Scarlet lanterns, ceremonial banners, silk parasols and fans, and an eight-bearer palanquin.
It was a grand procession.
The groom rode a tall, imposing horse. Though only an ordinary mortal, he carried himself with distinction.
With drums beating and gongs clanging all the way, the procession stopped before a sprawling residence with a lofty gate.
Plenty of onlookers lined both sides of the road, creating a festive atmosphere.
Chen Lin, too, leaned against a large willow tree, watching with interest.
It had been so long since he had felt this everyday bustle of life that he actually found it soothing. His unsettled state of mind, brought on by his recent rise in cultivation, slowly calmed as well.
The crowd's chatter reached his ears.
It turned out that the family was surnamed Liu. The young master getting married had been away studying, and had only recently returned after earning a place on the imperial examination honors list.
No wonder Chen Lin had not discovered him during his investigations.
The bride came from Pingyang City and was reportedly from an official's family. Marrying into Guyuan City was considered a step down for her.
Chen Lin listened, watched, and smiled.
He felt a yearning stir in his heart, yet also felt wholly out of place.
Immortals and mortals were worlds apart. In the end, he could never return to an ordinary person's life.
What he sought was advancement in cultivation, the Dao of Longevity. Having one's name on the imperial honors list and wedding candles glowing in the bridal chamber might be infinitely lovely, but they were only fleeting splendors.
The wedding rituals of a wealthy household were elaborate. After watching for a while, Chen Lin lost interest and prepared to leave.
"Hm?"
Just then, the bridal palanquin's curtain was suddenly lifted, revealing the