Li Daoqiang naturally had no idea about the deliberations between Murong Fu and his retainer. But he could roughly guess something similar. The purpose of his personal visit this time was to put some pressure on Murong Fu, to make him hurry up and build a connection, to send Ah Zhu and Ah Bi over quickly. Murong Fu had acknowledged the two girls as his sisters, formally inducted them into the Murong family, and done all this right in front of him. If he didn't understand Murong Fu's intentions, he'd be a fool. Still, for some reason, that guy seemed to have some misgivings and hadn't brought it up yet. He didn't feel like overthinking it. This trip to pick up Wang Yuyan was also an opportunity to give him some pressure and a chance. As for getting more deeply entangled with the Murong family, he couldn't care less. It wasn't like they were permanently tied together—why worry?
The next day. Waking up from his cultivation of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art, Li Daoqiang was once again warmly received by Murong Fu. But even though he'd subtly given him another opening, that guy still didn't bring it up. He couldn't help but ponder. Could Murong Fu be planning something bigger? The thought flickered past, and he suppressed his curiosity. No rush. Maybe the other party could still surprise him with something greater. After chatting and laughing for a while, Li Daoqiang casually returned to Manor of the Drifting Clouds.
By afternoon, everything was ready. They planned to set off the day after tomorrow, heading back to Black Dragon Stronghold.
Night fell, the bright moon shining high. In a warm, fresh boudoir, Wang Yuyan rested her cheek on one hand, staring blankly at the moon outside the window. Dressed in a lotus-colored gown, her slender waist and graceful figure seemed ethereal under the moonlight, like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world—so beautiful it felt sacrilegious to defile. Her bright eyes, still innocent, now held a trace of sorrow and heartache, enough to melt even steel. Li Qingluo walked in lightly, immediately sensing her daughter's mood. She sighed softly, her usual sternness fading into tenderness and affection. Approaching, she called gently, "Yuyan."
Wang Yuyan startled, quickly lowering her fair little hand. Her delicate, water-like skin bounced back to its original state. She whispered with deep attachment, "Mother~!"
"Is my Yuyan about to marry and feeling reluctant?" Li Qingluo stepped forward, pulling Wang Yuyan gently into her arms.
"Mm." Wang Yuyan instantly became like a wronged child, pouting and letting tears fall.
"Silly child, a girl always has to marry. Besides, it's not like you won't see your mother again. I'll visit you often," Li Qingluo said softly.
"Mother, Yuyan doesn't want to marry," Wang Yuyan blinked, unable to help murmuring quietly.
Li Qingluo wasn't angry, just sighed lightly. "Every girl feels this way before marriage. But once you're married, you'll truly grow up. Don't say such things again."
Wang Yuyan pouted, staying silent.
"Alright, think of the good things. Li Daoqiang is a fine man. Marrying him, I won't have to worry about you anymore. And Yuyan, rest assured—if he dares to bully you, I won't stand for it," Li Qingluo said firmly.
Wang Yuyan didn't know what to say, only burrowing deeper into that warm, soft embrace. It was the only thing that could comfort her. Li Qingluo chuckled softly—still such a child. Then, a flicker of unease crossed her mind. Yuyan was too soft, too naive. What if someone bullied her at Black Dragon Stronghold? What if Li Daoqiang's other women mistreated her? She'd have to visit Black Dragon Stronghold more often. And in Lin'an, she'd need to fight for more things. Making a silent decision, Li Qingluo continued soothing her daughter.
"Mother, could you come to Black Dragon Stronghold with me?" Wang Yuyan suddenly asked after a while.
"Heh, silly girl, what would that look like? People would laugh," Li Qingluo said with amusement.
Wang Yuyan looked disappointed.
"Alright, don't be scared. I'll arrange plenty of maids for you—you won't be lonely. Miss me, and just write," Li Qingluo comforted her.
"Oh." Wang Yuyan was still a bit down, her spirits low.
"By the way, make sure to diligently practice the Little Wuxiang Art I taught you. The stronger you are, the more confidence you'll have, understand?" Li Qingluo reminded her worriedly.
Wang Yuyan responded again, a hint of indifference in her brow. Li Qingluo noticed immediately, a bit helpless, then moved on to other reminders. These were things she'd already said, but she couldn't help repeating them out of concern. Under the moonlight, the mother and daughter, with their strikingly similar faces, leaned together, whispering softly—a warm, beautiful scene. A pity no one was there to witness it.
...
Two days later arrived. Li Daoqiang set off with Wang Yuyan back to Black Dragon Stronghold. They'd come with dozens of people; now they returned with over three hundred, forming a long procession. But with plenty of horses and everyone having some cultivation, the pace wasn't slow. On the thirteenth day of the eighth month, they returned to Black Dragon Stronghold.
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the stronghold was decked in festive red. Li Daoqiang held his third wedding ceremony there. Aside from a very few, no one showed any dissatisfaction. As usual, after bowing to heaven and earth, Li Daoqiang didn't linger long at night and returned to the bridal chamber. With him gone, the stronghold folk were more at ease.
In a separate courtyard at the back, dozens of maids waited respectfully. When Li Daoqiang arrived, a series of rituals began—more formalities than the previous two times. He didn't grow impatient, letting them proceed. Only after all the rituals were done did he wave them away. Lifting Wang Yuyan's veil, a breathtakingly beautiful face came into view, tinged with tenderness and obvious shyness and unease. It struck his heart. Truly beautiful! Seeing her eyes tightly shut, too afraid to look at him, he found it utterly endearing. Not rushing, he thought for a moment and gently pulled her into his arms. Her fragrant, soft body, though still sweet and pliant, was stiff and trembling slightly.
"Yuyan, we're husband and wife now. From this moment, we're the closest people. We'll grow old together. I'll treat you well. You treat me well too, okay?" Li Daoqiang said with a gentle smile.
"Mm."
A voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz—if not for his extraordinary hearing, he wouldn't have caught it. Looking again, her already flushed face was even redder. Her small, fair hands were clenched tightly, her body tense against him. Li Daoqiang found it even more amusing—young girls were so easy to coax. His gaze flickered, and he poured out sweet words without restraint. "From now on, you can tell your husband anything. This is your home. I'm your support. I'll love you well, and you must love me too."
Wang Yuyan couldn't speak, her cheeks burning, her mind in a daze as she buried her face in his broad chest, not daring to lift it. Li Daoqiang smiled and said no more. Some things, doing is better than saying. But other things, saying is far less effective than doing. After doing, many things become easier to talk about. To accommodate the young girl, all the lamps were extinguished, leaving only the faint moonlight. Li Daoqiang... Li Daoqiang found her physique even weaker than Qi Fang's, like a porcelain doll. In the dim room under the pale moonlight, she lay in his arms, tear stains still on her small face, like a fragile kitten. Li Daoqiang frowned slightly. Too weak, too frail—it really wouldn't do. Wang Yuyan had already fallen asleep. He glanced at her perfect form, then toward the direction of Qi Fang's courtyard. After a brief hesitation, he ultimately abandoned the thought. He still considered himself human.
(Chapter 1, this chapter was flagged for review, so some cuts had to be made.)