Invincible Dad-Chapter 510: I, Ruan Lan, Have the Presence of an Empress_1

Chapter 510: Chapter 510: I, Ruan Lan, Have the Presence of an Empress_1
Xu Lai’s voice was very soft, yet Ruan Tang heard a deeply suppressed heaviness in it as she stepped out of the palanquin.
It had to be said that Ruan Lan had done a good job. She had applied light makeup to Ruan Tang, making the already bright and charming woman even more dazzling. Clad in a wedding dress that seemed to hold countless swirling galaxies, she sent Xu Lai’s mind into a momentary daze.
Ruan Tang took the initiative to hold Xu Lai’s hand and said gently, "First, take Yiyi and me to offer incense to Master, Senior Sister, and my Senior Brothers."
"Okay," Xu Lai responded.
They didn’t have to walk far up the mountain behind the Sect to see four grave mounds come into view. In front of each mound was a wedding invitation. Ruan Tang led Yiyi forward to offer incense and pay their respects.
"Call him Grandfather," Xu Lai said to the daughter in his arms, his gaze fixed on the grave of his master, Yu Shouzong.
To Xu Lai, his Master was more than just a master; he was a father, a family member he could never forget. He was a foundling orphan, after all. Without the Heavenly Court, without his master, he would have likely frozen to death in the ice and snow long ago.
Those who give me life and raise me are my parents, a debt I can repay with my life. Those who give me life but do not raise me, a debt that can be repaid by severing a finger. But for those who raised me without giving me life, how can I ever repay such kindness?
Xu Lai knelt before the grave and spoke softly, "Master, Qingfeng has returned."
Ruan Tang’s eyes reddened slightly. To her surprise, she saw two tear tracks on Xu Lai’s face. The man was actually crying.
"Grandfather," Xu Yiyi said, respectfully kowtowing three times.
"This is your aunt, and these two are your uncles," Ruan Tang told her daughter.
At his wife’s words, Xu Lai looked toward the other three grave mounds, and his gaze suddenly froze. In front of the four graves, there were only three wedding invitations. The one before his Senior Sister’s grave was missing!
"Brother-in-law, when did you deliver the wedding invitations? Why are there only three?" Ruan Lan muttered from the side.
"I delivered four," Xu Lai replied automatically.
"Could one have been blown away by the wind?" Ruan Lan speculated.
Just then, a strong gust of wind swept over the mountain, shaking the plum trees and causing Ruan Lan to stumble. She was about to get annoyed about the wind messing up her hair when she noticed that the invitations in front of the graves hadn’t moved an inch.
Ruan Lan couldn’t help but gasp. "They weren’t blown away?"
Xu Lai’s gaze flickered. Though the invitations were written on ordinary paper, it was impossible for them to be blown away by the wind. There was only one possibility—someone had taken one. But apart from the middle-aged man and his wife in the thatched cottage at the foot of the mountain, no one else should have come near this place.
"It’s almost time," Ruan Tang said, glancing at the sun. She figured it was already close to noon.
Xu Lai set aside his doubts and hurriedly began the arrangements.
The wedding at the Sect was a simple affair. With only Xu Lai’s family present and no other guests, it was more about going through the ceremony. On the dining table, however, four extra sets of bowls, chopsticks, and wine cups were placed.
Xu Lai then dug out another jar of Plum Wine. He had drunk one jar during a previous visit. This was the second.
As expected, the sourness made Ruan Tang’s brows furrow slightly. Having been left to age for a hundred thousand years, its taste was something no ordinary person could bear.
Xu Lai said, "Honey, if you don’t like it, just spit it out. This wine is far too old."
Ruan Tang forced herself to swallow it. She then turned her empty cup upside down—not a single drop of Plum Wine spilled out. "I’m not that delicate."
"You silly woman, eat more." His heart ached for her, and he placed several dishes onto her plate.
"You silly man, you should drink less, too."
Ruan Lan, who had been happily eating meat, suddenly stiffened. Looking down at the braised pork in her bowl, she found it had lost its appeal.
Am I full? No, no, no. I’m being choked by this public display of affection.
The meal didn’t last long, only about two hours.
Afterward, Ruan Lan took Yiyi back to the palanquin to rest, as they had hardly slept the night before. Xu Lai, however, remained seated before the graves, utterly silent.
Looking at his lean back, Ruan Tang felt an indescribable ache in her heart. Yet she offered no words of comfort, only sitting quietly beside him. She listened as Xu Lai began to speak, voluntarily sharing tales of his carefree days in the Sect.
This was the second time Xu Lai had told these stories, but Ruan Tang still listened with rapt attention.
She knew that men tended to bury most things deep in their hearts, whether happy or sad. Xu Lai’s willingness to share not only meant that he saw her as a confidant to whom he could unburden his woes, but also that the fate of his Sect had always been a source of deep regret for him.
Night fell.
Xu Lai, who had been sitting for the entire day, finally lay his head on Ruan Tang’s lap and fell asleep. The four grave mounds were exceptionally quiet under the night sky; even the blustering wind had fallen silent.
"Master, I’m married..." Xu Lai muttered in his sleep.
CRACK. A dry branch snapped underfoot.
Ruan Tang turned her head to see her sister, Ruan Lan, who stuck out her tongue and whispered, "I didn’t wake my brother-in-law, did I?"
Ruan Tang gently shook her head. Her heart warmed at the sight of the blanket in Ruan Lan’s hands. "That’s very thoughtful of you."
Ruan Lan whispered, "It’s freezing out here. And that stinky brother-in-law of mine just falls asleep on your lap, not even worried your legs will go numb."
Despite her complaining words, she draped the blanket over both Ruan Tang and Xu Lai.
Then Ruan Lan sat down beside her sister. Gazing up at the resplendent river of stars, her eyes sparkled brightly. "Sis, this is the Immortal Domain! There are Sword Cultivators who ride their flying swords and massive Bull Demons as tall as buildings. It’s so amazing to be here."
Ruan Tang remained silent.
On her way to the Immortal Domain, she had peeked through the palanquin window at the world outside. It was vast—so vast it made her feel insecure. Everything here was completely unfamiliar. She still preferred Earth. She preferred Haitang Court with Xu Lai and Yiyi; that was home. Though it was small, it was warm and welcoming.
"Sis, I’ve decided! I’m going to embark on the path of cultivation and become an Empress, so that everyone in the entire Immortal Domain will know my name!" Ruan Lan declared spiritedly.
Ruan Tang encouraged her, "Go for it. I believe you can do it."
Faced with her sister’s encouragement, Ruan Lan was taken aback for a moment before she shyly scratched her nose.
Maybe I’m being too arrogant, she thought. Becoming an Empress isn’t that easy.
Her gaze fell on Xu Lai, her eyes flickering as she said thoughtfully, "I wonder what Boundary that stinky brother-in-law has reached. To be able to bring us all the way here from Earth... it’s incredible."
Xu Lai had already woken up. He heard Ruan Lan’s words but didn’t respond. Instead, he opened his eyes, wanting to gaze at the stars from his Sect, just as he had done ten thousand years ago with his Senior Sister and two Senior Brothers. But—his view was blocked by two mountain peaks.
Xu Lai couldn’t help but remark, "Indeed, it is incredible. Ruan Lan, you’d have a tough time matching that in your lifetime."
Ruan Lan jumped in surprise, not realizing Xu Lai had woken up. "I, Ruan Lan, have the makings of an Empress!" she declared indignantly.
Just as Xu Lai was about to say something more, his gaze sharpened and he looked toward the foot of the mountain. Two people were approaching.