Xia Qingyue refrained from further questioning. Since her master, a figure of such stature and insight, had confidently asserted "impossible," then indeed, there was likely not the slightest chance.
"Qingyue, I understand your deep sense of gratitude, your wish to repay the debt of life saved at your birth before returning to Frozen Cloud Asgard. But marrying him alone is repayment enough. When you return to Asgard, your status will be revealed. He may suffer further ridicule, but as the husband of an Asgard disciple, even in this small Floating Cloud City, no one will dare to truly harm him." The woman in white offered her reassurance.
Xia Qingyue inclined her head slightly, "Let's hope so."
"His profound veins are crippled, he possesses no other skills, and there will be nothing significant he can accomplish in life. You, on the other hand, possess not only unmatched beauty and intelligence but also a talent rare even by Asgard's standards. Were it not for that, the palace master would never have granted your marriage request. To marry you is the greatest fortune and grace of his life. You have fulfilled your duty; even if his father, Xiao Ying, were still alive, if he were wise, he would have severed the engagement of his own accord... I must leave now. In a month, I shall return for you. During this time, I will remain nearby; should anything arise that you cannot handle, inform me at once with a sound-transmitting talisman."
"Thank you, Master."
The woman in white gave a nod and turned, her face of exquisite beauty emanating an icy aloofness. Without any adornment, her skin was like pure snow jade, evoking images of "icy muscles and jade bones, snowy countenance and vermilion lips." Her features were flawless, bearing an ethereal grace that made her seem almost untouchable, like a celestial maiden untouched by mortal dust.
She opened the rear window, her figure slightly swaying, and with a shimmering wave of ice spirits, her form dissolved into mist and vanished.
The Xiao family hall was brimming with guests.
"Uncle Liu Qi, please, have a drink," Xiao Che respectfully offered a cup to a scholarly-looking middle-aged man.
Liu Qi smiled, accepting the cup and downing it in one gulp. "Nephew, your father and I were dear friends, and seeing you wed such an extraordinary wife brings me great joy."
"Thank you, Uncle Liu."
"Elder, please have a drink," Xiao Che said, bowing before the grand elder of the Xiao clan, Xiao Li.
Xiao Li took the cup and downed it in a single gulp, then set it heavily on the table with barely a grunt, not even a glance in Xiao Che's direction, as if accepting the toast was a grand favor. Without a word, Xiao Che moved to the next table, but as he stepped away, Xiao Li spat on the ground with a sneer just loud enough for Xiao Che to hear, "What a flower, planted in a pile of dung. Hmph!"
Xiao Che's expression remained unchanged, his stride unbroken, though his eyes held a deep and hidden chill.
At the table of the second elder, Xiao Bo, Xiao Che bowed and offered a cup. "Second Elder, I offer you this toast."
Xiao Bo did not even look his way, instead turning aside. "Yang'er, drink on my behalf," he ordered.
"Yes, Grandfather," Xiao Yang replied, taking the cup from Xiao Che's hand and downing it in one gulp, his face filled with open disdain and ridicule.
Xiao Che simply inclined his head slightly, moving on without a word. As he took a few steps away, a voice filled with contempt and bitterness echoed behind him, "Trash is still trash. Even with the Xia family's backing, he's worthless. Did that old Xiao Lie think a granddaughter-in-law would raise his status? Ha!"
Resentment, jealousy, and disdain permeated the room. Most viewed him with thinly veiled contempt, believing there was no need to treat him with respect or diplomacy, as his crippled profound veins left him forever powerless, unable to pose a threat to anyone. For many, it was a chance to flaunt their own sense of superiority over this "eternal weakling."
Such is the brutal reality and the ugly nature that lies within most humans.
"Rest early tonight," Xiao Lie said, placing a gentle hand on Xiao Che's shoulder, a warm smile on his face.
Xiao Che knew all too well the hidden sorrows beneath his grandfather's smile.
As Xiao Lie grew older, his temperament had softened considerably, though Xiao Che understood that it was not age that had mellowed him. It was because of him—his helpless grandson, who needed all of his protection. Xiao Lie had to become calm and tolerant, swallowing pride and bitterness to keep Xiao Che safe, so that, in life or death, no enemies would seek to harm his defenseless grandson.
Once the most powerful elder in Floating Cloud City, now Xiao Lie bore the scorn and taunts of the other elders without reprisal, and even the younger generations no longer held him in fear or respect.
As Xiao Lie's departing figure faded, Xiao Che clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. His gaze sharpened, and a cold, deadly smile slowly emerged on his face.
Xiao Che held grudges tightly. In the last years of his former life on the Cangyun Continent, his heart had overflowed with resentment. For those who had shown him kindness, he repaid them tenfold. Those who wronged him, he remembered with an intensity that was nearly obsessive.
"You will… all regret this…"
The low words escaped him like a venomous curse.
Since the heavens had granted him a second chance at life, how could he let his grandfather and himself continue to suffer?
By the time Xiao Che returned to his small courtyard, the full moon had risen high into the night sky. He stepped into a corner of the courtyard, extended his left hand, and instantly, a stream of water shot forth from his palm.
Throughout the evening banquet, he had appeared intoxicated, almost unable to stand. Yet in truth, he was utterly sober; he had used the Heavenly Poison Pearl to absorb every drop of alcohol as it passed his lips. The pearl had merged with his body, making it as easy to manipulate as his own limbs.
After finally expelling the alcohol from the pearl, Xiao Che looked at his left hand, drenched in the liquid, and with a smirk, splashed it across his face. He held his breath, flushing his cheeks red, and stumbled unsteadily into the bridal chamber.
As he pushed open the door, the strong scent of alcohol followed him. Staggering in, he nearly fell, lifting his head with a somewhat foolish grin to look at Xia Qingyue. She sat serenely on the bed, her eyes closed, appearing as tranquil as a painting. In the dim candlelight, her ethereal beauty took on a soft, dreamlike allure.
Xiao Che's eyes gleamed as he approached her with a drunken grin, "Hahaha… wife… I've kept you… waiting… now we can… consummate our marriage…"
Xia Qingyue's eyes flew open, and with a wave of her hand, an unstoppable wave of icy energy struck him, flinging him out the door and landing him unceremoniously in the courtyard, nearly overturning the sole stone table.
He groaned, rubbing his sore backside as he scrambled up, shouting indignantly, "What the hell! I was only joking, did you have to be so ruthless? I'm a weakling without a shred of power, and you strike so viciously… do you intend to murder your husband?"
Bang!
The door shut firmly.
Xiao Che pushed against it, but it was locked tight.
He sighed, muttering under his breath, "So she can't even take a joke, huh? How are we supposed to get along?"
"I was only joking… Besides, I'm a mere beginner in the First Stage of the Elementary Profound Realm; even if I wanted to, I couldn't possibly offend you."
No response came from within.
After waiting at the door for some time, he realized it would remain closed. His tiny courtyard had only one room—no side chambers, not even a shed or a stable. Typically, he might sneak off to sleep at his aunt's house, but on his wedding night, that wouldn't be appropriate.
A chilly night breeze swept through, and Xiao Che shivered, knocking weakly on the door, "Hey, you don't really plan on making me sleep outside, do you? You know well enough that there are plenty in the Xiao clan who hold you in high regard. It's our wedding night; they must be seething with jealousy. But they're convinced that a gem like you would never look at a wretch like me, so they probably believe that not only won't you let me near you, you won't even allow me to share the same roof. In a little while, someone's bound to sneak over to gloat. If they see me locked outside, I'll be nothing but a laughingstock."
"I may be your husband now—are you really going to watch me be humiliated?"
Inside, there was only silence. As Xiao Che contemplated kicking the door down, it finally opened a crack.
Seizing the moment, he slipped through and closed the door behind him in an instant.
Xia Qingyue remained seated by the bed, her posture conveying a veiled nobility and grace. She glanced at him with an unreadable expression and said coldly, "Do not come within five steps of me."
"Then where am I supposed to sleep?" Xiao Che muttered. The room was small,