Chapter 268: Marriage Completed

Today, an auspicious day, suitable for weddings, rituals, and travel.

It is the joyous day of Dong Yong's marriage to the Seventh Fairy Maiden.

Under Dong Fu's organization, and because Dong Yong is generally kind-hearted, whenever any villager has a big or small matter needing muscle, he goes to help without hesitation, making him very popular.

Therefore, the villagers of Dongjia Village are especially attentive to his wedding; from early morning they act, cleaning the front and back of houses and the main road spotless, jointly erecting a shed, arranging tables and chairs, and setting up the banquet venue.

As for the banquet ingredients and arrangements, they are all handled solely by Dong Fu.

He specifically sent someone to the county seat to hire a skillful chef, and in recent days he has early stocked costly items like fat pork, lamb, and live chickens, truly sparing no expense.

However, Dong Fu has his own calculations—he has learned that today Young Master Yu will also attend in person!

If, through this meticulous preparation and strong support, he can connect with Young Master Yu and forge a good bond, then all current expenses are worth a thousandfold!

Money is external; spent money can be earned again, and such a celestial connection is a chance encounter, not to be sought.

While the village is bustling fervently over the wedding, on the official road outside the village, a brown‑red carriage drawn by a horse draped in festive red cloth rolls in at a steady pace.

Seated inside is the newly appointed magistrate of Jingyun County, Chen Hua; today he does not wear the official robe but a plain scholar's long gown, appearing modest and easygoing.

Behind him follows another carriage loaded with what is clearly congratulatory gifts.

Chen Hua's gaze through the window falls on the approaching Dongjia Village, and he murmurs softly, with barely restrained anticipation:

"Teacher of Gaozu, an immortal descended... If today I can glimpse the true face, even just a familiar sight, forming a sliver of connection, it may become a great opportunity for my future rise to prominence..."

The carriage slows to a halt at the village entrance.

The driver turns back to ask:

"Sir, shall we drive the carriage directly into the village?"

Chen Hua shakes his head, smooths his robe, and stands, saying:

"No need. I will walk in with the gifts myself to show sincerity. You may wait here."

Having said so, he steps down, signals the gift‑laden carriage to follow, and leads the gift party, walking calmly toward Dongjia Village.

Most busy villagers do not recognize the casually dressed magistrate, assuming he is a distant relative of Dong Yong's family or a friend of Lord Dong.

But Dong Fu, sharp‑eyed, instantly recognizes Chen Hua, startled, quickly puts down his work, rushes forward with a respectful yet warm smile, and bows:

"Ah! Sir Chen! How did you personally grace us with your presence? This... this truly brings glory, truly brings glory!"

"Ah—," Chen Hua waves his hand, his face showing a gentle smile, kindly correcting:

"Brother Dong, that remark is inaccurate."

"There is no 'Sir Chen' here today. Only Chen Hua, who has come to congratulate the newlyweds."

"Brother Dong, no need for excessive courtesy; we are peers and can converse as equals."

He scans the lively scene and smiles:

"I have heard that Dongjia Village's first celebration this year is Dong Yong's grand wedding; such a match made in heaven, how could I not come to share the joy?"

That address "Brother Dong" makes Dong Fu's heart blossom, delighted and surprised by the favor.

Usually a local gentry landlord, he never expects a county official to address him as brother; his smile brightens further, and he quickly steps aside to guide:

"Yes, yes, Chen... Chen brother, you are right! Please, please take a seat here!"

Dong Fu immediately leads Chen Hua to a previously arranged, relatively quiet resting spot to sit.

After tea is served, Chen Hua looks around, makes a few seemingly casual greetings, then, as if nonchalantly, gets to the point, asking:

"Brother Dong, I heard Dong Yong has a friend called Young Master Yu? I wonder... is he present today? Which talented gentleman is he? I would like to meet him."

Upon hearing this, Dong Fu instantly understands—indeed he came for Young Master Yu! He keeps a steady face, smiling as he shakes his head:

"Brother Chen, you arrived a bit early; Young Master Yu... has not yet arrived."

"He will come after some time; he will appear near the auspicious hour."

Hearing this, Chen Hua is not in a hurry, nods and smiles: "I see."

"Brother Dong, you keep busy; I will sit here myself."

Dong Fu understands, immediately stands and leaves:

"Alright, Brother Chen, rest as you wish; if you need anything, just say the word!"

He watches his departing back.

Chen Hua's eyes half‑closed as if feigning sleep, sitting leisurely and contentedly.

The ensuing wedding ceremony, since Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy Maiden have no senior relatives in the Human World, is greatly simplified; the earlier series of procedures are omitted for now.

Until Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy Maiden stand opposite each other, bow deeply, and pledge a lifelong union.

After the rites, the Seventh Fairy Maiden is taken to a temporarily arranged "new room", while Dong Yong must attend to guests outside.

Thus the marriage is considered completed.

Immediately, the banquet begins.

Villagers sit together, gazing at the rare sumptuous dishes on the table—large pieces of stewed meat, whole chickens and ducks, fragrant rice and noodles—each smiling broadly, eating heartily, the atmosphere extremely lively.

For them, perhaps this is the most lavish meal they will ever eat in this life!

Dong Yong moves among the seats, receiving the villagers' blessings, his face radiating a happy smile.

However, watching this scene of joyous revelry and indulgent feast, his heart, besides happiness, involuntarily feels a subtle, indescribable loss.

"Yu brother... he promised to come."

"Now the auspicious hour has passed, the banquet has started, where is he? Could he be delayed by some urgent matter?"

Originally he wanted Yu Lin to sit on the high hall, for Yu Lin is, to him, like a second set of parents!

Inside the new room, the Seventh Fairy Maiden, though separated by a curtain, can still feel the outside clamor and joy.

But her heart also harbors a doubt similar to Dong Yong's,

"Where is Yu Lin now?"

Beyond that, an inexplicable unease quietly grows, as if a dark cloud is slowly approaching, heralding a great event she does not wish to see.

This palpitation made her hand, gripping the skirt's hem, tighten slightly.

Just as the newlywed couple each harbored their own thoughts, a hint of hidden worry mingled with the joy——

Whoosh——!

A clear sound of tearing through the air came suddenly from the heavens above, sharp and lingering, instantly drowning out all the clamor at the scene!

Everyone looked up together, gazing toward the horizon from which the sound came!

Only to see beneath the azure sky, a streak of light came racing like a meteor chasing the moon!

When the light drew nearer, everyone suddenly saw that it was a person stepping on a crimson long sword, flying on the sword!

"I'm late, sorry, sorry!"