I knew Helian was upset and understood her expectations, but I couldn't give her what she wanted, nor could I stay. I could only pretend not to know anything.
Liu Shinian and Wu Dao saw me walk out, their faces heavy with worry, assuming something bad had happened. Liu Shinian quickly asked,
"Muye, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Wu Dao also said, "Demon King, I'm fine. You don't need to scold Helian for such a small matter. I understand how she feels."
I asked her, "If Helian were to marry you, would you treat her well?"
Wu Dao promised,
"Helian is so beautiful and sensible. If I, a rough man, could marry her, I would cherish her and protect her."
"Good. You must keep your word."
Liu Shinian seemed to have understood something and quickly asked, "Helian, did she agree?"
I nodded slightly.
Liu Shinian was unsure whether to feel joy or sorrow. He should have been happy.
Yet, he also felt sad for Helian, who had loved Muye from beginning to end.
Wu Dao was also overjoyed, finding it hard to believe it was true. He excitedly told us, "Then I'll go cook some more delicious food."
With that, he vanished in a flash.
I then walked out of the sleeping quarters, and Liu Shinian slowly followed.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To find the elder."
"To talk about Helian?"
"Yes."
After that, the two fell silent again, only walking towards the main hall in silence.
Liu Shinian thought about the many opportunities he had to protect her in the past, but he always missed them.
Now that he had a chance, he felt timid, not even as brave as Helian.
He only learned the meaning of devotion much later.
They walked in silence, neither of them breaking the ice. Just then, Lin'er, as if sensing something, walked towards them from the front.
"Demon King," he called out.
Lin'er's shout brought me and Liu Shinian back to our senses.
"Elder, why are you here?" I thought he should be in the ice cellar.
He smiled slightly and said,
"Madam Hei asked me to take her to the ice cellar. Afterward, she felt it was a perfect fit for her stated conditions, so she started working there."
"Did you not send anyone to help?"
"She said she could manage alone."
"Truly remarkable."
"By the way, where are you and Liu Shinian going?"
Liu Shinian spoke first, "Muye has something to tell you. It's not convenient for me to listen here, so I'll leave now."
"Alright."
With that, he slowly turned and left.
Lin'er knew what it was without guessing, "It's about Helian, isn't it?"
"Elder, how did you know?"
"No need to guess, it's all written on your face."
I quickly touched my face, wondering, "Is it that obvious?"
Lin'er smiled slightly and said, "Let's talk as we walk."
"Okay."
So, the two of us headed towards the garden. Along the way, he asked, "Helian, did she agree?"
"Yes," I replied silently, as if I already knew all the unhappiness.
"What is the Demon King's intention?"
"I can't make up my mind yet. I'd rather ask the elder. What does the elder think?"
"Helian is not safe in Xizi Kingdom. We will go to battle with Beishen Capital.
We will definitely take most of Xizi Kingdom's forces, leaving only a few to guard the city. If Beishen Capital seizes the opportunity to send people to attack, we will be powerless to resist."
"Indeed, so this place is no longer safe."
"There's also something else I need to tell the Demon King."
"What is it?"
"Tianlong and his three brothers have gone to Nanhai City. I was going to tell the Demon King, but I thought there wasn't enough time, so I asked Lin'er to tell you.
They are going to Nanhai City to lead the mermaid army to prepare for the battle at Zhulu."
"That's good, it saves us a trip."
"As for Helian, I think the Demon King would also hope she goes to Heishan."
"That's what I thought. She agreed to marry Wu Dao."
"Since that's the case, then let her marry Xiao Yuan. It's much better than being dependent on others and becoming the matriarch of Heishan."
"The elder is right. But when should this wedding be held?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? That's too soon."
"There's no other way. Today is already the fifth day since the challenge was issued. Our army has to travel with heavy baggage.
If we want to reach Zhulu within the agreed time, we must set off three days in advance. This leaves us very little time."
"Alright, then who should be entrusted with this matter?"
"Entrust it to Wushuang. She is also married, so she should understand these things better than anyone."
"Then I'll do as the elder says."
"Good, I'll go talk to her about it now."
"Thank you for your trouble, elder."
"Demon King, you should go back and rest. There are still many matters that require the Demon King's decision."
"Okay."
With that, he turned and left. I did not return to my sleeping quarters as he suggested, but stayed in the garden, lost in thought.
After leaving the garden, Lin'er went straight to the sleeping quarters of Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng. As soon as he reached the door, he heard joyful laughter and chatter from inside.
He walked into the courtyard and saw that the door to the main house was open. Inside, two people were chatting. Xue Gucheng was the first to see Lin'er enter and quickly got up to greet him.
"Elder, why have you come?"
Yan Wushuang also hurriedly got up and walked out of the room.
Lin'er smiled slightly and said to them, "As soon as I entered, I heard you talking and laughing. You must be talking about something interesting."
Xue Gucheng said somewhat shyly, "It's nothing, just a casual chat. Elder, did you come personally to give us some instructions?"
"It's like this, Helian has agreed to marry Xiao Yuan, so I've come to ask Wushuang to arrange some wedding preparations."
Yan Wushuang asked with some surprise,
"Helian, she agreed?"
She could see that Helian was a stubborn girl who wouldn't easily change her mind. How could she have agreed?
"Perhaps she's thought it through. These things can be quite changeable."
"And when is Helian and Wu Dao's wedding supposed to be?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang looked shocked.
Xue Gucheng asked in confusion, "Why so soon?"
Lin'er explained, "We only have ten days. Five days have already passed, and time is running short."
"Indeed. Then I'll help Wushuang as well."
Yan Wushuang said, "I see that the twenty-four mountain residents and those dozen or so brothers are also idle. I'll call them over too."
"That would be even better."
"Then we'll get busy right away."
"Okay."
Thus, Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang called some people and went to deliver the message one by one. In an instant, everyone in the Xilin Royal Palace knew about Helian and Wu Dao's impending marriage.
At the same time, everyone was shocked. They had originally guessed that Helian would never agree to this marriage, but it turned out she had.
It was truly unexpected, yet inevitable. She had a choice, and since she wanted to sever her own affections, she chose the method she disliked the most.
Although everyone was very confused, they still helped Yan Wushuang with the arrangements. The wedding venue was chosen in the main hall.
Therefore, the entire main hall, inside and out, had to be decorated with red flowers and cloth, and a large red carpet had to be laid.
Liu Mei also came to help. She curiously asked Yan Wushuang, "Helian, did she really agree?"
Clearly, she didn't believe it either.
Yan Wushuang replied, "The elder said she agreed, so it must be true. Perhaps she's thought it through."
"I want to see her. Will you come with me?"
"Then let's go see her." Before leaving, she said to the people who were carrying things and hanging red flowers,
"Work hard for me. I'll go see Helian and come back. If I find anyone slacking off, this will be their fate." Saying this, she threw a flying knife that lodged into a wooden pillar.
Everyone broke out in a cold sweat and quickly replied, "Don't worry, we'll work hard and won't slack off."
Yan Wushuang then confidently retrieved the flying knife and went with Liu Mei to visit Helian.
As soon as they arrived outside the courtyard, they saw Liu Shinian leaning against the outer wall, looking worried.
Liu Mei pulled Yan Wushuang and pointed to him, "Look, isn't that Liu Shinian? Why is he guarding here?"
"Let's go take a look."
Saying this, the two walked up. Yan Wushuang asked him, "Shinian, what are you doing here?"
Liu Shinian turned around, looking at the two with embarrassment, and stammered, "Why, why have you come?"
"We've come to see Helian. By the way, why are you guarding here? Don't tell me you've taken a liking to Helian. If so, speak up early, otherwise, she'll be getting married tomorrow."
These words made Liu Shinian blush. Liu Shinian said somewhat shyly, "I, I'm not guarding her."
"Then what's with that gloomy and sad expression?" Liu Mei also teased him.
Liu Shinian blushed and defended himself, "I, I came with Xiao Yuan."
Yan Wushuang looked into the courtyard and indeed saw Xiao Yuan standing alone in the courtyard, as if expecting something.
"Then why don't you go in?" Liu Mei asked him.
Liu Shinian explained, "They need some space. I won't go in and disturb them."
Yan Wushuang smiled.
"There's only Wu Dao inside. Who could you possibly disturb? I think you have something on your mind that you can't say. If you want to talk about it, I might be able to help you."
"No, no, you must have come to see Helian. Hurry up and go in." With that, he pushed the two of them towards the courtyard.
The two did not press him further and walked into the courtyard. They first greeted Wu Dao and then entered the sleeping quarters.
Upon entering and reaching the bed, they saw Helian burying her head deeply in the covers, silent. Liu Mei was worried and quickly stepped forward, lifted the covers, and called out to her,
"Helian, what are you doing?"
Yan Wushuang also walked to the bedside and sat on the bed. Helian slightly raised her head, her red eyes clearly conveying her helplessness and unwillingness.
Liu Mei immediately saw it and advised her, "If you don't want to, there's no need to agree."
Yan Wushuang also comforted her, "Although you can't have any further progress with Muye, at least you've expressed your feelings. There's no need to go this far."
Helian gently wiped away her tears and put on a smile, saying to them,
"I know it's impossible, and I don't want anyone to worry about me. I think Bi Shou Yuan is quite good. Perhaps I'll feel better following him."
Liu Mei quickly asked her, "Is this really your own thought?"
She nodded in agreement.
Yan Wushuang then said to her, "The elder has already told us that the wedding will be arranged for tomorrow. Do you know?"
She nodded to indicate she knew.
The two looked at her, feeling very uneasy.
Liu Mei then asked her, "Since you're going, can you tell us your thoughts one last time?"
She finally couldn't hold back and started crying again, saying,
"I know there's no possibility between us, and I know he doesn't like me. I tried, and I expressed my feelings again and again.
And again and again, I heard the same answer. Since that's the case, what face do I have to stay by his side?"
Liu Mei embraced her and comforted her,
"Love is not a sin. It's just that the person you love happens not to love you. There's nothing to be done about it. Everyone has to learn to let go."
Yan Wushuang also comforted her,
"Sometimes what you pursue is not necessarily the most suitable for you. You have to move forward to see things more clearly."
Listening to their comfort, Helian felt much better. She slowly sat up, finally revealing a sweet smile.
"Feeling better? Do you still want to go through with this marriage?" Liu Mei asked.
Yan Wushuang also said, "If you don't like it, I'll go and tell the elder to cancel it."
She didn't answer immediately but thought for a moment before saying,
"I have to leave sooner or later. Since that's the case, why not go to Heishan with Wu Dao?
I heard you lived there for a while before. I want to see how beautiful it is there."
"Since you've made up your mind, we won't say anything more. You should rest well tonight. It's your wedding tomorrow."
Helian nodded slightly.
Yan Wushuang pointed outside the door and said, "That silly boy is still waiting outside. Do you want to call him in for a chat?"
Helian shook her head and said,
"After you two leave, tell him to go back. I'll see him tomorrow."
"Alright, then we'll go back to work."
"Okay."
Thus, Liu Mei and Yan Wushuang got up and left. They came out of the room and into the courtyard, where they saw Wu Dao still gazing blankly.
Yan Wushuang said to him, "Stop looking. Helian asked us to tell you to go back and prepare for the wedding."
Wu Dao turned around. After waiting for several days, with Liu Shinian's persistent efforts, he finally got a result. He was overjoyed and quickly replied,
"Thank you, both of you."
With that, he happily walked out of the courtyard, grabbed Liu Shinian, and returned to his residence.
Yan Wushuang analyzed,
"It must be that Liu Shinian boy who gave him some advice. Otherwise, with his dull personality, he wouldn't have thought of coming here to wait every day."
Liu Mei said, "Perhaps this is not a bad thing for Qiu Yu. I think Xiao Yuan is a good person, and now he's the head of Heishan.
If Helian goes there, at least she won't have to be dependent on others and endure baseless grievances."
Liu Mei's analysis was very reasonable, and Yan Wushuang agreed.
"You're right. Perhaps this is not a bad thing. Alright, let's go and help too. I wonder if they've been slacking off."
"They wouldn't dare."
"Perhaps. I think there are a few bold ones."
Thus, the two walked towards the main hall, talking and laughing.