TheLazyDreamer
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26. Wedding Preparations
🕑 Added 2025-04-10 10:28:28 +0000 UTCInside the modest hut, Madam An sat by the fire, its flickering light casting soft shadows across her face.
"Mother," Bai Yunxi said softly, stepping forward. "We need to talk."
She sat beside her mother, emotions swirling within her. In hushed tones, she recounted the evening's events—Su Kang's confession, her acceptance, and his marriage proposal.
Madam An listened in silence, her fingers wrapped around Bai Yunxi's hand. As her daughter spoke, a slow smile bloomed on the older woman's lips, her eyes shining with quiet joy.
"Oh, Xi'er," Madam An whispered when Bai Yunxi finished, tears gathering in her eyes. "I'm happy you're moving on with your life."
Bai Yunxi hesitated, surprised by her mother's immediate approval.
"I'm... worried. About what others might say. I feel restless about marrying a second time."
Madam An's smile widened.
"Nonsense," she said firmly, tightening her grip on her daughter's hand.
"Those who love you will understand. I believe your father is smiling down from above. As for others—what they think doesn't matter. Your happiness is what matters most."
Bai Yunxi lowered her gaze. "It's all happening so fast... I feel like I'm being swept away," she admitted.
"He wants to marry me here, in the village. What should we do?"
Madam An's eyes sparkled. "If he's giving you status, it means he truly cares about you—despite your past. Other men with his standing wouldn't offer such sincerity."
"As for the wedding, don't worry about the preparations!" she said, struggling to her feet and leaning on Bai Yunxi for support.
"We must tell Old Man He. There's much to do."
Supporting her mother, Bai Yunxi made her way to Old Man He's hut. The old man sat by his hearth, his weathered face lit by the warm glow of firelight.
Madam An stepped forward, unable to contain her excitement. "Old Man He, my daughter is getting married—to Su Kang."
The old man blinked in surprise, then a slow grin spread across his face. He stood, his movements stiff but filled with energy.
"Married?" he exclaimed, clearly delighted.
"To that young cultivator? That's wonderful news! He seemed like a good person."
He clapped his hands together, his mind already racing. From Su Kang's ability to fly, it was clear to Old He that he was no ordinary man.
"I'm thinking about asking for help from the village elders," Madam An added, her eyes twinkling.
"The wedding will be right here in the village. I was hoping you could help with the arrangements."
Old Man He chuckled, a warm, rumbling sound.
"Consider it done. I'll gather the villagers, arrange the feast, and handle the rest. You just focus on enjoying this happy occasion."
Madam An squeezed Bai Yunxi's hand, gratitude shining in her eyes.
"Thank you, Old Man He. You've always been a true friend."
"Nonsense," he said with a wave. "We're practically family now. Besides, it's not every day we host a cultivator's wedding."
Despite his enthusiasm, Old Man He felt a little pressure. A cultivator's wedding was no small affair. But seeing the joy in Madam An and Bai Yunxi's faces, he decided to stop worrying about it. If the couple had no concerns, neither would he.
By morning, news of the impending wedding spread like wildfire. The village buzzed with excitement, and preparations began in earnest.
To the villagers, Bai Yunxi was one of their own—Madam An's daughter. And Su Kang, a Foundation Building cultivator in their eyes, was a figure of awe. They were thrilled to witness such a rare occasion.
Later that day, Su Kang took Bai Yunxi to the city to purchase wedding necessities. The bustling streets were alive with color and sound—merchants calling out their wares, children laughing, and the scent of roasted meats drifting through the air.
He encouraged her to indulge, to choose the finest silks and the most exquisite jewelry—not just for their wedding attire, but for the betrothal gifts meant for her mother and Old Man He.
Bai Yunxi, initially hesitant, found herself caught up in his carefree spirit. A sense of lightness she hadn't felt in decades began to blossom within her, loosening the knots of restraint she'd carried for years.
She chose red silk with a light blue under-robe—simple yet elegant, dignified yet soft. Su Kang, on the other hand, selected a deep red robe embroidered with golden threads.
Soon, their storage ring filled with betrothal gifts—fine jewelry, fragrant delicacies, rare teas, and toys for the village children.
When Bai Yunxi raised an eyebrow at the toys, Su Kang smiled and said, "Happiness feels more real when it's shared."
In the evening, Su Kang took Bai Yunxi to a serene lake, where boathouses sailed gently through the water.
They boarded one, and he ordered food for them. She was enchanted by the scenery.
The moon painted the calm lake silver, its reflection mirroring the star-studded sky. The aroma of grilled fish and fragrant rice filled the night air as they ate in silence, comfortable even without the need for constant conversation.
Then, Su Kang reached into his spatial ring and retrieved a small, intricately carved wooden box.
"This is for mother-in-law," he said, placing it gently in her hands. "A token of gratitude for her blessing."
Curious, Bai Yunxi opened it. Inside lay a pearl-like pill, gleaming softly under the moonlight.
"It's a longevity pill," he explained.
"It can help her live longer—at least to ninety, if not for hundred years."
Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. "Su Kang…" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"Thank you. You've done so much..."
Her mother was already over sixty and had suffered so much over the last few decades. With this pill, she could live to ninety years of age.
He smiled gently.
"Nonsense, what kind of husband would I be if I didn't care for my mother-in-law?"
Bai Yunxi's heart swelled with gratitude, and for the first time, the word came effortlessly to her lips.
"Husband," she murmured, soft and full of emotion.
Su Kang's eyes lit up, his smile blooming like spring. He pulled her into a warm embrace, his heart full.
He had waited for this moment, worked for it—to win her affection, to bring light back into her life.
He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek.
"Yunxi, you are adorable."
Her cheeks flushed as his warm breath brushed against her ear. Then she felt the softest graze of his lips against her earlobe.
Her heart skipped. Nervousness and excitement rushed in all at once. He kissed her earlobe.
She looked up, her face bright red.
"Husband… not here. There are people nearby," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Su Kang chuckled softly, confident. "Yunxi, don't worry. I'm using my powers. No one can see or hear us."
As he leaned closer, she closed her eyes in quiet anticipation.
Su Kang's lips met hers—tentative, gentle. Bai Yunxi stiffened at first, but warmth bloomed inside her chest, slow and unfamiliar.
His lips were warm, firm, yet delicate—coaxing, not demanding.
Her hands, uncertain at first, clutched the fabric of his robe. But slowly, they slid upward, wrapping around his neck.
When his lips moved, she tried to respond, timidly mirroring him.
Surprised by her reaction, Su Kang deepened the kiss, savoring the sweetness of her breath. Their lips moved in perfect rhythm, tender and unhurried.
When his tongue brushed against hers, she tensed—but he noticed and stopped at once.
He pulled back, planting a soft kiss on her lips before she opened her eyes again.
Her face was a lovely shade of pink. Her lipstick had smudged just a little.
Bai Yunxi, still dazed, noticed his lips. Seeing the faint trace of color she'd left, she reached up, flustered, and wiped it off gently with her fingers.
"I borrowed it… Normally I don't wear such things," she mumbled, wanting to explain.
Su Kang smiled, amused. "I need to look after my wife's preferences. I'll buy better ones."
She lowered her gaze, cheeks still warm. Su Kang took out a white handkerchief and dabbed her lips clean.
When she tried to take it from him, he tucked it into his ring.
"It'll be our keepsake of this beautiful night," he whispered with a soft smile.
"But… you have to be careful. No one can see this," she murmured.
"Of course. It's just for us—husband and wife. One day we'll look at it and remember our love story," he whispered, resting his chin gently atop her head.
She felt like a young woman again, wanted and adored by the man beside her. After so many years of enduring, she finally felt cherished—safe in his arms.
Su Kang, sensing her softness and vulnerability, tightened his embrace and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
They remained like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, before eventually returning to the village.
