11 years and 11 months fly, and on this day—
"Little brother, that princess sent another jade slip over."
Instead of a palace maid, an unknown man's voice enters Bujian Yue's ears, to which, the latter asks—
"Hm? Which brother of mine are you?"
Ignoring the question, the man sits on the opposite side of the table.
Setting the jade slip down, and sliding it over to Bujian Yue, the man replies—
"I'm the fifth prince."
"Oh? Greetings then, fifth elder brother."
Pretending to feel around for the jade slip, Bujian Yue grabs hold of it, and snaps it in half.
Immediately, Lin Xiao Kui's voice resounds, and says—
[Ah Yue, I'm on my way over to the Hong Xiao Star Realm right now. I should be there—a day or two before our wedding. I look forward to seeing you.]
Raising a subtle chuckle, the fifth prince remarks—
"How sweet."
"Un. A sweet voice as usual."
"Agreed. She's quite-"
Before the fifth prince could finish speaking, several footsteps approached from the outside, and rather quickly, ten individuals stepped into the room.
"Ah?"
"Old fifth?"
"Oh? In that great of a rush, were you?"
Seeing his other siblings, especially the first prince, the fifth prince's expression darkens, while Bujian Yue remarks—
"It's unusual for so many people to visit me. Do all of you have business with me?"
"…"
Taking a few steps forward, a young lady, who is dressed in purple robes, answers—
"They do. They're all here coveting for your wife-to-be."
"…"
As all the princes raised a smile, Bujian Yue displayed no changes on his face, while maintaining his silence.
Eventually, Bujian Yue asks—
"May I ask who the one who answered me is?"
"Your elder sister, the second princess, Chén Yùqiū."
Despite Chen Yuqiu's tone being somewhat cold, the air emanating from her doesn't seem hostile.
"Then, elder sister Yuqiu, about what they were saying…-?"
Raising a sigh, Chen Yuqiu says—
"It's exactly what you think it is. They wish to see you put on a green hat, and all of them are eagerly volunteering to help you with it."
Hearing this crude joke, the princes laughed aloud.
Waiting for the laughter to settle, Bujian Yue asks—
"Can I ask elder sister Yuqiu to pour me a cup of tea?"
"…?"
Finding it strange—how Bujian Yue still has the leisure to be drinking tea in this situation, Chen Yuqiu raises an eye.
But despite the situation's oddity, Chen Yuqiu nevertheless walks over to the table, and picks up the pouring vessel.
Filling a cup, Chen Yuqiu places it into Bujian Yue's hand, to which, the latter says—
"Thank you."
"…?"
"…?"
As Bujian Yue takes a sip of tea, the princes can't help but feel somewhat puzzled by the former's behavior.
Savoring the taste of the tea, Bujian Yue remarks—
"I've heard that strength is everything in the practitioners' circle. Since I'm but a weak and blind man, I don't mind giving my woman away. As for who she ends up with, I suggest you all talk with your fists. All I ask is that you do not disturb the wedding itself."
Towards Bujian Yue's statement, all the princes displayed a look of bewilderment on their faces.
This outcome is ideal, but with how easy this outcome had been achieved, there seems to be something left to be desired.
"Is there anything else that you all wish to discuss?"
Clearing his throat, the first prince says—
"Let's not disturb our little brother any more than this."
Having said that, the first prince and the others begin to leave.
"…"
As the princes head out the door, Chen Yuqiu, who chose to remain, asks—
"Giving up your wife-to-be so easily, are you serious?"
"…"
Taking another sip of tea, Bujian Yue replies—
"Elder sister Yuqiu, I've been living in complete darkness for nearly 20 years. Apparently, the first seven years of my life, I was made to stay in a cobweb-filled residence. Although I am able to wear good garments, and have this clean residence to myself right now, none of this was something that I had gained through my own strength. A single word from anyone of status, and I could lose it all instantly."
"…"
Hearing this, Chen Yuqiu frowns, while Bujian Yue continues to say—
"My ambition in life, it isn't anything high. I just… Wish to leave a mark behind, a mark that says—I was here."
"…Ai."
Having no words to reply with, Chen Yuqiu raises a subtle sigh, and begins to leave.
Reaching the doorway, Chen Yuqiu pauses, and says—
"If you don't have a place to go, my place is large enough to accommodate a blind man."
"…"
Following Chen Yuqiu's departure, Bujian Yue thought—
(Virtuous.)
Smiling with sincerity, Bujian Yue takes another sip of tea.
*Shaaa…* as a black serpent appears to the side of Bujian Yue, the latter sets the cup down, and rolls up the sleeve of his right hand.
Through the eyes of the serpent, he sees—
"…It's begun, has it?"
Faint scale patterns.
Clenching his right hand into a fist, Bujian Yue mutters—
"Old fifth, he'll be first—after I see the princess's true character."
Thinking of what will happen in less than a month from now, Bujian Yue's smile turns venomous.