Immortal Ascension Through Marriage: Investing in My Wife Get Returns

The morning after the grand banquet, the sprawling corridors of the provincial palace hummed with restless energy. Servants, guards, and visiting dignitaries moved through the palace while exchanging hushed whispers behind pillars and silk screens, their conversations centered almost entirely on the events of the previous night.

Two matters dominated every discussion: the humiliating verbal exchange between Young Master Han and the mysterious Guest Lin, and the shock that followed when Lord Zhao Shenming officially announced that same guest as his Participating General for the Lord Tournament.

The Han Clan had spent years preparing for that position, only to have their expectations shattered in a single night. The political landscape of the Zhao Province had shifted overnight, and at the center of that change was the very man now resting quietly in the eastern royal quarters.

Inside the sanctuary of the master suite, sunlight spilled across the floor. Lin Yuan stood by the open window, watching the morning mists burn off the distant peaks. Bai Qingyue was already awake, sitting comfortably in her wheelchair, bathed in the gentle morning light.

"The delegation from the a particular sect is arriving this morning," Lin Yuan mentioned smoothly, turning to face his wife. "They did not attend the banquet last night, having been delayed by other pressing issues. Lord Zhao has invited our household to attend their formal reception."

Before Bai Qingyue could reply, the heavy doors slid open.

Bai Chen strolled into the room, with his usual youthful energy. He looked well-rested.

"Brother-in-law, Cousin," Bai Chen greeted cheerfully. "I was just walking the eastern perimeter. The servants are in a frenzy preparing the East Receiving Hall. Apparently, they are expecting a guest of some significant standing, though no one seems to know exactly who it is yet."

Lin Yuan exchanged a brief glance with Bai Qingyue. He filed the boy’s casual ignorance away, deciding it was best to let the morning unfold naturally.

"We are heading there now," Lin Yuan said, gesturing toward the door. "Walk with us."

The East Receiving Hall was very different from the Grand Banquet Hall. It was smaller and more intimate, designed for formal audiences and private discussions rather than large political gatherings. High, narrow windows allowed sunlight to fall across the pale jade floor, while the faint scent of sandalwood incense lingered in the air, a quiet gesture of respect toward the visiting sect.

Lin Yuan, Bai Qingyue, and Bai Chen arrived shortly before the delegation. Lord Zhao Shenming was occupied with the fallout of his general announcement, leaving Envoy Zhao Wuhen to stand in as the household’s official representative for this particular morning.

A few moments later, a pair of ceremonial trumpets sounded. The notes were softer, more melodic, and far less aggressive than the grand declarations of the banquet.

The heavy doors glided open.

Two junior disciples of the sect entered first, moving with synchronized discipline. At the rear of the formation walked an elder Dao Protector. He was dressed in entirely plain gray robes, yet he radiated the absolute might of a veteran Nascent Soul master.

And walking perfectly between them was a lady.

She wore modest sect robes of pale blue and white. Her hair was simply bound with a single hairpin. Yet, her plainness was itself a kind of elegance. She possessed a warm, grounded presence that instantly settled the atmosphere of the room.

She then stopped before the dais, offering a proper bow of profound sincerity to Zhao Wuhen. As she straightened, she murmured quiet, genuine thanks by name to the palace attendants who had guided them.

When her gaze swept the room and found Lin Yuan’s party, she immediately noticed Bai Qingyue seated in the wheelchair. She did not offer a look of pity, nor did she perform an awkward bow. She simply inclined her head to the crippled woman with the exact same measure of deep, peer-level respect she had shown to the Cultivation Council Envoy.

Bai Qingyue noticed this immediately. Beside her, Lin Yuan caught his wife filing the interaction away with distinct approval.

Then, her’s gaze shifted to the young man standing a half-step behind the wheelchair.

This was the moment the composure of the Lin household temporarily fractured.

The moment her eyes settled on him during the introductions, Bai Chen, normally quick-tongued, confident, and at ease around others, suddenly went completely still. Lin Yuan noticed the change immediately. With a subtle glance to the side, he saw that the tips of Bai Chen’s ears had already turned bright red. The young cultivator stood rigidly in place, his hands awkwardly at his sides, looking as though he had suddenly forgotten what to do with them. It had nothing to do with proper martial etiquette and everything to do with the complete panic of seeing the person he had been hoping to meet since the banquet.

Zhao Wuhen stepped forward, his voice carrying clearly through the sunlit hall as he began the formal introductions.

"Saintess Su Yin of the Pure Cloud Sect," Wuhen announced, gesturing toward her, "allow me to present Lord Zhao’s honored guests. Daoist Lin Yuan, his wife, Lady Bai Qingyue, and her cousin, Bai Chen."

Su Yin turned gracefully toward them and offered the same polite bow she had given the others. Her gaze passed over Bai Qingyue before settling on the young man standing behind the wheelchair.

"Young Master Bai," she said with a gentle smile. "A pleasure."

Bai Chen froze.

For a moment, he simply stared at her.

Then his eyes widened.

"Su... Yin?"

The name slipped from his lips before he could stop himself.

Su Yin’s eyes flickered with recognition, and a small smile appeared on her face.

"It seems we meet again, Young Master Bai."

Bai Chen’s mind went completely blank.

Pure Cloud Sect.

Su Yin.

She was actually here.

He had spent the entire previous night wondering whether she would even attend the banquet, only to learn that the sect arriving this morning was none other than the Pure Cloud Sect. And now, the very woman he had been thinking about for days was standing directly in front of him.

His face rapidly turned red.

Bai Chen suddenly seemed to have forgotten how to stand properly. His hands became awkward at his sides, his back stiffened, and his gaze darted away before inevitably returning to Su Yin.

Lin Yuan quietly watched the entire scene from beside Bai Qingyue.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

So this was the reason the boy had been grooming himself for so long yesterday.

Bai Qingyue also noticed it. She glanced at her cousin, then at Su Yin, before a faint, knowing smile appeared on her lips.

Bai Chen, however, was completely oblivious to the amused gazes around him.

His heart was beating so loudly that he was certain everyone in the hall could hear it.

Su Yin tilted her head slightly.

"Young Master Bai, are you alright?"

Bai Chen immediately straightened.

"I am perfectly fine!"

His answer came far too quickly.

A brief silence followed.

Su Yin blinked.

Bai Chen’s ears became even redder.

"I mean..." He coughed awkwardly and tried to recover his composure. "It has been a long time. I didn’t expect to meet you here."

Su Yin smiled.

"Neither did I."

Those simple words were enough to make Bai Chen’s heart pound even harder.

Lin Yuan exchanged a glance with Bai Qingyue.

Neither of them said anything.

There was no need.

The expression on Bai Chen’s face said everything.

For the first time, Lin Yuan understood exactly why the young man had spent so much time carefully arranging his robes and fixing his hair.

The person he had been hoping to meet was standing right in front of him.

And judging from Bai Chen’s completely flustered expression, the young man had absolutely no idea what to say next.

"I— yes," Bai Chen blurted out. "Likewise. Very much likewise."