Moonlight filtered through the attic windows, which swayed gently in the wind, casting clusters of shadows.

Dan Wulan's slender eyebrows were tightly knit. She glared fiercely at Ji Nanjue, biting her lower lip so hard that her face turned deep red.

"You, you... don't think you can act so recklessly just because your cultivation is profound!"

"What right does a vixen like you have?"

"Husband, she... she hit me!"

Saying this, she subconsciously clutched the corner of the robe of the man beside her.

Yet, as the words left her mouth, even Dan Wulan herself found them strange. Why could she even say such things? But... judging by this pain, a palm print was likely to be left. In the past, whenever Su Bei had made her lie prone with similar force, it always...

Dan Wulan just couldn't swallow her anger. She stepped forward and clawed fiercely at Ji Nanjue's chest, where her clothes were pulled taut.

"TSK—"

Ji Nanjue's expression flickered several times, her face stiffening. Her usual dignified grace vanished in an instant. She slapped Dan Wulan's hand away and tried to pinch at Dan Wulan's tight skirt.

"You dare to fight back?"

"Sister, do you not understand the concept of respecting seniority?"

Dan Wulan, equally unyielding, took a step forward, her white hair fluttering behind her.

"Who is senior? Who is junior?"

"You vixen! Don't you even understand the basic principle of first come, first served?"

Su Bei watched as the conflict seemed to escalate. Forcibly suppressing the elation in his heart, he earnestly separated the two women. He tidied up the strands of hair by Dan Wulan's ear and smoothed Ji Nanjue's ruffled collar, playing the peacemaker. He chuckled, "We're all family. Can't we resolve our disagreements bit by bit?"

"Eventually, we have to live harmoniously. We can't let outsiders laugh at us."

"Be good now, listen to me—"

As he spoke, he squinted, intending to pinch Ji Baoer's cheek; he had never seen Ji Baoer look so annoyed and jealous before.

Such a contrast. Truly captivating.

Yet, to his surprise, when the two women saw Su Bei's peacemaking act, they both became furious. Their gazes swiftly turned to Su Bei. Ji Nanjue's face grew stern. Batting away Su Bei's restless hand, she frowned, "Isn't this all because of you?"

"Tell me! What are you really thinking? Do you like me more, or her?"

Both women could accept that he had other women in his life, but neither wanted to easily relinquish the title of principal wife!

Ji Nanjue had never harbored any doubts about her place in Su Bei's heart. They had a bond forged through life-and-death experiences and shared a unique connection as the Supreme Yin and Yang. Their journey together had long been one of open hearts.

So what if they had met later? Love isn't determined by who met first. After all, how many so-called childhood sweethearts in this world actually end up together?

Dan Wulan's eyes showed none of their usual coldness. Annoyed, she looked over at Su Bei and, glancing at Ji Nanjue from the corner of her eye, spoke lightly, "Just as well. Let's clear things up today. There's no need for pretense."

"Senior Brother, if Sister Nan Ji and I both fell off a cliff, whom would you save first?"

She had absolute faith in her relationship with Su Bei. The peach blossom pledge they shared bore witness to their feelings. The night of the citywide peach blossom rain... moreover, the length of their acquaintance was far greater than that of the woman before her.

Su Bei swallowed hard, looking at the two women with a troubled expression.

This question was a death sentence no matter how he answered. There seemed to be no perfect reply. And the two of them had blocked any escape routes, like saying he preferred his mother or his disciple...

Su Bei took a deep breath, looking at the two women earnestly.

Dan Wulan and Ji Nanjue both tensed up instantly. Looking at Su Bei, they felt an odd sense of anticipation.

Which of them would it be? Would it be me? And if it weren't, what then? If the answer didn't meet my expectations, it would surely be disappointing.

Moonlight illuminated a section of Su Bei's moon-white robe and the deep green willow branch fluttering beside the window.

Downstairs, sounds of drunken laughter and curses drifted up; outside the window, the summer cicadas hummed faintly.

In the eyes of both women, a light of anticipation shimmered.

Su Bei, as if he had finally mustered his emotions, stretched out his hand to pat the heads of both women. His eyes formed crescents as he smiled and said, "I wouldn't save either of you."

After a pause, meeting the complex gazes of the two women, he gently added, "If you were to fall off a cliff, there would only be one possibility: I would have already fallen before you."

"Some things cannot be compared. For this question, I have no answer in my heart. But the one thing I can be sure of is that each of you is more important to me than my own life."

His words were spoken calmly.

Su Bei's gaze was blazing as he looked at them.

The two women were silent for a moment. Ji Nanjue then lifted her head to look at Su Bei. After a while, she smiled faintly and said, "Although that answer is a bit crafty, I'm very happy."

As long as he understood this, she could be at ease. For a woman, a man's favoritism is the most devastating thing.

Dan Wulan stepped forward and adjusted the unfastened collar ties of Su Bei's robe at his chest. A thought seemed to strike her, and she too smiled.

Su Bei, however, seized the opportunity to step forward. Grasping Dan Wulan's small hand with one of his, and Ji Nanjue's hand with the other, he stared into their eyes and spoke with deep affection, "I will give you both a promise."

"A formal, public declaration to the world."

"It will happen, I assure you."

His words were filled with profound affection, seemingly carrying a thousand emotions, evoking an indescribable feeling.

Ji Nanjue was taken aback for a moment. Listening to Su Bei's words, this time, she did not argue.

It wasn't that she didn't believe him; only her heart knew how difficult it would be for Su Bei to fulfill this promise. But... what woman wouldn't fantasize about the day she could don the phoenix coronet and have the man she loves lift her bridal veil, the pearl hairpins trembling, the beaded curtain gently swaying?

Dan Wulan froze, then her lips curved up slightly, her eyes reddening a bit.

Naturally, she understood the promise Su Bei was referring to—it was the grand wedding she had longed for countless times. Would he truly marry her, openly and honorably?

Ji Nanjue glanced at her, suddenly dousing the mood with cold water, "Moved so easily?"

Dan Wulan looked back at her, without a word.

Only she truly knew. She always faced everything with an air of cold pride, yet only before him did she let down her guard and shed her pretenses. How could she be moved by mere trickles of tenderness when her feelings for him ran so deep?

Su Bei cleared his throat. He playfully hooked his fingers into the palms of both women and, feigning nonchalance, said, "So... about tonight... how about we have some tea together and admire the moon, my beloved wives?"

He then felt a sharp sting in both of his hands simultaneously.

"HISS—"

Su Bei sucked in a sharp breath of cold air and quickly withdrew his hands, looking at the fresh bite marks on them.

And just like that, he had another set.

"Dream on."

"Sleep by yourself."

Neither woman looked at the other, yet their decision was strikingly harmonious.

Turning around, they hurried towards their respective rooms, slamming the doors heavily. Two loud THUDS echoed as the doors closed.

Hearing the two distinct sounds, Su Bei sighed heavily. Feeling somewhat troubled, he returned to his own room.

Lifting his head, he gazed at the moon in the night sky.

The bright moon was resplendent, as full and pristine as a jade disk.

...

PS: A heartfelt thanks to Cang Langyue for the 5,000-unit reward!