"Sister, why are you looking at me like that?" Feng Ruoyu shrank her neck uncomfortably.
"Ruoyu, do you not think your elder brother Qi Bei's stories are childish?" Feng Ruoyun asked.
"But I don't think he's making them up," Feng Ruoyu retorted.
Feng Ruoyun looked at her little sister's clear eyes and smiled, perhaps she was overthinking it. Although her sister was mischievous and knew everything, knowing didn't mean understanding.
"Do you know that after Qi Bei's engagement, he will also go to his fiefdom? If you want to hear stories, ask a bard to tell you," Feng Ruoyun affectionately stroked her sister's hair.
Feng Ruoyu grumbled a few words, then her eyes suddenly lit up and she said, "Sister, look, Qi Bei and Princess Ming Yue are here."
Qi Bei held Ming Yue's hand as they got off the carriage. Two rows of palace maids and Nord family servants held the long concentric belts on the princess's dress, and flower petals fluttered in the air as they fell, causing enthusiastic applause from the guests.
The engagement ceremony officially began.
The High Priest of the Temple of the Goddess of Life walked out of the temple, and the guests began to gather around Qi Bei and Ming Yue, the two main characters who naturally attracted everyone's attention.
In the face of sincere or false congratulations from everyone, Qi Bei smiled and greeted each one with impeccable etiquette. At this moment, his demeanor and aura as a scion of an aristocratic family were evident.
Princess Ming Yue also smiled gracefully, occasionally glancing at Qi Bei's smiling face. For some reason, she felt that his mannerisms were a bit strange. He was obviously a scoundrel but was now acting like a true gentleman.
At this moment, the High Priest of the Temple held the sacred book and began to recite the blessing.
The slightly hoarse voice of the High Priest recited the incomprehensible blessing with a peculiar rhythm, and the entire square, including the onlookers outside the barrier, fell silent.
Each syllable seemed to take on a tangible form as it entered Qi Bei's ears, giving him a strange feeling, as if his thoughts had penetrated through time and space to reach some mysterious world.
There, a pair of eyes as clear as autumn water looked at him softly, with a hint of surprise.
Who was she? How could there be such beautiful eyes in this world, like a sparkling starry sky embedded within them, which at first glance, made one's soul feel uplifted.
Qi Bei widened his eyes in amazement, trying to see more clearly.
However, at this moment, Qi Bei's whole body shook, and his thoughts were abruptly torn away…
"Why are you staring blankly? The High Priest has asked us to move forward." Ming Yue looked at Qi Bei inexplicably, who looked like he was in a daze.
"Oh, I was a bit sleepy just now." Qi Bei shrugged and walked hand in hand with Ming Yue toward the High Priest of the Temple.
The High Priest was a kind-looking old man, with a spotless appearance, clear eyes, and full of vitality.
"You are all children of the gods. The Goddess of Life blesses you, and the legacy of life will continue forever," said the High Priest as he reached out his hand and passed it over the foreheads of Qi Bei and Ming Yue. Suddenly, a faint white light swept over both of them.
Qi Bei and Ming Yue both felt as if all the parts of their bodies had been infused with extra vitality, and their whole body felt comfortable and refreshed.
This must be the life magic that only a few High Priests of the Light Temple can perform, it was truly extraordinary.
Next, the High Priest of the Temple held a jade bowl that emitted a faint luster. This was the coveted Holy Water of Life that many believers longed for, which can prolong life and cure all illnesses.
Qi Bei had drunk it once shortly after he was born, as he was born into the largest aristocratic family of the Golden Leaf Empire, where he always had privileges.
During their engagement or wedding ceremony, the two would have to drink the Holy Water of Life together.
When ordinary people hold their engagement or wedding ceremony at the Light Temple, only ordinary priests would preside over it, and the 'holy water' they drank is actually just ordinary water.
"Qi Bei of the Nord family, under the statue of the Goddess of Life, do you want to be bound for life with Princess Ming Yue of the Golden Leaf Empire, never to leave or abandon each other in this life?" The High Priest of the Temple looked at Qi Bei.
"I do," Qi Bei replied firmly, even though the question made him feel a little uneasy.
"Princess Ming Yue of the Golden Leaf Empire, under the statue of the Goddess of Life, do you want to be bound for life with Qi Bei of the Nord family, never to leave or abandon each other in this life?" The High Priest of the Temple asked again as he looked at Ming Yue.
"I d-"
"She doesn't want to!" Just as Ming Yue was about to answer, a gloomy voice suddenly sounded.
The guests immediately became agitated and looked toward the source of the voice. They saw a handsome young man in a purple mage's robe walking over arrogantly.
Qi Bei narrowed his eyes and a cold smile appeared on his lips. His instinct was right, it seemed that this engagement ceremony would not be peaceful.
"I have no intention of disrespecting the great Goddess of Life. I am just telling the truth. Lying in front of the Goddess of Life is the greatest disrespect. Princess Ming Yue told me herself that she was only engaged to this boy because she had no choice," said Feng Tian loudly.
"Who is he? He has such audacity. Even if he's wearing the robes of a mage, doesn't he see that this is a formal occasion?"
"Could he be the princess' secret lover?"
"You don't know anything. Let me tell you, he is a disciple of Heavenly Mountain Peak, one of the Five Holy Lands. He has no fear of the Emperor or the Nord family."
The guests started discussing excitedly. The flaws in human nature made them not only unafraid but also thrilled by the unexpected turn of events.
Emperor Han Mo and the patriarch of the Nord family at the top of the hall remained expressionless, as if the sudden change had nothing to do with them.
"I am willing to be engaged to Qi Bei of the Nord family." Princess Ming Yue spoke up at this moment, her voice not loud, but she used magic vibration, and her voice echoed in the crowded square.
Feng Tian's expression froze, suddenly feeling like a fool. His face went red with shame and his body trembled in anger, but everyone ignored him.
The High Priest smiled and handed a jade bowl filled with Holy Water to Qi Bei.
Qi Bei, calm and composed, took it and drank half of it, secretly expelling some of it into the bowl, then handed the jade bowl to Ming Yue beside him.
Ming Yue took it and was about to drink, but heard Feng Tian say, "Junior sister, you have just joined so perhaps you don't know that as the disciple of a Holy Land, you cannot get engaged without the master's permission."
Ming Yue was stunned. Katie hadn't told her about this rule, but she didn't know about her engagement either.
However, Ming Yue was only stunned for a moment before drinking all the Holy Water in the jade bowl directly.
"Junior sister, you…" Feng Tian exclaimed in disbelief. This move was supposed to be his killer move. He had come prepared for the possible reactions of the royal family and the Nord family, but he had not expected Ming Yue's reaction.
Qi Bei also looked at Ming Yue in surprise, then at Feng Tian, whose face was pale and blue, and suddenly felt a little sympathy for the guy.