Everyone had been so focused on the Heavenly Emperor and the Heavenly Empress that nobody save for those close to the path the couple took noticed what was happening. Only now that she turned to look there, her expression turning even more radiant, were their own gazes attracted to that place.

They hadn’t quite known what the Heavenly Empress was playing at but seeing the young couple, everyone’s expressions turned into ones of realization. Nobody thought it was all that unexpected or something to make a fuss about. While they hadn’t been informed ahead of time, this had been something that was a long time in the making.

Who didn’t know that the dragon king had taken a liking to the Son of Heaven, after all? Some of them had been there when they met at the Heavenly Emperor’s birthday banquet a little over a decade ago and even those who hadn’t been there had naturally heard about it. The dragon king had been everything but subtle about his feelings, after all.

Even though the crown prince of the Nine Heavens had been less open about his feelings and, in fact, nothing definitive had ever been said about them, it had been over ten years of this pursuit. If it hadn’t been welcome at all, they were sure that his parents would have shut this down long ago. Especially with the Heavenly Emperor’s temper, there was no way he would accept someone harassing his son, even if that person was the reigning sovereign of the dragon realm.

Thus, everyone just felt a moment of surprise but then settled on the feeling of ‘as expected of them’. At most, they thought about whether the gifts they had brought were still appropriate for this occasion.

Ye Yang’s thoughts also went in this direction. He who had been looking at the tables where the people of the dragon realm were seated from the corner of his eyes had naturally seen the couple appear earlier than others. The fact they appeared together, holding hands and wearing the same splendid attire, had suggested something extraordinary but he wasn’t entirely sure about the gods’ wedding customs so he wasn’t certain whether this was the actual wedding or just an elaborate engagement. It had simply been too long since the demons became everyone’s enemy and stopped engaging with everyone outside of battles.

Now that people around them were whispering, and this being the actual wedding ceremony was confirmed, he clicked his tongue and faintly raised his brows. “Good that we prepared two gifts.”

Lin Shi glanced at him. “Did Your Majesty suspect something like this?” She had left right at the gate that day but Ye Yang had only returned later. It was entirely possible that he had heard something else that she wasn’t aware of. She wasn’t sure how to feel about not being informed of that though.

Ye Yang shook his head. “No, I didn’t. Although the wedding itself isn’t that surprising, considering the length of their relationship. I wouldn’t have expected it to happen today though.” He had only wanted to raise their impression in everyone’s eyes so he prepared a little more thoroughly.

Lin Shi hummed, accepting this reasoning. Well, anyway, they weren’t caught unprepared. Even if it was a lucky coincidence, she’d take it. She just didn’t want to look bad.

The person who was caught the most unaware was actually Rong Su. Even though he could technically see the whole square, he hadn’t realized what was going on until everyone else turned to the platform. All this time, his gaze had been focused on his wife and his thoughts on planning how to bring them and their family closer together again. He didn’t see the people walking onto the square from outside or how the God of Justice left his seat to go up the platform. Only when the conversations below picked up again and everyone turned in that direction did he turn as well.

Now, he suddenly saw his son walk up the stairs to a platform while wearing wedding attire. Even worse, he was holding the hand of a man in the same getup and that person … was none other than the hated dragon king.

Usually, he would have yelled at once, rushed over, and tried to pull the two apart, scolding the dragon king as shameless and trying to educate his son. But … seeing them, he couldn’t get a word out. He just gaped.

His son … his precious son had actually put on wedding attire with that man. He really … he really wanted to rebel and have this ceremony even though he had clearly told him that he wouldn’t give this sinful union his blessing!

Rong Su felt as if his heart was bleeding and he took a few deep breaths to calm down. He certainly couldn’t pass out from anger now. He had to prevent this from happening! No matter how angry, he wouldn’t watch as his precious son ruined his future.

At this time though, the couple had already arrived at the top of the platform, still holding hands. They looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere between them so intimate that everyone else quieted down again, not wanting to disturb the moment.

Even the God of Justice who had taken on the task of presiding over the ceremony kept silent for a moment. He knew they had to start quickly to ensure the Heavenly Emperor couldn’t find time to make a scene but … a couple should have such a moment on their wedding day. Just a moment in time that was all theirs, sweet and a little sticky, with endless promises and feelings contained in their hearts and eyes.

He had been robbed of this chance so he felt deeply about this. Lowering his head, he tried to minimize his presence and waited for a bit. When he raised his head to start the ceremony, the air next to him rippled. He tensed, a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, and moved at once, trying to intercept the person responsible for this disturbance.