swords, Xiao Yu will certainly stand behind you!"

Duan Rong walked over, helped Xiao Yu up, and said, "Xiao Yu, if you can accept her, then I will have no worries left."

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Since you have her in your heart, Husband, Xiao Yu will surely treat Lv Qingzhu like my own younger sister."

Duan Rong said, "Such virtue! With a wife like this, what more could Duan Rong ask for!"

Xiao Yu said, "Husband, tomorrow is the day of the Engagement Ceremony. With time so tight, do you have any idea how this matter should proceed?"

Duan Rong said, "I will take Lv Qingzhu into the household tonight. Some of the preparations regarding the rites will still need to be handled by you."

Xiao Yu said, "Mm, Husband, just give your orders!"

(End of chapter)