Chapter 1173: The River God’s Bride 8

Even so, Feng Lun found it difficult to dismiss what his subordinate had reported. A young woman dressed in bridal red would never appear on the river without reason, and the most likely explanation was one he had already encountered before. In many places, villagers still clung to the old belief that offering a girl to the river god would ensure favorable weather and abundant harvests in the coming year. It was a cruel and senseless practice, yet one that persisted despite repeated prohibitions. With this in mind, Feng Lun’s expression hardened slightly as he gave his order without hesitation. Once they reached the shore, they would investigate the surrounding villages thoroughly and uncover the truth behind what had happened. His subordinate responded immediately, acknowledging the command without delay.

At the same time, far beneath the surface of the river, Tang Wan had already been carried by the giant turtle to a grand palace hidden within the depths. This was the residence of the River God—the He Bo Palace. Because a wedding was about to take place, the entire palace had been decorated in festive red. Crimson silk hung from every corner, swaying gently in the water, and even the shrimp soldiers and crab generals standing guard at the entrance wore large red flowers upon their chests, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Taking in the sight before her, Tang Wan could not help but twitch her lips slightly. It seemed that Bingtong took this marriage far more seriously than she had expected.

As soon as she appeared, the various little demons within the palace turned their attention toward her, their gazes filled with curiosity. Whispered conversations quickly spread among them, their voices low but filled with excitement. Some marveled that she had truly come to marry their lord, while others praised Bingtong’s strength and authority, claiming that no woman could resist him. There were even those who sighed enviously, wishing that they too could one day marry a beautiful bride, only to be immediately shut down by their companions, who reminded them that only their lord had the right to take a human woman as his wife.

Amidst the murmurs, Bingtong’s focus never wavered from Tang Wan. He looked at her intently, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness as he spoke, “M-my lady… we should go and complete the rites.”

Hearing this, Tang Wan’s gaze flickered briefly toward his hands, which still bore that slightly slick, aquatic appearance. Then, as if without hesitation, she extended her own slender, fair hand toward him, her tone soft and natural as she said, “Then… won’t you lead me there? It’s my first time here, and I feel a little nervous.”

Her words seemed to strike directly at Bingtong’s heart. He stiffened at once, his entire demeanor becoming tense. Though his appearance remained as unusual as ever, his voice, when he spoke again, carried a gentle earnestness reminiscent of a young man barely out of his teens. “Don’t be afraid,” he said quickly. “I am the ruler here. No one would dare to bully you.”

“That’s good,” Tang Wan replied, her eyes curved slightly with a trusting smile. “With my husband by my side, I feel at ease.”

At those words, Bingtong’s face flushed even deeper, the reddish hue spreading across his features as he reached out with visible caution, gently taking her hand in his own. His movements were careful, almost reverent, as though afraid that even the slightest misstep might startle her.

Tang Wan had initially braced herself for the unpleasant sensation she imagined his touch might bring, expecting his hands to be damp and coated with slime. Yet the moment their fingers met, she realized that was not the case at all. His skin was cool—distinctly so—but smooth and firm, like polished jade, carrying a faint chill that was not uncomfortable but rather oddly refreshing.

At that moment, Little Cutie’s cheerful notification sounded in her mind. “Ding! The villain Bingtong’s favorability has increased by ten points. Current favorability: sixty!”

Tang Wan cast a brief glance at Bingtong, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. Simply holding hands had raised his favorability by ten points—it seemed this River God was far more innocent than one might expect.

Before long, she was led into the ceremonial hall. Under the solemn guidance of an old turtle, who presided over the ritual with surprising authority, the two completed the traditional rites of bowing to heaven and earth. When the final bow was finished without incident, Bingtong visibly relaxed, letting out a quiet breath of relief. In his heart, the ceremony meant everything—now that the rites were complete, Tang Wan was truly his wife.

“My lady… shall I take you back to our chambers?” he asked softly, his voice lowered instinctively as though afraid of startling her.

Seeing his cautious demeanor, Tang Wan could not help but smile faintly before nodding. “Alright.”

Together, they made their way to Bingtong’s room.

Inside, the bed was fashioned from coral, its intricate structure glowing faintly with an otherworldly beauty. The room itself had clearly been arranged with great care, adorned with pearls, shells, and various treasures from the depths of the river. It was elaborate, even dazzling in its own way.

Yet the aesthetic of aquatic creatures was far removed from that of humans, and as Tang Wan looked around, she found the overall arrangement rather difficult to describe. It was not that it lacked effort—on the contrary, it was clear that much thought had gone into it—but the result was something so unfamiliar that it felt strangely chaotic to her eyes.