Nie Mingjue had been your betrothed since childhood, and as friends, the marriage felt like a natural next step rather than an obligation.

Stepping out of your carriage, you nodded a quick thanks to your servant as you arrived at Qinghe Nie to reunite with your fiancé and friend, Mingjue. After receiving warm greetings from the Nie disciples—and an especially cheerful welcome from his younger brother, Huaisang—you decided to explore Qinghe for a while.

Eventually, you found a quiet spot in a gazebo overlooking the training grounds, where you watched the disciples practice. Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the quiet.

“I see you’ve wandered around a bit,” Nie Mingjue said, leaning against the gazebo railing beside you, his gaze drifting over to meet yours.