All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me

Everything was so real, indistinguishable from reality.

Somehow picking up a book and throwing it hard toward the corner of the room, he cursed softly, "This damn Heart Demon!"

"..."

...

Su Bei's eyes snapped shut, then opened abruptly.

Everything around him became illusory, as if he had finally returned to reality.

Looking around, the noise of the crowd was thunderous, and suona horns played with vigor. He looked down at his clothes; a big flower was pinned to his chest.

Wenren Pingxin approached him. His eyes were brimming with tears as he whispered, "Beier, you have been unconscious for several days now, but today you have finally awakened."

"Today is your wedding day..."

"..."

In a flurry, they dressed him in the groom's red wedding robe. Radiant with joy, they tied up his long hair, making him look spirited.

Su Bei looked at her, somewhat stunned, but said nothing.

It seemed he remembered; just yesterday he had bumped into a pillar and even had a strange dream.

He followed the porters carrying the palanquin, riding a tall horse as part of the wedding procession on the official road.

He was to marry several young ladies, one after another as intended. Everyone around looked at him with envy.

He married the Xiao Family's eldest daughter, Xiao Ruoching, and her mute dowry maid.

Also returning to the mansion with them were the Dan Family's pair of twins and the Mo Family's eldest daughter.

—To marry one wife and take several concubines.

This is the ultimate dream in a man's heart.

"Bow to Heaven and Earth."

"Bow to the High Hall."

"Husband and wife, bow to each other."

"Enter the bridal chamber! The ceremony is complete."

Once inside, following the three kneelings and three bows, Su Beitong and the women were wed. Under the candlelight, the brides' faces were flushed.

The curtains of the bridal chamber were all red; only the bed curtains were pale pink.

Su Bei led the bride to sit on the bed, took a deep breath, and slowly lifted her veil.

The woman looked up and smiled, her eyes brimming with tenderness.

The phoenix crown swayed slightly, the vermilion flowers trembled, and the pearl curtains moved gently.

—Her beauty, half hidden, half revealed.

Su Bei couldn't help but hold his breath as he looked at her. Then, he hurriedly took off her phoenix crown.

She slightly lowered her head to grant his wish, revealing her stunningly beautiful face.

Then, with her slender hands, she gently untied her red wedding gown, chemise, and bodice. She stripped off everything from her body piece by piece, revealing skin that surpassed snow in whiteness. Her embroidered shoes and silk stockings were tidily placed beneath the bed.

Her fair, delicate feet arched. She sat with her knees hugged, curling up her slender body, opened her dark eyes, and looked at him, full of affection.

"My lord," she spoke softly.

Her voice, with an indescribable grace, was filled with a thousand emotions, lingering and profound.

Su Bei smiled, feeling utterly intoxicated by her presence.

Life has four great joys: timely rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the wedding night in the bridal chamber, and success in the imperial examinations.

One wife and several concubines, such an enviably romantic existence. Is this truly me?

He allowed her to serve him, and they drank the exchanged cups of wine. Dizzily admiring her beautiful face, he wished to pull her into his embrace, but she dodged away.

Su Bei felt weak all over and light-headed. The bride in front of him seemed to double into two figures, both smiling like flowers.

Seeing Su Bei's impatient eagerness, 'Xiao Ruoching' lightly stepped aside, her eyes filled with laughter.

"My lord, your wife has one more question," she said.

Su Bei panted heavily, his eyes filled with greed, and demanded, "What question? Ask it quickly!"

"It's a riddle, you see..." she giggled.

"A riddle?"

Su Bei blinked and chuckled at her, "I love riddles the most, my dear. Please tell me."

'Xiao Ruoching' smiled enigmatically. Gazing at Su Bei, her vermilion lips slightly parted as she said, "This is a riddle from the depths of your heart, you know? It's not that simple..."

As she spoke, her eyes teasingly watched him. Under Su Bei's persistent urging, she finally spoke, "In your heart, whom do you love more?"

As she said this, the woman looked at him, appearing rather nervous.

Who indeed did he love most!?

Su Bei burst into laughter, "Of course, I love you the most!!"

"..."

Xiao Ruoching's cheeks flushed cherry-red in an instant. She giggled, seemingly extremely satisfied with his answer, then simply gazed at him, her eyes filled with deep affection.

Yet Su Bei was unaware that the other women were just a wall away; his words reached their ears with crystal clarity.

A feeling of bitterness arose within them. So it was true, we are merely concubines?

The woman closed her eyes, preparing to receive Su Bei... but after a long moment, he made no move. The flickering candle beside them bathed the scene in a reddish glow.

"My lord, what's the matter?" she asked, lifting her head to look at him with confusion.

That's not right. He wouldn't say that, Su Bei thought.

A flicker of clarity passed through Su Bei's eyes. He tenderly gazed at her, and then at himself.

Although he seemed immersed in this fabricated world, Su Bei's true self had maintained its final lucidity.

Perhaps I was influenced by that world? In his view, the concept of wives and concubines did not exist; each woman was unique in her own right. He couldn't deny that his heart was fickle, but when it came to affections, every part of it was sincere, fair, and without the slightest favoritism.

Some things simply can't be compared, he mused. Emotions are just that: liking is liking, love is love. There's no loving one more deeply, or liking another more. If I ever truly faced such a day, then in my heart, there probably wouldn't be any such thing as a 'concubine'...

Su Bei opened his eyes and smiled faintly at the woman before him.

"Thank you for helping me see my true heart."

"..."

As Su Bei's words faded, the woman's figure gradually became illusory. Then, everything around them shattered, and Su Bei sank into darkness, falling asleep.

—This Heart Demon Tribulation was about desire.

...

Sunlight dazzled Su Bei's eyes. He stretched languidly, gazing at the bright sunlight outside the window.

The Spiritual Energy within him felt unprecedentedly abundant. His once-shattered meridians were now reconnected and even more resilient.

So I've broken through to the Late Stage Refining Void Realm?! That really wasn't easy...

A streak of light suddenly appeared before Su Bei. He frowned at the pale golden characters inscribed upon it:

"One hundred boxes of candied fruit."

Su Bei was silent for a long time.

Everything in the first Heart Demon Tribulation... indeed, she must have been a part of it.

He couldn't help but smile bitterly. So this is what the red string is for?! Was the relationship in the dream real?

As he pondered, CREAK, the door opened.

Su Bei looked at the disciple before him, faintly recalling her appearance with the phoenix crown and vermilion flowers...

"Master, you're awake?!"

"..."