Episode Summary
Episode 21 sees Hong Ning and Jin Xiu preparing for their wedding on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Preparations are filled with sweet moments, like Jin Xiu catching ducks (a wedding custom), and Hong Ning trying on her dress. However, doubts arise as Bai Cha warns Hong Ning that Jin Xiu might be using her and that she could be the Demon King. Meanwhile, a tragic subplot unfolds with Lu Yao witnessing the death of her only friend, Qi Jing, at the hands of Heavenly Soldiers. As the wedding begins, security is tight, and Hong Ning shares emotional farewells with her parents before meeting Jin Xiu. Danger also lurks as Hong Cha incapacitates Jiaobo just as Grand Master Taiyi arrives.
Spoiler Alert
Wedding Bells and Worries
The episode kicks off with Lemon Spirit helping our girl Hong Ning gather flowers. She’s planning to make a happiness-spreading bouquet, which is just adorable. Hong Ning’s been having some major memory flashes lately and even remembers the stories Lemon Spirit told her. She thanks him for sticking by her through two lifetimes (talk about loyalty!), and he’s clearly touched. Lemon Spirit also mentions he’s going to invite Jiaobo to the wedding, hoping she'll come.
Then, Hong Ning's parents and Pang Shen show up. Hong Ning feels a bit bad for not giving her folks a heads-up about the wedding, but her mom is just happy to see her happy. Classic mom move. Pang Shen, however, brings a bit of a hiccup. Apparently, when it comes to picking an auspicious wedding date using Jin Xiu's birth chart, three different fortune tellers have basically said, "Thanks, but no thanks, this is above our pay grade!" So, what's the plan?
Right on cue, Jin Xiu arrives, overhears the dilemma, and coolly declares the seventh day of the seventh lunar month as the day. Easy peasy, right? Over at Cang Wu’s place, wedding prep is in full swing with red silk decorations everywhere. But, of course, drama follows Bai Ling. Someone intentionally sets off firecrackers behind him, nearly starting a fight. Wen Xin has to step in and remind everyone it’s a happy occasion, prompting Bai Ling and his crew to make a strategic exit.
Ducks, Dresses, and Devotion
Jin Xiu sends over the betrothal gifts, but Hong Ning's parents are a tad surprised. For someone who seems pretty well-off, he forgot the traditional gift of a pair of ducks! So, what does our devoted groom-to-be do? He goes off to catch some ducks himself! Lu Jiu watches this spectacle, probably wondering if this is the same all-powerful master he knows, and Bai Ling can only agree, musing that love really does make people do silly things. When Hong Ning sees Jin Xiu on his duck hunt and asks Bai Ling what’s up, Bai Ling just explains it’s a mortal wedding custom.
Hong Ning, ever the supportive partner, offers to help, leading Bai Ling to think another one has been smitten by foolish love. Later, Hong Ning is trying on her wedding dress. Lemon Spirit was about to bring her some jewelry, but Jin Xiu intercepts him, saying it’s not appropriate for another man to go in, and takes the jewelry himself. Sneaky, Jin Xiu! He’s completely mesmerized by Hong Ning in her gown. She, on the other hand, feels like it’s all a bit too good to be true, wondering if this lifetime can really be so simple. Jin Xiu reassures her, promising he’ll handle any problems and will protect her through all their lives, for all eternity. (Get you a man like Jin Xiu!)
Heartbreak and a Hidden Past
Things take a tragic turn for Lu Yao and Qi Jing. They’re discovered by Heavenly Soldiers. Qi Jing forces Lu Yao to hide and then sacrifices himself to protect her, never revealing her location even as he dies. Lu Yao watches in utter heartbreak. We then get a flashback: a lonely young Lu Yao, confined to her room, poured her spiritual energy into her own shadow, giving it form and naming him Qi Jing. He was her "wonder mirror," her only friend. Devastated, Lu Yao vows to bring Qi Jing "home".
Doubts, Defiance, and Danger
Back to the wedding preparations, Bai Cha throws a spanner in the works by telling Hong Ning she might actually be the Demon King and that Jin Xiu has been using her all along. Hong Ning isn’t convinced, arguing that Bai Cha is just prejudiced against deities because of her own past trauma. Bai Cha questions if Hong Ning is truly okay with marrying a god, saying it's an impossible match. But Hong Ning stands her ground, declaring she’s simply following her heart. Later, Hong Cha (this is what the source says, so perhaps a different character or an alias for Bai Cha) is leaving and runs into Jiaobo. Jiaobo asks if she’s heading to the wedding and why she's leaving. Instead of answering, Hong Cha knocks Jiaobo unconscious, just as Grand Master Taiyi appears on the scene. Uh oh, this can’t be good.
Last Minute Shenanigans
Meanwhile, Bai Buqu, bless his studious heart, is concerned that Hong Ning hasn’t passed her recent minor exams and has actually written down study tips for her – on her wedding day! The other disciples are understandably baffled by this dedication to academics at such a time. As the wedding hour approaches, Jin Xiu is all about security. He orders strict checks at all entrances; only those with invitations get in, to prevent any unwelcome surprises. He also inquires about the dungeon, and a disciple confirms that Bai Buqu and others are guarding it. (So, Bai Buqu is a tutor and a dungeon guard? Multitasking king!)
The Bride and Groom
Finally, it's time. Hong Ning's mother combs her hair, a bittersweet moment as she prepares to let her daughter go. Hong Ning, veiled and beautiful, bids farewell to her parents. Her father, in a truly touching moment, tells her that if Jin Xiu ever mistreats her, she should come right back home, and he’s not afraid of Jin Xiu, no matter who he is. With that, Hong Ning steps out, and there’s Jin Xiu, waiting for his bride.
