A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 545 A Stormy Night
Inside the Dragon Fish Hall, all the staff were still asleep on the floor.

By this time, it was already broad daylight, and the Dragon Fish Hall was brightly lit, but the servants all tacitly covered their heads and slept soundly.

They knew they had gone to bed too early, but firstly, the Imperial Historian Qin hadn't come to wake them, and secondly, with Li Ruozhou's escape, the wedding could no longer be held. What was the point of them enduring all this suffering? They might as well get a good night's sleep.

Just as they were sleeping soundly, the hall door was suddenly pushed open, and the blinding sunlight shone in.

The Qin historian, whose back was already somewhat hunched, jumped up and down and roared at the entrance of the hall.

"Still sleeping?! The sun's already high in the sky?!"

"Get up! Get up!" The historian Qin ran over and started pulling the blankets off the hooded men.

"I'm telling you, the young sect leader of the Tianyan Sect has returned! The engagement ceremony will proceed as scheduled tomorrow! If you don't finish your work today, you'll all be in for a beating!"

Upon hearing that the young sect leader of the Tianyan Sect had returned, the servants were immediately alarmed. Tomorrow's engagement ceremony was a major event involving the marriage between the two sects, and it also involved their alliance. How could they possibly dare to delay such an important matter?

Before the Qin historian could shout again, the servants, as if injected with adrenaline, jumped up, rolled up their bedding, and busied themselves with their tasks...

Duan Rong didn't get out of bed until the sun was high in the sky. When Xiao Yu saw him get up, she helped him wash up while instructing Zhu Xiaoqi to make tea.

After washing up, Duan Rong sat in the hall, feeling a little dizzy. He took a couple of sips of the hot tea that Zhu Xiaoqi handed him and asked, "Is Li Ruojian awake yet?"

Zhu Xiaoqi said, "She's still asleep!"

Duan Rong nodded. Just then, a knocking sound came from the courtyard gate, and Ximen Kankan's hurried voice came from outside.

"Open the door! Open the door quickly!"

Zhu Xiaoqi stepped out of the hall, used the Cloud Serpent Step to cross the courtyard, opened the gate, and shouted, "What are you yelling about? In the middle of the morning, anyone who didn't know better would think you're here to ransack the house!"

Ximen Kankan asked, "I have urgent business. Where is Duan Rong?"

Zhu Xiaoqi rolled her eyes at Ximen Kankan and said, "They're having tea in the hall!"

Ximen Kankan moved with incredible speed, shooting into the hall like an arrow.

Duan Rong put down his teacup, his expression grave. He had instructed Ximen Kankan to keep an eye on Li Ruozhou's whereabouts; the wedding was tomorrow, and Ximen Kankan's sudden, hurried arrival suggested something had changed.

As soon as Ximen Kankan entered the hall, he exclaimed, "Something's happened!"

Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat, and he stared intently, saying, "What is it? Speak!"

Ximen Kankan said, "Li Ruozhou is back!"

"What!?" Duan Rong suddenly stood up, his face filled with shock.

Xiao Yu was standing nearby, and seeing Duan Rong's shocked expression, her heart skipped a beat. Ximen Kankan had just mentioned Li Ruozhou, and she knew that Li Ruozhou was the young sect leader of the Tianyan Sect and the one who was betrothed to Lü Qingzhu.

Last night, the three of them got together for drinks, and Xiao Yu was puzzled.

As expected, what you fear most has come to pass. Seeing Duan Rong in this state, it's clear he's been plotting for Lü Qingzhu all along.

Ximen Kankan said, "It was the patriarch of the Tianyan Sect who captured Li Ruozhou."

Duan Rong asked with a grave expression, "When did this happen?"

Ximen Kankan said, "It happened just as dawn was breaking. It occurred in the Elders' Council, and news from inside the Elders' Council is not easy to obtain. This news came from the Dragon Fish Hall, two hours late."

Duan Rong said, "Go back to Yunfu Peak and continue to keep an eye on news and developments."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he suddenly rose up on the wind, flying horizontally out of the hall like a swallow skimming the water, heading towards the deep valley.

As soon as Duan Rong left, Ximen Kankan also turned to leave.

Xiao Yu suddenly called out to him.

"Kankan! Has Duan Rong been having you investigate Li Ruozhou all along?" Xiao Yu asked.

Ximen Kankan said, "It's not really about investigating, it's just about paying attention to public opinion. This is just the routine work of the Inner History Bureau."

"Is that so?" Xiao Yu asked.

"I'm leaving now!" Ximen Kankan hurriedly left.

Xiao Yu stood at the hall entrance, her face bitter. She knew Duan Rong must have gone to find Lü Qingzhu. "Husband, they're about to have a marriage alliance?! Why won't you let go?!"

Duan Rong entered the deep valley and headed straight for Lü Qingzhu's cave.

Lu Qingzhu was sitting cross-legged practicing her internal energy when she suddenly heard Duan Rong's footsteps, which made her overjoyed.

She finished her practice, sat cross-legged on the futon, and waited for Duan Rong to come in.

The moment Duan Rong entered, Lü Qingzhu's heart skipped a beat. Duan Rong's face was full of worry, and his eyebrows were furrowed in worry.

Duan Rong looked at Lü Qingzhu and said, "Something has happened. Come out with me."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he walked out of the cave.

Lü Qingzhu immediately stood up and followed Duan Rong out, her heart filled with anxiety. The trouble Duan Rong mentioned must be about the arranged marriage, but the wedding was tomorrow, and Li Ruozhou had already fled. What could possibly have happened?
After the two walked out of the withered woods at the valley entrance, Duan Rong glanced at Lü Qingzhu, then took off on the wind and headed southeast.

Lü Qingzhu, her clothes fluttering, followed behind Duan Rong.

The two figures, one in front of the other, moved like large birds, riding the wind through the misty clouds.

Duan Rong, amidst the clouds and mist, suddenly descended into a secluded valley and dense forest, with Lü Qingzhu following suit.

The two stopped in the dense forest.

Sunlight filters through the leaves, dappling the dense forest.

A ray of sunlight shone on Duan Rong's profile as he looked at Lü Qingzhu and said, "This morning, Li Ruozhou was brought back by Li Ku."

Upon hearing this, Lü Qingzhu's face paled in shock, her eyes instantly filled with panic, and she murmured, "Tomorrow is the day to set the wedding date. This..."

Duan Rong said, "Things have suddenly changed! And time is too tight!"

Duan Rong took a few steps in the dense forest, crunching the fallen leaves under his feet. He had been pondering this the whole way, but he hadn't come up with a single clue.

Just then, after a moment of contemplation, Lü Qingzhu suddenly looked up, a resolute glint in her eyes, and softly called out to Duan Rong, "Duan Rong!"

"Hmm." Duan Rong was deep in thought when he heard this and responded softly, turning his head to look at Lü Qingzhu.

Lu Qingzhu's expression was somewhat strange at this moment, it was hard to tell whether it was joy or sorrow. Her originally cold and beautiful face suddenly showed a touch of shyness, like an ice flower suddenly stained with a faint blush.

"Duan Rong, will you marry me?"

Duan Rong stood there, stunned. At that moment, Lü Qingzhu's voice echoed like a nightmare in the quiet, dense forest...

Would you marry me?
Lü Qingzhu stared intently at Duan Rong with bright eyes.

"Qingzhu! I am a married man." A bitter look flashed across Duan Rong's face.

Of course, he had feelings for Lü Qingzhu, but he couldn't divorce Xiao Yu and marry Lü Qingzhu. He couldn't bring himself to do such a thing. Besides, Xiao Yu was virtuous and kind; how could he possibly hurt her? Life is full of disappointments, and he couldn't help it. "I know," Lü Qingzhu said firmly, smoothing a strand of hair at her temple. "I can be your concubine!"

Duan Rong stared at Lü Qingzhu in astonishment; he had never dared to entertain such a thought before.

Lu Qingzhu is a descendant of the sect's patriarch and a member of the Lu clan. How could someone like that possibly become his concubine?
But now, Lü Qingzhu has personally stated that she wants to be his concubine. How could he not be terrified?

After his initial shock, Duan Rong was deeply moved. If Lü Qingzhu had no ulterior motives, she would never have uttered such words.

Seeing that Duan Rong was still standing there in a daze, Lü Qingzhu asked, "Duan Rong, I'll be your concubine, do you want me?"

Duan Rong suddenly realized what was happening and exclaimed, "I want it! I want it!"

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he smiled at Lü Qingzhu.

Lu Qingzhu rolled her eyes at him, then suddenly said quietly, "If you marry me, they can no longer force me into a marriage alliance!"

Even without Lü Qingzhu saying anything, Duan Rong had already guessed what she meant.

Duan Rong walked over and suddenly grabbed Lü Qingzhu's hand.

Lu Qingzhu's heart tightened, and she trembled slightly, but in the end, she did not pull her hand back.

Duan Rong pulled Lü Qingzhu into his arms.

The two had been intimate before, but that was a thing of the past. Now, they embraced each other tightly in the dense forest.

It was only then that they realized they had always deeply loved each other.

Tears welled up in Lü Qingzhu's eyes.

What happened seven years ago in that dilapidated temple on the outskirts of Xiangu County not only touched their karmic ties but also became a barrier between them.

At this moment, the barrier finally melted away, and for the first time, Lü Qingzhu hugged Duan Rong tightly, embracing him in his arms. A warmth and security she had never felt before touched her heartstrings.

The two embraced for a long time in the dense forest, simply holding each other as if the world did not exist.

After a long while, the throbbing in his heart slowly subsided. Duan Rong stroked Lü Qingzhu's hair and said, "This is indeed a solution, but it's a bit unfair to you."

Lü Qingzhu looked up at Duan Rong and said, "I don't feel wronged! I don't care about these worldly formalities at all. Besides, I've met Xiao Yu twice, and I have no objection to her being my legal wife."

Lü Qingzhu didn't care about worldly formalities, but she never considered sharing a husband with anyone. If it weren't for the pressure of an arranged marriage, she wouldn't have even entertained such a thought.

But once the thought arose, it could not be shaken off. It was in that instant that the thought arose that she truly understood her own heart.

The only man she truly wanted to marry was Duan Rong.

Her reluctance to enter into a marriage alliance was actually due to this reason.

What Lü Qingzhu couldn't be sure of was when this obsession formed.

Was it in that dilapidated temple in Xiangu County? Or were there already signs before that temple?
Or perhaps it was when she suddenly saw Duan Rong again in a dark forest? Or perhaps it was when Duan Rong disarmed her in a single move in a deep valley?
Thinking back on it this way, she suddenly realized that she and Duan Rong had unknowingly become entangled in so many things.

In this web of love that has entangled her, who can know where it will end?
Duan Rong suddenly grabbed Lü Qingzhu's shoulders, gently pushed her away, looked at her solemnly, and said, "Qingzhu, time is of the essence. You must remember every word I am about to say."

Lü Qingzhu nodded and said, "Yes, go ahead."

About half an incense stick later, two figures took off from the dense forest, one heading east and the other west, flying towards different valleys.

Duan Rong first returned to his courtyard on the mountain where Shang Xiangyu was located.

When he entered the main hall, Xiao Yu was sitting there in a daze.

Duan Rong glanced at her and said, "Xiao Yu, come in with me for a moment."

As Duan Rong spoke, he had already entered the bedroom.

Xiao Yu immediately got up and followed him inside. She could sense that Duan Rong's glance at her just now had a deeper meaning.

When she entered, Duan Rong was already sitting down in a chair.

As soon as she stepped inside, Duan Rong declared, "Xiao Yu, I want to take Lü Qingzhu as my concubine!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's vision went black, and she almost collapsed.

She barely managed to steady herself before saying, "My husband, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

Duan Rong said, "Xiao Yu, I already told you about my relationship with Lü Qingzhu when I was a disciple."

Xiao Yu said, "Things from that time and things now are two different things. Husband, Lü Qingzhu is now involved in a marriage alliance between two families, and behind that is the important matter of an alliance between the two families. It is very inappropriate for you to put yourself in such danger! Please think it over!"

Although Xiao Yu looked anxious, she remained dignified and gentle, patiently trying to persuade Duan Rong. She wasn't jealous; she was afraid Duan Rong was in danger.

Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat. He could tell that Xiao Yu was concerned about his safety and was afraid that he might do something foolish in a moment of confusion.

Duan Rong said, "Xiao Yu, I know your feelings. But I cannot bear to see Lü Qingzhu marry someone else. My mind is made up!"

Duan Rong knew that if he wanted to marry Lü Qingzhu as a concubine, he needed Xiao Yu's consent according to the rules of etiquette. Otherwise, if Xiao Yu was not present during the ceremony, it would not be a complete ceremony.

Xiao Yu said, "Husband, I do not object to you taking a concubine! But Lü Qingzhu is absolutely out of the question."

Duan Rong looked at Xiao Yu and said, "Xiao Yu, you must accept this. I must marry Lü Qingzhu!"

There was a resolute will in Duan Rong's words. Xiao Yu looked at the light in Duan Rong's eyes and knew that this will was one she could not shake.

Tears welled up in Xiao Yu's eyes as she sighed, "My husband, do you know that if you marry Lü Qingzhu at this crucial moment, there will surely be a storm brewing behind the scenes, a storm of intrigue and danger! My husband, is it worth it for Lü Qingzhu?"

Xiao Yu has not given up yet; she knows that the situation is extremely serious!
Duan Rong said, “This is not a business transaction! There is no question of whether it is worth it or not! If you ask whether it is worth it or not, why did I choose to break the sect’s ironclad rules to save you from the Tower Forest? Your matter and Lü Qingzhu’s matter are essentially the same thing! If I dare not marry Lü Qingzhu now because of the storm and the clash of swords, I would have abandoned you to die in the Tower Forest just because I dared not violate the sect.”

"Xiao Yu, do you really want a husband like that?"

Xiao Yu stared blankly at Duan Rong, a bright light flashing in her eyes, as if she were meeting Duan Rong for the first time.

Of course she didn't want that kind of husband. Her husband was a man who dared to stand against the world for the sake of his woman, and he was definitely not a coward!
Is a man who fears wind, rain, and swords, and watches helplessly as the woman he loves marries another, truly worthy of her love?
It was precisely because Duan Rong was that kind of man that she was so devoted to becoming his wife. How could she have forgotten that?

Xiao Yu suddenly knelt down and said, "Husband, it was Xiao Yu who was confused! Wherever you wish to go, even if there is a raging storm and flashing swords, Xiao Yu will definitely stand behind you!"

Duan Rong walked over, helped Xiao Yu up, and said, "Xiao Yu, now that you can accept her, I have no more worries."

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Since my husband has her in his heart, I will definitely treat Qingzhu like my own sister."

Duan Rong said, "Such virtue! With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for!"

Xiao Yu said, "Husband, tomorrow is the day to set the wedding date. Time is so tight, do you have any ideas on how to proceed?"

Duan Rong said, "I will marry Lü Qingzhu tonight. I'll need you to take care of some of the formalities."

Xiao Yu said, "Yes, husband, please give your orders!"

(End of this chapter)