A person sacrifices himself to become a saint in a chaotic world of martial arts.

Chapter 129 Ning Qingyue's Wedding

Is her talent inferior to Ning Tianyi's?

She recalled that over the years, the resources she had used for cultivation were only half of his, or even less.

Ning Tianyi has a dedicated cultivation chamber, receives personal guidance from family elders, and has a continuous supply of elixirs.

She could only rely on herself to explore and accumulate knowledge little by little.

If we start from the same point and have the same resources—

She shook her head, banishing the thought from her mind.

unrealistic.

This has always been the rule of aristocratic families.

How could she possibly compare to the status of the eldest son of the legitimate wife?

She raised her head, her gaze calm as still water.

"Elder, Yuechan does not wish for any reward."

"Oh?" Ning Yuanshan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Then what do you want?"

Ning Yuechan took a deep breath and slowly recounted the whole story.

The story begins with the rivalry between the Ning and Li families, then moves on to Li Yuehu's imprisonment, and finally to the prison warden Su Baike's diligent work, which benefits the Ning family.

She spoke in detail, yet with clear logic and distinct words.

"Now the Li family wants to take revenge on Su Bai, and he is being harassed." Ning Yuechan's voice was calm and unhurried. "This matter originated from my Ning family. If we sit idly by, we may discourage people's hearts."

The elders in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Who is Su Bai?" an elder asked.

"He's the jailer in Fenjiang County, at the early stage of True Qi Realm," Ning Yuechan replied. "But he's extremely talented and about my age. If he gets the resources he needs, he might just make it onto the new talent list next year."

"Hmph, he only reached his current level and cultivation by borrowing the power of my Ning family. Without my Ning family, what would he be?" an elder said with some dissatisfaction.

"You can't say that. In any case, I think it's worth it for him to be able to enter the True Qi Realm at such a young age."

"It's just a new talent list." The elder waved his hand dismissively. "Even if a jailer at the early stage of the True Qi Realm makes it onto the new talent list, he'll only be at the bottom. And whether he can even make it is another question. Which of my Ning family's direct descendants isn't at the True Qi Realm? Such a person isn't worth the trouble." Another elder spoke up.

In fact, what these elders said is quite true.

Ning Yuechan helped Su Bai a lot.

Without this help, even if Su Bai were a genius, he would still be worn down by the world.

It will take him a lot of effort to get to where he is today.

Ning Yuechan pursed her lips.

"Sixth Elder is right. The members of my Ning family are all extraordinary." Her voice remained calm. "But this matter arose because of my Ning family. Even if Su Bai does not achieve greater success in the future, my Ning family should still lend a helping hand. Otherwise, if word gets out, outsiders will say that the Ning family is ungrateful and abandons its benefactors."

"If we ruin the family's reputation, who will dare to work for the Ning family in the future?"

These words, though spoken neither too lightly nor too harshly, hit the nail on the head.

Several elders in the hall nodded slightly, but most of them remained indifferent.

After a moment of silence, Elder Ning Yuanshan slowly spoke: "Yuechan, there are some things you don't know."

Ning Yuechan looked up at him.

"The Ning family's current situation is far more complicated than you imagine."

Ning Yuanshan sighed, his voice lowering, "You think our struggle with the Li family is just a matter between the two families? You're wrong. The four great families of Fengshan County appear to be unrelated on the surface, but their interests are intertwined behind the scenes, and a single move can have far-reaching consequences."

"Although my Ning family is the second most powerful family, second only to the Wang family, that's precisely why the Wang family doesn't want to see us grow stronger."

Ning Yuechan's heart skipped a beat.

"Why do you think we were constantly at a disadvantage in this conflict with the Li family? Why did things end up being left unresolved even though we were clearly in the right?" Ning Yuanshan looked at her, his gaze deep. "Because the Wang family intervened."

The hall was completely silent.

Ning Yuechan stood in the hall, speechless for a long time.

The hall was dimly lit, with three bronze incense burners placed on the offering table. Wisps of sandalwood smoke rose, twisting and spreading in the air before finally dissipating among the carved beams and painted rafters. The smoke was strong, almost pungent.

She took a deep breath, and the smoke entered her lungs, bringing a burning, stinging sensation.

Then she continued speaking.

"I am willing to give up all the rewards I will receive this year, as well as the share of pills I will receive at the end of the year, and return them all to the family—"

"Your reward?" Ning Bokang laughed, his laughter echoing in the empty hall, bouncing off the walls and sounding particularly jarring. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his gaze sweeping over Ning Yuechan's face with undisguised contempt. "What can you do with what you have?"

Ning Yuechan gritted her teeth, her cheek muscles taut. Her fingers gripped her sleeve so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"Regardless of the circumstances, Su Bai is a member of the Ning family in the eyes of outsiders. If the Ning family just stands by and watches him be killed by the Li family, what kind of people would the Ning family become?"

"Hmph, you're really going to use both soft and hard tactics on the family." The Second Elder, Ning Boming, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. He had been keeping his eyes half-closed, but now he opened them, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing straight at Ning Yuechan.

Ning Boming stood up, the hem of his brocade robe trailing on the ground with a soft rustling sound. He walked slowly towards Ning Yuechan, each step heavy, the soles of his boots landing on the blue bricks with a dull thud.

"Is Su Bai worth this? Your family has raised you for over twenty years, what an immense debt of gratitude! Have you repaid it?" He stopped in front of Ning Yuechan, looking down at her with piercing eyes. "What are you doing now? You're handing over the family's wealth to an outsider!"

Ning Yuechan's face turned pale.

The whiteness spread from her cheeks to her lips, even draining their color. Her body swayed, like a withered leaf blown by the wind.

"What have I become?" Ning Boming pressed on, his voice growing louder and louder, echoing through the hall. He extended a finger, almost poking Ning Yuechan's face. "The legacy passed down from our ancestors—do you think you can decide for yourself? The lives of over a hundred members of the Ning family—are you in charge of those lives too? We've already said that the family has no choice right now, and that's it, understand?"

Ning Yuechan's eyelashes trembled.

"I----"

"What do you mean, 'what the hell'?!" Ning Boming flicked his sleeve, creating a gust of wind that dispersed the sandalwood smoke nearby. "What you need to do now is to do your own job!" He turned around, his back to Ning Yuechan, his voice as cold as ice shards in the dead of winter. "Alright, there's no need to discuss this anymore. The family won't interfere with Su Bai's side."

Ning Yuechan suddenly looked up: "Second Elder!"

Her voice was sharp, with a hint of hoarseness like tearing silk.

Ning Boyong waved his hand.

His gesture was casual, like shooing away an unruly cat or dog. He didn't even glance at Ning Yuechan; his gaze was fixed on the bronze incense burner on the offering table, as if the rising smoke was more important than the living person before him.

"Go down."

The three words, though light and airy, struck Ning Yuechan's heart like three stones.

Ning Yuechan felt a bone-chilling coldness throughout her body.

The chill rose from the soles of her feet, creeping up her legs, across her waist and abdomen, across her chest, and finally freezing her heart. She stood there, her body stiff, like a piece of dead wood.

She looked at the elders in front of her, observing the indifference, annoyance, or impatience on their faces.

Ning Bokang had already picked up his teacup and was drinking, not even glancing at her. Ning Boming had his back to her, his back as hard as a rock. Ning Boyong's gaze remained fixed on the incense burner, the smoke blurring his face.

"Yuechan takes her leave."

She bent down and bowed deeply.

As she stood up, she took a step back.

Taking the first step back, my legs felt weak.

I took a second step back, and my knees trembled.

Taking the third step back, my eyes started to sting.

She blinked hard, forcing back the sour feeling.

The door slowly closed behind us with a creak, shutting out the sandalwood incense rising from the three bronze incense burners. The gap narrowed until it finally clicked shut completely.

Ning Yuechan stood under the eaves, looking up at the sky.

The eaves of the corridor are upturned, flying like wings, and a string of copper bells hangs from the corners of the eaves, tinkling when the wind blows. But at this moment there is no wind, and the copper bells hang silently, like a group of mute people.

The sky was gray.

Thick clouds pressed down, layer upon layer, piling up as if about to collapse. Not a ray of sunlight could be seen through the gaps in the clouds, and the entire sky looked like a huge, dusty old cloth.

She remembered what she had said to Su Bai.

She will definitely give Su Bai an explanation.

Now he's caught in a whirlpool because of her, and his future and even his life are uncertain.

As for her family, her relatives, Ning Yuechan closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the cold air.

The air rushed into her lungs, and the coolness made her shiver.

"Sister Yuechan?"

Ning Yuechan opened her eyes and saw a girl in a pale yellow dress walking towards her.

The girl's steps were light and quick, her skirt fluttering slightly with each step, like a butterfly in flight. She was strikingly beautiful, with a hint of a smile in her eyes and a gentle curve to her lips; it was Ning Qingyue.

"Qingyue." Ning Yuechan forced a smile. The smile was stiff, only the corners of her mouth moving, but there was no joy in her eyes. "Why are you here?"

"The Grand Elder summoned me." Ning Qingyue walked briskly to her side, lowering her voice. She leaned close, and Ning Yuechan could smell the fragrance of jasmine on her body, sweet and pleasant. "What brings you here, sister? Why do you look so pale?"

Ning Yuechan shook her head and didn't say anything.

Ning Qingyue didn't press further, but simply smiled and said, "Then I'll go in first. The Grand Elder is waiting."

She pushed the door open, a sliver of light peeked through the crack, and then it quickly closed again.

The beam of light shone on Ning Yuechan's face, flashing by and leaving a brief warmth before being swallowed up by the cold, gray darkness.

Ning Yuechan should have left.

But she stopped in her tracks as if possessed, and stood in the shadows under the eaves, waiting.

The shadows under the eaves were dark, like an invisible wall separating her from the outside world. She leaned against a red-lacquered pillar, its paint peeling off in several places to reveal the grayish-white wood beneath.

She didn't know what she was waiting for.

In the courtyard outside the corridor, there is an old locust tree. Most of its leaves have fallen, and the few remaining withered leaves hang on the branches, rustling in the wind.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the door opened.

With a creak, light shone through the crack in the door, followed by the sound of light footsteps.

Ning Qingyue walked out, her face beaming with an irrepressible smile. The smile spilled from the corners of her mouth, spreading to the corners of her eyes and the tips of her eyebrows, making her eyes crinkle like a cat that had just stolen some fish. Her face was glowing rosy in the light of the hall, a stark contrast to Ning Yuechan's paleness.

"Qingyue," Ning Yuechan greeted her, her steps slightly unsteady, "What does the Grand Elder want with you?"

Ning Qingyue glanced at her, her smile deepening. The smile spread across her face like ripples created by a pebble thrown into water.

"It's nothing major, we just reconsidered my marriage."

As she spoke, she reached up and smoothed a stray hair at her temple. The movement was elegant and composed, tinged with a hint of pride.

"Today, the Grand Elder said he has arranged a marriage for me with the young master of the Hao family. Do you know the Hao family, sister? It's the Hao family in the east of the city. They're in the medicinal herb business, incredibly wealthy, and they even have two elders at the True Qi Realm level."

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled, like two black grapes soaking in clear water.

"I've met the young master of the Hao family once. He's handsome and has a good temperament." She paused, two blushes rising on her cheeks. "The Grand Elder said that the betrothal will be arranged in the spring."

Ning Yuechan opened her mouth, but it took her a long time to find her voice. The voice was hoarse, as if it were squeezed out from deep in her throat.

"Well then, congratulations, little sister."

"Thank you, sister." Ning Qingyue took her arm. Ning Yuechan could feel the soft warmth of her arm, a stark contrast to her own cold body. "Sister, don't be sad. What's so great about Su Bai? He's just a poor boy. You don't need to take him too seriously."

Ning Yuechan remained silent.

Ning Qingyue continued speaking to herself, her voice clear and melodious, like a mountain stream.

"People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. He started from humble beginnings; if it weren't for my sister's help, could he have reached where he is today? My sister has already given him more than enough."

Ning Yuechan shook her head and remained silent.

Ning Qingyue added another sentence. She said it so casually, as if she were just saying the weather was nice today.

"If you really feel bad about it, sister, I'll ask the Hao family to help inquire. If something really happened to Su Bai, at least we can collect his body and fulfill your wishes."

Ning Yuechan looked at her, at the innocent and carefree smile on that bright face.

That smile was pure, without a trace of malice, and even carried a hint of genuine concern.

But it was precisely this purity that made Ning Yuechan suddenly unsure of what to say.

She could only nod, her neck stiff as if it had rusted.

"it is good."

Ning Qingyue said a few more words, then took her leave.

As she turned, the hem of her skirt fluttered, its pale yellow color standing out vividly against the gray sky. Her footsteps were light, each one making a crisp sound on the blue bricks, fading into the distance.

Ning Yuechan stood there, watching her departing figure.

The figure grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

Her words, "People strive to rise higher," still echoed in my ears.

Yes, people strive for higher positions.

Ning Qingyue is not wrong.

She chose the young master of the Hao family, a more secure future, and the broad road paved for her by her family.

Any smart girl would make the same choice.

But Ning Yuechan still felt a tightness in her chest.

The feeling of tightness spread from her chest to her throat, as if something was stuck there, unable to be swallowed or spit out. She reached up and pressed her hand to her chest, able to feel her heart beating, one beat after another, heavy and weak.

She didn't know why she felt so suffocated, but she just felt that things shouldn't be like this.

A breeze has picked up outside the corridor.

The wind blew through the old locust tree in the courtyard, and those few withered leaves were finally blown down, swirling and drifting down to land on the blue brick ground.

Ning Yuechan stood under the eaves, looking up at the sky.

The sky was still gray.

She suddenly felt very tired.

The weariness seeped from the very marrow of her bones, flowed through her blood, and spread to every inch of her skin. She leaned against a pillar, which was icy cold; she could feel the chill even through her clothes.