Chapter 27: The Grand Wedding Part 3

“I know, I know. Such a bother. You freeload a meal off me, and I still have to work for you,” Hua Ciyan sighed. “I must owe you from a past life.”

Jiang Wan didn’t listen further, pulling Shen Sheng away.

Before returning to the city, Jiang Wan went back to the orchard. She helped herself to several baskets of fruit, leaving behind a single red fruit as payment.

Shen Sheng was speechless. “She doesn’t even want the fruit trees, and you leave her a single fruit? She’ll be furious.”

“That’s the point—to make her furious.” Jiang Wan smiled brightly. “She’s far too dull. Let her be angry.”

Shen Sheng didn’t know what to say. A mortal’s life was but a few short decades, while Immortals had endless years. Living alone in the mountains must indeed be dull at times.

She lifted her eyes, a trace of confusion in them. “Why doesn’t she go to Prajna City?”

“She is not a South River Descendant. Without Forming a Contract, she can’t enter. Sang Xuan’s partner has a mortal parent, so her bloodline isn’t pure. She needed the Marrow Cleansing Pill to be recognized. Mortal blood is too impure; Prajna City doesn’t accept it. If Sang Xuan’s partner were to cultivate and purify her own bloodline, that would work, but her current cultivation is too low,” Jiang Wan patiently explained.

Prajna City only recognized the blood of the South River and their bonded partners.

Extremely magical.

Shen Sheng finally understood. When had she Formed a Contract with Anu? Was it that night?

Why would Anu have been afflicted with the Lovesickness Gu?

The Jiang Wan before her couldn’t answer that. She would have to ask Anu.

Back in the city, they distributed the fruit to everyone. Luckily, Fu Kong wasn’t there, or they’d have been grilled about it.

Jiang Wan stopped Sang Xuan and tossed her a white fruit. “Here, for you. A Childbirth Fruit.”

The clueless Sang Xuan jumped up on the spot. “I don’t want it! I don’t want it!”

The others burst into laughter. Shen Sheng was laughing so hard she couldn’t straighten her back. Jiang Wan was just too mischievous. This fruit was useless for two women.

But Jiang Wan simply didn’t clarify, deliberately teasing the young, love-struck Sang Xuan.

Her face bright red, Sang Xuan dashed off. Jiang Wan bit into a fruit herself and said, unhurriedly, “What’s there to be afraid of? It’s useless for you anyway.”

Sang Xuan, who had already run far away, didn’t hear this. The others wiped tears of laughter from their eyes. Ruo Wu remarked, “Even if she wanted it, she’d still need the right fate.”

It wasn’t something you could get just because you wanted it.

After the laughter, everyone took their fruit and dispersed. Jiang Wan was still chewing on the fruit pulp.

A moment later, Hua Ciyan returned. Seeing the baskets of fruit, she didn’t say a word, just picked one up and bit into it.

“You went to see Wu Qi. How is she lately?”

“Quite well. Even mocked us for being foolish enough to marry and Form a Contract,” Jiang Wan retorted mercilessly.

Hua Ciyan laughed, casually picking up another fruit. “She’s right to mock you. Anyway, let’s go take a look first. Madam Shen, lend me your wife for a moment.”

Shen Sheng’s cheeks burned at the way she was addressed, and she instinctively lowered her head.

Jiang Wan instructed her, “Wait for me in the hall. I’ll be back soon.”

Shen Sheng nodded. “Be careful.”

The two left together. Shen Sheng carried a basket of fruit to the sleeping chamber.

There were still many fruits left, far too many for one person. Shen Sheng gave one to each of the maidservants in the hall and left the rest on the table, waiting for Jiang Wan to return and eat together.

Jiang Wan wasn’t picky; she ate anything. She’d even eaten the so-called Childbirth Fruit, which showed just how free-spirited she was.

Yet she appeared so cold on the outside, making people afraid to approach her lightly.

After everyone left, the vast sleeping chamber was empty save for Shen Sheng.

Shen Sheng knew her place and didn’t wander around, just sat alone eating a basket of fruit. She was halfway through when the group returned with great fanfare.

Hua Ciyan had changed into a white flowing Immortal dress, walking like the wind. Jiang Wan followed behind her, each step like a blooming lotus—a beautiful, restrained woman, who from afar exuded an aura of coldness.

Shen Sheng was slightly dazed. Hua Ciyan arrived, her slender figure swaying before her. “You really can eat.”

Having said that, she picked one for herself to eat. Shen Sheng asked anxiously, “How is it?”

“The Seal won’t hold for more than a few days. Hurry and think of something,” Hua Ciyan said directly, ignoring Shen Sheng’s paling face. “The ancient Immortals were masters of spellcraft, their Sealing techniques were peerless. We younger generations fall far short.”

“You mean you all aren’t capable enough?” Shen Sheng asked.

Hua Ciyan exploded, slamming a palm on the table. “Shen Sheng, I’m warning you, don’t challenge my limits. You can say others aren’t capable, but don’t say it about me. When this lady was cultivating the Dao of Ruthlessness, you weren’t even born.”

“I know, I wasn’t born even after you finished,” Shen Sheng covered her face, laughing out loud. She knew it was terribly inappropriate, but she couldn’t help it.

Hua Ciyan glared at Shen Sheng. “Are you two planning on making a little Jiang Wan?”

Shen Sheng: “…”

“No.”

“Yes,” Jiang Wan confirmed.

Hua Ciyan gave a cold snort. “You mortals are so dishonest. When she’s born, give her to me.”

Jiang Wan’s expression soured. “There’d only be one. If we give her to you, what about us?”

“Make another one. My Dao of Ruthlessness lineage must have an inheritor—it’s a serious matter,” Hua Ciyan softened her tone, staring intently at Jiang Wan. “How about you have two at once? One for you, one for me. What do you say?”

Shen Sheng covered her ears. Was Hua Ciyan cultivating the Dao of Ruthlessness or the Dao of Humor?

Jiang Wan didn’t agree. Hua Ciyan huffed, refusing to leave.

When the basket of fruit was nearly empty, the three were unsatisfied, feeling somewhat addicted.

Hua Ciyan suggested, “Let’s go steal more fruit.”

Shen Sheng refused. “What did you even come here for? Are we not doing the important things?”

Jiang Wan gave Hua Ciyan a pitying look and nodded. “Out.”

Hua Ciyan cheerfully tugged on Shen Sheng. “On the way back, I was thinking. You two should have twins. Name them Duo Yan and Duo Yu. [T/N: Duo Yan and Duo Yu mean “Much Speech” and “Much Talk,” contrasting with Buyan and Buyu meaning “No Speech” and “No Talk.”]”

For a moment, Shen Sheng didn’t catch on. Wasn’t it Buyan and Buyu?

“She’s a woman of too few words. If you have a child, don’t let her take after her. Take after you instead. A bit silly, but talkative and cute.” Hua Ciyan laughed to herself. She stared at Shen Sheng’s fair face and lightly tapped her forehead. “To think you’d be the one…”

Shen Sheng didn’t respond. This person was surprisingly accurate. Buyan and Buyu really did resemble her.

But, wait… she herself wasn’t that talkative. So who did Buyan and Buyu take after?

The first fruit-stealing trip went smoothly.

The second trip drew the barking of dogs from all over the mountain. With a wave of her hand, Hua Ciyan silenced them. Then, a large tiger descended from the sky.

Shen Sheng, terrified, hid behind Jiang Wan. Hua Ciyan gently beckoned to the tiger, using some unknown spell. Unbelievably, the tiger ran away in tears.

“What spell did you use?” Shen Sheng asked, puzzled.

“I didn’t use a spell,” Hua Ciyan said. “I just told it, ‘You’ve lived this long without a wife, without even a place to call your own, and you still have the nerve to show off?’ Then it ran away crying.”

Shen Sheng touched her ear. That line might work on people, but on a tiger?

As she was wondering, Jiang Wan explained, “This tiger has already developed spiritual intelligence. It’s begun cultivating.”

Shen Sheng suddenly understood. While they were talking, the fruit on the trees all over the mountain began to tremble and flew uniformly towards Hua Ciyan.

In the blink of an eye, the fruit trees were bare. All the fruit was now safely stored in Hua Ciyan’s Hundred Treasures Pouch.

“Hurry, let’s run! That old woman will be here any second,” Hua Ciyan nervously slung her pouch onto her back and bolted.

Jiang Wan grabbed Shen Sheng’s hand, and they promptly flew into the air.

From behind them came Wu Qi’s booming voice: “Hua Ciyan, you’ve stripped all my fruit trees bare… what am I supposed to eat…”

Landing by the South River, Hua Ciyan danced with glee on the spot. Shen Sheng watched her, dumbfounded.

This Hua Ciyan wasn’t recorded in the ancient texts. She had no way of knowing this person’s future.

But shouldn’t someone cultivating the Dao of Ruthlessness be cold and emotionless?

How was Hua Ciyan acting like the Sect Leader of some Dual Cultivation Sect?

Jiang Wan was clearly used to this, her expression impassive. But she quickly wrapped her arm around Shen Sheng’s waist. “Let’s go home and sleep.”

Fu Kong was down below in the water. If she came up and saw Hua Ciyan’s smug face, it would definitely turn into a full-blown fight.

The two ran off first, leaving Hua Ciyan dancing and singing alone.

Back in the sleeping chamber, the bright moon was high in the sky.

Shen Sheng asked Jiang Wan, “Have you thought of any solutions?”

“Hua Ciyan said she has a plan, but didn’t elaborate before dragging us off to steal fruit,” Jiang Wan led Shen Sheng to sit down.

Shen Sheng lowered her eyelashes. “I’ve read many ancient texts. I know of your seven Elders, but not of Hua Ciyan.”

“She doesn’t belong to Prajna City, so naturally, she wouldn’t be heavily documented.” Jiang Wan grasped the young woman’s slender wrist, her gaze clear and cold. Shen Sheng was different. She was full of life, like a sprout breaking through the soil, vibrant.

There was no weakness about her. She was like the sun in a clear spring sky—just seeing her made one feel warm.