I woke first.
Yun Fei lay with her back turned to me, her long black hair spread across the silk pillow like an ink stain on snow. Her breathing was steady. Calm. The same kind of calm she wore like armor in public.
Last night had been… interesting.
She hadn't pretended to be shy, and I hadn't pretended to be noble. We weren't strangers anymore—at least not completely.
I propped myself up on one elbow and said, "You're awake."
"Mm." Her voice was smooth, muffled slightly by the pillow. "Barely."
"I figured someone who plans five moves ahead would be up reviewing her strategy by now."
She rolled onto her back, pulling the silk blanket up to her chest. Her expression was unreadable—half sleepy, half amused. "Are you always this annoying in the morning?"
"Only when I wake up next to someone dangerously attractive."
"That's unfortunate for you," she said, "since I don't plan to move out of this bed until at least noon."
"Taking your duties as a newlywed seriously, I see."
"Not exactly," she said, eyes flicking toward me. "I'm considering whether it was a mistake to marry a flirt."
I shrugged. "A mistake you were very enthusiastic about last night."
She laughed, a real one this time, light and short. "You're not what I expected."
"Still not sure if that's a good thing?"
"Undecided."
I sat up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "Well, Lady Yun, now that we've consummated our alliance and had a laugh or two, I suppose it's time we talk strategy."
"That was fast," she said. "No pillow talk? No sweet nothings?"
"You don't strike me as the sweet-nothings type."
"You'd be surprised what I'm capable of, given the right incentives."
I turned back toward her. "You planning to seduce me into giving you control of clan resources?"
She smiled again—tight, deliberate. "Seduction isn't always the weapon. Sometimes silence works better. Or competence."
"Spoken like someone who's done it before."
She gave no answer to that—just reached for the silk robe draped over the side of the bed and slipped it on without embarrassment.
"I'm not here to control the Ye Clan," she said, tying the sash with practiced ease. "I'm here to make sure no one controls me."
I liked that answer.
Not because it reassured me. Because it was honest.
I stood. "Then let's make this work, Yun Fei. I didn't marry you to keep you in a room. You're clever, you're capable, and—though you probably don't like hearing it—you're gorgeous. If you've got plans, I want in on them."
She tilted her head, evaluating me again. "And what do I get in return?"
"My trust. My name. My time. Possibly more kids than either of us are ready for."
"That last one's bold."
"I'm an optimist," I said, smiling. "Dangerously so."
We dressed without fuss. Yun Fei picked a pale lavender robe with silver embroidery—subtle, tasteful, noble. I chose a more muted robe myself, something that wouldn't draw too much attention. For once, I didn't feel like standing out.
The moment we stepped out of our private courtyard, the clan servants who had been waiting discreetly sprang into action. Breakfast trays. Tea. Greetings. Bows. And no shortage of long stares—some curious, some amused.
Word had already spread.
Back at the Ye Clan's main compound, the central hall was already busy. My father, Second Elder Ye Tianbao, sat on the right. My mother, Mu Lianhua, stood near the head of the hall arranging flower vases, pretending not to wait for us.
I stepped in first, Yun Fei beside me. She didn't shrink or falter under the weight of the room's attention.
Mother turned first, a soft smile blooming on her face.
"You're late for breakfast," she said gently, eyes glancing to Yun Fei's robes. "But I suppose we'll forgive you just this once."
Yun Fei bowed deeply. "Mu Hall Master. Mother."
Mother walked over, took her hands, and said warmly, "We don't use titles in this house. Just family."
Yun Fei blinked—then nodded with the perfect degree of grace. "Yes… Mother."
My father gave a short nod. "So, this is the girl."
I opened my mouth, but Yun Fei was faster.
"I hope to be more than just a girl to the Ye Clan, Elder Tianbao. I married your son, not your approval—but I would still like to earn both."
Father's eyes narrowed slightly, then a deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. "She's got fire."
I grinned. "Told you."
Before the conversation could go too far, the door slid open again and a stream of familiar voices poured in.
"Is this her?!"
"That's the wife?!"
"Finally! About time, big brother!"
My younger nieces and nephews—all Rui generation—rushed in, their ranks a mix of cultivators ranging from early Qi Condensation to Foundation Building.
Ruiqing, the oldest and the only proper alchemist among them, adjusted her spectacles and nodded in approval. "She has good bone structure and clear spiritual flow. I approve."
Ruihe, a younger troublemaker with wind-aligned spirit roots and a fondness for skipping curfew, elbowed me in the side. "She's too pretty for you, Uncle Changsheng. Be honest, did you beg?"
Ruiya, the healer in training, gave a bow and shy smile. "Congratulations, Aunt Yun."
Yun Fei took it all without missing a beat. A slight nod to Ruiqing. A teasing glance at Ruihe. A soft word to Ruiya. She handled them like a natural.
Then, of course, came the brothers.
Ye Changjian slung his arm around my shoulder. "You really did it, huh? I thought you'd keep flirting with half the city until you were eighty."
Changrui, as always, was more reserved. "If she makes you better, that's all that matters to me."
"She does," I said. And I meant it.
Uncle Tianxu arrived late with three jars of wine and said something about tradition. Mother rolled her eyes, but no one refused the cups.
Yun Fei raised her wine calmly and toasted each of them in turn. Her words were brief, respectful, appropriate—flawless.
"She's too perfect," Ruihe whispered beside me.
I leaned down. "That's why I need you lot to keep her off balance."
"Challenge accepted."
As the banquet wound down, Grandfather Ye Xuefeng finally arrived.
The air shifted instantly. Elders straightened. Voices quieted.
He looked from me to Yun Fei, then to the rest of the room.
"Hmnn. She's a good match. Welcome to the family."
Yun Fei bowed low. "Thank you, Grandfather."
He turned to me. "Now don't get soft, Changsheng. You've had your night. The kingdom keeps turning."
"I know," I said.
But I still reached over and held her hand.