Xu Peilin composed herself and politely declined the Emperor's marriage proposal.

Fortunately, the emperor's decision was merely a passing fancy and he certainly did not intend to arrange the marriage.

Back home, the green snake suddenly flew away from Xu Peilin's hand and nestled in a corner, ignoring him.

Xu Peilin shook his head and chuckled. How could a snake get angry?

He walked to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and said to himself, "It is only natural for a man to get married and start a family. If I, as an official, do not get married for a long time, it will arouse suspicion."

As she spoke, she glanced at the green snake, who was still turning her head to look at the other side, and jokingly probed, "Could you possibly transform into a human and marry me?"

Green Snake secretly glanced back, but seeing Xu Peilin's ambiguous smile, she turned her head back.

That night, while Xu Peilin was fast asleep, she faintly heard some noises.

He showed no emotion whatsoever.

Her voice was soft, but her words were rather harsh: "You wish! You think I'd marry you? A toad trying to eat swan meat, no, a green snake."

Xu Peilin showed no fear whatsoever, as if she felt it was only natural to do so.

He thought about his appearance; he was probably one of the least attractive people in the entire capital, so how could he be considered a toad?

From then on, Xu Peilin would often tease the green snake, saying, "I've raised you almost like a wife. Shouldn't you repay me?"

The green snake stuck out its tongue and hissed.

Xu Peilin smiled gently.

Not long after, Xu Peilin took a break and had a small gathering with his colleagues. As literary figures, they always had something to do to liven things up. Someone called a singing girl to sing, and they drank wine and listened to the songs, having a great time.

Xu Peilin got drunk and returned to his residence. He lay on the bed and shouted, "Wine! I want more wine! Qi Hong, quickly pour me some wine!"

He was talking nonsense. The green snake, who already disliked the smell of alcohol, became even angrier upon hearing this. She transformed into human form and pressed her slender finger against his chest: "Drinking like this, do you still have the demeanor of an official in the court?"

Xu Peilin grabbed the finger that was wreaking havoc on her chest, opened her dazed eyes, and spoke clearly: "Which fairy has come to my house?"

"Look closely, it's me, Grandma Green Snake."

The green snake was furious.

Xu Peilin suddenly rolled over, pinning the green snake beneath him. The confusion in his eyes vanished. "So it's the Green Snake Fairy. I've been in the same room with you all the time. My reputation is ruined. You'd better take responsibility."

Green Snake had never seen such a case of turning the tables on someone, and after a long while, she could only manage to utter, "A dignified Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, have you no shame!"

With that, he pushed the person aside and ran away in a flash.

Xu Peilin wasn't in a hurry. Seeing that the green snake didn't even have time to transform into its snake form and escape, he smiled gently.

The window paper must eventually be torn open.

The green snake escaped for two days and returned on the third day.

This time, as soon as he entered the door, he transformed back into his original form.

With the lights on, Xu Peilin saw the green snake's human form for the first time.

She had a graceful figure, an oval face, and skin as white as snow. Her eyes, in particular, were bright and sparkling, with a sharp look when she looked at people, yet also full of charm when she looked around.

The green snake raised its head proudly, "I will take responsibility for you."

Xu Peilin smiled tenderly under the lamplight, "Then may I ask the young lady's name?"

The green snake then realized that it didn't seem to have a name.

In the end, Xu Peilin came up with a name for her: "How about we call her Miao Ruoqing?"

Like a willow swaying in the breeze, her beauty is unparalleled.

Xu Peilin gave Miao Ruoqing an identity, and the two married and lived a loving life together.

As Xu Peilin lay dying, he held Miao Ruoqing's hand and said, "I'm leaving now. Will you be able to find me in your next life?" Call him selfish or self-serving, but he didn't want to give Miao Ruoqing away to someone else.

He felt somewhat resentful, wondering why his life had been so short.

Miao Ruoqing had regained her youthful appearance. She placed one hand on Xu Peilin's palm and wiped away her tears with the other. "You wish! I'll go find the next one as soon as you leave."

Xu Peilin had little strength left. He looked at Miao Ruoqing with deep affection and said weakly, "It's fine. Forget about me and live a good life."

After saying this, Xu Peilin passed away suddenly.

Xu Peilin rose to the position of Right Chancellor and devoted his life to serving the country and its people. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Rong. His wife, née Miao, disappeared.

After that, through eight lifetimes, Miao Ruoqing finally found him.

Sooner or later, but never late.

Xu Peilin was known for his integrity and honesty throughout his life, and he made outstanding contributions to the community.

Miao Ruoqing helped the person into the room onto the sofa, looking at Xu Peilin with concern.

Xu Peilin's expression had been off ever since, and Miao Ruoqing thought there might be some lingering effects. "Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

Xu Peilin held her hand.

"I remember everything."

"You've searched for me eight lifetimes. In the next life, you'll be tired. Can I go find you instead?"

Miao Ruoqing froze, tears welling in her eyes, speechless.

Xu Peilin asked this question only to test the waters, but Miao Ruoqing once again sentenced him to death.

It's not that I didn't want to, but that I couldn't.

Jiang Si, Han Yunluo, and Guan Qingchen, who had just come downstairs, all sighed.

Nine lifetimes of love, what a deep bond that must be.

"Is there really no other way?" he asked.

Sometimes being too smart is really a bad thing.

It's no wonder people say it's rare to be confused. If Xu Peilin hadn't been so clever, perhaps everyone could have lived a happier life for the rest of these decades.

No one answered.

Xu Peilin looked at everyone and asked, "Shouldn't I die knowing the truth? I don't want to live my life in confusion."

Jiang Si glanced at Miao Ruoqing, and Miao Ruoqing met her gaze.

Jiang Si understood what she meant, sighed and said, "You know that Miao Ruoqing is a demon. Demons steal the creation of heaven and earth, but this comes at a price. Their death is the five signs of decay of heaven and man. After the five signs of decay of heaven and man, they fall and disappear without a trace from heaven and earth."

So, let alone whether we can find it or not, we might not even be able to say whether it's still there.

“However, all of this is what I heard,” Jiang Si said. “After all, I have never met a demon who is about to experience the five signs of decay.”

It's really too difficult for ordinary demons to die a natural death.

Most of them will perish in the endless struggles.

Jiang Si looked at them with some helplessness. Although she had no feelings for love, she still hoped that lovers could eventually be together.

This one look was quite alarming; it gave me a real fright.

Jiang Si pulled Han Yunluo along, "Did I see that right?"

Han Yunluo also looked over carefully.

At times like this, Guan Qingchen is always inexplicably out of the loop. What should one do when they have an overly powerful master and girlfriend?

Perhaps because of that inner core, Xu Peilin and Miao Ruoqing's fortunes were somewhat intertwined, in a state of ebb and flow.

Jiang Si's eyes lit up: "Perhaps I have a way."

Han Yunluo: "Perhaps that's feasible."

Xu Peilin and Miao Ruoqing were feeling distressed when they heard this and hurriedly asked, "What solution?"

Miao Ruoqing knew that the five signs of decay in a person were unavoidable.

“The solution isn’t that difficult,” Jiang Si said solemnly. “It just depends on whether you’re willing to do it.”