I Was Forced to Marry a “Trash” Cultivator, But She Turned Out to Be a Reborn Empress!

Chapter 3: The Couple Presents Tea, Shen Li’s Grudge

The next morning, the first light of dawn was just breaking.

Shen Xian pushed open the carved wooden door, feeling refreshed and invigorated. The abundant spiritual energy coursing through him had brought about a subtle transformation in his bearing.

“Young Master… you seem different.” A maidservant holding a jade basin hurried over, unable to hide the surprise on her face.

Shen Xian chuckled lightly. “Oh? How so?”

“I can’t say exactly… you just seem… more spirited.” The maid tilted her head, confusion etched on her small face.

In the past, her young master had always carried an air of perpetual sleepiness and languor. It was rare to see him looking so bright-eyed and full of life.

Shen Xian smiled without replying.

His change stemmed from his breakthrough in cultivation, but that did nothing to alter his fundamental desire to slack off. After all, he could grow stronger even while lying down.

His gaze drifted toward the bridal chamber.

The door stood slightly ajar as Ye Qingxian slowly stepped out.

Today, she wore a long gown of snowy gauze. Her features were exquisite, as if painted by a master’s hand, but her eyes held a cold light, radiating a faint sense of detachment. Her dark hair was casually gathered with a single golden hairpin, a few stray strands falling gently across her forehead.

On the first day after the wedding, presenting tea to the parents was the custom.

Stepping outside, Ye Qingxian moved with graceful steps until she stood before Shen Xian.

“Let us go,” she said coolly.

Perhaps because she had recovered her cultivation and broken through the previous night, the chill in her gaze when she looked at Shen Xian had thawed somewhat.

Shen Xian nodded and walked side-by-side with her.

Behind them, the maid in the emerald-green dress stared blankly at their retreating figures.

In the soft morning light, Shen Xian stood tall in his simple blue robe, while Ye Qingxian’s snowy gauze gown trailed lightly on the ground. The sleeves of their garments gently overlapped in the morning breeze, resembling an immortal couple walking out of a painting.

She suddenly snapped back to reality. Looking at their retreating backs, she sighed with admiration. “They truly are a match made in heaven!”

The Main Family Hall.

Within the resplendent and magnificent hall, the Shen Family Patriarch, Shen Xiong, and his principal wife sat upon the main seats.

Shen Xiong, a middle-aged man with a square-jawed face and eyes exuding authority, was the Patriarch of the Shen Family, the foremost among the Ten Great Immortal Clans. He had stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm years ago; his strength was unfathomable.

Beside him sat Nangong Wan, the Matriarch of the Shen Family.

To their left sat two others.

One was Shen Li, whom Shen Xian had encountered previously.

The other wore robes of purple and gold brocade, with a white jade pendant at his waist. His face was as handsome as carved jade, his skin emitting a faint spiritual glow. His eyes, in particular, were clear and deep, seeming capable of piercing through anything.

This person was none other than Shen Xing, the legitimate eldest son of the Shen Family, who possessed an Innate Dao Body.

Apart from them, various senior clan members were seated along both sides of the hall.

The larger the family, the more importance they placed on rituals and propriety; it was one way they displayed their power and authority.

When Shen Xian entered the hall with Ye Qingxian, all eyes turned toward them.

Countless gazes first landed on Ye Qingxian. Seeing that peerlessly beautiful face and the aura of pristine detachment she carried with each step, everyone was shaken. Even though this was not their first time seeing her, the sight still evoked awe and wonder.

Even Shen Xing, who was usually composed and unflappable, had a flicker of surprise pass through his eyes.

This woman was far too stunning!

If her cultivation had not been crippled, she would have been more than a match for him.

What a pity… His gaze fell upon his good-for-nothing younger brother, Shen Xian, and he shook his head slightly in his heart.

A piece of flawless jade had been tarnished just like that.

Incense smoke curled lazily within the hall as Shen Xian and Ye Qingxian slowly approached. Maidservants had already prepared the spirit tea.

They stood to the left and right, respectively, corresponding to each parent.

“Father, please accept this tea from your son.”

“Mother, please accept this tea from your daughter-in-law.”

Both gave slight bows, their voices calm yet courteous.

Shen Xiong looked at his own flesh-and-blood son. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before he responded with a cold, “Hmm.”

This Patriarch’s life had been glorious; his only failure was siring such an utterly useless son. If not for his wife’s protection, he would have long since tossed him into the mortal world for tempering.

He accepted the spirit tea, took a small sip, placed it aside, and said nothing further.

Shen Xian’s expression remained placid. He was long accustomed to this kind of disregard and paid it no mind.

It was Nangong Wan beside him who, after drinking her tea, took both their hands and placed them together.

A cold glint flashed deep within Ye Qingxian’s eyes, but she made no move to pull away.

Nangong Wan looked first at Ye Qingxian and spoke softly. “Xian’er has been lazy since childhood. Qingxian, you must be patient with him.”

Having said that, she turned her gaze, full of affection, toward Shen Xian. “From now on, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you two must be united as husband and wife. If it truly becomes too much… come ask your mother.”

“Yes, Mother,” Shen Xian replied respectfully.

Since childhood, this mother had been extremely good to him; she represented the only warmth he had felt since arriving in this world. He cherished it deeply.

To the side, Shen Li witnessed this scene, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.

Since they were young, their mother had always doted excessively on this trash of a brother while being exceptionally strict with him and their eldest brother.

“Enough. The tea has been presented.” Shen Xiong suddenly rose to his feet. “Xing’er, Li’er—come with me to the study. The rest are dismissed.”

Having said that, he strode away without glancing at Shen Xian once from start to finish.

Nangong Wan sighed softly and patted Shen Xian’s hand. “Do not take it to heart. Your father is simply like that.”

Shen Xian gave a light laugh. “I understand perfectly well.”

Nangong Wan nodded slightly and gestured for a servant to bring forward a jade tray. Upon it rested two exquisitely crafted jade pendants—one carved with a dragon, the other with a phoenix.

She spoke gently once more. “This is just a small meeting gift from your mother for the two of you. They contain an array formation that can activate automatically in times of crisis. You must keep them on your person at all times.”

“Do not worry.” Shen Xian did not refuse. He accepted them and fastened one to the jade belt at his waist.

He then casually handed the other pendant to Ye Qingxian. “Take it.”

After his realm breakthrough earlier that day, Shen Xian had discovered that the cooldown period for gifting items to his Dao Companion had automatically refreshed. He intended to test it out.

Ye Qingxian glanced at the pendant but did not refuse.

The moment she accepted it, a prompt immediately appeared before Shen Xian’s eyes.

【Host has gifted Dao Companion a low-grade protective heart-jade artifact. Received tenfold blessing return! Reward: Top-grade artifact—Profound Heaven Golden Silk Armor! Claim now?】

Shen Xian’s heart stirred.

Indeed! Even though his mother had given the gift originally, once it passed through his hands and he presented it, it counted as his gift!

Another top-grade artifact earned for free!

He felt inwardly delighted.

With the tea ceremony concluded, both took their leave.

“Mother… we shall take our leave as well.” Shen Xing and Shen Li also rose. They bowed respectfully toward Nangong Wan.

“Go then… regarding cultivation matters… consult your father more often,” Nangong Wan said, resuming the dignified expression befitting a Matriarch as she instructed her two other sons.

The two brothers cupped their fists respectfully before withdrawing from the hall.

As they walked out of the main hall, Shen Xing’s gaze swept over the dignified, elegant, and ethereal figure of Ye Qingxian in the distance. He let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

“What a pity.”