“What is this?” Zhuang Buzhou took it and saw that it was a large red wedding invitation.
“Red Tower Golden Hairpin Invitation!!”
Li Xian said with a solemn expression.
“Red Tower Golden Hairpin Invitation, what’s going on?”
Zhuang Buzhou frowned slightly and asked.
“These past few days, through my colleagues, I obtained a piece of intelligence about the Red Tower from the Demon Suppression Division. Among them, there was information about the Red Tower Golden Hairpin Invitation. Those who receive the invitation must go to participate in the selection of the Golden Hairpin in the Red Tower.”
Li Xian said in a deep voice.
“What does ‘selecting the Golden Hairpin’ mean?”
Zhuang Buzhou was still puzzled; this was different from the information he had gathered about the Red Tower.
“It is said that within the Red Tower, at regular intervals, a Golden Hairpin is selected. This Golden Hairpin, truly speaking, is the courtesan queen, the foremost among flowers. Once recognized and becoming the courtesan queen, she becomes a Red Tower Golden Hairpin. That is an existence second only to the Red Tower’s master. Legend has it that there will be twelve Golden Hairpins within the Red Tower. Each one is unique, and each one can obtain the Red Tower’s Legacy. However, if one enters the Red Tower and participates in the Golden Hairpin selection, one becomes inseparable from the Red Tower. Even if one fails, one cannot leave the Red Tower. The Red Tower is also the Tower of Beauties.”
Li Xian said slowly.
As an official, he had connections in all aspects.
He also had certain connections within the Demon Suppression Division to obtain intelligence that ordinary people could not know. But the more he learned about the Red Tower, the more powerless he felt.
“The one who received the Golden Hairpin Invitation is Young Miss Li.”
Zhuang Buzhou took a deep breath and asked in a low voice. The only one who could make Li Xian so anxious should be Li Yueru. It was clearly impossible for this Golden Hairpin Invitation to be sent to Li Xian. Among the Li family, only Li Yueru met the criteria.
“Yes, it’s Yueru, that poor child.”
Li Xian nodded, speaking with a heavy heart.
“This invitation states that in three days, the Red Tower will send someone to pick up Yueru and take her to the Red Tower to participate in the courtesan queen competition to determine the new Golden Hairpin master.” Li Xian continued helplessly, this was an irresistible matter.
According to the intelligence, any maiden who received a Golden Hairpin Invitation, whether successful or failed, would be completely connected to the Red Tower, unable to break free, sharing both loss and glory. There would be no possibility of escape.
He only had Li Yueru as a niece, and he had always treated her as his own. How could he be willing for her to walk such a path?
“Is there any way to avoid it?”
Zhuang Buzhou asked.
“There is, but so far, no one can be certain. It’s just a method rumored within the Demon Suppression Division, but it hasn’t been truly verified. Whether it can succeed is still uncertain.”
Li Xian said after taking a deep breath.
“What method is it?”
Zhuang Buzhou asked curiously.
In his heart, he also did not wish to see Li Yueru in any danger; she was, after all, a woman he found appealing.
“According to the Demon Suppression Division’s speculation, the Red Tower’s selection of a Golden Hairpin requires her to be a virgin, an unmarried maiden. If, before that, she marries, it might just make the Red Tower stop targeting her and let go of the invited person. Of course, it might also infuriate the Red Tower and bring about a great disaster.”
Li Xian said in a deep voice.
This was a choice, and its outcome was unpredictable.
“You mean…”
Zhuang Buzhou looked at Li Xian; he was not a fool and had already understood his meaning from Li Xian’s words.
“You met Yueru a few days ago. I talked to Yueru, and she also has a good impression of you, Buzhou, and feels affection for you. Normally, if you had more time to get to know each other, everything could proceed naturally. But now, time is of the essence. The Red Tower has given only three days, and there’s no more time for you to get to know each other. Moreover, you know Yueru’s situation; her fate is difficult, and as for marriage, it’s usually decided by parents and matchmakers. Since Yueru’s parents are no longer here, only I, her uncle, can make all the decisions.”
Li Xian looked at Zhuang Buzhou, saying with a hint of guilt: “This matter will definitely be dangerous. If you, Buzhou, are unwilling, then just pretend I didn’t say anything, and let everything be. Those things are fate.”
Although he really wanted to, this matter was a major life event for Zhuang Buzhou. No one could force his choice, especially now that he had achieved a Breakthrough to Innate and become a Spirit Master.
“Young Miss Yueru is gentle and virtuous, well-read and sensible, proficient in all arts like qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is indeed a rare good match. However, for matters of marriage, Young Miss Yueru must also be informed. Currently, I, Zhuang Buzhou, am also alone. If Young Miss Yueru dares to marry, then I, Zhuang Buzhou, dare to marry her.”
After examining his own heart, Zhuang Buzhou decisively made the promise.
It was rare to meet a girl who moved his heart; there was nothing to hesitate about. He would marry her first and then talk.
“I am willing!!”
Just then, from the inner room of the main hall, a clear voice came. A jade-like hand lifted the curtain, and a graceful figure emerged, it was Li Yueru. Clearly, she had been in the back just now, and she had heard all the conversations in the hall with her own ears.
Coming to the front of the hall, she looked at Zhuang Buzhou, a hint of trepidation in her brows as she said: “Zhuang Dage, although Yueru is willing, I am just afraid that the Red Tower will not allow it. It might bring great disaster upon you.”
This was her greatest worry.
“It’s still the same saying: as long as you, Yueru, dare to marry, I, Zhuang Buzhou, dare to marry you.”
Zhuang Buzhou smiled slightly and affirmed again.
Clap, clap, clap!!
“Good!!”
Li Xian clapped his hands with a smile: “Since that’s the case, without further ado, Buzhou, you go today to invite Hong Gu to propose marriage. Tomorrow is an auspicious day, so the wedding will be set for tomorrow. All procedures will be simplified. I will arrange everything, and you will get married tomorrow.”
In his voice, he decisively settled everything.
It seemed he couldn’t wait for them to get married immediately and consummate the marriage, to avoid this Red Tower.
“Alright, I’ll go now to invite Hong Gu to propose marriage, submit the betrothal letter, and prepare the betrothal gifts. Although time is short, all that other women have when they marry, the three letters and six rites, the eight-bearer sedan chair, Yueru will not lack any of it.” Zhuang Buzhou also said with certainty.
Upon hearing this, Li Yueru looked at Zhuang Buzhou, the tenderness in her eyes already inseparable. A blush appeared on her face as she lowered her head and turned, returning to the back hall.
“Hmm, my virtuous nephew has a good heart.”
Li Xian nodded with a smile, very satisfied that Zhuang Buzhou would treat her this way. However, he still said: “Regarding the Red Tower, everything should be simplified to avoid complications, which would be undesirable. As for betrothal gifts and such, there’s no need to make a fuss; a token will suffice.”
In his words, there was more intimacy than before.
After all, once Zhuang Buzhou and Li Yueru were married, they would truly be a family. This relationship would naturally be different and incomparable to before. Previously, he called him Buzhou, but now he directly called him virtuous nephew.
Leaving the county yamen, Zhuang Buzhou’s emotions were very complex.
From his previous life to now, getting married was a first. And he was marrying a peerless beauty as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal. There was joy, and there was also trepidation, and the Mysterious Red Tower was also involved. It was still different from a normal marriage.
“Red Tower, if you truly refuse to let go, I am not without options. You, Red Tower, are Mysterious, but my Mount Buzhou is not bad either.”
A hint of determination flashed in Zhuang Buzhou’s eyes.
In short, he was determined to marry Li Yueru this time. If it truly came to a last resort, he also had trump cards to use and was not necessarily afraid of the Red Tower.
“Hong Gu, Hong Gu!!”
Hong Gu’s house was not far from Zhuang Buzhou’s courtyard, so he naturally recognized it. Arriving at the door, he knocked and called out.
“Coming!!”
Hong Gu’s clear voice sounded from inside. After a series of footsteps, with a creak, the door opened.
Seeing Zhuang Buzhou standing outside, a genuine smile bloomed on her face. She looked outside, where kingfishers played on a willow tree.
“Magpies are chirping at the door; Captain Zhuang, you’ve come to my place, this must be good news.”
“It seems things have worked out between you and Young Miss Li.”
Hong Gu looked at Zhuang Buzhou with a chuckle; her discernment was truly sharp.
She invited Zhuang Buzhou into the courtyard.
The layout of Hong Gu’s house was similar to Zhuang Buzhou’s. The two sat down in the courtyard.
“Hong Gu’s insight is unparalleled. I’ve come this time indeed because of the matter with Young Miss Li. We’ve decided to make the betrothal today and marry tomorrow. The betrothal gifts have already been bought and will be delivered shortly. For the matters of the three letters and six rites, I will need you, Hong Gu, as the matchmaker, to work hard. Afterwards, there will naturally be a token of my appreciation.”
Zhuang Buzhou slowly explained the situation, taking out a packet of tea, which was qingyun tea, and handing it to Hong Gu.
“The Red Tower has actually targeted Li Yueru. Red Tower Golden Hairpin Invitation, you intend to use marriage to break the Golden Hairpin Invitation’s invitation. This move might not work, and it might even infuriate the Red Tower.” Hong Gu looked at Zhuang Buzhou and said, taking a deep breath.
After knowing that Zhuang Buzhou had become an Innate Cultivator, their conversation was already conducted as fellow Cultivators, and many things could be said openly.
“Whether it works out or not is for later; for now, I need to trouble you, Hong Gu, for your hard work.”
Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile.
“Don’t worry, any marriage I, Hong Gu, arrange is absolutely foolproof. In a moment, I will go to the County Magistrate’s office to make the betrothal for you. Although Young Miss Li has a special fate, she is indeed a good match for you. If you can overcome this calamity, you will certainly be an enviable pair of immortal partners in the future.”
Hong Gu nodded and said.
She was quite optimistic about Zhuang Buzhou and Yueru.
Being a matchmaker was a good deed, a joyous occasion. Naturally, she would not decline.
In fact, she also wanted to see if doing this could break the curse of the Red Tower Golden Hairpin Invitation.
Soon, the two confirmed the upcoming arrangements.
Leaving Hong Gu’s house and returning home, a knock on the door soon sounded. Xiao Cui, with a group of maidservants, began decorating the courtyard, draping red fabrics, and pasting red decorations everywhere, making the entire courtyard instantly filled with joy.
In the blink of an eye, it transformed.
Even the inner rooms had new quilts, and windows were adorned with auspicious paper-cuts.