Wen Qiao looked at the man reclining on the chaise.
He appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen, dressed in luxurious robes, exuding an aura of nobility. He had an extraordinarily handsome face, with a jade-like complexion, sword-shaped brows, and starry eyes. His warm smile came effortlessly, radiating kindness and making anyone instantly feel at ease.
This was a man who perfectly embodied the elegance and charm of royalty.
Though Wen Qiao rarely left her home, she had heard of the Seventh Prince of Dongling. Renowned as one of the most handsome men in the royal Ning family, he was admired for his demeanour despite his inability to cultivate. Deeply cherished by Emperor Chenghao, everyone who met him regretted that his spiritual root had been destroyed; otherwise, he might have been a prodigy among martial cultivators.
The Seventh Prince, Ning Yuzhou, stood up from the chaise and spoke warmly, “Miss Wen, a pleasure to meet you. I am Ning Yuzhou.”
Wen Qiao returned the courtesy, lowering her gaze to conceal her thoughts. In a soft voice, she replied, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
His gentle, starry eyes swept over her pale face, and his tone grew even softer. “No need for formalities, Miss Wen. Please, have a seat.”
The private room wasn’t crowded. Besides a guard whose cultivation level was unclear and a young palace servant who served tea, there was no one else. Once the tea was served, both attendants left, taking the bewildered Lian Yue with them.
In an instant, the spacious room was left with only Wen Qiao and the Seventh Prince.
Ning Yuzhou handed her a cup of tea, wisps of steam curling upward. “This is spiritual tea made from Dendrobium candidum. Please, have a taste.”
Wen Qiao took a sip. The tea was refreshing, with a subtle warmth and a slight bitterness that mellowed into a sweet aftertaste. The warmth spread through her cold body, and a faint trace of spiritual energy coursed through her meridians, soothing their fragile state.
It was spiritual tea—and of excellent quality at that.
She glanced up at the man across from her, but his bright, clean eyes were already watching her, a gentle smile on his flawless face. His demeanour was as soothing as a spring breeze, unknowingly easing her guarded heart.
Then, Ning Yuzhou suddenly said, “I’ve heard your health is poor and you can only consume items infused with spiritual energy.”
Wen Qiao replied evenly, “The spiritual energy in Dongling is sparse, and items containing it are rare. Ordinary food and medicine are fine too.” They simply wouldn’t alleviate her pain, but she had long grown accustomed to it.
Hearing this, a flicker of pity crossed Ning Yuzhou’s face.
“From now on, you have me,” he said tenderly, gazing at her with an expression of deep concern.
Wen Qiao felt a bit perplexed. Her fiancé seemed… unusual. She set down her teacup and said seriously, “Your Highness, there’s something I don’t understand. May I ask for your guidance?”
Ning Yuzhou’s warm eyes curved slightly, and he chuckled. “Miss Wen, you wish to ask about the marriage decree?”
She nodded.
Pouring her another cup of tea, Ning Yuzhou waited for her to drink it before saying, “This marriage was actually arranged by Wen Boqing.”
Wen Qiao’s calm demeanour showed a hint of surprise. Of all the possibilities she had considered, she had never imagined it was her late parents who had set the match.
“During the beast uprising years ago, Wen Boqing saved my life. Before he passed, he made an agreement with my father that upon your coming of age, the emperor would arrange our marriage.”
Though succinct, his explanation provided enough for Wen Qiao to piece everything together.
Her father had saved the Seventh Prince during the beast uprising, and Emperor Chenghao, in gratitude, had “compensated” by tying the Seventh Prince to her. It was also likely a means of offering protection to an orphaned and frail child. Binding her fate to the royal family ensured no one would dare mistreat her.
No wonder, despite the absence of parental protection, the Wen family had refrained from outright bullying her. Aside from withholding some basic necessities and medicine, they hadn’t treated her too poorly. Without such an arrangement, why would the Wen family tolerate someone who only consumed resources without contributing? Even if her parents’ legacy had granted her some favour, many in her situation would have been sent to distant Wen family lands to live a quiet but wealthy life.
The reason the marriage arrangement hadn’t been publicized before was likely because they feared she might not survive to adulthood. Of course, Emperor Chenghao might also have had personal reservations about his beloved youngest son marrying a sickly girl who might not live long. It was simpler to quietly protect her without committing.
In mere moments, Wen Qiao had grasped the situation and relaxed slightly.
Ning Yuzhou, observing her expression closely, continued, “Now that you’ve come of age, it’s natural to fulfil the agreement. I asked my father to decree our marriage.” Pausing, he asked apologetically, “Miss Wen, do you have any objections to this union?”
Wen Qiao tilted her head thoughtfully, then shook it. “I have no objections.”
In recent days, Jishui Courtyard had benefited greatly from this arrangement, and her status within the Wen family had subtly risen. Wen Qiao found the marriage to be a rather advantageous deal—Lian Yue nearly worshipped the Seventh Prince.
Ning Yuzhou seemed surprised by her calm response, as if he hadn’t expected such indifference.
His fiancée was clearly different from other young women.
Then Wen Qiao added, “If anything, it’s you who’s at a disadvantage. You must have heard that the healers believe I won’t live past twenty. I fear I’ll be a burden to you.”
Though the Seventh Prince couldn’t cultivate, with the Ning family’s vast resources, extending his mortal lifespan would be effortless. Compared to her, who couldn’t survive no matter how many resources were poured into her, he truly was at a loss.
Ning Yuzhou froze for a moment before responding earnestly, “I won’t let you die.”
Wen Qiao glanced at him, saying nothing.
He didn’t press the matter further and smoothly changed the topic to discuss the wedding date.
While cultivators typically married late to focus on their growth, their circumstances were different: one a mortal unable to cultivate, the other frail and unlikely to live long. Marrying sooner made more sense.
Ning Yuzhou suggested, “How about one month from now?”
Wen Qiao hesitated. “Isn’t that too soon?”
“Not at all,” he said confidently. “A month and a half later, Lintai Hunting Valley will open. It’s a major event held once every three years in Dongling. Don’t you want to attend?”
Wen Qiao was stunned. “Me?”
Ning Yuzhou nodded, his expression entirely serious.
After a long pause, Wen Qiao reminded him, “Your Highness, I’m only at the mid-stage Entry Yuan Realm.”
Her cultivation level was barely a starting point. Even low-level beasts could easily crush her. With such meagre strength, entering Lintai Hunting Valley was practically suicidal. Wen Qiao wasn’t one to overestimate herself—she valued her life too much to risk it.
“I’m aware. I’ll make the arrangements,” Ning Yuzhou said, his gentle eyes fixed on her. “Do you want to go?”
Of course, she did.
Despite her frail body, she possessed the heart of a martial cultivator. What cultivator didn’t yearn to achieve the pinnacle of strength, to transcend their mortal limits, and ascend to the upper realms?
Though she didn’t speak, Ning Yuzhou saw the longing in her eyes.
His gaze softened further, and he said gently, “Don’t worry about safety. If I’m taking you, everything will be arranged. Just focus on healing and cultivating.”
Wen Qiao stared at him, puzzled by his confidence. Was this boldness from Emperor Chenghao’s support?
Before she could dwell on it, Ning Yuzhou shifted the conversation back to their wedding plans.
Though Wen Qiao was no fool, her secluded upbringing and limited interaction with her siblings left her somewhat inexperienced. Against a royal prince accustomed to courtly schemes, she quickly found herself swept into his pace. Before long, they were discussing dowries.
When she realized it, Ning Yuzhou had already decided on the dowry and was ready to send it over the next day. Wen Qiao: “…” Something felt off about all this.
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