If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

In Anyang County, before dawn, the prefectural governor's mansion was already bustling with activity.

Lanterns hung from the eaves, and red silk stretched from the gate to the inner courtyard. Servants moved about in the corridors, carrying lacquer trays, their footsteps making a commotion. The long street outside the mansion had been cleared early, and new felt carpets were laid on the bluestone pavement, stretching all the way to the city gate.

Today is the wedding day of Commander Chen.

Who is Commander Chen? He is a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a very important figure in Anyang County. If he were to get married, which official or gentry in the entire Anyang County would dare not come?

As the sun rose higher, guests arrived one after another.

A row of sedan chairs stopped outside the mansion gate. The sedan chair bearers wiped their sweat and chatted amongst themselves. The gatekeeper held a gift list and announced the names of the guests one after another into the inner courtyard.

"Prefect Liu of Anyang Prefecture has arrived—"

"Lord Zhang, the Salt Transport Commissioner, has arrived—"

"Commander Zhou of the City Defense Battalion has arrived—"

Each name announced drew the attention of the guests under the porch. These people usually had their own spheres of influence, but today they were all gathered together, wearing similar smiles.

Commander Chen stood at the entrance of the main hall, dressed in a brand-new red robe with a jade belt around his waist. He looked exceptionally well today, and a smile never left his face. Upon seeing familiar guests, he greeted them with a few polite words, his tone carrying a hint of reserved pride.

"Lord Chen, congratulations!"

"Lord Chen, this is truly a double celebration! You're about to be promoted, and you've also won the heart of your beautiful bride."

"I've heard that Commander Qin is incredibly beautiful; today I'm finally able to see her in person."

Commander Chen waved his hand with a smile, saying "Not at all," but he couldn't hide the smugness in his eyes. His gaze kept drifting towards the inner courtyard, as if he could already see the bridal sedan chair slowly approaching.

In the inner courtyard, Qin Shuang sat in front of her dressing table.

The woman in the bronze mirror had exquisite features, yet her face seemed frozen in frost. Maids carefully placed a phoenix coronet and wedding gown on her head. Golden hairpins were inserted into her hair, tassels dangling on either side of her face, obscuring most of it.

She didn't say a word from beginning to end.

Her hands rested on her knees, her fingers slightly curled, her knuckles a pale bluish-white. Those hands had once held knives and killed people, but now they were as still as two pieces of white jade.

"Miss, it's time to change your clothes," the maid whispered a reminder.

Qin Shuang did not move.

Another maid mustered her courage and stepped forward to support her arm. Her body stiffened for a moment, but she eventually stood up. Layers of red robes were put on her, binding her like a net.

Someone peeked inside through the crack in the door.

"The auspicious time is approaching, Miss Qin, please don't be late."

Qin Shuang's eyelashes fluttered, finally reacting. She lowered her eyes, looking at the red robes she wore. The color was too vibrant, blindingly so. She remembered the first time she wore the Imperial Guard's flying fish uniform, the weight of the knife in her hand, and the brothers who followed her, who died before her eyes.

And now, she's going to marry the man who killed them.

Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

Outside the mansion gate, the sound of gongs and drums rang out.

The bridal sedan chair has arrived.

A large sedan chair carried by twelve men was decorated with dragon and phoenix patterns and adorned with golden bells at its four corners. The curtains were embroidered with gold, shimmering dazzlingly in the sunlight. The sedan chair bearers marched in unison, carefully placing the chair at the foot of the steps in front of the mansion gate.

The guests made way and stood on both sides to watch.

Commander Chen emerged from the main hall, his face beaming with smiles. He strode down the steps, personally lifted the sedan curtain, and extended his hand.

A slender hand reached out.

Qin Shuang's fingers rested on his palm; they were icy cold. Commander Chen was slightly taken aback, then tightened his grip on her hand and helped her out of the sedan chair.

She stood in the sunlight, her red dress like fire, the jewels on her phoenix crown gleaming. Her face was hidden behind the tassels, her expression unreadable. But everyone felt a chill, like a flower blooming in the snow, breathtakingly beautiful, yet so cold that no one dared to approach.

The guests' chatter subsided.

They had seen countless brides, but never one like this. She stood there, like a beautiful puppet, held in place by an invisible string. Her steps were steady, each one landing silently on the felt.

Commander Chen, holding the red silk ribbon, led her towards the main hall.

The other end of the red silk was tied to Qin Shuang's wrist. The silk was taut and without any wrinkles.

The main hall had already been properly arranged.

The red candle, as thick as a wrist, flickered, its flame reflecting on Commander Chen's face. He stood before the hall, his gaze fixed intently on Qin Shuang.

The seats on both sides were filled with guests; some whispered among themselves, while others held teacups, feigning nonchalance. Their gazes swept over Qin Shuang, filled with scrutiny, envy, and a hint of malice hidden beneath their smiles.

"The auspicious time has arrived—the newlyweds will now perform the wedding ceremony—"

The master of ceremonies' voice was loud and clear, penetrating the entire prefectural governor's mansion.

The guests quieted down, and all eyes turned to the front of the hall.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"

The emcee's voice rang out again.

Commander Chen turned first and bowed towards the outside of the hall. His movements were precise, with a deliberate air of solemnity. He waited for Qin Shuang to follow, waiting for her to kneel down with him.

Then he can declare that the woman is his.

Qin Shuang swayed slightly, but remained motionless.

Her knees seemed nailed to the ground, and she stood straight. Her hands were hidden in her sleeves, her knuckles pressed against her palms.

"Miss Qin?" The emcee's voice was filled with doubt.

All eyes turned to them. Whispers rose from the corners; some speculated, others laughed.

Commander Chen's smile gradually froze on his face. He said in a low voice, "Shuang'er, it's getting late."

Qin Shuang did not respond.

Her breathing grew shallower, and her chest felt constricted. Her eyes reddened, but no tears fell. She was waiting, waiting for someone who would never come.

The person who said they wanted to pay more.

That person who always takes accounting so seriously.

The person who was willing to stand by her side when everyone else thought she was a nuisance.

He won't be coming.

The thought flashed through her mind, and her body swayed slightly.

Commander Chen's impatience was no longer concealed. He reached out and grasped Qin Shuang's wrist, tightening his grip slightly: "Bowing ceremony."

His voice was low and threatening.

Qin Shuang's wrist ached from his grip, but she didn't move. She simply raised her eyes and looked at Chen Qianhu's face through the tassel.

There was neither fear nor anger in those eyes.

There is only one kind of emptiness.

Commander Chen was stunned for a moment.

Just then—

"boom--!"

A loud bang came from the direction of the mansion gate.

The entire prefectural governor's mansion trembled. The candlelight in the main hall flickered violently, and several red candles overturned and rolled a few times on the ground. The guests gasped and backed away, some tripping and knocking over tables behind them.

"What's going on?!"

"Someone's attacking the goal?!"

"Quickly, protect the adults—"

Commander Chen's expression changed instantly. He released Qin Shuang's wrist and turned to look towards the gate. Smoke and dust billowed in from that direction, making it difficult to open one's eyes.

The front door was kicked open.

A figure stood amidst the billowing smoke and dust.

He was dressed in a long blue cloth robe, his hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, looking somewhat languid. He held a sword in his hand, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground, not yet drawn from its sheath.

But as soon as he stood there, no one in the entire main hall dared to move.

The smoke and dust gradually dissipated.

Zhou Yang raised his eyes and looked at Commander Chen standing in front of the hall through the crowd.

Then he laughed.

The smile was faint, yet it instantly made Commander Chen's back tense.

"Lord Chen," Zhou Yang's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the main hall, "aren't you going to invite me for a drink to celebrate this lively occasion?"

He slowly stepped over the threshold, his boots making a soft sound as they trod on the splinters of wood.

The main hall was completely silent.

Everyone stared at him as if he were a madman.

A madman who dared to break into the prefectural governor's mansion on the day of Commander Chen's wedding.

Commander Chen stared at him, his smile completely vanishing. His hand slowly moved to his waist and gripped the hilt of his sword.

"Zhou Yang," his voice was deep, "you're courting death."

Zhou Yang stopped and stood in the center of the main hall.

His gaze swept around, taking in the still-shaken guests, the overturned tables and chairs, and the mess on the floor.

Finally, his gaze fell on Qin Shuang.

She stood in the candlelight, dressed in red, her phoenix crown askew, tassels dangling messily beside her face. Her eyes were red-rimmed, yet she stood straight, like a porcelain doll that had been shattered but pieced back together.

Zhou Yang withdrew his gaze and looked at Commander Chen.

"court death?"

He gently shook his head.

"Lord Chen, that's not how you calculate things."

He took a step forward.

"When I, Zhou, do things, I always set a price."

"You can't afford to pay that price for Qin Shuang's life."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sword in his hand was drawn three inches from its sheath.