Twenty-one days had passed, and on the morning of the twenty-first day, Xu Caitong’s eyelids indeed fluttered. Liu Bugun, overjoyed, called her name, lifting her into his arms and holding her close. Xu Caitong had a very long dream where she was pursued by Fuxiu, falling into a fiery pit from which Liu Bugun pulled her out. Just as she escaped, Fuxiu caught up, and in her panic, she ran, only to find herself at the edge of a cold, icy lake. Fuxiu’s voice was right behind her, and she jumped into the icy lake. The cold was so intense that she shivered, her teeth chattering. Just when she was about to freeze to death, Liu Bugun came, killed Fuxiu, and rescued her from the icy waters. “Caihong, Caihong,” she heard the affectionate voice of Mo Ye, of Bugun, her beloved man. Xu Caitong struggled to open her eyes, seeing only the blue sky and the green earth. Liu Bugun, looking haggard with stubble, smiled weakly at her. “You’re awake, you’ve finally woken up,” Liu Bugun said, lifting Xu Caitong from the river and carrying her to a nearby shelter. He laid her on the bed, changed her damp clothes, and held her close, gently kissing her. “Do you know? I’ve waited for you to wake up as if it’s been eons; if you hadn’t woken up, I would have followed you,” Liu Bugun buried his head in Xu Caitong’s chest. “You can’t do that,” Xu Caitong whispered, stroking his head. “Wife, I’m sorry, forgive me,” Liu Bugun lifted his head, holding her hand. “Are you talking about what happened eons ago?” Xu Caitong asked. “Not just eons ago, but before you fell unconscious, I was so incapable, not protecting you well enough,” Liu Bugun said, stroking Xu Caitong’s long hair with both regret and affection.
Xu Puran and Xu Zhizhou arrived at the Moonlit River, not seeing Xu Caitong lying in the river but hearing faint voices from inside the bamboo shelter, knowing that Caihong had awakened. Xu Puran coughed outside, and they entered. Xu Caitong, seeing Xu Puran, tried to get up to pay her respects, but Xu Puran stopped her. Xu Zhizhou sat beside Xu Caitong, holding her hand with deep affection. “Sister, you’ve woken up, do you know how worried your brother has been? Mother has been so anxious she fell ill, unable to eat or drink, wanting to visit you, but her health has been deteriorating. Now that you’re awake, I can go back and tell her,” Xu Zhizhou said. “Brother,” Xu Caitong choked out, “Is our mother well?” “Once you’re better, going back to see Mother would be better, wouldn’t it?” Xu Puran, standing by the bed, said, his only daughter, how could he not cherish her? Her leaving home twice had worn him out.
The whole Xu family, young and old, came to see Caihong wake up, having hurried over early in the morning. The shelter was crowded with villagers eager to see the awakened Xu Caitong. Xu Puran wanted to take her home to recuperate, but Liu Bugun was reluctant, considering the strain of travel on her weak body. Xu’s mother suggested that Caihong stay in Moon Village to rest at their home, and after much consideration, with Liu Bugun’s approval, Xu Puran agreed. With Liu Bugun by her side, Xu Caitong’s health slowly improved. Their wedding day was approaching, and Liu Bugun was busy with preparations. Xu Caitong would marry in Moon Village. On the wedding day, gongs and drums resounded, and the atmosphere was lively. Villagers danced celebratory dances and sang wedding songs, wishing this divine couple eternal happiness. “Daughter, from today onwards, you are someone’s wife. You must adhere to the duties of a wife, support your husband, and educate your children. You can no longer act recklessly,” Xu’s mother advised, sitting in the room with her daughter. “Caihong will be a good wife,” Xu’s grandmother praised, delighted that her goddaughter was getting married. “You look beautiful today,” Ruiping sincerely complimented Caihong. When the auspicious time arrived, Liu Bugun, dressed as a groom with a big red flower on his chest, rode the Great Peng. The bird had a red cloth on its head, followed by a flower palanquin and colorful horses at a distance. Liu Bugun dismounted, led Xu Caitong, who was veiled with a phoenix crown, out for their wedding ceremony, and they bowed to their parents. Liu Bugun then lifted Xu Caitong onto the Great Peng, waving goodbye to the Xu family and the people of Moon Village.
Dapeng spread his wings and soared high into the sky, flying towards the clouds, towards the abode of the immortals. They flew over forests, over valleys, through the South Heavenly Gate, and out into the heavens beyond. Some say they have seen them, saying that they live in seclusion in the Valley of a Hundred Flowers, leading a life that even immortals would envy…
