Chapter 37: Forced to Wed
Yu Zhiyang wrote it again, this time especially slowly, so that Le Qianxue could see every stroke clearly. He was very earnest, while Le Qianxue was rather careless, glancing only briefly.
Yu Zhiyang turned her head toward him and said, “Watch closely.”
“I don’t really like writing,” Le Qianxue replied.
“If you don’t learn how to write, how are you going to copy the Buddhist scriptures?”
“I can have someone else do it for me. The Emperor is busy with affairs of state; he hardly has time to examine my copied scriptures,” Le Qianxue had already considered her solution.
Yu Zhiyang looked at her, amused. “Why did you tell me? Now I’ll have to report you to Father.”
Le Qianxue’s face paled. “How could you be like this?”
“So you must write them yourself. You can’t let others copy them for you,” Yu Zhiyang insisted.
Le Qianxue was displeased but still wrote her name. This time, it was just barely acceptable.
Yu Zhiyang praised her, “At least there’s progress. Now, write it again.”
Le Qianxue felt like crying but had no tears. This was the Emperor’s order, and she felt she couldn't resist.
Now she realized that pretending ignorance wasn’t as easy as she thought!
She had wanted to simply copy the Diamond Sutra and be done with it, but Yu Zhiyang insisted on teaching her to recognize and write characters.
Le Qianxue frowned. “If this continues, when will I be able to finish copying the scriptures?”
What worried her most was how long Yu Zhiyang planned to instruct her.
Her precious time should not be spent on writing practice!
Yu Zhiyang said, “Nothing comes instantly. Once you learn to recognize and write characters, you’ll be able to copy quickly.”
Le Qianxue’s eyes lit up with inspiration. “Third Prince, you’ve just returned to the capital—you must be busy. How could I trouble you to teach me? Don’t worry, I’ll practice diligently at home.”
“Precisely because I just returned, I’m bored,” Yu Zhiyang replied. “Besides, teaching you is quite amusing. I’ve already told Father I’ll instruct you for a month. You’ll be completely transformed!”
Le Qianxue was dumbfounded—a month?!
She swallowed, unable to react for a moment.
Yu Zhiyang looked at her expression and said, “Don’t be too pleased. I intend to teach you thoroughly.”
“Oh, all right…” Le Qianxue resigned herself.
Who is the supreme authority in Tianlong? The Emperor, of course. With his permission, could Le Qianxue protest?
Just pretending for a month—she had endured hardship before; surely she could manage now!
She gritted her teeth and said, “Fine! One month it is!”
Yu Zhiyang truly was bored; he taught Le Qianxue to recognize characters with great vigor, but by the afternoon Le Qianxue was so sleepy that while Yu Zhiyang went to the latrine, she lay down and fell fast asleep.
She slept until evening before waking.
Le Qianxue groggily lifted her head and saw the scholar’s tools on the desk had been put away.
“Miss, you’re awake,” Hua Tao said, her face full of reproach. “How could you do this? The Third Prince waited over an hour for you before he left.”
Le Qianxue rubbed her eyes. “What time is it now?”
“It’s already the hour of the dog.”
“I need to go out. Hua Tao, you and Su Bing handle things in the courtyard.”
This was her appointed meeting time with Zhan Lianjing; she couldn’t be late or he would scold her again.
Le Qianxue hurriedly changed clothes, took her things, and left.
Hua Tao kept muttering, “Miss, where are you going? The Third Prince was worried you were hot and kept fanning you. Aren’t you going to thank him?”
Le Qianxue barely heard her, but had no time to answer.
She arrived at the agreed place, behind the willow alley.
Zhan Lianjing was already waiting. Le Qianxue boarded the ordinary carriage, seeing Zhan Lianjing’s look of disdain toward it.
The coachman was unfamiliar—likely someone Zhan Lianjing had arranged for secrecy as they left the city together.
“Zhan…”
Zhan Lianjing interrupted, “From now on, don’t use that name. Tonight, we’re husband and wife.”
“What?” Le Qianxue was stunned. “How are we husband and wife?”
She felt as if she had been sold by Zhan Lianjing…
“Faked identities, to avoid suspicion.”
“We’re going out at night to rescue someone. Why do we need fake identities?”
“You’ll understand soon enough,” Zhan Lianjing said.
The carriage soon left the city. At Ten Mile Slope, they disembarked and switched to fine steeds.
Such twists and turns made Le Qianxue feel Zhan Lianjing was toying with her.
“Where are we actually going?” she couldn’t help asking.
“Have you heard of the Black Tiger Hall?” Zhan Lianjing replied.
“Black Tiger Hall?”
Le Qianxue recalled it was a small martial faction, notorious for surviving by robbery—a group of outcasts.
“We’re going there?” she asked.
Zhan Lianjing nodded. “That’s right. Today is the grand wedding day for the hall master’s daughter.”
“A wedding? What a coincidence.”
As they spoke, Zhan Lianjing nonchalantly donned a silver mask. As they entered a woodland, figures appeared around them. “Who goes there?!”
“Ling Mountain Sect,” Zhan Lianjing answered, tossing an invitation into someone’s hand.
The man examined it, then looked Zhan Lianjing over and laughed. “Ah, brothers from Ling Mountain. May I ask your identity?”
“I am the sect master. This is my wife,” Zhan Lianjing declared.
The man immediately bowed and had them escorted up the mountain.
It was difficult to climb at night, but with the Black Tiger Hall’s eldest daughter marrying, the path was well guarded and lit by torches on both sides, making the ascent easy.
Le Qianxue glanced at his face, realizing he wished to conceal his identity.
She looked at his leg, feeling worried. Zhan Lianjing insisted on accompanying her—was he not afraid of danger?
She went to support him, asking softly, “Can you walk?”
Zhan Lianjing didn’t push her away, letting her help him. “I won’t slow you down.”
Le Qianxue snorted, “I never said you would.”
But Zhan Lianjing truly couldn’t walk quickly; he relied on medicine to manage through the night.
Before departure, Chasing Star and Bright Moon tried to persuade him, but failed to change his mind.
Le Qianxue’s heart was set on Yuan Tianci; Zhan Lianjing couldn’t possibly refuse to help.
The Black Tiger Hall’s defenses were strict, but today was a festive day with many guests. After offering a congratulatory gift, Zhan Lianjing and Le Qianxue sat in a corner.
Though Black Tiger Hall engaged in shady deeds, it had gained some reputation in the martial world, and many attended the banquet.
Le Qianxue was unfamiliar with these martial folk.
Zhan Lianjing sat beside her and said, “The wedding ceremony will begin soon. Afterwards, we’ll storm the bridal chamber.”
“Storm the bridal chamber? What are we doing with the Black Tiger Hall’s daughter?”
Zhan Lianjing gave her a look; she would soon understand.
The auspicious hour arrived, and it was time for the ceremony. The hall master laughed heartily, “Today my little girl marries; everyone must drink heartily!”
Strangely, the bride appeared early, urging, “Father! Stop rambling and let’s get on with the ceremony!”
“Oh! The young lady can’t wait. Hall master, who is your son-in-law to make your daughter so eager?”
“Yes, yes, such a sudden wedding surprises us all, your son-in-law must be quite a figure.”
Everyone chimed in cheerfully.
The hall master waved his hand with pride. “My son-in-law is indeed extraordinary.”
“Who is it?”
“Yes, show him to us!”
The hall master smiled. “He is the heir of the Medicine King Valley, a famed physician! Only someone of his stature is worthy of my daughter!”
Le Qianxue was drinking when she heard this and nearly spat out her wine!
Zhan Lianjing saw the spilled wine on himself, his eyes flashing dangerously!
Le Qianxue couldn’t have imagined Yuan Tianci had been forced into marriage!
“My poor Tianci brother,” she lamented. Surely Yuan Tianci’s spirit was wounded.
She could tell from the bride’s voice she was a shrew, and her figure was heavy—if the bridal chamber happened, Yuan Tianci would surely be crushed!
“I should have left you home and let him be married off,” Zhan Lianjing muttered.
Le Qianxue didn’t quite catch his words, thinking Zhan Lianjing was unwilling to rescue Yuan Tianci. She hastily said, “No, he’s half my master, I must save him.”
“Half your master?” Zhan Lianjing asked. “Did you learn your medical skills from him?”
“Yes,” Le Qianxue nodded, somewhat guilty.
She didn’t really need Yuan Tianci’s instruction; in fact, he often sought her advice.
Still, now she had a small excuse for her medical skills—though she couldn’t show too much talent, or suspicion would arise.
Just then, the wedding matron shouted, “The groom is here!”
Inside the hall, everyone burst out laughing, for Yuan Tianci, though dressed in wedding robes, was tied up with hemp rope and dragged over, his face full of reluctance!
Le Qianxue’s mouth twitched—Yuan Tianci truly suffered a trauma!
His mouth was stuffed, and though the bride wore a red veil, she was a martial artist and found her way over to grab Yuan Tianci’s hand. “Husband, let’s get on with the ceremony. After tonight, you’re mine!”
Yuan Tianci struggled, wanting to protest, but his mouth was blocked.
Under the hall master’s authority, no one dared laugh further.
The wedding matron called for the first bow to Heaven and Earth, and someone pressed Yuan Tianci’s head down. The second and third bows followed, all forced.
The bride laughed heartily, “Done! Let’s send them to the bridal chamber!”