The wedding celebration inside the hall was at its most boisterous, with the laughter and blessings of the guests mingling together.
As the universally acknowledged supreme powerhouse of the Ancestral Star, Shun's inherent pressure prevented others from approaching easily. Even a few clan elders holding wine cups, intending to express their respect under the guise of congratulations, were politely stopped by the waiting maidservants.
Shun scanned the crowd celebrating with raised cups inside the hall, showing no attachment, and then turned to look at the seven Royal Consorts lined up beside him.
The aloofness and majesty he had shown moments ago while facing the guests quietly faded, replaced by a unique sense of ease and tenderness in his eyes.
"Let them handle the noise outside. We should return to the inner hall. That way, everyone can be more comfortable."
Upon hearing this, the seven Royal Consorts showed varying expressions, yet all struggled to conceal the shyness and delight in their eyes, nodding gently in response.
As soon as they stepped into the inner hall, a rich fragrance wafted over them. Unlike the grand luxury of the outer hall, the decor here was elegant yet infused with a sense of warmth, every detail showing careful consideration.
The floor was covered with a thick carpet, muffling their footsteps, making it feel as if they were walking on clouds.
The tables were covered with silver-thread embroidered brocade, laden with specialty delicacies and fine wines from various clans.
The maidservants led them to the entrance, then bowed and retreated. The heavy hall doors quietly closed, completely isolating them from the noise outside.
Shun released Hinata's hand, smiled, and gestured for everyone to sit down, his tone relaxed. "You've been accompanying me to entertain the guests in the outer hall all this time, so you must be hungry. I had these prepared according to your individual tastes. Don't hold back. Just help yourselves to whatever you want."
He had always disliked formalities and preferred everyone to interact comfortably.
As soon as he finished speaking, Kurotsuchi stood up and walked to the table. Suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, she instinctively checked the placement of the tableware.
"The spacing between the cups should be adjusted by half an inch to be neater, and the plating of this Sakura Cake is slightly crooked at the edges. It doesn't look right."
As she spoke, she gently adjusted the pastry with her hand, her fingers moving softly.
Seeing this, Shun walked over, gently held her hand, and said with a smile, "Kurotsuchi, today is different from usual. You don't need to be so nervous, being relaxed is your best look."
Kurotsuchi's fingertips paused, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks, but she still muttered softly, "Details reflect attitude, how can we be careless?"
Despite her words, the movements of her hands slowed considerably, and the restraint in her eyes lessened slightly.
She was always receptive to gentleness and resistant to force, and Shun's indulgence warmed her heart.
"Alright, Kurotsuchi, stop fussing over these things."
Ino smiled as she pulled Kurotsuchi over and pressed her into a seat. She was the best at setting the mood.
When she turned to look at Shun, her tone held a charming suggestion. "Husband, on such a wonderful day, just having good food isn't enough. How about we play some little games to spice things up? The loser has to drink a penalty cup of wine, that will make it lively."
Shun raised an eyebrow slightly, his easygoing nature making him agree immediately. "What do you want to play? I'll follow your lead. It's more fun when it's lively."
Ino's eyes lit up. She pulled Tenten closer and said, "How about we play 'Guess the Heart'? One person asks a question, and the other guesses their thought. The loser drinks a cup of fruit wine. It's fun and strengthens our bond."
Hearing this, Tenten's romantic side was instantly activated. She looked at Shun, her eyes full of yearning. "Husband, can I quiz you first? Guess which planet I want to visit the most? Here's a hint: it has my favorite fluorescent butterflies."
Shun looked at her expectant face and answered without hesitation. "Wood Planet. You once said that there are fluorescent butterflies flying everywhere there, and lakes that reflect the galaxy. You want to go see it with me."
Tenten gasped in surprise, covering her mouth, her eyes slightly red. "You actually remembered! I thought you were just listening casually at the time, especially since you have so many things to attend to."
Shun reached out and ruffled her hair, his tone gentle. "I keep every word you say in my heart."
Saying this, he picked up a wine cup and proactively drank it, his smile easygoing. "Although I guessed correctly, since it brought a smile to your face, I'll drink this cup first as a toast."
Yakumo sat quietly on the side. She was always reserved in speech, merely watching everything before her, but her gaze never left Shun, concealing a deep affection that others would not easily notice.
Shun noticed her gaze, walked over, and sat beside her, asking softly, "Yakumo, are you bored? If you don't want to play, we can just sit quietly."
Yakumo shook her head, her fingertip gently touching his wrist, as if confirming his presence. Her voice was soft but every word was clear. "As long as I can look at you, I'm not bored."
She paused, then added, "I know you are tired today. I just had the attendant prepare some calming aromatherapy incense. You will be more comfortable later. I specially instructed someone to blend it."
Shun felt a warmth in his heart and squeezed her slightly cool hand. "You understand me a lot, you always put my needs first."
Yakumo curved her lips into an extremely faint smile, the deep affection in her eyes threatening to drown him. Her love had always been profound and persistent.
Hinata sat in the corner. She was naturally reserved and quiet, simply and silently serving Shun the dishes he liked. Each time she served food, she precisely avoided the flavors he disliked, yet she dared not speak much.
Shun noticed her actions and proactively placed a piece of roasted meat into her bowl, his tone gentle but brooking no refusal. "Hinata, don't just serve me, you eat more too. I've noticed you haven't touched your chopsticks much this whole time."
Hinata stiffened and quickly lowered her head. "As long as you like it. I... I'm not hungry."
Seeing this, Shun deliberately put on a serious face, though it lacked any real menace. "Be obedient, you must eat more. You still have to protect the Ninja World alongside me in the future, so your body can't be weak. If you lose weight, I'll be worried."
Hearing this, Hinata obediently picked up her chopsticks and began eating in small bites. Her cheeks were flushed red like a ripe apple, and her heart felt sweet.
"Sister is just too shy."
Hanabi leaned close to Hinata, her vivaciousness fully on display.
She snatched the wine bottle from Shun's hand and poured a full cup for both herself and him, her tone slightly excited. "I'll drink with you. Since sister is too timid, I'll drink double for her. Today is a great day, so we should celebrate to the fullest."
Shun looked at her energetic appearance, feeling helpless yet amused, his tone indulgent. "Hanabi, although the fruit wine isn't strong, you shouldn't drink too much. Be careful not to get drunk and throw a tantrum."
Hanabi waved her hand and raised her wine cup, her eyes sparkling. "I won't. Shun, I toast you. May you grow stronger and stronger in the future, and together, we will dominate the galaxy."
After speaking, she tilted her head back and downed the drink, then proudly flashed the empty cup at Shun. Her cheeks instantly flushed, but she remained full of vitality.
Seeing Hanabi's state, Pakura smiled and shook her head.
She picked up her own wine cup and walked up to Shun, speaking frankly and without reserve, "Hanabi's personality is quite similar to mine when I was young—both so spirited and impulsive."
She raised her cup, her tone forthright and resolute. "Husband, I toast you. If it weren't for you back then, I would have long turned to dust. How could I have this happiness today? From now on, wherever you point, I will strike."
Shun clinked cups with her, his gaze solemn yet easygoing. "Pakura, you are my Royal Consort, but even more, you are my comrade-in-arms. From now on, we will fight side by side. Having you by my side also gives me greater peace of mind."
The two exchanged smiles and drank the wine in their cups together, displaying complete ease and mutual understanding.
...
Shun first walked up to Pakura and leaned in slightly. "Pakura, how fortunate I am to have you in this life."
Pakura linked arms with him. After drinking the wine, she patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. With me here, I will definitely give you a big, healthy son."
He then walked up to Kurotsuchi. Although Kurotsuchi was still a little reserved, she proactively raised her arm, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Shun said softly, "I'll trouble you to manage the affairs of the inner hall from now on. Thank you for your hard work. Only with you here can I advance without worry."
Kurotsuchi's cheeks were slightly flushed, and she responded softly, "This is what I should do. I will manage everything well so you won't be distracted."
When he reached Ino, she playfully linked arms with him and said with a smile, "Husband, you can't play favorites. You must cherish all seven of us equally. I put a lot of effort into pursuing you, so you can't disappoint me."
Shun nodded with a smile, his tone serious. "Of course. I regard every one of you as a precious treasure. Ino, thank you for treating me with such sincerity."
Tenten looked at him with eyes full of longing and whispered, "Husband, I'm waiting to travel the galaxy with you and see all the beautiful sights of the Universe."
Shun squeezed her hand, his eyes firm. "It will happen soon. I never break a promise I make to you."
When it was Yakumo's turn, her movements were very gentle. As she linked arms with Shun, her fingertips trembled slightly but pressed tightly against his arm.
Shun noticed her nervousness and comforted her softly, "Don't be nervous. I'm here."
Yakumo looked up at him, her eyes filled with deep affection, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor. "I trust you."
These simple words concealed the most profound trust.
Finally, he walked up to Hinata and Hanabi.
Hinata shyly linked arms with him, and immediately lowered her head, her earlobes completely flushed red.
Shun smiled and patted her shoulder.
Hanabi, full of vigor, linked arms with him with slightly more force.
After drinking, she shook her cup. "Husband, I haven't had enough yet. Let's have another cup."