My Gentle and Pure Sect Leader Husband - Chapter 70

The marriage procession from the Central Plains arrived at the city hidden in the desert the day before the ceremony.

When the leader removed the hood that shielded from the sand, Yu Luocha’s eyelid twitched.

The stern father-in-law jumped down from his pure black horse, tossed the reins aside, and gave Yu Luocha a cold glance.

Yu Luocha’s gaze wavered for a moment, but quickly, he defiantly pulled his gaze back and returned Wang Lianhua’s look.

Wang Lianhua secretly gritted his teeth.

–As expected.

This opportunistic Western Regions cat had finally succeeded.

Although the dual cultivation technique was something he had given out, and his daughter did like the man, and the old father had even stayed in the imperial palace for more than ten days to create opportunities for the two…

But still!

Wang Lianhua’s fingers twitched, looking at Yu Luocha with eyes even more unfriendly than before.

–His hand itched, wanting to beat the cat.

With his peripheral vision, he scanned the curious Loulan citizens around them. Considering that these people would soon be his daughter’s subjects, Wang Lianhua spared Yu Luocha some face. He silently took out two stacks of gift lists from his sleeve and handed them to Yu Luocha.

Yu Luocha had been prepared when he saw the nearly endless procession behind Wang Lianhua, as there weren’t many horses that could move freely in the desert. These pure black horses were likely a breed that originally grew up in the Western Regions, later offered as tribute gifts to the Central Plains, and now returned to this barren land along with the princess’s dowry.

But even so, when he opened the gift list and the long folded papers unfolded and fell to the ground with a rustle, Yu Luocha could not help but fall silent.

Seeds, grains, medicinal herbs, brocades, cloth, porcelain, tea, silk fabrics, books… every item was something Loulan desperately needed.

These two gift lists—one from the current Emperor, and one from the mysterious Thousand-faced Gentleman standing before him.

Wang Lianhua raised an eyebrow and said pointedly, “I hear the ceremony is tomorrow? Very good, my hurried journey was not in vain.”

Yu Luocha: “……”

Actually, he was very welcoming and happy that Wang Lianhua, his father-in-law, would attend his and Ah Yin’s wedding, but——

Both men standing facing each other knew very clearly that since Wang Lianhua had come and was standing here, it was absolutely impossible to expect him not to cause trouble.

“Where are those bells?”

Wang Lianhua extended his hand.

****

Even in winter, the desert still had a bright sun hanging high, and a green gemstone symbolizing fertility and life was embedded in the vast gold.

That was the oasis, that was Loulan.

It was the most prosperous place in the entire sea of sand, and also the city that countless tribes outside the border in the Western Regions wanted to reach after enduring hardships and crossing difficulties.

Normally, the Loulan people drew water from the river that flowed through the city. They didn’t get too close to the center of the oasis, with most of the planting activities basically on the outskirts of the green sanctuary. And at the center of this oasis stood the sacrificial temple once built by the Loulan people who perished long ago.

This temple quietly and kindly watched over the rebirth of Loulan. It no longer had gods to serve, but it had a high priest who protected Loulan in human form.

Today, Loulan citizens lined up outside the temple to pay their respects. They did not merely have the facial features of Western Region people—some had purely Central Plains appearances, some had soft features combining both bloodlines. But regardless of bloodline or origin, they stood here wearing their most solemn clothes as citizens of Loulan.

They came to witness the coronation of Loulan’s first queen and, likewise, to witness Loulan’s journey from divine authority to human authority.

Yan Hongyin, as the Great Ming’s princess, rarely wore formal traditional attire after coming of age.

The last time was for Yu Luocha; this time, it was for Loulan.

Gold threads were woven into solemn red. The Loulan Queen’s ceremonial robe was crimson, different from the high priest’s green.

Loulan was born in the desert and grew in the desert. In this sea of gold, green gave birth to life, while red inspired life to flourish.

It was still that magnificent, cold sacrificial hall, yet it was no longer solitary or frigid.

People’s faces carried excitement and fervent joy.

Three Grand Priests stood beside the hall—two very elderly, with relieved and comforted expressions; one in his prime, with eyes burning with wild ambition and aspiration.

Noble guests from the Central Plains stood fully dressed on one side, silently watching this grand ceremony, with a string of jade bells hanging from their waists.

Yu Luocha once again wore the priestly ceremonial robe he had worn when he first met Yan Hongyin—a robe interweaving black, green, and gold. He stood straight-backed at the foot of the throne steps, his gaze deep and focused as he watched the queen approach slowly through the crowd.

In his hands, he held a golden crown inlaid with the desert’s most precious moonstone. Gold and silver intertwined, bringing out the faint cold cyan of moonlight.

Yan Hongyin walked to Yu Luocha, stopped before him, and looked at him.

Yu Luocha smiled slightly at her, revealing a shallow, self-contained smile that belonged to the Loulan High Priest.

For the first time, Yan Hongyin lowered her head before Yu Luocha, allowing the Loulan High Priest to place the crown on her, thus transferring all of Loulan’s authority into her hands.

Yu Luocha’s hand brushed past the crown, his fingertip stroking the fine strands of Yan Hongyin’s hair, naturally sliding to the edge of her ear, finally slowly stopping at Yan Hongyin’s earlobe where she wore a ruby pendant, gently lifting it.

The smile in his eyes deepened.

This was the fire jade that he had polished with his own hands, leaving his burning temperature at Yan Hongyin’s ear, from princess to queen.

Yan Hongyin looked up at him, only to see Yu Luocha calmly withdrawing his hand, as if that intimate flirtatious gesture done under everyone’s gaze had never happened.

The Loulan High Priest took the Loulan Queen’s hand and walked step by step up to the throne high on the dais.

As Yan Hongyin slowly sat down, the high priest who had relinquished authority knelt on one knee.

His proud head bowed low against the back of the queen’s hand, announcing the end of the divine authority of the Loulan High Priest.

Wang Lianhua narrowed his eyes as he watched the scene before him. The white jade bells at his waist moved without wind, shaking out clear, melodious sounds.

Outside the hall, the Loulan people erupted in passionate cheers. Garlands and brightly colored woven crafts were continuously thrown into the sky, drowning out the sound of the bells.

But Yan Hongyin heard it, and so did Yu Luocha.

Yu Luocha’s eyes changed, and he suddenly turned to look at Yan Hongyin who sat at his side.

After a moment of confusion, Yan Hongyin’s eyes gradually became clear. Her soft heart was wrapped in hard edges, and the aura that suddenly arose around her made Yu Luocha’s body instinctively tense, his grip suddenly tightening.

…..

Yu Luocha’s long-awaited wedding night was thoroughly disrupted by Wang Lianhua’s sudden Mind Capturing Technique.

After returning to the bedchamber, Yan Hongyin had been leaning against the edge of the bed, eyes closed, seemingly reminiscing or reading through the events that had occurred in recent days.

Yu Luocha sat glumly at the table pouring wine, occasionally glancing at Yan Hongyin, whose face revealed no change in expression.

He recalled the various things that happened during Ah Yin’s memory loss, but his mind was filled with scenes from their dual cultivation, and the face he saw in the morning light after sharing a bed for more than ten days.

Yu Luocha: “……”

In the silent room, sounds came from the bed. Yu Luocha turned to look and saw Yan Hongyin slowly removing the complex gold ornaments and jewels from her arms and body.

Yu Luocha hesitated for a moment but still walked over. As soon as he reached the bedside, his wrist was gripped tightly and he was dragged onto the bed, firmly pressed down!

Yan Hongyin was still wearing that elaborate, complex ceremonial robe, heavy and dignified. The crown in her hair glimmered with the gems’ dim light even indoors. A strand of hair had fallen from it, hanging down, its end teasing between Yu Luocha’s neck and chest, barely perceptible.

Yu Luocha blinked extremely slowly, as if unable to react, then stared fixedly at Yan Hongyin.

Yan Hongyin, who had maintained an expressionless face, smiled slightly, revealing the smile that only belonged to her, which Yu Luocha had become thoroughly familiar with these days.

She arched her body slightly, her knees parted and kneeling on either side of his body. Releasing her grip on Yu Luocha’s wrists, she ordered in a low voice, “Take it off.”

Their ceremonial robes intertwined on the bed, concealing their overlapping bodies.

Yu Luocha’s hand reached toward Yan Hongyin’s hair, gently removing the crown of royal authority.

“Good boy.” Yan Hongyin’s lips pressed against Yu Luocha’s open collar, kissing him, awkwardly moving to his neck with inexperienced pecks, then straightened slightly to reach Yu Luocha’s ear and asked, “Is that all you want to take off?”

Yu Luocha’s eyes became extremely bright. His hand had somehow secured itself at Yan Hongyin’s waist, gradually peeling away the heavy outer robe to the side of the bed curtain, slowly sliding down along the edge of the bed, covering the moonlight-bathed footrest.

Yan Hongyin’s gaze remained fixed on Yu Luocha’s face, her eyes showing affection and love, yet mixed with confusion and some indescribable unfamiliarity.

With her memory just recovered, there was inevitably some discomforting dissociation.

Yu Luocha’s breathing tightened. He raised his hand to the back of Yan Hongyin’s head, making her lower her head until their foreheads touched. His fingers moved slightly, undoing Yan Hongyin’s hair bun completely, letting all her hair fall loose, as he looked up at her.

Yan Hongyin gazed at him for a good while, then lowered her body closer to him and gently kissed him.

…..

After some time, she was placed in a warm pool. Just as she was about to open her eyes, her cheek felt a slight itch as something soft fell down and touched her face, its end occasionally brushing against her collarbone.

With furrowed brows, she opened her eyes to find a hazy red veil covering them. Everything before her was shrouded in a faint, half-visible red, carrying a bewitching charm and hazy intimacy.

“Ah Yin…” She heard his voice from behind her neck, soft kisses falling on the side of her neck. “Does it still feel strange?”

No…

But Yan Hongyin had no chance to answer as she was once again dragged into a dappled, disorienting whirlpool.

After an indistinct period, when the two emerged from the bridal chamber, Yan Hongyin’s complexion was rosy, her cheeks tinged pink, appearing energetic and spirited. In contrast, Yu Luocha standing beside her walked with somewhat unsteady steps, his eyes showing traces of dark circles.

The servants passing by all blushed, except for Agha who stood in the corridor not far away, shaking his head disapprovingly.

“Look how exhausted he is. Should we prepare some medicinal supplements for your High Priest?” A voice clearly filled with amused interest came from the side.

Agha turned to look and saw the noble guest who had come with the Central Plains delegation, now with arms folded, watching the newlyweds who had finally emerged with great interest.

Looking at the listless Yu Luocha, Agha nodded in deep agreement. Sensing a kindred spirit in this guest, he extended an invitation:

“Does the guest also understand medicine? Why not come with me to the storehouse to select some medicinal herbs? I can see the High Priest indeed needs some strengthening…”

Although they weren’t speaking loudly, at this not-too-far, not-too-close distance, it was enough for both martial arts experts to hear the conversation clearly.

Yan Hongyin turned her head, raising her fist to her lips to conceal her smile, showing no intention of explaining anything for someone.

Having been overly teased and kicked out of bed for an entire day, then continuing to tease despite the lesson and being repeatedly kicked out of bed, resulting in barely any sleep for several days, the listless Yu Luocha: “……”

Burying his face in his hands with a deep sigh, Yu Luocha couldn’t bear to imagine what impression Agha and Wang Lianhua had of him.

Just then, a piercing eagle’s cry echoed through the sky.

That sound was not like the affectionate cooing when it was docile, but carried urgency and haste in its hoarseness.

Yan Hongyin’s expression changed. She placed her finger against her lips and whistled.

The massive eastern eagle folded its wings and dove down, landing steadily on the windowsill beside Yan Hongyin. Its flashing cold talons left several marks on the wooden sill.

Yan Hongyin took the secret message from the eagle’s claws, quickly opened it and scanned it, her expression gradually becoming strange.

Seeing this, Yu Luocha asked, “Is it a letter from the Jinyiwei? What’s wrong?”

“Not from the Jinyiwei, it’s a secret edict from His Majesty,” Yan Hongyin shook her head, her expression quite indescribable. “There’s chaos in the capital. The Crown Prince of the King of Taiping’s wife committed suicide in their mansion. Wu Ming, an advisor from the Southern Prince’s mansion, tried to take the Crown Prince of the King of Taiping’s heir away from the capital, but was discovered by the Third Prince who followed them. However, they met with a maritime disaster, the ship capsized, the imperial guards lost track, and both children disappeared at sea. I am ordered to go find them.”

The Crown Prince of the King of Taiping’s heir wasn’t important, but the Third Prince… the one who was to be designated crown prince?

How could he be lost?

Yu Luocha opened his mouth, and after a while, said helplessly, “What should we do then?”

“Wu Ming set sail, so there should be an island. Perhaps we should–” Before Yan Hongyin could finish, a black shadow suddenly leaped down from the roof eaves, kneeling before the two.

Yu Luocha was somewhat surprised. He exchanged a glance with Yan Hongyin and ordered the secret guard to report.

“Reporting to the Sect Leader and Your Highness, news from the Luocha Sect states that the Young Leader was attacked and wounded by villains, and his life is in danger.”

Yu Luocha took a moment to react.

Oh, that “Young Master” he had placed in the Luocha Sect as a target, who the elders wanted to support as the successor.

What was his name again… had he given that child a name?

“Is this something that needs to be reported? Didn’t this Lord instruct them to do as they pleased?” Yu Luocha was displeased.

The secret guard paused, then added, “The youth who attacked claimed to be… the Crown Prince of the King of Taiping.”

Yan Hongyin: “.”

Yu Luocha: “…?”

The Crown Prince of the King of Taiping?

Wasn’t he reported lost at sea? How, in such a short time, had he run to the Luocha Sect’s stronghold outside the border?

“Is there anyone else with him?” Yan Hongyin asked.

“They were a group of three captured and brought into the sect, one of whom…” the secret guard hesitated, but continued, “appears to be the Young Master of Baiyun City.”

One from the far south, one from the distant north—how they came together was set aside for now.

But Baiyun City…..Yan Hongyin’s eyes flickered.

The Ye family?