Chapter 103: The Locust Tree

Although Bai Xiaoli and I officially married today, both of us eagerly anticipated tomorrow’s grand wedding ceremony. After all, young people value the sense of ritual deeply, and I knew tomorrow would be no ordinary day.

After many trials and tribulations, I had finally lived to see this day. I withdrew the money Lu Jiu gave me in advance and placed it in my suitcase. I knew this day would be the most unforgettable of my life—not only because I truly loved Bai Xiaoli, but also because, after ten years of searching for my grandfather, new progress might be made following the wedding.

What excited me even more was the thought that Chen Yetian and his grandfather, who had troubled me repeatedly, would surely stumble at this wedding. I was eager to see the expression on that black-clad man’s face when he found out I was still alive.

On the night before the wedding, excitement kept me awake all night. Finally, by dusk the next day, twenty-six Maybachs pulled up in front of my shop. It was the first time so many luxury cars had gathered on Fengshui Street, drawing a crowd of onlookers curious about which family was so wealthy.

I changed into a traditional Chinese outfit that Pilinger had prepared for me and held a bouquet as I opened the door.

The driver’s face showed a flicker of surprise when he saw me. “Are you Pi Yangxi?” he asked.

When I nodded, he muttered, “Strange, Master Chen the Feng Shui expert said no one would be picked up today.”

Today was my joyful day, and hearing this, I was not angry. Instead, I handed out one-thousand-yuan red envelopes to the drivers who had come to escort me.

Upon receiving the envelopes, the drivers all smiled broadly, quickly helping with my luggage and respectfully inviting me into the lead car adorned with bright roses.

I understood that Bai Ranhe’s grand reception was not entirely out of respect for me. Several factors were at play: firstly, they could not afford to disgrace the Bai family; secondly, they knew I had connections with the president of the Duhe City Chamber of Commerce and that I was a disciple of Wan Yishou. These alone made them take me seriously.

Along the way, crowds lined both sides of the street in Duhe City, casting envious glances at our convoy. Many schoolchildren ran alongside the cars. I rolled down the window and tossed some wedding candies to share with the children.

Soon, under the crimson sunset, the convoy entered the villa district where Bai Ranhe lived. I noticed a locust tree had been planted in an inconspicuous corner of his villa’s yard, its dense foliage encroaching into a corner of the courtyard. Seeing this, I frowned.

The Bai family’s feng shui had been tampered with.

Locust trees are known to attract malevolent spirits. Bai’s villa was originally situated at the confluence of dragon energies, which prevented evil spirits from entering. But with this locust tree, it was as if they had invited ghosts in—any evil spirit could now follow the tree’s presence straight into Bai Ranhe’s home.

No need to guess—I knew this was Chen Yetian’s doing. He had planned to invite fierce spirits into the house on my wedding day to harm me, deliberately planting this “bridge.” But he could never have imagined that Xu Yingying’s memory had returned, and that his own scheme would ultimately bring about his downfall.

After entering the courtyard, I carefully observed the interior arrangement of the Bai household. There were mountains and water arranged with great care and precision. It was obvious Bai Ranhe placed great importance on the feng shui of his home; this was surely the work of a master.

After we got out of the car, several servants led me to a room behind the main hall, where makeup artists were already waiting. Throughout the process, I did not encounter Bai Ranhe or Bai Xiaoli, who were likely busy with wedding preparations.

Since I was marrying into the family, the ceremony was not overly complicated, omitting some minor formalities. Once the guests were seated, the traditional Chinese wedding rites in the ancestral hall would commence.

There was still some time before the banquet began, so few guests had arrived in the main hall yet. Only dozens of tables draped in red cloth were set up.