Fireworks in the Human World, Beauty Beneath the Moon

Xue Guangyu stood behind the Clan Elder, looking at the eldest sister, and felt that her expression was gentle to an almost unbelievable degree.

What was going on?

The eldest sister had this side to her too?

Startled, Xue Guangyu could not help following the eldest sister's gaze into the distance.

Reckless Saber?

Xue Guangyu froze.

The place where the eldest sister's gaze rested was none other than Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an.

Xue Guangyu looked at Reckless Saber, then at the eldest sister, his face full of confusion and his thoughts tangled.

What was this situation?

Chen Ping'an held a wine cup as he exchanged pleasantries and greetings with the crowd. Most of the time, everyone else spoke while he listened. Only occasionally did he say a few words in response.

Aside from representatives of the various factions and guests who had come to witness the occasion, those attending the banquet also included members of the Gu Family's Direct Lineage, such as Gu Minglan and Gu Shuxuan.

Previously, when the Gu Family had married off a daughter to form a Marriage Alliance with Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an, before the candidate had been officially announced, public speculation had largely focused on one of these two women.

With bright eyes and gleaming teeth, the two approached Chen Ping'an with smiling faces. They respectfully performed a salute, their voices soft and tender; that single cry of "brother-in-law" seemed determined to speak its way into Chen Ping'an's heart.

Besides Gu Minglan and Gu Shuxuan, there were other Gu Family descendants as well. All of them behaved with restraint and spoke respectfully. These were all outstanding figures of the Gu Family's current generation.

They were also the hope of the Gu Family's new generation.

Though the gap in their cultivation was immense, Chen Ping'an did not put on airs. With a gentle expression, he offered them a few words of encouragement.

Without realizing it, he had become someone's brother-in-law as well.

Among the Gu Family juniors in the field were his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, as well as his elder brothers-in-law and elder sisters-in-law.

As they exchanged pleasantries and greetings, the banquet gradually drew to a close.

"Hm?"

As the gathering dispersed, quite a few people noticed that Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he remained seated high in the field, quietly savoring spiritual wine.

"Is Reckless Saber not leaving?"

People whispered among themselves in quiet discussion.

"Leave? Where would he go!?"

"Gu Qingcheng's future husband, the Gu Family's Ideal Son-in-Law—do you think he's the same as us!?"

"..."

As the group murmured in low voices, they saw a Gu Family Clan Elder walk up to Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an and seemingly say a few words. Then Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an set down his wine cup and slowly rose to his feet.

"What did he say?"

"No idea." Someone shook his head, looking bewildered.

But there were also people standing closer by, who had more or less caught the Clan Elder's words.

"Seems like... he asked Reckless Saber to stay the night!"

"And Reckless Saber agreed?"

"What do you think!?"

"Spending the night at the Gu Family—what kind of treatment is that?"

"Stop being jealous. Even if you are, you can't envy your way into it!"

"..."

"Reckless Saber" Wang Siyuan gave Chen Ping'an a deep look. All hesitation had vanished from his expression, while a trace of resolve faintly surfaced in his eyes.

After today, he would Went into seclusion to break through, launching a second assault on the Jade Balance Grandmaster realm!

Unless he became a Grandmaster, he swore he would not leave seclusion!

"Chen Ping'an..." Xue Zirou silently repeated the name in her heart.

A trace of melancholy appeared on her exquisite face.

Then—

It turned into unshakable resolve.

She raised her fair wrist and pulled out the hairpin tucked into her hair in one swift motion. Her purple hair fell loose, fluttering and scattering in all directions.

"Since we have already met, why must we know one another!"

Xue Zirou turned her head away and left Small Pan Mountain without looking back. Her cascading tresses danced freely in the wind, leaving behind an endlessly graceful silhouette.

In this life, her ambition lay in the Great Dao; she would not be shackled by anything else!

Even after leaving the Gu Family grounds, Mu Chenjie's mind remained numb.

Chen Ping'an... Chen Ping'an.

Who could have imagined that the young man who had once traveled alongside him was actually the renowned Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an!

The Alluring Fairy he had yearned for through countless days and nights was actually his future beloved, his Dao companion who would walk hand in hand with him!?

The impact of such a reality was too great for anyone to remain calm.

Mu Qingyao, standing to one side, was somewhat better off, yet her heart held more melancholy and desolation—a sense of loneliness conveyed in the wake of her shock.

Mu Qingyao lightly bit her lower lip and gently raised her head toward Small Pan Mountain, a complex look surfacing in her eyes.

Reckless Saber

As the clamor gradually faded, the splendor remained.

After leaving Small Pan Mountain, Chen Ping'an did not follow the maidservant's guidance toward the guest rooms of the side courtyard.

Instead, he left the inhabited areas behind and headed toward the other side of Small Pan Mountain.

The Gu Family grounds were heavily guarded; ordinary people naturally would not receive such treatment. But Chen Ping'an was naturally a different matter altogether.

The maidservant assigned to guide Chen Ping'an was no ordinary person either—clever and perceptive. Seeing what Chen Ping'an intended, she did not stop him. Instead, lantern in hand, she followed him all the way.

On the other side of Small Pan Mountain lay a lake, its waters clear and limpid, reflecting the moonlight. It was called Moon Reflection Lake.

Moon Reflection Lake possessed exquisite scenery, and beneath the Bright Moon, it appeared all the more gentle and beautiful.

"Wait here. No need to follow me," Chen Ping'an instructed.

"Yes, Son-in-law," the maidservant answered brightly.

Holding her lantern, she remained where she was.

Chen Ping'an paid her no mind and continued onward.

Standing in place, the maidservant felt a bit curious.

"What has Son-in-law come here for in the middle of the night?"

Though she was curious, she did not dare look too closely.

As a maidservant of a great clan, she naturally understood the word Rules.

Some things only needed to be kept in one's heart. What should not be asked, Don't ask too much about it.

As the maidservant pondered, she watched Son-in-law depart and vanish into the curtain of night.

Just as she was about to set her thoughts aside and wait here in peace, she heard a voice as cool and clear as a spring.

"This is..."

She froze slightly, unable to help lifting her head to look.

Beneath the moonlight, the lake reflected a graceful, ethereal figure—so cool and distant that she seemed not of the Human World.

"Seventh Miss!"

The maidservant's eyes widened as thoughts spread through her mind, conjuring countless scenes.

"Miss Gu."

Chen Ping'an looked as composed as ever, arriving as promised.

At the banquet earlier, Gu Qingcheng's voice transmission had spoken of this lakeside appointment.

After the banquet, they would meet by the lake.

Gu Qingcheng wore a moon-white celestial robe. Her clear eyes resembled snow, her skin was like congealed cream, and as moonlight spilled over her, it made her seem like a true immortal of the moon palace, Chang'e.

"Young Master Chen has arrived as promised. Qingcheng is deeply grateful."

"Miss Gu is too courteous. It is only right," Chen Ping'an exchanged pleasantries and returned her greeting with a few polite words.

Unlike their intimacy and the way they had stood shoulder to shoulder in each other's embrace during the ceremony earlier, their relationship at this moment could not be considered close no matter how one looked at it. There was even a trace of distance between them.

Yet their private meeting beneath the moon by Moon Reflection Lake cast a hazy, ambiguous veil over that distance.

A lone man and woman meeting beside a lake late at night beneath the moon—no matter how one looked at such a scene, it carried a few shades of ambiguity.

"Thank you, Young Master Chen, for cooperating in today's ceremony. Qingcheng has yet to thank you."

As she spoke, Gu Qingcheng offered a graceful bow, her magnificent Moon Skirt spreading and trailing across the ground like cascading moonlight.

"Miss Gu, there is no need for such formality. It was merely something done in passing, not worth mentioning." Chen Ping'an stepped forward and raised a hand to stop her.

Gu Qingcheng said nothing. Instead, she solemnly completed the bow before rising.

Her dark hair fell loose, revealing a flawless, perfect face.

Chen Ping'an's gaze remained calm as he admired the peerless Beautiful Woman before him.

It had to be said that Gu Qingcheng truly lived up to her name—she was devastatingly beautiful enough to topple kingdoms and cities.

Her features seemed carved from jade with exquisite care; her lashes and Jade Nose all spoke of perfection.

A strand of dark hair had fallen carelessly beside her ear, setting off the crystalline, elegant earring there. It gleamed so brightly that one could not look away.

Even with Chen Ping'an's temperament, a trace of ripples stirred in his heart at that instant.

However, those ripples came swiftly and vanished just as swiftly.

His expression remained calm as he asked indifferently, "May I ask why Miss Gu invited me out tonight?"

"Do you still remember our previous agreement, Young Master Chen?"

"Of course I remember." Chen Ping'an nodded lightly.

Could it be that Gu Qingcheng intends to fulfill her promise tonight!?

As Chen Ping'an's thoughts churned, he saw Gu Qingcheng gently raise her slender wrist. Dew-like radiance, flowing like moonlight, swirled beneath her wide sleeves and tassels. Before her appeared an ice jug seemingly carved from cold jade, encircled by two warm, lustrous jade cups that glimmered softly in the night.

"Just as I thought!"

With a single glance, Chen Ping'an confirmed his suspicions and understood why Gu Qingcheng had invited him here today.

Previously, in a letter, he had invited Gu Qingcheng to Leiming to admire a thousand peaks vying in splendor and streams rushing through ten thousand valleys. Though Gu Qingcheng had refused at the time, she had made a promise as well: she was willing to drink green plum wine with him beneath a peach tree, suspend a wooden raft from its branches, and bind their hearts together in hope of the future.

Drink green plum wine together! Hang wood from the branches!

Turning his head, Chen Ping'an spotted a peach tree not far away.

It was not the season for blossoms, so the peach tree had yet to flower, though its tender branches were faintly green. Beneath it, long mats had been laid out in neat rows, clearly prepared in advance.

Why did she have to choose this time of all times?

He still had important matters to deal with tonight. Though it was still early, who knew how long this would delay him?

Would it make him miss the important business!?

Chen Ping'an's thoughts shifted, but with Gu Qingcheng inviting him face-to-face, there was naturally no way he could refuse.

He had made the promise long ago. If he tried to evade it now, it would only make him seem guilty.

With a thought, Chen Ping'an became composed instead.

"Young Master Chen!"

Gu Qingcheng lightly tapped with a jade finger, and the luminous jade cup before her filled with a cup of wine before floating through the air toward Chen Ping'an.

"Thank you, Miss Gu." Chen Ping'an cupped his hands in salute and accepted the cup.

It was an exquisite spiritual wine of the highest quality. Before it even touched his lips, Chen Ping'an could already sense the rich primordial energy contained within.

By Moon Reflection Lake, beneath the peach tree, the two sat facing one another and raised their cups to drink.

The moonlight was soft as it spilled over them, making them seem like immortals.

Neither spoke much. They merely savored the green plum wine in their hands in silence.

It was sweet and sour upon entry, with a lingering aftertaste.

The clear, crisp wine slid across the tip of his tongue. Its sweet-and-sour flavor made one feel as though one had entered a plum grove in early summer, with a breeze brushing one's face and the fragrance of fruit filling one's nostrils.

As the wine spread, sweetness and sourness intertwined, while astringency and fragrance blended together in distinct layers, as though an exquisite painting had unfolded before his eyes.

The green plum wine went down his throat like lingering music, refusing to fade for a long time. With every breath came the fragrance of wine and plums.

Green plums, green plums—verdant in color, innocent and tender.

Only upon tasting green plums did one understand what pure affection was.

Laughing, playing, carefree and untroubled.

Chen Ping'an quietly watched Gu Qingcheng before him.

Gu Qingcheng lowered her gaze slightly, her eyes clear and bright.

Perhaps it was merely Chen Ping'an's illusion, but he actually saw a trace of faint, girl-like shyness on Gu Qingcheng's face.

At this moment, neither of them spoke, yet with every breath they shared a silent understanding.

There was no sound between them, yet their tacit understanding seemed born of heaven itself.

Chen Ping'an realized that the more he came into contact with Gu Qingcheng, the less he understood her.

Whenever he thought he could see her clearly, all he saw was a side of her even farther away.

They took a long time savoring the pot of green plum wine.

After finishing the green plum wine, they rose and stood by the lakeside, gazing at the rippling water, its shimmering waves forming a beautiful scene. They looked up at the bright moon in the night sky, flawless and pure.

A thousand words melted into silence.

There were no cumbersome worldly formalities, no seemingly intimate yet perfunctory pleasantries. At this moment, the only thing between them was silence.

They were neither particularly close nor particularly far apart, standing side by side with an elbow's distance between them.

Chen Ping'an stood quietly, able to smell the distinctive fragrance emanating from Gu Qingcheng. It carried the pristine purity of moonlight, yet also the cool chill of a cold spring.

Within that coolness seemed to lie threads of sweetness.

Unique and beautiful—perhaps it could be called clear sweetness.

Neither spoke. They simply stood there for a very, very long time.

Moonlight condensed into dew; a fine hour, a beautiful scene.

At that moment, Chen Ping'an thought of many things: the glory and turbulence of bygone days, the exhilaration of the past, and hopes for the future.

Sizzle—boom!

At some point, fireworks suddenly ignited in the night sky, blossoming one after another and painting it in a riot of colors.

The entire Gu Family seemed to become lively all at once.

"Look! Fireworks!"

"So beautiful!"

"..."

Some stopped to watch, while others gazed intently into the distance.

Though today's celebration had already come to an end, the revelry had never ceased.

Beneath the night sky, fireworks colored the heavens, filling the air with the breath of the mortal world.

By Moon Reflection Lake, a man and a woman stood side by side in silence.

As if recalling something, Chen Ping'an took an item from his robes.

"This... is for you!"

Gu Qingcheng turned her head slightly and saw the item in Chen Ping'an's hand.

It was a hairpin—or, more precisely, a wooden hairpin. Plain and unremarkable, with nothing unusual about it.

"I made it myself. It's a little crude, so don't dislike it," Chen Ping'an explained.

Gu Qingcheng's eyes were calm as she gazed at Chen Ping'an's face.

The young man's eyes were gentle, his expression tranquil. Within that calm lay a trace of natural ease and carefree nonchalance.

Boom!

Fireworks soared up and burst across the night sky, painting it in dazzling colors.

The fireworks shone upon Gu Qingcheng's face, like the illusion of the mortal world seeking to draw a celestial maiden from the heavenly palace down into dust and earth.

"Chen Ping'an," Gu Qingcheng suddenly said.

"What?" Chen Ping'an turned his head to look at Gu Qingcheng beside him.

Under the moonlight, Gu Qingcheng's dark hair flowed down, lending her a little more softness and taking away some of her icy aloofness.

"Tell me... if a celestial maiden in the heavens were to fall into the mortal world, what would she become?"

Chen Ping'an paused, looking at her.

The fireworks still filled the night sky, tearing it into countless brilliant fragments.

"Perhaps she would become..." Chen Ping'an slowly raised his hand. Gu Qingcheng's hair was lifted by the wind and brushed across the back of his hand. "A mortal willing to accept a crude wooden hairpin!"

Gu Qingcheng looked at him, then suddenly smiled.

Like ice and snow melting away, like moonlight soaking into the earth—an unprecedented gentleness appeared before him.

The misty rain was resplendent, the river of stars reflected below.

And in her eyes, there seemed to be only him.

This was the first time she had smiled. Truly, truly.

So beautiful.

Chen Ping'an gently raised his hand and stroked her hair.