"Master? Aren't you done yet?"
After an unknown amount of time, Jian Qinwan couldn't help but ask.
A moment later, Gongsun Jing's gentle murmur reached Jian Qinwan's ears.
Jian Qinwan opened her eyes curiously and saw herself in the bronze mirror. Her heart skipped a beat, "This, this is?"
She was now wearing a phoenix coronet, her light makeup pleasing to the eye, her red lips slightly parted.
This was clearly a bride's attire, and a fiery red wedding dress lay on the table!
"Master, what, what are you doing..." Jian Qinwan asked nervously.
Gongsun Jing gazed at Jian Qinwan in the mirror, as if talking to herself.
"My greatest regret in this life is that I never became your father's bride. I only hoped to see you and Xiao Yu get married in my lifetime to fulfill my wish. Look, the flower thief you've been longing for is waiting for you outside."
Jian Qinwan's pretty face turned crimson, and she stammered, "Master, it's one thing for my mother to hand me over to the flower thief, but why are you doing this too..."
Mentioning Mu Xueqin, Gongsun Jing lowered her head sadly.
"Back then, I vowed that I would only marry your father. But your father was completely devoted to your mother. Naturally, I couldn't force myself, so I had to bury this feeling deep in my heart."
"Later, that old rascal threatened me with death, wanting to find a son-in-law for me to continue the lineage of the Dingguo Marquis Mansion. But your father was determined to break free from worldly attachments and seek the Tao. In desperation, I made a reckless gamble, tricking your father into drinking wine on Mount Tianqin, and I drugged the wine... Afterward, he left in a daze. Later, when I couldn't hide my pregnancy, he heard about it and returned. But he only told your mother that he had lost his senses and defiled me..."
Jian Qinwan stared blankly at Gongsun Jing, who was weeping, in disbelief.
Who would have thought that the Qin Saint of the Great Gan Kingdom would be troubled by love and make such a grave mistake because of it!
She was a renowned master of the Qin Way, a sealed saint!
So, her heartless old father was actually innocent?
After wiping away her tears with her sleeve, Gongsun Yu said with deep emotion, "I have failed your father, and even more so your mother. Little Qinwan, didn't you say your mother insisted you marry Liang Xiao? It's perfect. Fulfill my wish here, and let me arrange for Liang Xiao to marry you. Consider it my atonement for my mistakes."
"No, no..." Jian Qinwan burst into tears on the spot, shaking her head repeatedly.
Gongsun Jing persuaded her again, "You don't need to care about worldly opinions. Both from your letters and from what your Aunt Qin Jiu relayed, I can tell you like him a lot. Seize this opportunity boldly while you are young. Don't follow in my footsteps and create a tragedy. At least, your parents and I won't force you to marry someone you dislike, will we?"
"Master, why are you doing this to your disciple..." Jian Qinwan covered her face and wept.
"You don't want to marry him?" Gongsun Jing asked.
Upon hearing this, Jian Qinwan's sobs stopped abruptly, and her delicate body trembled violently, "I, I..."
Gongsun Yu deliberately put on a stern face and said, "How about this, you choose: either continue wearing your purple clothes and pretend nothing happened when you meet Liang Xiao, or put on this wedding dress, let me fix your tear-streaked makeup, and go marry Liang Xiao."
Jian Qinwan trembled even more violently, her pretty face as if it could bleed.
"Little Qinwan, I only have a quarter of an hour. If you're late, I won't wait."
Liang Xiao was in the small pavilion discussing secret cooperation with Qin Jiu. They were getting along famously.
After a long while, Liang Xiao asked doubtfully, "Senior Qin Jiu, an hour has passed, why haven't they come out yet? Bathing for too long is very harmful to the body!"
This kid was still concerned about such trivial matters?
Qin Jiu's veins bulged on his forehead, then he calmly replied, "There's a lot to do. Yue Lian, there's a bathhouse outside, and hot water has been prepared. Have your young master go take a bath too."
Liang Xiao and Yue Lian looked at each other.
What kind of bizarre etiquette was it to have guests bathe at home?
Qin Jiu had anticipated this. He coughed twice and said, "Actually, my master also has a潔癖, and hopes that Young Master Liang can understand..."
"Understood!" Liang Xiao finally showed a gentle smile.
Under Qin Jiu's guidance, Liang Xiao went to an external bathhouse and bathed before returning.
Liang Xiao began to panic, "I've bathed once already. Coupled with the hour before, they still haven't come out? Senior Qin Jiu, quickly go check if they've been poisoned by carbon monoxide. If artificial respiration is needed, I can sacrifice myself for the goddesses!"
Qin Jiu pouted, sizing up Liang Xiao, and managed to suppress a laugh.
This person had a unique way of thinking, no wonder he could come up with so many strange ideas.
Before Qin Jiu could reply, the bamboo door creaked open slowly, and two figures appeared before everyone's eyes.
When everyone looked up, they were stunned by the sight!
Jian Qinwan was now wearing a beautiful wedding dress and a phoenix coronet, her eyes filled with shyness as Gongsun Jing led her towards Liang Xiao.
The purple Sky Crystal on her chest had become the most striking and beautiful adornment.
Liang Xiao, who had seen many beauties, was still captivated.
She now looked like a shy bride, not at all like the aloof Qin Immortal.
"So beautiful..." Yue Lian exclaimed involuntarily.
"Sister is the most beautiful!"
Gongsun Yu was so excited that she wanted to run over, but was held back by Qin Jiu, who was equally amazed, for fear the child would cause trouble.
Jian Qinwan summoned the courage to look up at Liang Xiao. Seeing him looking at her, her heart went into chaos, and she quickly averted her gaze.
She was alluring and breathtakingly beautiful!
"Senior, what is the meaning of this..." Liang Xiao's eyelids twitched.
Gongsun Jing did not respond immediately, but gave Qin Jiu a look.
Qin Jiu understood and casually opened the wooden chest beside him.
Inside the chest was a groom's outfit!
Liang Xiao instantly understood and looked at Gongsun Jing.
He truly couldn't believe that the Qin Saint of Great Gan would act in such an unexpected way.
Gongsun Jing smiled, "I never thought you'd give Little Qinwan such a good betrothal gift as the Sky Crystal! Perfect! Son-in-law, put on the groom's attire and get married in front of me. Become a true son-in-law, and don't mind what the world thinks."
"This..." Liang Xiao looked troubled.
"You think my Little Qinwan isn't good enough for you?" Gongsun Jing feigned displeasure.
"No, no..." Liang Xiao shook his head repeatedly.
Seeing Liang Xiao's flustered expression, Jian Qinwan, who had been too shy to speak, felt a little better. Her eyes darted around, appraising Liang Xiao.
"I know you are destined to become a prince's consort and have a fiancée whom you must marry with full ceremony. The Three Saints of Great Gan already regard fame and fortune as fleeting. They won't make things difficult for you by asking them to be concubines, but you must at least marry her, mustn't you? After all, her reputation is now in your hands."
Recalling his past misdeeds, Liang Xiao's old face flushed.
Jian Qinwan lowered her head even more shyly.
Gongsun Jing smiled again, "With your accomplishments and magnanimity, you don't need to worry about worldly formalities. True love is enough! As her master, I am also like half a parent to Little Qinwan. I will witness your wedding ceremony here. Today, you are merely pledging your lives to each other, which will not affect you becoming a prince's consort and marrying your fiancée. Therefore, I advise you not to be ungrateful. This is my territory, and you cannot escape."
Liang Xiao looked at Gongsun Jing in surprise.
Was this really the Qin Saint of Great Gan? Was she sure she hadn't been possessed?
Even modern people wouldn't dare to be so reckless!
Seeing Liang Xiao's silence, Gongsun Jing became displeased. "How about this, let your Yue Lian also change into a wedding dress, and you marry them both."
Yue Lian, who had been happily admiring Jian Qinwan, suddenly blushed, and stammered, "Mas-master, you should marry Miss Qinwan first..."
Gongsun Jing stared at Liang Xiao again, "You cannot fail your princess and fiancée, nor Yue Lian, but can you fail my Little Qinwan and the Medical Saint who is so kind to you? I'll give you fifteen minutes to change into the groom's attire and marry her. Otherwise, tomorrow the whole world will know that you saw her bathing and even molested her!"
A reasonable threat, hitting the mark!
Liang Xiao had no choice. He silently picked up the groom's attire, and everyone followed Gongsun Jing to a "green tent" set up in the mountains beforehand.
Jian Qinwan, shyly, quickly covered her head with a veil, letting Liang Xiao hold her hand all the way.
First bow to heaven and earth! Second bow to the elders! Husband and wife bow to each other!
At this moment, Jian Qinwan dared not even breathe. She was still supported by Yue Lian, otherwise, she would have long collapsed on the ground.
"Are you done bowing?" Gongsun Jing, seated on the high seat, shed tears of relief and urged, "According to wedding customs, can you be sent to the bridal chamber now? Tomorrow, I will personally check the room. If I don't find Little Qinwan's virginity on the bed, then our master-disciple relationship will be severed, and I'll drive you out of Mount Tianqin."
Liang Xiao's brow twitched, Yue Lian and Qin Jiu were dumbfounded.
Gongsun Yu, of course, didn't understand, she only knew how to clap her hands and shout, "Send them to the bridal chamber! Hooray!"
Jian Qinwan was so shocked that she lifted her veil on the spot and chided, "Master, you said it was just a symbolic marriage, how is it different from what we discussed!!"