Chapter 94: It’s Time to Prepare the Wedding Night

Shen Ziping was frightened by the white wolf and fled from Shen Zi’an’s house in a panic. People on the road saw him in such a state and asked what had happened. Seeing him coming from Shen Zi’an’s direction, they thought something had happened at Shen Zi’an’s house. When they heard Shen Ziping mention the wolf, they were startled. Then, upon hearing that the wolf was white, they remembered Su Zhi had mentioned wanting to invite a Sacred Beast to their house. Wasn’t the white wolf the Sacred Beast?

In an instant, news of a Sacred Beast truly being invited into Shen Zi’an’s house spread.

People knew about it, but no one dared to confirm. A Beast was called a Sacred Beast, which meant it was a wolf. Ordinary wolves were frightening enough, but people could still use knives and forks to deal with them. However, no one dared to confront a Sacred Beast with knives and forks. If a Sacred Beast ate a person, it wouldn’t be a capital offense, but if a person injured a Sacred Beast, there would be trouble.

Curious folks went to ask Shen Ziping about the appearance of the Sacred Beast and why it had scared him so much. They also inquired if he had seen Shen Zi’an and his wife standing together with the Sacred Beast.

Shen Ziping returned home feeling less frightened, but the image of the white wolf he had seen earlier still made his legs feel weak. He couldn’t believe there really was a Sacred Beast in the mountains, and Shen Zi’an and his wife had actually invited it. He thought it would be the end of him! When people asked him about it, he slightly exaggerated the appearance of the white wolf, making it seem larger than the two tigers Shen Zi’an had fought before. He made it sound as if the Sacred Beast had almost eaten him alive, just to cover up his own cowardice from being scared out of his wits.

Upon hearing Shen Ziping’s account, the villagers became even more fearful of the unseen Sacred Beast, yet they also admired Shen Zi’an and his wife’s relationship with it. They thought it was great that they could have such a good relationship with a Sacred Beast. Look, they said they would invite it, and they really did!

After sending away the inquisitive villagers, the Shen family fell into a deep silence.

“Dad, do you think Fourth Brother will be okay? Should I go check on him?” Shen Zigui said. He hadn’t gone to work today after hearing about the Sacred Beast at Fourth Brother’s house. Although he knew that Fourth Brother and his wife had openly said they would invite the Sacred Beast and that they had a good relationship with it, it even gave them a ginseng, he is still worried. After all, it was a wolf!

Li Shi looked anxiously at her husband, wanting to say something, but in the end, she remained silent. She didn’t want her husband to go. What if something happened to him? What about her and the children? But she knew her husband and Fourth Brother, Shen Zi’an, had a good relationship. She had also been getting along well with Su Zhi these days. If she stopped him, she would feel uneasy.

Shen Zifu spoke from the side, “I’ll go too.”

Wang shi said sternly, “You’re not allowed to go. If Fourth Brother invited the Sacred Beast, then they must be fine. Do you even know the Sacred Beast? If it bites you, you’ll have nowhere to reason with!”

Shen Zhu added, “Since Third Brother saw Fourth Brother with the Sacred Beast, then everything must be fine. Don’t worry. The Sacred Beast is so understanding; it might not even bite people. And if it does, Fourth Brother wouldn’t have invited it to stay at his house, right? If anything, we just won’t go to their place in the future. Well, looks like we won’t even be able to go there anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ziping’s face darkened. He had wanted to extort money from Shen Zi’an, spreading rumors against him, which violated Shen Youfu’s orders not to mention Su Zhi as a jinx anymore. Initially, some people in the village had changed their minds about Shen Zi’an because of his wealth and the incident with the heated brick bed(kang). It was difficult for Shen Ziping to stir up trouble again. He had hoped to blackmail Shen Zi’an, but now that Shen Zi’an had invited the Sacred Beast, not only did he dare not go to ask for money anymore, but also nobody would dare to say that Fourth Brother and his wife were jinxes. Shen Ziping realized he wouldn’t be able to extort them anymore.

“Fourth Brother is really something! The Sacred Beast gave them ginseng because they owe it a favor. They even said they’d sell the ginseng to build a house for the Sacred Beast to live in. Isn’t that just being taken advantage of? It’s better to let us, their own family, live in it instead! I think he’s just a hypocrite!”

“Shut up!”

Shen Youfu scolded Shen Ziping upon hearing his words, glaring at him. “Just because some people in the village have been spreading rumors about Shen Zi’an’s wife being a jinx, they’re pointing fingers at you! I haven’t settled the score with you yet, and here you are spreading rumors! Having the Sacred Beast here is a great thing! If I hear you spreading nonsense again, I’ll break your legs!”

Shen Ziping immediately lowered his head, feeling bitter about not making any money.

Although Shen Zhang shi also felt a bit sour about Shen Zi’an inviting the Sacred Beast, she shared Shen Youfu’s thoughts. Having the Sacred Beast here would bring benefits to Shen Ziju’s future as Shen Zi’an’s younger brother. Overall, it was a good thing. Regardless of the past, they would have to maintain a good relationship with Shen Zi’an and his wife in the future. Of course, first and foremost, they couldn’t mention the jinx rumor anymore.

“It’s good that you’re worried about Zi’an, but since he’s able to invite the Sacred Beast and stand there peacefully, he must be fine. We just need to wait for him to come home and tell us what happened. After all, we don’t know the temperament of the Sacred Beast yet, so it’s better not to cause trouble.”

Shen Zhang shi said to Shen Zifu and Shen Zigui. Both sons nodded in agreement. Their mother’s words made sense, so they decided not to cause trouble for their fourth brother.

Shen Ziju, standing aside, had been silent all along. His eyes flickered with curiosity. What kind of creature was this Sacred Beast? It seemed that his sister-in-law had indeed managed to invite it!

After Shen Ziping was scared away, Shen Zi’an didn’t immediately go after him. Su Zhi suggested letting the news spread in the village first. Through this incident, both of them realized that the Great White Wolf belonged to the type that wouldn’t attack humans unless provoked. The disdainful glance it gave Shen Ziping just now was evidence of that.

Shen Zi’an went to the Shen family and briefed everyone on the situation with the Sacred Beast. He mentioned that they had been staying together for a few days now and that the Sacred Beast was very spiritual, posing no danger. He hinted that once they had fully established a relationship with the Sacred Beast, they might be able to coexist peacefully.

Shen Youfu and Shen Zhang shi both reminded Shen Zi’an to be cautious before letting him go.

Shen Ziju, holding the medicine Shen Zi’an gave him, also offered some words of caution. As he watched Shen Zi’an leave his room, he couldn’t bring himself to broach the topic of Su Zhi.

Shen Zi’an glanced at Shen Ziping and noticed him lying in bed as if he were ill. He exchanged a few words with him, ignoring Sun Shi’s sarcastic remarks, before leaving the room. He then visited his elder brother’s room, where his second brother’s family was also present. The children were curious about the Sacred Beast’s appearance, and both his brother and sister-in-law cautioned him to be careful. After acknowledging their concerns, he took his leave.

On the way, people from the village would ask Shen Zi’an about the Sacred Beast, and he patiently answered each inquiry. Finally, he went to Li Zheng’s house and informed him about the Sacred Beast, detailing their situation. He requested Li Zheng to organize a village meeting to explain that the Sacred Beast was the type that wouldn’t harm people unless provoked, reassuring the villagers not to panic upon seeing it.

Li Zheng nodded in understanding. Seeing Shen Zi’an and his wife coexisting peacefully with the Sacred Beast, he was convinced of its spiritual nature. He believed it was a positive development for Riverside Village and advised Shen Zi’an to take good care of the Sacred Beast and keep it under control.

“Shen Zi’an’s wife said she would invite the Sacred Beast, and she really did. She doesn’t speak empty words.”

Aunt Jinhua watched Shen Zi’an leave and remarked to her daughter-in-law. Zhao Feng smiled and replied, “Indeed. I’ve long seen that Sister Zhao, oh I meant Sister Su Zhi is true to her word. She’s truly blessed now, even the Sacred Beast is under her care. Who would dare to criticize her in the future? She’ll hold her head high from now on. Oh, if only I could meet that Sacred Beast, just to see.”

“Perhaps it might just work out. That Sacred Beast is intelligent, grateful for kindness. As long as you don’t have ill intentions and treat it well, it probably won’t bite. Dogs rarely bite people without reason. Isn’t the Sacred Beast even more sensible than a dog?”

Li Zheng listened to the banter between the mother and daughter-in-law, a smile on his face. He thought Riverside Village might indeed see a change in its fortunes. Should he report the matter to higher authorities? Perhaps it’s best to wait until the Sacred Beast is truly proven not to bite people.

Su Zhi’s home became even more of a topic of discussion in the village, but they finally settled into a peaceful routine.

After Big Black Dog recovered from its illness, the Great White Wolf didn’t lead its family away. It would go out hunting but always brought back its prey, eventually leaving it with Su Zhi. That gesture seemed to imply it wanted Su Zhi to cook for them. Su Zhi smiled, thinking it meant they wanted to stay.

Shen Zi’an and the Great White Wolf family got along very well. Once, they returned from the mountains together—one person, one wolf. Later, Shen Zi’an started taking the Great White Wolf with him into the mountains, and it would follow along. However, when hunting, it would act alone and then deliver the prey to Shen Zi’an to carry back. Su Zhi watched Shen Zi’an standing beside the Great White Wolf and thought he looked even more handsome.

Su Zhi made bamboo balls with bells inside for the two young wolves to play with. Little Black Wolf loved playing, just like a kitten, while Little White Wolf wasn’t interested. It not only resembled the Great White Wolf in appearance but also in temperament, except for its special care for Little Black Wolf. It was filial and a great brother.

Su Zhi smiled and praised Little White Wolf to Shen Zi’an, but her joyful gaze was fixed on Little Black Wolf.

Shen Zi’an looked at Su Zhi’s smiling face and felt grateful for such a good wife by his side.

Su Zhi had been insisting on bathing these days, preparing for the wedding night that could come anytime. She wanted to cure all her ailments completely. As she bathed, her skin became fair and tender. She didn’t think much of it since she had always had fair skin in her previous life, but in this ancient village, it stood out. People say a fair complexion hides a hundred flaws^[1]yī bái zhē bǎi chǒu) in Mandarin, is literally translated to “One white covers a hundred uglinesses” in English. It suggests that fair or flawless skin can hide many flaws or … Continue reading, and Su Zhi’s face wasn’t flawed to begin with. Coupled with her gentle and tranquil demeanor, she stood out wherever she went.

Shen Zi’an looked at his wife like this and then glanced at the Great White Wolf and Big Black Wolf squatting side by side, as well as the lively little wolves playing below. He wondered if it was time for him and his wife to have their wedding night, so they could have lovely children. He began to think about how to prepare a beautiful wedding night.