Chapter 43: The Vermilion Mole

Waiting for me in the midst of adornment, filling my ears with purity, honoring it with the radiance of jade flowers.

The lingering, delicate song flowed gently through the air. The grand hall, adorned with red ribbons and flower balls, was vibrant and festive. At the front, a sandalwood table was draped with brocade woven in gold patterns, and two red candles flickered atop it, casting orange light onto Beigong Qiyi's obsidian-like eyes, as though flames had ignited within his dark pupils.

The hall was packed with people, bustling and noisy. Beigong Qiyi sat on a wisteria chair just below the head seat, an elegant smile gracing his stunning face. The locks of hair that usually framed his cheeks were gathered into a pearl-studded jade crown, lending him a touch of heroic spirit atop his usual beauty.

Yet, an oddity lingered. On the day of the Beigong Manor Master's wedding, the young master appeared clad in pure white, save for a blood-red jade pendant at his waist, devoid of any other embellishments.

The eldest disciple of Jiuhua Sect nudged his dazed junior, stunned by the opulence of the "Li Manor." The younger disciple turned, bewildered, only for his senior to point toward the solitary white-clad youth and whisper, "Qingping, doesn't the young master look more like he's attending a funeral than a wedding?"

Qingping was startled, hurriedly covering his senior's mouth, murmuring, "Don't say such things." The senior pushed him away, sneering. Qingping glanced at his disdainful face and sighed, turning his gaze to the youth ahead, seeing only a slender yet upright back.

Sensing someone watching him, Beigong Qiyi turned, meeting a pair of clear eyes. He regarded the delicate youth indifferently, and upon confirming that the youth's martial skills posed no threat, he turned away.

The sudden glance from the white-clad youth shocked Qingping, but upon seeing his face clearly, his eyes widened. The youth was breathtakingly beautiful—perhaps "beautiful" was not a fitting word for a man, yet Qingping could think of no more succinct description.

Both beautiful and striking; beautiful without being seductive, striking without being vulgar.

But when Qingping met those jet-black phoenix eyes, he snapped back to reality. He frowned in confusion—the youth was smiling, yet his eyes brimmed with anger, excitement, and even a hint of jealousy.

Did he not wish to see his elder brother marry? Was he jealous of his brother? Qingping bit his lip in contemplation. At that moment, a loud voice called, "Manor Master—Manor Mistress—arriving—," pulling Qingping's attention back.

He turned toward the hall's entrance. A grand red and gold palanquin, carried by sixteen, was gently set down. Bright red curtains swayed, and the golden bead curtain chimed softly. Through layers of gauze, Qingping could just make out two figures seated side by side.

The curtains were drawn back layer by layer. Qingping stood on tiptoe, eyes wide, watching as the two sat together. The man, resplendent in ornate wedding robes, descended first. His red attire blazed like fire, unparalleled in magnificence. Qingping instinctively held his breath, suddenly understanding why martial artists trembled at the mention of "Li Manor."

It was not merely the accumulated prestige of the Beigong clan, but the current head of "Li Manor": the young man who had risen to the challenge, both beautiful and powerful—Beigong Juechen!

Compared to the flamboyant Manor Master, the Manor Mistress was much more restrained. No elaborate ornaments adorned her hair—just a red ribbon tying her black locks at the back. She wore no intricate bridal dress, but a wedding robe like her husband.

Qingping gazed at her impassive face, silently marveling: only such an extraordinary woman could catch the eye of the Manor Master. He turned instinctively to look at the young master, who had risen and stood tall, elegant and refined.

The youth showed no outward signs of distress, but Qingping, observing closely, noticed his hands clenched tightly beneath his sleeves, his body slightly trembling. Qingping quietly looked up at his eyes—those dark phoenix eyes were like bottomless whirlpools, with a fiery shadow swirling deep within.

Could the young master be in love with the Manor Mistress? Qingping wondered. But upon further scrutiny, his expression changed dramatically! He quickly looked down, hiding his shock, and grabbed his senior's arm in agitation. The senior winced and whispered, "Why are you pinching me?"

Qingping released him, sneaking a glance at the youth, whose gaze was fixed unwaveringly on the red-robed man. In the crowd, Helian Wei watched the slender youth in white, recalling that night—the pale skin, soft breaths, vigorous movements, and the beads of sweat sliding down his forehead. Helian Wei blushed, but remembering the youth's words from that day, he lowered his head in disappointment.

All the surrounding gazes were ignored by Beigong Qiyi. His eyes remained locked on Beigong Juechen, burning so intensely that even the proud man felt uneasy, his brows creased. Beigong Juechen gave the youth a discreet warning, but the heat in his gaze did not diminish.

Walking beside Beigong Juechen into the hall, the Manor Mistress transmitted a teasing message, "He looks at you as if he wants to strip you bare." The Manor Master arched his brow, "Just wait until he looks at you as if he wants to devour you whole." Sure enough, as soon as the Manor Mistress processed his words, she met Beigong Qiyi's predatory gaze.

The man's rosy lips curved into a small smile. Qiang Yanxi's starry eyes narrowed, and she suddenly wrapped her arm around the Manor Master. The youth's gaze grew even more fervent.

Staring intently at their interlocked arms, the whirlpool in Beigong Qiyi's eyes deepened. As the pair approached the table, Beigong Qiyi gave an imperceptible cold smile and looked away.

The man's vivid red wedding robe was so intense, it seemed it would scorch his eyes.

Beigong Qiyi suddenly recalled a song from a past life, the opening lyrics: "Your wedding dress burns like fire at the ends of the earth; from then on, the setting sun brands my heart like cinnabar."

He raised a hand to gently touch the crimson mark on his forehead, murmuring, "You are that speck of cinnabar on my heart."

"The auspicious hour has arrived—bride and groom, bow!" A loud call snapped Beigong Qiyi from his reverie. He blinked softly, hiding all emotion in his eyes as Beigong Juechen took Qiang Yanxi's hand and slowly turned.

"First bow to heaven and earth—" Beigong Juechen, his expression cold, and Qiang Yanxi, impassive, bowed slightly.

Waiting for me in the courtyard, filling my ears with blue, honoring it with the radiance of jade.

"Second bow to the elders—" The pair turned to face the two glowing red candles.

Waiting for me in the hall, filling my ears with yellow, honoring it with the radiance of jade blossoms.

"Bow to each other as husband and wife—" Beigong Juechen faced Qiang Yanxi, arching his brow; the woman nodded faintly.

"Wait." The youth's clear voice echoed through the grand hall. Qingping stared nervously at him as Beigong Qiyi ignored all surrounding gazes, rising from the wisteria chair and brushing invisible wrinkles from his white robe. "Since today is my elder brother's wedding, I must present him with a grand gift."

Beigong Juechen glanced at him carelessly and nodded, "What gift?"

Beigong Qiyi produced an intricately carved copper box from his sleeve, smiling as he walked over. "I spent much effort obtaining this. I hope you won't despise it."

He handed the box forward. The man, half a head taller, regarded the youth with a half-smile. The youth's smile was graceful, his gaze sincere. Beigong Juechen narrowed his eyes and took the box, "Well, let's see what my good little brother has brought me."

Beigong Qiyi's smile did not waver. He met the man's increasingly sharp gaze, seized his hand, and said slowly, "I hope you won't let down my feelings." He emphasized the word "feelings," and Beigong Juechen's face darkened. Though all the distinguished guests felt his oppressive aura and instinctively stepped back, the youth in white remained calm, gripping the man's hand tighter.

"Won't you open it, brother?" Beigong Qiyi chuckled, half-closing his long phoenix eyes.

Beigong Juechen sneered, shook off the youth's hand, and slowly opened the copper box. Everyone watched, holding their breath. In that instant, they saw a small dark red spot inside, but upon closer inspection, the box was empty. While the crowd puzzled over the empty box, Beigong Juechen's expression suddenly changed.

His hand, which had held the box casually, clenched tight, crushing the copper box into a twisted sheet. With a cold face, Beigong Juechen struck the youth's chest with his palm. The youth did not dodge, standing straight and taking the blow, then spat a mouthful of blood. The crowd stared in shock, while only Qingping tugged his senior's sleeve and whispered, "Senior, let's go." His senior waved impatiently, "It's just getting good; why leave now?" Qingping's face darkened as he dragged his senior out of the crowd.

"What are you doing?" The senior shrugged off Qingping's hand, shouting angrily. Qingping stared coldly, "Do you really think 'Li Manor' would let people watch a spectacle and leave unharmed?" The senior froze in realization.

Feeling Beigong Juechen's force, the youth smiled faintly, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Brother, your powers must be less than half now, right?" The man replied coldly, "Half is more than enough for you."

Dark red stains bloomed on the white robe, like plum blossoms painted on fine paper—sombre yet enchanting. The youth slowly wrapped his arms around the man's waist, whispering in his ear, "Now? I'm afraid you don't even have half left..."

Beigong Juechen's body stiffened, but he did not push the youth away. If someone looked closely, they'd notice his hand at his side was unnaturally rigid.

Yet all present kept their heads down, watching discreetly. Only Helian Wei dared keep his gaze fixed on Beigong Qiyi; thus, only Qiang Yanxi beside them noticed the exchange.

As Qiang Yanxi prepared to act, a brilliant red figure approached, trailing a bamboo robe, golden phoenix hairpin crowning her head—elegant and alluring, as if she were the true bride of the ceremony.

She walked lightly toward Qiang Yanxi, though each step felt heavy to the latter. Ran Zhu looked at Qiang Yanxi's knitted brows and smiled softly, "You once said you would marry only me in this life, Qiang Yanxi. Have you truly forgotten everything?"

"I..." Qiang Yanxi opened her mouth as Ran Zhu drew near. The red dress she wore gleamed alongside Qiang Yanxi's wedding robe. "I'm sorry, I don't remember."

Ran Zhu's sparkling peach blossom eyes darkened. She slowly extended her slender, translucent hand. "Will you come with me?" Her voice was soft, low, almost hypnotic. Qiang Yanxi gazed at the hand before her and gently placed her own atop it. She needed to uncover those lost memories—and the person before her.

Almost as soon as Qiang Yanxi's hand touched hers, Ran Zhu clasped it tightly, intertwining her fingers with Qiang Yanxi's.

Fingers interlocked.

The crowd watched, stunned, as the Manor Mistress left hand-in-hand with a glamorous woman. When they snapped out of it, cold sweat broke out as they glanced furtively at Beigong Juechen. More shock awaited them: the young master was holding the Manor Master's waist tightly, and though the latter's face was cold, he did not push the youth away.

What was going on? The crowd screamed inwardly.

"Brother, do you know how many years I've wanted to hold you like this..." Beigong Qiyi rested his chin on the man's shoulder, closed his eyes, and whispered. Beigong Juechen's expression grew even colder, but now, powerless, he could only lean against the youth and hiss, "Beigong Qiyi, I truly underestimated you!"

Carefully, the youth lifted the man in his arms, gazing at his icy face and laughing softly, "Brother, you're so formidable. If you hadn't ignored my little schemes, how could I have succeeded today?"

Smiling, the youth looked about the hall and announced, "Brother is unwell; today's wedding is canceled." The crowd stared, dumbfounded, as the slender young master carried the Manor Master steadily out of the hall—red and white entwined, as if wedding and funeral had merged.

Upon leaving the hall, Beigong Qiyi narrowed his eyes and said coldly to the guards of "Li Manor," "Take care of those inside."

Author's note: Tomorrow, there might be a little something extra~