Nothing Was Forbidden (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader "Xingkong de Wuyu," 13)

Li Lieyue's slender, graceful fingers picked up a jade-and-coral hairpin carved with narcissus, bamboo leaves, peaches, and an infant in a bamboo basket. She shook her head slightly, then lifted her wide sleeve and reached for another ornament: a goldfish-and-bat hairpin, gilded and inlaid with jewels, its kingfisher-feather details shimmering.

The Dao Companion Ceremony had been arranged in an extraordinary hurry—so hurriedly that she had known nothing about it beforehand. Only after the Sect Master announced it in public had she sent a message to ask her elders, and learned that the Old Ancestor had arranged it specially.

Still, although it was an order from the Li Clan, her Dao Companion was Junior Brother Pei. Naturally, she had no objections.

Besides, the Sect Master and the Sect Master's Wife were personally presiding over the ceremony, and the Eight Sects had come to observe. Though hastily arranged, the ceremony was no less lavish—in fact, it was exceptionally grand.

She couldn't say she had been slighted.

Li Lieyue was devoted to cultivation and rarely paid attention to her appearance, but this was her own lifelong commitment. Of course she wanted to make herself look as beautiful as possible.

At that thought, Li Lieyue set down the ornament in her hand and instructed the maid, "There aren't enough here. Go to my mother's rooms and bring over all her makeup boxes. I'll take another look."

The maid bowed and hurried away. Li Lieyue turned toward the Crystal Mirror nearby, intending to give herself a joyful smile. She wanted to practice now, to make it look a little more gentle and lovely. But though the reflection was beautiful, an icy chill lingered in her smile, impossible to brush away.

Li Lieyue's smile froze. She immediately schooled her expression, returning to her usual cold demeanor.