Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms Awaited the Bride, Pearls Woven into Her Hair...

"Fine, you said it all yourself. I didn't force you!"

Zhu Zhuqing's heart felt as sweet as honey when she heard Fang Fan's words, though her face remained cool.

"You're talented and handsome. Plenty of women will fall for you.

I don't ask you to care only for me, but..."

"Don't worry. I'll protect you with my life... Ten miles of peach blossoms await the bride in her youth, pearls from her phoenix crown woven into her hair, sandalwood drifting past jade bangles and brushing gauze aside..."

Fang Fan knew Zhu Zhuqing was sincere, so he had to be sincere too.

"I want bridal red, too, and a phoenix crown... What song is that? It paints such a beautiful picture! I want a courtyard full of peach blossoms. I want..."

Listening to Fang Fan hum, Zhu Zhuqing imagined herself walking into a brightly decorated Holy Son Hall at night, dressed in a beautiful wedding gown and phoenix crown, with peach trees lining both sides.

Fang Fan would be waiting in red wedding robes, handsome as he welcomed her through the door.

It seemed beautiful.

"All right. Whatever you want!"

Fang Fan had no objections. If she liked it, they could do it.

"Don't feel you owe me anything!"

Zhu Zhuqing spoke earnestly.

"I know. Heaven arranged my fate, and what heaven arranges matters most!"

With that, Fang Fan suddenly kissed Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful cheek.

Zhu Zhuqing froze, bit her lip, and blushed to the tips of her ears. She was about to clear the dishes, but the maids stopped her.

Several maids came to take Zhu Zhuqing's measurements for her wedding gown.

They could make it however she wanted.

Hu Liena arrived at the Papal Palace.

"Teacher... Why did you bring that Zhu Zhuqing back? Why let her into the Advanced Elite Class? Don't you know I like Fang Fan?"

Hu Liena clung to Bibi Dong's arm and swung it back and forth, pouting in protest.

"If you like him, go after him. My personal disciple is talented and handsome. Plenty of women will like him!

What good does telling me do?"

Bibi Dong felt helpless watching her student lose all sense the moment she fell for someone.

She was exactly like Bibi Dong herself at that age.

"But... Fang Fan seems to like that busty girl more!

He even threw me onto the Angel Holy Light Bridge at hell difficulty for her.

Look, the Angel's Holy Light made my face swell! Boohoo..."

"You do look rather pitiful.

But Fan'er is marrying Zhuqing tonight. You mustn't cause trouble!

You'll have plenty of chances later!"

Bibi Dong fixed Hu Liena with a stern look.

"Zhu Zhuqing is very important to Fan'er. If you dare cause trouble, I'll lock you in a secret chamber!"

"Uh... A secret chamber?"

Hu Liena stared at her in confusion, then hugged Bibi Dong's arm and pleaded again.

"Please don't, Teacher! You said I could pursue Fang Fan.

Of course I wouldn't ruin their wedding.

I want to attend their wedding!

I want Zhu Zhuqing and me to be like sisters!"

"All right, let go. Are you trying to pull my arm off?

That's not a bad idea. I'll allow it!

However,

Zhu Zhuqing doesn't want a lavish wedding, only a ceremony in the Holy Son Hall.

So only I and a few Elders will attend. You'll have to stay behind us!"

Bibi Dong spoke sternly to Hu Liena.

"Yes! Teacher, you're the best!"

Hu Liena jumped with excitement, kissed Bibi Dong on the cheek, and skipped away.

Bibi Dong shook her head. Liena really did leave her at a loss. She was far too much like Bibi Dong's younger self.

The Holy Son Hall only needed peach blossoms and some festive decorations.

That girl Zhu Zhuqing asked for so little.

Bibi Dong could hardly let Zhu Zhuqing think Spirit Hall was stingy.

Fang Fan was too young to understand these things.

She would naturally give Zhu Zhuqing a dowry.

Spirit Bones, medicinal herbs, gold, silver, and jewels, for instance.

Which Spirit Bone should she give her?

Zhu Zhuqing was an agility-type battle spirit master.

It should be one that increased her speed.

The Spirit Hall Treasury held a thirty-thousand-year left leg Spirit Bone that did just that.

Of course, Fang Fan should be the one to give it to Zhu Zhuqing.

She immediately sent a subordinate to summon Fang Fan.

Meanwhile, her other subordinates had begun work at the Holy Son Hall.

They hung festive decorations and brought in peach trees from outside Spirit City.

"Teacher!"

Fang Fan bowed to Bibi Dong.

"Mm. No need for formalities. Come here!"

Bibi Dong smiled warmly when she saw Fang Fan, quite unlike how she had greeted Hu Liena.

"Yes, Teacher! What did you need me for?"

Fang Fan asked curiously.

"To ask what dowry you plan to give Zhu Zhuqing, of course! Her family won't give her one, so it's up to you!"

As Bibi Dong spoke, a subordinate brought in a treasure box. She used Soul Power to draw it through the air toward her.

"Give her this thirty-thousand-year left leg Spirit Bone. It can increase her speed!"

"Thank you, Teacher! You're so good to me!"

Fang Fan hadn't expected Bibi Dong to be so thoughtful.

"No need to thank me. You're my personal disciple, closer to me than a son.

Zhu Zhuqing is your wife, so she's half a daughter to me!"

Bibi Dong handed Fang Fan the box.

"There are also ten thousand taels of gold and a hundred bottles of Soul-Congealing Grass Liquid."

"Oh, and Qian Daoliu wants to bring the six Grand Enshrined Douluo to your wedding. Will you allow them to come?"

Bibi Dong certainly didn't want Qian Daoliu and the others there. The old man would try to pull rank on her the moment he arrived.

"Hmm. Let them send one representative, but not Qian Daoliu."

Fang Fan considered it before answering. That way, no one would take offense.

"Mm. My disciple has thought this through!"

Bibi Dong nodded approvingly, then rose and headed for the door.

"I'm going to see the bride. You go try on your clothes!"

"All right!" Fang Fan nodded.

He accompanied Bibi Dong to the Holy Son Hall, then went to his fitting room.

Bibi Dong walked toward the front entrance. Festive decorations hung before it, the wedding character was posted, and peach trees were being planted inside.

It was a beautiful sight.

In her youth, she too had imagined her wedding. Those had been innocent years, but she had been too naive.

She almost envied Zhu Zhuqing.

Holding her scepter, she walked forward as the peach trees swayed in the breeze.

Petals fluttered through the air, beautiful as a dream.

Maids bustled in and out, busy with the decorations.

She waved for them to carry on.

She reached Zhu Zhuqing's fitting room.

Zhu Zhuqing sat before a mirror in a red gown with a long train that resembled a phoenix's tail. A phoenix crown rested on her head, its pearls woven into her hair.

At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing looked as beautiful as a divine maiden of the Angel God.

She wore bridal makeup, her skin glowing like rouge. She looked like a bride who had stepped out of a painting.

Bibi Dong paused, a faint smile touching her lips.

The room fell silent the instant she entered.

Zhu Zhuqing spotted Bibi Dong in the mirror. She immediately stood, turned, and bowed.

"Greetings, Your Holiness!"

"Mm. No need for formalities. Zhuqing, you're too beautiful to be of this world!"

Bibi Dong stepped forward and tucked a strand of hair behind Zhu Zhuqing's ear.

"From now on, call me Teacher, just as Fan'er does.

You're Fan'er's wife, after all, which makes you half my disciple."

"Teacher!"

Zhu Zhuqing spoke timidly, her voice trembling slightly. His Holiness the Pope's presence was overwhelming.

The moment Bibi Dong entered, Zhu Zhuqing had nearly forgotten how to breathe.

Her bearing, her looks—she was commanding and utterly magnificent.