Chapter 2

The issue of not wearing shoes is somewhat peculiar to discuss. Changqing covered her skirt hem and said, "Haven't you ever heard the saying, 'Those who go barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes'?"

The guests who rushed over to offer their congratulations exchanged glances, and Changqing, unable to savor the half mouthful of wine in his mouth, swallowed it down in one go

This young man, resembling an orchid, speaks with a profound simplicity and admiration, as if this benefactor were the elder he respects the most

He became increasingly embarrassed and lowered his head, saying: "Today is the day I marry Lingbo Fairy, and I would like to invite you, esteemed deity, to witness our ceremony at my Water Palace."

When it turns into a house, it is not noticeable; I didn't expect the real person to be so beautiful

She said it is not acceptable, "The hall cannot be worshipped indiscriminately, as it may lead to misunderstandings."

The aquatic creature spread its hands and said, "The little demon only conveys messages and knows nothing else. If the great lord has any questions, it is best to discuss them directly with my master." While speaking, it hurriedly cupped its hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Great lord, please do not be angry, I shall take my leave now"

Changqing let out a quiet sigh, murmuring to himself: "Why didn't you make things clear, leaving me to think..."

That would not be the case, but it is merely a title. Changqing said: "There is no need for formalities, just call me whatever is convenient. Earlier, you mentioned that the bride is Lingbo Xian? Could it be that she is the Lady of the Wei River?"

"There is no need to repay kindness in this manner. I appreciate your good intentions, but I absolutely cannot agree to this matter." Changqing said, while awkwardly glancing at the sky, "It is getting late, I must return. I do not remember the life-saving grace you mentioned, so you need not take it to heart."

However, as the auspicious time slowly passed, the bridal procession had yet to arrive. The guests in the hall whispered softly to one another, and Yun Yue's expression grew somewhat anxious.

The merchant had just agreed and was about to go out when someone entered from outside. They performed a bow and said: "I, a small demon, am here on the orders of my master, Lord Lingbo, to convey a message to Lord Yuanhai. My master says that in the past, in youthful ignorance, they made a private vow of lifelong commitment with you. However, as the years go by, they increasingly feel that this marriage was too hasty. My master wishes to ask if you could grant a few more days of leniency, so that they can be fully prepared before marrying you."

Is it the one from Longshouyuan, the one who sleeps through the entire year

Changqing seemed to detect a hint of something unusual and turned to ask, "No relatives or friends? What exactly does Lord Yuanhai want me to do?"

She busily averted her gaze, "Lord Yuanhai is indeed a good person, and I sympathize with his plight, but helping others is not done in this manner"

The deity guarding the dragon vein, feeling as if he possesses nothing, inevitably becomes indifferent to trivial matters. Lord Yuanhai let out a sound, "Indeed, there is much truth in that. However, the underwater is damp, and I fear that the esteemed deity may not stand steadily." Thus, with a flick of his fingertip, a pair of women's shoes appeared in his hand. He crouched down, extending the shoes forward, "Esteemed deity, please lift your foot; Yun Yue will assist you in putting on your shoes."

Yuanhai Jun nodded lightly and smiled, "I only hope that Yun Yue has this honor."

Longing for a long time, he nodded slowly, "Thank you, Lord Yuanhai."

He said it was good, but that gentle strength still rested on her ankle. The long-lasting affection was beyond her control, living in a rough brick-and-tile structure, encountering a tenderness as gentle as water in a fish, which truly left her at a loss.

He shook his head, "The Wei River water lord is a legitimate deity, how can we mountain spirits and water monsters be worthy of marrying her! You may not know our customs here, but anyone who has cultivated to human form calls themselves an immortal, and no one really restrains them. The one I am to marry is a carp spirit; we have known each other for many years. On the day I first arrived at the abyss, she vowed to marry me. For me, marriage is a necessary stage in life; as long as the person is suitable, then it is settled."

Yin Shang then looked at the person standing with drooping sleeves, turned to Chang Qing and said: "Once this matter is revealed, even if Ling Bo Xian wishes to turn back, my lord will not accept her again. My lord values his reputation; how could he endure being made a fool of? Divine One, look at my lord, a paragon of virtue and grace, gentle and dignified; is he not worthy of joining hands with the Divine One?"

With a few flaps of her wide sleeves, she let out a gasp and nearly fell. Fortunately, Yuanhai Jun was quick to react and caught her just in time. Changqing exclaimed in relief, "Someone like me, who is of the earth element, should not venture into the water"

Changqing was left in a daze, the cleverness displayed was simply extraordinary. Was she planning to deceive anyone at random, has she become merely a filler for the gaps?

Long-lasting affection, after all, having lived for so many years, she has seen all the beauty and romance in Chang'an City. Beautiful people, enchanting love, there are countless possibilities for forming a marriage. Are all marriages good? Not necessarily. She still remembers the emperor from five or six generations ago, who, in his old age, forcibly took a young lady from the Chancellor's family as a concubine. That beautiful young lady hanged herself in the Xianju Hall on the very night she entered the palace. The Xianju Hall is located to the west of the Taiye Pool, and it is also a part of her body, which is why she has never dared to face the position of her armpit.

Is the true form of the guardian of the dragon vein a dragon?

Waking up to someone proposing is truly shocking for someone who is honest and has been in a long-term relationship

She was quite willing to participate in such a grand feast, witnessing the union of lovers, which was far more interesting than the intrigues of the court. She sat upright, occasionally being offered fish and shrimp to taste the fine wines of the water realm. Thus, she glanced at the grape wine in the luminous cup, lifted it, and took a small sip.

Yin Shang possesses a clever mind that most aquatic creatures cannot afford. "The marriage contract will be prepared immediately, so the deity need not worry."

The person beside me, under the clear moonlight and gentle breeze, said: "The revered deity is a god; having departed from Longshouyuan, one is no longer bound by the constraints of the imperial city. A flesh-and-blood body is not afraid of being submerged in water, has the revered deity forgotten this?"

He summoned his close attendant and said, "Go and see what is happening."

Look at that groom, in such an awkward situation, yet he does not appear to be downcast. However, with his eyelashes lowered, this expression always makes Changqing feel that he might burst into tears at any moment. Originally, she was invited to be a witness at the wedding, but now the marriage cannot proceed, and she has already had several sips of wine, which truly makes her feel a bit sorry for Yuanhai Jun.

He led her towards the depths of the abyss, where lanterns were brightly lit. Apart from the peculiar figures of the people coming and going, it was not much different from the city of Chang'an. Those with wide mouths and small eyes, upon seeing Yun Yue, all bowed and saluted. One of them, stretching its neck and sticking out its tongue to take a closer look, immediately roared: "The divine being guarding the dragon vein has arrived, everyone come quickly, this is the authentic deity!"

Soon, the groom emerged from the back hall, a gentle man dressed in a bright red wedding outfit, instantly becoming stunningly beautiful. Standing there, he calmly awaited the bride's appearance, anticipating the formal commencement of the wedding.

"Please call me Yun Yue, as I am originally the king of water and have nothing to boast about." He walked ahead with his hands clasped behind his back, occasionally glancing back at her. Each time their eyes met, his gaze softened and became increasingly gentle and clear. "How about I address you as 'Longqing'? I hope you won't mind my abruptness, esteemed one."

Yun Yue smiled gently, as if everything was under his control and nothing could catch him off guard. After the aquatic beings had paid their respects, he took her to his residence. The underwater palace was constructed from glass and various rare treasures, more delicate and exquisite than the palaces on land

Just now, her heart was racing wildly, but it has finally calmed down. She finds it somewhat amusing that she might have indeed slept too long, causing her mind to become muddled, and she actually mistook this fish for wanting to marry her. Fortunately, she clarified the situation in time; otherwise, she would have been a long-standing joke in front of those mountains and deities.

It seems that the merchant does not agree with her suggestion. He glanced back at Lord Yuanhai, who was standing in front of the bellflower screen, and suddenly smiled at her, saying, "The deity has saved my lord's life. Since you have saved him once, why not save him again? The ceremonial attire is ready; the deity can simply change into it. In any case, let us first proceed with the wedding ceremony for my lord, and we can address this current predicament afterward"

Changqing stood there, unsure of what to do. No one had ever cared whether she wore shoes or not, for the divine is not afraid of the cold. If it were not for the fact that being unclothed would be unseemly, she would not even want to wear clothes. But this fish was truly excessively gentle; even if one could not temporarily discern his intentions, it was impossible to harbor any dislike for him.

It seems that breed determines character, and this statement is absolutely correct. Apart from offering oneself in return for a life-saving grace, there is no other way to repay it. The mind of this lewd fish is truly simple and straightforward, living up to its harmless appearance.

Yun Yue's expression turned quite unpleasant, but he did not speak. The merchant beside him said sternly, "The marriage was arranged a hundred years ago. If you haven't made preparations in a hundred years, this reason is rather perfunctory. Today, friends and relatives from all over the world have gathered. If Ling Bo Xian suddenly says the marriage cannot proceed, what will become of my family's lord?"

So, does that mean she misunderstood? She stood there in a daze, feeling awkward yet maintaining her composure, "Oh... is that so... you want me to be your witness at the wedding?"

Resolving the situation? Changqing pondered for a moment, then confidently declared: "I will go meet that Lingbo Fairy and persuade her to return to complete the wedding. Please send someone to guide me along the way."

She lowered her eyes and looked at the pristine white garments of Lord Yuanhai, resembling a blooming Ubo Luo flower. Her long hair fell gracefully over her shoulders, and she truly did not appear to be a fish living underwater, but rather a noble immortal from the heavens. He helped her put on her shoes, and as he stood up, he smiled gently, saying, "Now that the esteemed deity is walking, it should be much more stable."

His face suddenly leaned in, a thick strand of long hair slanting across her delicate chin, his brows and eyes curving as he looked at her, "What does the esteemed one think?"

Long-lasting affection has become an anomaly here, everyone is watching, yet amidst the discussions, they also bow to her, "Greetings, O Divine One"

It was as if a long-held affection had been awakened, and with a smile, he said: "I see, I thought I was still that large house."

Thus, those aquarists were astonished and surrounded Changqing.

After she finished speaking, she turned to leave, but he raised his sleeve to block her path, "Esteemed one, please stay. You have bestowed upon me the grace of rebirth. I am alone in this vast sea, with no kin or connections. On such a joyous day, if you are not present, my life will never be complete again."

She set down the luminous cup, intending to find an opportunity to take her leave. Just as she stood up, she heard Yingshang call out to her: "Divine Being!"

He was clearly taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "The esteemed one is joking. The esteemed one cherishes Yun Yue, yet Yun Yue cannot call the esteemed one old. If I were to regard the esteemed one as my godmother, that would truly be a case of ingratitude for kindness."

"No need to be so considerate," Changqing took half a step back, "Yuanhai Jun, it is just a matter of officiating the wedding. I have nothing to do anyway, and I can return to Longshouyuan before dawn. Just put the shoes down, I can wear them myself."

The youth in white across from me appeared completely at ease, saying, "There is no rush; I have been preparing for a hundred years. During this century, the revered deity has remained in eternal slumber, lamenting only that I cannot leave the abyss to be by your side. But I know that the revered deity awakens every year during the Lantern Festival, so at this time of year, I have been waiting for you, year after year, yet unfortunately, each year has ended in disappointment." Suddenly, he lifted his face, his eyes shimmering with moisture, and his smile grew even warmer, "Fortunately, heaven has favored me; this year, the revered deity is finally willing to emerge from Longshou Plain. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me; if I miss it, I will regret it for the rest of my life."

A layer upon layer of azure silk automatically unfurled to the sides before the arrival of the Water Lord, as a figure in white garments walked gracefully under the luster of pearls, displaying an extraordinary elegance. The grand hall of the Water Palace was filled with guests gathered to witness the ceremony. Yun Yue settled her in the seat of honor and then entered with the attendants to change into ceremonial attire.

Long-lasting affection... he suddenly called out to her, "Do I really not have even a single chance?"

This does not seem to be a matter of appearance; the enduring affection brings a sense of helplessness. Yet, she sees Yun Yue gazing at her, with a pair of eyes that conceal thousands of mountains and rivers, suddenly imbued with the taste of suffering

With deep feelings that are hard to articulate, I watched as he quickly approached. "The deity has a considerable friendship with my lord. Given the current situation, I kindly ask the deity to assist my lord in overcoming this predicament."

Longing for affection, I casually said it was nothing, "I thought Lord Yuanhai was going to acknowledge me as his godmother"

This young man possesses a resolute disposition; once he has made up his mind, he is determined to act. However, his approach appears somewhat unilateral, forgetting that such matters cannot be decided unilaterally.

She tentatively extended her foot to step on the stairs, as she had never been fond of wearing shoes. It was fine to walk barefoot for a thousand miles in the wilderness, but the corridor under the water was slippery, and if she did not control herself well, she would lose her balance.

"How can the revered one not wear shoes?" he asked, glancing down briefly. The fleeting contact just now made him feel the warmth radiating from the curved jade-like arm of Qingrong. He pursed his lips and smiled, just as he remembered, unchanged in the slightest.

Although she had not recalled the events from five hundred years ago at all, she felt compelled to accept the invitation to witness a marriage, as it was a matter of courtesy that she could not refuse

With unwavering affection, I must say, "I am here to serve as the officiant; you cannot arbitrarily match couples. Moreover, Lord Yuanhai has merely encountered a minor inconvenience; must you insist on him seeking another marriage? What if one day, Fairy Lingbo changes her mind?"

She unconsciously gathered her hair and said, "This... is too rushed, isn't it! I just woke up..."