Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’ Chapter 732: Simple Practice

The engagement festivities weren't particularly lavish, yet everyone present understood that today signified far more than a simple betrothal.

By the time the sequence of traditional rites—the hall bows and the ceremonial tea offerings—was finished, evening had descended. The primary peak of Qingyuan merged into the shadows of the night, but the air grew even more vibrant than it had been during the day, filled with the energetic rhythm of drums and music.

The "ice block" was led away to wait within the bridal chambers, while Li Mo remained behind to circulate among the banquet tables, offering toasts to the gathered guests as the couple was briefly parted.

"Young Master Li truly is..."

"He’s heading this way."

"...truly deserves this joy! A thousand congratulations! I shall drain this cup in your honor."

"Once you two decide to produce heirs, you must let us know. I am dying to see what kind of lineage results from the merging of your two bloodlines."

The various demon clans from the Southern Border were still fixated on this particular topic.

Dragons produce dragons and phoenixes produce phoenixes, but what is born from a dragon and a phoenix? This was a significant question. The aquatic and avian tribes had been locked in a stalemate over the matter for ages.

Li Mo mused to himself, was there not a chance that the slightly immature ice block was simply... human?

After finishing his toasts with his friends from the jianghu, Li Mo approached the table where the elders sat.

"You are a family man now. It is time to embrace maturity and steadiness."

"Oh, on another note, Rare Beast Peak is set to reopen to raise cattle, pigs, and other livestock with high-quality meat... Actually, never mind, I will just discuss this with Little Bing'er later."

"Renovations on the Autumn Water Pavilion are underway. Once they are finished... well, let’s just drink, Xiao Mo."

"?"

A metaphorical question mark hovered over Li Mo’s head. "Why have you stopped informing me about these sect matters?"

Elder Qian offered a benevolent grin. "Little Bing'er is the Sect Master’s personal disciple. She is destined to carry the weight of the Qingyuan Sect in the future. It is only natural that she begins managing more of its affairs."

Young Li fell into a brief silence. Wasn't he supposed to take over the duties of Qunyu Peak eventually?

Emmmmmm... fine, Qunyu Peak didn't exactly hold much political weight anyway.

What could one expect from Shang Wu’s leadership? If she were the one in charge, wouldn't the entire Qingyuan Sect be transformed into a "pure prison" aesthetic?

Wait, this isn't about which peak is which... Li Mo suddenly understood.

In the past, the elders would include him in every sect discussion.

"Elders, in truth, I am the master of my house. Elder Qian, what were you mentioning regarding the Autumn Water Pavilion?"

Li Mo felt a metaphorical toothache. It seemed the elders held a grave misconception regarding his standing at home.

"Oh, it's about that hot spring of yours. We were wondering if the water could be diverted to Luoxia Peak?"

"Is that all? That's fine. Where specifically on Luoxia Peak?"

"The female bathing quarters."

"......"

Li Mo remained silent for a long beat before finally speaking, "How are tonight's security arrangements? What about the Summoning Demon Cult and the Lingxi Sect..."

The elders watched as he finished a cup of wine, his gaze sharpening as he pivoted the conversation, acting as though his previous question had never existed. They felt their assumptions about his domestic life were likely accurate.

He was definitely in the "little brother" position within the marriage.

Moving on, Li Mo visited the tables of Shang Qinqing, Qin Yuzhi, Tian Miao, Tian Xun, and his fellow sect members.

Young Li also took this moment to fulfill a previous commitment.

Lan Tian sat beside Huang Donglai, watching him with curiosity, while Old Huang sat as rigid as a board, looking as if he were facing a mortal enemy.

"Brother Li."

Old Huang lifted his cup, his eyes screaming for help, "Save me, please save me."

"Relax. I already instructed you on what to do."

"You taught me how to pursue girls!"

"Then simply do the exact opposite of every piece of advice I gave you."

Li Mo whispered his response.

Shang Qinqing caught the exchange, her eyes narrowing as if she had detected the scent of fresh gossip.

It was common knowledge that the methods Young Li suggested for wooing women were fundamentally flawed and destined for failure. If one did the inverse, would that not result in a double negative becoming a positive...

However, that wasn't the priority. What mattered was that the couple she had been "shipping" for so long were finally united! She took at least eighty percent of the credit for turning today's betrothal into a full wedding banquet!

Truthfully, seeing them kiss on the Magpie Bridge earlier made her think of her own little monk.

"Ah..."

"Clan Leader Shang, why the heavy sigh on such a joyous occasion?" Li Mo asked, curious. Clan Leader Shang wasn't even rolling on the floor today.

"Just 'shipping' them isn't enough. Now that I've tasted something this sweet, what am I supposed to 'ship' in the future?"

Shang Qinqing felt a strange sense of void and isolation.

That young monk, Murong Xiao, still had a long path ahead of him before he could step into Huaikong's shoes.

"You haven't witnessed the 'bloodshed' yet, have you?" Li Mo said to comfort her.

At those words, Shang Qinqing brightened immediately. "Come, you must drink eight cups with me!"

After their drinks, Li Mo recalled something and turned to Qin Yuzhi. "Sect Master Qin."

"Hmm?" Qin Yuzhi, who had been nodding off, blinked her eyes open.

"Promise me, for the sake of the Qingyuan Sect's safety, that you won't fall asleep tonight, alright?"

"How did you know I was planning to enter a dream state to watch your wedding night?"

Qin Yuzhi looked startled.

Li Mo replied, exasperated, "....... I only had a slight suspicion before. Now you've confirmed it."

...

The night deepened. Old Comrade Li, who had bragged about a legendary drinking capacity, had already been hauled off to rest by his peers. His mother, after tending to the bride's relatives, had also headed down the mountain with a permanent smile on her face.

To be honest, they had held onto this hope ever since Little Bing'er first arrived at the Li Manor. Firstly, they couldn't stand the idea of her growing up and leaving them. Secondly, they were well-aware of her history.

They had always wondered: what if the two children developed feelings? If Little Bing'er married into the family, she would remain one of them forever.

They never expected this wish to manifest so quickly, almost like a dream.

Unfortunately, their son had strictly forbidden them from finding reasons to linger near the bridal chamber tonight...

By this time, Li Mo had reached the tables tucked away in the corner.

The members of the demonic sects—the Lingxi Sect and the Summoning Demon Cult—were seated there.

'Surely they wouldn't be bold enough to strike now?'

Noticing the shift in their expressions, Li Mo felt a surge of caution, though he kept a polite smile fixed on his face.

"You have all traveled a great distance. Your presence is appreciated. Allow me to toast you."

"Young Master Li is truly a formidable drinker. I am genuinely happy for you on your big day. Come, let me toast you in return!"

Mo Chaozong stood up at that moment, clutching two jugs of wine.

The onlookers were confused, assuming Mo Chaozong was being magnanimous and held no resentment over the Lingxi Sect's failure to gain provincial status.

"Who would have guessed someone that ugly could be so gracious..."

"...." Mo Chaozong’s facial muscles twitched, but he held out the wine jug regardless.

The eyes of the demonic sect members and the Lingxi Sect followers all converged on them.

"This..." Li Mo could guess exactly what that wine contained without even trying.

What else could it be but a potent double dose of aphrodisiac?

Seeing Li Mo pause, Mo Chaozong let out a booming laugh and downed the jug he had intended to give to Li Mo first, then smiled.

"Does that put your mind at ease, Young Master Li?"

"You exaggerate. I was merely lost in thought for a moment, the alcohol is getting to me."

Li Mo had no choice but to accept the jug.

Could it be that the wine Mo Chaozong actually spiked was the second jug?

No...

His Heavenly Destiny Divine Eye flashed with information. Mo Chaozong’s recent history clearly stated:

'Having ingested a double dose of aphrodisiac himself, he prepared two jugs of wine. To earn the host's confidence, he laced both jugs beforehand.'

Li Mo: "......"

You are truly a ruthless individual. It looks like I have to drink this.