I alone am the Honoured One!

The cheers and laughter finally softened as Zhao Tian glanced toward Ji Shuang, his lips still tingling from the relentless storm of Velnorah's kisses.

"Let's continue with the ceremony."

Ji Shuang gave a small nod and her lips curled into a teasing smile. "About time. The heavens might grow jealous if you two kept ignoring them any longer."

She stepped forward gracefully as she moved to the front of the platform.

Everyone in the courtyard instinctively grew quieter and the earlier laughter faded into an expectant hush.

Ji Shuang's voice rang out "Today, under the eyes of the heavens and before those dearest to us, we witness the union of Zhao Tian... our companion, our… troublesome hero and Elder Velnorah, fiery and steadfast, who has finally claimed the man she has long kept close to her heart."

The crowd chuckled softly at that last part, while Velnorah rolled her eyes and muttered "Trust her to embarrass me in front of everyone…"

Zhao Tian's lips quirked faintly, but he said nothing.

Ji Shuang raised her hand and Li Jia hurried forward, carrying a lacquered tray.

Upon it there was a folded strip of crimson silk and a small tablet engraved with ancestral markings.

A brazier burned softly at the front of the platform, smoke curling into the sky.

Ji Shuang picked up the silk and extended it toward the couple "Take this red silk, as is tradition. Hold it together, and let it bind your fates as one."

Velnorah looked down at the silk, then up at Zhao Tian, "Hmph. As if I needed silk to tie him to me."

Nonetheless, she reached out, her slender fingers brushing against Zhao Tian's as they both grasped the strip.

He squeezed her hand through the silk and she exhaled softly, leaning just a little closer to him.

Ji Shuang smiled knowingly at their subtle exchange and continued, "First, bow to the heavens."

Together, Zhao Tian and Velnorah turned toward the sky.

The crimson silk stretched gently between them as they lowered into a bow, their silhouettes framed by the morning light.

"The heavens bear witness," Ji Shuang muttered, "and grant blessing to this union."

"Second, bow to the ancestors."

They turned toward the tablet on the altar, bowing deeply in unison. The faint smoke from the brazier curled around them as if embracing their figures.

"The ancestors bless your path, so your union may endure through generations to come."

Finally, Ji Shuang's lips curved into a softer smile as she spoke the last line."And third… bow to each other."

Velnorah's gaze lifted to meet Zhao Tian's eyes and slowly, she lowered herself into the bow.

Zhao Tian mirrored her and his eyes carried a warmth that only she could see.

They rose from the bow, and Velnorah let out a shaky laugh, as if to hide the heat flooding her cheeks. "Bastard… don't look at me like that in front of everyone."

Ji Shuang shook her head in amusement, then lifted her arms, "With the heavens as witness, and with all present here as testimony, this union is sealed. Zhao Tian and Elder Velnorah are now husband and wife. May their bond be eternal, unyielding, and filled with strength."

The moment the words left her lips, the courtyard erupted. Cheers, applause, whistles, and even laughter rose like a tidal wave.

Velnorah didn't wait for anyone and immediately pulled Zhao Tian by the collar and kissed him again with the red silk still clutched between their hands.

"Norah-" Zhao Tian tried to chuckle against her lips, but she silenced him with another insistent press of her mouth.

Ji Shuang covered her eyes with one sleeve and muttered, "Heavens preserve me… this ceremony has turned into a spectacle."

Hugging Velnorah, Zhao Tian glanced at everyone. "Come on... let's eat."

They nodded and Fei Lingxi glanced at Fei Ziyu "We are the ones serving the dishes, come on."

Since there are only a handful of people and most of them are her sisters, she didn't mind doing the job.

Together, both of them lifted their sleeves and moved gracefully, arranging the steaming dishes onto the long table.

The fragrance of freshly prepared delicacies soon wafted through the courtyard.

It wasn't a grand imperial feast, but because the gathering was so intimate as everyone is close to Zhao Tian and Velnorah the meal was luxurious.

Zhou Hanyue clapped her hands once "Everyone, take your seats!"

With practiced ease, she guided Rui Yuying, Ji Shuang, and the others toward the long table in the center.

The seats circled around, leaving the head of the table for the groom and his new bride.

Zhao Tian pulled Velnorah toward that place of honor.

She resisted faintly, whispering under her breath, "Ehh… I don't like sitting up front where everyone can stare."

Zhao Tian only chuckled, leaning closer so his warm breath brushed her ear. "What, after you kissed me breathless in front of everyone, now you're shy?"

Her cheeks flamed, and she elbowed him lightly in the ribs, hissing, "Tian!"

The nearby women burst into giggles at the sight.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Fei Lingxi and Fei Ziyu placed the last of the dishes, and Ji Shuang stood, lifting a cup of wine.

"Well then, since I already played officiant, I might as well also propose the first toast. To Zhao Tian and Velnorah... may your union be as fiery as her temper and as unshakable as his stubbornness!"

The courtyard rang with laughter as cups were raised high, and the first toast went down in a wave.

Lan Shuqin, seated a little farther down, lifted her own cup with both hands.

Her face was flushed pink, though whether from wine or something else, none could tell.

Her eyes flickered toward Zhao Tian, lingering only for a moment before she ducked her head and took a sip.

Yao Lian's ears perked up as she clapped her hands together, her tail swishing wildly behind her. "Master! Since it's your wedding, does that mean we can expect more wine, more food, and more kisses tonight?"

The group laughed even louder, and Zhao Tian rubbed his temple with a helpless smile.

Ji Shuang leaned across the table, "Norah, shouldn't you give us all a little speech? Tell us what it feels like to finally chain down this man?"

Velnorah glared at her. "Please shut up. Sect Master."

Ji Shuang giggled into her cup, shaking her head.

On Zhao Tian's other side, Zhou Hanyue leaned forward, resting her cheek on her palm "Well then, now feed each other. You can't just eat on your own. A proper bride and groom must share the first bites."

The table burst into delighted laughter and teasing noises.

Fei Lingxi clapped her hands eagerly, "Yes, yes! Husband, hurry and feed Sister Norah!"

Fei Ziyu added softly, "It's tradition…"

Velnorah froze with her spoon hovering mid-air and her eyes flicked around the table at the expectant gazes fixed squarely on her "That's... embarrassing."

But Zhao Tian calmly picked up a piece of glazed meat "Then, shall we?"

The crowd egged them on with laughter.

Rui Lian clapped her hands gently, "Come now, don't be shy. We all know how boldly you kissed him earlier. Feeding him is nothing compared to that."

Velnorah grabbed a piece of tender fish from her bowl and took it toward Zhao Tian's lips. "Here you go..."

Without hesitation, Zhao Tian leaned forward and accepted the bite, chewing it "Mhm, tastes great."

"Now your turn, Sister Norah!"

Zhao Tian lifted the meat again and held it right in front of Velnorah's lips.

She leaned forward and accepted the bite, her lips brushing the tips of his spoon.

A chorus of cheers and teasing erupted instantly.

"Wahhh! Look at them!" Fei Lingxi squealed

"Truly newlyweds," Shi Yixian said with a smile.

Qi Xue and Qi Nue whispered together, "So strange… yet… kind of sweet…"

Velnorah chewed furiously, avoiding everyone's eyes.

But Zhao Tian's low chuckle reached her ears, and looking at his smile, her heart grew tender. "Ok, soon...let's eat. We have a honeymoon."

"Hahahaha..."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!