Married to the One Who Is Not Human

Ji Yu dreamed again about her childhood.

When she was born, her mother, Ji Lan, died from exhaustion. It could be said that her life was exchanged for her mother's.

When the thousand-year-old zombie demon from the Longquan Underground Palace rampaged across the human world, all the demon exterminators went to battle. Her mother, Ji Lan, was a powerful demon exterminator and, as the head of the Ji family, also went to battle.

　　At that time, her mother was five months pregnant and accidentally contracted the corpse poison. Although the poison was eventually suppressed, it affected the fetus in her womb.

　　To ensure her safe birth, her mother sacrificed her own life.

　　After Ji Yu was born, the corpse poison also affected her body, leaving her frail and sickly from a young age, practically useless.

　　Despite this, the Ji family did not abandon her. Instead, they spared no effort, dragging her broken body along and protecting her as she grew up. 

　　When the zombie poison flared up during her childhood, Ji Yu would often be in so much pain that she couldn't sleep all night. 

　　Sometimes, when she was in a daze from the pain, she would hear her grandmother and the housekeeper, Aunt Gui, talking.

　　"... Old Lady, are you really going to do this? The young master is still so young..." Gui'ai's tone was filled with worry and reluctance. 

　　Her grandmother's aged voice came from afar, not very clear: "It is precisely because she is still young that I must do this. As long as it can allow my Ah Yu to grow up safely, I am willing to take the risk..." 

　　"But what if the curse..."

　　"That is her fate."

"…"

Ji Yu slept restlessly. She wanted to ask her grandmother, what curse?

Her grandmother's warm hand gently stroked her head, her voice warm and loving: "Good child, sleep. You won't feel any pain when you sleep."

　　Ji Yu murmured, "Grandmother," and reached out to grasp her hand.

　　She caught the hand, but it wasn't as warm as she remembered. Instead, it was cold and icy, sending a shiver down her spine and waking her from her sleep.

　　Dim light streamed in through the window lattice.

　　Ji Yu opened her eyes in confusion and saw a tall figure standing by the bed. She instinctively called out, "Hongxiao..." 

"My wife, it's me." 

A deep, magnetic voice sounded, filled with tenderness and affection, like a man deeply in love with his wife, speaking to her with deep affection and gentleness.

　　Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and Ji Yu's eyes widened instantly, the confusion fading from her gaze. 

　　She recognized the man standing by the bed. 

　　He was still wearing the official uniform of the Demon Suppression Bureau Commander of Huangcheng Town, its vibrant, eye-catching colors bold and striking. Even the dim light couldn't dim its brilliance, yet it carried an inexplicable irony.

　　Ji Yu couldn't speak. Her gaze met the man's dark eyes, and he gave her a gentle smile, his eyes filled with her. 

"My wife, you're awake. Is there anywhere you feel unwell?" He asked with concern, putting himself in the role of "husband." 

As his "wife," Ji Yu didn't want to speak, and her guard grew even stronger.

　　Her hand was still in his, and it wasn't cold at all—it was warm, so warm that she almost wanted to linger in that warmth.

　　When he asked again, Ji Yu lowered her eyes and said weakly, "I'm fine."

　　Seeing her expression, Jiang Shiqiu sighed helplessly, "Wife, if you're not feeling well, you must speak up. Don't keep it bottled up inside. Your husband will be heartbroken." 

　　Ji Yu remained silent. 

　　The seven emotions and six desires are the most precious treasures bestowed upon humanity at birth, and they are the proof that we are alive. 

　　An existence that doesn't know what it is... could it possess such human emotions as "heartbreak"?

　　Jiang Shiqiu noticed her dry lips, poured her a cup of warm water, helped her sit up, had her lean against him, and fed her the water. 

　　He did it naturally and carefully, afraid of hurting her. 

　　It was as if he were her husband, caring for her had become a habit, and he did it meticulously. 

　　Ji Yu silently drank the water, her calm expression hiding an unshakable sense of confusion.

　　She had originally thought that she might not wake up this time, and even if she did, she would face being controlled by demonic forces. For exorcists, once controlled by demonic forces, the chances of escape were extremely slim, let alone against the powerful "Jiang Shiqiu." 

　　Facing death, Ji Yu felt no fear. 

　　From the moment she understood her condition, she had always been prepared for death.

　　Just as in this instance, if she were to die, she would not feel any regret. Perhaps the only thing she would regret is not obtaining what the Ji family needed.

　　Yet now, not only was she alive and well, but she had also been given a "husband" whose identity she did not know. This "husband" even took care of her properly and showed her deep affection.

　　She almost believed it.

　　If it weren't for the constant pain in her body keeping her absolutely awake, perhaps she should have accepted this husband named "Jiang Shiqiu" like everyone else and fallen into the beautiful illusion he had created.

　　After feeding her water, Jiang Shiqiu helped her sit up. 

　　Hongxiao entered with the washing utensils, smiling broadly at them. Seeing Jiang Shiqiu there, she didn't rush to attend to her washing but instead withdrew contentedly. 

　　Ji Yu: "..." 

　　Ji Yu numbly tilted her face upward, letting him wipe her face with a soft, wrung-out cloth.

　　The warm sensation of the towel on her face felt incredibly real.

　　When he took the clothes and was about to help her put them on, Ji Yu's numb and calm face finally showed a hint of struggle. "No, it's okay, I'll do it myself."

　　Jiang Shiqiu stared at her intently. His dark eyes fixed on her, making her feel increasingly pressured.

　　Ji Yu lowered her eyes, stiffly avoiding his gaze. But while her eyes could avoid his gaze, her body could not. The demon exorcist's senses were too sharp to ignore the gaze upon her.

It was too intense, filled with... possessiveness.

Just as Ji Yu could no longer bear it and feared she had angered him, the man's voice rang out, "Wife, you're breaking my heart like this."

　　His voice was filled with helplessness, but he did not give up. 

"Wife, we are husband and wife. As your husband, it is my duty to take care of you. Especially since you are not feeling well now, I should be more understanding and take good care of you." 

Ji Yu: "…" There's no need for that. 

Ji Yu ultimately succumbed to Jiang Shiqiu's thick-skinned persistence.

　　Her body was too weak to fight back, and aside from her "absolute clarity," she was weaker than all the demon exorcists in Yanyue Mountain Villa.

After Ji Yu dressed properly, Jiang Shiqiu carried her out of the inner room.

He was very tall, and Ji Yu stood before him, barely reaching his shoulders. He could easily lift her up, as if carrying a small child.

　　Jiang Shiqiu carried her to the outer room, where Hongxiao had already set out breakfast.

　　Ji Yu's gaze slowly turned to the door, and she realized they were still at Yanyue Mountain Villa.

　　She was both surprised and not surprised by this. The demons at Yanyue Mountain Villa weren't so easily dealt with, let alone the fact that the "person" beside her was of unknown origin and purpose. They wouldn't let them leave so easily.

　　It was an early spring morning, with spring rain falling gently, the air cold and damp.

After breakfast, Hongxiao brought a bowl of black herbal soup.

When Jiang Shiqiu saw the bowl of soup, he curiously tasted a sip, then set it down, his face showing reluctance. He held her hand and said, My dear, this medicine is too bitter. Do you have to drink this every day?" 

　　Ji Yu glanced at him, took the bowl, and drank it all in one gulp, saying, "It's not so bad." 

　　Just as she finished speaking, a piece of candied fruit was offered to her lips.

　　The candied fruit gave off a sweet aroma. Ji Yu looked at the hand holding the candied fruit, with its long, slender fingers, as graceful as bamboo. If made into bone ornaments, they would certainly be very beautiful.

　　She looked again at the man holding the candied fruit, growing even more silent.

"My lady, sweeten your mouth." Jiang Shiqiu offered it to her again, gesturing for her to open her mouth.

　　Ji Yu stiffly opened her mouth and ate the candied fruit he fed her. He looked delighted, his demonic face appearing unusually gentle and harmless.

　　At that moment, voices could be heard outside.

　　Ji Yu still had the candied fruit in her mouth, its sweet taste dispelling the strange medicinal flavor.

　　Soon, Hong Xiao entered with Xu Xiu Jue, Chen Qingfeng, and Zuo Ling Shuang, the head of the Demon-Slaying Alliance.

　　The three first bowed to Jiang Shiqiu, addressing him as "Lord Jiang," then inquired about Ji Yu's condition.

　　Ji Yu stared at the three, seeing no unusual expressions on their faces, and nodded slightly, saying, "I'm much better now. Thank you all for your concern."

　　Jiang Shiqiu was not very happy, feeling that the three had disturbed his wife's rest. He stood up and said, "If you have anything to discuss, please do so outside. My wife needs to rest." 

　　The three agreed and followed him out. 

　　Jiuyu sat by the window, faintly hearing the voices from the adjacent hall.

　　Xu Xiu Jue and the other two had come to ask Jiang Shi Qiu about matters concerning the Yanyue Mountain Villa. Although Jiang Shi Qiu had killed many at the wedding last night, he had not truly resolved the Yanyue Mountain Villa's predicament. The rebellious demons had yet to reveal their true forms, and like the people of the Yanyue Mountain Villa, they were also trapped within the villa.

　　Ji Yu's fingers fidgeted with the gold beads on her wrist, and her gaze turned to Hong Xiao, who was standing guard nearby.

　　Ji Yu called out, "Sister Hong Xiao."

　　Hong Xiao asked with concern, "Young Master, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

　　Ji Yu didn't answer, but asked, "Sister Hong Xiao, what do you think of Jiang Shiqiu..." She asked half-heartedly and half-secretly, staring intently at Hong Xiao.

　　Ji Yu didn't answer, but asked, "Hongxiao Sister, what do you think of Jiang Shiqu..." She asked half tentatively, half evasively, staring intently at Hongxiao. 

"Master Jiang is doing well," Hongxiao replied with a lighthearted smile, her face showing trust. "Yesterday, your poisonous wound flared up again. Thanks to Master Jiang, otherwise..." Recently, Jiang Shiqiu mentioned he was going to find snow jade insects as a medicinal ingredient to treat your illness. I wonder how that's going..." 

Ji Yu listened, feeling that Jiang Shiqiu was increasingly enigmatic. Not only could he deceive exorcists' perceptions, but he could also alter their memories, making them perfectly coherent and logical, with no inconsistencies.

　　No wonder Hongxiao trusted Jiang Shiqiu so much.

At that moment, she heard Hongxiao say, "Lord Jiang is willing to marry into our Ji family to marry you. I heard that the Jiang family is very unhappy about it, but Lord Jiang has taken it upon himself."

Ji Yu: "..." Marry into?

　　Then, Ji Yu learned from Hongxiao that Jiang Shiqu came from the Jiang family, a prominent clan in Yunjing, and was the youngest and most talented demon exorcist of his generation. At a young age, he had already ascended to the position of Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau in the Imperial City. He was handsome, exceptionally talented, and capable, able to command the respect of all who opposed him. He was truly a man of both literary and martial prowess, unmatched in both talent and appearance. Countless aristocratic families in Yunjing regarded him as their ideal son-in-law.

　　He was also the most handsome man in Yunjing.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yu found it utterly absurd.

It seemed as though Jiang Shiqiu was another "Shang Yunxiao"—the same title of "most handsome man in Yunjing," the same arrangement of marrying into the Ji family.

Could it be that he had fabricated a natural identity within the exorcist's memories by directly referencing Shang Yunxiao's experiences?