Chapter 2713

No matter what the various factions thought, the day of Qingxia’s wedding had finally arrived.

Qingxia, dressed in her red wedding attire, walked into the main hall alongside Hong Xiao. In this place, the bride did not need to cover her head with a veil. Perhaps because everyone here could cultivate, the custom was for the bride and groom to walk out openly, bid farewell to their relatives in the hall, and then board the flying vessel brought by the groom to depart. That was it.

The procedure was simple, but undeniably efficient.

A trace of shyness appeared on Qingxia’s face. She exchanged a glance with Hong Xiao and was just about to perform the wedding rites when a voice called out, "Wait a moment."

The one who spoke was Qingshan.

"Eldest Elder, what are you doing?" Qingsen asked Qingshan anxiously.

Qingshan smiled faintly. "Head of the family, rest assured, I have no other intentions. My nephew simply has a few questions for Qingxia. Once they are answered, there will be no issues."

She then turned to Qinghe beside her. "Qinghe, ask your questions quickly. Once you are satisfied, they can proceed with their marriage and departure."

Qinghe looked at Qingxia, then at Hong Xiao. "I have two questions here. One is for Miss Qingxia, and the other is for Young Master Hong Xiao. As long as you give me satisfactory answers, it will be fine."

Qingxia and Hong Xiao looked at Qinghe, then exchanged a glance with each other. Hong Xiao said, "Ask away."

Qinghe looked at Qingxia. "I will ask Miss Qingxia first. Did you have anything to do with my sister’s disappearance? If it was not you, I will believe you if you swear to heaven and earth to deny it."

Qinghe’s words effectively cut off Qingxia’s retreat. They were cultivators. Even though the people of the Hundred Images Realm were not considered true cultivators in the eyes of people like Zhu Yanyi, they still regarded themselves as cultivators within their realm. Cultivators placed great importance on oaths because they believed in the existence of the Heavenly Dao.

Qingxia’s expression darkened. Swearing to heaven and earth felt like walking onto the executioner’s block. "Qinghe, I do not know what you are talking about."

Hearing this, Qinghe sneered. "My sister was engaged to Young Master Hong Xiao since childhood. This was proposed by the Hong family themselves. The engagement was initiated by them. They made it very clear at the time that the engagement was with Qingyun of the Qing family, not with you, Qingxia. If my sister had not encountered any trouble, this marriage would have had nothing to do with you, Miss Qingxia.

"Now, not only are you marrying Hong Xiao, but the wedding preparations are so complete. It has been only a little over a month since my sister disappeared. With such speed, how can I not suspect that my sister’s disappearance is related to you, Miss Qingxia?"

Qingxia’s face grew ugly. The guests observing the ceremony naturally understood the implication. Who would believe there was no trickery involved?

Everyone knew that preparing a wedding required at least two or three years. Of course, if Qingyun were still part of this branch of the family, it would be easy to explain. But Qingyun’s branch had already separated. So, for the wedding to be prepared so quickly without any hidden agenda? Who would believe that?

Although no one spoke, strange looks were evident in everyone’s eyes. These peculiar gazes made Qingxia feel as if her skin were being peeled off.

Qingxia looked at Qinghe. Although her expression was poor, she suppressed her displeasure. "Qinghe, what are you saying? This dowry was originally prepared by the Qing family for Qingyun. After all, the marriage between Qingyun and the Hong family represented the friendship between the Qing and Hong families. However, after Qingyun encountered trouble, the engagement was transferred to me, so I used this dowry."

Qinghe seemed to believe her. "I believe your explanation, Miss Qingxia. Therefore, please swear an oath to heaven and earth. If what you say is false, may you be struck by five thunders and your soul scattered."

"Qinghe, speaking such words on a joyous occasion is inauspicious," Mrs. Liu said hurriedly.

Qinghe raised an eyebrow. "How is it inauspicious?"

Qinghe looked at Mrs. Liu. "This marriage was originally between the Hong family and my sister, not between the Hong family and the Qing family. Even if my sister disappeared, the engagement would simply become void. There is no such thing as transferring it. Moreover, my sister has only been missing for a month, yet the Qing family is so eager to marry Qingxia off. Can I not suspect that my sister’s disappearance was orchestrated by the Qing family for the sake of this marriage?"

"You…" Mrs. Liu’s eyes filled with anger upon hearing Qinghe’s words.

Qinghe did not even look at Mrs. Liu. Instead, she turned her gaze to Hong Xiao. "Young Master Hong, I also have a question for you."

"Ask away." Hong Xiao actually had a bad feeling, but at this moment, he seemed to be in a difficult position. He had no choice but to answer.

Qinghe said calmly, "After learning of my sister’s disappearance, I wonder if the Hong family sent people to search for her. How many people did you send? What news did you receive? And how did you conclude that my sister could not return?"

Qinghe was only seven years old, yet every question hit the nail on the head, leaving Hong Xiao momentarily at a loss for words.

Hong Xiao took a deep breath before speaking. "Actually, after news of your sister’s disappearance reached us, the Hong family did consider searching for her. However, since my father was not present, it was difficult to mobilize people."

"Considered? Rather than actually sending people?" Qinghe nodded. "I understand."

Then Qinghe turned around, not even glancing at them. "In that case, some matters still need to be settled. Since everyone is here today, it saves the trouble of calling people. Sister, come out."

Qingshan, standing nearby, was slightly stunned by Qinghe’s call. Although she knew Qingyun was technically her senior martial sister, she had not expected her to be here.

Qingyun walked out. Seeing her, Qingshan was slightly stunned. "Aren’t you Yun Qingqing?"

Qingyun smiled faintly. "If you reverse Yun Qing, it becomes Qingyun." She then removed her mask. "There was no other way. I did not wish to engage in daily conflicts with some boring people. I only wanted to end things peacefully, so I appeared in this manner."

Qingyun cupped her fists and bowed to those present. "Senior elders, whether you know me, Qingyun, or not, I ask you all to bear witness."

"Miss Qingyun, what do you wish for us to witness?" asked the head of the Lan family.

Qingyun smiled faintly and then took out a piece of paper. "This is the marriage contract written by the head of the Hong family and my late father back then. The reason I was engaged to Hong Xiao was that the head of the Hong family encountered a Martial Saint robbing them while escorting a precious medicinal herb belonging to the Hong family. My late father happened to pass by. At that time, my late father was also a Martial Saint, so he helped the head of the Hong family overcome this crisis. When the head of the Hong family proposed an alliance through marriage, my late father actually did not agree."