Serving Heaven as a Vassal

As expected, Yu Shang stayed in Qin Yi's room that night and never came out again.

The girls outside looked at each other, all feeling somewhat worried.

The girls were filled with anxiety, but in reality, Qin Yi and Yu Shang hadn't done anything...

Well... in the sense that they were worried, they didn't really do anything.

Having cultivated to their current level, they could basically go without sleep, but could sleep whenever they wanted, just like their Senior Sister's hobby. Qin Yi embraced Yu Shang and whispered, "If from now on, it's just Qin Yi and Yu Shang Chang, then... sleeping in each other's arms, waking up and washing together, that will be the first day of our beginning."

Yu Shang leaned against his shoulder, feeling his steady heartbeat and breathing, staring blankly at his closed profile.

This is indeed... a feeling of ancient romance being awakened in their hearts.

Over the past tens of thousands of years, such encounters have become rare... They either live a solitary life, relying on water to reproduce, or they take in a husband as part of a political alliance. In fact, neither of these is what the Feathered People expect. The "First Thread of Fate," preserved for tens of thousands of years but rarely used anymore, is their most beautiful dream of a romantic encounter between a man and a woman.

The winged people had no idea what would happen after such an encounter—would they clash and argue every day, or would they be discarded like trash and left to weep? Ancient legends contained no such things, only beautiful songs. Now, all that remains are superstitious dogmas: it is what it is, without any explanation.

At this moment, Yu Shang vaguely sensed the feelings of her ancient ancestors. It was not for that fleeting encounter, but for a destined meeting, a perfect match, and the beautiful expectation of mutual affection after a romantic encounter.

Instead of meeting for the sake of meeting, we should not do so out of dogma.

Her encounter with Qin Yi was far from pleasant; she was still being humiliated by him today... and the feeling of sleeping in each other's arms at this moment made her vaguely understand that meaning.

Just like when he said, "From this moment on, there is only Qin Yi and Yu Shang," the sudden flutter in his heart at that moment was intensified and amplified at this moment.

She stared at Qin Yi's profile for a long, long time before finally closing her eyes.

Yu Shang hadn't had a proper sleep in a long time, and even the feeling of sleeping felt novel to her.

When she opened her eyes, she was still nestled in Qin Yi's shoulder, both of them feeling warm. Qin Yi was looking at her, his gaze warm as well.

A strange feeling welled up inside Yu Shang, and even her feathers felt soft.

She slowly moved away from his shoulder, knelt beside him, and performed a deep bow. "My Husband."

Qin Yi was taken aback by this. "Why are you kneeling?"

Yu Shang said softly, "This is our etiquette. Husband, there's no need to be surprised or refuse. Just treat it as a normal thing."

Qin Yi was even more stunned. "Is this how you take in husbands who marry into your family?"

"They are not true Husband, but merely tools for procreation or bridges for marriage. They cannot accept this ceremony," Yu Shang said earnestly. "For a Yu woman, her true Husband should be treated as heaven."

Qin Yi scratched his head, thinking to himself, "Weren't you really not trained like this before?" But his attitude didn't seem to suggest it.

Yu Shang said, "The Feathered People serve the Dragon and Phoenix, worshipping them as deities, a loyalty that has remained unchanged for millennia. Other races, however, are neither Dragon nor Phoenix, but mere weeds. Our pride stems from the fact that they are not the ones we serve."

Qin Yi understood.

In reality, the Feathered People were not a particularly elite race. Theoretically, they were merely guards or divine servants, serving dragons and phoenixes. Just as among mortals, the Feathered Forest Imperial Guards held exceptionally high status and were extremely proud, their attitude towards the emperor was clearly different.

This kind of pride is selective. Once you truly gain their approval, they will serve you with the utmost seriousness, loyalty, and devotion.

Military conquest alone is not enough; it requires willingness.

Qin Yi felt that conquering him seemed a bit too easy? Actually, it was just a few days of "training," and nothing much was done...

Sure enough, Yu Shang got up from the bed and said in a low voice, "Yu Shang is willing to acknowledge it, so she is only bowing to show her attitude... But Yu Shang's word is not enough. Since the clan has not recognized it, it can only be a private ceremony by Yu Shang. In public... you are just a guest."

Qin Yi sighed helplessly, "You Winged Human Race really have a lot of old-fashioned people."

"It's not entirely due to our rigidity," Yu Shang said. "We are a clan, and there are many things to consider, both internal and external. Even Princess from another clan wouldn't be able to decide her own marriage on her own."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yi suddenly asked, "You were actually originally tasked with some kind of arranged marriage, weren't you?"

Yu Shang blushed slightly and said in a low voice, "Yes. You know, I've rushed here several times these past two days. You thought I was here to pressure you, but actually..."

Liusu really wanted to say that he didn't think you were forcing him; he thought you had gotten a taste for it and were intentionally coming to give it to him.

Yu Shang, of course, couldn't hear Liusu's complaints and continued, "It's because other clans have proposed marriage to me, and I'm eager for you to give me a response."

Qin Yi had already guessed this situation, and he knew what was going on when he asked Yu Lan.

Saintess and the like, though nominally leaders or second or third-in-commands, often have a special political connotation. They are either serving the gods or tools for political marriage. When Yu Shang took over Xun Wood City, the clan must have already considered some kind of marriage alliance to better control the Xun Wood City.

Yu Shang indeed said, "Qin Yi, although the clan recognizes you as an honored guest, they are unaware of our relationship. If Young Master from another clan were to marry into our family, the clan would be very likely to accept the proposal, since it would be beneficial for us to rule and control the entire Xun Wood City."

Seeing Qin Yi remain silent, Yu Shang tentatively asked, "Are you... angry with me?"

"No." Qin Yi snapped out of his daze and smiled, "You're in such a hurry to pressure me because your heart belongs to me. Why should I be angry?"

"Pah!" Yu Shang spat, her face flushed. "Back then, who... whose heart belonged to you! I'm just telling you, if you don't like me, I'll go with someone else."

Qin Yi stared at her.

Yu Shang stared at me intently for a long time before whispering, "If I had told you this first and then you said those things, it would have been hypocrisy, a deliberate attempt to deceive me. But you said those things before you even knew about it... I... I'm very happy. I won't go with anyone else, don't be angry."

Towards the end, she became a little cautious, as if Qin Yi's glare had truly made her uneasy.

She truly feels like she considers her husband her heaven.

Qin Yi suddenly smiled, "You are all simple-minded yet arrogant, too easily manipulated. I had a feeling this might happen, and I'm not just being hindsight; I really felt it the day I Xun Wood City... Now, hearing you say this, I'm sure I was right. It feels like the protagonist's halo is about to kick in again..."

Yu Shang was puzzled. "What does this mean?"

"It's like... it's like I'm here to solve your problems and ultimately win the heart of your beloved."

Yu Shang shook her head. "There are no worries."

"That's not necessarily true," Qin Yi said noncommittally, only asking, "How many clans have proposed marriage?"

There are three races. The best candidate will be selected from among them.

"So from today onwards, there are four races." Qin Yi put his hands on his hips. "Qin Yi of the Divine Land Human Race formally proposes marriage to the Winged Human Race, seeking the hand of the Saintess Yu Shang."

Yu Shang was overjoyed, but deliberately said, "Yu Shang knows you are very capable, but what advantages do you have in Xun Wood City? According to the rules, you are not even qualified to propose marriage."

"My advantage is..." Qin Yi hugged her again. "The Saintess herself."

Yu Shang chuckled.

Others are there to marry into the family, placing them in a subordinate position. The Saintess herself is the examiner, or at least half the one who sets the questions. Once she starts cheating, what chance do the others have?

The two didn't discuss the topic further and soon embraced and kissed.

"Qin Yi... I suddenly feel like I don't want to leave even for a second longer..."

"Then we won't go out." Qin Yi sat at the table, pulled her onto his lap, picked up the fruit offered by the winged girls on the table, and fed her a bite. "Come on, let's have breakfast together."

The girls outside discovered that the Saintess not only didn't come out all night, but she didn't come out even the next morning.

The girls looked at each other, wondering how this could be allowed, as the Saintess had matters to attend to within the clan!

Liusu tassels draped over his hand, he said to the dog with round eyes, "It's basic practice for a monarch to skip Morning Court sessions."

The dog was speechless, and secretly rolled its eyes. "You sound pretty smug about it..."