Chapter 35: A Horde of Demons in Wild Frenzy 28

Plans often fail to keep up with changes. When Shen Xiao found Master Xu and Madam Xu to explain his purpose, Master Xu agreed readily, but Madam Xu raised objections.

“There simply isn't enough time to make a wedding dress now. Just sewing the fabric into a garment would take at least a day, not to mention the embroidery and tassels—the craftsmanship is extremely time-consuming. It’s impossible to finish before nightfall.”

Without a wedding dress, how could they pretend to be the bride?

Shen Xiao asked, “Is it possible to find a ready-made wedding dress in the city and have it altered?”

Madam Xu still found it unsuitable, her elegant brows lightly furrowed. “There have indeed been many weddings in the city lately, but the wedding dresses used by common folk are made of ordinary cloth. My daughter's dress, however, is made from the finest silk, with a gauze overlay, embroidered with gold thread and adorned with luminous pearls. Where could we possibly find such materials on such short notice?”

Though Madam Xu’s words made sense, for some reason, Shen Xiao felt she was trying to shirk responsibility.

“It doesn’t need to be a perfect replica, just closely resemble it—enough to fool anyone who looks,” he said.

Madam Xu shook her head calmly. “Even the most skillful woman cannot cook without rice. Without suitable fabric, it’s hard to make anything even remotely similar.”

Shen Xiao fixed his gaze on her eyes and spoke slowly. “If it cannot be done, then we’ll have to proceed slowly. But the fox spirit could come at any time. Finding a solution quickly would allow Miss Xu to escape danger sooner. I hope Madam Xu understands my intentions.”

Madam Xu replied in a cool, detached tone, “Daoist Shen cares deeply for the people; our household is, of course, grateful.”

The conversation reached an impasse, the atmosphere subtly shifting; neither spoke further.

Within the room, Master Xu and Xu Qingfeng also fell silent, awkwardly averting their eyes.

After a while, Xu Qingfeng ventured timidly, “Perhaps... I could ask at the Wu household? Master Wu deals in silk, and surely his storeroom isn’t lacking in fabric. We could borrow some for the wedding dress—even if we can’t finish today, it will be of use eventually.”

Madam Xu glanced at him coolly.

Xu Qingfeng fell silent, lowering his head, suddenly stricken by a vague sense of guilt, not even knowing what he had done wrong.

The magistrate coughed lightly, signaling to his son, “...If the Wu family has what we need, then go and ask.”

Xu Qingfeng hurriedly got up, glancing once more at Madam Xu. “Then... I’ll go and ask?”

Madam Xu’s expression remained chilly, her gaze lowered, ignoring him.

The magistrate coughed again.

Xu Qingfeng hastily left...

Shen Xiao found this family truly peculiar. He did not linger; after bidding farewell to the Xu couple, he returned to his temporary quarters to discuss the next steps with Shi Xianyu and Lin Yuan.

They had barely started their discussion when news arrived from the front courtyard: Master Wu had responded with great enthusiasm. There were several ready-made wedding dresses in his storeroom, and he not only delivered them personally but also brought two embroiderers to alter a dress specifically for Shi Xianyu.

It was as if a pillow had come just when sleepiness arrived—such convenience seemed almost suspicious.

The three of them went together to the front courtyard, where they saw Master Wu approaching with a broad smile. “Daoist Shen! I heard you needed a wedding dress, so I had my servants fetch a few sets from the storeroom. They're all plain, but if the embroiderers can see the one Miss Xu is wearing, they can make an exact replica.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Master Wu.” Shen Xiao cupped his hands in gratitude.

Master Wu waved off the thanks, still smiling. “You’re too polite, Daoist Shen! You’re acting for the safety of all Qingshan City; it’s my honor to help. Please, see which of these sets suits your needs.”

Shen Xiao nodded and stepped forward to examine the bright red wedding dresses.

Shi Xianyu followed behind, quietly observing the man surnamed Wu.

How to describe him? He appeared to be about thirty, with phoenix eyes and a hooked nose, slender of build, dressed in a dark green silk robe, his hands adorned with gold and jade rings—a picture of wealth.

But his expression was excessively ingratiating, his smile so wide it showed his gums; both his eyes and his grin betrayed the avarice of merchants from bygone days, making her distinctly uneasy.

“Madam Xu, could you please ask Miss Xu to come here? We need to compare the dresses to see which fits best,” Shen Xiao said to Madam Xu.

Madam Xu cast a cool glance at him, her face impassive. She summoned a servant to call Miss Xu.

Xu Xiangyun soon arrived.

She had worn the same wedding dress for three days, unable to remove it, sleeping and washing in it, yet it remained utterly unwrinkled, as bright and new as ever. The dress set off her natural beauty, rendering her dazzling, like a peony in full bloom.

Yet this peony was clearly in a foul mood; as she entered, she shot Shen Xiao a glare.

“It’s only been a few days, and Miss Xu’s beauty has surpassed even before—truly peerless,” Master Wu said with a flattering smile.

Xu Xiangyun responded with a cursory curtsy. “I do not dare accept such praise, Master Wu. The Imperial Consort is famed for her fragrance and beauty—she is the one truly peerless.”

Master Xu said, “Xiaoyun, Daoist Shen wishes to replicate your wedding dress. Come, let the embroiderers have a good look.”

Xu Xiangyun, hearing this, lowered her head and walked to the center of the room.

When silent, she did indeed appear dignified and demure, as Xu Qingfeng had said.

The embroiderers Master Wu brought were highly skilled. They quickly examined Xu Xiangyun’s collar, sleeves, and skirt, and then selected the most similar wedding dress.

Wedding dresses typically have a basic form. As long as the cut is similar, with matching embroidery, tassels, and pearls, a close replica—seven or eight-tenths alike—can be made.

This was, after all, meticulous work. Madam Xu arranged for the two embroiderers to work in a separate room: one copied the embroidery patterns from Xu Xiangyun’s dress, the other took Shi Xianyu’s measurements.

The others waited in the front hall, sipping tea and exchanging polite conversation.

During the idle moments, Master Wu broached the old topic once more, smiling as he addressed Shen Xiao. “Daoist, you have saved the people of Qingshan City from disaster—a deed of immense virtue. May I ask, once the demon is dealt with, what do you intend to do with its demon core?”

Shen Xiao noted Master Wu’s persistent interest in the demon core.

“What does Master Wu want with it?” he asked.

Master Wu replied with a smile, “Such a treasure naturally should be presented to His Majesty. How could a commoner like myself dare keep it for private use?”

His words implied that if Shen Xiao disposed of the demon core himself, it would be tantamount to treason.

Shen Xiao, a straightforward man well-traveled and open-minded, did not reject him outright. He simply said, “The demon core is indeed a treasure, but it’s not easily controlled by ordinary people. At worst, it could be fatal; at best, it will poison the body, leading to lingering illness. I see that Master Wu’s complexion is not good—have you perhaps had contact with a demon core before?”

Master Wu was momentarily startled. “I have not, but my health has indeed declined in recent years. Daoist, do you see something wrong with me?”