The Heart’s Design: An Auspicious Engagement

Xuan Shen and Chi Danzi’s proposal was met with great success.

The two families agreed to hold the engagement ceremony three days hence; however, with the Azure Feather Immortal Sect’s impending arrival, Bing Xingwen resolved to invite only a select few to the engagement banquet, eschewing a grand celebration.

They planned to host a lavish wedding, a truly splendid affair, on the day Xia Yi and Bing Yingying formally tied the knot.

Xia Yi wholeheartedly concurred with this arrangement.

It was worth noting that during the ten days Xia Yi had been preoccupied with refining the Cloud Ascent Pill, Bing Yingying had not been idle either.

Drawing upon the vivid impression she’d gained of a certain lecher’s thoughts while their minds connected in the Marriage Tree Secret Realm, she had meticulously sewn the stockings he had imagined.

She presented them to Xia Yi as a return gift, along with a pair of white high heels featuring a sky-blue sole and adorned with ice-blue snow lotus embellishments.

This ensemble perfectly matched Xia Yi’s envisioned attire for Bing Yingying, and he was utterly surprised she had brought it all to life.

Xia Yi had known of Bing Yingying’s impressive sewing skills since their time in the secret realm, but he had never imagined they were this exceptional.

He couldn’t help but wonder just how alluring Bing Yingying would appear in those white stockings, subtly tinged with pink.

Yet, despite his thoughts, Bing Yingying’s return gift only included small-sized white stockings, which would not suit the more voluptuous figures of Pei Yunxiang and Fei Miaoyun.

Clearly, she intended to be the first immortal maiden to don stockings for Xia Yi.

Pei Yunxiang and Fei Miaoyun, however, did not begrudge the young woman this small victory; instead, after “draining” Xia Yi several times, they took him to prepare for the engagement banquet.

The engagement banquet for Xia Yi and Bing Yingying was to be held at the Bing family estate.

As Xia Yi currently resided in the first-class guest elder villa area of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, which was less convenient, the Bing family estate was chosen as the venue.

Time, in its hurried fashion, swiftly passed.

In the blink of an eye, the day of Xia Yi and Bing Yingying’s engagement banquet arrived.

****

Within the grand hall of the Bing family estate.

Above, a flowing nebula formation array adorned the domed ceiling, currently simulating the auspicious phenomenon of “Crimson Clouds Filling the Sky,” a sight unique to propitious hours.

Hues of crimson gold and soft violet gently diffused throughout the great hall.

Instead of mundane tables and chairs, suspended cloud platforms and jade tables filled the hall, laden with spirit fruits, immortal wine, spiritual tea, and delicate pastries, all imbued with pure spiritual energy and emitting an intoxicating fragrance.

The guests in attendance comprised several prominent figures from the Bing family, along with Xuan Shen and Chi Danzi from the Myriad Treasure Pavilion.

Aside from these, only Pei Yunxiang and Fei Miaoyun, Xia Yi’s “elders,” were present.

The atmosphere of the engagement banquet was harmonious, devoid of any tension or scrutiny; only pure joy and blessings permeated the air.

The Bing family members, too, rejoiced for their young mistress and her ideal match.

It was evident that Bing Xingwen had thoroughly prepared for this internally.

“The auspicious hour has arrived!”

A Bing family elder’s resonant cry echoed through the hall.

The clear, melodious chime of a jade chime resounded, and at the hall’s entrance, rays of light seemed drawn by an unseen hand, converging to form a shimmering, resplendent immortal path.

Xia Yi stepped in first.

He wore a moon-white brocade robe adorned with cloud patterns, a jade belt cinched at his waist, his posture as upright as a pine tree.

His exceptionally handsome countenance made him appear like an exiled immortal returned to the mortal realm.

A gentle smile graced Xia Yi’s face, his gaze fixed directly on the other end of the immortal path, his eyes brimming with anticipation and affection.

At the other end of the immortal path, Bing Yingying, accompanied by her maidservants, approached, treading upon the radiant light.

She was clad in a sky-blue mermaid silk dress, its hem shimmering with what appeared to be rippling light as she moved.

A single, entirely verdant “Spirit-Calming Jade Hairpin” adorned her hair bun, further accentuating her snow-white skin and peerlessly exquisite beauty.

As Bing Yingying walked, a glimpse of her pristine, smooth stocking-clad legs became visible beneath her dress, culminating in a pair of white high heels embellished with ice lotus flowers.

This was precisely the white stockings and high heels ensemble Bing Yingying had gifted Xia Yi.

Bing Yingying’s attire enhanced her already breathtaking figure, making her shine even more brilliantly, drawing admiration from all.

This included even Pei Yunxiang and Fei Miaoyun.

The two women, who had previously disdained white stockings and high heels as “heretical,” now realized just how stunning they could be after witnessing them firsthand.

Bing Yingying cast her gaze downwards slightly, two charming blushes rising on her cheeks; yet, when she raised her eyes to look at Xia Yi approaching, her beautiful eyes, too, were filled with tenderness and love.

The two met in the center of the hall, barely three feet apart.

No words were needed; as their eyes met, affection flowed between them, and the entire hall seemed to fall silent, leaving only the sound of their beating hearts.

Witnessing this scene, the surrounding guests’ smiles deepened, and they nodded in approval, their eyes filled with contentment.

“Hahaha!”

Bing Zhengyang, the Bing family’s Grand Elder and Bing Yingying’s great-grandfather, stroked his beard and let out a hearty laugh, his voice resonating like a grand bell.

“Truly a match made in heaven! These two children are exceptional.

Well done, Xiao Wen!”

“Grandfather, you flatter me.

This was all Yingying’s own choice.”

Chang Zhenli was also engaged in quiet conversation with Pei Yunxiang and Fei Miaoyun, the atmosphere as intimate as a family gathering.

A highly respected Bing family elder, serving as the master of ceremonies, stepped forward with a smile, his voice gentle yet clearly resounding throughout the grand hall:

“On this auspicious day and hour, with propitious signs filling our gates, Bing Yingying, the legitimate daughter of our clan, and Young Master Xia, the guest elder of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, share mutual affection and a deep understanding.

Today, they forge this marital alliance, sealing a bond for a hundred years of happiness!”

With these words, Xia Yi and Bing Yingying’s engagement ceremony was complete.

They exchanged a smile, their eyes practically overflowing with affection.

At Bing Xingwen’s subtle prompting, Xia Yi took Bing Yingying’s hand and approached Bing Zhengyang.

Though his hair was white and his face lined with wrinkles, Bing Zhengyang remained remarkably spirited and ruddy-faced, appearing far younger than his actual age.

Bing Zhengyang gazed benignly at the pair, who looked like a divine couple.

With a raised hand, a warm spiritual light flew forth, transforming into a small, exquisite jade shield radiating a powerful protective aura.

It hovered before Xia Yi.

“Xia Yi, this is the ‘Heart Guardian Mirror’ (TL Note: ‘Shouxinjing,’ a protective jade shield).

It can withstand the full force of a Golden Core cultivator’s strike.

I hope you will keep it for your protection; consider it a reciprocation for your Cloud Ascent Pill.”

“This junior thanks Great-Grandfather for the gift.”

“No need, no need.”

Bing Zhengyang had originally been at the peak of the Core Formation realm.

Only by acquiring Xia Yi’s Pill-patterned Cloud Ascent Pill had he managed to break through to the Golden Core realm at the very end of his lifespan, ensuring the Bing family’s safety for another century.

All of this was thanks to the young man before him.

He was courteous, exceptionally talented, neither arrogant nor impatient, and possessed the countenance of an immortal.

Yingying had truly chosen an excellent husband.

The more Bing Zhengyang looked at Xia Yi, the more satisfied he became.

When it was Bing Yingying’s turn, he produced a jade leaf spirit hairpin, entirely verdant with veins flowing with spiritual liquid.

It flew towards Bing Yingying.

“Yingying, this hairpin is named ‘Congealed Jade’ (TL Note: ‘Ningbi,’ a jade leaf spirit hairpin), and it possesses the effects of clearing the mind, calming the spirit, and nourishing the soul.

May your heart remain clear, and may you walk the immortal path hand-in-hand with Xia Yi.”

“Thank you, Great-Grandfather.”

After thanking Bing Zhengyang, Bing Yingying handed the ‘Congealed Jade’ to Xia Yi.

Xia Yi, naturally understanding Bing Yingying’s intention, accepted the ‘Congealed Jade’ without hesitation and, under the gaze of everyone present, wove it into Bing Yingying’s dark hair.

Immediately, applause erupted, and everyone blessed the affectionate new couple.

The gifts bestowed by the two elders were not merely treasures, but also weighty expectations and profound recognition.

Afterward, the guests began to partake of the spiritual food and immortal wine, and the atmosphere grew even more relaxed and lively.

As the banquet drew to a close, the master of ceremonies elder stepped forward once more, his voice booming: “The ceremony is complete!

From this day forward, Xia Yi and Bing Yingying are bound by fate, a match made in heaven!

May your dao hearts be in harmony, your immortal paths intertwined, may you remain inseparable until old age, and together attain eternal life!”

The nebula formation array on the hall’s ceiling dramatically shifted, countless brilliant stars igniting to sketch a colossal, concentric star chart, symbolizing eternity and blessings.

Starlight showered down gently like rain, enveloping the newly engaged couple, creating a dreamlike, ethereal scene.

Guests rose to their feet, and applause and blessings converged into a joyful ocean of sound.

Xia Yi clasped Bing Yingying’s hand tightly, their fingers intertwined, feeling the warmth and faint perspiration exchanged between their palms.

They stood side-by-side, gazing at each other with smiles.