Wen Qiao looked toward the man on the long couch.
He appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed in luxurious brocade robes. His demeanor was noble and reserved, and he had a handsome appearance—his face as fair as jade, with sharp brows and bright eyes. He carried a gentle smile before even speaking, exuding a warm and approachable charm that naturally inspired goodwill in others.
This was a man with the bearing of royalty and unparalleled handsomeness.
Although Wen Qiao rarely left home, she had heard of the Seventh Prince of Dongling Kingdom. It was said that he was one of the rare handsome men among the royal Ning family. Though he could not cultivate, his bearing was exceptional, and he was deeply favored by Emperor Chenghao. Everyone who met him regretted that his Yuan spiritual root had been destroyed; otherwise, the Ning royal family might have produced another genius martial cultivator.
The Seventh Prince, Ning Yuzhou, stood up from the long couch and spoke warmly: “Miss Wen, this is our first meeting. I am Ning Yuzhou.”
Wen Qiao returned his greeting, lowering her gaze to conceal the thoughts in her eyes, and replied softly, “Greetings to Your Highness, the Seventh Prince.”
The Seventh Prince’s warm, star-like eyes briefly glanced over her pale face, his voice growing even gentler. “Miss Wen, there’s no need for formalities. Please, have a seat.”
There were not many people in the private room. Besides a guard whose cultivation level was indiscernible, there was also a young eunuch-like boy from the palace. The boy, fair and clean, served tea and then left the room with the guard, taking the bewildered Lian Yue out with them.
In an instant, the spacious private room was left with only Wen Qiao and the Seventh Prince.
Ning Yuzhou handed her a cup of tea, the rising white mist curling in the air. He spoke gently, “This is spiritual tea made from roasted Dendrobium leaves. Please have a taste, Miss Wen.”
Wen Qiao took a sip. The tea was clear and cool, slightly warm on entry, with a faint bitterness that lingered before giving way to sweetness. Her originally cold and weak body, deprived of sufficient vital energy, gained a bit of warmth. A trace of Yuan spiritual energy flowed through her meridians, soothing her frail and withered pathways.
This was spiritual tea.
And it was of quite good quality.
Wen Qiao couldn’t help but look up at the man across from her. His clear and bright eyes were gazing back at her, and his handsome face held a slight smile. His gentle demeanor was like a spring breeze brushing past the tips of willow branches, making her unconsciously lower her guard.
Suddenly, Ning Yuzhou spoke: “I heard that your health is poor and you can only consume things with Yuan spiritual energy.”
Wen Qiao replied lightly, “The Yuan spiritual energy in Dongling Kingdom is sparse, and items containing it are rare. Ordinary food and medicine are fine too.” It would just cause her continuous pain, but she was already used to it.
Hearing her words, a trace of heartache appeared on Ning Yuzhou’s face.
“In the future, you’ll have me,” Ning Yuzhou said tenderly, gazing at her with pity.
Wen Qiao felt a bit unsettled. She found this fiancé rather odd. Setting down the teacup in her hand, she composed herself and said seriously, “Your Highness, the Seventh Prince, I have something I don’t understand. May I ask you to enlighten me?”
Ning Yuzhou’s eyes curved slightly with his smile. He chuckled softly and said, “Miss Wen wants to ask about the marriage decree, correct?”
Wen Qiao gave a quiet “Mm.”
Ning Yuzhou poured her another cup of tea, and only after watching her drink it did he speak: “Actually, this marriage was arranged by Wen Boqing.”
For the first time, Wen Qiao’s calm face showed a hint of surprise. She had considered many possibilities but had never thought it would have been arranged by her deceased parents.
“During the beast tide back then, Wen Boqing happened to save my life. Before he passed, he and my father made an agreement. When you came of age, my father would decree our marriage.”
Although his explanation was brief, Wen Qiao quickly grasped the key points.
Her father had coincidentally saved the Seventh Prince during the beast tide. In gratitude, Emperor Chenghao had essentially “compensated” her with the Seventh Prince. Considering her status as an orphan with frail health, it also served as a means of protection. Tying her to the royal family was the best solution.
No wonder that all these years, despite the Wen family’s main branch lacking elders, no one dared to bully her outright. Apart from withholding some daily supplies and medicine, they hadn’t treated her too poorly. Otherwise, why would the Wen family bother to raise a sickly girl who only consumed resources without contributing anything? Even with the residual grace of her parents, most children in her situation would have been sent to other Wen family territories, where they could live a life of wealth and comfort without being a burden.
As for why the marriage agreement hadn’t been publicly announced over the years, it was likely due to concerns that she might not live to maturity. Of course, Emperor Chenghao probably had his own selfish reasons as well. He wouldn’t want his beloved youngest son to marry a frail girl who wouldn’t live long, wasting the position of a wife. What father would be happy about that?
It was better to feign ignorance and secretly provide protection instead.
Within just a few moments, Wen Qiao had pieced together the circumstances and various considerations, her expression relaxing slightly.
Ning Yuzhou’s gaze had never left her face. He continued, “Now that you’ve come of age, it’s only natural to fulfill the marriage agreement. So, I’ve asked my father to decree our marriage.” Pausing, he asked apologetically, “Miss Wen, what do you think of this marriage?”
Wen Qiao tilted her head slightly, thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, “I have no particular opinion.”
Recently, thanks to him, Jishui Courtyard had gained many benefits, and her standing within the Wen family had also subtly risen. Wen Qiao found this marriage agreement quite favorable—Lian Yue practically wished she could worship the Seventh Prince as a deity.
Ning Yuzhou’s face revealed a hint of surprise, as if he hadn’t expected her reaction to be so indifferent.
His fiancée seemed very different from other girls.
Then Wen Qiao said, “Actually, to be honest, you’re the one at a disadvantage. You’ve probably heard that the alchemists have determined I won’t live past twenty. When the time comes, I’ll likely only drag you down.”
Although the Seventh Prince couldn’t cultivate, with the Ning royal family’s vast supply of rare treasures, it would be easy to extend his lifespan as a mortal. Compared to her, who couldn’t live past twenty no matter how many treasures were used, he was indeed at a disadvantage.
Ning Yuzhou was momentarily stunned, then said seriously, “I won’t let you die!”
Wen Qiao glanced at him again, remaining noncommittal.
Ning Yuzhou didn’t dwell on the topic, only saying it once before quickly changing the subject to discuss the wedding date.
While cultivators typically married and had children later in life—especially if choosing a dual cultivation partner to maximize mutual benefits—they were an exception. One was a mortal unable to cultivate, and the other was a frail person not expected to live past twenty. Following worldly customs, the sooner they married, the better.
Wen Qiao understood his reasoning. Knowing the origins of the marriage and hearing the Seventh Prince’s words, she naturally didn’t object.
Ultimately, this marriage wasn’t about romantic feelings between a man and a woman—it was merely a form of protection.
Ning Yuzhou asked, “How about one month from now?”
Wen Qiao replied, “…Wouldn’t that be a bit rushed?”
“It won’t be,” the Seventh Prince said calmly. “In a month and a half, the Lintai Hunting Valley will open. It’s a grand event held once every three years in Dongling Kingdom, where the nation’s prodigies gather. Don’t you want to participate?”
Wen Qiao was once again stunned by the prince. “Me?”
Ning Yuzhou nodded, his warm and handsome face showing no trace of jest.
Wen Qiao stared at him for a moment, then reminded him, “Your Highness, the Seventh Prince, you should know that my cultivation is only at the Mid Yuan Entry Stage.”
The Mid Yuan Entry Stage was the very first step in martial cultivation. Any low-grade demonic beast could easily crush someone at this level. With such meager cultivation, going to Lintai Hunting Valley would be tantamount to courting death. Wen Qiao wasn’t one to aim too high—she was focused on survival and had no desire to throw her life away.
“I know. I’ll make the arrangements,” Ning Yuzhou said with a smile, his gaze fixed on her. “Do you want to go?”
Of course, she wanted to!
Even with a frail body, she still had the heart of a martial cultivator.
As a cultivator, who wouldn’t yearn for the pinnacle of existence—to become a supreme being capable of stirring the winds and clouds with a mere gesture, breaking free from the shackles of mortality, achieving the boundless Dao, and ascending to the Upper Realm?
Although she said nothing, Ning Yuzhou had already discerned her thoughts.
A trace of pity appeared in his eyes once more, and his voice grew even softer, as if afraid that speaking too loudly would startle her. “Miss Wen, there’s no need to worry about safety. Since I dare to bring you along, I’ll make proper arrangements. You only need to focus on nurturing your body and cultivating.”
Wen Qiao looked at him in surprise, unable to fathom where a mere mortal like him could muster such confidence. Could it be Emperor Chenghao’s doing?
Before she could figure it out, Ning Yuzhou had already moved on to discussing their wedding arrangements.
Although Wen Qiao wasn’t foolish, she had grown up tucked away in a corner of the Wen family, with limited interactions with her siblings. She was still rather simple-minded and was no match for a prince from the palace. In just a few words, her train of thought had been deftly led astray, leaving her to follow his lead and discuss the wedding arrangements.
By the time Wen Qiao realized what was happening, she saw that he had even planned out the betrothal gifts. All that was left was for her to nod, and the gifts could be delivered as early as tomorrow.
Wen Qiao: “……” Something feels off.