Chapter 334: Staying White-Haired Together, Not Failing the Tathagata

The bride-receiving party stopped at the foot of the mountain.

The crowd glanced and asked the groom for his opinion, basically meaning whether to climb the mountain or not.

“Please, everyone, rest here for a short moment.”

Tong Zhihuan got off his horse and then went up the mountain all by himself.

He had walked this mountain path many times before, but today he felt it was especially rough, and his heart was very unsettled too.

Tong Zhihuan looked up at the mountaintop and started walking up step by step.

In the Long Pavilion at the backyard of Flowing Cloud Temple, a woman in wedding clothes sat straight with a red veil covering her head.

Tao’er’s hands on her knees were very restless, seeming nervous inside, not knowing what to do.

“Sir, he, he has come, hasn’t he?”

Tao’er heard the sounds of gongs and drums from the foot of the mountain and spoke out to ask.

Chen Changsheng nodded and said, “He has started climbing the mountain.”

Under the red veil, Tao’er pursed her lips and wanted to look outside, so she asked the gentleman, “Can I take off the veil?”

Chen Changsheng said, “Common people say it’s unlucky to lift the veil early, but if you want to see, you can quietly sneak a peek.”

After thinking it over, Tao’er shook her head and said, “Then, no.”

She was originally a demon and knew these unlucky signs were just talk, but she still was willing to believe in these ‘false’ human traditions.

Yun Xiang was sitting beside Tao’er, holding her hand. Seeing Tao’er was a bit nervous, she comforted her, saying, “Miss Tao’er, don’t be scared, Mr. Yun Xiang and the gentleman are here with you.”

Under the veil, Tao’er nodded slightly and then stopped speaking, quietly waiting for that person to come and get her.

Tong Zhihuan walked up step by step, and after turning a corner, he saw the two big and one small figures guarding the temple entrance.

Moyuan and Fox Lord were both watching him.

Yu Hongjin, who was drunk, smiled happily, hugging a wine jar and giggling nonstop.

That silly demon.

Tong Zhihuan walked up and bowed.

“Brother Moyuan…”

He then looked at Hu Junhan, someone he had never met before.

“Hu Junhan.” Hu Junhan spoke up.

Tong Zhihuan said, “Brother Fox.”

Moyuan stood at the entrance without any politeness and stretched out his hand.

The meaning was very clear.

Tong Zhihuan smiled, then pulled out some silver coins from his pocket and put them in Moyuan’s hand.

Moyuan weighed them and nodded slightly.

“It’s acceptable.”

Tong Zhihuan laughed and said, “If that’s okay, brother Moyuan, shouldn’t you move aside? My bride is still waiting inside.”

Moyuan shamelessly stretched out his left hand.

“Brother Moyuan.” Tong Zhihuan found it both funny and irritating.

Moyuan grinned and said, “Hurry up. Is my right hand a hand and my left not?”

Tong Zhihuan sighed and had to give out another share of wedding money.

Yu Hongjin saw the silver coins and her eyes lit up.

“I want some too, I want some!”

Moyuan suddenly gave a light tap on her forehead.

“Okay, okay.”

Tong Zhihuan felt around his robe, then put a few pieces of preserved fruit into Yu Hongjin’s hand.

“Huh?” Yu Hongjin blinked and said, “Why are they different?”

Why was she only getting preserved fruit?

Moyuan said, “You’re just a little kid. What do you want money for? Go away.”

Yu Hongjin made a smacking sound with her lips and said, “I won’t take it if you don’t want me to. Why shout so loud?”

Moyuan’s clenched fist tightened under his sleeve.

He didn’t make things hard for Tong Zhihuan and let him pass right away.

Tong Zhihuan then pulled out another share of wedding money and gave it to Hu Junhan beside him.

“Is this for me?” Hu Junhan was surprised.

Seeing Tong Zhihuan nod, Hu Junhan took it and said with a smile, “Thank you.”

After Tong Zhihuan went inside.

Moyuan finally looked away, raised his hand, and snatched all the preserved fruit from Yu Hongjin.

“That’s my preserved fruit, mine!”

Yu Hongjin yelled.

Moyuan said, “I just want to taste it a bit. I’ll give it back later.”

“No! Give it back to me, now! The groom gave it to me!”

Moyuan tried a bite and said, “It’s quite sweet, you know?”

“Kids should eat less sugar. It will rot your teeth. I’ll finish it for you.”

Saying this, he put all the preserved fruit into his mouth at once.

“Wah!”

Yu Hongjin immediately started crying.

Moyuan laughed heartily, chewing the preserved fruit with great pleasure.

Tong Zhihuan’s gaze fell on the withered tree in the yard.

He recalled the days he sat under the tree talking to Miss Tao’er. Back then, he was very shy and often got teased by her.

Now, so many years have passed in a blink.

Tong Zhihuan took a deep breath, came back to his senses, and started walking toward the backyard.

Dressed in bright, red clothes, Tong Zhihuan walked step by step to the pavilion.

Chen Changsheng and Miss Yun stood on either side.

Then Miss Yun passed Tao’er’s hand to him.

Tong Zhihuan looked at the woman in front of him with a red veil. His mind was filled with thoughts; this was something he had dreamed about for so long.

“Miss Tao’er…” Tong Zhihuan mumbled under his breath.

Under the veil, Tao’er pursed her lips and blushed.

She didn’t speak, only nodded slightly.

Tong Zhihuan snapped out of it, then took out a safety token from his pocket and handed it to her.

Tao’er looked down and saw the safety token lying in his palm. She paused and asked, “You still kept it?”

Tong Zhihuan smiled and said, “Because you gave it to me.”

The woman under the veil let out a laugh.

Tong Zhihuan was puzzled and asked, “Miss Tao’er, what are you laughing at?”

Then he heard the woman under the red veil say.

“Silly.”

The word “silly” stunned Tong Zhihuan again.

When he came back to his senses, he couldn’t help but grin stupidly.

He seemed like that clueless young boy from before.

Yun Xiang looked at the shy faces of this newlywed couple, and her eyes softened.

She wished she could have such a day, but she knew deep down it probably wouldn’t happen for her.

“So good.”

Yun Xiang murmured, taking a long breath. In the corner of her eye, she glanced at the Green-Robed Gentleman on the other side.

The gentleman didn’t speak much today.

Chen Changsheng handed Tao’er over to Tong Zhihuan.

“Sir.” Tong Zhihuan addressed him.

Chen Changsheng nodded and said, “Go quickly. Don’t miss the timing.”

Under the veil, Tao’er hesitated to speak.

Tong Zhihuan gave a bow, then took Tao’er’s hand to leave.

Walking halfway, Tao’er suddenly stopped.

Tong Zhihuan paused for a moment and looked aside.

Miss Tao’er turned back, facing the gentleman in the pavilion, and knelt down.

Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but pause, watching the kneeling girl.

On the stone floor, under the Taoist Temple.

Tao’er bowed three times and kowtowed three times.

Chen Changsheng snapped back, smiled calmly, and said, “May you stay white-haired together and not fail the Tathagata.”

Under the veil, the girl’s eyes reddened. She felt thankful the veil hid her face.

Tong Zhihuan helped her stand up.

Then they heard Tao’er say, “Sir, Tao’er is leaving.”

Chen Changsheng closed his eyes and nodded silently.

Tong Zhihuan supported Tao’er as they walked out of the temple.

Sticking together through thick and thin for years, they finally tied the knot for a happy relationship.