“But…” Meng Ruji looked at Miaomiao with an almost pleading tone, “In these desolate mountains and wilderness, we don’t have the conditions for a wedding ceremony with flowers and moonlight…”
Miaomiao smiled very sweetly and took out the small money pouch from her embrace. This was what Meng Ruji had just helped her snatch back from the bandits.
At this moment, looking at this bag of money, Meng Ruji felt joyful for the first time in a while.
Miaomiao held out the money pouch, offering it to Meng Ruji: “Sister Ruji, consider this my wedding gift money for you both.”
As she said this, Miaomiao’s hand began flickering in and out of visibility again, as if in the next instant, she would be carried away by the night wind.
“I know you’re capable and know magic. Can you fulfill my wish?”
Meng Ruji’s heart immediately softened, half helpless and half tender: “Then so be it.”
But unexpectedly, as soon as she finished speaking, a cold voice came from the side: “Did I agree to this?”
Meng Ruji looked incredulously toward the source of the voice—that man.
Mu Sui had a cold, numb expression, completely unmoved.
Meng Ruji turned to look at the somewhat disappointed Miaomiao, then smiled, taking the money pouch from Miaomiao’s hands while comforting her: “I’ll accept the gift money. This ceremony will happen—don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
Miaomiao’s hope was rekindled, and she nodded vigorously.
Meng Ruji turned around, her face also growing cold as she walked up to Mu Sui: “Get up. Let’s talk.”
Mu Sui didn’t dawdle either. He stood up, brushed off his clothes, and followed Meng Ruji to the other side of the forest.
Seeing the campfire’s light grow more distant, Meng Ruji stopped, crossed her arms, and looked at Mu Sui with irritation:
“Can’t you let me have peace of mind for even one day? Weren’t you just saying ‘until death do us part’? Since you won’t agree to divorce anyway, is it so difficult to perform a ceremony with me under flowers and moonlight?”
Mu Sui also crossed his arms, distant and cold, speaking bluntly: “It’s unnecessary. You and I came together for profit. Marriage is just acting out a fake play. She’s a dying person—what meaning is there in watching a fake performance?”
“The meaning to her isn’t for you and me to judge.” Meng Ruji held the money pouch, staring directly at Mu Sui. “The money is with me. If you agree, we’ll perform this play well. If you don’t agree, I’ll use magic to tie you up and force you through this performance.”
As her words fell, the forest fell into brief silence.
Meng Ruji held up three fingers: “I’ll count to three. If you don’t agree, I’ll tie you up.”
“One.” She lowered one finger.
Mu Sui’s lips turned downward.
“Two.” The second finger went down.
When the third finger moved, Mu Sui spoke: “Bowing in ceremony won’t work.”
“Why?”
Mu Sui looked elsewhere, saying coldly, “No one is worthy of receiving my bow. I also have no elders.”
“Then flowers and moonlight should be fine?”
Mu Sui didn’t object.
Seeing this, Meng Ruji pressed her advantage: “Bowing to heaven and earth should be acceptable.” Meng Ruji lowered her hands. “Are heaven and earth also unworthy of your bow?”
Mu Sui didn’t respond but maintained his stubborn attitude. Meng Ruji had to retreat a step: “Fine, no bowing. Flowers and moonlight, just for show, bowing toward the distance—that should work!”
The matter was thus settled.
Without delay, it would happen tonight.
Miaomiao said there was no need to calculate auspicious days or wait for auspicious times. When two people were together, that was the best time. She had the regret of missing out, so she wanted to place all beautiful things in the present moment.
Meng Ruji used the silver money Miaomiao gave her to set up a formation in the forest.
When the formation activated, light revolved, transforming the moon of the Land of No Return into a mortal realm moon, changing their clothes into wedding garments of the mortal world.
Ye Chuan grilled a pile of mountain yams and fish as the wedding banquet dishes.
Tuzi ran around picking many flowers.
Miaomiao sat in the center position, a gentle smile constantly on her lips. She watched them with curved eyes, as if seeing through years and separation, truly seeing the past.
Meng Ruji used the flowers Tuzi picked to weave two fresh flower bracelets. She wore one on her right hand and handed the other to Mu Sui.
“Wear it on your left hand.”
Mu Sui took the flower bracelet, looking at Meng Ruji: “Do mortal weddings also give these?”
“Hengxu Mountain weddings give these.” Meng Ruji said, “When juniors marry, I weave a flower wreath for them. When I marry myself, naturally, I should have one too.”
Mu Sui was startled, examining the flower wreath.
It was woven very well, and the small wildflowers on it were blooming perfectly.
He hadn’t gotten the grass cape or worn a flower crown, but he had a small flower bracelet that no one else had…
Seeing him hold it for a long time without putting it on his wrist, Meng Ruji found him slow and snatched the bracelet back, grabbing Mu Sui’s left hand and putting it on him without explanation.
A branch in the woven bracelet stuck out and caught on Mu Sui’s finger. Meng Ruji called out “Wait” and moved closer to him, reweaving the protruding branch back into the pattern.
She didn’t know that the moment she leaned closer, Mu Sui held his breath slightly.
The headdress created by magic wasn’t real, and the golden phoenix bead curtain swayed on her head. The illusory light and shadow passed through his nose and eyelids, casting brilliance into his eyes.
Meng Ruji, bent over weaving the flower bracelet at his wrist, seemed to flash with light at that moment, causing Mu Sui a moment of distraction. As if… their fake play was about to become real.