Chapter 553: Jiang Yaozhang's Astonishment

Jiang Yaozhang walked into the front hall, hurried forward to kneel, and called out, "Honored Teacher, you summoned your disciple."

Xiao Dezao said, "Yaozhang, this is Lord Duan Rong."

Jiang Yaozhang had been in the Inner History Department for these past three years; although he had only just been promoted to History Supervisor a few months ago, he had still heard of Duan Rong's name.

He immediately bowed respectfully and said, "This humble one pays respects to Lord Duan!"

Duan Rong smiled warmly and said, "Please rise, Mister Jiang!"

Jiang Yaozhang rose upon hearing this, performed another bow, and then stood there respectfully.

Xiao Dezao said, "Yaozhang, Lord Duan wishes to take a concubine, and the auspicious time is tonight. The Lord wishes to conduct it according to the Ancient Rites. I am entrusting this matter to you; you must help Lord Duan handle it well."

Jiang Yaozhang looked at Duan Rong and praised him happily, "The Lord following the Ancient Rites is truly the conduct of a gentleman!"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "This lady of mine has a special status; following the Ancient Rites is also a form of respect toward her."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Dezao's expression shifted, and he thought to himself: It seems the concubine this Duan Rong is to marry is likely the daughter of some powerful official; no wonder he wants to follow the Ancient Rites.

However, Xiao Dezao only made a slight guess; he was still worrying about tomorrow's Engagement Ceremony and had little energy to spare to speculate on Duan Rong's affairs.

Xiao Dezao looked at Jiang Yaozhang and asked, "Has Miss Qingzhu been brought over?"

Jiang Yaozhang said, "She has been brought over. She has already been sent to Fengyi Yuan."

Xiao Dezao nodded upon hearing this and said, "You need not worry about the matters here; focus on handling things for Lord Duan."

"Yes, Honored Teacher!"

Xiao Dezao then spoke a few words of blessing to Duan Rong, walked out, and headed toward Fengyi Yuan.

After Xiao Dezao left, Jiang Yaozhang bowed to Duan Rong and said, "May I ask Lord Duan, what is the status of the lady?"

Depending on one's status, many of the ceremonial guards and rites would have corresponding adjustments.

Duan Rong said, "Her status... should be about the same as mine."

A slight shock rippled through Jiang Yaozhang's heart.

Duan Rong's current status was already that of a personal disciple of the Taiyi Sect, and he was being personally guided in his cultivation by the Sect Ancestor.

This lady's status was actually about the same as Duan Rong's.

Little did Jiang Yaozhang know that for Duan Rong to say it this way was already a very conservative statement.

Jiang Yaozhang said, "The lady's status is noble; according to the Ancient Rites, the entire ceremonial procedure is no different from that of a primary wife, only there will be one less pearl on the phoenix coronet."

Duan Rong said, "It is just that the time is a bit rushed; I wonder if the ceremonial guards can still be prepared in time?"

Jiang Yaozhang said, "May I ask the Lord, has the manor prepared anything?"

Duan Rong said, "Only some daily necessities have been prepared, such as red candles and paper cuttings."

Jiang Yaozhang said, "That is no problem! Because of the preparations for this Engagement Ceremony, quite a few ceremonial supplies have been stocked in this Separate Courtyard for emergencies, which can just happen to be used by the Lord."

Duan Rong said, "That is excellent!"

Jiang Yaozhang asked again, "May I ask the Lord, how many relatives and friends are expected to attend the wedding?"

Duan Rong said, "Just a few people, I suppose."

"Just a few people?" Jiang Yaozhang gave Duan Rong a strange look.

"Yes," Duan Rong nodded and said.

Jiang Yaozhang had assumed that since Duan Rong said the lady's status was noble and he was conducting it according to the Ancient Rites, he would surely be hosting a grand banquet for guests; he had not expected there to be only a few relatives and friends. Was this not somewhat strange?

Jiang Yaozhang suppressed the questions in his heart and said, "Then this humble one will bring two Attendants over, and we will be able to carry out this ceremony."

Duan Rong's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Mister Jiang may make his own decisions."

Jiang Yaozhang said, "However, the time for arranging and preparing the ceremonial guards is still very tight. Please trouble the Lord to go to the warehouse with me; whether the lady's phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes fit will require the Lord to take a look. Once selected, we will go to the Lord's manor; if we are quick, we should not miss the auspicious time."

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Then I shall trouble Mister Jiang to put in the effort."

Jiang Yaozhang said, "The Lord is willing to follow the Ancient Rites, which I respect greatly; I will certainly do my utmost to handle it well for the Lord."

Duan Rong glanced at Jiang Yaozhang; this person was meticulous and handled matters steadily—Xiao Dezao had indeed arranged a capable person for him!

The two walked out of the front hall and headed toward the warehouse in the Back Courtyard.

The courtyard was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers everywhere; as Duan Rong walked, he raised his eyes to look around, imprinting the entire environment of the Back Courtyard into his mind.

They walked past a Corridor, and seeing a courtyard behind the Rockery not far away, Duan Rong suddenly asked, "Mister Jiang, is that Fengyi Yuan over there?"

Jiang Yaozhang glanced at it and said, "Reporting to the Lord, it is indeed Fengyi Yuan."

Duan Rong asked, "Will Miss Qingzhu be in Fengyi Yuan for the entire night tonight?"

Jiang Yaozhang said, "Yes. Miss Qingzhu needs to arrange her hair ornaments, put on her ceremonial robes, and then familiarize herself with tomorrow's etiquette. Once the auspicious time arrives, the ceremonial guard team will escort her to Longyu Hall to complete the ceremony."

"Oh," Duan Rong responded casually as he walked.

After walking a few more steps, Duan Rong's heart stirred, and he suddenly released his entire Divine Sense, enveloping the surroundings.

His Divine Sense passed through walls and courtyards, quickly alarming the two guards stationed in the southeast and southwest; two strands of Divine Sense simultaneously swept across Duan Rong's body in an intersecting manner.

In just an instant, Duan Rong immediately retracted his Divine Sense.

"Lord, we go this way!" Seeing Duan Rong suddenly standing there motionless, Jiang Yaozhang's expression tightened as he turned back to say.

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Very well, Mister Jiang! Let's go!"

He followed Jiang Yaozhang and continued walking forward.

Duan Rong had only released his Divine Sense for a mere instant, and he had Jiang Yaozhang leading him, so those two guards did not make things difficult for him.

To tell the truth, even if they had stopped Duan Rong, what could they have done to him? The two people guarding the southeast and the west gate were merely at the Qi Cyclone Realm in cultivation.

Although it had only been an instant, Duan Rong had already grasped the detection range and orientation of these two people's Divine Sense clearly.

With his current achievements in Divine Sense, he completely crushed the two of them.

However, he actually did not need to clash head-on, because in that instant just now, he discovered that there was a very narrow blind spot between the detection ranges of those two people's Divine Sense. It was only about as thick as a tree, and this blind spot extended all the way to the back wall of Fengyi Yuan.

When the two were on duty, even if their Divine Sense swept across in alternating fashion, they could not reach that very narrow blind spot.

Because the two people's Divine Sense—one sweeping over from the southeast and one from the southwest—intersected obliquely, there was bound to be a blind spot.

Duan Rong pondered as he walked, and soon followed Jiang Yaozhang to the entrance of the warehouse.

Jiang Yaozhang was a trusted disciple of Xiao Dezao and was permitted to enter the warehouse freely to requisition supplies without needing anyone's consent; he only needed to sign for them, a special privilege granted to him by Xiao Dezao.

Duan Rong followed Jiang Yaozhang into the Separate Courtyard warehouse and began to select the ceremonial items.

Over here, Xiao Dezao walked slowly into Fengyi Yuan; as soon as he entered, he saw Lv Qingzhu there reading a book on Ancient Rites.

Xiao Dezao nodded, glanced at Lv Qingzhu's head ornament, and said, "Miss Lv's head ornament is styled quite meticulously!"

Xiao Dezao had originally assigned someone to prepare to style Lv Qingzhu's hair, but he had not expected that her hair was already styled so well, which saved him the trouble.

Upon hearing this, Lv Qingzhu looked up, gazed at Xiao Dezao with deep thought, and said, "May I ask, Mr. Xiao, the ritual protocols here for the Engagement Ceremony seem very similar to those of a grand wedding, yet they are slightly different. Could I trouble Mr. Xiao to explain them?"

Xiao Dezao's eyes flickered; he walked over and looked at the book of Ancient Rites spread out in Lv Qingzhu's hands, feeling a slight shock in his heart.

This question from Lv Qingzhu could be said to have hit the nail on the head, and it was also a difficult point in the Ancient Rites protocols.

Xiao Dezao had taught many disciples, and whether one had aptitude depended on the questions they asked. Those who could ask questions that hit the mark generally learned quickly.

Lv Qingzhu had only been reading for two or three hours, yet she was already able to ask this question, which could not help but make Xiao Dezao look at her with new eyes.

Xiao Dezao then explained this question to Lv Qingzhu in detail, and Lv Qingzhu nodded continuously as she listened.

Xiao Dezao said, "Miss Lv, having just come into contact with the Ancient Rites, you are able to delve into the mysteries behind them; you are indeed a person with a heart for it. However, time is limited, so it would be better for you to focus your energy on tomorrow's ceremony."

Lv Qingzhu said, "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Xiao. I understand."

Xiao Dezao nodded, pointed to the phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes on the table, and said, "Once you are familiar with the ritual sequence, Miss Lv, remember to change into the ceremonial robes and phoenix coronet."

Lv Qingzhu said, "Yes, Mr. Xiao."

Seeing that Lv Qingzhu was obedient and diligent, Xiao Dezao felt greatly relieved and left Fengyi Yuan.

After he left Fengyi Yuan, he walked straight out of the Separate Courtyard and headed toward Longyu Hall on the mountain.

On the side of the Separate Courtyard, everything was mostly settled where Lv Qingzhu was, and now only this Longyu Hall remained; he had to supervise it personally to feel at ease.

Over here, Jiang Yaozhang, accompanied by two Attendants and two Guards, followed Duan Rong to the newly built courtyard on the mountain peak belonging to Shang Xiangyu.

The two Guards each carried a large chest on their shoulders.

At this time, twilight had already descended, and red lanterns were hung under the eaves of the courtyard; the place was also decorated with lights and colorful banners, all of which Xiao Yu, along with Zhu Xiaoqi and Shen Mizhi, had just set up today.

The group followed Duan Rong to the main hall, and Xiao Yu and the others had already come to greet them.

Ximen Kankan had also arrived, and as soon as he saw Duan Rong, he asked bluntly, "Duan Rong, who are you marrying?"

Only Xiao Yu knew about Duan Rong's plan to marry Lv Qingzhu; the others were unaware, and Xiao Yu naturally kept his mouth shut and would not speak carelessly.

A curious soul like Ximen Kankan naturally could not help but ask.

Duan Rong said, "Work more, ask less!"

Ximen Kankan still wanted to speak, but was pulled away by Xiao Yu.

Jiang Yaozhang felt even more strange. Could it be that these friends and relatives did not know who Lord Duan was marrying?

Only then did he realize that this matter seemed rather bizarre.

Although he was taking a concubine, he had to follow the Ancient Rites! And for such a grand ceremony, the only friends and relatives present were these few, and some of them didn't even know who Lord Duan was marrying?

Layer upon layer, every single detail seemed bizarre!

Just as Jiang Yaozhang was standing there with a grave expression, Duan Rong suddenly said, "Mr. Jiang, you may begin. You can command anyone in this room as you wish. Just ensure everything is set up before the auspicious hour."

Jiang Yaozhang gave an awkward smile and said, "Very well, very well..."

Since he had already come, no matter how bizarre it was, he could only bite the bullet and do it.

Jiang Yaozhang sighed inwardly, opened the two large chests, and began to direct everyone in the setup.

Jiang Yaozhang was deeply versed in the Ancient Rites; the entire ritual sequence and layout were clear in his mind. Moreover, he was meticulous, breaking the sequence and layout into several parts and assigning them to Xiao Yu and the others, while he himself remained in the center to coordinate.

In just an hour, everything was properly arranged.

A flash of fatigue crossed Jiang Yaozhang's face; for that past hour, he had been tense, operating at high speed.

Now, only the ceremonial robes and the phoenix coronet remained in the chest.

Jiang Yaozhang looked at Duan Rong and asked, "May I ask, my Lord, where is the lady?"

Duan Rong glanced at the sky outside, which was already pitch black, and said, "Wait a moment, Mr. Jiang, she will be here shortly!"

Jiang Yaozhang's eyes flickered slightly, and he said nothing more; he had long since sensed that something was wrong, and felt even more that he should not probe further.

Duan Rong looked back at Shen Mizhi and said, "Mizhi, come out with me."

"Yes!" Shen Mizhi walked over.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu exchanged a look with Duan Rong; their eyes were profound, but neither spoke.

Duan Rong and Shen Mizhi walked out of the main hall. Duan Rong suddenly embraced Shen Mizhi, abruptly rose into the air using the wind, and flew into the night.

With her waist held by Duan Rong, Shen Mizhi's face flushed slightly, and her breathing became somewhat rapid.

The figures of the two traveled through the dark valley where clouds and mist rolled.

Shen Mizhi suddenly asked, "Are you going to marry Lv Qingzhu?"

Duan Rong said, "Did Xiao Yu tell you?"

Shen Mizhi said, "No, I guessed it."

Duan Rong said, "Yes. I was just about to tell you about this."

Shen Mizhi was an important part of his affair with Lv Qingzhu, but Duan Rong had not told her in advance; instead, he spoke to her while flying across the valley as the moment arrived.

Held at Duan Rong's side, Shen Mizhi listened carefully to his explanation.

When the two landed at the foot of Cuiwei Peak, Duan Rong had already explained the plan to Shen Mizhi.

In the darkness, Duan Rong asked, "Is there anything you don't understand?"

"No!" said Shen Mizhi.

Shen Mizhi knew that Duan Rong marrying Lv Qingzhu would cause immense trouble, but she felt that this was a matter of mutual consent; as long as the two of them were willing, even the heavens could not interfere!

"Then let's go!" After saying this, Duan Rong embraced Shen Mizhi's waist again and traveled through the darkness.

Duan Rong had tested the Separate Courtyard's defenses during the day and knew the two Divine Sense probes in the southeast and southwest very well.

As for the ordinary patrolling Guards, it was even more impossible for them to discover Duan Rong.

Holding Shen Mizhi, Duan Rong landed lightly in a certain spot in the Separate Courtyard like a great bird, his landing soundless.

The place where he landed was exactly a blind spot for the Divine Sense probes.

He held Shen Mizhi tight and leaped down.

After several such leaps, every landing spot was within the blind spots of the Divine Sense probes.

Very quickly, the two of them arrived at the back wall of Fengyi Yuan.

On the back wall was a window, with dim yellow lamplight shining through from inside.

That window was made entirely of black iron and could only be opened from the inside.

Duan Rong suddenly stood there and mimicked the call of a wild cat twice.

Inside the room, Lv Qingzhu had long been sitting under the window, pretending to read a book of Ancient Rites while listening intently.

Hearing those two wild cat calls, she immediately stood up and opened the black iron window; under the dim yellow lamplight, she immediately saw Duan Rong's face outside.

Lv Qingzhu could not help but smile.

Then Duan Rong stepped back, and a figure darted in through the iron window, landing at Lv Qingzhu's side.

Lv Qingzhu glanced at Shen Mizhi, then moved with the agility of a ghost, darting out through the iron window.

As soon as Lv Qingzhu went out, Shen Mizhi immediately shut the iron window tight.

Outside Fengyi Yuan, Duan Rong held Lv Qingzhu, leaped up, and every landing spot fell within the blind spots of the Divine Sense probes.

After several leaps, the two of them were out of the Separate Courtyard; in the darkness, Duan Rong held Lv Qingzhu, rose on the wind, and hurried toward his own courtyard.

Lv Qingzhu could smell the scent on Duan Rong, and feeling quite moved, she said, "Duan Rong, with heaven and earth as my witness, do not fail me."

Duan Rong held Lv Qingzhu's waist, his emotions surging, and said, "Qingzhu, I would rather fail the whole world than fail you!"

After Shen Mizhi shut the iron window, she immediately walked to the side table, put on the ceremonial robes and phoenix crown, sat down, and covered her head with the Red Bridal Veil.

Only after finishing all this did she finally let out a long breath. Just a moment ago, if anyone had come in, she would have been exposed.

Although the patrolling Guards probed with their Divine Sense on the perimeter, they would not penetrate into the interior of Fengyi Yuan. Unless they discovered something unusual, they would not casually let their Divine Sense penetrate Fengyi Yuan, as that would be prying into Lv Qingzhu's privacy.

This point was also the consideration behind Duan Rong's planning of the entire route.

Over here, Xiao Dezao's footsteps were shaky as he returned to the Separate Courtyard; the arrangements at Longyu Hall had only just been completely finished, and after all that scolding over there, his mouth was now dry and his throat was aching.

Xiao Dezao sipped two cups of tea in the front hall before forcing himself to go to Fengyi Yuan; he walked into Fengyi Yuan and saw that Lv Qingzhu had already put on her ceremonial robes and phoenix crown, was wearing the Red Bridal Veil, and was sitting beside a large red lantern, with the book of Ancient Rites placed beside her.

Xiao Dezao let out a long breath; after all the busyness, everything was finally ready and no trouble had occurred, so he prepared to go to the front hall to nap for a while and wait for the auspicious time tomorrow.

Inside the courtyard on Shang Xiangyu's hill, Jiang Yaozhang could not help but feel a bit anxious; seeing that the auspicious time was drawing closer and closer, not only could he not see the concubine, but even Lord Duan had gone out.

Jiang Yaozhang gave an awkward smile, looked at Xiao Yu, and said, "Madam, the auspicious time is almost here!"

Xiao Yu said, "Sir, rest assured, nothing will be delayed."

Jiang Yaozhang's eyes flickered; this Madam certainly had composure.

Just at this moment, he saw Duan Rong walking in with large strides.

Jiang Yaozhang immediately went up to meet him and asked, "Lord Duan, where is the concubine? The auspicious time is almost here, and she still needs to change into her ceremonial robes!"

Duan Rong said, "She is already here!"

No sooner had Duan Rong finished speaking than a figure was seen walking out from behind him.

She had a slender figure, a refined and elegant temperament, and her appearance was like that of a fairy.

As soon as Jiang Yaozhang saw that woman, he was shocked. "Lv Qingzhu!?"

"You!?"

"This...!?"

(End of chapter)