Chapter 111: Exalt Yourself

~~~

After Dai was done panicking, and Patriarch Shang was informed of the debacle involving Feng and Matriarch Chen Zijing, the Young Master returned to his estate, going once more over his preparation for the night ahead..

In the midst of his work, his mind went over the conversation he had with Lianshi and why she chose him.

Superior in the only way that mattered… That was what she said. It was why she loved him. But what did that mean?

Red and green flashed in the corner of his eyes. Feng did not flinch. He merely turned to the woman.

He looked at the wraith meaningfully. She huffed, partly in amusement.

“Am I to serve as the guide to your torrent love life, now?”

“Between the two of us, you are the one who was the most invested in my relationship with Lianshi,” Feng pointed out.

“One could consider it cruel to ask such advice from a woman who still holds affection for you.”

Feng said nothing. The wraith sighed.

“You are a fool not to see it. It is not something so simple as to be constrained within mere words.”

“I would appreciate simple right about now,” Feng stated calmly. “None of this makes sense to me. Not you. Not Lianshi.”

“It wouldn’t. It is because your perspective is skewed from the start.”

Feng frowned. The wraith continued.

“You always feared her love to be false. You lie to yourself, even as you had, unknowingly, reciprocated her affections. You do not believe you love her. You believe such an act to be a singular passing of your heart to hers, and that such a thing was not possible for as long as you have me in your life. But love is never that binary; never that crude or transactional.”

“Can you be any more obtuse? You are not helping,” he sighed.

“I do not need to. You already know the truth. You already learned these lessons millennia ago.”

There was something stirring in his chest. A pain that was both familiar and unwelcome.

“Love… It is not a proclamation. It is your actions, your words, your touches. It was in the lingering gazes you shared with her. The long conversations over meaningless topics you spent together, simply to enjoy each other’s company. It was in the silence too, in those precious memories of peace you gave to her, and her to you.

“Fool of my heart. You had been loving the girl since before either you or she realised it. You simply deny it to yourself because you could never believe you deserve a place with her. Meanwhile, she did not hesitate, because you had already made it clear…

“You will never abandon her for as long as she needs you.”

Feng closed his eyes. He sighed. “And how would a wraith know of love?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You were the one who taught it to me, an age ago.”

~~~

Matriarch Chen and her entourage were settled in. A suitable welcome was celebrated, lavish guest houses were provided for their stay, and the delegates’ wedding gifts were well-received and reciprocated with treasures from the Beheaded Phoenix Sect.

From the outside, all looked cordial, and the binding of the two sects’ interests appeared to be well underway even before the wedding’s conclusion.

Within shadowed rooms and sealed hallways, however, things were far less pleasant.

Patriarch Shang was in a private meeting with the Matriarch. The man had already been informed of her attempted assassination of her son.

The rest of the Sects — save for Lianshi and Dai — were not privy to that information, and for good reasons. Should word of the incident spread, it would prove utterly disastrous for the Sects’ future relations.

And so the facade of peace and mutual friendliness was to be maintained. No doubt Patriarch Shang would extract considerable reparations for his Sect, but the heinous crime of Chen Zijing would go unpunished, relatively speaking.

Feng was not included in the ongoing negotiation, but he trusted his Father to handle such sensitive political matters with the Carnivore Matriarch well.

It was another Carnivore that presently had his concern.

Night was falling. Lianshi would be arriving back at his estate soon, once matters with Lingyu and the other Elders were dealt with. As much as the Young Miss loathed her duties, she was capable of performing them when the situation called for it.

Should matters with Matriarch Chen worsen, it would not be unthinkable for Lianshi to take upon the mantle of Sect Leader instead. 

She had, after all, already proved her strength superior to the current Matriarch. Her youth would be an issue, but the quality of her cultivation would quell all worries.

In any case, Feng would be left wanting in every regard. But his Fiancée had already made her choice clear. Since neither superior suitors nor the expectations of her entire Sect could sway her decision…

All that was left was for Feng to do his best and meet her love with everything he had.

~~~

“You look… nicer than I thought you would tonight.”

Lianshi smiled appreciatively as she looked over Feng’s attire. He had washed himself and donned a new set of exotic robes he bought from the bustling markets catered to cultivators, one carefully picked out under the advice of his wraith.

The Young Master stood upon the carved eaves of the pavilion, wearing a robe of deep indigo silk, trims embroidered with silver thread. Cloud patterns of glinting black jade curling along his sleeves. An inner garment of pale blue was pressed against his well-muscled form, complete with a golden sash cinched to his waist, from which hung a small sachet of sandalwood and a ceremonial token etched with his Clan’s sigil. 

His hair had been combed and tied, secured with a hairpin of blue enamel. The faint scent of cypress lingered around him — a favourite of Lianshi’s, on the rare occasion he bothered with perfumes or scented oils. 

It was certainly different from the usual blend of gold and black courtesy of his Sect’s apparel. The entirety of his present looks — from the foreign garb, the fragrant oil, or even his shoes — was of considerable quality and design, meant more for vanity than any practical use.

Still, it suited the occasion. And if nothing else, Lianshi definitely approved. 

As did his wraith, from her appreciative glances, though her looks stemmed less from captivation than from pride.

She was the one who chose the attire for him, after all.

I feel like a peacock, he thought, mildly embarrassed.

“You like presentable, for once. Stop complaining.”

Lianshi herself was dressed well. Gone was the Sect bodysuit and Fang-rimmed coat. Instead, she was dressed in layered robes. Shades of soft moonlight blue and misty lavender complemented her dark hair, with the velvet material embroidered in winding cranes and lotus petals. A sash of pale jade-green secured her waist, and gold hairpieces shaped like phoenixes pinned her sweeping tresses into an intricate style so much unlike her usual ponytail.

In short, her appearance was so different from her usual, free-spirited look that Feng was left smiling, especially at Lianshi’s disgruntled expression.

“Don’t laugh, my handmaidens won’t let me into the celebratory reception unless they dress me up first,” she groaned. “Though I must say, I’m a little glad I let them doll me up now, seeing how you look. I feel underdressed beside you.”

“If anything, it is I who is inadequate when standing beside you,” Feng chuckled as he walked over to her. “Your beauty would capture the gaze of the stars, regardless of how you dress. Whereas I can only exalt myself in the hopes of matching even a tenth of your radiance.”

“Would that be an invitation to undress myself, then?” Lianshi teased. “Perhaps then you might feel more comfortable in my presence?”

Rather than reply, Feng wrapped his arms around Lianshi’s waist and pulled her close, pressing her body to his.

His lips met hers, the surprised gasp from her turning into an appreciative hum as he deepened the kiss. She returned his passion with eager fervour, only letting him free after a full minute had passed.

“Should the lady deign to bless me with her presence unveiled and unconcealed, who am I to stop her?” Feng shakily smirked. “Though she cannot blame me if I choose to indulge beyond mere forlorn gazes and compliments.”

The wraith nearby chuckled. “And you claim my poetry to be bad.”

This is your bad influence at work, woman, he thought back, not without fondness.

“My, my. You are a lot bolder tonight,” Lianshi mumbled breathlessly. “I could grow used to this.”

“I’m glad to hear your approval, because I aim to be bolder still as the night goes on.”

The Young Miss grew flushed. “Keep this up, and I’m not going to wait for the wedding night, Young Master. Your bed is right there, after all.”

“Tempting,” he smiled. “But fortunately for my virtue, we are not staying here tonight.”

Lianshi raised an eyebrow. Feng released the arms wrapped around her waist, though his hands remained clasped over her fingers.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“You’ll find out.”

“A mystery, then.” Her eyes lit with childlike curiosity and wonder. “Alright. Take me away.”