“Tactical adjustment: abandon high-risk moves such as ‘weak collapse.’ Switch to a triple-combo technique: ‘innocent cluelessness’ + ‘starry-eyed admiration’ + ‘accidental fingertip contact.’”
“Ultimate goal: make Song Qingzhi grow accustomed to my presence, and then fall in love with my (disguised) soul!”
She was writing with great concentration when a respectful voice sounded from outside the door.
“Miss Su, His Excellency has ordered that your measurements be taken so your wedding attire may be prepared.”
It’s here! Su Tiantian immediately stuffed the little notebook back into her sleeve.
She switched to frail mode in a second and replied softly,
“Thank you for the trouble.”
Several highly skilled seamstresses entered in a line, carrying bolts of cloud-brocade and shimmering merman silk that gleamed with flowing light.
Su Tiantian was handled like a delicate doll, while her inner thoughts spammed wildly.
This fabric feels amazing! Blinding my titanium-alloy dog eyes!
Whoa! That embroidery is gold thread, right? How many roast chickens could I trade it for if I picked it off?
You want the waist tighter? Sister, I’m supposed to be a ‘severely injured patient’ I can’t breathe!
After the measurements were taken, the seamstresses withdrew.
Then several stern-looking female cultivators arrived, saying they had come on the Immortal Venerable’s orders to instruct her in wedding etiquette.
“Miss Su, during the ceremony you must ascend the eighty-one Heavenly Steps hand in hand with His Excellency. Your pace must be even, your breathing steady, your posture elegant…”
Su Tiantian felt dizzy listening this was harder than the college entrance exam.
She tried to imitate the dignified gait, only to walk with the same hand and foot and nearly trip herself.
“Miss Su, when holding the ritual posture, your fingers must curve slightly, revealing one-third of the tender hand. The angle must be just right to show grace…”
Looking at her stiff fingers, Su Tiantian wailed internally.
This is harder than doing radio calisthenics!
She spent the entire day being tortured by requirements of “dignity,” “soft beauty,” and “elegance.”
Only by evening did the instructors finally nod and leave.
Su Tiantian collapsed onto the soft couch, feeling completely hollowed out.
“System… I think I might not live to see the wedding day…” she said weakly.
(System: Host’s vital signs are stable. Please actively complete the task. Friendly reminder: the target individual is currently on the way to visit you.)
What?! Song Qingzhi is coming?
Su Tiantian jolted upright, instantly springing off the couch far too agile for a “severely injured” person.
Her eyes swept the room rapidly, searching for an opportunity to create “accidental contact.”
Got it!
The pot of spiritually lush orchids on the flower stand in the corner!
She’d pretend to admire it, then “accidentally” trip over her skirt!
Plan approved!
When Song Qingzhi’s cool, Aloof figure appeared at the doorway, what he saw was this:
The girl stood with her back to him, seemingly absorbed in admiring the orchid.
She bent slightly forward, black hair cascading like a waterfall, her figure slender.
The glow of the setting sun wrapped her in a soft halo, the scene tranquil and beautiful.
Then suddenly, her body swayed slightly, as if tripped by her overly long skirt.
A faint cry escaped her lips as she softly toppled toward the flower stand.
The angle was calculated precisely if Song Qingzhi stepped forward in time, two strides would be enough to catch her.
Perfect!
However, the anticipated warm, solid embrace never came.
Instead, she felt a gentle yet undeniable current of spiritual power appear out of nowhere.
Like an invisible hand, it lightly supported her waist and arm.
The next second, she was guided by that force and seated steadily on the nearby embroidered stool.
At the same time, the orchid she had been “admiring” was lifted by spiritual power and gently placed on the low table in front of her.
Su Tiantian: “……”
She stared blankly up at Song Qingzhi and met his calm, unruffled gaze.
“Do you like it?” he asked, his voice betraying no emotion.
Su Tiantian nodded mechanically, while ten thousand mythical beasts stampeded through her mind.
Brother! The flower is not the point!
My seduction plan has failed again and again and again!
Is your spiritual power specifically designed to counter my script?!
She forced out a grateful, shy smile.
“Th-thank you, Brother Qingzhi…”
Inside, she was screaming: My cursed, homeless acting skills!
Song Qingzhi looked at the stiff smile on her face.
His gaze lingered briefly on her cheeks, faintly flushed from her recent “efforts.”
He then walked naturally to the seat opposite her and sat down.
“How are your etiquette lessons?” he asked, as if casually.
Here it comes!
Her chance to show how hard she was trying (while actually suffering)!
Su Tiantian immediately lowered her lashes, unconsciously twisting her sash, her voice light and soft.
“The matrons taught me very carefully… it’s just that Yao’er is slow. I always feel I haven’t learned well enough. I-I’m afraid I’ll embarrass Brother Qingzhi…”
As she spoke, she raised her eyes at just the right moment, moisture forced into them.
A perfect display of a “clumsy but hardworking” little white flower.
Song Qingzhi’s gaze passed over her fingers, twisted pale from tension, and he said lightly,
“No need to be nervous. Just follow the formalities.”
Su Tiantian nodded obediently.
Inner monologue: Easy for you to say!
A subtle silence spread between them.
Her mind raced, searching for a topic to break the awkwardness.
And to implement the “starry-eyed admiration” plan.
Her gaze fell on the seemingly ordinary calming jade pendant at Song Qingzhi’s waist. She tried hard to make her eyes sparkle.
“Brother Qingzhi, this jade pendant is suffused with spiritual energy surely it’s no ordinary item? Yao’er doesn’t understand these things, but she feels it suits you especially well.”
Quick tell me its backstory so I can admire you properly!
Song Qingzhi lowered his eyes and glanced at the pendant, his tone unchanged.
“It’s just a common item of the sect.”
Su Tiantian: “……”
Did the conversation just… die like that?
Unwilling to give up, she remembered her “severely injured” persona and tried again, her voice even weaker.
“While practicing my steps today, I found it hard to regulate my breathing. My chest felt tight… Brother Qingzhi, when you first entered the immortal path, did you ever experience such trouble?”
Please share an embarrassing story! Give us something in common!
Song Qingzhi looked up at her, his deep eyes seeming to see straight through people.
“After establishing one’s foundation, such concerns cease.”
Su Tiantian: “……”
I’m sorry. I overstepped.
I should never have asked a genius about cultivation struggles!
She felt her smile was about to crack.
Fortunately, Song Qingzhi did not stay long.
He rose to leave, his gaze sweeping over her clothes, slightly disheveled from the fitting.
It finally settled on her face, looking tired from etiquette training (really just emotionally exhausted).
“Tomorrow, the wedding garments will be sent for fitting. If anything is unsuitable, inform them early.”
He paused, then added,
“If you feel unwell, there is no need to force yourself.”
With that, he turned and left.
Su Tiantian stood frozen, savoring his last words.
(System: Analysis of target’s words concern level: 30%; procedural obligation: 70%.)
“System, does this count as… a tiny bit of progress?” Su Tiantian stroked her chin.
“Even if it’s mostly that 60% responsibility, at least he told me I ‘don’t have to force myself,’ right?”
(System: That interpretation is acceptable. Please continue as you are.)
Su Tiantian’s confidence surged again. She pulled out the notebook and added another line.
“Seduction Plan V2.1 Addendum: Target shows slight signs of loosening! Maintain the ‘earnest but clumsy’ persona to stimulate protectiveness! Also: broaden knowledge base avoid killing conversations!”
Outside the hall, Song Qingzhi walked beneath the covered corridor.
Unbidden, the image of her twisting her sash and darting her eyes around for topics resurfaced in his mind.
His steps slowed slightly. He instructed the steward disciple waiting nearby,
“For the wedding garments delivered to her tomorrow, line them with soft snow-silkworm cotton.”
“And add a box of calming incense.”
With that, he continued on, moonlight stretching his figure long and slender.