I alone am the Honoured One! - Chapter 636

Chapter 636: Marriage with the Death [6]
As the evening descended, the Moonlit Pavilion stood as the pinnacle of celebration.

Lanterns of varying hues floated in the night sky, their soft glow reflecting on the surface of the lake.

The light rippled like liquid fireflies, adding a great touch to the grandeur of the banquet.

Servants moved around, carrying trays laden with exotic dishes.

The aroma of roasted meats and fragrant spices filled the air.

The first course was a platter of Azure Petal Salad, a mix of delicate flower petals.

Following that came the Roasted Beast Drumsticks, golden and crisp, paired with a sauce made from Heavenvine berries.

Then came the dumplings, small parcels filled with a mix of lotus paste and silver jade essence.

These were a specialty of the Jade Dynasty and a symbol of good fortune.

As the banquet progressed, servants carried out dish after dish, each more exquisite than the last.

Once the guests had enjoyed the first courses, the entertainment began.

A troupe of dancers entered the center of the pavilion.

The musicians followed suit, their melodies weaving through the pavilion like a gentle breeze.

Zhao Tian observed the performances quietly, as he occasionally glanced at Zhou Hanyue, who was sitting beside him at the banquet.

She also just sat there silently, her hands resting delicately on her lap.

Midway through the banquet, The Jade Emperor stood up, holding a golden goblet encrusted with jewels.

“My esteemed guests, tonight we celebrate not only the union of two souls but also the strength and unity of our Dynasty.”

He raised his goblet higher. “Let us drink to their union and to the prosperity of the Jade Eclipse Dynasty!”

The guests raised their cups in unison, echoing the toast. “To the union! To prosperity!”

Other elders and prominent figures followed with their own toasts.

As the banquet continued, Zhao Tian leaned slightly toward Zhou Hanyue. “Are you comfortable?” he asked, his tone quiet enough not to draw attention.

She glanced at him briefly before responding, “This is a public event. Comfort doesn’t matter.”

Zhao Tian didn’t press further, as her indifferent response only made him sigh.

He sipped his wine, contemplating the weight of their situation and the steps he might take to bridge the gap between them.

But he felt like no matter what he does, it will be futile.

Still, he can’t easily give up…

Even though this is an arranged marriage, she is still his wife, so he will try his best to get close to her.

As the banquet came to an end, guests began to rise and offer their final congratulations to the newlyweds.

Zhao Tian responded with nods and faint smiles, while Zhou Hanyue maintained her poised demeanor, offering only brief acknowledgments.

After that, the newlyweds left the banquet…

The faint hum of conversations within the hall gradually subsided, and the guests began to take their leave, their laughter and farewells echoing softly through the night.

One by one, the dignitaries, elders, and sect masters departed, their richly adorned carriages rolling away under the starry sky.

Servants moved swiftly to clear the remains of the feast, the air still heavy with the mingling aromas of spices and wine.

…

Back on the terrace arranged near their private quarters, melodious laughter echoes in the air.

Li Jia, Yao Jing, Zhao Tian, Ji Shuang and Qian Shi are sitting on the couches around the table and drinking wine, having their private after-party.

Qian Shi leaned back on her couch, swirling her cup of wine thoughtfully as she looked toward Yao Jing. “So, you’re his Alchemy Master?” she asked, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Yao Jing chuckled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “That’s right,” she said, raising her cup in a mock toast.

“Not that he listens to me all the time. Zhao Tian tends to have his own way of doing things.”

Hearing this, Qian Shi’s gaze flickered to Li Jia, who was snuggling on Zhao Tian’s lap while holding a bottle of booze in her hand.

“Tiann…” *hick* Li Jia let out a small hiccup, her cheeks flushed from the booze.

Her eyes were hazy and clouded with mist as her body swayed.

She abruptly leaped forward, pressing her lip against Zhao Tian in a clumpy kiss.

A low chuckle escaped his lips as his fingers slid to her nape and he held her gentle, reciprocating the kiss.

Puling back the kiss,Li Jia’s eyes shook and she again kissed his lips “During the wedding night, you’re out here celebrating with us instead of being with your wife. That’s… that’s laughable. Hahaha!”

Zhao Tian sighed helplessly, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “You’re drunk, Jia,” he said gently.

Li Jia huffed, settling herself more comfortably on his lap, both knees on either side of his thighs, “So what if I’m drunk?” she said with a playful smirk, her voice dropping to a sultry tone.

With an almost feline grace, she shrugged off her outer robe slightly, revealing the delicate curve of her collarbone and the swell of her cleavage.

Her grin turned wicked as she leaned closer and whispered teasingly “Don’t worry, Tian. I’ll take care of you tonight… Hehe, shall we start now?”

Zhao Tian gently grabbed the bottle from her hand and took it “You are already drunk… so let’s stop it.”

Li Jia pouted her lips “No.. give me more booze.”

Zhao Tian shook his head, his hand gently prying the bottle from Li Jia’s grasp. “You’ve had enough,” setting the bottle on the table out of her reach.

“Nooo,” Li Jia protested, her lips forming a dramatic pout. “Give me more booze!”

“Yeah, yeah…”

Zhao Tian sighed, gently crouching as Li Jia leaned into his shoulder, her drunken murmurs fading into soft breaths.

Draping her securely over his shoulder, he turned toward her quarters.

The terrace was bathed in soft moonlight, and the chatter from the others faded behind him as he made his way through the quiet corridors.

Reaching her room, he nudged the door open with his foot and stepped inside.

Zhao Tian carefully lowered Li Jia onto the bed, adjusting her so she rested comfortably against the silk pillows.

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her lips parting in a soft sigh.

Taking a moment, Zhao Tian pulled the quilt over her, tucking it around her securely.

A small smile tugged at his lips as he leaned down, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead before his lips briefly pressed against hers.

Quietly, Zhao Tian turned and left the room, closing the door behind him with care.

As he made his way back to the terrace, the sound of laughter greeted him once again.

However, it was quieter now, as the wine and late hour had dulled the group’s earlier exuberance.

Just as he was about to sit back down, Yao Jing stood up, wobbling slightly as she stretched her arms out wide. “Tian’er,” she called out, a sly smile spreading across her face, “me too. Carry me.”

Zhao Tian paused, one brow arching in amusement “You too?”

Yao Jing took a deliberate step toward him, her arms still outstretched. “Come on, don’t make me beg,” she teased, giggling softly.

With a resigned sigh, Zhao Tian walked over to her and turned his back toward her, crouching slightly. “All right, Master, hop on.”

Yao Jing didn’t need a second invitation.

With surprising agility for someone who had been drinking, she climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms loosely around his shoulders. “Hmm, you’re always so reliable,” she said, resting her cheek against his back.

Zhao Tian chuckled as he carried her down the hall toward her room. “If only you were this well-behaved during lessons,”

Yao Jing giggled again, her breath warm against his neck. “You like me just the way I am, Tian’er. Admit it.”

When they arrived at her room, he shifted her weight slightly to open the door and stepped inside.

Zhao Tian carried her to the bed and leaned forward to let her slide down onto the mattress.

However, Yao Jing suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, refusing to let go. “Mhmmm.. Tian’er,”

“Master, let go,” Zhao Tian said with a shake of his head, though there was no real irritation in his voice.

Instead of releasing him, Yao Jing pouted, finally letting go as she flopped onto the bed.

Before he could adjust the quilt around her, she grabbed his hand and pulled him forward slightly.

“Good night, Tian’er,” she said with a grin, her other hand reaching up to ruffle his hair.

Zhao Tian smiled faintly, shaking his head as he pulled the quilt over her.

However, before stepping away, he raised his hand and gently squeezed her breast “Good night, Master,”

Yao Jing’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink as she swatted his arm half-heartedly. “Brat,” she muttered, though her lips curled into a small smile as she settled under the covers.

…

Sitting on the couch, Qian Shi glanced at Ji Shuang, who was sitting beside her and whispered, “Leave…”

Huh? Ji Shuang was surprised and looked at her “Your Grace?”

Qian Shi’s gaze narrowed and she gestured her finger “Leave… I want to be alone with my darling.”

A faint blush rose to Ji Shuang’s cheeks as she quickly stood, smoothing her robes to maintain her composure. “Y-Yes, Your Grace,” she stammered, bowing deeply before retreating.

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!