Chapter 33: Are You Looking for Trouble?

In these blissful times, the whole family enjoyed a warm, joyful atmosphere. Shen Yue gazed at Gu Qingyi, lost in thought.

Suddenly, in the middle of the meal, she set down her bowl and chopsticks. Looking serious, she turned to Gu Qingyi. “Son, in a couple of days, your Uncle Shen’s daughter, Shen Qinglian, will be marrying Li Ji from the Li family of Sky Sword City. They’ve already sent an invitation to me. What are your thoughts on this?”

Shen Yue sighed. “You’ve known Qinglian since you were children. You two almost became engaged—she nearly became my daughter-in-law. Who could have imagined things would end up like this?”

Seeing this, Gu Qingyi gently reassured her. “Mother, there’s no need to worry. Shen Qinglian’s the kind who’s all warmth and smiles while she needs us, but the moment we’re no use to her, she keeps her distance. There are plenty of women better than her in the world. I can do better. Please don’t let it trouble you. As for that invitation? Just consider it trash and toss it out.”

Gu Qingxiao quickly chimed in. “That’s right, Mother! A woman who only knows how to curry favor—she’s not good enough for our Gu family!”

Smiling, Gu Qingxiao gave Gu Qingyi a pointed look and teased, “Big Brother, you said it so confidently. Did you already find a sister-in-law? When are you bringing her home for us to meet?”

“She’s right, son. If you have someone in mind, bring her home so we can all get to know her,” Shen Yue pressed, intrigued.

A flash of Nangong Lin’s image flickered through Gu Qingyi’s mind, making his cheeks flush. He hurriedly shook his head. “No, nothing like that—we’re not even at square one!”

Meanwhile, in Xuanwu City, Nangong Lin was out shopping with Murong Qingxue.

All at once Nangong Lin felt a chill and sneezed several times. “Achoo! Achoo!”

Murong Qingxue looked at her in concern. “Lian’er, are you alright? Did you catch a cold?”

Rubbing her nose, Nangong Lin smiled. “Don’t worry, Sister Murong, I’m fine. Probably just caught a chill. Nothing serious!”

Thinking nothing of it, Nangong Lin shrugged it off as a slight cold.

They went on with their shopping, chatting as they strolled.

……………

In the blink of an eye, two days flew by.

On this day, Sky Sword City was awash with festive red, and the Li and Shen families were especially lively.

Shen Qinglian wore a brilliant red wedding dress and phoenix coronet, carefully applying makeup and dressing up for the biggest day of her life.

After a flurry of preparations, a line of flower carriages gathered outside.

A voice called from outside, “The auspicious hour has arrived! Bride, please board the bridal sedan!” Supported by several handmaids, Shen Qinglian made her way out in small, delicate steps.

Sunlight bathed her face, highlighting her beauty that day.

Shen Qinglian had always been lovely, but with today’s careful dressing, her charm and elegance shone brighter than ever.

Soon she took her seat in the bridal sedan, and the procession set off.

At the entrance of the Li family’s estate, a red carpet stretched out, the atmosphere vibrant and festive. It was clear just how much the Li family valued this marriage.

An incense stick’s time later, Shen Qinglian arrived at the Li family home.

Hand in hand, the couple emerged together, drawing well-wishers from all sides.

“Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and may your family grow!”

“May you respect one another and grow old together!”

“May you always walk hand in hand through life!”

“May your love be steadfast and your lives entwined!”

“May your joy be as resplendent as a dancing phoenix and your beauty last as spring blooms!”

“A century of harmonious union and hearts forever joined!”

“May your marriage be as melodious as strings and flutes, with mutual respect always!”

“May your hearts belong only to each other, together until the very end!”

“May your love last until the seas dry up and the heavens crumble!”

“May you both flourish together—truly a match made in heaven!”

“May your descendants prosper like the cricket, and your marriage ring as harmonious as zithers!”

The crowd scrambled to offer congratulations, exchanging pleasantries before settling into their seats, where lively gossip filled the air.

“Miss Shen really is a beauty today! She looks truly stunning—like something out of a fairytale.”

“I agree, she looks even lovelier than usual.”

“You just don’t get it… This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Of course she went all out!”

The comment sent a wave of laughter through everyone present.

In the middle of the lively crowd, Shen Qinglian anxiously scanned the faces, hoping to spot someone familiar. She searched again and again, but the one she wanted wasn’t there.

Disappointment instantly shadowed her expression. She’d heard that Gu Qingyi had returned, so she’d asked her father to send several invitations to the Gu family—certain that Gu Qingyi would attend the wedding. To her surprise, not a single person from the Gu family had shown up.

Privately, Shen Qinglian muttered to herself, “Qingyi, don’t blame me! I had no other choice. On this continent, women without power or influence can hardly survive. So I had to go through with this!”

The wedding between the Li and Shen families proceeded smoothly.

Amid the guests’ blessings, the couple completed the wedding rites.

As day faded into night and the guests finished their food and drinks, they began to leave.

In their bridal chamber, Li Ji gazed at the fairy-like Shen Qinglian, hardly able to contain his excitement. “Lian’er, you’re even more beautiful today! I can’t wait any longer!”

Blushing, Shen Qinglian gave him a playful look. “You’re so bad! Honestly!” Then she turned away shyly.

………

The two shared a passionate kiss.

The lights went out, leaving the night pitch-black.

All night long, their laughter and whispers mingled as they explored each other’s hearts and depths. Now and then, a lone star streaked through the Milky Way, or darted into the darkness beyond.

A few autumn fireflies drifted by, seeking mates and playing their own starry games, and soon dawn broke.

The couple stirred awake, eyes hazy from sleep.

Slowly, they dressed.

After serving tea to their elders, they set out together for the Gu family.

Li Ji wrapped an arm affectionately around Shen Qinglian as a group of attendants followed behind, chatting and joking their way to the Gu home.

Li Ji was itching to make things difficult for Gu Qingyi. He wanted to ask, “Gu Qingyi, why didn’t you show up yesterday? I told you myself about the wedding, and you still didn’t come. Don’t you take me seriously?”

……

At the Gu residence, Gu Qingyi was just waking up, stretching lazily. He felt his bones crack with every movement.

He could sense all the changes in his body—these last few days had left him completely drained. He’d rushed home without rest, pushing himself to the edge.

He figured a little time to relax would fix things, then got up and casually tidied himself, washing up as usual.

All of a sudden, Gu Qingyi paused, sensing several people approaching the Gu family’s gate. His expression darkened.

In a blur, Gu Qingyi vanished from his spot.

One of the attendants moved to knock hard on the door.

“What brings you all here today?” a voice sounded from nowhere.

The visitors glanced around, trying to spot the owner of that sudden voice.

While they were still bewildered, Gu Qingyi appeared without warning, grabbed the man’s hand mid-knock, twisted his wrist, and—with a sharp crack—broke it clean.

Blood spurted from the mangled hand, bones and veins visible. Then Gu Qingyi kicked the man aside.

The attacker crashed to the ground, writhing in pain, howling and groaning.

Gu Qingyi’s eyes narrowed, a fierce glint in his gaze as he fixed them with a frosty glare. “So you’ve come to the Gu family to make trouble? If you can’t give a good reason for being here, don’t blame me for not showing mercy. If you set foot in here today, you won’t be walking out!”

Li Ji took in the aura of violence radiating from Gu Qingyi, his body trembling uncontrollably. Instinctively, he took several steps back.

But then he reminded himself, ‘I have strength in numbers—what am I afraid of?’ Squaring his shoulders, he shouted, “Gu Qingyi! Didn’t I tell you a couple days ago? I was getting married, invited you myself—why didn’t you show up?!”

“See for yourself! Your fiancée is my wife now!” Li Ji boasted, pulling Shen Qinglian close, gloating. “What’s the matter? Does it sting, knowing you couldn’t even protect your own fiancée? Hahaha—thanks to you, I now have Lian’er completely, body and soul!”

“Stop, you’re too much,” Shen Qinglian blushed, nestling up to Li Ji.

Gu Qingyi rubbed his forehead and scoffed. “Li Ji, you really don’t know when to quit. How quickly you forget what I said? The things I, Gu Qingyi, toss away mean nothing to me. Yet here you are, acting like you’ve struck gold. I’ve told you before—if you show up in front of me again, I’ll beat you every single time!”

“I suppose today I’ll have to make you remember.”

Gu Qingyi flashed forward and wrapped his hand around Li Ji’s throat, lifting him off the ground—a faint, mocking smile on his lips.

He rained slaps back and forth across Li Ji’s face until his nose bled, his features swelling and warping. Blood gushed from Li Ji’s broken nose, his eyes swollen near shut, teeth falling from his mouth.

“Do you know why I haven’t killed you? First, your blood would dirty my hands. Second, we still have a two-year agreement—when the time comes, I’ll settle it myself.” Gu Qingyi leveled a vengeful glare at Li Ji and barked, “Get lost!” With a flick, he sent Li Ji hurtling out.

Li Ji crashed headfirst into a tree, snapping the trunk clean in half from the force. He coughed up mouthfuls of blood, slumping at the roots.

“Young Master, are you alright?!” Several attendants rushed over to help Li Ji to his feet.

Stunned, Li Ji stared at Gu Qingyi in disbelief. “How dare you treat me like this?! I won’t let you get away with it!”

Gu Qingyi cut him off coldly. “I know exactly what you’re about to say—save your breath.” He casually picked his ear and raised a fist.

Inside the Gu residence, Gu Qingxiao was just waking up, roused by the commotion outside. Yawning, she called out from her room, “Brother, what are you doing out there this early? Why so noisy? Are you letting anyone sleep today or what?”

“Xiao’er, I’ll be right in after I deal with a few pesky rats!” As soon as Gu Qingyi heard his sister’s voice, his expression softened.

Gu Qingxiao had already noticed the visitors outside and replied quietly, “Alright then, Brother, just hurry up!”

Gu Qingyi sighed to himself. “Well, since my sister asked, how could I refuse? Wouldn’t you agree, Li Ji?” His voice turned sinister as he cracked his knuckles, stalking closer to Li Ji.

“Stay away! All of you, get him!” Li Ji’s voice shook as he pointed at Gu Qingyi, stepping back in terror.

His attendants leapt forward at his command. “As you wish, Young Master!” Drawing their swords, they charged Gu Qingyi.

But Gu Qingyi didn’t flinch. He raised his palm and swept it across the oncoming attackers, turning them instantly into a spray of blood and mist.

The blood rain fell, soaking into the earth—a gruesome end for these Sword Qi Realm elites.

Li Ji stared in shock, as if seeing a demon, watching as his trusted men were erased in a blink.

“You’ve regained your cultivation! You’re even stronger than before! Stay away—no, don’t!” Li Ji trembled uncontrollably at the sight of Gu Qingyi’s fist looming closer. Unable to stand it, his eyes rolled back and he fainted dead away.

Shen Qinglian stared at the unconscious Li Ji and the blood-mist that had been his guards. She slumped to the ground, trembling and at a complete loss.

“Qingyi, I… I…” Shen Qinglian stammered, shaking as she looked up at him.

“Don’t call me that. It’s disgusting. If not for the fact you once called my mother ‘Aunt’ and for Uncle Shen’s sake, I’d have killed you both—take your useless husband and get out!” Stepping past her with disdain, Gu Qingyi spoke without a shred of pity.

In a trembling whisper, Shen Qinglian replied, “Thank you. You’re a good person.” Under Gu Qingyi’s cold gaze, she struggled to lift the battered Li Ji, limping away down the mountain until their figures faded from sight.