Chapter 1167: The River God’s Bride 2

For the people of Yutang Town, He Bo was no mere legend but the very god of water who governed the Yellow River, a being whose will could not be defied. In order to ensure good harvests and calm waters, the town had long followed an unspoken tradition: every ten years, a young girl chosen in the name of He Bo would be dressed as a bride, placed upon a bamboo raft, and sent drifting down the vast, endless river as an offering. On the surface, it was said that these girls were taken by the river god as his wives, but in truth, the fate that awaited them was far less divine. Most either starved to death as they drifted without direction, never seeing the river’s end, or were swallowed by the currents and drowned long before any miracle could occur.

Yet this time, the so-called marriage to He Bo was different. According to the original course of events, He Bo did indeed exist, and it was true that he had appeared in the mayor’s dream to request a bride. However, the original owner of this body was not a naive fool. She clearly remembered what had happened ten years ago, when the chosen bride had barely drifted away before sinking beneath the water, her life extinguished in an instant. Though the adults had insisted that she had been taken by the river god, the original owner knew the truth all too well—she had simply drowned.

Because of this, when she was selected as He Bo’s bride, the original owner was filled with dread and unwillingness. Yet she also understood that neither the mayor’s decree nor her father’s decision could be defied. Faced with what seemed like certain death, she began to scheme for a way out, and her thoughts eventually fell upon Yuexiang, the orphan girl who lived next door. Yuexiang bore a slight resemblance to her, and with heavy makeup and a bridal veil obscuring her features, no one would easily notice the difference if she were sent in her place.

Yuexiang herself was gentle and kind-hearted. Having been looked after by the Tang family since childhood, she had always regarded the original owner as a benefactor and elder sister figure. Thus, when the original owner pleaded with her, her resolve wavered. Unable to harden her heart, she ultimately agreed to take Tang Wan’s place and become the bride offered to He Bo.

After sending Yuexiang off upon the bamboo raft, the original owner smeared mud across her face to disguise herself and fled Yutang Town under the pretense of escaping famine, believing that she had narrowly avoided a fatal disaster.

However, fate had its own plans, and events soon took an unexpected turn. On the very day Yuexiang was sent down the river, more than a dozen official ships happened to be passing along the Yellow River, having just been transferred from the border. Clad in a bright wedding gown, Yuexiang stood out starkly against the water, making her impossible to miss. It was not long before she was spotted by the naval governor overseeing the fleet, the male lead of this world, Feng Lun.

Upon discovering her, Feng Lun immediately ordered his men to rescue the girl. After questioning her, he learned that she had been placed upon the river as a bride for He Bo. The revelation filled him with anger. The imperial court had long since forbidden such superstitious practices, yet here was a town still clinging to these cruel and senseless rituals, sacrificing innocent lives under the guise of faith.

The moment they reached land, Feng Lun gave strict orders to thoroughly investigate the matter. Seeing this, Yuexiang grew anxious, fearing that Tang Wan might be implicated if the truth were uncovered. Despite everything, she still chose to protect her, quickly pleading with Feng Lun not to reveal that the two of them had exchanged places. Moved by her sincerity and kindness, and noting her delicate beauty, Feng Lun agreed to her request. He chose not to pursue Tang Wan’s responsibility, instead directing his anger toward the mayor and the other officials involved, whom he punished accordingly. Not long after, he even made arrangements to marry Yuexiang himself.

Yet what Feng Lun did not know was that the moment Yuexiang stepped onto that bamboo raft, the marriage pact with He Bo had already been sealed.

On the night of their wedding, just as the ceremony reached its peak, the river god’s attendants suddenly appeared, intent on reclaiming the bride that had been promised. Feng Lun, however, was not a man easily intimidated. Having spent years on the battlefield, he was a seasoned warrior, and his archery was unmatched. The bow in his hands was a famed weapon personally bestowed by the emperor, and as the attendants of He Bo manifested, he did not hesitate. Drawing his bow with practiced precision, he released an arrow that struck true, instantly shooting down the spirit sent by the river god.

With that single act, Feng Lun’s reputation soared. The tale of him saving the sacrificial bride and defying the river god spread rapidly, carried from village to village until it became a story known in countless households, told with admiration and awe.

And far away, the original owner—who had believed herself fortunate to have escaped Yutang Town—also came to hear of this legend.