The four words "treasured as something priceless" sent Hu Tao's heart racing, joy surging uncontrollably.
As if she couldn't quite believe it—or perhaps needed confirmation—she turned to Zhongli and asked,
"Senior Consultant, did you hear that?"
Zhongli smiled warmly and nodded.
"I did. Mr. Gu Chen said he treasures the Hall Master as something priceless."
"Heehee!"
Hu Tao was over the moon, a radiant smile blooming across her face.
Gu Chen turned to Zhongli and asked,
"What day would be suitable for a wedding?"
Wedding was a word Hu Tao had never liked.
But now, she found herself looking forward to it—though after thinking of something, she waved her hand.
"There's no need for a wedding. It's too much trouble. Just let a few close friends know!"
"Why?" Gu Chen asked, puzzled.
Zhongli sighed softly.
"Hall Master, you only get this once in your life…"
"I've already decided!" Hu Tao waved him off.
Gu Chen shook his head.
"I don't agree. You're wronging yourself."
"But—" Hu Tao tried to say something, only for Gu Chen to continue,
"You're nearly thirty. If this isn't made known properly, people will laugh at you."
"I don't care," Hu Tao muttered.
"Let's go with Mr. Gu Chen's suggestion," Zhongli said.
With both consultants taking that stance, Hu Tao could only relent.
"…Alright then."
[Kirara]: Huh? Hall Master Hu Tao doesn't want a wedding?!
[Collei]: Hu Tao's thinking is so strange!
[Nilou]: Hu Tao knows Mr. Gu Chen can live for a very, very long time. She can't accompany him for that long, so she wants to save his first wedding for a girl who can live as long as he does!
[Lumine]: Hu Tao's thinking… she's wronging herself because of her short lifespan. (Paimon · shocked)
[Paimon]: Thankfully Boss Gu has a firm will. How could he not give Hu Tao a grand wedding? He watched her grow up and treasures her so much—if she really wronged herself, he'd be heartbroken too!
[Lisa]: Finally, a wedding.
[Klee]: Yay! (Klee · yay)
[Collei]: Yay! (Klee · yay)
[Azhdaha]: Such a joyous occasion calls for a few drinks.
[Kaeya]: Folks, even though I'm just watching a video, that basically means I'm attending the wedding too, right? I count as a guest! Let's drink to celebrate! (Afternoon Death photo)
[Diona sent a group red packet]
[Zhongli grabbed a cup of wine]
[Arataki Itto grabbed a cup of wine]
[Hu Tao grabbed a cup of wine]
[Hu Tao]: Never thought I'd live to see the day I drink my own wedding wine as a spectator. (Paimon · shocked)
[Wriothesley]: Thank you, Miss Diona.
[Xiangling]: Enjoy it while you can—there haven't been any girls marrying Mr. Gu Chen in previous videos. (Hu Tao · mischievous grin)
[Yae Miko]: When you put it that way, it's true. Hu Tao is the first girl in the videos to marry big sis's husband. (Raiden Ei · soft laugh)
[Hu Tao]: Oh? Looks like I really am quite favored by Gu Chen then! (Hu Tao · greeting)
[Lumine]: When are you holding our wedding? @[Gu Chen]
[Yae Miko]: Brother-in-law's harem is about to catch fire. (bad smile)
[Venti]: Fight! Fight!
[Dvalin]: (Qiqi · secretly observing)
[Gu Chen]: About that—it's not urgent, right? Not that we won't do it, just… it's not urgent, right?
[Kaeya]: Boss, are you stalling right now?
[Furina]: A perfunctory man—recommend immediate execution! (laughing)
[Venti]: I kind of get it. This is only the seventh episode so far. Who knows how many more there'll be? I think the Cult Leader might hold an incomparably grand wedding for all the wives when the series ends.
[Gu Chen]: My brother, you really get me! (Zhongli · dragon-king smirk)
[Lumine]: How many are there left? (balding)
[Guizhong]: Hard to say. (Jean · pondering)
[Ganyu]: (dizzy)
[Raiden Ei]: (sharpening blade)
Following Gu Chen's arrangements, Hu Tao informed her close friends and several elders who weren't family but were like family.
When Xingqiu and the others learned Hu Tao was getting married, they were stunned.
"To Mr. Gu Chen?!" Xiangling exclaimed in surprise.
"That's right!" Hu Tao nodded, hands on her hips.
"Impressive, huh? Your Hall Master took down the Second Consultant with ease~"
"Impressive, impressive," Chongyun applauded, then hesitated.
"But you two—"
Just as he was about to blurt something out, Xingqiu shot him a glare, and Chongyun immediately shut up.
"I know what you want to say. It's fine," Hu Tao waved it off.
Gu Chen's agelessness was something even the neighbors knew. He had never hidden it.
Most people guessed he was some kind of adeptus. Neither Hu Tao nor Gu Chen ever explained.
Now that Hu Tao was marrying him, her friends felt conflicted.
They more or less knew why Hu Tao had remained unmarried all these years—she'd always loved the parlor's consultant.
Understanding that didn't make the future any less worrying.
"As long as it's your choice, we won't ask more. We wish you happiness," Xingqiu said, cupping his hands.
"By the way, did you invite me to drink wedding wine, or to cook?" Xiangling asked.
"Of course to cook and drink!" Hu Tao replied matter-of-factly.
Xiangling rolled her eyes.
"I knew it!"
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor became busy.
Normally quiet, it was unexpectedly lively.
Days passed, and soon the wedding day arrived.
Gu Chen changed out of his usual black, wearing festive attire.
Hu Tao did the same—a red bridal veil covering her face.
Zhongli served as the host.
Friends and family gathered, laughing and celebrating.
"First bow—to Heaven and Earth."
"Second bow—to parents."
Hu Tao no longer had living family, but the memorial tablets of the old Hall Master, A-Sen, and Axiu were present, along with several senior undertakers who had watched her grow up.
As for Gu Chen, with no parents of his own, the old Hall Master counted as his family.
"Third bow—to each other."
Gu Chen and Hu Tao bowed.
"Heehee, Second Consultant—this time, I'm completely yours!"
Hu Tao's playful voice came from beneath the red veil.
Gu Chen chuckled.
"Ceremony complete!"
As Zhongli announced it, blessings poured in from all sides.
Normally free-spirited, Hu Tao was especially well-behaved today. She was escorted back to her room to wait.
The groom, Gu Chen, was dragged around and plied with drinks.
Even Tianquan Ningguang was among them.
Halfway through the banquet, Gu Chen said to Zhongli,
"The Hall Master's probably hungry by now. Help me hold them off."
Zhongli paused, then sighed helplessly.
"…Alright."
Gu Chen excused himself, took some of Hu Tao's favorite foods, and left.
Inside the bridal chamber.
Hu Tao sat quietly beneath her red veil.
The door opened. Gu Chen walked in, set the food aside, and approached her.
"You-you-you're in such a hurry?"
Hu Tao shrank back slightly.
"Hm?" Gu Chen raised an eyebrow, then smiled.
"Hall Master, sitting here hungry until nightfall isn't pleasant. I just brought you something to eat."
"Oh—oh!"
Hu Tao realized.
"Sounded a bit disappointed. What, were you getting impatient too?" Gu Chen teased.
"N-no…" Hu Tao replied softly.
Gu Chen lifted her veil.
Looking at Hu Tao's delicate features, eyes tinged with shy warmth, he said,
"Alright, eat up."
"Mhm!"
Hu Tao nodded eagerly.
Just listening to the lively sounds outside had already made her hungry.
"Take your time. Zhongli probably can't hold out alone for long. I'll go entertain the guests and come back later," Gu Chen said.
"Go on, go on," Hu Tao waved him off.
Gradually, the noise outside faded.
Through the window lattice, the sky darkened.
Hu Tao didn't find the wait unbearable—before she knew it, night had fallen.
Gu Chen pushed the door open.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"A little," Hu Tao replied.
"I knew it." Gu Chen laughed and brought more of her favorite food.
"Heehee, Second Consultant really is the best!" Hu Tao beamed.
"Hm? Still calling me Second Consultant?" Gu Chen folded his arms teasingly.
"The ceremony's done. Shouldn't you change how you address me?"
"You want to hear it?" Hu Tao blinked.
"Husband, husband, husband!!!"
Gu Chen nodded.
"Sounds good."
Hu Tao grinned and set down her bowl.
"Finished eating?" Gu Chen asked.
"Mhm~" Hu Tao nodded.
The next moment, Gu Chen lifted her into his arms.
"Then it's time for the final part of today."
Hu Tao covered her face with both hands, cheeks burning red.
The scene shifted to the courtyard.
The candlelight in the bridal chamber was suddenly blown out.
Then the view pulled upward, rising into the sea of clouds under the night sky.
[Kaeya]: Wow, wow, wow—so we're outsiders now, huh?! (grin)
[Venti]: What does that mean?! I was watching with great interest and it just cut off! (grin)
[Paimon]: What comes next is paid content! (Paimon · hmph)
[Furina]: This can't be broadcast!
[Lisa]: Even if it's not shown, one can imagine~
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Barbara · shyly covering face)
[Nilou]: Aaaah! Just imagining Hu Tao and Mr. Gu Chen being all cuddly is so exciting!! (pRwQq)
[Collei]: Hehehehehe… (dazed laugh)
[Kirara]: Hehehehehehehe… (blank stare)
[Keqing]: The Cult Leader's CP fans have lost it. (Paimon · shocked)
[Hu Tao]: Scared me to death—thank goodness it wasn't shown. (sigh of relief)
In the days following their marriage, Hu Tao clung to Gu Chen constantly, leaving external affairs of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor entirely to Zhongli.
Zhongli was suffering—and enjoying it.
It was tiring, but at least Hu Tao and Gu Chen had ended up together.
Spring passed into autumn.
In happy times, time seemed to flow faster.
In the blink of an eye—five years.
Leaning against Gu Chen, Hu Tao frowned and touched her abdomen.
"Why is there no movement at all?"
Gu Chen shook his head.
"This, too, is part of the heavens' curse."
"So… I can't bear your child?" Hu Tao asked, disappointed.
Gu Chen didn't answer. Hu Tao sighed.
With Gu Chen's comfort, she eventually let it go.
Spending the remaining time by his side mattered more.
Time passed.
That year, Hu Tao turned fifty.
Though well cared for, she was noticeably different from before.
"I'm getting old… you won't dislike me, will you?" she asked softly.
"Never," Gu Chen said, shaking his head.
"That's good!"
That year, Hu Tao was seventy.
Streaks of silver appeared in her brown hair, faint wrinkles creasing her face.
She was aging.
Gu Chen knew this, yet could not stop it.
In the end, he extended her lifespan.
He thought she might refuse—but Hu Tao accepted easily.
"As long as you don't mind how old I look, staying with you a few dozen more years is worth it," she said with a smile.
"Alright."
That year, Hu Tao was eighty.
The Jade Chamber welcomed a new master.
Tianquan Ningguang had passed away. Gu Chen and Hu Tao attended the funeral as friends.
It was said that Keqing—who often clashed with Ningguang politically—was deeply saddened by her death.
That year, Hu Tao was ninety.
Friends Xingqiu and Chongyun passed away one after another.
That year, Hu Tao was ninety-three.
The world-renowned chef Xiangling passed away.
That year, Hu Tao turned one hundred.
She could no longer hold on.
Hu Tao sat in the courtyard, looking at the two consultants.
One was Zhongli—still youthful. She already knew his true identity.
The other was Gu Chen—her husband, still youthful as ever. In her memories, he had never changed.
As though a thousand years later, he would still look the same, untouched by time.
"So old… I really am old…" Hu Tao sighed.
Her lifespan should have ended three years ago.
With Gu Chen's life-extension, she had lived until now.
Barring the unexpected, she could live a few more years—but she had thought it through.
"When, thousands of years from now, you remember me… please don't remember me as an old woman," Hu Tao said, reaching up to touch Gu Chen's face.
Her hand was thin and withered; her face lined with wrinkles, her hair completely white.
Gu Chen was silent.
Zhongli sighed.
There was still time—yet this was already the farewell.
"Don't be sad for me. I was happy my whole life," Hu Tao said with a warm smile.
"My only regret…"
She looked at Gu Chen and spoke slowly,
"Is that these hundred years were too short. But… that's alright."
In the gentle breeze,
Hu Tao sat with her cane for a long while, without another word.
"She's gone," Zhongli said softly.
"I know," Gu Chen nodded.
"There were still a few decades left…"
"What woman doesn't love beauty?" Zhongli sighed.
"She simply didn't want an aged image to linger in your eyes."
"…Sigh."
Gu Chen let out a long breath.
Hu Tao's funeral was held, with Gu Chen presiding and Zhongli assisting.
After the bustle, Hu Tao was laid to rest.
Gu Chen came to the boundary.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's past Hall Masters never lingered here.
But the seventy-seventh Hall Master did.
"Hi! Second Consultant~"
A lively少女 hopped about, waving cheerfully.
Gu Chen smiled and nodded.
"Heehee, I'm about to enter reincarnation! Are you here to see your cute wife off one last time?"
Hu Tao leaned in, trying to hug him—but her arms passed right through his body, and her expression dimmed slightly.
"I'll wait for you," Gu Chen said.
"Oh, don't be stubborn!" Hu Tao shook her head.
"After reincarnation, I won't remember anything. Even if something feels familiar, it won't be me~ You should properly forget this Hall Master and go find a girl who can stay with you for a long, long time—that's the right thing to do!"
Gu Chen didn't reply.
Hu Tao rambled on for a while, then waved her hand.
"I'm going!"
She turned around.
If only one could be reborn with memories…
As she stepped into the boundary and looked back, her vision blurred.
"Husband… I'm really going now…"
――[Xiuluo Zhanhun][Little Zhao][Emperor Duolin][Starry Night Y]…
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