Chapter 1.2

Unexpectedly, Yuan Buqu responded by sending envoys to propose marriage and set a wedding date. The ten boxes of gold and silver dazzled Li Shengming, making him agree to all of Yuan Buqu’s conditions without hesitation—including never visiting Chang’an and never seeing his daughter. No one knew what the powerful Yuan Buqu was thinking or why he made such demands; all that was clear was that he would not treat his bride kindly.

“Yuan Buqu once had a wife and a concubine, but neither lived long. The officials who came to propose said he wanted a strong woman who wouldn’t die easily; that’s why he decided to marry me,” Li Yuhu murmured.

“When I was ten years old, I secretly took a look at him. He looked so terrifying and fierce! He was a giant. My mother said if I wasn’t obedient, she would marry me off to him and let him take me away. At that time, I didn’t understand what marriage meant; I was just afraid that the giant would beat me to death, so I cried and begged not to be married to him! I can only imagine how much more terrifying he must be now, with his fame and success.” Li Yuhu bitterly smiled at the astonished Du Bingyan. It seemed that no one could congratulate anyone else now; their futures were equally grim.

“I almost wish I were facing the fate of a widow rather than marrying a giant who will surely seek revenge. I even think that the reason his two previous wives and concubines died early might be because they couldn’t endure his ab*se! He probably wants to marry a woman who is strong enough not to die easily and who will provide him with ample reasons to justify his cruelty,” Li Yuhu said, her voice trembling.

Du Bingyan gently took Li Yuhu’s tightly clenched hands and tried to offer some vague comfort: “It won’t be that bad. If General Yuan is a reasonable person, he wouldn’t hold a grudge against you. We… we need to have some confidence and courage to face the future.”

“Why must we be born as women?” Li Yuhu rose and walked to the side of Du Bingyan’s sedan chair, admiring the intricate embroidery of mandarin ducks playing in water on the curtain. “Your craftsmanship is truly excellent! I could only buy ready-made embroidery from others to display.” She was reluctant to dwell on her own future, instead worrying about the delicate and seemingly gentle woman before her.

However, Du Bingyan, though she might seem physically weak and lacking in spirit, had a resolute gaze that showed she would not easily be defeated by fate. She was graceful but not weak; otherwise, knowing she was to marry a half-dead man, she would have cried her eyes out and protested to the death! Sometimes, choosing to hang oneself might seem easier than facing a dismal future. After all, suicide is just a moment of pain, while an endless future of misery and suffering requires immense courage to endure.

Du Bingyan gave a faint, sorrowful smile; she was used to sharing others’ burdens. Her parents had cherished and protected her for eighteen years, and she couldn’t let her own happiness destroy the Du family’s wealth. The Qi family might be somewhat despicable, but they were also pitiable. For three generations, they had been thin in offspring, and this generation, despite having three sons, none lived past twenty-five. Everyone predicted that the twenty-four-year-old third young master would also pass away soon, so the Qi family was eager to find a woman to continue the family line. She was chosen simply because the Du family was not only reputable but also had many male members. It was not because of her beauty but because the Qi family was desperate to have a male heir and placed all their hopes on her.

Moreover, the Qi family had promised that if the third young master passed away next year without her becoming pregnant, she would be allowed to return to Yangzhou with most of the wealth. If she could bear a son and a daughter, they would not object to her remarrying. So, the agreement was in place.

What feelings could she have? What reaction could she give? In matters of marriage, even though she was the one directly involved, she had no say. Since she was born a daughter, it was destined that she would have no autonomy. Therefore, she had better hide her inner frustration and accept whatever fate decided for her. Perhaps, once she became a widow, she would no longer be subject to others’ control. At least, a widow would earn others’ respect and would not have her life controlled by others anymore.

At least, by contributing a bit to her family, she would repay their years of nurturing! Hence, she was mentally prepared for the future.

Li Yuhu sighed: “Today’s farewell means we will never meet again. I wish we could have known each other sooner! Now all I can say is: if your husband is a good man, I hope he lives a long life.” The implication was: if the Third Young Master of the Qi family is a bad person, it would be better for him to die early—her expression clearly conveyed this.

Du Bingyan gave a light laugh; she dared not entertain such thoughts of cursing others.

“I also hope General Yuan is truly a great husband, honorable and upright. May his illustrious achievements be reflected on the battlefield, but may he show complete tenderness towards his wife.”

“I only hope that we can live the lives we want. That’s the most modest request a woman can make. Whether we are happy or not cannot be easily obtained just because we desire it; we can only seek stability and smoothness by looking inward,” Li Yuhu said, giving Du Bingyan, who was a head shorter, a gentle hug.

Du Bingyan felt tears welling up; their personalities were worlds apart, yet their thoughts were so similar! Happiness was indeed hard to come by, and all she wanted was stability.

“I will miss you, Yuhu.”

“Then let’s hope we meet again someday!”

The two women had tears in their eyes and smiles on their lips. Finally, Li Yuhu leaned close to Du Bingyan’s ear and whispered, “We might be the only new brides wishing for our husbands to die soon! I wonder if that counts as bad luck?”

Du Bingyan pretended to be stern.

“Of course, it’s bad luck! We can only wish for such things after we realize our husbands are unworthy, and even then, we can only burn three incense sticks every morning and evening,” Li Yuhu said with a playful tone.

“Wow!” Li Yuhu exclaimed softly, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh as her shoulders shook with suppressed giggles.

If possible, they wished the rain would never stop, so they could savor their newly formed friendship a little longer in the temple. Though they had only spent a brief time together, it felt as if they had known each other for a lifetime.

There was some commotion coming from the front hall, suggesting something had happened. The two exchanged glances and quickly covered their heads with their veils. It wouldn’t do to let anyone see the bride casually removing her veil! Just as they were about to return to their sedan chairs, the two matchmakers burst in, followed by the sedan bearers.

“Oh no! Why did you come out on your own? Get back into the sedan! A few large wolves are coming down the hillside; we need to leave quickly. If we don’t get going, it’ll be too dark to travel! What a dreadful day—ugh! Ugh! Just hurry and leave, don’t let anything happen to the bride!”

The two matchmakers each helped their respective brides into the sedan chairs. Without waiting for the brides to settle, they immediately instructed the bearers to quickly lift the chairs and place them on the horse-drawn carriage.

There was no time for further farewells! The two bridal processions, one heading west and the other south, spurred their horses to hurry on their way. In the distance, the howls of wolves in the twilight rain and wind sounded even colder.

Soon, the bridal sedan chairs had left the boundaries of Yangzhou. The two beauties from Yangzhou each set off towards their unknown destinies, embarking on their unexpected marital paths. The two wedding carriages reached an inn in Fuchuan County after nightfall.

Once the bride was assisted into the inn, Zhang, the matchmaker responsible for Li Yuhu’s wedding, realized a grave mistake had occurred!

The accompanying maids, sedan bearers, and carriage drivers were all correct, and everything seemed normal. However, the bride herself was not right! Sitting on the bed with her veil removed was not Miss Li but Miss Du!

“Oh my god! How could this happen?” Matchaker Zhang collapsed in shock on the floor. She had been in the matchmaking business for over twenty years and had never made such a mistake before! What should be done now? The other party had already gone south towards Quanzhou; it was too late to correct the error! Such a scandal could not be allowed to reach Yangzhou. Not only would it become a laughingstock, but it might also enrage the “General Dingyuan”! If that happened, not only would her head be in danger, but her entire family might be implicated! What should be done? If they returned to find another team to correct the mistake, it would not only delay the auspicious day but also risk sending the Du family’s people to Quanzhou by mistake…

As Matchmaker Zhang’s thoughts whirled, Du Bingyan was also stunned! What she saw was not Matchmaker Lin but Matchmaker Zhang! Instead of the twelve maids who had accompanied her, there were only two unfamiliar little maidservants standing by. All of them stared at her with shocked and fearful eyes! She immediately understood what had happened! During the chaotic moments on Shilibo, as the wolf pack approached, they had all covered their heads with veils and, unable to discern the direction, had been blindly helped into the sedan chairs and hastily carried off! They had not even realized they were in the wrong sedan. Oh heavens… what to do now?

“Let’s return to Yangzhou first! I believe Miss Li’s group will come back too!”

“No, no! Miss Du, you mustn’t do that! Even aside from whether Miss Li will return, if we go back to Yangzhou, it will be considered a major taboo! Besides… besides, if this mistake is exposed, both your families, one high-ranking and the other wealthy, will be offended. If General Yuan gets angry, both the Li and Du families will be in danger! Miss Du! It’s too late!” Matchmaker Zhang scrambled to the bedside, her face sweaty and tear-streaked as she clutched Du Bingyan’s shoulders, pleading desperately.

Du Bingyan drew a sharp breath!

“No! You can’t… you can’t just let this mistake go! Paper can’t contain fire forever, don’t think you can hide this!”

“It’s possible! It’s possible! Besides me and the maids, no one else has seen you and Miss Li. The bearers outside, and even your groom, have never seen you. Miss Du, think about it—compared to a dying husband, being the wife of a general is a fortunate thing…” Matchmaker Zhang pleaded.

“I don’t agree! You can’t do this! Please leave, I need to rest! We will set off back to Yangzhou tomorrow!”

Matchmaker Zhang tried to say more, but Du Bingyan turned away and ignored her. How could such a ridiculous thing be allowed to happen! Whether it meant becoming a laughingstock or committing some major taboo, she refused to marry someone else by mistake! She was mentally prepared to be a widow, but she never planned to be the wife of a rough warrior! Even if he was a general, it would be the same!

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