Marriage in the Palm - Chapter 4

The day before the charity gala, Wen Zhiyan cleared her entire schedule to accompany Xie Qingci in the villa’s private walk-in closet, trying on gowns.

The closet was as grand as a haute couture showroom, filled with a curated collection of women’s wear, all meticulously chosen for Xie Qingci.

There were no revealing cuts, no skin-tight fabrics. Instead, the racks overflowed with soft, plush, light-colored garments. The long, ankle-length gowns were designed for warmth and comfort, blending elegance with a gentle touch that perfectly complemented Xie Qingci’s cool, ethereal aura.

Wen Zhiyan personally picked up a cream-colored velvet gown. Its full, fluffy skirt cascaded down, and the neckline and cuffs were embroidered with delicate silver-white patterns that looked like a dusting of fresh snow. The gown was lined with a thin layer of fleece, making it both warm and lightweight.

“Come, try this one on. Do you like it?” Wen Zhiyan asked, her eyes brimming with tenderness as she held the gown before Xie Qingci.

Xie Qingci gazed at the elegant, gentle dress, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks as she nodded softly.

Wen Zhiyan didn’t look away, nor did she call for help. She personally and carefully helped Xie Qingci into the gown.

As her fingertips accidentally brushed against Xie Qingci’s smooth skin, both women paused for a moment, and a sweet, lingering tension filled the air.

Xie Qingci’s ears flushed crimson. She lowered her gaze, unable to meet Wen Zhiyan’s eyes, her heart racing wildly.

Wen Zhiyan’s gaze deepened, a tightness forming in her throat. Her movements grew even gentler, every gesture filled with cherish.

After changing into the gown, Xie Qingci stood before the full-length mirror, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

The creamy apricot fabric made her skin look as fair as snow, and her features seemed even cleaner and more luminous. There was a hint of softness within her cool elegance, like a pure mountain sprite, untouched by the world.

Wen Zhiyan wrapped her arms around her from behind, resting her chin on Xie Qingci’s shoulder. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes brimming with awe and adoration.

“You’re so beautiful,” Wen Zhiyan murmured, her voice sincere and proud. “My Qingci, you’re beautiful no matter what.”

She picked up a matching plush shawl and draped it gently over Xie Qingci’s shoulders, wrapping her warmly to ensure she wouldn’t feel the slightest chill.

Then, Wen Zhiyan changed into a black, subtly patterned suit dress. She looked sharp and striking, radiating a powerful aura. Yet, even in this image of absolute coolness, her gaze softened into a tenderness that could melt into water when it fell upon Xie Qingci.

One in black, one in white, one cold and sharp, the other soft and gentle. Standing together, they were a natural match.

The late autumn wind of Shanghai City, carrying a chill, swept past the floor-to-ceiling windows. Xie Qingci was curled up on the living room’s velvet sofa, wrapped in a custom-made creamy white cashmere blanket from Wen Zhiyan, holding a constant-temperature warm pillow in her arms as she quietly read the Xuanmen Manual.

Her eyes were lowered, long lashes casting a faint shadow. Her pale fingertips lightly brushed the yellowed pages, and her entire aura was clean and soft, like a handful of moonlight that touched no dust.

Wen Zhiyan sat beside her, ostensibly working, but her gaze kept drifting back to Xie Qingci.

Watching her shrink further into the blanket from the cold, seeing her occasionally take a sip of warm honey water, and observing her quiet, well-behaved manner, Wen Zhiyan’s heart softened completely.

Compared to her decisive and ruthless nature in the business world, she craved this kind of plain, warm companionship.

“Qingci,” Wen Zhiyan closed her tablet and reached out to pull her closer, letting her lean against her shoulder. Her voice was gentle and low, “There’s a business district charity gala on Friday night that I have to attend. Will you come with me?”

Xie Qingci looked up, her clear eyes tinged with a hint of apprehension. “Will there… be a lot of people? I’m afraid of the noise.”

She had always been naturally averse to crowds and strangers. The chaotic energy of such places not only unsettled her spirit but also disrupted the stability of the Yin Sha within Wen Zhiyan.

Wen Zhiyan immediately tightened her embrace, gently stroking Qingci’s long hair. “Don’t be afraid,” she reassured her patiently. “I’ll hold you the entire time. I won’t let anyone get close to you or disturb you.”

“I’ll have the venue cleared and purified in advance, inviting only the most essential guests. We’ll be seated in the quietest corner, and I’ll stay by your side the whole time. No one will be allowed to stare at you or even speak to you.”

She knew Xie Qingci’s temperament all too well and would never force her into anything. She simply wanted to openly bring her girl by her side and declare to the world that Xie Qingci was the only person Wen Zhiyan would ever love in this lifetime.

More importantly, Wen Zhiyan’s own Yin Sha would grow restless if she was away from Xie Qingci for too long. Only with Qingci’s presence could she find true peace.

Seeing the longing and anticipation in Wen Zhiyan’s eyes, Xie Qingci’s heart softened completely. She nodded gently. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

As long as she could stay by Wen Zhiyan’s side, Xie Qingci was willing to try and adapt.

Wen Zhiyan’s eyes instantly lit up. She leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Xie Qingci’s forehead, her heart brimming with joy. “My Qingci is the most obedient.”

To ensure Xie Qingci’s comfort, Wen Zhiyan immediately sent a set of extremely strict instructions to her assistant, Lin Wan:

[Clear the entire banquet hall and limit the number of guests. Purify the venue of all yin and turbid energy, and isolate all disruptive auras.]

[Prepare the quietest viewing area. No one is allowed within a three-meter radius.]

[Custom-make a full set of warm formal wear. The fabric must be soft and loose-fitting, not clinging to the body. Qingci must not catch a chill.]

[Prepare ample hand warmers, hot drinks, and soft cushions. She dislikes noise, so block all social interactions and networking attempts throughout the event.]

[Anyone who dares to stare at her for too long or speak a single unnecessary word will be escorted out immediately and blacklisted from all future collaborations.]

Lin Wan, having received the message, was no longer surprised.

This cold-faced female CEO reserved all her patience, tenderness, obsession, and possessiveness for Xie Qingci alone.

To help Xie Qingci adjust to the occasion, Wen Zhiyan even canceled all the toasts, networking sessions, and speeches. She planned only to make a brief appearance with her, staying quietly by her side the entire time before bringing her home early.

It was never about Xie Qingci fitting into her world. Instead, Wen Zhiyan wanted to clear her world entirely, leaving only room for her.

Xie Qingci looked up at their reflection in the mirror, a faint smile touching her lips.

She loved this—standing beside Wen Zhiyan, protected by her side, their companionship out in the open for all to see.

Wen Zhiyan took her cold, small hand, their fingers intertwining. She lowered her head and kissed Xie Qingci’s fingertips. “Tomorrow, you will be my only companion.”

“The one person I, Wen Zhiyan, will openly favor.”

On the night of the Friday gala, the luxury car glided smoothly into the manor’s driveway.

Throughout the arrival, Wen Zhiyan held Xie Qingci’s hand firmly, keeping her close to her side to shield her from the crowd and the biting wind.

The venue had been cleared in advance, the air now still and elegant, free from the usual clamor. Xie Qingci’s tense expression finally began to relax.

The attendees were all female CEOs and socialites from Shanghai’s business circles. When they saw Wen Zhiyan appear with an unfamiliar, ethereal young woman, their hands clasped and her care evident in every gesture, the crowd was stunned.

Everyone knew Wen Zhiyan was cold and ascetic, never close to anyone, and had never brought a female companion to any event before.

Who was this young woman in white?

Curious glances flitted toward them, only to be rebuffed by Wen Zhiyan’s icy glare. The low-pressure aura she radiated kept everyone at a distance.

Wen Zhiyan led Xie Qingci to a quiet, reserved corner, shielding her with her own body. She tucked a hand warmer into Xie Qingci’s grasp and held a glass of warm milk to her lips, attending to her with a meticulous care that made the rest of the room fade away.

Leaning against her, Xie Qingci breathed in Wen Zhiyan’s cool, crisp scent, feeling a deep sense of peace and security.

But halfway through the gala, Xie Qingci’s brow furrowed, and her nose twitched slightly.

A faint, malevolent energy began to spread through the air.

It wasn’t a dense wave of malevolent energy, but rather a vengeful spirit clinging to a female businesswoman. The spirit’s grudge wasn’t deep, but it was fueled by an obsession, and it began to stir as it absorbed the venue’s stagnant energy.

The businesswoman had been ruthless in her early years, harming innocent people. Now, a vengeful spirit born of that obsession clung to her. The chaotic energy of the gala had disturbed the spirit, and it was beginning to act out.

The once-quiet venue suddenly turned frigid. The lights flickered, and a faint, unsettling sound echoed from afar. Several female guests turned pale with fear.

The businesswoman, possessed by the spirit, trembled violently, her face ashen and dizzy, unable to even stand steady.

The scene descended into chaos.

While the crowd dismissed the incident as a mere electrical fault or a sudden drop in temperature, only Xie Qingci saw the truth clearly. A vengeful spirit was clinging to the wealthy businesswoman, radiating Yin energy and disturbing the entire gathering.

Wen Zhiyan immediately noticed the change in Xie Qingci’s expression. She pulled her close, whispering urgently, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Is it too loud?”

Xie Qingci looked up, meeting Wen Zhiyan’s worried gaze. “An evil spirit is causing trouble,” she said softly. “It’s disrupting the energy field, which will destabilize your Yin Sha.”

She couldn’t let this spirit harm Wen Zhiyan.

As her words fell, Xie Qingci slowly rose to her feet. The cool aura surrounding her shifted, shedding her usual soft and shy demeanor. In its place, she radiated the commanding presence of the Qingwei Hall’s successor.

She raised her fingers, swiftly forming a minimalist Xuanmen seal. There were no dramatic gestures, no loud incantations. She simply spoke, her voice clear and crisp, yet carrying the overwhelming pressure of the Heavenly Dao Spirit Body:

“Your obsession lingers, disturbing the peace. Since you have committed no great evil, I will spare your soul today. Depart now, and never return.”

The moment the words left her lips, the restless vengeful spirit was instantly subdued by the Supreme Yang Spiritual Energy. It let out a faint whimper, unable to offer even the slightest resistance, before vanishing into the air without a trace.

The next second, the temperature rose, the lights stabilized, the strange noise vanished, and the scene returned to calm.

The panicked crowd froze in their tracks.

That bizarre incident… just vanished like that?

Only Wen Zhiyan looked at Xie Qingci with eyes full of pride and adoration.

Her Young Master, so cool and delicate, had effortlessly suppressed the evil spirit to protect her, radiating a brilliant light.

With the evil spirit dispelled and the scene restored to peace, everyone’s gaze fixed on Xie Qingci.

The previous moment had been too strange, too miraculous.

This seemingly frail and aloof young woman actually possessed such heaven-defying skill.

Several female socialites with a basic understanding of the occult immediately showed expressions of awe, their gazes filled with reverence.

The wealthy businesswoman who had been possessed by the vengeful spirit felt an instant lightness in her body, her complexion returning to normal. Finally understanding that she had been plagued by an evil spirit and that Xie Qingci had saved her, she quickly rose to express her gratitude.

But Wen Zhiyan stood up first, firmly shielding Xie Qingci behind her. Her own cold aura flared to its full extent as she spoke, her voice chilling the entire room:

“Do not approach.”

Her voice was clear, carrying through the hall without any concealment.

“She is mine, Wen Zhiyan’s person, the beloved I cherish and protect in my heart.”

“There is no need for thanks or discussion regarding today’s events.”

“From this day forward,” Wen Zhiyan declared, her voice ringing clear and powerful, “she is by my side. No one is to disturb her, no one is to neglect her, and no one is to dare harbor any ill intentions toward her.”

Every word was deliberate, an open and unabashed proclamation.

She had just publicly declared her relationship with Xie Qingci.

There was no evasion, no ambiguity. This was a bold, open admission that Xie Qingci was her beloved, the one person she favored above all others in this life.

The entire room fell into a dead silence. Everyone was stunned.

The Wen family’s female CEO, known for her ruthless decisiveness and cold indifference, had just publicly announced that her heart belonged to this young Xuanmen cultivator.

And for her, she had just intimidated the entire room, shielding her with an impenetrable wall of protection.

No one dared to question it. No one dared to whisper. The only thing left in the air was a mixture of shock and awe.

Standing behind Wen Zhiyan, Xie Qingci watched as she blocked every prying eye and every potential disturbance. A wave of warmth flooded her chest, and her eyes reddened slightly.

She feared no evil spirits, no chaos, only the thought of Wen Zhiyan getting hurt.

Yet Wen Zhiyan had done everything in her power to protect her, giving her an open, unapologetic favoritism and the confidence to stand tall.

Wen Zhiyan turned around, her expression instantly softening. She reached out and took Xie Qingci’s hand, her voice gentle. “It’s too noisy here. Let’s go home.”

Xie Qingci nodded, her eyes full of reliance. “Okay.”

Wen Zhiyan kept her hand clasped firmly in hers, pulling her close. Ignoring the gazes of the entire room, she led her out of the gala without looking back.

As they settled into the warm car, Xie Qingci immediately snuggled into Wen Zhiyan’s embrace, holding her tight.

“Zhiyan.”

“I’m here.” Wen Zhiyan hugged her closer, gently kissing away the dampness at the corners of her eyes. “From now on, I’ll never make you go to any more noisy places. I won’t let anyone stare at you. I’ll just take you to live a quiet, peaceful life.”

Xie Qingci shook her head, her voice soft and sweet. “I’m not afraid. As long as you’re with me, I’m not afraid of anything.”

“And I will always protect you, warding off all malevolent energy and evil spirits for you, staying by your side forever.”

Outside the car window, the night sky sparkled with stars, while inside, they held each other in a warm embrace.

No worldly gossip, no melodramatic entanglements, just two girls deeply in love, bound by a fated connection.

You openly favor me, and I will do everything in my power to protect you.

This was their true destiny, a love born of Yin fate, sweet and warm through all the years.

Support Marriage in the Palm