The Frost Beneath Her Veil - Chapter 21

The mist had risen on Jixing Mountain, creating a hazy, rain-drenched landscape. The blood from Yin Jiuruo’s fingertip wouldn’t stop, flowing continuously and staining a small patch of snow on the grass a deep crimson.

Shen Cangli looked at her with a meaningful expression, her tone full of lament. “You certainly listen to Changfan well; no wonder she spends so much effort on you.”

Realizing Shen Cangli was trying to provoke her, Yin Jiuruo gave a cold sneer. The mountain wind blew, lifting her hair to reveal the terrifying markings beneath.

“You don’t need to waste your energy trying to drive a wedge between us.”

Startled by Yin Jiuruo’s grim appearance, Shen Cangli’s fear quickly turned into a bright, beautiful laugh. “You truly feel deeply for Changfan, but unfortunately, you’re a bit of a fool. I’ll be waiting for the day you reap the bitter fruits of your own actions.”

Master and servant walked away arrogantly. Yin Jiuruo stood where she was, the blood from her fingertip dripping onto the Double Fish jade pendant in her palm. Snapping out of her daze, she hurriedly chanted a cleansing spell to remove the bloodstains, then tucked the precious jade away close to her body.

Lately, the black mist that had vanished from her spiritual aperture had begun to reappear faintly, making her blood run hot and filling her with unease. However, as soon as she practiced the cultivation formula Fu Qing had taught her, the black mist would immediately dissipate.

“Perhaps it’s just because my cultivation is unstable.”

Coincidentally, Xiao Huo hopped onto her shoulder from somewhere unknown, rubbing against her affectionately.

“What, did those two scare you into hiding?”

Xiao Huo nodded obligingly, its flightless wings fluttering as it signaled that it had hidden in advance so it could seek help if there was any danger.

“Fine, fine. You’re just a coward who knows how to make excuses.”

Having no heart to travel by zither, Yin Jiuruo walked slowly back toward Hexue Peak with Xiao Huo. Beneath the fire-like plum blossoms and soft, vivid branches, she saw Fu Qing. Her robes were pristine as she sat on the ground, seemingly lost in deep thought.

“Master, I’m back,” Yin Jiuruo bowed.

Red petals fell, piling up like brocade clouds at the hem of the woman’s pale white robes. Fu Qing looked up and smiled softly, her phoenix eyes shimmering with ripples, her lips moist and full.

“What were you doing?”

Seeing the woman smile under the plum branches, Yin Jiuruo momentarily forgot to reply. She could only stare at Fu Qing’s snowy face, where a soft rose-red hue seemed to seep into the delicate skin. Her gloomy mood instantly brightened, and she returned a perfectly timed smile to Fu Qing.

“Are you happy?” Fu Qing asked casually, assuming Yin Jiuruo had encountered something pleasant. She did not know that the girl’s joyous smile was mostly because of her.

“I went to the sea to clean up trash; it was very pleasant,” Yin Jiuruo answered both questions. After thinking for a moment, she added honestly, “I also ran into the Young Master of the Ruyi Sect, Shen Cangli.”

“Cangli, ah. She came to present this Sovereign with a few wedding gifts,” Fu Qing’s expression grew somewhat distant as she looked toward the icy moon in the sky. “I didn’t expect you to run into her.”

Still unable to read Fu Qing’s meaning, Yin Jiuruo felt a surge of courage due to the upcoming wedding. “Master, did you and the Young Master of the Shen clan… ever have feelings for each other?”

Not expecting this question, Fu Qing withdrew her gaze and lifted her thick dark lashes, staring fixedly at Yin Jiuruo. Under that gaze, Yin Jiuruo’s confidence faltered, and she lowered her head. “I didn’t mean anything by it; I was just asking.”

“What are ‘feelings’?” Fu Qing asked coldly, sounding more like she was testing a lesson.

Feelings. As the bright moon shone on Yin Jiuruo’s frail, slender frame, she remembered when she had wandered into a very prosperous town. It was crowded and colorful—dazzling to the eyes. Back then, she thought that perhaps many people had met someone they liked in a crowd. But it was only for an instant; once it passed, it was gone.

There are too many people and things in this world; too many encounters lead to easy forgetting. It is only at the moment of the encounter that there is joy.

“It probably means that every time you meet her, you are joyful,” she said softly.

How many encounters can a person have in a lifetime? Spring arrives early, peach blossoms bloom everywhere, then the roses wither and the red lotuses fade. After enjoying the osmanthus in autumn, one might chance upon a few early plum branches in winter. There are only so many flowers in a year; how many times can an ordinary person see them?

Perhaps the people in the sect would say that cultivators are different from mortals, but Yin Jiuruo always felt there was no difference. A moment, a lifetime—life arises and then is extinguished; nothing remains as it first was.

Fu Qing sat upright and still, her snowy robes draped over the flowing water. She neither nodded nor denied it. “Xiao Jiu, continue to contemplate this in the future.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Tomorrow we go to Mount Wuyang. Rest early tonight.” Fu Qing rose to leave. The fallen flowers on her robes seemed to possess intelligence, shimmering with a faint light like stars.

Though she hadn’t received an answer from Fu Qing, the thought of establishing the True Marriage Law tomorrow left Yin Jiuruo’s mind blank with joy. She obediently returned to Linyue Residence to sleep. Even Xiao Huo was banished to the outer room, as its breathing would be too loud.

To Yin Jiuruo’s surprise, Mount Wuyang was not a single peak, but a deep valley that changed with the seasons. One moment there was thunder and lightning, the next brilliant sunshine. The trees were sculpted from ice and snow, and a long river flowed ceaselessly.

The Marriage Stone was not a stone at all, but a small, shallow pool of water. The surface was perfectly still. From a distance, it looked as if it held layers of clouds and treasure halls, appearing very deep and dark. But as they drew closer, they only saw pillars of celestial light spilling down, with countless motes of dust floating in the beams.

The place was empty, as if only heaven and earth were witnesses.

As soon as they stood before the pool, branches naturally grew from the water, linking together. Fu Qing calmly reached out her hand, and Yin Jiuruo quickly followed suit. The branches entwined around their palms, radiating clear light. They twisted tightly, and soon a sensation of pain came from their palms.

“Are these the ‘Linked Branches’?” Yin Jiuruo had specifically looked for books on this a few days ago. The Linked Branches of the Marriage Stone would transform into a pair of “Birds that Fly Wing to Wing” and enter the spiritual seas of the two people forming the bond. From then on, two completely unrelated people would be closely connected.

As the primordial energy of heaven and earth swirled around them, Fu Qing thought of the Sect Leader’s advice from yesterday to not establish the True Marriage Law with Yin Jiuruo. After a moment, she said softly:

“If the marriage vow is violated, there will be punishment from heaven and earth.”

“I won’t break it,” Yin Jiuruo said solemnly.

“Then what will you do?” Fu Qing’s eyes held a casual coldness.

“As long as I live, I will love Master,” Yin Jiuruo whispered.

Fu Qing’s gaze was sharp and steady, her voice very faint. “Good.”

Yin Jiuruo smiled at Fu Qing. Turning her head, she saw a precious blade hanging from a tall tree. “What is that?”

“The ‘Edge of Severed Fate’ used to cut the Linked Branches. If two people agree to dissolve their bond, they come beneath the blade to cut their fate and go their separate ways.”

Looking at the majestic, sharp, and shining blade, Yin Jiuruo smiled. “It’s quite considerate, giving people a chance to regret.”

A brilliant light lit up between the two of them, then entered their hearts.

“The ceremony is complete.” Fu Qing flicked her sleeve and placed ninety-nine spiritual stones into the pool.

Speechless that the Marriage Stone also required payment, Yin Jiuruo felt a sense of unreality. She and Fu Qing were truly married, a bond protected by the True Law of heaven and earth. All that was missing was the ceremony at the sect.

She turned to steal a glance at Fu Qing. The woman seemed to have her eyes bothered by the sunlight; her lashes rested on her eyelids, and her beautiful, celestial face was calm and cold, showing no trace of joy or sorrow.

“Xiao Jiu, before the wedding, do you have any other wishes?”

The woman’s voice was soft, like she was asking someone from a far-off place.

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