The wedding was livestreamed by the sister, revealing his identity as a Taoist priest.

Taiqing Palace, 3:45 AM.

Nine disciples stood on the blue stone steps in front of the hall.

The oldest is only twenty-eight, and the youngest has just turned nineteen.

They stood in a row, backs straight, breathing deliberately light.

Because Chen Shidu was standing right in front of them, with his hands behind his back under the palace gate.

The morning breeze blew in, ruffling the hem of his clothes.

Master Xuanmo stepped forward, carrying a long box.

"This is a robe made overnight by the Purple Mansion Pill Room for a disciple personally taught by the Celestial Master."

"A dark blue background, embroidered with silver threads in the shape of the Eight Trigrams, a shawl with thunder patterns covering the shoulders, and a five-colored silk sash around the waist."

"According to the ancient custom of sending betrothal gifts at the Celestial Master's wedding, when a disciple travels on behalf of his master, wearing this robe, it is as if the Celestial Master has personally arrived."

The nine disciples' breathing quickened for a moment simultaneously.

He traveled on behalf of his teacher.

It was as if the Celestial Master had personally arrived.

The weight of these eight words is greater than the robe itself.

Chen Shidu looked at them without saying anything extra.

"The first betrothal gift has been sent to the Shen family."

His voice was flat.

"No mistakes are allowed on the road."

The nine people responded in unison.

"Disciple obeys!"

Chen Shidu turned and went back to the palace.

He took two steps, then stopped.

"After we arrive."

He didn't turn around.

"Please tell her for me."

Nine people pricked up their ears.

Tell her you miss her.

Nine disciples: "..."

Master Xuanmo: "..."

The twelve ever-burning lamps in the hall flickered eerily, as if even the lamps themselves felt awkward.

The nine people changed into their ceremonial robes, lined up, and set off.

The procession exited from the main gate of Taiqing Palace and descended the 1,200 blue stone steps.

The mountain mist swirls and billows, and nine dark blue figures appear and disappear in the mist.

At the foot of the mountain, three black cars were already waiting.

……

West of the city, in the center of Jianglan.

Chen Xiaoyu felt that she had never walked such a long red carpet in her life.

People lined both sides of the street, and flashbulbs were going off from one end to the other.

She looked down at her outfit.

Yesterday afternoon, Shen Nianqing took her to pick out a dress, a beige dress. She had never heard of the brand, but when Lin Keke saw the price tag, she let out a dying sound.

"Light rain."

Lin Keke whispered in her ear.

"The bag that the woman on the left is carrying on the road we're walking on now is something I couldn't afford even after three years of live streaming."

"Shut up, stop looking."

"Is the watch on the man on the right set with real diamonds on the dial?"

"If you say another word, I'll throw you here."

Lin Keke wisely shut up, but her eyes were still darting around.

Shen Nianqing walked ahead, with Gu Xingluo holding her arm.

Today she wore a dark green fitted long dress, her hair was styled in a simple bun, and she wore two pearl earrings.

He wasn't flashy, but the moment he stood there, everyone's eyes were glued to him.

Chen Xiaoyu noticed that they had been whispering non-stop ever since they entered the room.

"Is that Shen Nianqing?"

"That's her, the one trending on social media!"

"Who exactly is her fiancé? Nobody has been able to find out yet..."

"I heard it's an amateur? Really...?"

"Really? Would the Shen family agree to this?"

Shen Nianqing ignored him and did not change her pace.

Gu Xingluo turned her head and glanced around, her voice neither too loud nor too soft.

"What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a good-looking person before?"

The surrounding noise instantly subsided.

The exhibition hall has two floors, with a catwalk in the center and a circular audience seating area around it.

Their seats were in the front row, right in the center, with name tags on them.

Chen Xiaoyu sat down and noticed a nameplate next to her that she didn't recognize, but Lin Keke did.

"Holy crap, this is that...that designer! The one who made the custom dresses for some awards ceremony last month!"

"oh."

"What 'oh'?! Do you know how much it costs to have a garment made by him?!"

"I don't know, and I don't want to know."

The lights dimmed.

The exhibition has begun.

Models walked the runway one by one, each piece accompanied by an explanation of its material, craftsmanship, and source of inspiration, all projected onto a large screen behind them.

After listening to several items, Chen Xiaoyu realized that all she could understand were "This dress is very expensive" and "That dress is even more expensive".

The third thing the commentator mentioned was a number, a seven-digit number.

The fifth item is an eight-digit number.

Lin Keke muttered to herself from the side.

"One piece of clothing costs one house, one piece of clothing costs one house..."

Chen Xiaoyu stepped on her foot.

When it came to the twelfth item, all the lights suddenly went out.

Then, a beam of spotlight fell from the dome.

At the end of the runway, a garment was displayed alone in a glass case, slowly rising up.

The entire room fell silent.

It was a long dress.

The entire garment is hand-woven from extremely fine gold and silver threads, with rhinestones embedded in the hem, creating a star-like shimmer under the light.

The collar and cuffs are made of genuine Suzhou embroidery, featuring phoenix patterns, with each feather individually embroidered.

The commentator's voice was filled with obvious excitement.

"This piece, 'Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree,' is the final work of this exhibition. It was created by three masters over a period of fourteen months and is the only one of its kind in the world."

"No price tag, not for sale."

"For collectors only."

A low gasp of surprise rippled through the audience.

Chen Xiaoyu turned her head and glanced at Shen Nianqing.

Shen Nianqing's gaze fell on the dress, a glint of light in her eyes.

It was very light, but you could tell she liked it.

Just as Chen Xiaoyu was about to say something, the door on the side of the exhibition hall suddenly opened.

A young man came out.

The suit was impeccably tailored, with a family crest pinned to his chest. He had refined features and a perfectly measured smile.

He was followed by two assistants, one on his left and one on his right.

All eyes turned to that direction.

Someone recognized him.

"The Pei family? Pei Jingchuan?"

"This exhibition was originally organized by a brand under the Pei family..."

"Why did he come out in person?"

Pei Jingchuan walked straight to the front row.

They walked toward Shen Nianqing.

He stopped in front of her, bowed slightly, and moved with elegance.

"Nianqing, it's been a long time."

Shen Nianqing looked up at him but did not get up.

"Pei Jingchuan."

Pei Jingchuan smiled, his gaze sweeping over the long dress in the display case before returning to Shen Nianqing's face.

"The 'Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree' was meticulously crafted by our Pei family, and I believe no woman would dislike it."

His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the front row could hear him clearly.

"If you like it, I'll give it to you."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

"Give it away? Isn't this dress not for sale?"

"The Pei family organized the exhibition themselves, so of course they can give things away whenever they want..."

"But wasn't Shen Nianqing engaged? What does he mean by this?"

Chen Xiaoyu's heart jumped into her throat.

She looked at Shen Nianqing.

Shen Nianqing's fingers on the armrest clenched slightly, and the smile on her face completely disappeared.

Pei Jingchuan seemed unaware, or perhaps he was aware but didn't care.

"It's just a piece of clothing, a token of friendship. Nianqing wouldn't refuse, would she?"

Chen Xiaoyu clenched her fists.

This isn't just delivering clothes.

This is slapping her brother in the face in front of everyone.

What your fiancé can't give you, I will.

Your fiancé is not good enough for you, but I am.

Just as Chen Xiaoyu was about to stand up, Shen Nianqing pressed her wrist down.

"Pei Jingchuan."

Shen Nianqing's voice was very soft and even.

"I'm already engaged."

Pei Jingchuan's smile remained unchanged.

"I know, the whole internet knows. But I was just giving a friend a gift, it has nothing to do with whether you're engaged or not."

There was something in his eyes that wasn't benevolent.

Shen Nianqing did not speak.

The atmosphere froze.

Just then, a commotion arose from the direction of the exhibition hall entrance.

"Young Miss!"

The door was pushed open, and Uncle Liu strode in, his voice trembling.

"The first betrothal gift has arrived."