My Xianxia Harem Life

Chapter 223: Chapter 223 Unsolicited

News of Riley’s engagement spread through the continent like wildfire, reaching every corner of the clan grounds and beyond.

It was the kind of announcement that stirred even the most stoic elders and brought excitement to the faces of young disciples.

”Master Riley is getting married again!” a servant boy shouted as he ran through the market square, eyes wide with excitement.

”I heard the bride is from the Golden Dragon Clan,” an elderly shopkeeper whispered to his neighbor. ”Two giants forming an alliance... This marriage could shake the balance of power in the entire continent.”

”Of course Master Riley stands to benefit!” another chimed in, slamming his palm on a wooden table. ”The Golden Dragon Clan has been the undisputed hegemon of this continent for over thousands of years. Their influence reaches into every sect, kingdom, and hidden realm. Just marrying into their bloodline would bring unimaginable resources.”

”But don’t be so quick to assume,” a woman cutting vegetables added. ”Word has it the girl from the Golden Dragon Clan came here herself and begged for the union. Apparently, she insisted—no one could stop her.”

”That wouldn’t surprise me,” someone muttered from the back of the crowd. ”After all, Master Riley isn’t just any cultivator. He’s the man who single-handedly defeated and killed five peak Void Tribulation experts in open combat. Five! Not even Daoist Lord Silver Arrow accomplished such a feat.”

”Daoist Lord Silver Arrow did achieve that... but only through strategy and deception,” an older cultivator said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. ”He set traps, used poison, ambushed his enemies in narrow valleys. Master Riley? He fought them head-on. That kind of raw power—no tricks, no schemes—it terrifies even the heavens.”

The crowd murmured in agreement, awe and reverence thick in the air. Some even bowed slightly at the mention of Riley’s name, out of habit, respect, or perhaps fear.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the entire clan compound was alive with energy. Red lanterns were strung from rooftop to rooftop, flickering like fireflies in the dusk.

Disciples were assigned tasks—some to decorate, others to prepare feasts or polish ceremonial weapons.

Children ran around with paper dragons, mimicking what they imagined Riley must’ve looked like in battle. Even the elders, usually so composed, smiled at the thought of such an auspicious union.

The air was filled with the scent of incense and roasted meats, laughter and chatter echoing in every courtyard. It wasn’t just a wedding—it was a celebration of power, a reaffirmation of Riley’s legendary status, and the dawn of a new alliance that could reshape the fate of empires.

Everyone agreed on one thing: this was no ordinary event. This was a turning point in history. And all eyes would be on Master Riley.

While the clan bustled with preparations—lanterns swaying, banners unfurling, and excited voices filling the air—Clara and Thea found a quiet corner in the inner garden, away from the noise and celebration.

They sat on a stone bench beneath a cherry blossom tree, its petals fluttering down like soft snow.

”Clara,” Thea said hesitantly, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers, ”is Master Riley really going to marry you too? At the same time as the Golden Dragon Clan girl?”

Clara turned toward her friend, her expression gentle. ”Yes. At least, that’s what he told me. He said I have a place beside him—no matter what alliance this marriage brings.”

Thea gave a small sigh, half wistful, half envious. ”I’m happy for you. I truly am. But... what about me? When’s it going to be my turn? I want Master Riley too. I feel like I’m being left behind.”

Clara reached out and held Thea’s hand with a reassuring squeeze. ”You won’t be left behind, Thea. I promise. You’re my best friend, and I know your heart. I’ve already thought of everything. There’s a plan, and it’s going to work.”

Thea’s eyes brightened. ”Really? What kind of plan?”

Clara smiled. ”One that will let him see you the way I see you—kind, beautiful, devoted. Someone worth loving.”

Thea blushed but leaned in closer, curiosity piqued. ”Okay, I’m listening. Tell me everything.”

”Well,” Clara began, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, ”you know Riley isn’t just a powerful warrior. He’s also an incredibly skilled healer.”

”A healer?” Thea blinked in surprise. ”I never knew that.”

”I didn’t either, not until recently,” Clara said. ”Fay told me. Apparently, years ago, she suffered an innate disability from birth. Everyone thought she’d never recover, but Riley stepped in and healed her. That’s how their bond started.”

”So that’s how they got close...” Thea murmured, piecing things together. ”I always wondered why Fay looked at him like that.”

Clara nodded. ”Exactly. Riley might seem cold and distant to most, but he has a soft spot for those he helps. When he sees someone vulnerable—when he’s needed—he opens up.”

”So, what do we do?” Thea asked, heart pounding. ”Do I have to get hurt?”

Clara laughed softly. ”Nothing dangerous. Just something that gives him a reason to focus on you—to see you not just as another girl in the clan, but as someone worth protecting, worth caring for.”

Thea paused, then nodded slowly. ”Something believable... Something sincere.”

Thea was silent for a long moment, then looked up with a newfound determination in her eyes. ”I’ll do it. I’ll show him who I really am.”

Clara smiled, proud of her. ”That’s the spirit. Just be honest. Let him see you. And I’ll be there every step of the way.”

The cherry blossoms fluttered around them like blessings, as if the garden itself was listening in and approving.

***

A few quiet days passed. The clan was still buzzing with wedding preparations, but in the calm of the inner courtyard, Clara was setting another plan in motion—one more personal, more intimate.

She had sent a message to Riley early that morning, a simple, polite invitation.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky turned a dusky shade of violet, Riley arrived.

Clara greeted him at the gate of her courtyard, dressed simply yet elegantly in a pale blue gown. Her expression was soft, but her eyes carried a hidden intent.

”Thank you for coming, Riley,” she said, offering a gentle smile. ”This means a lot.”

Riley nodded, ever composed. ”You mentioned Thea hasn’t been well?”

Clara sighed and lowered her gaze. ”Yes. She’s had this illness since she was young... something that flares up now and then. Recently, it’s gotten worse. She won’t say it out loud, but I know she’s been in pain. I thought maybe... with your healing skills...”

”I’ll do what I can,” he replied without hesitation. ”Thea is like family to you, Clara. That’s enough for me.”

He followed her without question, though a flicker of curiosity passed through his mind. Something in her voice had sounded rehearsed. And Clara wasn’t the type to leave details vague. Still, he said nothing.

They walked through a narrow garden path lit with lanterns hanging from the trees. Blossoms floated in shallow bowls of water along the walkway. Everything was serene, fragrant, and unusually quiet.

When they reached the private chamber, Clara stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.

Inside, the lighting was soft—warm lanterns placed deliberately to cast golden hues across the room. The sweet scent of amber and lotus hung in the air, a fragrance that subtly stirred the senses. The atmosphere was unmistakably intimate.

At the center of the room lay Thea.

She was reclining on a wide, low bed draped in silk, her body loosely wrapped in a thin robe of ivory white. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders like ink spilling across parchment.

Her skin was flushed, and a faint sheen of sweat glistened on her brow.

Riley paused at the threshold, his gaze steady. ”Thea...”

She turned her head slowly, as if she didn’t have the strength to move too quickly, and met his eyes. ”Master Riley...”

Her voice was soft, breathless, with just the right amount of trembling. ”It hurts...”

Clara remained by the door, her expression unreadable. ”I’ll wait outside,” she said gently, and slipped away, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Riley walked slowly to Thea’s side, lowering himself beside the bed.

Though he had seen injuries far more severe, there was something in Thea’s expression—a delicate mixture of vulnerability and longing—that gave him pause.

”Tell me where it hurts,” he said, voice low and calm.

Thea hesitated, her fingers clenching the sheets for a moment. Then, her face turned a deeper shade of red as she whispered, ”Here...” Her hand moved slightly, guiding his attention lower.

There was a moment of silence—tense, charged, and uncertain.

Riley’s eyes searched hers. He wasn’t naive. He understood now. The scent in the air, the way she lay there, the heat in her cheeks—it wasn’t an ordinary illness. This was something else. A choice.

Thea looked away, as if ashamed—but not truly. She had rehearsed this scene a hundred times in her mind, perfecting every word, every movement.

She had imagined how he might respond, what he might say, whether he would pull away—or stay. Still, Thea’s mind was made up. She spread her legs and waited for Riley to act.