Chapter 5: The Ye Family Guards, Shen Li’s Provocation

As dusk approached, the light refracted by the mountain-protecting array dyed the clouds a flowing gold. The entire sky resembled an ink-wash painting, exuding an aura that transcended the mundane.

While cultivating, Ye Qingxian suddenly sensed the spiritual energy around her gradually thickening, far surpassing its previous density.

This puzzled her, but she did not dwell on it, instead continuing to focus on her own cultivation.

Although she had been an empress in her past life, she could not afford to be careless in this life’s cultivation.

Fortunately, this continent was not too different from her original one, so her cultivation proceeded smoothly and naturally.

By the time she finished cultivating, it was already night.

A little more time, and I will be able to break through again, Ye Qingxian thought to herself as she inspected her dantian internally.

She needed to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm as soon as possible. Only then could she unlock the first layer of her treasure vault and gain the ability to establish herself firmly on this continent.

Of course, this was contingent on the current density of spiritual energy not diminishing.

With this thought, Ye Qingxian stepped out of her room and happened upon a passing maid in a green skirt. She immediately inquired about the spiritual energy matter.

This girl was named Xiang’er. She had been by Shen Xian’s side since childhood, and their master-servant bond ran deep.

Shen Xian disliked noise and commotion, so within his vast residence, only Xiang’er kept him company.

“Young Mistress, it is a Spirit Gathering Array prepared for you by the Young Master!” Xiang’er said, tilting her small face upward with great delight.

Every time she beheld that peerless visage, her heart would pound uncontrollably. She often wondered how such a breathtakingly beautiful person could exist in this world. No wonder the Young Master had cast aside his usual lazy demeanor to personally acquire a Spirit Gathering Array.

Hearing this answer, a faint glimmer flashed in Ye Qingxian’s beautiful eyes. The corner of her lips lifted almost imperceptibly, and a subtle change appeared in her aloof expression.

Given her capabilities, the Spirit Gathering Array was hardly essential. But having it was certainly beneficial.

It seemed the little fellow was rather attentive toward her.

Before she could speak, Xiang’er whispered from beside her, “Young Mistress, the Young Master is admiring the moon in the courtyard.”

Tonight was the fifteenth day of the lunar month, and the moon was exceptionally full. Shen Xian would always lie on his specially made recliner in the courtyard to gaze at the moon on such nights.

Ye Qingxian gave a slight nod. With a light flick of her wide sleeve, she turned and returned to her room, leaving Xiang’er standing alone in a daze.

“So the Young Master’s feelings are unrequited,” Xiang’er sighed inwardly.

—

According to tradition, on the third day after the wedding, the groom must accompany the bride back to her maiden home.

The Shen Family and Ye Family were separated by a great distance. Even using a spirit boat would require a full day’s journey.

Therefore, the Ye Family had dispatched guards in advance to escort them.

As the Ye Family’s spirit boat drew near, Shen Xian personally went out to welcome them.

While there was a disparity in strength between the Shen and Ye Families, it was not vast. Moreover, the Shen Family needed the Ye Family as an ally; otherwise, they would not have staged that farce of having the third son marry in place of the eldest brother.

Thus, Shen Xian, as the groom, had no choice but to be present in person.

The spirit boat landed. Within its massive hull were only about twenty people—a rather meager entourage that seemed somewhat shabby.

Shen Xian paid it no mind. He cupped his hands toward the middle-aged man at their head. “This junior is Shen Xian. Welcome to our Shen Family!”

The leading man swept his gaze over him and revealed a smile. “Young Master Shen cuts quite a dashing figure!”

“Please!” Shen Xian gestured with his hand.

The group entered the main family hall.

On the way, Shen Xian learned that this man sent by the Ye Family was named Ye Tong. By seniority, he was considered Ye Qingxian’s uncle—though not from the main lineage.

The Shen Family’s last-minute change of plans had damaged the Ye Family’s face. Resentful of this slight, they intended to use this opportunity for some “payback,” deliberately making their entourage appear so shabby.

More than this display, however, Shen Xian was concerned with communicating with this “uncle.”

After all, he was heading into unfamiliar territory. He needed to understand the specific situation first, and this “uncle” was his best source of information.

While he did not mind their pettiness, others in the Shen Family felt differently.

Once the Ye Family guards arrived in the main hall, it became evident that many Shen Family members present wore unpleasant expressions.

Especially Patriarch Shen Xiong found it difficult to conceal his anger.

The Shen Family was Azure Province’s premier clan—its status even allowed it to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with immortal sects. For them to dare act so casually now showed they held no regard for their hosts!

Were it not for needing them as allies, he might have erupted on the spot.

Seeing their meager entourage across the hall flashed through Shen Li’s mind before he rose abruptly. “What an impressive show from House Ye!”

His eyes gleamed coldly as he stared directly at Ye Tong, his voice icy. “Our illustrious number-one clan within Azure Province… and you send only one Golden Core cultivator? Is that how you dismiss us?”

He deliberately emphasized each word when saying ‘number-one clan’. Several high-ranking members immediately chimed in, “Exactly! What do you take our great house for? Some minor family?”

Ye Tong remained composed, seemingly having anticipated such reactions. “Second Young Master Shen must forgive us; these nuptials were rather abrupt after all—we lacked sufficient time for preparations, hence certain formalities may have been overlooked. Please pardon any offense caused!”

His words were carefully chosen, specifically redirecting blame onto the hasty marriage arrangements themselves.

Originally, there hadn’t been such a rush, but after what happened with Miss Qingxian, both sides wanted things settled quickly, so they proceeded without much preparation.

He was clearly implying the fault lay with the hurriedness from House Shen.

Upon hearing this, an uproar filled the entire hall. Several elders turned livid, and even Nangong Wan frowned slightly.

“Hmph! And why exactly did things become rushed? Wasn’t it precisely because your own house caused trouble?” someone sneered back without hiding their contempt.

The root cause lay entirely within the incident where Miss Qingxian lost all her cultivation.

At once, every eye turned toward the jade chair where a figure sat quietly, clad in a pure-white dress like snow.

The gazes around her seemed irrelevant; only those deep, pool-like eyes held a faint, chilly light.

Then, Shen Xian leisurely strolled forward wearing his trademark lazy smile. “Second Brother, why get angry over trivialities like scale? I personally don’t care much about such things anyway.”

He casually straightened his sleeves. “House Ye traveled far and must be tired; why not join the feast first and taste our family’s Drunken Immortal Wine?”

His words offered both sides a graceful way out.

From the host seat, Nangong Wan smoothly added, “Xian’er, take Qingxian and accompany the guests from House Ye now.”

“Your son obeys!” he replied cheerfully, cupping his hands.

Ye Tong wisely said nothing further and followed him out.

“That House Ye goes too far!” one elder grumbled in displeasure once the group disappeared.

Beside him, Shen Li also rose, cupping his hands respectfully. “Father, given their rudeness, it is hardly worthy of you and Mother troubling yourselves over the return gift preparations.”

“Better let me handle it instead—and also show clearly where we stand.”

Typically, involving marriage alliances between two houses, the elders handled preparations. But given the current attitude, even the Patriarch felt displeased, expressionlessly granting approval. “Mm.”

Beside him, Nangong Wan added a reminder uneasily, “Li’er, though House Ye was rude, we mustn’t lose propriety ourselves either.”

“Mother, rest assured,” he promised obediently.

Yet, a cold glint flashed deep within his gaze.

How could he possibly let slip such a perfect opportunity?