Chapter 955 - 960, - 961: Marriage (Part 2)

The Saintess earlier was simply terrifying.

"Uh... I’ll head back now. Try on the wedding gown to see if it fits. If it doesn’t, let me know early. We still have time to make adjustments." Nalan Yiren lifted the tray that the female disciple had just placed down and handed it to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo received it and nodded. He looked at the wedding gown on the tray; it wasn’t the usual red, nor green or cyan, but a deep blue color with plaid stripes, likely the traditional attire of Baiyue.

After Nalan Yiren left, Chen Mo returned to his room to try it on.

It was a bit large overall, but it wasn’t too bad, not feeling bulky; just a minor adjustment to the shoulder positions would do.

...

By evening.

The firelights flickered, the buildings staggered and layered, appearing even clearer. From afar, figures holding torches looked like fireflies, heading towards the center of the valley.

"Come, the Great Elder has organized a bonfire feast for you, to welcome you." Nalan Yiren arrived again, dressed in a plain Baiyue attire, which added an exotic touch to her. She put on that half-face mask once more.

Saying this, Nalan Yiren glanced at Chen Mo, seized Han Anniang’s hand, and headed towards the center of the valley.

Chen Mo followed behind.

...

In the center of the square, there was a plaza paved with cobblestones, where the young men and women of the valley held hands, singing and dancing around the central bonfire.

The Thousand-man Guard brought by Chen Mo was arranged by the people of Poison King Valley around the square, prepared with tables, chairs, and food.

Upon seeing Chen Mo arrive, they rose together and respectfully said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Such a neat and solemn scene drew the attention of everyone in the square, even the hand-holding, singing, and dancing young men and women stopped.

"Everyone, please sit. Here, there’s no need for such formalities. Follow the host’s lead." Chen Mo motioned with his hand.

"As you command," they loudly replied.

"Son-in-law, Yiren, come, sit here." Si Song called out to the two.

Of course, he didn’t forget Han Anniang, and Si Song arranged for a young woman to host Han Anniang.

"Come, continue singing, continue dancing," the Second Elder cheerfully urged.

The dance and music resumed.

After sitting down, Chen Mo took a look around and noticed Chen Cultivator learning an instrument from an elder in the valley.

The instrument is unique to Baiyue, and Chen Cultivator saw it for the first time, finding it quite interesting.

"Come, let’s toast to the son-in-law." Si Song raised the wine bowl in his hand.

The people in the square sat in circles, with long tables before them, filled with food.

The innermost circle was occupied by the senior members of Poison King Valley, while the outer circles housed those of lesser seniority.

"Great Elder, you’re... getting old, you shouldn’t drink anymore," Nalan Yiren couldn’t help but say.

"It’s fine if I drink a little, I’m happy today," Si Song said. "Come, come, what are you all standing around for, raise your cups."

Chen Mo hurriedly stood up: "No, no, no, I can’t accept this, let me toast you all first."

Chen Mo took his drink first as a gesture of respect.

"Good."

"The son-in-law is awesome."

"..."

This act by Chen Mo made some of the men laugh and shout.

At this moment, Chen Mo understood why Nalan Yiren wore a mask again tonight.

After drinking, Nalan Yiren removed her shoes, walked barefoot to the bonfire.

The singing and dancing young men paused in succession, with the men leaving, the women remaining.

The sound of a flute arose.

The young women circled Nalan Yiren, dancing gracefully.

Nalan Yiren also joined in the dance.

This act sparked a wave of cheers.

Before meeting Chen Mo, due to her quest for vengeance for her grandfather, Nalan Yiren was perceived by those in the valley as stern and unapproachable.

She was rarely seen smiling, let alone dancing.

The key was, Nalan Yiren’s dance was not awkward at all.

On the contrary, it was beautiful.

At this moment, a few colorfully patterned snakes slithered out of nowhere, not many, about a dozen, coming to Nalan Yiren’s feet, rising up and moving with her dance,

At first, Han Anniang found them frightening, but as the cheers grew louder, she actually found the snakes cute.

After the dance, Nalan Yiren came beside Chen Mo and pulled him over to dance together.

Though Chen Mo hadn’t learned how to dance, his perception was strong, having been trained in body techniques, he quickly caught up to Nalan Yiren’s rhythm.

Sun Meng, who was busy devouring food, witnessed this scene, immediately picked up the wine bowl beside him, and swallowed the food in his mouth with wine, then cried out, "Excellent".

Sun Meng enthusiastically began clapping.

The soldiers below followed suit.

Of course, this act was totally voluntary.

To see Your Majesty dancing for them; such an honor.

Even a stroke of luck seems insufficient.

As the dance concluded, Nalan Yiren removed the mask from her face, held Chen Mo’s hand, and gazed into his eyes affectionately.

Beside them was the bonfire, its glow cast on Nalan Yiren’s face, adding a rosy hue to her palely white complexion, making her look exceptionally enchanting.

Chen Mo embraced her waist, pulling her into his arms, and in front of everyone, kissed Nalan Yiren’s lips.

This scene brought a brief silence to the square.

But only for a moment, the cheers and shouts rose again, wave after wave.

Tonight, the valley was filled with songs and dances and constant merriment.

Tonight, the night was lovely, but the people were lovelier.

Tonight, everyone was joyous.

Even the next day, the smiles on everyone’s faces hadn’t faded.

Whenever they thought of Chen Mo, they couldn’t help but smile.

On this day, Chen Mo followed Nalan Yiren to pay respects to her grandfather and parents.

Nalan Yiren’s parents passed before she could remember them, so she had little impression of them, having forgotten even what they looked like.

Thus, in front of her parents’ graves, Nalan Yiren didn’t say much.

But at her grandfather’s grave, she couldn’t stop talking.

When Chen Mo saw Nalan Yiren’s mood starting to drop again, he knelt down, held Nalan Yiren’s hand, fingers entwined, and looked at the tombstone, saying, "Grandfather, don’t worry, although I never met you, I promise, from now on, I will never let Yiren suffer any grievance."

Nalan Yiren’s face flushed, followed by a shy yet blissful smile.

Afterwards, Chen Mo and Nalan Yiren planted a peach tree sapling under the waterfall in the valley, placing a large stone beside it, inscribed with words.

Chen Mo and Nalan Yiren united forever.

Soon, the date arrived, March 19, their wedding day.

The Baiyue wedding process is not as elaborate as that of Great Wei; the saying "guests follow the host" prevailed. Even though Chen Cultivator wished for a grander ceremony, he respected the host’s wishes.

That day, as dusk approached.

Chen Cultivator, the Third Elder, and several disciples from Poison King Valley dashed into Chen Mo’s pavilion to help him change into the wedding robe, and put on the Taotie Gu-style mask.

The Taotie Gu is the sacred object of Poison King Valley.

Wearing its mask signifies the granting of blessings from Taotie Gu to the groom.

After donning the wedding robe, Chen Cultivator laughed heartily: "Your Majesty, Baiyue’s weddings aren’t so particular, you should go fetch the bride now."

With that, the Third Elder called out, and the disciples picked up their portable instruments, beating rhythmically.

The group left the pavilion and headed towards the main building five hundred paces away.

That’s where Nalan Yiren resided.

Inside Nalan Yiren’s room.

Han Anniang was busy putting makeup on Nalan Yiren.

Nalan Yiren was dressed festively, wearing a silver crown, with a silver ring on each wrist and ankle, even her neck donned a silver ring, looking like it weighed a few pounds.

And in front of her, there was also a Taotie Gu-style mask.

But hers was white.

While Chen Mo’s was black.

"Done." After finishing her brows, confirming nothing was amiss, Han Anniang smiled.

Nalan Yiren picked up the mask, wore it, waiting for the arrival of the wedding party.