The entire Yunmiao Peak was enveloped in an aura that was both solemn and festive.
Ethereal fairy music drifted through the air, auspicious signs appearing one after another.
Su Tiantian was dragged out of bed before dawn to bathe, be perfumed with incense, and have her hair and makeup done.
She felt like a doll with no emotions, surrounded by a crowd of maids and matrons who dressed her up.
When the phoenix crown adorned with Eastern pearls and golden phoenix feathers, so heavy it felt as though it could snap her neck was placed on her head,
Su Tiantian felt her cervical spine let out a groan of protest.
“System…”
She wailed silently in her mind.
“This hat weighs at least ten pounds! Is this a wedding or an execution? Can this ‘seriously injured and not yet recovered’ body of the original host really handle this?”
(System: Host’s vital signs are stable. Please maintain character settings and keep smiling.)
Su Tiantian: “…” Smile, my ass!
She forced a weak, blissful smile at her reflection in the mirror.
Inside, however, she was frantically calculating:
How many roast chickens could the pearls on this phoenix crown buy if she pried them off?
Could she break off a piece of that gold leaf?
The auspicious hour arrived.
Surrounded by attendants, she walked step by step toward the towering eighty-one-step Heavenly Stairway leading to the main hall.
With every step, she felt the “mountain” on her head sway.
The intricate wedding robes felt heavier by the second.
She desperately recalled the etiquette she had crammed over the past two days—keeping her pace even, her posture… as elegant as possible.
Her inner monologue, however, was screaming nonstop:
“One step, two steps, the devil’s stride… Were these stairs designed for giants? My legs are about to break!”
Finally, she saw Song Qingzhi standing at the top of the stairs, dressed in bright red wedding robes.
She had to admit this man was a natural clothes hanger.
Usually as cold as snow, he looked completely at ease in such a bold red, which only made his features even more strikingly handsome.
Yet the Aloof, icy aura around him remained unchanged, as if all the surrounding noise and celebration had nothing to do with him.
He extended his hand toward her.
Su Tiantian looked at that hand long, clean, with distinct knuckles.
Taking a deep breath, she gently placed her hand in his.
At the moment their fingertips touched, she felt a faint coolness in his palm.
(System: Ding! First official hand-holding successful! Target character affection level… analyzing… no change detected.)
Su Tiantian: “…” Useless system!
Next came the unbearably tedious rituals.
Heaven-worshipping, ancestor-announcing, contract-binding…
Su Tiantian maintained a standard smile the entire time, feeling like her face was about to freeze.
Especially when, under everyone’s gaze, she had to drink the ceremonial wine with Song Qingzhi.
She had to act out that shy, deeply affectionate look.
She widened her eyes, trying to make her gaze seem misty and full of emotion.
But because she didn’t blink for too long, she nearly gave an impromptu performance of “tears streaming down her face.”
Song Qingzhi lowered his eyes to look at her slightly reddened eye rims (from holding her breath), his expression deep and unreadable.
At last, the ceremony reached its final stage the blessings from everyone present.
At that moment, a clear and gentle voice rang out.
“Disciple Bai Weiwei respectfully wishes Master and Mistress eternal unity and lasting blessings.”
Su Tiantian’s spirits lifted here comes the original female lead!
She followed the sound and saw Bai Weiwei wearing simple yet appropriate attire.
Graceful and poised, with a pure and refined beauty.
She stood out sharply against the sea of celebratory red around her.
She bowed gracefully, her posture flawless.
The way she looked at Song Qingzhi carried pure admiration, along with a barely perceptible… sense of loss?
Here it comes! The classic scene!
Su Tiantian immediately went into battle mode.
She shifted slightly to the side, “leaning” closer to Song Qingzhi (in reality, their sleeves were just a bit closer any closer and she wouldn’t dare!).
Then she responded in a soft, weak voice filled with “dependence” and “happiness.”
“Thank you, Junior Niece Weiwei.”
She deliberately emphasized the words “junior niece,” then looked up at Song Qingzhi, trying her best to appear innocent and harmless.
“Brother Qingzhi, Junior Niece Weiwei is truly thoughtful.”
Song Qingzhi’s gaze swept lightly over Bai Weiwei. He merely nodded, saying nothing more.
The gentle smile on Bai Weiwei’s face did not change, but the fingers hidden in her sleeves curled slightly.
Night fell, and the noise gradually faded away.
In the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly. Only Su Tiantian and Song Qingzhi remained.
The atmosphere… was a little awkward.
Su Tiantian, still wearing the heavy phoenix crown, sat at the edge of the bed covered with red mandarin-duck quilts.
She felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
According to the process, next should be the wedding night…
Should her “Seduction Plan V3.0” go online now?
She sneaked a glance at Song Qingzhi standing by the window.
With his back to her, he gazed at the moonlight outside. Even the bright red wedding robes couldn’t hide the cold solitude surrounding him.
Su Tiantian took a deep breath and decided to take the initiative.
She stood up and deliberately let her wide sleeves brush against the ceremonial wine jug on the table, making a small sound.
Then she spoke timidly, her voice soft and sweet.
“Brother Qingzhi… this phoenix crown is so heavy… I—I can’t quite reach the clasp at the back…”
After speaking, her heart pounded wildly.
This time, surely he’d come help, right?
Close contact!
Ambiguous atmosphere!
Here comes the opportunity!
Song Qingzhi turned around. Candlelight cast shifting shadows across his perfect profile.
He looked at her, his gaze pausing briefly on her neck, which was clearly strained by the weight of the crown.
Then he raised his hand.
Su Tiantian rejoiced inwardly here it comes!
However, Song Qingzhi merely pointed lightly through the air.
A flash of spiritual light passed by, and Su Tiantian suddenly felt her head lighten.
The heavy phoenix crown and all the complicated hair ornaments were instantly removed, neatly and gently placed on the dressing table beside her.
Su Tiantian: “…”
Again… again?!
Song Qingzhi looked at her stunned expression and spoke calmly.
“Is that more comfortable now?”
Su Tiantian opened her mouth, taking a long while to find her voice again.
“Th-thank you, Brother Qingzhi.”
Inside, she was already crying rivers of tears: My wedding night!
My grand seduction plan!
Why has it turned into a magic demonstration again?!
Immortal Lord, is your Dao companion magic?!
Looking at her conflicted, aggrieved little face clearly wanting to complain but not daring to Song Qingzhi’s eyes flickered with an almost imperceptible trace of emotion.
“You’re tired today. Rest early,” he said lightly.
After that, he walked straight to a meditation cushion in the corner of the room.
He sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes.
And began meditating.
Su Tiantian stared at her immortal Dao companion, who on their wedding night had left her aside and started cultivating on his own.
She was completely petrified.
In her mind, she shook the system frantically.
“System! Did you see that?!
“H-he-he… he’s actually meditating! On the wedding night! In front of his beautiful bride! Is this something a human would do?!”
(System: Target character’s behavior exceeds standard database patterns. Analyzing… Suggestion to host… adapt as needed.)
Su Tiantian looked at that snow-cold figure on the meditation cushion, then at the bed covered in red quilts.
She clenched her small fists in grief and indignation.
Fine! Song Qingzhi, you win!
She angrily climbed onto the bed, wrapped herself into a tight burrito with the quilt, and turned her back to him.
At first, she tried to stay awake.
She refused to believe it! She’d try again later!
What if he softened up eventually?!
But somehow, without realizing when, she drifted off into a hazy sleep.