A strange feeling

The sudden prospect of meeting her fiancé, even knowing it was merely a nominal arrangement, still stirred an inexplicable unease within her.

As for Su Muyu, she remained in seclusion, cultivating diligently, making it unlikely she would be able to meet her future daughter-in-law.

Observing the Yan family’s inner hall, it became clear that this was Yan Long’s first time hosting a guest there for a reception, a gesture that signified he no longer treated Jiang Yao as an outsider.

“Uncle, Yao’er has brought trouble upon the Yan family,” Jiang Yao began, rising to bow respectfully before Yan Long and the assembled elders. “I offer my sincerest apologies to you and all the esteemed seniors present.”

Indeed, she had inadvertently drawn an unwarranted calamity to the Yan family’s doorstep.

The truth was, this idea of forging a marital alliance with the Yan family had originated with her, simply because she had no desire to marry.

Yet, facing the relentless pursuit from multiple parties, she had found herself helpless, left with no choice but to devise such a plan with her family.

“It’s nothing, truly nothing,” Yan Long reassured her. “Our two families have been allies for generations. When you face trouble, our Yan family’s duty is undeniable. It’s just… ah!” He trailed off, sighing heavily.

Jiang Yao understood the unspoken words lingering on his tongue; thus, she raised her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, a delicate small box materialized in her palm.

“Uncle,” she explained, “this is a Tianyuan Qi-Gathering Pill (TL Note: A medicinal pill used to restore a damaged Qi Sea) that I entreated from my master. It can repair a damaged Qi Sea. Please, have Elder Brother Yan Kun take it.”

The moment the Tianyuan Qi-Gathering Pill appeared, every member of the Yan family gasped in utter astonishment. This pill, though only a third-tier medicinal pill, possessed the remarkable ability to repair a damaged Qi Sea for cultivators below the Divine Mark Realm.

However, its pill formula did not circulate on the market, with only a handful of factions and alchemists throughout the entire Jiang Kingdom possessing its knowledge.

Given the Yan family’s current capabilities, acquiring such a pill was virtually impossible.

“This… this is wonderful! Kun’er is saved!” Yan Long and the others instantly erupted in excitement.

With trembling hands, Yan Long accepted the pill, just as he was about to speak to Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao, however, spoke first, interrupting him. “Uncle, there’s no need for courteous pleasantries. This is only right that I do this. As for the Lin family, I have returned specifically to resolve this trouble for the Yan family.”

With Jiang Yao having stated her intentions so clearly, Yan Long found himself unable to offer any more polite words.

“Very well, then,” Yan Long conceded. “Among family, there’s no need for formalities. So, Yao’er, how do you intend to resolve this?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Jiang Yao exchanged a glance with her father, and then Jiang Yuan began to explain.

“Old Yan,” Jiang Yuan began, “Yao’er has specifically returned to marry Yan Yun.”

Upon hearing this, the Yan family members were stunned for a moment, but being intelligent individuals, they quickly grasped the brilliance of the plan.

“Ah, I see now!” one of the Yan family’s high-ranking elders exclaimed, a look of sudden realization dawning upon his face. “They intend to complete the marriage ahead of schedule, thereby strengthening the ties between our two families. This way, if the Lin family still moves against the Yan family, the Yunhua Sect will have a valid reason to intervene. Brilliant!”

Jiang Yao nodded in agreement.

“For now, this is the only viable option,” she stated. “The Lin family wields considerable influence within the Yunhua Sect, and beyond this, we truly couldn’t conceive of any other effective solution.”

“Excellent,” Yan Long declared without hesitation. “Then, according to your wishes, Yao’er, our Yan family will begin preparations today.”

Jiang Yuan, for his part, also pledged to commence preparations immediately. Jiang Yao’s wedding certainly couldn’t be a hasty affair; they still needed to invite guests.

At a minimum, three to four days of preparation time would be required.

****

Just as both parties were engaged in their lively discussion, Yan Yun, led by Yan Xia, arrived at the entrance of the inner hall.

“Father, I’ve brought Little Third,” Yan Xia called out from the doorway.

Inside the hall, upon hearing this, Jiang Yao slowly turned to look towards the entrance.

Her gaze fell upon a handsome youth with clear features who was entering the hall. Her very first impression was of someone unbelievably beautiful, almost ethereal.

Yan Yun, of course, also saw Jiang Yao, but in the moment their eyes met, her heart inexplicably began to pound faster.

It was a peculiar sensation, certainly not the flutter of love at first sight, but rather an indescribable instinctual reaction.

‘Strange,’ Yan Yun mused inwardly, a bewildered whisper in her mind. ‘Such familiar eyes. Why do they give me this sense of trepidation?’

As for Jiang Yao, after seeing Yan Yun, her gaze also appeared peculiar, never straying from her face from the moment she first laid eyes on her.

Yan Yun then walked to Jiang Yao’s side before finally shifting her attention to the Jiang family members.

“Uncle Jiang,” Yan Yun asked politely, “might I inquire what matter necessitates calling your nephew here?”

Jiang Yuan chuckled heartily.

“Yun’er,” Jiang Yuan said, “Come, let me introduce you. This is my third daughter, Jiang Yao. Both of you were born on the same day, at the same hour; it’s quite fated. And Yao’er, this is your husband, Yan Yun. The two of you should get acquainted.”

The two of them simultaneously turned, facing each other.

How to describe it? Yan Yun merely felt an indescribable sense of familiarity with the girl before her, though, truthfully, she had absolutely no interest in young girls.

As for Jiang Yao, her gaze was similarly contemplative, and she, too, felt no particular sensation towards Yan Yun.

Standing together, an indescribable awkwardness settled between them.

“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Jiang Yao.” After a moment of awkwardness, Jiang Yao took the initiative to speak.

Seeing the other party speak, Yan Yun likewise offered a reply.

“Yes, hello.”

Both appeared rather reserved, and after exchanging greetings, they once again fell into an inexplicable silence.

After Yan Long and Jiang Yuan exchanged glances, they surmised that the presence of too many people was making the two youngsters feel constrained, so Yan Long quickly spoke up.

“Hey, Yan Yun,” he suggested, “why don’t you take Yao’er for a walk around our Yan estate and get acquainted along the way? After all, this is your first meeting.”

Yan Yun did not refuse, instead turning to Jiang Yao. “Little Sister Jiang Yao, let’s go. I’ll show you around the Yan family estate.”

Jiang Yao immediately asked, puzzled, “’Little Sister’? Why not ‘Elder Sister’? I look quite a bit older than you, don’t I?”

Upon hearing this, Yan Yun instantly looked towards Jiang Yuan.

“Uncle Jiang,” she inquired, “who was born first, her or I?”

Jiang Yuan immediately replied with a smile, “You were born a little earlier than Yao’er, but there’s not much difference.”

Having received Jiang Yuan’s answer, Yan Yun looked back at Jiang Yao.

“See? I’m older than you.”

Watching a little kid claim to be older than her, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

“Alright, alright, you’re older than me, I don’t care. Let’s go.”

Jiang Yao couldn’t be bothered to argue further with Yan Yun, and so, under the watchful eyes of their elders, the two departed.

After they had left, Yan Xia inexplicably remarked, “It’s strange. They’re clearly meeting for the first time, yet why do I feel as if they’re already very familiar with each other?”

Her feeling was quite natural, for both of them had appeared rather informal and casual, conversing much like old acquaintances.

Once they had distanced themselves from their respective elders, Jiang Yao spoke again.

“Yan Yun,” she began, “you must know that our marriage is merely for show to outsiders, correct?”

With her very first sentence, Jiang Yao made her stance clear.

Yan Yun remained as calm as still water.

“Yes, I know,” she replied. “You’re using me as a shield. However, your plan has caused our Yan family considerable suffering.”

These words left Jiang Yao speechless.

“I will make amends to your Yan family for this matter,” Jiang Yao stated, “but I hope you will cooperate fully with me to complete the wedding.”

Yan Yun let out a soft chuckle.

“Cooperate? Of course I’ll cooperate. After all, I’m the one being humiliated. But it’s good that your father agreed to let me take concubines at will once I become a live-in son-in-law for your Jiang family. That’s not a bad arrangement.”

These words caused Jiang Yao to inexplicably halt her steps, a profound sense of displeasure rising within her.

This displeasure made her blurt out, “Get it straight! You’re marrying into our Jiang family as a live-in son-in-law. Nominally, I’m the husband, and you’re my wife, alright? If you want to take concubines, did I give you permission?”

As soon as she uttered these words, Yan Yun froze, then looked at Jiang Yao with utter bewilderment.

“Husband, wife?”

She seemed incredibly sensitive to those two terms.

After Jiang Yao had spoken, she quickly began to explain, looking as if she had said something wrong.

“Oh, ‘husband’ means ‘fu jun,’ and ‘wife’ means ‘qi zi.’ They’re just my personal colloquialisms, no need to overthink them.”

Yan Yun, however, didn’t seem to think so. Her gaze towards Jiang Yao gradually became strange.

“Is that so? Those titles are quite interesting. It’s the first time I’ve heard anyone describe a married couple that way. But I still need to remind you, your father agreed to this matter.”

With that, Yan Yun, with a smug look, continued to walk forward.

Jiang Yao watched Yan Yun’s retreating back, her expression immediately crumbling.

‘How can this person’s words be so infuriating?’