Zhang Qingyan's Way of Handling Things

The temple became eerily quiet for a moment, with only the faint crackling of incense and candles burning on the offering table.

Zhang Qingyan remained in that dumbfounded expression.

The teacup in his hand was still suspended in mid-air, and a few drops of tea spilled out, landing on the blue brick floor and spreading into a small dark stain.

Having followed his elder brother for so long, he always felt that his elder brother was a celestial Immortal, indifferent in nature, with mountains and rivers and all living beings as dust in his eyes. He didn't seem like the kind of person who would get involved in romantic love or be engaged in marriage.

He had secretly thought that someone like his elder brother would probably never have a dao companion, not even for a thousand or ten thousand years.

Who would have thought that while on his way to Baijia Town to carry out the task of demolishing the temple, he would run into his elder brother's bride out of nowhere.

Seeing his discomposure, Lady Baijia frowned slightly and gently tapped the Shaman Priest's staff on the ground.

Why does the official look so strange?

Her tone was calm, without a trace of shyness or coyness.

It's as if saying the words "River God’s Bride" is just stating something perfectly normal.

"My marriage to the River God was witnessed by the entire town. Since the sacrificial ceremony a year ago, I have worn my wedding dress every day and stayed in the temple, waiting for the River God's return."

Zhang Qingyan snapped back to reality and hurriedly put the teacup back on the table, not even caring that most of the tea had spilled.

He coughed a few times, trying desperately to hide the surprise that was about to burst from his face, but he couldn't suppress the astonishment in his eyes and brows.

"No, miss, please wait a moment."

Zhang Qingyan rubbed his hands together, speaking cautiously, as if afraid of saying something wrong.

"May I ask... does my elder brother, the River God, know about this marriage? Has he personally agreed to marry you?"

Upon hearing this question, a faint trace of melancholy finally appeared on Lady Baijia's face.

She looked up at the portrait of a man in a blue robe on the wall, her gaze gentle and devout.

"The River God never made that promise himself."

She gently shook her head.

"After slaying the Demon Beast that day, He vanished and never set foot on the Canglan River again."

"But I voluntarily offered myself as a sacrifice to become the River God's bride, with a red dress as my betrothal gift and the entire River God Temple as my wedding chamber. This is the highest level of worship in our Baijia Town, and it is my choice willingly made."

Zhang Qingyan's lips twitched upon hearing this.

Good heavens, so the eldest brother himself was completely unaware of the whole thing!

The girl unilaterally went through the wedding ceremony, unilaterally put on her wedding dress and stayed at the temple, unilaterally believing herself to be Immortal bride.

Unfortunately, this matter happened to him, and he couldn't directly expose it.

On one side is the devoted and devout Lady Baijia, who has not caused any trouble or harmed anyone; she has simply changed the way she worships the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable.

On the other side is her own unpredictable and powerful older brother. Who knows how he would react if he came back one day and saw a bride waiting for him at the temple?

Zhang Qingyan's mind was already conjuring up images.

Imagine your older brother is strolling through Baijia Town one day, stepping into the River God Temple.

A woman in a bright red wedding dress, holding Shaman Priest's scepter, walked towards him, bowed, and addressed him as her husband.

Given his cold and taciturn nature, he would probably remain silent for a long time on the spot, and then casually raze the entire River God Temple to the ground with a single Sword Qi.

Zhang Qingyan shuddered and dared not think any further.

"Sir?"

Seeing his ever-changing expression, Lady Baijia called out to him in confusion.

"Could it be that the River God does not approve of this marriage? If so..."

"Hey! No, no!"

Zhang Qingyan quickly waved his hand, afraid that she might overthink it, and hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"Young lady, you misunderstand! My elder brother is Immortal from another world, with a mind far beyond our mortal comprehension. He Divine Ability great supernatural powers, and all things in the world are within his sight. Perhaps he already knows your feelings!"

He could only say the nice things, but in his heart he was cursing wildly:

I don't know if my older brother knows, but I, Zhang Qingyan, know, and I'm under immense pressure!

Upon hearing this, Lady Baijia's eyes instantly lit up, the previous gloom vanished, and her red dress made her features appear even more vibrant.

She slightly bent her knees and bowed to the portrait from afar:

"If the River God knows, that's enough. I don't ask to be with him day and night, I only ask to guard this temple and offer sacrifices to him on behalf of the entire town."

Looking at her like this, Zhang Qingyan felt a mix of emotions.

Call it foolish? But their sincerity is profound.

It may sound absurd, but ultimately, she was indeed worshipping the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable, which did not conflict with the imperial court's national policy in the slightest.

He cleared his throat, Orthodox God, and resumed his role as the Thousand Commander of the Pacification Investigation Office, though his tone remained polite:

"Now that we've laid our cards on the table, the charge of disobeying the imperial decree in Baijia Town is naturally dropped. The River God Temple doesn't need to be demolished, and incense can be offered as usual."

Upon hearing this, the Lady Baijia felt a huge weight lifted from her heart and bowed respectfully to Zhang Qingyan:

"Thank you for your kindness, sir."

"No need to thank me, we're all family."

Zhang Qingyan blurted it out, then realized his words were inappropriate and awkwardly touched the tip of his nose.

She's family, and my sister-in-law, so it doesn't seem wrong.

Outside the temple gate, a group of Pacification Investigation Guards and soldiers were still waiting in the same spot.

Everyone was completely baffled.

Just moments ago, tensions were high, and it seemed like the town was about to be massacred. But then Thousand Commander went in and chatted with the red-robed Shaman Priest for a while, and not only did they stop tearing down the temple, they even seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.

Several guards huddled together and whispered among themselves.

"What exactly did our lord discuss with that lady inside?"

"Who knows? Could it be that the Shaman Priest has cast a spell on her?"

"Don't talk nonsense. The adults are highly skilled; they wouldn't fall for your tricks so easily."

When Zhang Qingyan and Lady Baijia walked out of the River God Temple together, all the sounds outside instantly fell silent.

A biting wind swept across the riverbank, carrying wisps of snow. Lady Baijia, dressed in a fiery red wedding gown, stood beside Zhang Qingyan, calmly gazing at the soldiers arrayed on either side.

Zhang Qingyan and announced loudly to everyone:

"Listen up! The deity worshipped in Baijia Town is not an evil god, but the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable! It's all a huge misunderstanding! Retreat to camp and do not disturb the townspeople. Anyone who dares to trespass into the town or take anything from the people will be punished according to military law!"

When the military order was issued, the officers and soldiers were in an uproar, but they dared not disobey and could only slowly regroup.

Zhang Qingyan turned to look at the Lady Baijia, lowering his voice with a hint of probing:

"Young lady, there's one more thing I'd like to ask. If my elder brother happens to come here in the future, what are your plans?"

Lady Baijia, holding her Shaman Priest staff, gazed at the wide river and said softly:

"I will prepare tea, light incense, and put on this wedding dress to welcome my husband."

Zhang Qingyan: "..."

He'd already started digging his older brother's toes into the ground.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Alright, I've got it. I have official business to attend to and can't stay long. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just send someone to deliver a message."

"Respectfully seeing off Your Excellency."

Lady Baijia stood Jingjing at the entrance of the town, her red dress standing tall in the wind and snow, watching the large army slowly withdraw.

Only when the army's banners completely disappeared at the end of the official road did the people of Baijia Town dare to emerge, surround the goddess, and ask questions all at once.

"Your Majesty, is everything alright? The government has stopped demolishing the temple?"

Why did that official suddenly change his attitude?

Lady Baijia nodded gently, her gaze returning to the direction of the River God Temple, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"It was the River God who protected us. That official was an old friend of the River God from the mortal realm."

On the other side, in the returning procession, Zhang Qingyan rode his horse, lost in thought the whole way.

The bodyguard beside him asked cautiously:

"Sir, is this how our mission ends? What are we supposed to write on the official paperwork when we get back? What if they ask why we didn't demolish the River God Temple...?"

Zhang Qingyan came to his senses and said:

"Simple! Report the truth! Baijia Town worships the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable, who has record of an Immortal manifestations. It is a spontaneous act of worship by the people and there is no need to demolish it!"

"But will the higher-ups believe it?"

The guards worriedly asked.

"Anyone who dares to question me, let them come find me."

Do you know who my father is?

"Do you know who my older brother is?"

Zhang Qingyan patted his chest and said with boundless pride.