TITLE:
红白囍
Ghost MarriageWORD COUNT:
420,023CHAPTERS:
84 Chapters + 5 ExtrasSETTING:
Republican Era, ModernGENRE:
Action, SupernaturalTAGS:
Ensemble Cast, Non-Linear Storytelling,
SYNOPSIS:
White matters are sorrowful, red matters are joyful,I shall pass from the mortal realm to the underworld,Joss candles, paper horses, bridal sedan chair, Meng Po1 bears witness to our union.White paper and red robes, the suona2 sounds for tens of miles—together in life, together in death.
[1] The goddess of forgetfulness who serves a soup that wipes away the memories/burdens of a dead soul’s previous life before they reincarnate into their next life.
[2] A Chinese musical instrument, traditionally used in ritual music for funerals and weddings.
Translation by unfurlingclouds.
EXTENDED SYNOPSIS:
As the synopsis is quite vague, here is a general summary on what to expect while reading: this is an urban fantasy novel, set in modern society, the underworld, cultivation world, and more. The story spans between the Republican Era in the main characters' youth to the modern era where events of the past have built up and must be confronted.At the start of the novel, An Ping delivers homework to his classmate, Mu Gesheng, and ends up stumbling into something out of a Chinese horror fantasy. Through his POV, we are introduced to our beloved ensemble of main characters as they band together and fight against tradition, war, and fate.
Some notes:
- This is a very term-heavy story with lots of unique Chinese fantasy and world-building elements (especially concepts from Chinese mythology, family structures, Taoism). Titles of each of the arcs are derived from ancient Chinese poetry.
- A quote from the novel: “I believe you. To me, there is no difference between you and fate.”
Mu Gesheng
木葛生
(shou)
Son of General Mu
Raised to be the next Tiansuanzi of the School of Tian (the Heavens) by Mo Qingbei
Often pictured with a low braid
Lao Si (Fourth Disciple) in Ginkgo Study
Playful, carefree, vibrant personality
Loves money—will tell your fortune, but only for a price~
Always carrying around Mountain Spirit Coins, the weapon/tool of Tiansuanzi
Rule-breaker, but also disciplined if the situation calls for it
Would sacrifice himself for the greater good
Chai Shuxin
柴束薪
(gong)
Head of the Chai Clan
Disciple of the School of Yao (Medicine), the current Lingshuzi
Beautiful and poised, long haired
Nicknamed Sanjiutian (三九天) by Mu Gesheng, after the coldest period of the year
Disciplined and meticulous
Cold on the outside but quietly doting and gentle towards those he loves
Inner madness hidden behind a stoic exterior
Surprisingly strong for a doctor, able to hold his own in a fight
Would sacrifice himself and the world for Mu Gesheng
translation by unfurlingclouds
Ginkgo Study
Mo Qingbei - master of Ginkgo Study, current Tiansuanzi
Lin Juansheng (Da-shixiong, Eldest Disciple)
Song Wentong (Lao Er, Second Disciple) - current Mozi of the School of Mo, swordmaster, has lesbian moms, is very pretty himself
Wu Zixu (Lao San, Third Disciple) - current Wuchangzi of the School of Yin-Yang, clan deals in the underworld
Zhu Yinxiao (Lao Wu, Fifth Disciple) - current Xingxiuzi of the School of Zhu (Vermillion Bird), a literal vermillion bird, crossdresses
Others
An Ping - a normal high school student, Mu Gesheng's classmate in present day
Hua Bucheng - current Changshengzi of the School of Xian (Immortals), lives in Penglai, sect with Daoism practices and goals of immortality
Wu Nie - Tai Sui-daye, elder of the Wu Clan, plays a drum
Chai Rendong - Chai Shuxin's elder sister
Why Read?
Unique setting and world-building, incorporating a lot of Chinese mythology and classical literature. The story moves back and forth between modern and Repulican eras, with events described in the past directly influencing the present
Ensemble novel with equally well developed side characters, all sharing important roles in the novel and contributing to the plot. You won't even notice the main characters not being present for how well written the arcs focusing on side characters are
While this novel is primarily focused on plot rather than romance, the romance lies in all the details, and builds up intensely to the climax
In typical AyeAyeCaptain style, the story is meticulously crafted from the very beginning, and every detail comes back to play for the most satisfying conclusion. No plot holes!
AyeAyeCaptain always manages to work in dramatic irony and characters holding incomplete knowledge in interesting and subtle ways, and the plot twists really are so thrilling
Main CP are slow-burn friends to lovers who go through life and death trials together, with one-sided pining and nearly a century of yearning!
A seemingly cold and upright ML x playful and carefree MC, though they are much more than their archetypes and have hidden depths that are only revealed as the story progresses
A ML that is willing to sacrifice and leave everything behind, whether it be himself, his family, or even the world, all without asking for anything in return
Two main side CPs, featuring: mutual pining, unrequited love, long separations, childhood friends, fated lovers
Read if you're looking to cry as tears are virtually guaranteed
