At this moment, Liu Qingyan had already helped the Xu girl into the carriage.
The bridal procession paused to regroup.
The group cast frequent glances at Lu Zheng and Taoist Jiuzhen with his disciple, their gazes toward the Huangfu family now tinged with a new respect.
Previously, they knew the Huangfu family as a modestly wealthy clan in Wanfu County, but today they learned they had a cultivator as kin.
Their social standing instantly elevated.
The fear of the now-dead human-faced fox vanished, and two bold souls even sneaked over to peek at its corpse.
By the roadside, Lu Zheng chatted with Jiuzhen and his young disciple.
Lu Zheng was in high spirits, as the fox’s demise granted him over twenty strands of luck’s light, a decent haul. It meant, without his intervention, the fox might have escaped Jiuzhen’s pursuit.
Perfect, no danger, no hassle, and a chance to make friends.
Lu Zheng relished safely gathering luck’s light, biding his time until he could unleash his full power and become unmatched.
The thought thrilled him.
“Is the Taoist travelling with his disciple?” Lu Zheng asked with a smile.
“No,” Jiuzhen shook his head. “Ning’er is my disciple from Huizhou. He’s only donned the robe, not yet formally initiated. I’m taking him to Fengyang Mountain to join the sect.”
“I see.”
Lu Zheng nodded, understanding why Liu Ning hadn’t announced a Taoist title earlier.
“Qingyan is my fiancée. Today is her cousin’s wedding. If you don’t mind, would you join us for a drink?” Lu Zheng invited. “I see young Liu Ning looks weary after a day’s travel.”
“Oh? Fiancée?” Jiuzhen glanced at Liu Qingyan, surprised.
Though he couldn’t discern her true nature, since Huangfu Xu was her cousin, she was likely at least half-demon.
Marrying a fox girl…
But it was Lu Zheng’s private matter, and if Baiyun Temple didn’t care, Jiuzhen wouldn’t meddle.
He glanced at Liu Ning, who, though practicing his imparted techniques, was still a novice, visibly exhausted after the day’s journey and their earlier confrontation.
“Is it convenient?” Jiuzhen asked. “It’s a wedding, after all. I wouldn’t want to make the hosts or bride uncomfortable.”
“No issue,” Lu Zheng laughed, waving it off. “I’m a Taoist too, aren’t I?”
Since Lu Zheng’s invitation was sincere, Jiuzhen nodded with a smile. “Then we’ll impose.”
“You’re too polite, senior.”
Lu Zheng informed Huangfu Jing, who was delighted and felt honoured, immediately sending Huangfu Xu ahead to prepare the household.
They’d been delayed, and the wedding feast would now include a distinguished guest.
…
Once the Xu girl recovered, transforming back into human form, she regained her composed elegance and joined Liu Qingyan to pay respects to Jiuzhen.
…
Due to the fox incident, the group was delayed by nearly an hour, and dusk had settled by the time they reached the Huangfu estate.
The estate’s main gate and walls were adorned with strings of red lanterns, and a bonfire blazed in the front courtyard, radiating warmth.
The estate buzzed with voices, human neighbours and transformed demon friends gathered in the yard, creating a lively scene.
The bride and groom went to the rear courtyard to prepare, while Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan led Jiuzhen and his disciple to their seats.
As they entered, the demons in attendance paid respectful attention, standing to bow with utmost deference.
The Huangfu family’s human neighbours were stunned, assuming these were important figures.
…
The wedding proceeded smoothly. Lu Zheng didn’t join the bridal chamber teasing, instead arranging for the Huangfu family to provide Jiuzhen and his disciple a guest room for the night.
The next day, the two bid farewell, and Lu Zheng personally escorted them to the official road.
The Huangfu family, along with the musicians and sedan bearers, returned to the city to report the human-faced fox and the slain bearer’s case to the authorities.
With all as witnesses, there was little room for dispute.
Lu Zheng and the Liu family didn’t return home. He and Liu Qingyan explored Wanfu County together.
“This shop’s braised dishes are delicious. When I was little, Father always bought roasted chicken here,” Liu Qingyan said.
“This is a private school. My father hired a tutor from here to teach me reading and writing when I was young.”
“This pastry shop’s layered cakes and date paste pastries are delightful.”
Liu Qingyan pulled Lu Zheng into a shop to buy pastries, and they ate as they walked, soon reaching a storefront in the south of the city.
It was a clothing shop. Liu Qingyan stood across the street, staring at it with a complex expression, lost in thought.
“This is…”
“My father’s old Benevolent Hall was here,” Liu Qingyan murmured.
Lu Zheng smiled softly, taking her hand. “Speaking of which, I owe that Leng Jian. If not for him, we might have missed each other.”
Liu Qingyan chuckled, snapping out of her reverie, knowing Lu Zheng was comforting her. She shot him a playful glance. “I was just feeling nostalgic, not wallowing in sadness.”
“Qingyan! It’s you, you’re back?”
Lu Zheng turned to see a refined-looking woman and a man standing nearby.
The woman wore a warm yellow butterfly-embroidered silk dress, her brows delicately drawn, her nose elegant, though her high cheekbones and downturned mouth gave her a slightly sharp look.
The man was handsome, well-dressed, but his eyes lit up with admiration upon seeing Liu Qingyan.
Liu Qingyan’s expression remained calm, ignoring the man entirely.
“Yuzhen, it’s you!”
Seeing the woman, Liu Qingyan’s face showed both the warmth of meeting an old acquaintance and a hint of exasperation.
“Of course it’s me,” Xiao Yuzhen said matter-of-factly. “But you, didn’t you move away? What, are you back now?”
“No, just visiting family,” Liu Qingyan replied coolly, shaking her head.
Lu Zheng noticed Xiao Yuzhen visibly relax after Liu Qingyan’s words. “Right, I remember, your mother’s family is the Huangfu clan outside the city.”
“And this must be your charming suitor,” Xiao Yuzhen said, sizing up Lu Zheng.
Somewhat handsome, but far from her own fiancé, lacking his refined air and dressed plainly, clearly not from a wealthy family.
At this thought, Xiao Yuzhen’s mood brightened.
“Qingyan, let me introduce my fiancé, Lin Zhidong,” she said, pulling the man forward. “The second young master of the Lin family in the north city.”
Lin Zhidong, waiting for this moment, brightened, smiling broadly and bowing. “Lin Zhidong of the Lin family, greetings to Miss Liu and this gentleman.”
