Section 1

She interceded on his behalf, and only then did Xiao Qi manage to suppress his anger, signaling the servants to withdraw: "In the eyes of our ancestors, regardless of who it is, once they have entered the ancestral hall, no one is allowed to be disrespectful."

Beneath the dust and ash, the spirit tablet still bears the inscription "Yunze Yue's Evening Fall". On the wall behind the offering table, a beaded net is densely woven, displaying a portrait of a woman. Due to lack of maintenance, it has become dilapidated, yellowed, and faded, rendering her features indistinct. Yet, from her posture, one can sense an extraordinary beauty in her demeanor.

Xiao Qi paused for a moment, supporting Liu Yu as they walked towards the altar at the back.

The two individuals turned back towards the altar

Liu Yu lowered her gaze and said: "Beside her... in the future, it will be you"

Yiru Dao: "You will need to go to the palace to express gratitude later, so madam, please return to your room to prepare?"

I do not care about these things; being by your side is enough. Liu Yu gently leaned in his embrace and said, "You have been in command of the Yue army for so many years, yet they still remember their former lord. This is never a good thing."

In the Five Spirit Realm, the Flame Nation, the Consort of King Ding Wang Yunze, Xiao Qina, held a three-day banquet

The maidservants all bowed their heads

Outside the cave, the wild geese have just begun to stand alone on the small bridge, gazing into the distance

A maid hurriedly came forward to pick up the spirit tablet and return it to its original position, while the other maids did not dare to make a sound

He held her and said, "I will not blame you"

Xiao Qi fell silent for a moment and said, "If that is the case, I will accompany you."

"Xiao Qi, what are you thinking about?" Behind him, the bed curtain was lifted, and Liu Yu propped herself up slightly, one jade-like arm exposed outside the brocade quilt. Bathed in the warmth of the room, her cheeks were still tinged with red, and after the wedding night, she inevitably displayed a hint of fatigue and languor.

Knowing that he does not like to interfere in external affairs, Liu Yu tactfully changed the subject. After a moment of intimacy, Liu Yu got up and called for a maid to come in and assist her with her grooming. Looking at the beauty in the mirror, Xiao Qi casually took a golden hairpin and placed it in her hair, and the two exchanged a smile.

Liu Yu slightly turned her face away, her tone concealing resentment: "For over a hundred years, I have been worried every day and every moment, fearing that I would not be able to enter the Yunze family, becoming a laughingstock for the descendants. Just thinking that it is because of her, and I still have to pay my respects to her, I..."

Xiao Qi held her hand and said, "Yu'er, thank you very much"

The personal maid, Yi Ru, hurried over to support her and spat towards the spirit tablet, saying: "In life, she caused difficulties for the king, and in death, she still has to remain in the ancestral hall of the Yunze family. Yet, she was merely a nominal princess, never having enjoyed the privileges of a true princess. Now, in the Ding Wang residence, there is only the lady; why should the lady bother to contend with the dead?"

Liu Yu turned away: "You said that she has no marital relationship with you"

A flicker of surprise and anger flashed in his eyes, and Xiao Qi immediately released Liu Yu's hand, looking coldly at the steward at the door and saying: "Is the Yunze ancestral hall a place for you to enjoy idle meals?"

Due to the marriage bestowed by the Flame Emperor, the occasion was even more grand than the wedding of the primary consort. Not only did officials from the court attend, but local officials also sent gifts to congratulate. The procession for the bride stretched across seven long streets of the imperial city, with the common people eagerly watching.

Liu Yu leaned in his embrace and said: "Today I still need to enter the palace to express my gratitude. Later, the princesses attending the banquet are all esteemed guests. When she was here, she arranged these matters very meticulously for you. I am only afraid that I will not handle it well and make a fool of myself, bringing you shame"

"Making a mistake for the first time in charge, won't that make the subordinates look down on me?" Liu Yu changed the subject, "This time, Your Majesty's marriage decree is intentional; it must be the Shadow Concubine instigating behind the scenes."

The sound of the zither drifts softly in the air, and before the giant rock lies a small platform that juts out beyond the cliff. On either side of the platform grow several peculiar flowering trees, their pure white petals scattered across the ground, concealing the stone chessboard in the center along with three stone stools

The brocade quilt is vibrant, the carpet is laid in red, and the flower candles will burn out by nightfall

I understand that you have no choice, and I will not force you. I can wait. In my memory, that woman wore a floral crown, her smile brimming with confidence, beautiful like the colorful clouds at sunset. Since we are already family, from now on we will share both fortune and misfortune. I will help you manage the domestic affairs.

As a prominent family of the Flame Nation, the Xiao Qi branch of the Yun Ze family is the authentic direct lineage. The ancestral hall is filled with continuous incense offerings. Upon entering, one is greeted by countless spirit tablets, all dedicated to the ancestors of the Yun Ze family throughout the generations. Portraits hang on the walls, depicting the appearances of the ancestors during their lifetimes, along with the praises and commendations from the clan.

Suddenly, there was a sound of "clang," akin to the shattering of jade. The spirit tablet of "Yunze Yue's Evening Fall" on the offering table was swept to the ground by a long sleeve. Fortunately, the tablet was carved from a millennium-old wood, and it remained completely undamaged.

"It was my slip of the tongue, you need not feel guilty," Liu Yu supported his arm, her eyes fixed intently on the spirit tablet, "You did it to save me; if she holds any resentment, let her blame me instead."

The maidservants had already brought a brocade mat to lay on the ground, and then presented a tea tray. Liu Yu paid respects to the spirit tablet, personally received the tea to offer, and only then stood up with the support of the maidservants, winking at him: "From now on, I am Liu Yu of Yunze, and I cannot be driven away."

Art is like a glance: "The king's heart only holds the queen, the queen has already won her over, so why stir up unnecessary anger? It would be worse to let the king know."

A warm ambiance enveloped the room, and under the glow of the bright red candlelight, Yun Ze Xiao Qi stood tall at the table, dressed only in a snow-white inner garment. The light accentuated the sharp contours of his cold and handsome face, as he held the sparkling crown in both hands, his expression inscrutable

Liu Yu pursed her lips

The exquisite and magnificent spark crown, representing noble status, is an ornament that can only be used for the official wife during the wedding of the Flame Nation. Its appearance in an inappropriate occasion serves as his compensation to Liu Yu, despite the considerable impact it may bring, even leading to serious consequences.

The wind fills the sleeves, the plain white garment sways, and the figure appears increasingly slender, yet only those deep phoenix eyes remain tranquil, without a trace of ripple.

Liu Yu Dao: "I understand"

The offering table is empty, with only a solitary spirit tablet placed upon it, covered in dust, and the ashes in the incense burner are cold and desolate

The maid led her here and quietly withdrew

In the sky, a flock of geese passes by, marking the return of winter migration.

Because of her, Liu Yu waited a full one hundred years

Liu Yu lowered her eyelids: "You know very well that this is the case, yet you still go to such lengths for me. Will the old troops of the Yue army..."

He slowly placed the spark crown back, his starry eyes slightly closed

A three-foot-wide stone path leads to a precipice of ten thousand zhang. At the edge of the cliff stands a massive white stone, several zhang high, upon which the enormous black ancient seal script can be clearly seen from afar, reading "Yi Ya" in bold and powerful characters, exuding a strong and distinct presence.

"After all, she is your legally recognized wife," Liu Yu insisted, "According to the etiquette of the Yan Kingdom, one must pay respects to her to be considered a member of the Yunze family. I do not wish to give others a reason to speak ill of me, so it is of no consequence."

He merely curved the corner of his mouth slightly

The Flame Kingdom is known for its noble surnames, and the Yunze family is a prominent one. Originally an ancient noble family of the Flame Kingdom, Yunze Xiao Qi was granted the title of king a century ago for assisting the Flame Emperor in ascending to the throne. He is the only king of a different surname in the Flame Kingdom and is highly valued by the Flame Emperor, holding military power. The concubine he is marrying this time is Qin Chuan General's biological sister, Qin Chuan Liu Yu

Neither touching the sky nor the earth, the peaks arise from the void above, towering amidst the white clouds. The summits are adorned with ancient white stones, old trees, and exotic flowers and grasses, interspersed with countless pavilions and towers. The sound of flowing water can be heard, and birds take flight, yet the smoke of human life is nowhere to be seen, exuding an endless chill of solitude

He slightly frowned and said, "There is no need to rush; I have my own reasons for the matters outside, and you need not worry about them."

"You are awake," his gaze unconsciously softened with tenderness and indulgence as he walked to the bedside and helped her sit up. "It is still early; why not sleep a little longer?"

The matter of General Yue and his son has always been my fault, and now that the Yue family has no one left, the Yunze family should take them in, " Xiao Qi said softly, " Moreover, her death was caused by me, and I owe her too much.

When the birds have flown, the good bow is hidden; you will always be the sovereign. In times of shared hardship, as the power in your hands grows, it is only a matter of time before the ruler and his subjects develop animosities.

The maid approached and called out: "Miss Yan Chu, the master of the game requests your presence."

Liu Yu stood up and said, "I should go over and offer her tea."

"General Wu and General Zhao Heng have both come to present gifts," he interrupted her, "I should have married you earlier, I have wronged you all these years"

Liu Yu regained her composure and stepped out of the ancestral hall, holding her hand.

Xiao Qi shook his head and said, "You will accompany me in the future"

The author has something to say: I apologize for taking up a bit of your time: This article is only a few thousand words, and I am writing and posting it simultaneously, so I ask for your understanding regarding both speed and quality: ) I appreciate everyone's continued understanding and support. Reading novels is primarily for leisure and entertainment, and a good atmosphere is essential. I will do my best to improve, but my abilities are limited, and I cannot satisfy everyone. Therefore, I sincerely hope that some new friends can lower their expectations. If there are any dissatisfactions, please kindly leave your comments, as it is best to communicate calmly and peacefully. If you are still not satisfied, please feel free to leave, and leave a good impression for myself and all readers. Malicious insults and sarcasm only reflect differences in standards. At the very least, my intention is friendly, and I wish to share the story with everyone. Friends, thank you! The plot of this book is not based on any other novel. Friends, thank you! The plot of this book is not based on any other novel. Writing is a pastime, and I have not advertised on forums or websites, nor have I engaged in any promotion. If you enjoy it, feel free to introduce it to your friends. Thank you to every reader who supports this book!

The wild goose slowed its pace.

Xiao Qi hesitated for a moment, shook his head and said, "Forget it"

The same scene was experienced twice, and before me stood another woman, faintly visible.

Liu Yu agreed, watching him leave through the door. After a long while, she slowly turned back, the smile at the corners of her lips gradually fading.

The deceased are gone, and Xiao Qi has developed a newfound appreciation for the person before him. He raised his hand and gently brushed her nose, his starry eyes devoid of their usual sharpness, now filled with tenderness: "In half an hour, we will enter the palace to express our gratitude. I will go out to prepare first; you should return to your room and rest a little longer."

Liu Yu's lips curved slightly as he advised, "Forget it, let them go without punishment during good times; they will surely not dare to do so again next time"

Having been in the realm of eternity for many years, this place, where the wild geese first arrived, has only been visited once. As for that special master, she has also only seen her once, and that was during a time of severe injury and mental confusion, making it difficult to recall her appearance. Only the four characters "Eternity" clearly mark her identity.

The steward and the servants were already trembling with fear, and upon hearing the words, they all knelt down and begged for mercy. It was also because he had never seriously examined this place in over a hundred years that they dared to be so negligent. Everyone had long since concluded that he would not adhere to the rules today

Having walked past the stone chessboard, nearing the edge of the cliff, the wild geese have just come to a halt

Liu Yu let out a long breath and nodded, saying: "It was I who lost control"