Ye Changsheng walked with Yun Fei through the Ye Clan inner courtyard, his expression relaxed, his posture almost casual. The robes he wore were modest today—simple white with black trim. Nothing that screamed influence, but clean and noble. Yun Fei was dressed similarly, her pale green robe cinched neatly at the waist, a small hairpin shaped like a lily tucked into her coiled hair. Her demeanor, like always, was flawless. Polite smiles, graceful nods, and posture so perfect it might've been drawn by an artist. But her eyes didn't stop moving.
Every turn in the path, every servant who bowed too low, every junior disciple who avoided eye contact—she took it all in.
"They respect you," she murmured as they passed through the southern walkway. "Or fear you. Maybe both."
Changsheng glanced at her. "They respect the position. The name. Not me.You think that now. Give it time."
At the main pavilion, clan members had already begun to gather. Changsheng's return from Clear Sky City was officially over a week ago, but between the wedding and settling back in, today was the first open gathering. A formal one, hosted by the First Matriarch herself.
Uncle Tianlu was there, dressed in ceremonial black. His nod to Changsheng was brief but warm. "Still lean, boy. Clear Sky City didn't feed you enough."
Changsheng laughed. "I was too busy counting spirit stones."
Yun Fei was introduced with restrained enthusiasm. The elders were respectful, especially Grandfather Ye Xuefeng. He greeted her with a short but formal blessing, eyes sharp.
"Hello, Grandfather," she said with calm precision.
The family meal was boisterous. Dishes rolled out in waves—lotus duck, golden trout, honey-glazed pork, jade leaf dumplings. No empty ceremony. The food was good, the wine flowed, and so did the teasing.
Ye Changrui leaned in with a grin. "So, marriage suits you. You've been walking around like a man who found a secret inheritance."
"Jealous?" Changsheng shot back, raising his cup.
Ye Changjian, more quiet, just gave him a slight nod. "You seem settled."
From further down the table, Ye Ruimei, one of the Rui generation—nieces by seniority but already a mid Foundation Building cultivator—raised her glass to Yun Fei. "Your poise is impressive. We look forward to seeing what you bring to the clan."
Yun Fei returned the toast without blinking. "I only hope to be useful."
"Useful and strong," muttered Ruichen, another Rui-gen nephew, younger and less subtle. "Spirit Needle Pavilion's new missus."
"Speak less, cousin," said Ruijun from beside him, clearly annoyed.
Yun Fei caught Changsheng's eye with a slight smile. Under the table, her fingers brushed against his.
The conversations eventually broke into smaller groups. Some Rui-gen members lingered near Yun Fei, curious but cautious. Others grilled Changsheng about his time in Clear Sky City, business, and the robe shop.
"It's just a storefront," he said, brushing off the praise. "Small one. Made a few changes."
Ruimei squinted at him. "He says that, but Aunt Lianhua said the interior was like a noble pavilion."
"Aunt exaggerates."
"She doesn't exaggerate profits," muttered Ye Ruixian. "He bought a Second-grade fan for Uncle Changhu."
"Business is business," Changsheng said.
Later in the evening, as the gathering wound down, Grandfather Xuefeng stood.
"The clan welcomes Yun Fei," he said. "But more importantly, we mark the return of one of our own. Ye Changsheng, you left a boy. You've returned a man. That deserves more than words. The clan recognises your efforts in Spirit Needle Pavilion. You have exceeded everyone's expectations and made the store the most profitable robe shop in Clear Sky City."
He stepped forward and handed him a small box.
Inside, a jade slip. Old, faded, but laced with Qi.
"Your grandmother's early notes on talisman inscription. She wrote these after she reached Foundation. I think she'd want you to have them."
Changsheng's throat tightened a little. Not emotion. Just weight.
"Thank you, Grandfather."
"Make something of it."
The hall murmured in approval. Yun Fei bowed again, low and proper.
That night, walking back toward their quarters, Yun Fei said, "They like you more than you think."
Changsheng shrugged. "I know."
"And they expect much more than you let on."
"Maybe."
She laced her fingers through his.
"Good. So do I."
Later that night, after they had washed and changed, Yun Fei climbed into bed first, already wearing a soft silk sleeping robe.
As Changsheng laid down beside her, she glanced over with a smirk. "You've got that look again."
"What look?"
She tapped his forehead. "The one that says you're thinking about my chest."
He didn't deny it. Instead, he tucked his arm under her and turned, letting his head rest right against her chest, eyes closed.
"Perfect pillow," he murmured.
Yun Fei raised a brow. "You're obsessed."
"You're warm, cute And soft. And married to me."
She laughed, the sound quiet in the dark room. "You're shameless."
"And lucky."
She stroked his hair, fingers slow. "Sleep, husband. You'll need energy tomorrow."
He murmured something incoherent. His breathing evened out. Face still buried, content.
She stared at the ceiling a while, one hand resting lightly on the back of his head, expression unreadable.
Then she smiled.