The next day.
As dawn broke, the Chen family rose early.
Xiao Zhao, now in Chen Yi's likeness, was dressed and seated quietly.
Madam Chen was styling her hair.
Looking at the lifelike face before her, even Madam Chen couldn't help but exclaim, "This face… it's exactly like Xiao Yi's. Even I, her mother, can't tell the difference!"
Chen Yi looked at Feng Ninghe and the others, her eyes brimming with tears. She bowed deeply, "You are all my benefactors! I truly don't know how I can ever repay you!"
Marrying a celestial being was akin to losing half her life.
Now, with someone marrying in her stead, it was as if her life had been saved.
Feng Ninghe smiled and helped her up, "We've eaten a lot of your family's food these past few days. Food has a price, but the skill of cooking is priceless."
Her simple words brought a light laugh from Chen Yi, her eyes softening slightly, "If you like it, I'll have my mother make more."
"Miss Chen, this is for you."
Bai Niannian deftly produced a jade hairpin. "We are guests, how could we bear to see our host selling off their possessions?"
The jade hairpin was ordinary, not particularly rare, but its craftsmanship was exquisite.
The moment she saw the jade hairpin, Chen Yi's expression changed.
She took the hairpin, but for the first time, it felt uncomfortably hot in her hand.
"This…"
Chen Yi was so astonished she couldn't speak. The tears that had welled up in her eyes instantly fell. "You… you actually bought back the jade hairpin."
Seeing her tears, Feng Ninghe offered a handkerchief, "We can't just eat and drink for free. We should be leaving soon too. This is just a small token of our appreciation. Please accept it, Miss."
Chen Yi bit her lip, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at them. "Ladies, you are the benefactors of my Chen family. Your kindness is immeasurable. If there's ever anything you need me for, please don't hesitate to ask. I will never refuse!"
Feng Ninghe casually patted her shoulder, "Miss Chen, as long as you are safe and well, it will have been worth all our effort."
Crackling!
Suddenly, the sound of firecrackers erupted from outside.
"The wedding procession has arrived!"
Chen Yi stopped crying and looked gravely towards the outside.
When the High Priest came to fetch the bride, he would set off firecrackers all the way.
The bride would then wait at the family's doorstep.
Madam Chen specifically looked at Xiao Zhao, who was now fully made up, "Are you ready?"
Xiao Zhao grunted softly, clenching his fists as he stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar face in the mirror. "I am ready. My fists are ready too."
Despite his words, Madam Chen couldn't help but remind him, "This High Priest is revered by all. He's excellent at scaring people, so you must be extra careful."
Xiao Zhao stood up without hesitation, his eyes fixed on the outside. "I can't wait to meet this so-called celestial being. Master, let's go."
Feng Ninghe nodded. "To avoid revealing our identities, we will watch from the shadows."
On the street.
A grand wedding procession approached.
Some were beating gongs and drums, making for a lively spectacle.
Villagers peeked out, looking with pity at Xiao Zhao, who was about to be married in his wedding attire.
"Xiao Yi is a good girl, and her brother is like that. The whole family depends on her."
"Yes, their family has already gone through enough, and now this has happened."
"It's fate! Our Chen Village has been cursed, and none of us can escape!"
As the villagers sighed, they trembled with fear. No one knew who would be chosen next to marry the celestial being.
Every household lived in trepidation, fearing they might be next.
The High Priest, leading the procession, swaggered forward.
Seeing the bride waiting at the door, the High Priest quickened his pace and finally stopped before Xiao Zhao.
Upon seeing the High Priest, Madam Chen said politely, "High Priest, Xiao Yi is ready and can depart at any time."
The High Priest smiled with satisfaction and reached out to lift the bridal veil.
Beneath the veil was a face exquisitely made up, possessing a delicate charm.
"Well, you're quite good-looking."
The High Priest couldn't help but reach out and pat Chen Yi's cheek. "I'm sure the celestial being will be pleased. If you can keep the celestial being happy, you will enjoy endless wealth and prosperity in the future."
Xiao Zhao's expression stiffened. He awkwardly suppressed his displeasure, his gaze fixed on the High Priest's right hand.
He remembered this right hand.
This was the hand that had touched his face.
Even though he had transformed into Chen Yi's appearance, that greasy hand had firmly landed on his cheek.
Not far away.
Bai Niannian's facial features contorted with disgust as she watched the scene. "Even if it were Xiao Zhao, I'd still find it repulsive if that hand touched a man's face."
Feng Ninghe narrowed her eyes, staring intently at the scene. "Rather than the celestial being taking a wife, it seems more like the High Priest is taking a wife. It appears there's more to this than meets the eye, and it's uncertain if there even is a celestial being."
If she was to marry a celestial being, why would the High Priest behave so rudely?
Perhaps there was no such thing as marrying a celestial being at all.
Xiao Zhao got into the sedan chair.
The High Priest, with a satisfied smile, strode away.
The wedding procession set off grandly.
Bai Niannian eagerly stepped forward, not forgetting to call out to the others, "Let's hurry and follow."
Feng Ninghe instinctively glanced at Si Xin Xin beside her.
Si Jianye and A Xi were with Si Xin Xin, and Grandpa Luo was also there.
With so many people looking after her, Si Xin Xin was in no danger.
Relieved, she strode forward.
Only after the wedding procession had completely disappeared from view did everyone withdraw their gaze.
Father Chen and Madam Chen returned to their courtyard.
As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, they saw chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep.
These livestock would be enough for them to eat for quite some time.
"What is going on?"
Madam Chen stared, dumbfounded. She rubbed her eyes, as if trying to see if it was an illusion.
Father Chen swallowed in surprise and quickly looked around.
Even a single cow or sheep would fetch a good price.
Hearing the commotion, Chen Yi came out from the house, a hint of emotion on her delicate face. "These things were sent by the divine doctor and her companions."
Bringing these chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep would not have been silent.
Upon hearing the noise, Chen Yi appeared immediately.
She saw Feng Xing.
Before she could speak, Feng Xing turned and left.
She understood that this was a gesture of goodwill from the divine doctor and her companions.
Madam Chen's eyes immediately filled with emotion. She turned towards the doorway of the house, muttering, "The Medicine Valley lives up to its name. If not for the Medicine Valley, our family would have been ruined..."