wicked divinity

The Wedding Night

Xia Qingyue did not press further. If even a figure of the white-clad woman's stature and identity deemed it "impossible," then indeed, there must be no possibility left.

"Qingyue, I understand your fervent desire to repay the life-saving grace you received at birth before returning to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace. However, marrying him is already enough. When you return to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, your identity will be revealed. He may face more ridicule afterward, but regardless, the status as the husband of an Ice Cloud Immortal Palace disciple will protect him. With this title, at least in this small Flowing Cloud City, no one will dare truly harm him," the white-clad woman consoled her gently.

Xia Qingyue nodded lightly. "I hope that will be the case."

"With his disabled Xuan meridian and no other talents, he will never achieve anything significant in his life. But you, with your extraordinary beauty, wisdom, and talent—rare even in our Ice Cloud Immortal Palace—if not for your devotion, the Palace Master wouldn't have made an exception and allowed your marriage request. Marrying you is the greatest fortune and destiny he could ever hope for. You've done enough for him. Even Xiao Ying, if he were alive and wise enough, would surely have already dissolved the previous betrothal... I'll leave now. I'll come back for you in a month. During this time, I won't go far. If any problems arise that you can't handle, use the sound-transmission talisman to inform me immediately."

"Thank you, Master."

The white-clad woman nodded, turned around, and instantly revealed a breathtakingly beautiful yet cold countenance. Without makeup, her skin was as smooth and white as jade, evoking phrases like "icy flesh and jade bones" or "snow-white complexion and crimson lips." Her features were exquisitely flawless, radiating a sacred arrogance almost too pure for direct gaze, resembling a celestial maiden transcending worldly affairs, standing high above the nine heavens.

She pushed open the rear window, her body flickering as ice spirits swirled around her, and she vanished like mist into thin air.

---

In the Xiao family hall, guests filled the room.

"Uncle Liu, please drink with me," Xiao Che respectfully offered a cup of wine to a refined-looking middle-aged man.

The man known as "Uncle Liu" chuckled, stood up, took the cup, and drank it all in one gulp, then smiled and said, "Nephew, your father and I were close friends in the past. Seeing you marry such a fine wife today makes my heart happy."

"Thank you, Uncle Liu."

"Elder Brother, please drink."

Elder Brother Xiao Li picked up the cup, downed its contents in one swift motion, then slammed it heavily on the table. Throughout the process, he only grunted through his nose, never uttering another word or sparing Xiao Che a glance. His demeanor suggested that drinking Xiao Che's toast was a great honor bestowed upon him.

Xiao Che didn't respond, moving silently to the next table. Just two steps away, Xiao Li spat onto the ground with audible disdain: "What a waste of a beautiful flower on dung! Pfft!"

Xiao Che's expression remained unchanged, his pace steady, as though he hadn't heard a thing. Yet deep within his eyes, a chilling resolve coalesced.

Approaching Second Elder Xiao Bo, Xiao Che slightly bowed and said, "Second Elder, Xiao Che offers you this cup."

Xiao Bo didn't even glance at Xiao Che, turning his head away while saying dismissively, "Yang, drink it for me."

"Yes, Grandfather," Xiao Yang replied without hesitation, snatching the cup from Xiao Che and gulping it down in one go.

For Xiao Bo to let his grandchild drink the wine meant not just disrespect but outright humiliation. After finishing, Xiao Yang placed the cup down and sat back, his eyes gleaming with undisguised mockery and disdain.

Xiao Che said nothing, merely nodded and moved to the next table. As before, just two steps away, a cold snort sounded behind him: "A waste remains a waste, even after marrying into the Xia family. Does Xiao Lie really think his grandson's wife will change his fate? Pfft!"

The voice dripped with scorn and derision, mixed with jealousy. Regardless of the Xia family's wealth, the sheer talent of Xia Qingyue alone would have had Xiao Yang dreaming of marrying her instead of Xiao Che.

Xiao Che acted as though he hadn't heard, smiling faintly as he continued onward.

By the time Xiao Che finished offering toasts and seeing off the guests, night had fully descended. Throughout the entire process, few people showed genuine congratulations or blessings—so few that Xiao Che could count them on ten fingers. Most maintained polite facades due to the occasion but couldn't hide their disdainful gazes. Some sighed sympathetically, others harbored jealousy and resentment, while still others openly wore expressions of contempt and dismissal.

Because of his damaged Xuan meridian, Xiao Che would never achieve greatness. Therefore, they felt no need to curry favor or show courtesy, nor feared offending him since his condition rendered retaliation impossible. Instead, they reveled in flaunting their superiority before him, reveling in their dominance over someone who would never surpass them.

Such was the harsh reality and ugly nature of most humans.

"Rest early," Xiao Lie patted Xiao Che's shoulder, wearing a gentle smile.

Of course, Xiao Che understood what lay beneath his grandfather's apparent warmth. As Xiao Lie grew older, his temper softened. Once fiery and unyielding, he dared offend anyone who slighted him. Now, however, his gentleness stemmed not from maturity but necessity—for Xiao Che.

To protect his worthless grandson, Xiao Lie had learned restraint, enduring insults and humiliations so long as they didn't cross certain lines. This way, whether alive or dead, he ensured no enemies could easily harm his defenseless grandchild.

Once the formidable Elder Xiao Lie of Flowing Cloud City, now he faced frequent ridicule and abuse from the other four elders, receiving little respect even from juniors.

Watching Xiao Lie's retreating back, memories of mocking faces flashed through Xiao Che's mind. His hands clenched tightly, knuckles whitening, his gaze sharpening like a blade. A chilling smirk slowly spread across his lips.

Xiao Che bore grudges deeply. In his final years on the Tianxuan Continent, hatred consumed his thoughts. Those who treated him kindly, he remembered; those who wronged him, he vowed revenge—almost obsessively.

"You will… regret this…"

The low, ominous words escaped Xiao Che's lips, akin to a venomous curse.

Since heaven granted him another chance at life, how could he allow himself and his grandfather to endure such humiliation again?

---

Returning to his courtyard, the full moon hung high in the night sky. Xiao Che stepped into the corner of the yard, extending his left hand forward. Instantly, a jet of water shot out from his palm.

At the banquet, he had consumed copious amounts of alcohol. By the end, he appeared thoroughly drunk, barely able to stand, though in truth, he remained perfectly sober. It wasn't because of his tolerance but rather his ability to instantly transfer every sip of alcohol into the space within the Heaven Poison Pearl, which had fused completely with his body. Controlling it came as naturally as controlling his own limbs.

After half a day of draining the stored alcohol, Xiao Che raised his left hand, now soaked with liquor, grinned mischievously, and slapped it onto his face. Holding his breath, he flushed his cheeks bright red, then staggered drunkenly toward the door, pushing it open and stumbling into the bridal chamber.

As the door opened, a wave of alcohol fumes followed him inside. Xiao Che nearly fell flat on entering, catching himself awkwardly and looking up at Xia Qingyue. She sat serenely on the bed, eyes closed, tranquil and composed. The dim red candlelight illuminated her exquisite features, adding an ethereal charm that seemed almost untouchable.

Xiao Che's eyes gleamed lecherously, a lascivious grin spreading across his face as he swayed toward her. "Hehehe... Wife... kept you waiting, huh? Now we can... consummate our marriage..."

Xia Qingyue's eyes snapped open, and with a casual flick of her right hand, an irresistible icy gust swept toward Xiao Che, sending him flying backward out of the room and landing hard on the yard's dirt floor, narrowly avoiding overturning the lone stone table.

Groaning in pain, Xiao Che rubbed his sore bottom, struggling to rise, and shouted angrily, "Damn! That was just a joke! Did you have to hit me so hard? I'm practically helpless! Are you trying to kill your own husband?"

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

Xiao Che rushed forward, only to find it firmly locked.

Depression washed over Xiao Che… This woman couldn't even tolerate a joke, let alone flirtation. How were they supposed to get along?

"I was just joking... Besides, as a mere Initial Xuan Realm Level One weakling, I'd never dare offend you."

Xia Qingyue remained silent.

Xiao Che waited by the door for some time, but it showed no sign of opening. Normally, he might sneak to Auntie's place for the night, but tonight being their wedding night, leaving wouldn't be appropriate.

A cool night breeze swept through, causing Xiao Che to shiver. He knocked softly on the door, pleading weakly, "Hey, you're not seriously making me sleep outside, are you? You know well enough how many men in the Xiao family covet you. They'll be extremely uncomfortable knowing it's our wedding night. But they also believe a pearl like you could never look twice at trash like me, so even after marriage, they assume I'd never touch you—not even share the same roof. Soon, they'll definitely sneak over here to see my misery. If they catch me locked out, I'll become the laughingstock of the entire clan."

"At the very least, I'm your husband now. Can you really bear to see me humiliated like this?"

Still silence greeted him from within the room. Just as Xiao Che prepared to kick the door in frustration, it finally creaked open.

Xiao Che darted inside faster than lightning and slammed the door shut behind him.

Xia Qingyue remained seated near the bed, her posture regal and elegant despite its simplicity. Turning her gaze briefly, she looked at Xiao Che, now somewhat disheveled, and spoke calmly, "Do not come within five steps of me."

"...Then where am I supposed to sleep?" Xiao Che muttered unhappily. The room was small, containing only a bed, a desk, a small dining table, and two cabinets. From east to west, the entire room spanned no more than seven or eight steps. Five steps away...that essentially confined him to the opposite wall.

"You can sleep on the bed," Xia Qingyue rose from the bed.

"No!" Xiao Che refused outright, plopping down in the farthest corner from Xia Qingyue and closing his eyes. Though vastly inferior in strength, pride dictated that he wouldn't surrender the bed to a woman, no matter the circumstances.