Chapter 146 - 145: Entering the Family Register

Chapter 146: Chapter 145: Entering the Family Register

Gu Qingyin was someone who hated trouble, and she felt that relationships were the most troublesome things in life. She and Huo Yunjing already had children who were so grown up; if they didn’t get married, it would be difficult to resolve the situation.

Besides, apart from being a ghost, Huo Yunjing was perfect in every way. After meeting someone so exceptional, Gu Qingyin felt it would be difficult for her to fall for anyone else.

Since it was bound to happen sooner or later, why drag it out?

It was just a matter of time.

The moment he slipped the ring onto Gu Qingyin’s middle finger, Huo Yunjing’s entire being became so contorted with excitement that his form flickered, but he quickly stabilized his ghost body. Taking her hand to examine it closely, he said, "It’s beautiful. It suits you perfectly."

Gu Qingyin smiled. "Where’s your ring?"

Huo Yunjing quickly took out his own ring and put it on. Their two hands overlapped, then slowly clasped together.

"We’ll have the wedding tomorrow night!"

Gu Qingyin was taken aback. ’Isn’t this... a bit too fast?’

Huo Yunjing nodded. "Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll arrange everything." He reached out to stroke Gu Qingyin’s face and said softly, "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Good night."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure slowly faded until it vanished completely.

Gu Qingyin shrugged. In that case, she would just follow his arrangements.

By seven o’clock the next morning, the castle was already bustling with activity.

The Huo Family had grown so large by now that its branch families were numerous. With four generations living under one roof, plus some relatives by marriage, their numbers exceeded a hundred people.

Members of the Xue Family, Hua Family, and Chen Family had also arrived to help prepare for the ancestral veneration rites.

Gu Qingyin came downstairs wearing a black, ankle-length dress, her hair pulled up in a simple bun, and her face free of makeup.

The moment she stepped into the brightly lit hall, the surrounding noise gradually died down as all eyes turned to Gu Qingyin.

Gu Qingyin glanced down at her clothes, and after confirming there was nothing amiss, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is something wrong?"

The crowd parted, and Huo Xingye walked over. "Mom, let’s go have breakfast first."

Huo Xinghai and Huo Xingchen followed closely behind.

Gu Qingyin’s gaze passed over them and landed on Old Madam Huo, who stood in the middle of the crowd. Her presence was to be expected, but the appearance of the woman beside her was rather thought-provoking.

If she recalled correctly, this was the woman from the last banquet who was supposed to be arranged for a Netherworld Marriage with Huo Yunjing. ’This is... she hasn’t given up, has she?’

"Where’s Gugu?" Gu Qingyin asked with a smile, pretending not to have seen them.

Huo Xinghai replied with a smile, "Little kids love to sleep. We tried calling her a few times, but she didn’t wake up."

They had returned too late from their outing last night, so Gugu had slept with Huo Xinghai. The little girl was an incredibly restless sleeper, constantly turning in circles on the bed. Huo Xinghai had been kicked several times throughout the night, and the quality of his sleep was highly questionable.

Gu Qingyin nodded and was about to leave when the woman beside Old Madam Huo stood up and walked over.

"Sister Qing." The woman swayed gracefully toward Gu Qingyin. "This is our second time meeting. I didn’t get a chance to greet you properly before. My name is Chen Nian—the ’Nian’ from the phrase ’never to be forgotten.’"

"Hello." Gu Qingyin inclined her head and said with a smile, "Since we hardly know each other, it’s better if you just use my name."

Chen Nian smiled as well. "I was the one chosen for the Netherworld Marriage with Mr. Huo. It’s only proper that I call you sister."

Gu Qingyin raised an eyebrow, looking at Huo Xingye.

Huo Xingye quickly disassociated himself from the matter. "I don’t know anything about it. No one informed me."

Gu Qingyin looked at Chen Nian with pity. "Miss Chen, delusion is a sickness. You should get it treated early."

Chen Nian’s expression faltered. She looked to Old Madam Huo, hoping the older woman would speak up for her, but Old Madam Huo acted as if she hadn’t seen a thing and said nothing.

Gu Qingyin also turned to Old Madam Huo, chuckling lightly. "Today is for venerating the ancestors. It’s best if outsiders don’t participate, wouldn’t you agree?"

Old Madam Huo looked up at her, and just as she was about to speak, she saw Huo Yunjing’s figure materialize beside Gu Qingyin. Her lips trembled before she nodded. "That is indeed the case."

"Aunt?" Chen Nian’s face was a picture of disbelief.

Old Madam Huo lowered her gaze. ’So, Huo Yunjing really is always by Gu Qingyin’s side.’

Chen Nian was left isolated and helpless, surrounded on all sides by members of the Huo family. They watched her as if she were a show, their lips curled in disdain and contempt. Chen Nian’s face flushed crimson. She spun around, pushed her way through the crowd, and left without a single look back.

’This is beyond humiliating! I’ll never set foot in the Huo Family home again!’

After that little interlude, the Huo family members dispersed in twos and threes, planning to reassemble for the ancestral veneration.

Old Madam Huo returned to her room and made a phone call. The person on the other end picked up quickly. After a brief conversation, they set a time to meet that evening.

Old Madam Huo was lost in thought. She had originally intended to use Chen Nian to seize some measure of control within the Huo Family, but she never expected that not only had Huo Yunjing failed to reincarnate, he was also still lingering by Gu Qingyin’s side.

Thus, her gambit involving Chen Nian was now useless.

Now, her only thought was to get rid of Huo Yunjing as quickly as possible. His very existence was a threat.

Everything else would have to wait until after Huo Yunjing was gone.

Old Madam Huo felt a pang of apprehension. She wondered if the Heavenly Master she had hired would be powerful enough to suppress Gu Qingyin and send Huo Yunjing away.

At ten in the morning, everyone gathered at the ancestral temple to begin the veneration rites.

In addition to offering incense and kowtowing, they also had to recite the family’s achievements of the past year to the ancestors, while praying for good fortune and prosperity in the year to come.

Finally, Huo Xingye brought out the family register and added Gu Qingyin’s name to it.

Everything went smoothly, and no one objected.

Finally, Gu Qingyin went to offer incense alone. Amid the curling smoke, a middle-aged man in a Tang suit materialized and asked with a solemn expression, "Master Gu, are you truly willing to be entered into the Huo Family register?"

No one else could see him, but Gu Qingyin saw him clearly. His features bore a slight resemblance to Huo Yunjing’s; he must be one of the Huo Family ancestors.

She was somewhat surprised that the Huo Family actually had an ancestor who hadn’t reincarnated. Her expression remaining impassive, she simply nodded in response.

The middle-aged man’s expression was complex. "Then let it be done."

Huo Yunjing materialized and, together with Gu Qingyin, bowed once more before the Huo Family’s ancestral tablets.

"Humans and ghosts follow different paths. I hope the two of you can have a happy ending."

After saying this last sentence, the middle-aged man dissipated.

The ancestral veneration continued until a little past two in the afternoon.

Ordinarily, everyone would have departed after the conclusion of the rites and gone about their own business.

But today, after the rites concluded, Family Head Huo Xingye issued an order: no one was to leave. He stated that there was a very important matter that evening and hoped everyone could stay for one more night.

When the Family Head spoke, no one would dare show him disrespect, especially since it was only for one more night.

However, even after dinner had ended, Huo Xingye still hadn’t revealed what this important matter was.

Everyone began to speculate in private, but no one dared to ask him directly.

Fortunately, the castle had plenty of recreational facilities, and with so many people present, it was easy to pass the time by playing games with someone.

Time passed, second by second, minute by minute. Then, at 10:18 p.m., the entire castle was suddenly plunged into silence.

Everyone, at the exact same moment, closed their eyes and fell asleep.

When they regained consciousness, they were standing on a lush, green lawn. The area was decorated with balloons and fresh flowers, and up ahead stood a heart-shaped floral arch...

It was the scene of an outdoor wedding.

The dazed look in everyone’s eyes slowly receded, replaced by clarity.

That’s right. They were here to attend a wedding.

They were here to attend the wedding of the previous Family Head, Huo Yunjing, and the family’s matriarch, Gu Qingyin.