"Everyone, the auspicious hour has arrived!
The newlyweds shall now pay homage to Heaven and Earth!"
At that moment, a Miao Clan elder suddenly announced loudly.
All beings inside and outside the square quieted down, their gazes fixed on the pair of newlyweds upon the high platform.
Soon, two old women helped the fake Xiao Fei begin the rite of paying homage to Heaven and Earth with the Jiao Clan Second Prince.
"Haha, congratulations, Second Prince. From now on, Xiao Fei is your wife," Da Wangye said with a hearty laugh after the rituals were completed.
"Many thanks to you, Da Wangye, for making this possible!
Rest assured, Da Wangye, our Jiao Clan will forever remain friendly with you and support you!"
The Jiao Clan Second Prince was beside himself with glee. He hugged the fake Xiao Fei, fondling and kissing her, practically unable to wait to carry her off to the wedding chamber. His actions were utterly indecent.
He had always been a promiscuous wastrel, with lecherous tendencies to the extreme. As the Second Prince of the Jiao Clan, arrogance and high-handedness were second nature to him. Even in such a public setting with countless eyes watching, his conduct remained wildly unbridled.
Da Wangye shot a glance full of mockery towards the fake Miao Ziqiong, a self-satisfied smile curling on his lips.
*Hmph, so what if you two mother and daughter possess the supreme-grade Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian? It can't threaten my lineage in the slightest. Only my lineage is qualified to hold the reins of power over the Miao Clan of the Vermilion Bird Realm forever! Nothing can change that fact!*
Da Wangye sneered inwardly.
"Miao Ziqiong, your daughter being able to marry the Second Prince is the fortune from eight lifetimes of virtue—a hen on a bough turning into a phoenix!
Yet here you are, wearing a long face. Truly, a wretched sight!"
Da Wangye swept a glance at Miao Ziqiong. Seeing not a trace of a smile on her face, he couldn't help but speak coldly.
Of course, this Miao Ziqiong was fake. She showed no reaction whatsoever to Da Wangye's words.
It was at this moment.
*Clap, clap, clap...*
Suddenly, a burst of applause rang out incessantly.
"Well, well. A talented man and a beauty—a perfect match!"
Following the words, the crowd saw two young men striding through the air towards them, faces full of ridicule.
It was none other than Ye Yunfei and Situ Kong'er.
Both Ye Yunfei and Situ Kong'er had now resumed their true appearances.
"Who are you two?
This is the site of the Second Prince's wedding, an event of great significance! Get yourselves out of the way at once! Don't make a disgraceful spectacle here!"
A Miao Clan elder watched Ye Yunfei and Situ Kong'er swaggering over, couldn't help but show anger on his face. He stepped forward and sharply berated them.
"I came specifically today to offer my congratulations to Da Wangye!
Da Wangye has found himself a fine son-in-law—this is truly a matter for celebration, no?
What's wrong? Does the Miao Clan not welcome guests who come to offer congratulations when holding a wedding?"
Ye Yunfei said with a cold laugh.
"Guests offering congratulations?"
That Miao Clan elder was momentarily taken aback. He had initially thought Ye Yunfei and Situ Kong'er were just a pair of reckless youths from the Vermilion Bird Realm, but now, having heard Ye Yunfei's words, he wasn't so sure.
"What nonsense are you spouting!
Today isn't my daughter getting married!
Guards, throw these two out!"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Da Wangye's face darkened as he ordered coldly.
"Eh?
That young man looks awfully familiar... I think I've seen him before!"
At that moment, several Miao Clan men in the square suddenly stared fixedly at Ye Yunfei, expressions of shock dawning on their faces.
"Da Wangye, while it might not be your daughter marrying today, it is your granddaughter getting married.
This is you gaining a fine grandson-in-law!
A son-in-law of such noble status as the Jiao Clan Second Prince, becoming in-laws with you, Da Wangye—truly, families of matching social standing!
Today's wedding will absolutely become a fine tale passed down among the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds."
Ye Yunfei continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What absolute drivel!"
Da Wangye felt his heart sink upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, a vague sense that something was amiss stirring within him.
He then spun around abruptly and looked towards the fake Xiao Fei who was tightly embraced in the Second Prince's arms.
"Brother Situ."
Ye Yunfei shot Situ Kong'er a meaningful look.
Understanding immediately, Situ Kong'er at once dispelled the Disguise Divine Ability concealing the fake Xiao Fei.
In less than the time of a single breath, the fake Xiao Fei in the Second Prince's arms—the one being kissed and fondled—transformed into another young woman.
Miao Yazhi!
Da Wangye's very own granddaughter!
"Congratulations to the Second Prince on marrying the outstanding Miao Clan disciple Miao Yazhi. It is indeed a match made by Heaven!
You two have already paid homage to Heaven and Earth, so your marital bond is already recognized by the Laws of Heaven and Earth's Great Dao. You may proceed to the wedding chamber now.
Do your best to help Da Wangye produce a great-grandson post-haste!"
Ye Yunfei laughed brightly.
"Yazhi!
What is the meaning of this?!
Yazhi, how is it you?!"
Da Wangye stared at his own granddaughter in the Second Prince's arms and roared furiously.
"Miao Ziqiong! What is the meaning of this?!"
Da Wangye's gaze immediately snapped towards the fake Miao Ziqiong standing to the side, bellowing sternly.
"Da Wangye, I have no idea what's going on!"
In an instant, this fake Miao Ziqiong transformed into an old woman, stammering in panic.
Da Wangye recognized her at once. She was an old woman from his own residence, previously dispatched to Fengyang Palace to help Xiao Fei with her bridal preparations!
"Die!"
In his uncontrollable rage, Da Wangye lashed out with a palm strike, slaying the old woman outright.
"That's Miao Yazhi!
What on earth is going on?!
Wasn't Miao Xiaofei supposed to be the bride?
Why has she been switched with Miao Yazhi?"
All the beings inside and outside the square were dumbfounded.
"Eh?
The woman changed?
It's not Miao Xiaofei?
But this woman has her own appeal too. She can receive my favor!"
At this moment, the Jiao Clan Second Prince also realized the woman he'd been hugging all along wasn't Xiao Fei, but had changed into another.
While Miao Yazhi's looks couldn't compare to Xiao Fei's absolute beauty, she was still considered one of the great beauties within the Miao Clan. Her noble status also granted her an air of aristocracy, giving her a charm all her own. The Jiao Clan Second Prince found her quite satisfactory. Far from letting go, he embraced her even tighter.
"Second Prince, please release your hold!
This is not Miao Xiaofei, but my granddaughter Yazhi!"
Da Wangye said in a heavy voice, reaching out to pull Miao Yazhi towards him.
"Da Wangye, this is rather unbecoming of you.
Didn't you say earlier that being able to marry the Second Prince was the fortune from eight lifetimes of virtue? Shouldn't you be overjoyed and excited that your granddaughter gets to marry such an ideal husband as the Second Prince?
Why would you ask the Second Prince to let go?"
Ye Yunfei stared at Da Wangye, erupting into laughter.
"If a low-born wretch like Miao Xiaofei marries the Second Prince, then it would naturally be the fortune of eight lifetimes! How can Miao Xiaofei be mentioned in the same breath as my granddaughter Yazhi!
My granddaughter will not marry the Second Prince!
Second Prince, release her immediately!"
Da Wangye roared.
This sudden turn of events was sending him into a state of unbridled fury, his words even starting to lose all restraint.
The fact that Miao Yazhi had just been made to perform the rites of worship to Heaven and Earth with the Jiao Clan Second Prince in front of all these watching eyes—and even been embraced, kissed, and fondled by him—was practically an utter pillaging of her honor.
The day's events were sure to spread. One could easily imagine that Miao Yazhi would undoubtedly become a laughingstock!
Including him, Da Wangye, would surely be secretly mocked by others throughout the world!
"Da Wangye, what precisely do you mean by that?
Could it be that you believe the Jiao Clan Second Prince is not a suitable match for your granddaughter Miao Yazhi?
Heh heh...
What a joke. The Second Prince is a genius of the Jiao Clan's younger generation, renown throughout the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
While Miao Yazhi may have some minor fame, when it comes down to it, she's just one disciple of the Miao Clan.
What, do you look down upon the Second Prince so much that you think he isn't worthy of your granddaughter?"
Ye Yunfei said coldly.
"Second Prince, don't listen to the nonsense of this old fool. I believe, given your status and station, you are more than sufficient to match this Miao Yazhi. Moreover, you've already worshipped Heaven and Earth together—you are already husband and wife in truth. You should hurry and take Miao Yazhi back for your wedding night."
Ye Yunfei looked towards the Jiao Clan Second Prince and spoke with sincere conviction.