The Day Snow Fell; The Time to Marry (Part One)

"This is Ice Milk Wine, a rare brew from the Northern Ao Continent. It doesn't intoxicate, but nourishes. Made from cow's milk, it's full of milky aroma, smooth and mellow, rich and full-bodied. None of you, master and disciples, drink alcohol often, so this wine is perfect for you."

The Third Elder calmly explained the wonders of the Ice Milk Wine, which made You Su tremble with fear, feeling that every word the Third Elder was hinting at something to him.

Milky, smooth, rich...

You Su suddenly felt a dry mouth and a burning sensation on her lips and teeth.

He coughed lightly twice, then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"What, you don't like this wine?"

The Third Elder took in the boy's performance, raised her eyebrows slightly, and smiled to herself.

She could tell that You Su hadn't forgotten what happened that day, or at least not completely. Now, reminded of it, he was in an awkward situation.

This was exactly what she wanted; she wanted You Su to feel embarrassed and ashamed, so that he would try to make amends to her.

"How could that be? Wine sent from the Northern Ao Continent must be extremely precious."

You Su was a little embarrassed to ask for the wine, but didn't want to say it directly, so she said tactfully, "It's just that in the middle of winter, isn't it a bit inappropriate to drink this wine during a lively time? The weather is so cold, it would be more comfortable to drink something warm to warm up."

"Northern Ao Continent is much colder than Central Yuan Continent. This wine is the kind drunk in the Northern Ao Continent to celebrate festivals. It's cold at first sip, but the more you drink, the warmer you get."

The Third Elder shook the glass wine jar. "Of course, if you insist on not taking it, I'll give you another bottle."

You Su dared not refuse; acting strangely would only make him seem guilty, so he had no choice but to agree.

"This wine is so magical, You Su is too grateful to refuse."

The Third Elder nodded slightly, and although he was still somewhat embarrassed, he still handed the wine jar to You Su with a wave of his hand.

"You Su thanked the Third Elder."

You Su sincerely thanked him and carefully accepted the precious Ice Milk Wine. He was still somewhat unsure whether the Third Elder knew that the woman he had met once before was actually him...

But if the Third Elder really recognized him, given her misogyny, she would never let him off easily, so how could she possibly give him this milk wine so calmly...?

Ji Lingruo, who was over there, also noticed the transaction. She pursed her lips and naturally knew why You Su wanted the wine.

A wedding banquet is incomplete without wine.

The two lingered on Bihua Peak for a while longer, chatting and talking, eventually bringing up official business on Bihua Peak.

After initial planning, the opening date of Bihua Peak was set for the first day after the Lantern Festival. The Third Elder specially asked a friend from Tian Qi Divine Mountain to calculate that the day was auspicious for opening.

As the head of the pavilion, she could have made the decision herself after calculating the auspicious date, but she still chose to show You Su enough respect, which made You Su feel extremely flattered. As long as Bihua Pavilion is ready, he will naturally have no objections.

The two leaders of Bihua Peak began to chat about the future of the Bihua Pavilion, laughing and talking non-stop. The other female disciples, unable to get a word in edgewise, chatted about common topics among women.

You Su didn't want outsiders to know about his entanglement with Qianhua Venerable, because he had no intention of flaunting himself in front of others. But Ji Lingruo was different; she couldn't wait for the people on Bihua Peak to know how important You Su was.

Ji Lingruo had always felt that You Su and the Third Elder had agreed on a smaller share of the profits, since it was You Su's many ingenious plans that had revitalized Bihua Pavilion.

However, out of consideration for face, she couldn't say it directly, so she told the story of how You Su had been lured to the Qianhua Pavilion by Qianhua Venerable, but omitted the details about exorcism and the relationship with the deceased.

Upon hearing this, the women realized that You Su had experienced such a crisis because of the Bihua Pavilion.

After learning that it was Bihua Venerable who rescued them, they all sought confirmation from their own masters.

The Third Elder was having a pleasant conversation with You Su when they suddenly paused when the topic turned to this beautiful woman.

It wasn't that she was unwilling to tell her female disciples these things; it was just that these female disciples, restricted by her sect rules, were all in the prime of their lives, how could they not yearn for dao companion...

This You Su has already shown her great kindness; she's good-looking, speaks sweetly, and is intelligent and talented. Even she was able to change her opinion of her, let alone the little lambs she protects in her 'sheepfold'...

"It is indeed true." The Third Elder could not hide it from him, so he had no choice but to admit it.

Upon hearing this, all the women paled and began to complain about why their master had kept it a secret.

"It was I who told the Third Elder not to make a fuss. Being tricked into going so far away for no reason is not something to be proud of... I am already extremely grateful that the Third Elder came to save me."

You Su actually took the initiative to defend the Third Elder. The Third Elder glanced at the boy's profile without realizing it, and unconsciously thought more highly of the boy.

To everyone's surprise, these words stirred up the sympathy of the group of women, who quickly surrounded You Su, showering her with concern and trying to persuade her to stay.

The youngest, Yu Tong, had already taken a hand, tugging at You Su's sleeve and stammering, completely forgetting that she was the one who was most opposed when You Su offered to help.

Surrounded by ten fragrant women who showered him with compliments and questions, You Su, despite his blindness, felt a sense of being dazzled by a profusion of flowers.

As he floated away, he felt he could easily write another book, "The Dream of Bihua," which would surely be a bestseller across the world. Bihua Peak would be the Grand View Garden, and he himself would be Baoyu, passing through a sea of flowers. Of course, this was just a thought.

The Third Elder sighed softly, but did not speak out to stop them, tacitly approving his disciples' concern for You Su.

Ji Lingruo, was caught off guard by this situation and quickly rescued her senior brother from the group of women.

She quickly exchanged a few polite words with her senior brothers and sisters, and then hurriedly went down the mountain.

The two did not go straight home, but continued their New Year's visit.

Elder Liu of the Hall of Sutras was quite surprised by the arrival of You Su and Ji Lingruo. He knew that You Su had recently become very famous and thought that he, a junior elder, would never have any further contact with him. However, he did not expect that You Su, who had only met him a few times, would still remember him. He was very enthusiastic, completely different from the angry old man he had been when they first met.

After Elder Liu came Elder Zhu of Ancient Moon Residence. You Su's relationship with Elder Zhu was even more distant, but You Su had other purposes. Since the sect was holding a banquet today, and it was also his and his senior sister's wedding day, there had to be delicacies to match.

Elder Zhu was flattered and readily agreed to You Su's request to deliver the dishes on time.

After visiting the two young elders, their New Year's greetings trip finally came to an end.

As I passed by the foot of Book Immortal Peak, a couplet-matching activity was being held. It was said that the first line of the couplet was written by the Tenth Elder, the peak master of Book Immortal Peak Master, and those who could provide the matching second line would receive a New Year's gift prepared by the Peak Master himself.

Some passersby recognized You Su. Everyone knew that he not only had extremely high skill in Way of the Sword, but had also passed the examination of Book Immortal Peak, so they urged him to give it a try.

You Su raised an eyebrow and asked what the Tenth Elder had prepared for the New Year.

Upon learning that it was a piece of calligraphy personally written by the Tenth Elder, You Su shook his head, revealing a hint of disdain.

Even if someone explained to him that this calligraphy was no ordinary piece, containing the True Intention of calligraphy that the Tenth Elder had painstakingly studied, You Su still pulled Ji Lingruo turning back.

Ji Lingruo knew about the feud between Book Immortal Peak and Lotus Peak, and thought You Su would put on a show of literary talent, but his disdainful behavior seemed to only infuriate the pedantic scholars of Book Immortal Peak.

Little did anyone know that You Su's behavior was out of helplessness. He knew that his literary titles were all fake, and he had no ability to match the Tenth Elder's couplet. However, he accepted his junior sister's praise with a clear conscience.

The two returned to the peak, You Su felt a little nervous.

He just kept pacing back and forth in the yard, lost in thought.

Ji Lingruo looked at You Su, who was like a headless fly, and laughed helplessly. She felt a mix of bitterness and sorrow in her heart. She sighed and took out the prepared red candles and colored paper, calling You Su to help with the decorations.

Not only that, she had actually prepared a brand new, bright red bedding beforehand to change into the bed in You Su's room. You Su wouldn't have thought of this at all; although he was a cultivator, he still needed a bit of good fortune. Ji Lingruo's reason for this was that she couldn't let her senior sister use the bedding she had used in battle.

This little courtyard, which once had a faint festive atmosphere, has been transformed into a brightly lit and festive wedding room.

You Su was deeply moved, not only by the girl's meticulousness but also by her generosity. He gently embraced Ji Lingruo and whispered sweet nothings in her ear, expressing the tenderness in his heart.

Ji Lingruo pushed You Su into the bathroom to quickly bathe and burn incense.

Soon, the appointed time for meeting with his Mistress arrived at dusk.

The word "marriage" is very meaningful. It refers to a ceremony held at dusk, when a woman gets married.

With a heart full of trepidation, You Su carried the food boxes of various sizes into the Immortal Forest. He had never felt that this road was so long, and he secretly wondered if his Mistress had secretly done something to make him take such a roundabout route.

He Shutong certainly wouldn't do something so pointless. You Su wasn't the only one who was nervous; she was just as nervous as anyone else.

"Mistress, Senior Sister..."

You Su bowed first, followed by Ji Lingruo.

He Shutong's beautiful face was gentle and tender. As she glanced at her three disciples, she felt only satisfaction.

She no longer hid behind the mist, but went around to the shore. Most of her body was hidden in the water, and she was no longer naked, but covered by two thin garments. Although they were wet and had a different kind of allure, at least they did not reveal any skin.

Her process of refining the Lotus Root Heart is now on track, and with the help of the Nine Revolutions Spirit Returning Pill that You Su brought for her, she is now able to briefly wear clothes to isolate herself from the pool water.

Ji Lingruo gazing at this Goddess- like face, as if she had returned to the day when her confidence was shattered by her first encounter.

"Junior brother, junior sister."

Wangshu knelt on the shore, not rising to greet him. Her posture was very elegant and proper, clearly showing that she had been taught by He Shutong.

She was still dressed in pure white today, but her belt had been replaced with an intricately patterned red one. Her snow-white hair cascaded down, and Little Flower perched on her shoulders. The red belt seemed like a red rope, pulling this ethereal Fairy back to the mortal world.

"Please have a seat since you're here."

He Shutong had already prepared a table on the shore. She stood in the pond, while the other three disciples sat on the ground. Wangshu and Ji Lingruo sat on her left and right, respectively, while You Su sat opposite her.

You Su laid out the exquisite dishes from the food box one by one, and also took out the Ice Milk Wine given to her by the Third Elder.

For a moment, no one spoke.

He Shutong felt a little embarrassed. As the master, he naturally had to bite the bullet and speak.

"Aside from when Lingruo first came up the mountain, this is probably the first time the four of us, master and disciples, have gathered together. Don't be shy, make yourselves at home."

That being said, few people can truly relax.

He Shutong could only continue, "What is that milky white substance in your Glazed Cup?"

You Su then repeated the Third Elder's description of the Ice Milk Wine verbatim. He Shutong nodded slightly; such silence was not good, and a little wine would be just right to liven up the atmosphere.

"Although I don't drink often, I've heard of quite a few kinds of wine. This Ice Milk Wine is truly rare. Quickly, pour some for us to try."

You Su was slightly taken aback, "Is it safe for Mistress to drink alcohol now?"

"I'm just trapped here, not about to die," He Shutong said with a smile.

You Su then poured the milk into the cups as instructed, and the aroma of milk filled the air, along with a rich, fermented flavor.

"Come on, let's bump hands."

He Shutong held out his right hand in the water, and the wine cup floated up gracefully, clinking with the three people's cups.

Ji Lingruo and He Shutong only took a small sip, but You Su was quite bold and downed a whole glass in one go; anyone who didn't know better would think he was drinking some strong liquor.

Wangshu held her cup high, her blue eyes gleaming as she stared at the milk wine.

"If you want some, I'll buy it for you next time," You Su comforted her.

Wangshu shook her head. "No, no need to wait until next time. I always see my junior brothers and sisters eating all kinds of food, so when I condensed this face, the first thing I condensed was the mouth."

You Su and Ji Lingruo opened their eyes in surprise, but He Shutong was not surprised at all, as if she had known all along.

Wangshu slowly lifted a corner of her mask and placed the wine glass into the shadows covered by the mask.

Ji Lingruo's gaze was also drawn to it, her beautiful eyes growing brighter. She clearly saw that her senior sister had a beautifully curved chin and skin as white as snow porcelain. In stark contrast to this were her cherry lips, like dew-kissed roses, as if they were a finely crafted work of art made by the heavens themselves.

My senior sister will have a perfect face...

Ji Lingruo somewhat lost in thought, even forgetting to breathe.

However, the mask was quickly removed.

Wangshu only took a small sip, gently shaking her head as if she were already drunk.

"Is this what wine is...? It tastes so good..."

He Shutong chuckled softly, "I didn't expect that Wangshu's first urge would be to indulge in food. But since this is your first time tasting wine, even if it's weak, you should still drink only a little."

From a luminous ball devoid of desires, it gradually transformed into a normal person with emotions and desires, which was exactly what she had hoped to see.

"Food is the most important thing for people, so eating should be of utmost importance."

You Su was genuinely happy for her senior sister, so she made an excuse for her.

Wangshu then placed her hand on her waist and took out some loose items from her Universe Bag.

Ji Lingruo looked closely and said, "This is our first time visiting Ancient Moon Residence. Is this the mung bean cake I gave to my senior sister?"

She continued reading, "The candied hawthorns were bought at Henggao City, and the sugar figurines were bought at the lantern festival..."

"You kept all the snacks we gave to our senior sister?"

Ji Lingruo quite surprised and touched. She hadn't expected this otherworldly Fairy to protect these inexpensive snacks so well.

Wangshu regarded them as treasures and picked them up and packed them away.

"I'm going to save it to eat slowly."

Wangshu's eyes crinkled with happiness, like a child recovering from a long illness who was finally able to eat. Everyone who saw her found her adorable.

Sure enough, the atmosphere became more lively after drinking. He Shutong felt slightly relieved, but sighed that if You Su were not there, dinner would probably be quite dull tonight.

Although it was called a dinner party, He Shutong didn't touch her chopsticks. Wangshu only picked up a little bit of each dish, then put it under her mask to taste it, and nodded to savor it. It seemed that she was worried that the facial expression would cause problems. Even if she thought something was delicious, she wouldn't eat more than that.

Therefore, the banquet ended very quickly.

After a satisfying meal and reminiscing, it was finally time to get down to business.

After much internal struggle, He Shutong, still feeling somewhat guilty towards Ji Lingruo about this matter, finally spoke:

"Lingruo probably already knows that your senior sister has lived alone on Lotus Peak for nearly fifty years. It wasn't until your junior brother came up the mountain that she had her first companion. They supported each other and went through many hardships together..."

Before she could finish speaking, Ji Lingruo lowered her head and interrupted, "Master, there's no need to say more. Lingruo understands everything... Lingruo also likes Senior Sister very much. Seeing that Senior Sister, who is lonely, has someone to keep her company makes me feel very comforted. I have no objection to her and Senior Brother's relationship..."

He Shutong was somewhat taken aback, moved by the girl's magnanimity, and felt that You Su was truly fortunate to have won the heart of such a wonderful woman.

"Thank you, junior sister. I'm so happy to have you and junior brother by my side from now on. You're the best junior sister in the world. Even though I'm your senior sister, I'll be good and I'll never try to steal your junior brother from you."

Wangshu suddenly launched into a long string of words, leaving Ji Lingruo amused and exasperated. She knew that these words were probably taught to her by her master.

Seeing that her position in the family was not threatened, Ji Lingruo felt somewhat relieved and politely said:

"My senior sister is the best senior sister in the world. Our relationship is much better than with my senior brother. Why are we talking about competing with each other?"

"Okay," Wangshu agreed readily.

Ji Lingruo twitched the corner of her mouth; she regretted her senior sister's opportunistic move.

The second half was ordered to be withdrawn... so it seems to have ended somewhat abruptly.

I'll revise it properly and save it for tomorrow.