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

September 15th.

Good luck.

In the morning in the capital, sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone on the red silk banners lining the streets.

The shadow cast by the black spirit boat a few days ago was forgotten by the people amidst the sounds of gongs and drums throughout the city.

All that everyone remembers is that today is the big day of the wedding of Lord Gu, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.

In the backyard of Zuixianju, Gu Xiang, dressed in a bright red auspicious robe, stood in front of a bronze mirror, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.

The fabric of this dress was personally selected by Su Qing, with gold thread trim and a large red flower tied on the chest.

Gu Xiang tugged at his sleeves, straightened his official hat, and grinned foolishly at his reflection in the mirror.

"Lord Gu, we've been reflecting this for half an hour already. If we keep doing that, the mirror will shatter."

Li Yu pushed open the door and came in, carrying a heavy gift box.

He wasn't wearing a dragon robe today, but just a purple long gown, making him look like a wealthy young master.

Gu Xiang quickly turned around and cupped his hands in greeting to Li Yu.

"Your Highness, why did you come in person?"

Li Yu put the box on the table and patted Gu Xiang on the shoulder.

"How could I not attend your wedding? This is a most important event in the capital."

He leaned closer to Gu Xiang and lowered his voice.

"Everyone outside is saying that you married a stunningly beautiful woman. I've come to see if your slender frame can handle it."

Gu Xiang blushed and retorted stubbornly.

"Your Highness, please do not believe the rumors. My wife is a fairy descended from heaven."

Li Yu laughed loudly and pointed at Gu Xiang's nose.

"You idiot, you're not even married yet, and you're already this protective."

Just then, the matchmaker's voice came from outside the door.

"The auspicious hour has arrived! Groom, please proceed to fetch the bride!"

Gu Xiang took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and strode out the door.

The entrance to Zuixianju was already crowded with onlookers.

As soon as Gu Xiang appeared, a cheer erupted from the crowd.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Lord Gu!"

"Wishing Lord Gu and his wife a long and happy marriage!"

Gu Xiang kept bowing to those around him, shouting "Congratulations!"

He mounted a tall horse, which was also adorned with a red ribbon around its neck.

The wedding procession stretched for a long distance. Sugar figurine makers, rouge sellers, and even officials who had been impeached by Gu Xiang in the past all had smiling faces today and stood by the roadside to see them off.

Su Qing sat in the sedan chair.

The red dress she wore today was even more vibrant than usual, and she wore a heavy phoenix crown on her head.

She listened to the noise outside, her fingers gently stroking the jade slip in her sleeve.

The power of this avatar has reached its peak.

She could sense that the Mysterious Yin Immortal in the heavens was watching this place.

That air of greed made her feel nauseous, even through the sedan curtain.

"Lift the sedan chair!"

With a loud shout from the matchmaker, the sedan chair was lifted steadily.

Gu Xiang rode his horse at the very front of the procession.

Looking at the cheering crowds on both sides, he felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

Three years ago, when he entered the capital, he only had two taels of silver on him.

At that time, he was poor and dull-witted, and couldn't even afford a full meal.

Who could have imagined that three years later, he would be wearing this outfit, on the most bustling street in the capital, marrying the woman he loved most?

The procession circled around the capital city.

When passing by the Golden Palace, Gu Xiang stopped for a moment and bowed in the direction of the palace.

He was not worshipping the Holy Emperor, but rather the entire Zhou Dynasty.

"My wife, do you see? This is all our home."

Gu Xiang spoke softly to the sedan chair.

A soft laugh came from inside the sedan chair.

"Idiot, let's hurry up and go, it'll be dark soon if we dawdle any longer."

The wedding procession left the city gates of the capital and headed towards Gujia Village in Qingniu Town.

This is what Gu Xiang insisted on.

He said that he was a child from Gujia Village, and that he wanted all the villagers to watch his marriage.

He wanted his grandfather to know that Gu Xiang had not disgraced the Gu family.

Along the official road, the once barren vegetation was now tied with red ropes.

Su Qing lifted a corner of the sedan curtain and looked at the figure riding a horse in front of her.

Gu Xiang stood very straight, and his righteous spirit shone faintly in the sunlight.

She knew in her heart that this might be the most glorious moment of this fool's life.

That was also the most dangerous moment.

"Gu Xiang, are you really not afraid of dying?"

Su Qing asked herself this question.

As if sensing something, Gu Xiang in front turned around and gave the sedan chair a bright smile.

That smile was pure and without any impurities.

Su Qing lowered the curtain, and the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.

"If I were afraid of dying, I wouldn't have married you."

After walking for most of the day, the group finally arrived at Gujia Village.

The old locust tree at the entrance of the village was covered with red lanterns.

Grandpa Village Chief, along with the entire village, young and old, were already waiting there.

"He's back! Gu Xiang is back!"

The children shouted and jumped around the carriage.

Gu Xiang jumped off his horse, walked quickly to his grandfather, and knelt down with a thud.

"Grandpa, your grandson is back."

Grandpa, tears streaming down his face, helped Gu Xiang up with trembling hands.

"Good, good boy. You've become a high-ranking official, but you haven't forgotten your poor relatives like us."

He looked at the bright red sedan chair behind him, his eyes full of curiosity.

"Is this the Miss Su you were talking about?"

Gu Xiang nodded heavily, walked over, and lifted the sedan curtain.

Su Qing reached out and placed her hand in Gu Xiang's palm.

The moment Su Qing stepped out of the sedan chair, the entire Gu family village fell silent.

The villagers stared wide-eyed at the woman in red.

They had never seen such a beautiful person in their lives.

"This...this must be a fairy from heaven?"

Er Ya stood in the crowd, still holding the pair of cloth shoes she hadn't given away, her eyes filled with envy.

Su Qing bowed slightly to the villagers.

"Su Qing greets all the elders."

Her voice was so pleasant that it made the old men all smile.

"Quick, come inside! The feast is all set!"

Grandpa shouted loudly.

Inside the ancestral hall of Gujia Village, red candles burned brightly.

Gu Xiang held Su Qing's hand as they walked along the path covered with a red carpet.

Along the way, Gu Xiang felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest.

He looked at Su Qing's profile; illuminated by the red candlelight, she was so beautiful that he dared not look directly at her.

"Su Qing".

Gu Xiang stopped and stood at the entrance of the ancestral hall.

"What's wrong?"

Su Qing turned her head to look at him.

Gu Xiang took her hands, his eyes becoming very serious.

"I used to think that reason could explain everything."

"Later I realized that reasoning can't convince people's hearts."

"But in this lifetime, there's only one principle I want to tell you."

Su Qing raised an eyebrow.

"What's the reasoning behind that?"

Gu Xiang leaned close to her ear, his voice soft yet powerful.

"In this life, I, Gu Xiang, am yours to live and die."

"Whether you're a demon or a fairy, you're still my wife."

"If the heavens dare to take you in, I'll curse the heavens until they collapse."

Su Qing was stunned.

Looking at Gu Xiang's earnest face, she felt an indescribable sense of guilt.

She was only there to complete the mission; she shouldn't have any feelings.

but......

"fool."

Su Qing reached out and hugged Gu Xiang's neck.

"Your sweet words are much more pleasing to the ear than your official memorials."

The two bowed to heaven and earth in the ancestral hall.

There were no red tape, only the cheers of the villagers.

Gu Xiang drank a lot of alcohol.

He held the hands of each villager, expressing his gratitude.

He told everyone that he would be a good official in the future and that everyone would live a good life.

Su Qing sat to the side, watching him go crazy.

She noticed that Gu Xiang's righteous spirit was becoming increasingly strong.

That is the will of the people, the aspiration of all living beings.

This power made even the Xuan Yin True Man in the heavens feel a sense of unease.

Gu Xiang's heart was filled with happiness. If he could, he would wish time could stand still at this moment.

Unfortunately, time will not stand still for him.

A Quatrain on Farewell at the Wedding

Ten miles of red bridal makeup reflect the evening glow, and old trees at the village entrance are draped with new gauze.

The foolish child only thought it was a good match, but he didn't know that the heavens hid a giant tooth.

With his mind fully open and emotions fully revealed, the butcher's knife was half-drawn, and life was as swift as a bolt of lightning.

Tonight we'll be birds of a feather, tomorrow we'll each go our own way in the netherworld.