The music began!
The orchestras on both sides began to play in turns, and the sound of footsteps rang out.
Everyone watched the end of the red carpet, waiting for the newlyweds to appear.
At that moment, Bibi Dong, the focus of all eyes, was the first to appear. Dressed in a phoenix crown and bridal robes, she was breathtakingly beautiful, her outfit making her figure look even more perfect.
Everyone who saw Bibi Dong like this cried out in admiration.
"As expected of His Holiness the Pope! She's so beautiful, just like a goddess descended to the mortal world!"
"She's so beautiful I can't take my eyes off her."
Many people began to chatter.
Bibi Dong looked behind her, a broad smile on her lips. "Xiao Bai, come on. Stop dawdling."
Bibi Dong held out her hand, but Bai Guyue did not take it. Instead, he came to her side.
"No need. I can walk by myself."
Bai Guyue spoke indifferently.
"All right, all right. I'm happy today, so I won't hold it against you."
Bibi Dong's smile did not fade.
"That's right!"
The instant everyone saw Bai Guyue appear, they were utterly stunned. He was peerlessly handsome, more striking than anyone else, almost giving them the illusion that he was more handsome than any man and more beautiful than any woman.
"Which family is that young master from? How come I don't remember anyone like him?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion. Many of them had rarely seen Bai Guyue.
"Isn't that Bai Guyue?"
Chen Xin could not hold back and suddenly became the first to speak.
At that, many people finally understood. They had never seen Bai Guyue, but they had heard his illustrious name. A young Soul King with extraordinary talent, he was the Holy Maiden's guard, personally chosen by the previous Pope.
They had never expected that, after becoming Pope, the Holy Maiden would marry that very guard.
"Hasn't he just become a winner in life? He went from a guard to the Pope's husband, leaping straight across class lines. I'm so envious!"
"Bai Guyue isn't lacking either. With talent like his, couldn't he take his pick of the women on the continent? I'd say he and His Holiness the Pope make a talented and beautiful couple."
Many people chattered among themselves. Some were envious, while others thought Bai Guyue was eating soft rice.
Eating His Holiness the Pope's soft rice seemed like it might not be so bad.
"I really did guess right. It really is that boy Bai Guyue."
Chen Xin smiled and shook his head. Sure enough, Bai Guyue was the only man who could win Bibi Dong over.
Gu Rong studied Bai Guyue with his seasoned eyes, full of admiration. "Old Sword, look at him. You both use swords, so why is the difference so great?"
Chen Xin glared at Gu Rong. "If you have nothing to say, shut your mouth."
"All right, all right." Gu Rong laughed and nodded repeatedly.
He did not argue. His words had probably already stabbed deep into Chen Xin's heart.
So this is the Pope's man. He really is no ordinary person.
The second prince, Xue Fo, sighed inwardly.
He had heard plenty about Bai Guyue. Whenever Xue Ye taught the princes, he would sometimes hold Bai Guyue up as an example for them to follow.
The princes were talking in detail, but Xue Qinghe alone wore a complicated expression. His body trembled, and he muttered, "How is this possible? How could it be him?"
Xue Qinghe could not believe his eyes. Bibi Dong had actually chosen a guard like him as her man.
Before he left Spirit Hall, he had rarely met Bai Guyue. He had not seen Bibi Dong often to begin with, and knew little about him.
All he knew was that Bai Guyue was handsome and powerful, nothing more.
But he had barely left when the two of them got married, and so quickly at that.
Could they have been having an affair all along, and neither Father nor I knew? Did they finally stop pretending after Father died?
Qian Renxue's thoughts began to run wild, growing more and more outlandish.
That woman wants to make him my stepfather? I won't acknowledge him!
But... she'd rather find me a stepfather than give me even a little motherly love. How am I supposed to accept that? It's so unfair.
Pufferfish and Snake Lance, standing to one side, saw Xue Qinghe begin to tremble, but did not know what to say.
Some things were simply beyond their power to intervene!
As everyone reflected, some had already begun watching the newlyweds.
Bibi Dong took Bai Guyue's hand. "Come on. Once today is over, you and I will truly be husband and wife."
"I think you just can't wait."
The smile on Bibi Dong's face made Bai Guyue feel uncomfortable all over.
Bibi Dong smiled without speaking. In any case, she would settle everything one by one that night.
Then the two of them walked slowly down the red carpet. Rose petals fluttered down from the sky, landing on Bibi Dong's phoenix crown and bridal robes and brushing past Bai Guyue's face.
The gazes of the guests on both sides converged on the pair. Soft blessings mingled with murmured conversation, filling the square before the Pope's Palace along with the melodious ceremonial music.
Xue Qinghe clenched the hem of his clothes, a lump of stifled anger lodged in his chest as he watched the two walk side by side.
She could not understand why the ever-proud and aloof Bibi Dong would choose a guard as her companion.
Still less could she understand why the seven grandfathers of the Worship Hall would willingly lend their support to this marriage.
Before long, the two reached the raised platform at the front of the square.
"Brother Bai, His Holiness the Pope, congratulations to you both."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei offered the pair their blessings.
Bai Guyue said nothing, merely gazing silently ahead.
Bibi Dong said, "You two, hurry up and move on to the next part!"
"Understood!"
Yue Guan and Gui Mei continued to preside over the ceremony.
In truth, they had not known how a wedding ceremony was supposed to go. They had not wanted to officiate at first, since it would be troublesome if they did a poor job and the Pope blamed them. Fortunately, they had spent some time learning and could manage well enough.
Next, Bai Guyue and Bibi Dong bowed to each other as husband and wife before everyone present.
"The ceremony is complete!"
"Let us congratulate the newlyweds."
Yue Guan finished his announcement.
Everyone rose to their feet and applauded in congratulations.
At that moment, perhaps struck by a sudden flash of inspiration, Yue Guan began stirring things up again. "Since everyone is here, how about we witness the newlyweds' kiss?"
The moment he said that, the whole crowd erupted.
"Kiss!"
"To see this is a blessing earned over three lifetimes."
Many people joined in the lively clamor.
"You..."
Bai Guyue did not know how to respond. Had Yue Guan lost his mind, or had Bibi Dong deliberately arranged this final act?
"Oh my~"
The corners of Bibi Dong's lips curled up.
She had not arranged this final act, and Yue Guan was quite thoughtful.
Then she looked at Bai Guyue. "Xiao Bai, let's kiss. With so many people watching, we can't very well spoil everyone's fun, can we?"
"You!"
With countless pairs of eyes watching, he could hardly snap at Bibi Dong. Besides, if he kept holding back and lost his nerve, wouldn't everyone laugh at him?
"Come on, Xiao Bai. If you won't kiss me, I will."
Bibi Dong licked her red lips.
Let's see whether you dare kiss me. You're a newlywed husband, after all.
If you don't even dare kiss your wife, can you still call yourself a man?
She would make fun of Bai Guyue for it.
"Bibi Dong, remember this: after today, there won't be a second time."