Joy tonight
One month later, he stopped reciting the mantra.
Ji Wang awoke to the familiar soreness and weakness.
He was severely injured in that great battle, and coupled with the lack of innate Dao source, his body has been struggling to recover for a month and is still not fully healed.
He opened his eyes, but did not move immediately; he simply stared quietly at the top of the tent.
Every morning when he wakes up, he needs this moment of concentration to confirm that the peace around him is not a dream.
As he looked around, Ji Wang's gaze inadvertently drifted towards the window.
The window was half-closed, and although the cherry tree by the window had been affected by the war and its branches still bore scorch marks, a few tender new green shoots were timidly peeking out from the ravaged branches.
The cherry blossoms... have sprouted new buds.
An urge to see the new buds more clearly and feel the spring air outside the window made him temporarily forget the heaviness in his body.
He carefully supported his body with his elbows and slowly moved upwards, trying to get up and free himself from the blankets.
Even though he moved very slowly, it still aggravated the unhealed meridians deep in his chest. A dull pain made him unconsciously furrow his brows, and his movements paused.
In that brief pause, an arm slipped silently in from the side.
The arm moved with a light touch, pulling him back into the depths of the blankets without warning, his back falling into an exceptionally comfortable embrace.
"Ji Wang..." the voice was very close, "Where are you going?"
Ji Wang obediently leaned back. He could feel that, through the two thin layers of nightgown, Bu Jiu's steady heartbeat was gradually merging with his own slightly faster heartbeat.
"Look at the cherry blossoms." Ji Wang turned around, kissed Bu Jiu's cheek, and then spoke softly, "The one outside the window has sprouted new buds."
Bu Jiu remained silent for a moment.
He squinted his still-dazed eyes and lazily gazed over his shoulder at the tender greenery outside the window.
Then, she moved her arms around his waist a little further, and Bu Jiu clung to Ji Wang's back, burying her face in his chest: "Let's go see it later, lie down for a while longer."
"Okay," Ji Wang agreed readily. "I'll do as you say."
The two lay there until the sun outside the window climbed brightly into the sky, and warmth filled the room through the curtains, before they slowly began to get up.
The two of them moved carefully, one moving lazily and the other cooperating. When they finally got off the bed, they fumbled to put on some simple casual clothes and opened the door. There was still a trace of sleepiness in their eyes.
Just as Ji Wang was about to stretch, he saw Huai Qing leaning casually against the doorpost, turning a green blade of grass in her hand absentmindedly.
Hearing the door open, he looked up, a knowing smile already playing on his lips.
His gaze slowly swept over the two of them, from Ji Wang's slightly upturned hair to Bu Jiu's unusually loose and flowing black hair.
Then, he deliberately cleared his throat, gathered the grass in his hand, put his hands behind his back, and said in a drawn-out tone, full of teasing: "Oh my god—you two ancestors, you've finally moved over. The sun is almost shining on the stone lions at the palace gate."
He flicked the leaf between his fingers, feigning surprise: "What day is it today? Have you two completely forgotten? Why are you sleeping until this hour?"
Ji Wanggang, whose eyes had just adjusted to the slightly brighter light, was taken aback by what he said and subconsciously asked, "Huh?"
He looked blank, clearly not in the mood at all, his mind filled with the warmth of his bed.
Leaning against him, Bu Jiu slightly lifted his eyelids and uttered a short, monotone sound: "Huh?"
Ji Wang frowned and started counting on his fingers to recall, muttering, "What day? Huaiqing, don't keep me in suspense... I've been so busy taking medicine, healing, sleeping, and taking more medicine all day long... I really didn't notice..." He pondered deeply, his eyes glazed over.
Suddenly, his body stiffened abruptly, his eyes widened abruptly, and the slight confusion on his face was instantly replaced by incredulous shock. He blurted out a short, startled cry: "Ah—!"
He turned to look at Bu Jiu, who was standing beside him, completely bewildered, then quickly glanced at Huai Qing, who was watching with amusement. Finally, his finger trembled slightly as he pointed at himself, his voice trembling, carrying a sense of panic as if waking from a dream: "I...I want to get married!"
After he finished speaking, the corridor fell silent for a moment.
Bu Jiu seemed to have his sleepiness completely dispelled by his exclamation. He glanced at Ji Wang's face, which had instantly turned red, and then at Huai Qing, whose smile had deepened. He was silent for two seconds, and a thin blush crept up his ears at a visible speed.
Huaiqing stopped turning the leaf in her hand, shook her head and sighed, "So you finally remembered? When you were unconscious, you kept muttering about it. After you were able to get out of bed, you stared at that dress every day. Now that you've finally woken up and can walk a few steps, you've forgotten the real day?"
He walked over and patted Ji Wang on the shoulder: "The preparations that need to be made have already been mostly completed by Xun Jing and the others. They're just waiting for you two to go and take a look and give your approval."
Ji Wang was still reeling from the shock. He looked down at his simple, plain clothes, then at Bu Jiu's similar attire, and suddenly felt completely lost: "But...we haven't prepared anything...clothes...ceremony..."
"Didn't you secretly sew the clothes a long time ago?" Huaiqing interrupted him with a smile. "As for the ceremony... Elder Mi Quan said that her clan doesn't care about those formalities. As long as the sentiment is there, heaven and earth are the witness, and relatives and friends are the witnesses, that's enough. So the arrangements were kept simple."
"Now all we need are the two of you, to gather with us, your closest friends who have been through thick and thin together, have a cup of tea, and see what's missing. The ceremony doesn't start until tonight."
The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow on the newly renovated courtyard of Bu Nian Temple.
Several new strings of auspicious wind chimes were hung under the eaves, and simple hand-cut "double happiness" characters were pasted on the windows. Several long tables were also set up side by side in the courtyard, with various tea snacks and fruits on them.
The elders and disciples from various sects who had not yet left were gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing in hushed tones, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
However, this harmony was quickly shattered by a loud, energetic shout:
"No way! Why can't I sit at the head table?!" Gui Tiao put one hand on his hip and pointed at the largest table with the other, his face full of indignation. The sling on his left arm did nothing to diminish his aura. "I did a lot of work! I almost lost my life! I must have a place at the head table!"
You Hang was discussing something with two fellow disciples when he heard this and turned his head: "Only the sect leaders and highly respected elders are qualified to sit at the main table to discuss important matters and witness the ceremony. This is a matter of etiquette and should not be overstepped."
"So what if I'm the sect leader? I'm the future sect leader!" Gui Tiao retorted, raising his voice even higher. "My master said long ago that once I've been more stable for a few more years, this responsibility will fall on my shoulders! In fact, I'm practically half a sect leader now! It's only right that I sit at the head table!"
"So noisy, so noisy..." Xun Jing walked by with a plate of freshly laid-out pastries, her brows furrowed.
His injuries had not yet healed, and his face was still somewhat pale, but his spirits had improved considerably. Looking at the overly energetic Gui Tiao and the businesslike You Hang, he shook his head helplessly: "Senior Huai Qing and Elder Mi Quan will make their own arrangements regarding the seating arrangements."
“That’s right,” a disciple chimed in quietly, “Brother Tiao, it doesn’t matter where we sit, as long as we can see clearly…”
"What do you know! This is called prestige!" Gui Tiao persisted.
Mi Quan, who had been leaning against the pillar and watching this scene with a smile, now gently covered her lips with undisguised interest and commented softly, "This is really fun."
Today she changed into a slightly formal long dress, with a small pearl flower in her hair, exuding a dignified yet lively air. Watching the younger generation chattering and laughing, she seemed to be watching an interesting play.
Just as this minor argument was about to escalate, soft footsteps came from the entrance of the side corridor.
Everyone looked over at the sound and saw Ji Wang supporting Bu Jiu as they slowly walked over. Ji Wang had changed into a slightly more presentable outfit, his brows and eyes relaxed, and a smile he couldn't suppress was playing on his lips.
Bu Jiu was dressed in simple robes, his face expressionless, but his ears were slightly red. He let Ji Wang half-support and half-carry him, and glanced indifferently at the noisy crowd.
Upon the protagonist's arrival, the courtyard fell silent for a moment, then burst into greetings and laughter, adding a touch of genuine joy to the atmosphere.
"Sect Leader Ji!" "Elder Bujiu!" "You've finally arrived!" "Come sit here!"
Gui Tiao temporarily forgot about the main table dispute, his eyes lit up, and he waved his uninjured right hand at the two of them: "Sect Leader Ji! This way! I've reserved it for you... Ouch!" Before he could finish speaking, You Hang elbowed him.
Ji Wang smiled and nodded to everyone, his gaze shifting between Gui Tiao and You Hang. Then, seeing Mi Juan's amused look and Xun Jing's helpless expression, he understood and his smile deepened.
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