Qingxue Crosses the Threshold

The joyful music sounded again, though a bit shaky, it was even more vigorous than before.

The procession set off once more, but this time, no one dared to show the slightest hint of contempt.

Only reverence remained in every gaze.

The rest of the journey went unbelievably smoothly.

An hour later.

The bridal procession arrived smoothly at the Zhang Family Courtyard.

The entire Zhang residence was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, a red carpet laid out on the ground.

Countless guests had long been waiting outside the gates. Now, seeing the procession return intact, every face was plastered with smiles even warmer than if they'd seen their own fathers.

"Congratulations, Young Master Zhang! Best wishes, Young Master Zhang!"

"A perfect match—a union made in heaven!"

Amid the flurry of congratulations, the bridal sedan chair landed steadily.

Zhang Chen walked to the sedan door and gave it a light kick.

A pale but icy hand reached out from behind the curtain.

Zhang Chen grasped that hand without hesitation.

It was freezing cold to the touch, as if he were holding a block of ice.

This was the Cold Poison wreaking havoc inside Lin Qingxue.

He could feel the hand trembling slightly, the palm slick with cold sweat.

Zhang Chen didn't let go. Instead, he held on tighter.

Through the warmth of his own palm, he passed a sliver of strength.

"Don't be afraid. We're home."

He whispered softly in her ear.

Lin Qingxue, her head covered by the red veil, stiffened for a moment. Then, that tense, guarded feeling seemed to ease somewhat.

She let Zhang Chen lead her as they stepped over the brazier meant to ward off evil and misfortune.

In the family's main hall, beneath the gratified gazes of his parents seated high at the head, and amid the complicated stares of all the guests.

The two stood side by side.

"First bow—to Heaven and Earth!"

"Second bow—to the parents!"

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

As the master of ceremonies called out in a resonant voice, the two bowed toward each other.

The night was as dark as ink, dotted with countless stars.

Inside the Zhang Family Courtyard, lights still blazed brightly. The clamor gradually faded, leaving only the large red lanterns hanging outside the bridal chamber in the rear courtyard, swaying gently in the night breeze.

Inside the bridal chamber, the dragon-and-phoenix candles burned fiercely, occasionally crackling with a "pop" as sparks burst forth.

Zhang Chen took a deep breath, calming his somewhat restless heart.

Having lived two lives, this was still his first wedding.

Though this marriage was heavily tinged with bartered interests and system tasks, looking at the slender figure sitting silently at the edge of the bed, an indescribable sense of responsibility welled up inside him.

He walked slowly to the bedside and picked up the jade scale tied with red silk from the tray.

Lin Qingxue seemed to sense his approach. Her fingers, which had been tightly twisted together on her lap, suddenly stiffened.

She was afraid, and she was nervous.

"Don't be afraid."

Zhang Chen said softly, his voice gentle.

He reached out, and the scale in his hand steadily slipped under the edge of the red veil, lifting it lightly upward.

The red silk slid away, revealing a face of stunning beauty.

Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Zhang Chen was still stunned.

Beautiful. Too beautiful.

Even now, with her complexion pale and an unshakable aura of illness lingering between her brows, that cold, aloof temperament, paired with features so exquisite they left no room for flaw, was like a snow lotus blooming amidst ice and frost.

But at this moment, this snow lotus seemed nearly frozen solid.

The moment the veil was lifted, visible white frost poured out from Lin Qingxue's body.

In an instant, the temperature inside the bridal chamber dropped several degrees.

Lin Qingxue's eyelashes trembled, and a fine layer of white frost quickly formed on them.

She bit her lip hard, as if enduring some immense pain, her body shaking uncontrollably.

"What's wrong?"

Zhang Chen frowned and quickly reached out to grasp her wrist.

The moment his fingers touched her skin, a bone-piercing chill burrowed straight into his bones.

"The Cold Poison... is acting up..."

Lin Qingxue forced out a few words, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "I'm sorry... today is your happy day... but I..."

To fall ill at this moment was not only a mood-killer but also a terrible omen.

Lin Qingxue's heart was filled with guilt. She felt like nothing but a burden.

She couldn't even maintain the last shred of dignity.

"What nonsense are you saying?"

Zhang Chen cut her off, his tone carrying a hint of reproach but far more concern.

He quickly pulled an exquisite White Jade Porcelain Bottle from his chest and tipped out a crimson-red pill.

This was a Grade 2 High-grade "Crimson Sun Pill," one his father Zhang Yunshan had gone to great expense to obtain.

It was specifically used to suppress the Cold Poison.

"Open your mouth."

Zhang Chen pinched the pill and brought it to her lips.

Lin Qingxue hesitated as she looked at him. This pill was priceless, enough to cover half a month's expenses for a Small Family.

In the Lin Family, lately, they wouldn't even buy her ordinary Warm Sun Powder anymore.

Yet Zhang Chen had casually taken out such a precious pill.

"Eat it."

Zhang Chen said in a tone that brooked no argument, directly stuffing the pill into her mouth. Then he picked up the Wedding Wine from the table: "Take a sip to wash it down."

The pill dissolved on her tongue, turning into a warm current that flowed down her throat into her abdomen, then spread through her limbs and bones.

The biting cold that had nearly frozen Lin Qingxue solid finally receded slowly, and a faint, barely perceptible blush returned to her face.

"Feeling better?"