Chapter Text
"It is best to keep the trade route a secret for now. An established relationship between the two realms is sure to give rise to opposition, especially with the high tension." Shen Qingqiu sipped his tea calmly after speaking.
He eyed the giggling toddler that was sitting in his father’s lap warily. even after more than two years, he is still uncomfortable around the child. Binghe appeared to be very much like a normal child and showed no hints of possessing any memories of the Past life but despite that, everyone will remain on the edge until he reaches an age where they can tell for certain.
Shen Qingqiu sat in a meeting room in the northern Demon Realm palace along with Tianlang-jun, Mobei-jun, and Shang Qinghua. Su Xiyan opted not to join them since she had a sect to run. Although this meeting is meant to be confidential, the peak lords were very much aware of it and in fact encouraged it.
Tianlang-jun whined "Augh! This will not change the public perception of demons if it's a secret!"
"This is just temporary! If the demon realm prospers then attacks on the human realm will decrease, sects are bound to notice that and a more public peace treaty will be more accepted" noted Shang Qinghua.
"Right now, we'll keep supplying the demon realm with resources, and once the crops that our agriculture peak has provided grow and locally sourced resources are established, only then we can begin talking about anything public.
A marriage between a demon and a human cultivator should make the treaty more real in the eyes of the humans..."
"Multiple marriages... " Mobei-jun interrupted Shen Qingqiu and quickly blushed when everyone's eyes fell on him.
He coughed awkwardly into his fist "Multiple marriages are better than only Tianlang-jun marriage to Lady Su."
Shen Qingqiu his smile behind his fan as his eyes twinkled with a knowing gleam as he looked at a clueless Shang Qinghua.
"Of course. Mobei-jun is correct."
Tianlang-jun looked curiously between the two. "Does that mean that Master Shen is agreeing to marry Zhuzhi-lang?"
Shen Qingqiu slapped his fan on the table with anger "For the one-hundredth time! I'm in a relationship with Yue Qingyuan!"
Tianlang-jun smiled as he rubbed his chin "Zhuzhi-lang wouldn't mind being a second husband"
"I don't need a second husband! I don't need a first one!"
Tianlang-jun and Shang Qinghua sighed in pity "Poor Yue Shixiong…"
Shen Qingqiu fanned himself “Yue Qingyuan does not wish to marry and this master does not mind. Things are great between us and there is no need to complicate them.”
Although he won’t admit it out loud, deep down he wishes that things between him and Qi-Ge become official. Yue Qingyuan is popular. He is handsome, kind, and reliable. And even though Shen Qingqiu knows that Qi-Ge loves him, a marriage will still make him safer in his position beside Yue Qingyuan. He knows how many Shimeis and shidis are hoping for a fallout between them to swoop in to gain Yue Qingyuan’s favor.
The loud bubbling of Binghe snapped him out of his thoughts. Binghe extended his arms towards Shen Qingqiu and his father let him waddle his way to Shen Qingqiu’s lap. Despite his discomfort, Shen Qingqiu still received him, which produced a happy squeal from Binghe.
“I’m glad to see you two getting along,” Tinalang-jun spoke with a parental tone that Shen Qingqiu scoffed at. “He is a baby.”
Tianlang-jun laughed “Yet he clearly likes Master Shen!” Binghe did not look like a human child. There was no seal on his demonic heritage and he had worn his demonic mark and red eyes since birth. After moments of holding the smiling baby, Shen Qingqiu gave him back to his father, he still had a long way before he could completely accept that this was not the monster he created in his past life.
Qinghua left with his demon boyfriend to the northern realm and he flew back and landed in the town at the mountain’s base. It was late at night when he arrived. Many shops have closed but most are still open since disciples tended to visit the town at night. He walked leisurely while fanning himself and occasionally nodded in greeting at disciples who recognized him. These past few weeks he rarely had a moment of solitude with the planning of the ascension. It is maddening how much his life changed since he traveled to this life six years ago, how in such a short time compared to his past life as an immortal, he managed to mend his relationship with all his martial siblings and especially Yue Qi. At one point in his life, Shen Qingqiu was certain that he would never experience happiness. But he was granted a second chance. He glanced at the street in front of him with a mixture of melancholy and hope.
He was weirded out by how many disciples around him smiled at him and congratulated him, he assumed it was because he was set to ascend as a peak lord in a month but the timing was odd. “shixiong!” three of his peak’s shimeis walked up to him with large smiles and teary eyes. One of them clasped her hands “I’m so happy for you shixiong!! Congratulations!”
Shen Qingqiu answered in bewilderment “thank you…?”
“How come shixiong didn’t inform any of us about anything? We would’ve loved helping in the preparation.” Another shimei answered in sadness
He was more puzzled now. As he was about to ask what they meant, he was interrupted by a shout “XIAO JIU!” Shen Qingqiu looked up to see Yue Qingyuan speeding his way on Xuan Su and landing right in front of him. “I NEED TO SPEAK WITH YOU PRIVATELY!” everyone was startled by how loud he spoke but before anyone could comment, Yue Qingyuan grabbed Shen Qingqiu’s wrist and ran away.
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“What is wrong!” Shen Qingqiu asked as he panted. They stood in the field of flowers by the river where they once had a picnic in.
“Xiao Jiu…” a soft blush covered Yue Qingyuan’s face. He walked closer to Shen Jiu and took his hands into his.
“What is wrong? Did something happen?” Shen Qingqiu spoke with a worried voice. “No! I mean yes! I mean no nothing is wrong and yes something happened.” Yue Qingyuan closed his eyes and his face blushed further then he took a deep breath and continued speaking
“Xiao Jiu. I do not wish to be presumptuous or pressure you into something that you might not be comfortable with. it’s just that this Qi-Ge feels that these past years we have reached a level in our relationship that we or at least I only dreamed of and the reality is that for me this does feel like a dream. I want to spend every conceivable moment of my life around you and while I realize that this is not possible, I wish to spend every moment I could with you!
In the past, I was foolish and cost both you and me a lifetime together. But now I have been granted a second chance and I don’t wish to make the same mistake again.”
Shen Qingqiu stayed silent throughout Yue Qingyuan’s whole monologue, stunned. “What I wish to tell you is, Xiao Jiu, I wish for us to marry.” Shen Qingqiu’s eyes widened and he remained speechless. In a panic, Yue Qingyuan hastily added “You don’t have to agree to marry me! As long as you stay with me forever!” this caused him to be hit on the head by Shen Qingqiu’s fan. “Have I ever given you a reason that I don’t share the same feeling? How dare you question my commitment! Of course, I will marry you! You have always been rightfully mine Qi-Ge and it’s about damn time everyone else realizes it! So, you better…” he was interrupted by Yue Qingyuan picking him up and spinning him while gleefully laughing. Shen Qingqiu blushed hard “What are you doing you idiot! Someone could see!”
“Xiao Jiu! I love you!” and he kissed him. Shen Qingqiu melted into Yue Qingyuan’s arms, after he separated, they looked at each other. And he replied warmly “I love you too”
“I’m so glad you agreed! Because it would’ve been so awkward to tell Shizun since he is already planning the wedding.”
“Wait what?”