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

The engagement festivities weren't exceptionally lavish, yet it was common knowledge that today signified something far beyond a mere betrothal.

By the time the sequence of ceremonies—the hall bows and the formal tea offerings—concluded, darkness had fallen. The primary peak of Qingyuan merged into the shadows of the night, but the air turned even more vibrant than it had been at noon, filled with the resonance of drums and celebratory music.

The "ice block" was led away to the wedding chamber to wait, leaving Li Mo to navigate the banquet hall alone, moving from table to table to offer toasts to the gathered guests.

"Young Master Li truly is worthy of..."

"He’s approaching."

"...worthy of such joy! Congratulations, congratulations! I’ll drain this cup first in your honor."

"Be sure to let us know when you two start a family. I’m dying to see what kind of progeny results from a union of your two lineages."

The various demon clans from the Southern Border remained fixated on this particular detail.

Dragons produce dragons, and phoenixes produce phoenixes, but what happens when a dragon and a phoenix unite? This was a significant concern. The avian and aquatic tribes had debated the matter for ages without reaching a verdict.

Li Mo couldn't help but wonder: was there a chance that the somewhat childish ice block was actually just... a human?

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

"You are a family man now. It is time to embrace a more mature and steady character."

"Oh, on another note, the Rare Beast Peak is set to reopen. We plan to breed some cattle, pigs, and other livestock with high-quality meat... Actually, never mind, I’ll discuss the details with Little Bing’er later."

"The renovations at Autumn Water Pavilion are underway. Once they are finished... well, let’s just drink, Xiao Mo."

"?"

A mental question mark hovered over Li Mo’s head. "Why have you stopped discussing these matters with me?"

Elder Qian gave him a benevolent grin. "Little Bing’er is the Sect Master’s personal disciple. The future burdens of the Qingyuan Sect will rest on her shoulders. It is only natural that she begins managing more of the sect's affairs."

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

Emmmmmm... then again, Qunyu Peak never really held much influence anyway.

What could anyone expect from Shang Wu’s leadership? If she were the one in charge, the entire Qingyuan Sect would probably be redesigned with a "pure prison" aesthetic.

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

In the past, the elders would always include him in any sect-related discussions.

"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 complete misunderstanding regarding his status at home.

"Oh, it's about that hot spring of yours. Would it be possible to divert the flow toward Luoxia Peak?"

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

"The women’s bathing quarters."

"......"

Li Mo remained silent for a long moment before finally changing the subject. "What are the security arrangements for tonight? Regarding the Summoning Demon Cult and the Lingxi Sect..."

The elders watched as he downed a cup of wine, his gaze sharpening as he pivoted the conversation, acting as though his previous question had never existed. Their suspicions were immediately confirmed.

He was definitely the "little brother" in that household.

Following that, Li Mo visited the tables occupied by Shang Qinqing, Qin Yuzhi, Tian Miao, Tian Xun, and his fellow disciples.

Young Li took this moment to fulfill a prior commitment.

Lan Tian sat beside Huang Donglai, eyeing 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."

"Don't worry. I already taught you the way."

"What you taught me was how to pursue girls!"

"Then simply do the exact opposite of everything I told you."

Li Mo lowered his voice to a whisper.

Shang Qinqing caught the exchange, her eyes narrowing as she sensed the scent of fresh "sugar."

It was a well-known fact that the romantic advice Young Li gave was fundamentally flawed and impossible to succeed with; it was wrong from the very beginning.

If one did the reverse, wouldn't that result in a double negative becoming a positive...

But that was secondary. The important thing was that the couple she had "shipped" for so long were finally united! She took at least 80% of the credit for turning today's betrothal into a full wedding banquet!

Truthfully, seeing the two of them kiss upon the Magpie Bridge today made her think of her own little monk.

"Ah..."

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

"Just 'shipping' sugar isn't enough anymore. Now that I've tasted something this sweet, what will I have left to 'ship' in the future?"

Shang Qinqing felt a strange sense of void and isolation.

That little monk, Murong Xiao, still had a long path ahead of him before he could replace Huaikong.

"Haven't you yet to witness the 'bloodshed'?" Li Mo offered as consolation.

At those words, Shang Qinqing brightened instantly. "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 figure out that I was planning to slip into a dream to watch your wedding night?"

Qin Yuzhi looked genuinely startled.

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

...

As the night deepened, Old Comrade Li—who had bragged about a drinking capacity a thousand times his size—had to be carried away to rest by his peers. His mother, having looked after the bride's relatives, also headed down the mountain with a permanent smile on her face.

In truth, they had held onto this hope ever since Little Bing’er arrived at the Li Manor. Firstly, they couldn't stomach 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 Li family, she would remain their daughter forever.

They never anticipated this beautiful dream would manifest so quickly, almost like an illusion.

It was a shame their son had strictly forbidden them from finding reasons to walk past the bridal chamber tonight...

By this time, Li Mo had made his way to the tables tucked in the corner.

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

'They wouldn't actually be bold enough to make a move right now, would they?'

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

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

"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!"

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

The onlookers were confused, assuming Mo Chaozong was being magnanimous and held no resentment over the Lingxi Sect's failure to become the province's dominant sect.

"Who would have guessed someone that hideous could be so kind..."

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

The eyes of the demonic cultists and the Lingxi Sect members all fixed upon them.

"This..." Li Mo could guess with his eyes closed what that wine contained.

What could it be other than a massive dose of aphrodisiac?

Seeing Li Mo pause, Mo Chaozong let out a booming laugh, finished the jug he had intended for Li Mo himself, and said with a grin,

"Does that set Young Master Li’s mind at ease?"

"You're being too formal. I was merely lost in thought for a second, feeling the effects of the wine."

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 stated clearly:

'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 man. It looks like I have no choice but to drink this.