Chapter 46: Wedding Night Under the Moon

The full moon hung directly overhead.

On the sandy shore by the water, two red candles swaying in the wind flickered with the joyous glow of a wedding.

The wedding cakes stacked on the low table reflected the intertwined and mutually supportive future lives of the couple.

Liu Fuying and Pei Zhouwu knelt together before the wedding altar.

Their hands clasped together in piety, especially Pei Zhouwu, whose resolute eyes shone brighter and clearer than the full moon in the sky.

“Su Yueying and I become husband and wife today. We respectfully bow to the deities to thank them for granting us the grace of meeting and knowing each other.”

A hidden smile played at the corner of Pei Zhouwu’s lips, his appearance stirring hearts.

“First bow to heaven, earth, and the deities, thanking them for this predestined match. May we hold each other’s hands, grow old together, and share a lifetime of love.”

After speaking, they both bowed their heads in unison.

“Second bow to the bright moon, with the moon as our witness. May our sincere hearts remain unchanged, weathering all storms together.”

After another bow, they rose and turned to face each other.

Pei Zhouwu’s gaze had never been so tender, his heart brimming with love that seemed ready to spill from his eyes, as if no words in the world could fully express his feelings.

“Husband and wife bow to each other. Today, we joyfully unite in marriage. May all things go smoothly, with happiness and well-being.”

Once he finished speaking, Liu Fuying lifted her lips into a smile at him.

He returned the smile, but instantly, a sour lump rose in his throat.

Husband and wife bowed to each other, both lowering themselves to the ground in reverence.

When they rose again, Pei Zhouwu’s eyes were already rimmed red.

In contrast to his demeanor was Liu Fuying’s barely contained, excited smiling face, thinking only that everything was now perfectly settled.

“Husband,” she called out to him with a sweet, cloying laugh.

He raised his hand to caress Liu Fuying’s cheek, but before he could speak, tears began to fall.

“Husband, why are you crying?”

Liu Fuying stepped closer to him, wiping away his tears. He lowered his head and laughed, as if feeling somewhat exaggerated, but he truly couldn’t help it.

“I’m happy,” he grasped Liu Fuying’s hand.

“A Ying, you don’t know how grateful I am that I took pity and saved you back then. I was sitting in the courtyard when I heard a noise above. I looked up and saw someone had broken through the cliff branches and fallen. Although the branches had cushioned the fall somewhat, there was still a considerable distance to the ground. I thought to myself, whoever fell from above must have started from the very top of the towering cliff. Who knows how many impacts they endured along the way? Another fall like that would likely be fatal.”

He paused, choking up for a moment.

“At that time, I thought, I myself was still trapped in dire straits. Who had ever cared for me? What was the point of showing unnecessary kindness? What did it have to do with me?”

He had managed to hold back earlier, but speaking of this, his tears began to fall again.

He held Liu Fuying’s hand tightly.

“Heaven still took pity on me, so it sent you to my side.”

Perhaps the happiness of this moment was too rare, which is why he felt a bit dazed. After revisiting all the past grievances, frustrations, and pains, he felt even more that sincere hearts were precious, hence the uncontrollable tears.

But speaking of sincerity…

Liu Fuying threw herself into his arms, seemingly offering comfort through an embrace.

In reality, she was afraid Pei Zhouwu would see through her guilt.

Perhaps the one Heaven favored was not Pei Zhouwu, but her!

She had wholeheartedly sought a child, and thus Pei Zhouwu was delivered before her eyes. Not only would she gain a child, but she would also have this handsome man lingering affectionately by her side. How could this not be considered Heaven’s favor?

“Get up,” Pei Zhouwu helped her to her feet.

He then turned toward the poolside, as if intending to enter the water.

“Are we going out?”

“Yes, I’m taking you somewhere.”

Liu Fuying turned to look back, gazing in the direction of the guard camp outside.

“Don’t worry, the Soul-Devouring Incense is potent. They won’t wake until tomorrow morning.”

With his reassurance, Liu Fuying naturally felt at ease.

Freed from the chains, Pei Zhouwu moved more freely underwater. Liu Fuying didn’t even need to swim herself—he carried her the entire way out.

When they reached the mountain spring outside, both emerged from the water simultaneously.

Their clothes were soaked through, the wedding garments clinging tightly to their bodies and outlining their graceful figures.

“Where are you taking me?”

Once ashore, Liu Fuying asked while wringing out the excess water from her clothes.

Pei Zhouwu remained mysterious, taking her hand and simply saying, “Follow me.”

Along the way, fireflies occasionally drifted past them.

Pei Zhouwu wasn’t leading her toward the path down the mountain but deeper into the wilderness. The forest grew denser, and the weeds thicker. When walking became difficult, he simply crouched down and carried Liu Fuying on his back.

“Don’t move,” Pei Zhouwu forbade her from struggling.

“You sprained your ankle yesterday. Although it wasn’t serious, you walked a long way down the mountain today. This area is full of weeds and scattered rocks—if you twist it again, you really won’t be able to move for a long time.”

Liu Fuying leaned against his back, smiling as she looked at the still-damp Glowworm Wooden Hairpin in his hair.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’ll listen to my husband.”

Hearing the word “husband,” Liu Fuying could sense a noticeable shift in Pei Zhouwu’s emotions.

Just as Liu Fuying perceived, Pei Zhouwu initially found the term unfamiliar, then lowered his gaze to hide a shy sweetness.

Now, he too was someone’s husband.

From now on, he would have companionship and no longer be alone!

“Husband, where exactly are you taking me so mysteriously? Don’t tell me you’re selling me for… Husband, look, so many fireflies!”

Looking up, countless fireflies swirled around the slope ahead, dancing like stars in the night sky.

Pei Zhouwu smiled faintly, carrying her as he climbed the high slope.

“Wow!”

On the other side of the slope, hundreds and thousands of glowing green fireflies were too numerous to count, a dreamlike scene that Liu Fuying couldn’t tear her eyes away from.

She struggled urgently, slipping down from Pei Zhouwu’s back.

Just as she was about to run down, Pei Zhouwu grabbed her and held her back.

“Be careful. The ground below is wet and the grass is slippery. Some areas are muddy pits—if you step on them, you’ll sink.”

“But it’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen so many fireflies before.”

“Even so, you must be careful.” Pei Zhouwu gently pulled her to his side, soothing her as he added, “Fireflies love to inhabit places with lush vegetation and moisture. There’s an underground river beneath this area, and water seeps up from below. There’s also a river beneath the reeds down there. If you go, you might step into empty space and fall in or get cut by the reeds. The fireflies are beautiful, but it’s enough to simply admire them quietly.”

Liu Fuying grinned, the moonlight shining on her smiling face, making it radiant.

Pei Zhouwu thought she was even more beautiful than the countless fireflies.

“How did you know about a place like this?” Liu Fuying asked, gazing ahead but tugging at Pei Zhouwu’s sleeve.

“When I first discovered the underwater passage, I came out and explored the nearby area, and I happened upon this place. A few days ago, I remembered that an environment like this would be perfect for fireflies to inhabit. Today, when I came to check, it turned out to be true.”

He led Liu Fuying to sit on the grass nearby, accompanying her as they admired the beautiful firefly scenery.

Liu Fuying turned back to look at him. His profile carried an air of pure and transcendent grace.

Fireflies circled around them as they consummated their marriage under the moonlight.

Such a scene must be one of life’s great joys, far more romantic and meaningful than lying in bed, wasn’t it?

“Husband…”