Carrying a stomach full of bewilderment, Fanli returned home to finish her preparations and headed to the wedding with Dangdang.
The Aeolian Palace was a massive, blue, streamlined structure that stood alone in the center of the vast blue ocean. Coral flowers bloomed in the surrounding waters, and the palace was enveloped in a mysterious, multicolored glow. Its magnificent silver gates stood tall, welcoming the shadows of thousands of merfolk swimming toward it.
While still hundreds of meters away, Fanli could hear the clamor of voices and the melodious, sacred strains of harp music. The closer she drew to the palace, the more she appreciated the architectural beauty of the building. The music was so divine and serene it felt as though one’s heart were melting into paradise.
“Wow, they even set up a pair of statues!” Dangdang looked toward the plaza, her hands clasped in front of her chest and her tail wagging vigorously. “It truly lives up to its reputation as the ‘Wedding of the Century’!”
In the plaza before the palace gates stood gilded statues of the bride and groom, gazed upon by guests who swarmed like ants. Fanli took a clear look at them, frowned, and turned her head away, pointing at the statues. “Those two... are husband and wife?”
“Well, obviously,” Dangdang said matter-of-factly.
“That man is Buke Ni?”
“Yes.”
Within the Buke Clan, although Buke Ni was only a member of a collateral branch, he was still a Clan God Descendant of pure blood.
The so-called “Clan God Descendants” referred to the progeny of the Seven Clan Gods of the Holy Sea. These seven gods were deities manifested from the seven spiritual fragments of Deep Blue, the Lord of the Infinite Ocean. They respectively represented Deep Blue’s Justice, Beauty, Bravery, Holiness, Selflessness, Mercy, and Peace. Their titles in the Ancient Sea Language also carried the meanings of these seven words. Consequently, compared to other Sea God Races, the Clan God Descendants possessed longer lifespans, greater arcane talent, and nobler bloodlines.
The Clan God Descendant “Buke,” who guarded the Red Moon Sea, meant “Beauty” in the Ancient Sea Language. In other words, they were a blessing to any visual lover. Thus, it wasn't strange at all that Yeja looked the way he did.
Fanli had assumed that everyone in the Buke Clan shared Yeja’s aesthetic. She never expected that Buke Ni would be a portly man who looked like a human in his fifties.
Actually, it wasn't strange for a middle-aged or elderly man to look like that, but the statue beside him was of Miss Bubble. How high was Miss Bubble’s beauty rating? If someone were to say she and Yeja were an ill-matched pair in terms of looks, they would feel a pang of conscience.
Comparing the two statues side-by-side was nothing short of eyesore-inducing.
Though Fanli wasn't a hardcore visual lover, seeing such a jarring pairing still made her feel a bit uneasy. “...Didn't you say they met at the Arcane Academy? Why does this groom look like he’s not much younger than our Dean...”
“Mr. Buke Ni isn't from our year; he graduated over twenty thousand years ago. He met Miss Bubble when he came to the school to discuss investments.”
“This Mr. Buke Ni certainly has a long lifespan...”
“That’s nothing. Ordinary Sea God Races have lifespans of five to ten thousand years. He’s a Clan God Descendant; it wouldn't be strange for him to live to forty thousand.”
“What about Miss Bubble?”
“Miss Bubble is of the Scorpionfish race. Their average lifespan is around eight hundred and fifty years.”
“Then... won't she and Buke Ni be unable to grow old together?”
“That’s true, but don't you think that’s actually romantic? This way, her entire life is spent under this man’s protection!”
“And yet his life is spent with the company of countless women. After she dies, he can just keep marrying many more wives.”
“Oh, Fanli, can’t you be a little less rational? Once you’re dead, you’re dead; who cares who he marries afterward? All I know is that for her entire life, she will have the best material comforts and the devotion of a man with the noblest blood. I think the people attacking her are just jealous.”
“Jealous of Miss Bubble?” At that moment, a girl from the Arcane Academy passed by and happened to overhear Dangdang. She chuckled softly. “Yes, yes, I’m jealous. Jealous that the life of the child in her womb is over before it even began. Jealous that she’s worse off than an incestuous marriage—after all, incest only produces idiots.”
“She’s talking about you! You’ll never reach her heights in your life!” Dangdang pulled Fanli away in a huff, distancing them from the others.
“What did she mean by that?” Fanli asked curiously. “What’s wrong with the child in her womb?”
“Reproductive isolation. But so what? She’s much happier than those breeding maniacs. Look at her pregnancy photos; they’re full of the radiance of maternal love. Just let those sour lemons stay bitter until they die!”
As it turned out, the Sea God Race forbade intermarriage with other races because they were reproductively isolated from the Hunter and Marine Races. Their offspring were sterile, much like a mule born from a horse and a donkey.
The impression at the gate was one thing, but when Fanli saw the actual newlyweds, she realized the statues had significantly beautified Buke Ni. He was portly with a receding hairline, and even his meticulously designed clothes couldn't hide his beer belly. Miss Bubble, on the other hand, had a slightly protruding lower abdomen that didn't detract from her beauty in the slightest. Her face was small and full, her skin like an eggshell; she looked better without makeup, and even with it, she looked natural.
If someone said they were father and daughter, everyone would believe it. If someone claimed he was the bride’s younger-looking grandfather, many would be willing to believe that too.
Furthermore, he had already been divorced twice. His eldest son already had two children of his own. Miss Bubble was his third wife. By marrying Buke Ni, she not only gained a child who could never have descendants but also a group of children and even grandchildren who were much older than her.
However, that was only the impression from the waist up. If one ignored their upper bodies and looked only at their tails, they would see that Buke Ni’s tail was the Golden Radiance Fin—the symbol of the Seven Clan Gods’ descendants. It was as dazzling as leaping flecks of gold, and his caudal fin was two or three times larger than that of an ordinary sea dweller. Miss Bubble’s tail was a common pink tail, her pink fins like transparent gauze—full of youthful charm, but devoid of any power.
Fanli finally understood why this wedding was so controversial.
The groom and bride were warmly receiving every guest in the reception hall. Miss Bubble was clearly not as much in her element as Buke Ni; she tried to appear close to her husband, but it only gave off the vibe of a daughter acting spoiled with her father.
Dangdang was moved by their “love” and frequently offered blessings to Miss Bubble, but the bride was likely too nervous and didn't seem particularly appreciative. Unable to pull Dangdang away, Fanli simply went inside first.
In the open-air music hall, they kept a humpback whale specifically for singing. Its humming was soothing and moving, serving as an accompaniment to the bards and choirs inside.
Fanli sat in a corner and ate some snacks, listening to a few people nearby discussing gossip from the Holy Capital.
One boy said, “What’s going on with Holy Yejana lately? Of the two princesses, one is dead and the other is critically ill.”
His female companion replied, “Lord Su Shiye is so pitiful. One was his fiancée and the other is his sister. I wonder if it will affect his rule.”
“He won't be too heartbroken. His engagement to Princess Fengjin was a political marriage to begin with. Don't forget, his ‘Ether Body’ sounds very high-end, and his hair is pure white just like a Clan God Descendant’s, making it seem like he’s a natural match for them. But biologically speaking, the ‘Ether Body’ has nothing to do with the Sea God Race; he still falls under the Hunter Race classification. He married Princess Fengjin to consolidate his religious and racial status. Now that he’s already the Dictator, Princess Fengjin’s passing won't have much impact. He can even logically take over her homeland—if they don't submit, he’ll fight. He won't be constrained by her clan anymore.”
“You’re making the Lord Dictator sound too villainous! Clearly, the way they looked at each other was love!” the girl insisted.
“I give up on you. If a politician can't even handle basic acting, what kind of politician would they be?”
“I don't care! In my heart, the Lord Dictator loved Princess Fengjin. I ship them! They knew each other for a long time; they were a match made in heaven. Their love isn't cold like you say!”
“Stop arguing,” another boy interjected. “All this talk of love is so childish. What Su Shiye loves is power.”
“I second that. A woman’s logic is just silly-sweet,” the first boy said.
“Don't you dare throw mud at the Lord Dictator!”
The second boy said excitedly, “How is this throwing mud? Su Shiye isn't from a prestigious family; he worked his way up from a nobody. If he relied only on kindness and good luck, he wouldn't be the idol of so many men. He was able to pursue Princess Fengjin from his position because while the Clan God Descendants were still eating with silver spoons, he was already among the great generals, having seen the full extent of human cruelty and war. This man is a master of strategy, deeply calculating, ruthless to his enemies, and kind to his own, yet he always shows people exactly the side he wants them to see. His charisma, ambition, and aspirations are everything women like, not to mention his decisiveness and wisdom...”
Another girl raised her hand, cutting off his uncontrollable fanboying.
“Let me interject. I’m not interested in your other topics, but Princess Fengjin marrying the Dictator has nothing to do with the flattery you’re spewing. As a woman, I’ll tell you the real reason he caught Saint Fengjin.” She pointed to her own face. “It was this.”
“Bullshit. If it was just about the face, why didn't she marry Buke Yeja?”
“Hilarious. Does Buke Yeja have Su Shiye’s overbearing aura?”
“Aren't you slapping your own face? You just said a man’s ambition isn't important...”
“Are ambition and an overbearing aura the same thing?”
“Aren't they?!”
...
The two were getting more and more childish in their bickering. Halfway through listening, a waiter approached Fanli, holding up a tray filled with fresh shellfish dipped in sauce. “Miss, would you like a snack?”
“No, thank you... Huh?!” Fanli was surprised. The man dressed as a waiter was Mr. Red.
“Fanli, what a coincidence! I’m here to make some extra money on the side. I didn't expect to run into...” As he spoke, someone bumped into Mr. Red. A necklace he was clutching in one hand was accidentally knocked flying. He quickly caught it and stuffed it back into his bag. “Um, I have some things to do. I’ll get back to work.”
“Oh, okay.”
At
