Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

The night wind in the capital city stung my face.

Su Qing stood on the roof of Zuixianju, looking at the huge black spirit boat in the distance.

Her body was merely an avatar; even if it were destroyed, it would only result in the loss of some divine soul power.

But Gu Xiang is different.

That fool was just an ordinary person; he only had one life, and once it was lost, it could never be found again.

Su Qing touched the jade slip in her sleeve; it was the core of the national protective formation given to her by the Imperial Advisor.

She knew in her heart that this formation alone could not stop True Master Xuanyin.

In this era of declining spiritual energy, cultivators at the peak of the Cave Profound Realm are the true masters.

Su Qing jumped off the roof, his figure flashing as he avoided the patrolling imperial guards, and flew directly towards the spirit boat above the palace.

She didn't hide her aura; instead, she deliberately let out a demonic aura.

On the spirit boat, True Man Xuan Yin was sitting on a jade chair, his eyes closed in meditation.

He sensed the presence and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.

"Since you're here, get in."

The voice of Master Xuanyin exploded in the air.

Su Qing landed on the deck of the spirit boat, and the disciples of the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect on both sides drew their long swords.

She ignored the people and walked straight to the main hall.

Inside the main hall, Master Xuanyin looked down at her from his high position.

"Little fox, why aren't you here with that scholar waiting to die? What are you doing here?"

Su Qing stopped, bent down slightly, and put on a fawning smile.

"Sir, I've come begging for a way to survive."

Su Qing's voice sounded trembling, as if she had been terrified.

Master Xuanyin sneered and waved his hand.

"Begging for a way out? You killed a disgraced disciple of my sect, and now you come begging for a way out?"

Su Qing took half a step forward and lowered her voice.

"Master, that was all a misunderstanding. I didn't know he was from your sect."

"It wasn't easy for me to reach the Cave Profound Realm; I don't want to lose my life for a mere mortal."

Xuan Yin Zhenren opened his eyes and looked Su Qing up and down.

"Aren't you going to marry him? Everyone in the capital is saying that Imperial Censor Gu is going to marry a peerless beauty."

Su Qing spat, her face full of disdain.

"The marriage is just a pretense. Gu Xiang has cultivated a strong sense of righteousness, but his mind isn't fully developed yet."

"The medicinal effects of that exquisitely discerning heart are most potent only during moments of extreme joy or sorrow."

"I've been protecting him all these years, just waiting for this day."

Upon hearing this, Master Xuanyin sat up straight, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

"Oh? You mean you're going to rip his heart out and give it to me yourself?"

Su Qing nodded, her movements swift.

"You are truly wise. I originally intended to swallow that heart myself in order to break through my cultivation level."

"But now that you're here, how could I dare to have such thoughts?"

"If you, Master, spare my life and allow me to return to Qingqiu, I will personally present that heart to you on our wedding day."

Master Xuan Yin laughed heartily, his laughter causing the pendants on the ceiling of the main hall to sway wildly.

"What a demon race! They are indeed cold-hearted by nature."

"Gu Xiang is deeply in love with you, but you only think about his heart."

Su Qing sneered, her tone turning sinister.

"What's the value of sentiment? Can it make me an immortal?"

"To be honest, I have prepared a big gift."

"Gu Xiang's hometown is in Qingniu Town, where there are still several hundred villagers."

"I have already placed a curse on them. On their wedding day, I will drain all their essence and blood, refine it into blood pills, and give them to the True Man."

Master Xuan Yin nodded in satisfaction.

"You sly fox, you're certainly shrewd."

"If you can really bring me the Exquisite Heart and the Blood Pill, I will not only spare your life, but also take you as a disciple."

Su Qing immediately knelt on the ground and shouted loudly.

"Thank you for your kindness! I will definitely handle things perfectly."

Master Xuanyin waved his hand.

"Get out of here. I want to see something in two days. If you try anything funny, I'll make you wish you were dead."

Su Qing repeatedly agreed and backed out of the main hall.

When she left the spirit boat and landed on the streets of the capital, the humility on her face vanished instantly.

She wiped her hands, as if they had gotten dirty.

"You old bastard, wait until I use my ultimate move to kill you!"

Su Qing cursed under his breath, then swayed and returned to Zuixianju.

The courtyard was brightly lit.

Gu Xiang was squatting on the ground, holding a paste brush in his hand, and sticking red paper onto the door frame.

He was wearing old clothes with his sleeves rolled up high, and there was a patch of white paste on his face.

"Su Qing! You're back!"

When Gu Xiang saw the red figure, he stood up excitedly, but his legs went numb from squatting, and he swayed several times before he could stand up.

Looking at his appearance, Su Qing felt her irritation inexplicably dissipate.

"Why are you doing all this in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Gu Xiang chuckled and pointed to the big red "double happiness" character on the door.

"This is a big deal for us, we can't be careless. I just went and bought the reddest paper, look at this color, it's so festive."

He walked up to Su Qing, wanting to take her hand, but was afraid that the paste on his hands would stain her red dress, so he could only awkwardly wipe it on his clothes.

"When I was writing the invitations just now, I felt like I was dreaming."

"How could I, a poor scholar, possibly be worthy of marrying a fairy like you?"

Su Qing didn't speak, she just looked at him quietly.

Gu Xiang pulled Su Qing to sit on the stone bench and took out a faded cloth bag from his pocket.

He opened each layer, revealing a pair of silver bracelets inside.

The bracelet has an old design, and the patterns on it have been worn down quite a bit, so it's obviously an old item.

"This is what my grandfather gave me when I left. He said it was passed down in the Gu family and was left for his granddaughter-in-law."

Gu Xiang handed the bracelet to Su Qing somewhat awkwardly.

"It's not worth much, and it's not as pretty as your jewelry."

Su Qing took the bracelet.

The bracelet was very light, and it still carried Gu Xiang's body heat.

She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, and it fit perfectly.

"Is it pretty?"

Su Qing shook her wrist, and the silver bracelet gleamed softly in the moonlight.

"Beautiful! So beautiful!"

Gu Xiang looked at Su Qing with eyes full of satisfaction.

He suddenly became serious and straightened his back.

"My wife, I know you're no ordinary person. You're very capable, and you also have a big temper."

"But I, Gu Xiang, swear that as long as I have a breath left in this life, I will never let you suffer the slightest grievance."

"Even if a god in heaven tries to bully you, I'll point my finger at him and give him a good dressing down."

Su Qing felt a pang of sadness as she listened to these plain words.

This fool has no idea that a deadly deity has actually descended from heaven.

"Gu Xiang, if I ever lie to you, will you hate me?"

Su Qing asked softly.

Gu Xiang paused for a moment, then shook his head.

"You're lying to me, there must be a reason. As the sage said, a white lie is just a temporary measure."

"I'll lie to you however I want, as long as you don't leave me."

Su Qing smiled, a smile tinged with helplessness.

She stood up and patted Gu Xiang on the shoulder.

"Alright, hurry up and finish putting up the rest of the 'double happiness' characters. We still need to book a banquet at Juxianglou tomorrow."

Gu Xiang responded loudly and squatted down again to get back to work.

Su Qing went into the room and closed the door.

She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the silver bracelet on her wrist.

She was trying to complete the strategy, so she shouldn't have had these complicated emotions.

"It's alright, I'm just a fox, I'm only here to complete the mission."

She pulled a broken folding fan from under her pillow; it was the one she had left behind at Black Wind Village.

"Once I've dealt with this stinking Taoist priest, even if I'm not around, Gu Xiang can still become the future Sage of Literature."

She gently stroked the fan ribs with her fingers, her eyes turning extremely cold, and she seemed to be trying to convince herself as she muttered to herself.

"Xuan Yin, if you want to eat a heart, I'll prepare the biggest one for you."

The streets of the capital city began to bustle early the next morning.

The news of Imperial Censor Gu's upcoming marriage spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Although the black spirit boat in the sky is still there, the people still have to go on with their lives.

Gu Xiang, dressed in casual clothes, led Su Qing through the market.

He bought red candles, peanuts, red dates, and a large load of wedding candy.

Every time Gu Xiang saw an acquaintance, he would grab a handful of wedding candy and stuff it into their hand.

"Uncle Wang, remember to come to the wedding banquet the day after tomorrow!"

"Aunt Li, you absolutely must come! I've hired the best chef in the capital!"

Seeing Gu Xiang's happy expression, the people all offered their congratulations.

Unbeknownst to them, a deadly ambush lurked beneath the festive atmosphere.

Su Qing followed behind Gu Xiang, watching him bustling around doing things.

She noticed that Gu Xiang was unusually talkative today, and his mouth never stopped.

By evening, the two of them returned home carrying large and small bags.

Gu Xiang was exhausted and sweating profusely, sitting on the doorstep panting.

"Su Qing, do you think it will rain on our wedding day?"

Looking at the persistent dark cloud on the horizon, Gu Xiang asked with some concern.

Su Qing walked over and sat down next to him, leaning on his shoulder.

"It won't rain; the sun will shine brightly."

Gu Xiang nodded.

"That's good. I bought a lot of firecrackers; they won't go off if it rains."

He turned his head and looked at Su Qing's profile.

"Su Qing, I'm so happy."

Su Qing closed her eyes.

"I'm very happy too."

Late at night.

Gu Xiang was writing the last few invitations in his study.

Su Qing stood in the courtyard, watching the black crow land on the treetop.

The crow opened its beak and spat out a piece of blood-stained cloth.

Those were fragments of clothing belonging to a villager from Gujia Village.

Su Qing grabbed the fabric in her hand, and a pink flame ignited in her palm, burning it to ashes.

"They acted quite quickly."

Su Qing muttered to herself.

She knew that Master Xuanyin had already sent people to Qingniu Town.

He's waiting, waiting for his wedding day to reap all the rewards.

Su Qing looked up at the spirit boat, a ruthless glint in her eyes.

The nine illusory tails behind her solidified instantly, then quickly disappeared.

"If you want it, you'll have to have the teeth to bite it."

At this moment, the lights in the study went out.

Gu Xiang pushed open the door and came out, seeing Su Qing standing in the moonlight.

"Why aren't you asleep yet? You have to try on your wedding dress tomorrow."

Gu Xiang walked over and took Su Qing's hand.

Su Qing obediently followed him into the house.

"Gu Xiang, you must dress smartly the day after tomorrow."

Gu Xiang patted his chest confidently.

"Don't worry, I'm definitely the most handsome groom in the capital."

The two entered the house, and the door slowly closed.

The night in the capital city remains heavy.

Xuan Yin Zhenren on the spirit boat opened his eyes, looked in the direction of Zui Xian Ju, and let out a cold snort.

"The day of the wedding is also the day of the flag-raising ceremony."

Meanwhile, on the Star-Picking Tower in the palace, the Imperial Advisor stood by the railing, holding a pot of wine in his hand.

She poured a cup onto the floor.

"Monk, look, another fool is going to follow in your footsteps."

"But this time, it seems a little different."

The Imperial Advisor looked at the courtyard where Su Qing was, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

She could sense that Su Qing was setting up a trap.

A situation that could shatter the heavens.

The bells of the capital city rang, signaling that the wedding was just two days away.

Gu Xiang laughed out loud in his dream. In his dream, he saw himself holding Su Qing's hand and walking on a street covered with a red carpet.

Su Qing sat by the bed, unable to sleep all night.

She kept deducing the changes in the formation.

She wanted to protect Guxiang, and also the people of this city.

Furthermore, we must let the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect know what the fox spirit's revenge is.

The next morning, Gu Xiang got up early.

He washed his face, shaved his beard, and looked much more energetic.

"Su Qing, get up quickly, let's go try on clothes!"

Gu Xiang shouted loudly from outside the door.

Su Qing pushed open the door and looked at Gu Xiang in the sunlight.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that if things could continue like this, it wouldn't be so bad.

Unfortunately, the immortals refused.

Then we can only ask the immortal to die.

Su Qing changed into some comfortable clothes and followed Gu Xiang out the door.

They passed through the bustling city and along the riverbank.

Gu Xiang talked about his childhood the whole way.

It tells how he stole sweet potatoes from his neighbor and how his grandfather chased and beat him.

Su Qing listened attentively, occasionally interjecting with a word or two.

This kind of ordinary happiness seems especially precious at this moment.

Upon arriving at the clothing store, Gu Xiang changed into a bright red groom's suit.

He came out of the fitting room, somewhat awkwardly tugging at the corner of his clothes.

"How is it? Doesn't it seem a little strange?"

Su Qing looked at him.

The bright red official robe made Gu Xiang's face look even more vibrant.

Against the backdrop of red, his aura of righteousness seemed to subtly shimmer with golden light.

"No, it's not strange, it looks great."

Su Qing walked over and helped him straighten the big red flower on his chest.

Gu Xiang looked at herself in the mirror, then at Su Qing beside her.

"Su Qing, I will definitely treat you well."

Su Qing nodded.

"I know."

As the two walked out of the shop, it suddenly got dark.

A rumble of thunder echoed through the clouds.

Gu Xiang shrank his neck.

"This darn weather, it's changed again."

Su Qing looked up at the sky.

She knew that it was Xuan Yin Zhenren urging her.

He was reminding her that time was running out.

Su Qing grabbed Gu Xiang's hand and held it tightly.

"Let's go home."

On the eve of the wedding, the capital was eerily quiet.

There was no wind, and no rain.

Only that black spirit boat weighed heavily on everyone's hearts like a mountain.

Gu Xiang sat in the courtyard, looking at the red lanterns that filled the yard.

He suddenly turned to look at Su Qing.

"My wife, I always feel uneasy."

Su Qing patted his head.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Gu Xiang nodded, leaned against Su Qing's chest, and slowly fell asleep.