A slight stir ran through the crowds around the Qin Family Residence.
No one had expected Qi Long and the others to come.
After all, they had traveled from their own worlds. Qi Long, for instance, had come all the way from the Torch Dragon World—no short journey.
"Qin Hao, Mu Ziqing," Qi Long said with a smile, "how could we miss your wedding? Don't you consider us friends?"
"Exactly. You even said you'd invite us to the Southern Reach for a visit, yet you didn't tell us about something as important as your wedding," Dongfang Lin said with a smile.
Sun Wei waved a hand. "Don't give them a hard time. We live in different worlds, far apart. Even if Qin Hao and Mu Ziqing had wanted to tell us, they couldn't have."
Jing Hong smiled. "Qin Hao, Mu Ziqing, on behalf of King Yongtai, I wish you both hearts joined as one, forever and ever!"
"Congratulations!" Shi Tingyan said, a smile appearing on his face as well.
Ji Ziqi, Sikong Xuan, and Ao Xiner each offered their own blessings to Qin Hao and Mu Ziqing.
Qin Hao and Mu Ziqing exchanged a glance. Each saw surprise and delight in the other's eyes. They truly hadn't notified Qi Long and the others, partly because of the distance and partly because they hadn't wanted to make too grand an affair of it.
Yet Qi Long and the others had come on their own.
"Qin Hao, are we not welcome? Won't you invite us in?" Jing Hong asked with a smile.
"Of course you're welcome!" Qin Hao laughed. He cupped his hands. "I'm deeply grateful you all came. Please, come inside!"
"Good. We'll get ourselves some wedding sweets today—and see what Qin Hao ate growing up to become such a Prodigy."