In the end, she had no other option but to give up on the matter altogether. Similarly, Fang Chi was bent on not going out so as to avoid every bit of trouble, thus the two of them couldn’t even see each other faces much less have any chance to meet each other. On the day of the wedding, Fang Chi was woken up by grandma Fang earlier than the sun in the morning and then he was sent to the bathhouse to wash himself. Throughout the process, Grandma Fang urged him to hurry and Fang Chi despite having a total of four hours had to wash in just a few minutes.

The second he was out of the outhouse, Grandma Fang dragged him to the front hall and handed him a change of clothes, ” First change into this and let the others do your makeup, once you are done with that, you can change into your wedding clothes, I am afraid that you will dirty them if you wear them first.”

Fang Chi agreed with his grandmother, that the makeup and hair will take most of the time and then there was a likely chance that they might get spoiled. A few months ago, a mer wore his wedding clothes before getting his makeup done and then by some unfortunate incident, his wedding dress was spoiled. Not one person in the big river village didn’t hear the mournful screams of the mer when that happened after that everyone started to have their makeup done before donning on their wedding dress. ” got it”

By the time he finished changing his clothes and dried his hair, Grandma Fang called a person to come into the house. This person Fang Chi was very familiar with, he was the husband of Wu Junfen, he wasn’t originally from the village but like Chu Chang, he married in the village from the capital, however, unlike Chu Chang, this mer was really gentle and his bearing was not at all spoiled he was kind to others and despite being in his forties he looked young. His relationship with his wife was good and together they had two sons, a mer and a young boy. Everyone called him Yuehua.

” Let brother Yuehua brush your hair,” said Grandma Fang, then she turned to Yuehua and nodded politely. ” I am sorry for bothering you, Yuehua.”

” Grandma is really polite,” said Yuehua as he laughed, his laugh was like tinkling bells that eased anyone no matter how winded they were, even Fang Chi was a bit relaxed despite being so wrung up, that he almost started to perspire. ” Chi really grew up to be one fine mer. Just look at that bright cinnabar, he will defiantly bear a lot of children for his wife.”

” Brother Hua, stop teasing me.” said Fang Chi with a shy smile, there were still a few hours before he got married to Yu Dong- so why were they discussing such a topic right now? ” compared to me, it’s you who is living a happy and fulfilling life.”

Yuehua smiled and rubbed Fang Chi’s head. ” if I wasn’t living a happy life, do you think that I would have dared to come here and comb your hair for you?” Yuehua took the comb from Grandma Fang and sternly added, ” now, stay silent. No matter what happens you aren’t allowed to interrupt me until I finish combing here for you, alright?”

” I know,” said Fang Chi as he sat up straight.

” One comb is combed to the beginning, one shall not worry about the riches, the second comb combed to the beginning, one shall never worry about sickness and illness, the third comb combed to the beginning, one shall have many sons and daughters, the fourth comb combed to the beginning – one shall have mutual respect and love in the marriage, the fifth comb combed to the beginning- one shall live like a pair together. The sixth comb combed to the end and the union shall last till the eternity and the knots will always be tied together. Combed from the beginning to the end. One shall be blessed with years of honour, harmony and riches.” Yuehua combed Fang Chi’s hair very gently till the end, before picking up the makeup brush. Once he was done with his work he tied Fang Chi’s hair and pinned it properly then turned to look at Grandma Fang and said, ” let us leave him alone, he needs to put on his wedding dress.”

Grandma Fang nodded and turned to look at Fang Chi with a smile in her eyes, ” I will be right outside if you want something then just call me.”

Fang Chi nodded. Once everyone was gone, he closed the door and picked up the wedding clothes. He was busy untying the strings of his shirt, thus he didn’t even notice that one of the trunks that were brought by the workers snapped open and out came a figure that was hiding in that trunk.

Just as Fang Chi started to wear his clothes, the figure closed up to him and then clamped his mouth and nose shut with a handkerchief that was infused with knockout drugs. Fang Chi’s eyes widened as he tried to struggle but the figure didn’t let go until Fang Chi fell to the ground.

Once he was knocked unconscious, the figure snatched away the wedding veil he was clutching and sneered, ” you sleep, brother Chi. This marriage I will do it in your stead.”