As the clamor of the feast gradually subsided, the Zi Family study was filled with the aroma of tea, yet the atmosphere was even more solemn than before.
Yu Qing put down her teacup and looked calmly at Zi Yunfeng and Duan Tianqing.
"Uncles," he said in a gentle yet clear voice, " Xiner, Ruyi, and I are deeply in love and have already pledged our lives to each other. I have come here for two reasons: first, to resolve the family's concerns, and second, to formally propose marriage to you both, and earnestly request that you marry your two precious daughters to me and hold a grand wedding ceremony."
Upon hearing this, the study immediately fell silent.
Zi Yunfeng and Duan Tianqing's smiles froze slightly as they exchanged a glance, both seeing the hesitation in each other's eyes.
With the family crisis just resolved and everything in need of rebuilding, and morale not yet fully stable, holding a grand wedding at this time is not, in their view, the best opportunity.
Zi Yunfeng carefully chose his words before speaking: " Young Master, we will never forget the kindness you and His Majesty have shown to our two families. We have also witnessed your affection for our daughter Ruyi and niece Xin. However... with the family now newly established and many things to attend to, holding the wedding at this time might be a bit rushed. Perhaps... it would be more prudent to postpone it for a while?"
Duan Tianqing nodded in agreement: "Yes, it's not that we're unwilling, Young Master, it's just that..."
They weren't against it, but out of the head of the family's caution, they felt that the family should be consolidated first before the daughter's marriage would be held in a grand and prestigious manner.
Before Yu Qing could speak, Zi Ruyi and Duan Xin, who were standing to the side, became anxious. Just as they were about to speak, Yu Qing gave them a reassuring look.
He had anticipated this question. After all, it was a stretch to expect the two family heads to immediately agree to this somewhat "shocking" three-person wedding based solely on gratitude, without any proof.
It's time to show some "sincerity".
Yu Qing smiled slightly and looked at Zi Ruyi: "Ruyi, since your uncles want to see if our 'preparations' are adequate, why don't you... put their minds at ease?"
Zi Ruyi immediately understood. She stepped forward and bowed gracefully to her father and Duan Tianqing: "Father, Uncle Duan, I know your concerns. But please believe me, my choice will never bring shame to the Family; on the contrary... it will make the Family even more prosperous!"
Before she finished speaking, her spirit power rippled slightly.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black! Six spirit rings rose one after another from beneath her feet, the last one, a deep, ink-black ten-thousand-year spirit ring, radiating a heart-pounding energy fluctuation!
" Spirit Emperor?!" Zi Yunfeng jumped to his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief. The teacup in his hand fell to the ground with a crash, shattering into pieces. He stared at his daughter in disbelief! Six months ago, when he left home, his daughter had only just entered Spirit King... Realm! How is this possible?!
Duan Tianqing was so shocked that he couldn't speak; his mouth was agape enough to fit an egg.
But that's not all!
Zi Ruyi smiled slightly, and with a thought, her Spirit quietly appeared. It was no longer the supple purple vine of before, but a divine plant, its entire body a noble purple-gold, its leaves seemingly shimmering with starlight! The powerful aura of the Spirit instantly filled the entire study, far stronger than any plant-type Spirit they had ever seen!
" Spirit... Spirit has evolved?!" Zi Yunfeng's voice trembled. As the head of the family, he knew all too well what this meant! A Spirit Emperor, plus a Spirit that had clearly evolved to an extremely high quality —his daughter's future was simply limitless!
Duan Xin stepped forward with a grin, also releasing his Spirit Ring and Spirit. The phantom of Crimson Flame Red Dragon, evolved from Crimson Flame Dragon Lizard, let out a deep roar, and the scorching and pure Dragon power petrified the two clan leaders once again.
"Level 5...58?! Dragon... Dragon -type Spirit?!" Duan Tianqing felt like she was about to faint. This world was too crazy!
Yu Qing then spoke slowly, his words calm yet thunderous: "Uncle, Uncle Duan. As you can see, Xiner and Ruyi are progressing well in their cultivation with me. Their future is far from over. I believe that holding the wedding now is the best opportunity to demonstrate the potential of both families and my strength to the entire Icefall City, and even the Heaven Dou Empire. I wonder if you two still feel it's too hasty?"
"Not hasty! Not hasty at all!" Zi Yunfeng practically shouted, his face flushed with excitement. "Let's do it! We have to do it big! Let's make it a grand affair, so the whole of Icefall City knows!"
Duan Tianqing nodded vigorously, "That's right! God bless my Duan family! Having such a fine son-in-law is a great blessing for both our families! The wedding must be held as soon as possible!"
What about a stable family, and what about taking a long-term view?
Faced with the terrifying potential displayed by her two daughters and this unfathomable "ideal son-in-law," nothing else matters!
The most important thing now is to finalize the official status! Lock it in! It must be locked in!
...
A few days later, the wedding invitations jointly sent by the Zi and Duan families were scattered like snowflakes throughout every prominent family in Icefall City.
The invitation was simple and direct: Zi Family's Young Miss Zi Ruyi, Duan Family's Young Miss Duan Xin will marry Yu Qing in three days. Young Master is marrying his wife at the Zi Family residence. We cordially invite you to attend.
This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating a huge wave in the upper class of Icefall City!
"What?! Zi Ruyi and Duan Xin are going to marry the same person?"
"Who is this Yu Qing? I've never heard of him before!"
"Is that the mysterious person who helped the two families resolve their troubles a few days ago?"
"Why?! What makes him worthy of marrying the two most dazzling gems of Icefall City at the same time?!"
Especially those noble young men who had pursued or secretly admired the two young ladies were struck by lightning upon hearing the news, their hearts shattered, and the whole sky seemed to turn gray!
"No—! My beloved little sister Ruyi!"
Xiner Young Miss! How could you be so foolish!
" What kind of bewitching potion did Yu Qing give them?!"
Jealousy, resentment, anger… all sorts of emotions fermented in the hearts of these talented young men. They dared not say anything to the bride, but they were determined to make this guy, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, look bad at the wedding!
…
On their wedding day, the Zi Family mansion was draped in red silk, filled with guests, a scene of great celebration. But beneath this festivities, undercurrents surged. Many of the young talents from Icefall City's families, especially those who had once considered Zi Ruyi and Duan Xin their dream girls, were heartbroken, their faces grim as they mingled among the guests. They exchanged glances, reaching a silent consensus—they absolutely could not let this mysterious Yu Qing get away with it!
The first to make a move was the young master of the Li family in the north of the city, a spoiled brat known for his "slippery hands". He was holding a glass of red wine that was filled to the brim, almost overflowing, with a fake smile on his face, and he stumbled toward Yu Qing.
" Young Master, congratulations! I'd like to toast you!" Before he finished speaking, his wrist "accidentally" jerked, and the glass of red wine was splashed precisely onto Yu Qing's bright red wedding dress!
If the wine were spilled properly, staining this joyous occasion with wine would be extremely unlucky and embarrassing.
Many guests held their breath, and some young people who were waiting to see the joke on the guests even showed gloating expressions.
However, as if Yu Qing had eyes in the back of his head, just as the wine was about to spill on him, he very naturally took a step to the side, switching places with Duan Xin, seemingly just considerately making room for his wife.
And that glass of wine, without wasting a single drop, was poured entirely onto Young Master Li's expensive, moon-white suit that he had specially prepared for today!
"Oh dear!" Young Master Li exclaimed, stunned as he stared at the large, wine-red stain that was rapidly spreading across his chest. He stood there, unsure whether to move forward or backward, his face alternating between red and white, looking like a dazed goose caught in the rain.
The surrounding guests were stunned for a moment, then burst into suppressed laughter. This young master Li wanted to embarrass someone, but ended up becoming the laughingstock himself!
Yu Qing seemed to only then notice him, and asked Dao with a "concerned" expression, "Young Master Li, are you alright? How could you be so careless? This wine... must be quite expensive, right?" His words were extremely sincere, as if he were genuinely feeling sorry for the other person.
Young Master Li was trembling all over, but he couldn't say a word. In the end, under the mocking gazes of everyone, he slunk away to the side hall, covering his face.
Seeing that the "first move" had failed, another Zhao family Young Lord, known for his arm strength and spirit power, stepped forward. He was tall, with rough hands, and a confident smile on his face.
" Young Master Yu, I've long admired your name! It's an honor to meet you today, and you are indeed a man of great talent! Come, let's shake hands and become friends!" He extended his large, fan-like hand, secretly activating his family's Thick Earth Meditation Method, gathering spiritual power in his palm, determined to make Yu Qing cry out in pain during the handshake and embarrass himself in front of everyone.
Yu Qing saw the cunning glint in his eyes, smiled slightly, and calmly extended her hand.
The moment their hands clasped together, Zhao Young Lord's confident smile froze! He felt as if he were holding a red-hot iron, or an unshakeable mountain! The spirit power he had gathered vanished without a trace, like a clay ox sinking into the sea, while the other's hand remained unmoved, even sending a shockwave through him, making his wrist numb and his knuckles crack!
Young Lord Zhao's face instantly turned bright red, veins bulging on his forehead. He used all his strength, but couldn't budge his opponent an inch; in fact, he was on the verge of collapse. He tried to pull his hand away, but found it was as if it were clamped in iron clamps, impossible to free!
Yu Qing maintained her warm smile, as if she were merely offering a polite handshake, and even gave it a "friendly" two light shakes: " Young Lord Zhao is truly enthusiastic."
"Uh...heh...heh..." Zhao Young Lord forced out a few dry laughs, cold sweat pouring down his face. He felt like his hand bones would shatter if he gripped it any tighter!
Yu Qing then seemed to have just noticed his discomfort, and released his hand at the opportune moment, even "kindly" patting his shoulder: " Young Lord Zhao doesn't look too good, did you not sleep well last night?"
Lord Zhao Young felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He abruptly pulled back his numb and trembling hand, hid it behind his back, and his face turned ashen. He could barely speak, "N-nothing! Master Yu Young...so...so strong! " After saying that, he almost staggered backward and hid in the crowd, not daring to look at Yu Qing again.
The two consecutive setbacks left the remaining young talents both shocked and furious. A young master from the Sun family, who prided himself on his extensive knowledge and skill in sophistry, stepped forward, fanning himself with a folding fan, ready to verbally humiliate Yu Qing.
" Young Master was able to win both Young Miss and Xiner at the same time" "Young Miss, you must come from an incredibly distinguished family and possess unparalleled talent," Master Sun said sarcastically, seemingly flattering but actually pressing for information about Yu Qing's background. "May I ask which prestigious family you come from, or which esteemed master you studied under? Perhaps we, the children of Icefall City, could learn from and admire you!"
This was an extremely tricky question. If Yu Qing came from an ordinary family, he would be immediately outshone. If he fabricated his identity, it would be easily exposed later.
Immediately, all eyes were on Yu Qing, and even some elders showed expressions of curiosity.
Upon hearing this, Yu Qing remained calm and gently embraced the slender waists of the two brides beside him, a helpless smile, almost like that of Versailles, on his face: " Master Sun Young, you flatter me. I can't claim to come from a prestigious family, and my apprenticeship is merely self-taught. To be honest, I'm ashamed to say that the reason I've won the favor of Ruyi and Xiner is perhaps simply because..."
He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at the two women, his words sincere and frank: "I love them more than anyone else, and I happen to have the ability to protect them and give them the future they want. As for family background and mentorship... do love and commitment really need those things to prove them?"
These words were spoken frankly and with deep feeling. Not only did they cleverly avoid the sharp questions, but they also elevated the issue to the level of "genuine feelings," making Master Sun's difficult remarks seem particularly vulgar and narrow-minded.
Zi Ruyi and Duan Xin were deeply moved, nestled tightly on either side of Yu Qing, and exclaimed in unison, "My husband is right! In our hearts, you are the best!"
This sudden display of affection caught Master Sun off guard, leaving him speechless. Many female guests around him were also ecstatic, thinking that Yu Qing was simply too handsome!
Master Sun opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that any words seemed pale and powerless in the face of the other party's "true love is invincible". In the end, he could only close his folding fan in a huff and retreat with a sullen face.
The series of difficulties were easily resolved by Yu Qing in various ways, making her the fool of herself in the process. These proud and ambitious young men watched helplessly as their goddess, whom they had admired for years, wore her most beautiful wedding dress, her heart and eyes fixed on another man, even willingly sharing him with two women…
Their last line of defense finally collapsed completely.
At the moment the wedding ceremony officially concluded, Yu Qing took the hands of Zi Ruyi and Duan Xin, receiving blessings from everyone.
That scene became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
In a corner of the banquet hall, the young talents led by the three sons of the Li, Zhao, and Sun families could no longer maintain their outward composure.
Looking at his filthy suit, Young Master Li burst into tears: "My Ruyi... she used to smile at me..."
Young Lord Zhao rubbed his still numb and swollen hands, tears streaming down his face: "Why... why is he so strong... "
Master Sun, utterly dejected, muttered to himself, "True love... does true love mean you can do whatever you want...?"
It's unclear who started it, but these usually well-mannered young men suddenly started hugging each other in groups of three or five and crying loudly, and the scene briefly got out of control.
"Waaaaah... My youth is over!"
"My dream is shattered!"
" The two most beautiful flowers in Icefall City... how did they end up... ended up..."
"Brother, I understand! Don't mention it... sob..."
Their cries were genuine and heart-wrenching, creating an extremely eerie contrast with the festive and lively atmosphere of the wedding, making them appear both comical and pitiful.
Some elders shook their heads and sighed, feeling their children were too disappointing. Many more guests, however, couldn't help but chuckle and whisper among themselves, treating it as the most entertaining part of the wedding.
Yu Qing glanced at the crying "Loser Alliance " from afar, smiled helplessly, and then looked down at the two brides, teasingly saying in a soft voice, "Looks like you two are quite charming, aren't you?"
Zi Ruyi covered her mouth and chuckled: "Serves them right, who told them to always swarm around like flies before."
Duan Xin waved her little fist: "My husband is the best. He took care of them all!"
"Alright, let those who are not involved cry on their own." Yu Qing smiled and hugged his two lovers tightly. "How can we waste such a beautiful day? Ladies, we should proceed with the next 'important ceremony'."
The two women blushed instantly, nestled shyly against him, and slowly walked towards their new home amidst the gazes of the crowd, which were filled with blessings, envy, or jealousy.
The cries from the corner seemed even louder and more desperate... This night was destined to be a sleepless one for many talented young people in Icefall City.
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