The next day at dawn.
Xu Zhenguan draped in inner garments, pushed open the window, letting the damp, earthy air after the rain flood the room, blowing through her tangled hair, dispersing the heavy odor inside.
Outside, the clouds had long parted, the rain ceased, and the gray clouds drifted with the wind. A round red sun rose in the east, and the sky was bright and peaceful.
She gazed at the sparrow perched on the tree in the courtyard, preening its feathers, recalling everything that happened last night, as if it were a dream.
The novel delight of experiencing intimacy for the first time; the sudden transformation from a girl to a married woman; the sense of security restored along with her cultivation to a half-step Celestial... each brought a myriad of emotions and endless thoughts to her heart.
Not something to tell others.
Yet... although compelled by numerous circumstances, after truly crossing this step, there's no regret.
