Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. Ningguang, Changmeng, Keqing, and the others saw Jingchen and Columbia's wedding attire.
Their hearts ached, but this time, no one showed any overly emotional reactions.
Expected, and understandable.
At the very least, they couldn't display that kind of heartbreak, jealousy, or regret in public.
Ningguang and Keqing gave their gifts to Columbia, offering only a brief blessing before ascending the steps of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
A girl, unfamiliar yet oddly familiar, appeared before Jingchen and Columbia.
Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, radiating a sense of ethereal beauty.
"Jingchen, it's been a while."
Hearing the familiar voice, Columbia and Jingchen were slightly stunned, and exclaimed in surprise.
"Hu Tao?!"
"Hmm? It's me. What's wrong?"
Columbia still looked at Hu Tao with disbelief. In just a month, the change was so great?!
Her temperament and many other aspects.
It was simply absurd.
Hu Tao took out a portion of the Fairy Treasure that Cloud Retainer had given her and handed it to Columbia.
"Jingchen, Columbia, I wish you happiness."
Behind Hu Tao was Zhongli, his face calm, but subtly radiating the martial god's killing intent.
After the two of them left, Columbia and Jingchen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, the three people behind them truly left Jingchen speechless.
Ganyu was desperately clinging to Shenhe.
"Senior Ganyu, Senior Shenhe? What's going on?!"
"Jingchen!! Run away quickly!! Shenhe wants to forcibly take you back to Liyue!!"
"Huh??"
Just as Jingchen still harbored some doubt about Ganyu's words, Shenhe directly pulled Ganyu forward.
Jingchen lifted Jingchen high in the air with one hand.
"What?!"
Jingchen came to his senses and immediately used his Elemental Skill, temporarily immobilizing Shenhe.
He leaped down, back to Columbia's side.
"Senior Sister Ganyu, what's wrong with Senior Sister Shenhe?"
"Ugh, he heard that getting married is..."
Ganyu roughly explained Shenhe's situation to Jingchen and Columbia.
The two of them couldn't help but frown. Shenhe was really...
Luckily, Shenhe wasn't at the wedding; otherwise, she could have completely ruined Columbia's plans.
"Senior Sister Ganyu, I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on Senior Sister Shenhe. After all, today is very important for both Columbia and me."
Ganyu nodded slightly, firmly holding onto Shenhe, and asked in a low voice.
"Junior Brother Jingchen, didn't your wedding invitation say you were holding the wedding with Yae Miko?!"
Jingchen waved his hand helplessly and smiled.
"Aya, tell Senior Sister Ganyu about your plan."
"Mm."
Ganyu's expression mirrored Cloud Retainer's shock, and even Shenhe beside her looked thoughtful.
Her emotions gradually settled.
"This... Sigh, do as you please. I'll help you if Yae Miko loses control later."
Columbia couldn't help but smile.
"Jingchen, your Senior Sister Ganyu said almost exactly the same thing as your master."
"Well, she is Senior Sister Ganyu, after all."
Seeing the smile on Jingchen's face, Ganyu felt a touch of joy.
Indeed, smiles are contagious! She really wanted to keep watching Junior Brother Jingchen smile.
But she wasn't Columbia, and couldn't stay by his side forever.
Sigh, she could only wish them well.
A trace of sadness flickered in Ganyu's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came. She then pulled Shenhe along, and they ascended towards the Grand Narukami Shrine.
"Jingchen, you go up first. I'll appear when the crucial moment arrives."
"Okay."
The bright moon hung in the sky, and cherry blossoms fell in a melancholic dance. The Grand Narukami Shrine was already packed with people.
Ningguang and Keqing were sitting together, sipping bitter tea.
"Ningguang, why does Yae Miko's voice sound so much like yours?"
"Oh? Like me? Well, I can only say that I don't know."
"Ningguang, Columbia and Jingchen are receiving the greetings outside, but the wedding invitation says Yae Miko and Jingchen?!"
Ningguang smiled faintly. She knew about Yae Miko bullying Jingchen back then.
Now, she probably regrets it a little. Columbia is playing along, giving Yae Miko the biggest lesson of her fox life.
"Keqing, there's going to be a good show later. Let's take it slow."
Hu Tao looked at the stage with anticipation, waiting for Jingchen to hold the wedding.
Sigh, although she isn't the female lead, she's really looking forward to Jingchen making vows to Columbia, and seeing their wedding attire.
Zhongli closed his eyes, sipping sake.
He still regretted, to this day, not keeping Jingchen in Liyue, to let him grow up with Hu Tao.
Oh well, one step at a time.
Kokomi sat alone in the corner, her eyes red as she watched the stage.
Just one last look at him today, and then...
She absolutely, absolutely couldn't miss him anymore, absolutely, absolutely couldn't imagine a future with him.
Childhood sweethearts couldn't compare to the newcomer; the light novels from Yae Publishing House really didn't lie.
Ganyu and Cloud Retainer were desperately holding back Changmeng and Shenhe, those two.
At any moment, someone could rush forward and forcibly take Jingchen back to Liyue.
Raiden Ei stood up, holding sake, and sat in front of Kokomi.
Kokomi was slightly taken aback and wanted to get up and run, but Raiden Ei stopped her.
"Kokomi, today let's not talk about the Grand Narukami Shrine or Watatsumi Island. Let's just talk about Jingchen, okay?"
Kokomi finally nodded and, drinking with Raiden Ei, began to discuss her past with Jingchen.
Among the crowd, a man wearing a large hat smiled faintly.
The Kokomi from Watatsumi Island was actually sitting together with someone, discussing a certain man.
When would Columbia appear at Yae Miko's wedding?!
Heh, how interesting, this has piqued my interest.
Yae Miko and Jingchen were preparing inside.
"Yae Miko, the guests have all arrived, you should hand over the Electro Gnosis!!"
"Oh my, I'm not going to keep it from you, really."
Yae Miko held the Electro Gnosis in her hand, and just as Jingchen reached out to grab it…
She pulled the Electro Gnosis behind her back.
Jingchen leaped forward, this time he wasn't going to let Yae Miko get away with it, forcibly snatching the Electro Gnosis from her hand.
Then, he stood up and prepared to leave.
Yae Miko blinked, slightly taken aback.
"You... what do you mean?! Wait for me!!"
"Yae Miko, I advise you to leave."
"Hmm? Jingchen, what do you mean? Are you trying to scare this shrine maiden?!"
"You're usually so smart, yet at a loss this time, Yae Miko. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Yae Miko was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Oh my, Jingchen, you can't scare this shrine maiden."
As Yae Miko and Jingchen arrived on the stage at the same time, she made a vow that didn't quite sound like one.
"I am the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, hmm. Oh dear, I don't want to say those tedious lines, let's skip to the end.
Jingchen, you will be my husband from now on, do you agree?"
Jingchen closed his eyes tightly, awaiting Columbia's arrival.
"My Jingchen will not agree!! You wretched fox, he's mine, get down here!!"
Tomorrow, tomorrow will be Yae Miko's biggest regret.
.............
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(End of Chapter)