The toast gown was a neo-Chinese qipao with a circular cut-out design on the back. The front was crafted like a painting, featuring a golden phoenix embroidery so vivid it seemed alive—every detail exuding artistic flair and luxury.
Yao Yao adored beautiful things. She couldn’t bear to take off the magnificent wedding dress she wore, yet she longed to change into the exquisitely made qipao.
Such a difficult choice. Yao Yao sighed.
It wasn’t until Mother Ji came to hurry her along that Yao Yao began to change clothes at a snail’s pace.
Today’s attire was all high-end custom-made, and changing was assisted by dedicated staff.
As the pure white wedding dress was removed, jade-like, flawless skin came into view. Even though it was their second time seeing it that day, the two attendants helping her change were momentarily dazzled. Truly, this was a young lady nurtured in the lap of luxury—beautiful and noble.
In one corner of the room stood a floor-length mirror about two meters tall. Once dressed, Yao Yao eagerly hurried over to admire herself.
Staring at the strikingly clear reflection, Yao Yao was astonished. This mirror was several times clearer than those conjured by their fox magic! Humans were quite clever after all.
The woman in the mirror had skin like polished jade, her fairness accentuated by the crimson gown; her eyes tilted upwards in a classic fox-like shape, naturally alluring with a soulful gaze; long, dark, upturned lashes fluttered, stirring one’s heart; a petite, straight nose and plump, rosy lips that delighted the senses. Her features were like a meticulously sculpted masterpiece.
Her sleek, raven-black hair contrasted sharply with her pale skin, while her curvaceous yet slender figure was utterly captivating.
Excellent. She still had the assets of the Fox Clan’s number one beauty.
Yao Yao was thoroughly pleased with her current self. Her dear mother had always said that with looks like hers, she’d rank first even in the Celestial Realm—a claim Yao Yao firmly believed.
Proof? Once, while cultivating, Yao Yao had sneaked out and encountered a male celestial being. Stunned by her beauty, he followed her relentlessly, pouring out declarations of love and praising Yao Yao as the most beautiful fairy he had ever seen.
See? Even a celestial being had certified her, a fox spirit, as the most enchanting fairy!
If not for her deep respect for her mother’s authority, Yao Yao might have been swayed by that celestial’s sweet talk.
Now, Yao Yao felt immensely grateful for her mother’s foresight. After all, her lawful husband was a hundred times more handsome than that celestial!
Indeed, a spirit who diligently focuses on her career is blessed with good fortune.
Yao Yao lingered before the mirror, reluctant to leave, twirling around to admire her beauty from every angle.
Knowing her daughter’s vanity, Mother Ji glanced at her diamond wristwatch. “Alright, alright, little ancestor, stop spinning. Let the makeup artist touch up your makeup quickly—it’s almost time for the toast.”
No sooner had she spoken than a knock came at the door. Mother Ji guessed it must be her son-in-law coming to escort Yao Yao to the banquet.
“Mom, is Yao Yao ready?” Shen Yu asked naturally when he saw his mother-in-law open the door.
“She’s all set. Here to pick her up, I assume?” Mother Ji was very pleased with her son-in-law. So considerate—personally coming to fetch her. An arranged marriage? So what? With a reliable partner, life could still be blissful.
Shen Yu nodded. “Yes, Mom. It’s almost time for the toast. I’m here to take Yao Yao to the front.”
Mother Ji smiled. “Go on in. I’ll step out now.”
The other people in the room tactfully left as well. The makeup artist glanced at the bride’s flawless face and followed the others out with relief, thinking to herself that those blessed with natural beauty didn’t even need touch-ups—how enviable!
Before leaving, Mrs. Ji turned back for one last look at her daughter, who was beaming happily in front of the mirror. She couldn’t help feeling that something about her daughter seemed different—more beautiful, and more at ease.
When they first considered the arranged marriage, neither she nor her husband had expected their daughter to agree. But to their surprise, when they asked, she was willing.
Hearing her daughter’s consent, Mrs. Ji had assumed she had moved past the previous unpleasantness. Yet, ever since the marriage was finalized and announced, her daughter had remained expressionless, not at all as joyful as she had hoped.
Now, seeing her daughter’s happy and radiant expression, the heavy stone in Mrs. Ji’s heart finally settled.
Noticing the tall figure suddenly reflected in the mirror, Yao Yao’s smile widened even further. She turned around cheerfully, threw herself into Shen Yu’s arms, stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and said in a sweet, coquettish tone, “Hubby, you’re here~”
Shen Yu was still somewhat dazed by his wife’s enthusiasm. From the decision to enter the arranged marriage up until the moment of the wedding, he had never imagined a scene like this unfolding after marriage.
Even though he hadn’t expected it, Shen Yu instinctively wrapped his arms around his wife’s slender waist, cleared his throat awkwardly, and looked down into her lively eyes. “Mm, I’m here to take you to toast the guests.”
“Hubby, how’s your alcohol tolerance?” Yao Yao asked in a sugary voice.
Seeing his wife’s mischievously shifting eyes, even Shen Yu—who was usually perceptive—couldn’t quite grasp what was going through her mind. He replied modestly, “It’s alright.”
If it was just “alright,” that meant there was still a risk of him getting drunk!
“Hubby, go outside and make sure they dilute your wine with more water. You absolutely can’t get drunk!” Yao Yao urged anxiously.
She swayed back and forth, her arms still wrapped around Shen Yu’s neck, acting spoiled as if afraid he might refuse.
Hearing his wife’s words, Shen Yu was taken aback but felt a warm current flow through his heart. Was this the benefit of having a wife—someone who would always care about his well-being?
A more genuine smile spread across his face. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Yao Yao couldn’t shake the feeling that Shen Yu was being somewhat dismissive. Her senior sister had told her that men tend to throw caution to the wind when drinking, forgetting their promises. More importantly, if he got drunk, he wouldn’t be able to perform his duties!
At that thought, Yao Yao grabbed Shen Yu’s collar with both hands and put on a stern face. “You absolutely must not get drunk tonight! If we can’t consummate the marriage tonight, don’t even think about sleeping with me ever again!”
Hmph! This fox has been waiting thousands of years for this moment—it’s finally about to happen. I won’t tolerate waiting another night!
Shen Yu was stunned by her bold words. His smile froze awkwardly on his face. So much for his earlier sentiment—it seemed his new wife had been thinking about their wedding night all along.
The more he thought about it, the more something felt off, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.
“Did you hear me?” Seeing that Shen Yu hadn’t responded, Yao Yao pinched his waist—not lightly. Her senior sister had warned her not to spoil men, or they wouldn’t listen.
“Ouch…” Shen Yu hadn’t expected Yao Yao to do something like that. The pain instantly intensified.
Shen Yu gritted his teeth and said in a low, deliberate tone, “I heard you. I promise it won’t affect tonight’s wedding chamber activities.”
Upon hearing his assurance, Yao Yao rubbed the spot she had just twisted and quickly planted a kiss on Shen Yu: “Husband, Yao Yao loves you so much!”
Her senior sister had taught her—after giving a slap, one must offer a date; only then can a man be firmly kept under control!