Jian Qinwan covered her mouth right after speaking, her face flushing.
She had exposed herself in a moment of desperation!
Gongsun Jing's expression remained unchanged. "When did I ever discuss these matters with you? We've already had the wedding ceremony, isn't going to the bridal chamber a natural course of events? To ensure that Liang Xiao and your Xichuan Sword Clan have descendants, you will enter the bridal chamber today whether you wish to or not!"
Jian Qinwan, utterly embarrassed, hid her face and finally realized: even she had been deceived by her master!
At this moment, Liang Xiao fell into silence.
He had thought the Three Sages of Da Gan were all upright individuals, only to find them stranger than one another.
Judging by the demeanor of the Qin Saint, she was like the domineering female CEOs from legends!
Liang Xiao began to wonder how these three had achieved their sage status.
It wasn't just him, Liang Xiao; Zhuo Zifang, Xiao Qing, Lü Yi... anyone of status occasionally showed a rogue side, it was truly unbelievable.
But Liang Xiao quickly suppressed this curiosity, as there were more important matters at hand.
Xiao Qing and the others had not yet donned wedding attire; Jian Qinwan was now the most beautiful bride under heaven, undeniably so.
The maiden's wedding dress was as fiery as a flame, her head bowed in shyness, giving everyone a dreamlike feeling.
The Qin Immortal, perceived as aloof and peerless by the world, had ultimately become a bashful young woman facing her groom!
Was this a worthy exchange?
Liang Xiao's lips curved upward slightly. He calmed himself to savor Jian Qinwan's shy appearance.
Exquisitely beautiful beyond compare!
Even Yue Lian and Qin Jiu's hearts fluttered, their exclamations of admiration repeating.
The charm brought about by the contrast in her personality and demeanor was even more captivating than her usual Immortal posture!
"By the decree of parents and the words of a matchmaker, good son-in-law, to guarantee that we will not mention you seeing her bathe or acting indecently towards her from tomorrow onwards, you will obediently enter the bridal chamber, won't you?"
Liang Xiao's brow twitched. He pursed his lips, "Deal..."
Jian Qinwan stumbled, nearly falling. Liang Xiao caught her, but she dared not look at him.
"Do you want to put the veil back on?" Gongsun Jing asked.
Liang Xiao gazed at Jian Qinwan and smiled, "No need. I want to look a while longer. It's too rare."
Jian Qinwan's heart raced even more wildly.
Gongsun Jing paused, then said sternly, "Little Qinwan, this marriage is settled. I am not joking with you. I will inspect the room tomorrow. You two must conduct yourselves accordingly!"
Jian Qinwan dared not respond. She merely lowered her head, allowing Liang Xiao to lead her by the hand towards the bridal chamber that had been quietly prepared days ago!
Qin Jiu led the way, while Yue Lian and Gongsun Yu walked beside Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan respectively, occasionally unable to resist applauding and offering blessings, treating it as a simple mock "teasing" of the bride and groom.
This was not a formal marriage ceremony, yet it surpassed one.
"Click!"
As the newlyweds entered the room, Qin Jiu locked the door from the outside. Mission accomplished!
Inside the room, Jian Qinwan sat on the bed, her heart a mess, her breath faint, fearing any sound she made.
Liang Xiao stood before Jian Qinwan, gazing at her, and whispered, "Female Bodhisattva?"
Jian Qinwan did not respond.
"Female Rakshasa?"
Jian Qinwan still dared not respond.
Liang Xiao, having no other choice, said softly, "Wife?"
"Ah? What is it..." Jian Qinwan was startled. This time, she couldn't help but respond. Then, she regained her composure and said sternly, "Don't call me wife..."
"Why?" Liang Xiao asked.
"I, I am marrying you here, only, only to make Master happy..." Jian Qinwan's voice became more uncertain as she spoke.
"I see," Liang Xiao said with feigned understanding.
Jian Qinwan thought Liang Xiao had believed her and felt a pang of disappointment, but then Liang Xiao took her delicate hands, causing her to cry out in surprise.
"Are, are you going to bully me..." Jian Qinwan trembled.
Liang Xiao, intending to respond seriously, thought of how this Rakshasa had "reported" her to her master and couldn't help but smile, "What if I really want to bully you? What will you do?"
Jian Qinwan felt as if struck by lightning. She stiffly turned her head away. "I, what else can I do? I, I'll accept my fate! It's just... it's just that you shouldn't betray your princess and fiancée, and your Yue Lian. You knew them first, you should have, should have consummated the marriage with them first..."
As she spoke, tears streamed down Jian Qinwan's face.
Liang Xiao was taken aback, feeling an inexplicable tenderness.
This foolish girl, at this critical juncture, was still worried about him letting them down!
"Do you think your master will keep her word?" Liang Xiao asked softly.
Jian Qinwan lowered her head, her face full of dejection.
"The heir of the Duke of Dingguo has always acted on his word in public. This applies to his family as well, which is why the Duke of Dingguo's manor has maintained its prestige for a century..."
"Then what will you do?" Liang Xiao asked again.
"What can I do..." Jian Qinwan replied, her voice choked with tears.
Liang Xiao chuckled softly, lifted the quilt, revealing a white sheet.
Jian Qinwan's heart was in turmoil.
Is he really going to do it?
Under Jian Qinwan's nervous gaze, he bit his index finger and forced out a drop of blood, letting it fall onto the sheet.
Jian Qinwan stared blankly at the drop of blood blooming on the sheet like a flower. She instantly understood and was on the verge of tears.
He intended to use this to fake her "first bloom"!
"I said I wouldn't allow anyone to force you, including myself. If we can deceive them, we will. If not, we'll figure something out tomorrow."
Liang Xiao's gentle words brought fresh tears to Jian Qinwan's eyes.
"But you've forced yourself..."
Liang Xiao gently wiped away Jian Qinwan's tears. "To not let one's woman suffer is what a man does. Otherwise, what's the point of the distinction between men and women in this world?"
Jian Qinwan, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill again, gazed deeply at Liang Xiao, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Wait for me to find you the most beautiful flowers in the world," Liang Xiao said, patting Jian Qinwan's shoulder and comforting her softly.
Jian Qinwan merely looked at Liang Xiao with affection, nodding obediently. She couldn't help but glance at the small blood flower blooming on the sheet.
This blood flower symbolized true manliness; how could he not consider it the most beautiful?
Under Liang Xiao's gentle comfort, Jian Qinwan nervously took off her wedding dress, shyly gazing at Liang Xiao, who was sitting at the table with his back to her, as if imprinting his silhouette in her mind.
At this moment, Liang Xiao rested his chin on his hand, pondering a deeply philosophical question in his heart:
"Am I crazy?"
Liang Xiao was certainly not a sage or a eunuch. With such a captivating bride before him, his heart stirred. If he had been even slightly forceful, he surely could have succeeded!
Unfortunately, people with cleanliness often also possessed spiritual fastidiousness, holding inexplicable principles about certain matters. He feared that if he truly acted, he would only leave Jian Qinwan with a lingering guilt and an indelible sense of remorse.
She was too kind, so kind that she couldn't bear to steal another's rightful place or seize what belonged to someone else!
"We've performed the ceremony; she is already my woman, Liang Xiao. I will protect this kindness of hers!" Having made up his mind, Liang Xiao felt at ease.
That night, Liang Xiao sat at the table, his back to Jian Qinwan.
Jian Qinwan gazed at Liang Xiao's back, not daring to even blink.
She understood perfectly that Liang Xiao had turned his back to her precisely because facing her, his bride, might cause him to lose composure again!
At this moment, Jian Qinwan wore only a thin white undergarment and a red bellyband beneath it. Curled up in the quilt, she struggled internally for a moment before trembling, "The drop of blood you shed for me is already the most beautiful flower in the world. You, you, you... you should get into bed and sleep..."