Chapter 129

Zhang Jian still felt some joy in his heart.

This Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart is indeed marvelous beyond compare.

At this time, he can be said to have not yet fully exerted the greatest function of his Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart.

The perfection of the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart lies in one's own learning and the accumulation of foundation; when he has accumulated enough, he will likely have even more marvelous auxiliary effects.

……

Before the Three Ancestors Temple, Bai Nu nodded slightly to Yuhe Daoist and Xue Daoist, and the two dragons immediately returned to the White Water Dragon Palace.

Although he helped Bai Nu retain his eight hundred li of White Water territory, this duel produced many aftereffects that need to be resolved.

Besides, according to his original plan, he still needs to refine his natal magic artifact.

Zhang Jian hopes to successfully refine his natal magic artifact before entering the capital for the spring examinations.

……

White Water Dragon Palace

The divine bureaucracy vast and mighty, outside the Dragon Palace, Bai Liying at this moment found it hard to keep her jade-like countenance calm; her gaze turned toward the depths of the Dragon Palace, for Zhang Jian had just entered the Dragon Palace with the White Water Dragon Lord.

She knows that whatever is discussed inside must necessarily concern her.

No matter what, she does not wish for Zhang Jian and the Dragon Palace to fall out because of this, but deep in her heart, at some unknown time, there is also a faint ripple.

Formerly, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to the Great Dao, with only the wish for longevity in her eyes; at this moment, she somehow harbors a little hope, yet deep in her heart, regarding this hope, she actually harbors a hint of rejection.

At this moment, her heart hesitates.

She does not wish to ruin her lifelong wish for longevity for the sake of romantic love.

However, this romantic love has already become a hurdle she cannot avoid.

The dragon maiden's heart also stirs deep within, but she quickly composes herself and slowly walks to a nearby swing.

At this moment, she seems to have returned to her childhood, when her mother still protected her nearby.

In a flash, hundreds of years have passed, and her mother has already passed away.

No matter whether her father was suppressed, or pursued and hunted, or taken in by others, she would not give up, and would still strive just as diligently in cultivation.

After an unknown time, the palace gates opened, yet she saw Zhang Jian at this moment with a solemn expression, walking out from the central palace gate.

Zhang Jian immediately spotted the dragon maiden on the swing.

In her impression, the dragon maiden is mostly dressed in black, very composed and calm, rarely seen so relaxed, as if she had come alive, filled with the vitality and beauty of a young maiden.

At this moment, the dragon maiden also noticed Zhang Jian's gaze, and a bell-like laugh came forth as she said:

"Elder brother, no need for this; you speak, and whatever the result, I will gladly accept it!"

Zhang Jian stepped forward, arriving behind the swing, and gently pushed it, feeling quite amused as he said: "Younger sister, what do you think the result will be!"

After a slight pause, he continued: "Younger sister, your appearance is dignified and virtuous, your conduct decisive; in fact, I have long admired you, but previously feared to startle a beauty, so I never voiced my feelings. Now that heaven has bestowed a good match, let us form the union of Zhu and Chen!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Liying gave Zhang Jian a sideways glance; deep in her eyes, there was some charm and also a hint of joy, for she roughly knew the result of the discussion between the two inside the palace.

Indeed, Zhang Jian then gave a dry cough and said:

"Younger sister, I just spoke with..."

After a slight pause, he continued: "... with my father-in-law about the marriage proposal, and my father-in-law has already agreed. In a few days, I will openly and properly marry you, bringing you into the door as my principal wife!"

However, younger sister also knows that I have already settled a marriage agreement with my cousin, so I must wrong you; but after entering the door, there will be no distinction of seniority or juniority—what do you think?

Zhang Jian felt that saying these words was indeed rather scoundrelly.

But this is also where his sincerity lies.

After all, his current status is as lofty as rising waters lifting a boat—nothing ordinary!

Bai Liying's expression changed!

"Two principal wives?"

"Not bad; although the example of three wives and four concubines belongs to nobles and high officials, I still have some confidence in my future self; after passing the imperial examinations and becoming a jinshi, striving for the status of a noble or high official should not be difficult!"

Zhang Jian gave a slight smile, his expression bearing a smile.

The Zhang family is a great clan, with vast estate and business; as the future head of the family, he naturally should ensure the Zhang lineage continues and the family grows—this is his responsibility.

To him, taking another wife is no great matter; he originally intended to experience the red dust.

But for Bai Liying, this is a major matter.

Although he persuaded Bai Nu, if Bai Liying disagrees, it would also be troublesome to handle.

Upon hearing this, Bai Liying smiled charmingly and said: "Elder brother, why go to such trouble? You have repeatedly aided my Dragon Palace, and your kindness to my father is as vast as the sea; Liying is willing to bear offspring for you to continue the Zhang lineage!"

After a slight pause, she continued.

"However, after bearing offspring for elder brother, I still ask elder brother to allow me to return to the Dragon Palace to cultivate the Great Dao!"

As she spoke, she stood up.

A pair of earnest eyes fixed upon Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian startled and lifted his head!

"This is quite like a tale from Liaozhai..."

But gazing into Bai Liying's eyes, so utterly earnest, Zhang Jian thought for a moment and then agreed.

"There is nothing I cannot accept!"

Upon hearing this, the dragon maiden's heart also relaxed slightly; at this moment, her bright eyes held a hint of smile, and her smile blossomed like a flower:

"Besides, Zhang Lang, I wish to enter the door first!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian slightly furrowed his brow; in fact, according to his idea, having two principal wives enter the door simultaneously would be best.

At this moment, from within the Dragon Palace came Bai Nu's hearty voice:

"This is easily settled, A Yu, since you also agree to this matter, why not simply hold the wedding in the Dragon Palace? This would also count as a celebratory joy for my lord's return from breaking the seal!"

Separated from the secular world?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression shifted slightly; at that moment, he happened to meet the Dragon Maiden's smiling gaze, and he immediately nodded.

"If that is the case, then let it be as the father-in-law says!"

Zhang Jian was not one to be indecisive, but since he was to fulfill the marriage agreement, he still proposed to bring Zhang Yi and the Zhang Qi clan over first.

Bai Nu nodded and said, "Since it is a joyous occasion for both families, we naturally must invite the fathers- and mothers-in-law!"

At that moment, the entire White Water Dragon Palace became busy, as Bai Nu began directing numerous shrimp soldiers and crab generals to arrange the palace.

In fact, the Dragon Palace did not have many guests.

A thousand years have passed, and the former relatives and friends have mostly dispersed.

Especially at this time, his divine path trial is imminent, and he also does not wish to invite unnecessary complications.

Only some nearby spirits, monsters, deities, and a few leaders of major influential cultivation forces were invited.

Next came Zhang Yi and his wife.

When Zhang Yi and his wife were invited into the White Water Dragon Palace, they were still somewhat dazed.

The couple were just chatting about mundane matters in the Zhang family residence when they were mysteriously taken by a Dragon Palace divine general to the Dragon Palace to attend the wedding feast.

Only upon seeing Zhang Jian did they realize that the one holding the wedding ceremony was actually Zhang Jian and the princess of the White Water Dragon Palace.

The couple felt utterly bewildered.

Zhang Qi Shi could only resign herself; though she muttered complaints in her heart, she was powerless to stop it.

Zhang Yi remained silent on the surface, but he was extremely satisfied with this marriage alliance.

If Zhang Jian were to become the son-in-law of the White Water Dragon Palace, it would bring great benefits to the Zhang family.

Especially gazing upon the Dragon Maiden's flower-like beauty and moon-like visage, the more he looked, the more satisfied he became.

The wedding ceremony proceeded normally; after the banquet, following ritual, they paid homage to heaven and earth, then entered the bridal chamber.