Chapter 527: The Wedding Ceremony

The majestic imperial palace, bathed in the glow of the evening glow, gleamed as if every stone had been kissed by ancient divinities.

Inside the grand celestial hall at the palace’s heart, a wedding was underway. Though the palace was golden, brilliant, and vast beyond measure, the ceremony itself was surprisingly simple—attended by only a handful of people.

The newlyweds were none other than Shi Hao and the celestial maiden Yue Chan. Their parents, Shi Zi Ling and Qin Yi Ning, stood beside them, while the groom’s cold, stoic brother, Qin Hao, watched silently. Only two other guests, Peng Jiu and the War King, completed the gathering.

This was no ordinary union. The Holy Sect of Heaven Restoration had long held sacred traditions, and its divine maiden marrying a mortal? If word spread, it could spark outrage among the younger generation, inciting war against the Kingdom of Shi itself.

Yue Chan’s fame was unparalleled. Aloof and transcendent, free from worldly dust, she stood untouchable in many hearts—revered as the Supreme Immortal Maiden of the Mortal World.

Moreover, the sect traced its legacy back to the Heavens themselves, an ancient, unbroken lineage of power and sanctity. Its Holy Maidens were forbidden to wed—this union broke a sacred law.

No one outside the palace knew that, at this very moment, the celestial beauty adored by millions was defying tradition, standing beside a man the world deemed a devil.

“Honor the Heavens and the Earth. Honor the Elders…”

The War King presided over the ceremony, while Peng Jiu, the ever-diligent, ensured every detail—from the banquet to the wine—was in perfect order.

“Yue Chan hails from Heaven, and her station is beyond price,” Qin Yi Ning advised Shi Hao solemnly. “You must cherish her, not betray her trust. Crown her a Noble Consort—only fitting for her grace.”

Even at this moment, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law continued their war.

“I do not acknowledge this wedding!” Yue Chan declared, her ivory chin lifted high. Her disdainful gaze swept toward the woman she still saw as the vile Holy Maiden.

“Do you aspire to be Empress? That shall never happen!” Qin Yi Ning shot back.

…

The War King and Peng Jiu fared the worst, involuntarily drawn into this battlefield of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Whatever they said would only deepen the tension. Uncomfortable and unsure, they simply stood there in silence.

Stars shimmered. The ceremony stretched on far longer than expected—mainly due to the fierce battle between two generations of Holy Maiden. The men, understanding their precarious position, wisely kept quiet and drank in silence.

“Hao, take your bride to the bridal chamber and give me a grandchild soon!” Qin Yi Ning’s voice rang out.

Predictably, this earned her a heavy toll—once again wounding her own side far worse than the enemy. Yue Chan, too, wore a face of distress. After a long verbal duel, she was visibly shaken. And when the moment of reckoning arrived, the color drained from her face.

“Senior Qin, I beg your pardon! Let us end this!” Yue Chan finally yielded.

A satisfied grin bloomed on Qin Yi Ning’s face. She nodded, then turned to Shi Hao: “Hao, lead your bride away now!”

“Will you not fear retribution from Heaven Restoration when you ascend?” Yue Chan demanded, her color paling.

“Not in the least,” Qin Yi Ning replied serenely. “They shall rejoice at the birth of a grandson of peerless talent.”

Candles flickered, crimson lanterns adorned the palace walkways, and the bridal chamber overflowed with festive cheer. Yet the hall was silent and empty, save for the newlyweds—no handmaidens attended.

Delivered to her chamber, Yue Chan could find no peace. She sat stiff and wary, truly frightened.

“Ah, what a plight!” Shi Hao sighed, sitting by a jade table, drinking alone, muttering to himself.

Yue Chan strained to listen, both tense and puzzled as she cautiously observed the young man.

“Big Zhuang, Er Meng, Little Rascal… their children already run about. At last, it’s my turn? Yet I have no time to care for a brood of babies.”

Her skin prickled at his words, rising in tiny goosebumps. Was this brute truly speaking of children?

As a Holy Maiden of purity, merely sitting beside a man through the night felt like a violation—one she found unbearable.

Imagining the horrors to come, Yue Chan shuddered violently, all composure shattered, her heart gripped by icy dread.

“Yue Chan,” Shi Hao called, raising his glass. “Join me in a toast. We must yet uphold my mother’s command.”

“W-what… command?” Yue Chan’s voice wavered. For the first time in her life, she faltered—her poise cracked, fear overtaking her.

“She bids us bear children early—no fewer than three,” Shi Hao said.

Yue Chan’s eyes widened. She took an involuntary step back, gasping in shock. That vile Holy Maiden—was this her vengeance? She would resist this with all her strength!

“Why are you silent?” Shi Hao asked.

“W-who… would give birth for you? Find someone else!” Though her face was smooth and pale as jade, it lacked warmth.

“I wed you. Why seek another?” Shi Hao’s expression shifted, puzzled.

“Are you doing this on purpose? To frighten me?” Yue Chan, after a breath, steadied herself.

“On our wedding night? Why frighten you? You, the celestial being above all, how could you entertain such thoughts?” Shi Hao laughed, gesturing for her to join him, offering a cup for the wedding rite.

Yue Chan refused, turning her head away and settling motionless on the bed’s edge, ignoring him.

“Hey, Maiden, so fond of the bed, yet unwilling to step away?” Shi Hao teased.

Yue Chan’s face flushed in fury. “Speak sense! Who enjoys beds? Were I able, I would leave instantly.”

“If you won’t come, then I shall sit beside you,” Shi Hao said with a bright smile.

To Yue Chan, however, it felt as though a great demon approached. Her body tensed, every hair on end, as she rose abruptly: “Stay back! I… I shall come.”

Moonlight poured through the window like flowing water. The two drank together, their cups glowing softly in the moonlight, their faces bathed in tranquil radiance.

“Mother of my child—”

At those words, Yue Chan snapped.

How dared he use such a title? Even if she had accepted this union, such familiarity was unthinkable.

“Beloved,” Shi Hao tried another term, only to meet coldness again. Laughing, he said, “The Holy Maiden of Heaven Restoration has long been revered, slaying demons, traversing a million miles of lands, ruling the Eight Realms. Yet here, within a humble bridal chamber, you are this tense?”

Her anger surged, aching to strike him.

“Little Shi,” Yue Chan adjusted her breath, urging calm. “Let us speak plainly, to settle matters.”

“I have been calm all along. You are the one who tenses. But I must admit, it warms my heart—realizing I hold such weight in your heart that I can make you this anxious,” Shi Hao said, shamelessly.

“Be solemn. What I must say concerns much,” Yue Chan pressed.

Shi Hao immediately straightened, meeting her gaze. “Indeed, three—your first command from mother after her return. We must not disappoint her.”

“Three?!” Yue Chan shrieked.

“Fine, two. I’ve already been overly lenient,” Shi Hao declared, his tone serious.

“You… what are you babbling about? That is not what I wished to discuss! Don’t interrupt me!” Yue Chan exploded, face flushed crimson. He was doing this on purpose.

“Who else if not you? Wife. Unless… is there a problem? No worries, I possess Golden Elixir—I shall heal you,” Shi Hao joked.

“You…” Yue Chan turned away.

“You are my wife. Naturally, it is with you.” Somehow, Shi Hao had already taken her hand—delicate, pale as moonlight, flawless as jade.

Yue Chan’s cultivation was sealed, her divine senses dulled. She barely noticed when he reached for her hand.

Quickly withdrawing it, her expression shifted—beauty mingling with unease and fear. She felt the night’s fate was unavoidable.

“Shi Hao, should you wish to wed me, it is not impossible,” Yue Chan suddenly declared, clenching her teeth.

Shi Hao widened his eyes in astonishment. He had expected a battle, a long struggle—not this sudden offer.

“Are you sincere?” He struggled to believe this sudden gentleness.

“Indeed,” Yue Chan said, her beauty enhanced in the moonlight. “But only if you accept one condition.”

“I refuse!” Shi Hao cut her off instantly, without hesitation. He knew that condition would be unbearable—why agree?

“Will you not even listen? It brings you no harm—I assure you,” Yue Chan said, composed.

“I cannot believe you,” Shi Hao shook his head, drank a final cup, and rose. “Wife, the night has grown deep. We should rest.”

Her heart pounded. Her body prickled again with nervous tension. She had to speak fast.

“I wished only to tell you how to capture the Witch.”

“Eh? That’s your condition?” Shi Hao’s eyes gleamed with surprise and intrigue.

“If you bring her here to dwell in the palace, I shall accept this wedding,” Yue Chan said, her eyes shimmering, her luscious lips gleaming in the moonlight.

Shi Hao smiled. How deeply this Witch must have wronged Yue Chan, for her to offer such a condition—to ensnare the Witch alongside herself, to share in this fate.

“And how do I capture her?” Shi Hao asked, a playful grin dancing on his lips.

“You’ve agreed?” Yue Chan’s eyes brightened, hoping to stall.

“I haven’t,” Shi Hao replied cheerfully. “But I would still enjoy the prospect.”

“You have no Sincere Heart,” Yue Chan huffed, turning her head. Her raven hair spilled down, her flowing gown stirred by the night breeze, highlighting her exquisite silhouette.

“I have great Sincere Heart,” Shi Hao countered. “We are husband and wife. You loathe the Witch. What better than to plan her subjugation together?”

She turned, meeting his gaze—eyes ablaze, yet speechless.

“Wife,” Shi Hao smiled again, dazzlingly white teeth gleaming. “If we disagree tonight, we shall continue tomorrow. For now, rest.”

And with that, the young groom’s laughter echoed into the moonlit night.