I searched for corpses in the Wuding River to extract entries

On the top of the room that was decorated like a wedding hall but was actually a mourning hall, the red fox had been waiting patiently for quite a long time.

It lurks quietly, its eyes passing through the gaps in the tiles, closely watching everything that moves below.

When Zhou Qiangguang's body was placed back into the heavy coffin, a Taoist priest in a Taoist robe began to chant scriptures.
The low and long sound of chanting echoed in the mourning hall and lasted for a long time.

After a series of solemn ceremonies, the Zhou family's master, his wife and the Taoist priest left the mourning hall one after another, leaving behind only the empty room and the heavy atmosphere.

Just then, the red fox pushed aside a tile on the roof, revealing a hole of moderate size.

It blew out a breath of fresh air slowly from its mouth.

The breath directly penetrated the hole in the roof and silently entered the mourning hall.

After entering the mourning hall, the fresh air instantly turned into a strong wind, violently sweeping across the entire space.

The candlesticks were blown to the ground by the strong wind, the candles went out, and the food offerings were scattered all over the ground, creating a mess.

Even the heavy coffin lid was cracked by the strong wind.

Seeing this, the red fox immediately seized this fleeting opportunity.

Its entire body turned into a fiery red light in an instant and penetrated into Zhou Qiangguang's coffin like a meteor.

At this moment, as if they had noticed some unusual movement in the mourning hall, Zhou's parents and the Taoist priest quickly rushed back.

They pushed open the door and saw that the mourning hall was in a mess, the candles were extinguished, the food was scattered, and the coffin lid was lifted.

The master and his wife stared at the messy mourning hall in front of them. Their expressions underwent complex changes in an instant.
There was a look of fear that was difficult to conceal, mixed with other indescribable emotions.

Mrs. Zhou's tears kept falling from her eyes like pearls that had broken off the string.

She choked up and called out, "Qi Guang... is that you? My child, have you come back to visit your mother, Qi Guang?"

The Taoist maintained a solemn look and quickly took out an ancient compass from his waist.

The Taoist stared at the changes on it intently. After a while, he found that the needle on the compass did not move at all, which made him feel a little relieved.

The Taoist then said, "It shouldn't be a big deal, please don't worry too much, Master and Madam."

"Let me take another look at the young master's body to make sure everything is alright."

He walked slowly to the coffin and lifted the heavy coffin lid easily with one hand.

The other hand habitually rested on the hilt of the sword behind his back, ready to deal with any emergency that might arise at any time.

When he saw the young master of the Zhou family lying quietly in the coffin, he spoke again:

"It seems that there was just a draught blowing through the hall, disturbing the young master's rest."

"Just remember to close the door when we go out."

The master listened to Master Zhao's words and nodded calmly.
Then he ordered: "Master Zhao, you'd better act quickly, don't miss the auspicious time."

Upon hearing this, Master Zhao smiled and consoled him, "Master Zhou, don't worry."

"After the matter is accomplished, the young master will naturally marry into a good family..."

……

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Zhang Peiying felt as if she had been waiting for several years or months, and was already showing signs of fatigue.

And during this time, she had not heard anyone's footsteps or any other subtle movements.

Zhang Peiying sighed softly: "Oh, I'm so hungry now. If I had known earlier, I shouldn't have just eaten so little in the morning..."

She recalled that in the morning, in order to put on the red dress without making her stomach look awkward, she only ate two mouthfuls of food.
Thinking about it now, I really regret it.

Now it was already late at night and there was total silence all around. Even Zhou Lang's voice was not heard.

Zhang Peiying couldn't help but feel a surge of worry and uneasiness in her heart, and various thoughts began to circle in her mind:
"Did Zhou Lang really regret the engagement?"

"Or does he fundamentally look down on me, a woman from a commoner family, and think that I am not worthy of being his partner?"

"Or maybe, Zhou Lang already has someone he loves, and he has eloped with that person, leaving me alone in this cold room?"

As these thoughts continued to emerge, Zhang Peiying felt increasingly confused and helpless:
"What should I do?"

The passage of time intensified her anxiety, and she involuntarily fell into a vortex of crazy thoughts.

Just then, a subtle but clear creaking sound broke the silence of the night. It was the sound of the door being pushed open.

Zhang Peiying raised her head suddenly, a glimmer of hope and expectation rising in her heart:

"Is he finally here? Could it be Zhou Lang?"

Zhang Peiying's heart instantly tensed up as a string, and her emotions were like fallen leaves blown by a strong wind, churning endlessly.

The colleague she was looking forward to was filled with deep fear.

She was worried that the upcoming visitor was not Zhou Lang, but an uninvited guest who brought bad news.

"Ma'am, sorry to have kept you waiting!"

This sound was like a stream of cool spring water flowing in the mountains during the scorching heat, which instantly penetrated Zhang Peiying's heart.

Is this Zhou Lang's voice? It turns out that his voice is also so pleasant to the ears, like the sound of nature, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.

What surprised Zhang Peiying was that Zhou Lang's footsteps seemed unusually light, almost silent.

Although she couldn't see anything outside clearly because of the thin red veil,
But she could still see a tall and strong man slowly approaching her.

At this time, "Zhou Lang"'s voice sounded again, with a bit of apology and tenderness:
"Madam, I just had a few drinks with the guests. I was a little out of control because I can't drink much. I am so ashamed to have kept you waiting for so long."

Zhang Peiying was somewhat puzzled when she heard this.

After all, from the time she entered the door to the time she entered the bridal chamber, she did not see or hear of any wedding banquet.

But these thoughts only flashed through her mind, and were immediately washed away by the accelerated heartbeat and the nervousness that surged in her heart.

She clearly heard the gentle voice of "Zhou Lang" again asking:
"Madam...Have you seen my portrait?"

Zhang Peiying nodded gently and replied softly, "Yes, of course I remember."

Hearing this, "Zhou Lang" seemed to say with some regret: "But... I have never had the honor of seeing your portrait."

"But... I guess you must be a peerless beauty who can make the moon and flowers ashamed and the fish and geese fall to the ground!"

Zhang Peiying couldn't help feeling a little nervous when she heard such praise.

Although her appearance is outstanding, she knows that she is still a long way from being as beautiful as the ones described as "beautiful enough to shame the moon and flowers, and to sink fishes and fall geese."

This sudden nervousness made her worried, fearing that her appearance would not meet the expectations of "Zhou Lang", which would lead to changes in this marriage. "No... no... I'm not as beautiful as Zhou Lang said..." She hurriedly tried to explain, with a hint of panic in her voice.
"I am just an ordinary woman. I am afraid that I am far from what Zhou Lang said."

However, "Zhou Lang" interrupted her at this moment, his tone full of determination:

"My lady, there is no need to be modest. Please see with your own eyes whether I look exactly like the portrait."

After saying that, he slowly raised his hand and gently lifted the red veil on Zhang Peiying's head.

A handsome, tall man, dressed in a bright red suit, suddenly appeared in Zhang Peiying's sight.

"Zhou Lang" had a high nose bridge, red lips and white teeth, and his smile made Zhang Peiying look at him with a bit of obsession.

She could clearly feel her heart beating wildly in her chest, as if it could break free and jump out at any time.

Originally she was somewhat hesitant and reluctant about this marriage, but at this moment she seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, and she wished she could fly into Zhou Lang's arms and become one with him.

Zhang Peiying's face turned red instantly, as brilliant as a sunset glow, yet also with a hint of self-abasement.

She lowered her head and thought to herself: Zhou Lang comes from a prominent family. Not only is he handsome, but he also passed the imperial examination at a young age and has a bright future.

And what about me? I am just the daughter of an ordinary pig butcher, of humble status, how can I be worthy of such an outstanding person?
At this moment, "Zhou Lang" stretched out a slender white hand and gently lifted Zhang Peiying's chin.
He asked softly, "How is it, my lady? Are you satisfied with me?"

Zhang Peiying was naturally very satisfied in her heart, but when faced with Zhou Lang's questions, she felt a little embarrassed and shy.

She replied in a low voice: "Of course I am satisfied, but Zhou Lang, I just..."

"Zhou Lang" seemed to see through Zhang Peiying's inner thoughts at a glance. He didn't say much.
He just gently reached out his hand and gently stroked Zhang Peiying's delicate face:
"No problem. I am very satisfied with your appearance."

After hearing this, Zhang Peiying finally mustered up the courage to raise her head, her eyes already filled with tears:
"Zhou Lang..."

While the two were immersed in this sentimental atmosphere, "Zhou Lang" felt extremely proud in his heart.

He thought to himself: "Isn't this enough? It seems that the thoughts I get through this method seem to be much more than those men voluntarily provide..."

"Is this because women are more affectionate and more easily moved?"

"But... as long as I find the right opportunity, it seems that it won't be difficult to transform into a man."

"Sister, it seems that your previous method was wrong..."

Just as he was immersed in his own thoughts, suddenly, bursts of loud shouting sounded like thunder in the red fox's ears.

Zhang Peiying was also startled. She said nervously, "It's my father and mother, and I think my second uncle's voice as well? Why are they here?"

Before he finished speaking, several simply dressed but strong men appeared outside the bridal chamber.

They looked angry and rushed over aggressively.

The leader among them was Zhang Peiying's father, Zhang the Butcher.

His eyes were filled with anger. Before he even entered the new house, he started shouting in the yard:

"Aying, come with me quickly, the Zhou family are all liars..."

"Shut up!" This was the voice of the Zhou family master: "Where is Master Zhao? Go and invite Master Zhao over!"

The Zhou family's servant said quickly, "Master...we have searched the entire yard, but Master Zhao seems to have disappeared."

He didn't know that in the nearby room, Master Zhao, whose mind had been bewitched by the red fox, had already fallen asleep.

"Go and find him quickly!" The master of the Zhou family was very anxious when he saw several servants being knocked to the ground by these strong men again.

Butcher Zhang pushed aside the servant who was blocking his way without any hesitation and rushed directly to the door of the new house.
The door of the new house was suddenly pushed open with great force, making a loud "clang" sound.

"Aying, come with me! Master Zhou has already..."

Before Zhang the Butcher could finish his words, he was interrupted anxiously by Zhang Peiying.

"Dad, what are you doing here? Look how scared Zhou Lang is..."

Zhang Peiying looked at her father with some dissatisfaction, then turned and looked at the bed behind her.

Butcher Zhang was stunned and his eyes immediately fell on the bed behind Zhang Peiying.

I saw a handsome man in red huddled there, his eyes revealing a bit of panic and uneasiness.

At this moment, the master of the Zhou family also rushed into the bridal chamber, and his eyes also fell on "Zhou Lang".

However, at this moment, Mr. Zhou suddenly took a few steps back, his expression revealing a bit of fear.

"Qiguang...Qiguang you..." Mr. Zhou's voice trembled a little, as if he had seen something incredible.

However, in a split second, a fleeting green light flashed in "Zhou Lang's" eyes, and Master Zhou's expression instantly returned to normal.

Mr. Zhou immediately walked to the bed and said to Zhang the Butcher with a serious face:

"Father-in-law, I've already told you that Qi Guang is fine. What you heard is completely false. Don't believe those rumors."

As he spoke, he sighed:

"It's a pity that I retired and returned to my hometown early. After I left the officialdom, people bullied me."

"If I were still in power, who would dare to make up rumors about me?"

"But don't worry, father-in-law. Once I have investigated the matter, I will definitely bring the guy who spread the rumors to justice and clear our Zhou family's name."

Butcher Zhang and his brothers looked at each other, but Zhou Qiangguang, who was transformed from a red fox, acted as if nothing had happened. He calmly got off the bed and saluted to Butcher Zhang:
"My humble name is Zhou Qiguang, nice to meet your father-in-law."

Butcher Zhang looked around and carefully examined the "Zhou Qiangguang" in front of him, and indeed did not see anything unusual.

The anger in his heart gradually subsided, and he realized that he might have been too impulsive.

He shook his head helplessly, feeling a little ashamed, thinking that his behavior just now was a little inappropriate.

"Aying, Dad heard something. It said that Young Master Zhou...he..." Butcher Zhang was hesitant to speak, as if he found it difficult to start.

"Some people say that Master Zhou is dead, and they want to marry you to a dead person!" Master Zhou took over the conversation, his tone revealing anger and dissatisfaction, "It seems that someone doesn't want your Zhang family to have an easy life, and deliberately spread rumors to ruin your marriage."

When Zhang the butcher heard this, he recalled the sarcastic remarks and gossip from his neighbors, and his heart sank.

He nodded solemnly, indicating his agreement with Mr. Zhou's statement, and at the same time said to Mr. Zhou apologetically:

"I'm sorry, Master Zhou. I was impulsive just now and damaged your furniture. How much are those furniture worth? I will compensate you..."

"If you wish, you can also send the distribution officer down... Just don't blame my daughter, she is innocent."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhou waved his hand, signaling Butcher Zhang not to be so polite:
"We are all family. What you said is nonsense. You and I are both victims. It's all the fault of the person who spread the rumor." (End of this chapter)