Chapter Eleven

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The man, inexplicably brought here and kneeling on the ground, was clearly panicked, cautiously scanning his surroundings. Seeing Wang Ni standing stiffly like a wooden stake, sword in hand, he quickly withdrew his gaze, not daring to look around anymore.

Suddenly, Cui Jue spoke out, “Zhou Beixiu?”

Startled by the voice from behind the screen, Zhou Beixiu trembled. Cui Jue calmly said, “Did you know that Chen Wuniang is about to be married off?”

At these words, Zhou Beixiu’s heart tightened; he faintly guessed why he had been brought here. Whether it was the heat in the room or fear, he felt sweat on his forehead.

“As far as I know, you and Chen Wuniang are deeply in love. The last time at Longtai Temple, the Crown Princess Zheng disrupted your union. I wonder, Zhou Langjun, how does your heart feel?”

Cold sweat poured down Zhou Beixiu’s face; his whole body softened like a puddle of mud.

Cui Jue set down the chess manual and slowly stood, pacing back and forth behind the screen with his hands behind his back.

Kneeling low, Zhou Beixiu listened to the footsteps, his heart rising into his throat.

After an uncertain length of time, Cui Jue said, “Chen Wuniang does not wish to marry into Jiaozhou. Are you willing to take her and flee far away together?”

Zhou Beixiu was surprised, lifting his head slightly. “Huizhou is under the jurisdiction of the Prince of Huai’an. Escaping right under his nose won’t be so easy.”

Cui Jue halted in his pacing.

Zhou Beixiu quickly dropped his gaze, secretly guessing the other’s intentions.

“You naturally cannot escape alone. But the Zheng family can back you up.”

Zhou Beixiu was stunned.

Cui Jue deliberately lowered his voice, whispering like a demon, coaxing him:

“I only ask you, as a scholar, Zhou Langjun, do you have ambitions in your heart?

“Are you willing to spend your life as a mere book servant, never seeing the light of day?”

These words struck Zhou Beixiu’s sore spot; his blood boiled but he could not reply.

Cui Jue took a serious tone: “The wedding day is close. If Chen Wuniang escapes, the immediate crisis for the household will not be you two, but Jiaozhou.

“As long as you both avoid the Prince of Huai’an and weather this storm, you will be safe.

“With Chen Wuniang’s protection afterward, the marriage will be a done deal. The Crown Princess Zheng will surely find a way to help you clean up the aftermath.

“Even if you fail to find a future at the end, at least you will have a chance to break free from your past plight. Isn’t that worth trying?”

His words flowed steadily, like a demon clawing out from hell to lure Zhou Beixiu, tempting him to rely on Chen Xianle for a turnaround.

For a poor scholar, it was indeed worth considering.

A pouch of silver was tossed from behind the screen, clattering to the ground before him.

“The governor of Jiaozhou is over fifty years old—that place is a pit of fire for Chen Wuniang.

“If you have the courage, take her away; if not, I will find others.

“No matter what, the Zheng family will not stand idly by and watch her suffer humiliation.”

This statement was deliberately aimed at misleading Zhou Beixiu into thinking it was the Zheng family’s doing.

Zhou Beixiu’s mind immediately became active; he hastily picked up the silver and said, “Allow me to return and consider carefully.”

Cui Jue said, “The matter is urgent; there is no time for delay.” Then added, “This last resort is forced upon me, consider it a favor to you.”

Zhou Beixiu repeatedly assured, “I understand fully.”

Cui Jue made a dismissive gesture. Wang Ni stepped forward and knocked Zhou Beixiu unconscious with a single palm strike.

Zhou Beixiu’s eyes rolled back; he collapsed weakly onto the floor, and Wang Ni carried him out.

The room fell silent once again.

Cui Jue returned to the couch and resumed studying the chess manual.

When Zhou Beixiu regained consciousness, it was nearly evening.

Living by serving as a book assistant, impoverished and destitute, he suddenly found himself holding a bag of silver. He pinched his thigh hard.

This was no dream!

He had mistakenly thought the Zheng family was seeking him in broad daylight, and his mind began to stir with plans.

While Zhou Beixiu was restless, scheming to advance, Chen Xianle had already resolved to save herself.

She summoned Old Liu and instructed her to contact Longtai Temple.

Old Liu’s heart trembled, her eyelids twitching wildly. “Young mistress, please think carefully. If you are caught…”

Chen Xianle cut her off, “At this point, I can no longer care about those things!”

Old Liu fell silent.

Chen Xianle’s eyes brimmed with hatred. “Father insists on sending me to that fiery pit in Jiaozhou. He is heartless; don’t blame me if I act unrighteously.”

“But…”

“No buts! I do not want to waste the rest of my life. What wrong have I done?”

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Old Liu had no reply.

Chen Xianle twisted her handkerchief, her face stubborn and fierce.

“Mother, brothers, and uncles are useless. Father never regarded me as his own daughter. How can I sit and wait for death?”

Old Liu worried, “Even so, young mistress, have you considered the consequences if you run away from your marriage?”

Chen Xianle had evidently thought deeply, answering seriously, “Of course I have.

“The household has more than just me as a daughter. If I am lost, there will always be others to take my place.”

Old Liu said, “Young mistress, please think carefully. The entire Zhangling Commandery belongs to the Prince’s household. Where could you possibly escape to?”

Chen Xianle responded with righteous boldness, “Who said I want to run away?

“I only need to hide. When the heat dies down, I will contact my uncles. They will surely help me.”

Old Liu was stunned.

Chen Xianle schemed, “By then, the marriage alliance with Jiaozhou will have been arranged. My uncles and brothers will find a way to protect me.

“With Mother present, I may only be punished by Father. He would not dare take my life.”

Hearing her reasoning, Old Liu found the plan surprisingly feasible.

Chen Xianle pleaded, “Old Liu, you have watched me grow up. Can you really stand by and watch me marry to a decrepit old man who could be my father?”

“This…”

“Father is ruthless, Mother helpless. Rather than sit and wait for death, I’d rather fight once.”

“Please, young mistress, consider carefully. The risks are enormous. If you fail, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

“What consequences? At worst, I marry into Jiaozhou. If I take a risk, I still have room to maneuver; if I just wait for death, the result is the same.”

Old Liu fell silent.

Chen Xianle made up her mind. “Whether I resist or obey, the worst result is the same.

“Father intends to send me away regardless. Even if I anger him to death, he won’t kill me; he still needs me for the marriage alliance.

“I have thought long and hard. If I obediently comply, I will regret it for the rest of my life.”

Her words were resolute.

For an unmarried girl to boldly meet a man in secret, it showed a rebellious streak and strong will.

Old Liu could not dissuade her. Chen Xianle was determined to save herself and asked her to find a way to contact her lover Zhou Beixiu and plan their escape.

Originally, Zhou Beixiu wanted to meet her, but unexpectedly, she took the initiative.

The handkerchief was entrusted to Zhu Xian, who was close to her and knew of her relationship with Zhou Beixiu. Chen Xianle used her to arrange a meeting with Zhou Beixiu at the Zhu family’s garden villa.

The Zhu family was a prestigious clan in Zhangling Commandery, respected locally.

Such a background naturally connected them closely to the Prince of Huai’an’s household.

Zhu Xian was already betrothed but was genuine and had privately discussed the Prince of Huai’an’s folly.

Now that Chen Xianle wished to flee, Zhu Xian disapproved but did not obstruct her.

Under her protection, Chen Xianle met with Zhou Beixiu to discuss the escape.

The two were intimate within, exchanging heartfelt words, while Zhu Xian guarded the door outside.

Chen Xianle leaned in his arms, detailing her plan.

Zhou Beixiu held her hand, calculating how to turn his fortunes through her, cautiously asking, “Does your mother truly protect us?”

Chen Xianle nodded. “As long as we get through this storm, I’ll ask my uncles for help. They have cared for me since childhood and won’t ignore me.”

“I worry about your father…”

“I can’t control that! If he tries to kill us, Mother will hate him.”

Zhou Beixiu fell silent.

Chen Xianle looked up at him, asking, “Zhou Lang, do you have the courage to take me away?”

Zhou Beixiu hurriedly said, “I want to protect Wuniang.”

Chen Xianle smiled in satisfaction. “That’s all I need to hear. If we can’t get past Father, we’ll leave Huizhou. With the Zheng family backing us, we won’t starve.”

Hearing this, Zhou Beixiu felt somewhat reassured.

“As long as I’m by Wuniang’s side, I’ll face any danger.”

Chen Xianle laughed joyfully.

The two carefully planned their escape, discussing long into the night before parting.

Time flew to the fourth day of the twelfth lunar month.

With the wedding day approaching, not only was Lady Zheng anxious, but the Pear Fragrance Courtyard was also uneasy.

Lady Xu was relieved that the Prince of Huai’an had not mentioned adopting Chen Jiao again but worried about last-minute complications.

Chen Jiao was likewise restless; until matters were settled, everything remained uncertain.

That night, the Prince of Huai’an favored his legitimate daughter, deciding to agree to Lady Zheng’s request to adopt Chen Jiao into the main family as a substitute bride.

When the news was delivered by attendant Gao Zhan to the Jade and Gold Courtyard, Lady Zheng was overjoyed.

Almost unable to believe her ears, she asked again, “Has the lord truly agreed to adopt Ninth Miss?”

Gao Zhan nodded.

Lady Zheng was so excited she was at a loss, and Old Madam Cao was also pleased.

Lady Zheng looked at her and said, “Heaven is merciful; the lord truly has Wuniang in his heart!”

Old Madam Cao hastened, “Mistress, quickly tell Wuniang the good news. She will be overjoyed!”

Lady Zheng said, “Yes, yes, I will go tell her now.”

The two excitedly went to Chen Xianle’s residence at Qingfang Tower.

Unexpectedly, they found it empty.

Old Liu suppressed her panic, saying, “Young mistress left for the Zhu residence early this morning. Perhaps she stayed there overnight.”

Lady Zheng paused, recalling Chen Xianle had indeed told her in the morning she was going to the Zhu family.

Knowing Zhu Xian was close to her daughter and that they had stayed over before, she had not thought much of it.

It would be fine to send someone tomorrow to fetch her back.

So early the next day, Lady Zheng sent someone to the Zhu household to look for her.

Unexpectedly, they were told Chen Xianle had not been seen there at all the previous day.

Upon hearing this, Lady Zheng was stunned. She raised her voice, questioning Old Madam Cao, “What do you mean she wasn’t seen?!”

The maid knelt, lamenting, “Mistress, the servant at Miss Zhu’s side said so herself.

“She said Miss Zhu spent the entire day with Madam Zhu at the temple and did not see the young mistress come by.”

Lady Zheng’s eyes widened, as if hearing a fairy tale.

How could a living person vanish into thin air?!

Old Madam Cao sensed something amiss and quickly said, “This is suspicious. Mistress, you should call Old Liu and find out clearly.”

Lady Zheng took a deep breath, restraining her temper, and gestured for Old Madam Cao to send a message.

The kneeling maid also realized something was wrong and did not dare breathe.

Lady Zheng stared at her. “If this matter spreads, I’ll cut out your tongue.”

The maid hurriedly denied it.

Lady Zheng, irritated, waved her off, and the maid left with a sigh of relief.

Soon, Old Liu was summoned.

Lady Zheng, suspecting something, subdued her anger and asked, “Old Liu, where has Wuniang gone?”

Old Liu hung her head in silence.

Old Madam Cao, anxious, interrupted, “Old Liu, don’t hide it. The master has already agreed to adopt Ninth Miss as a substitute bride.”

Upon hearing this, Old Liu was struck like lightning.

She suddenly looked up, astonished, “What did you say?!”

Old Madam Cao said, “Wuniang doesn’t have to go to Jiaozhou anymore.”

Old Liu stared blankly, as if her soul had been drawn out, and suddenly her legs gave way; she collapsed to the floor.

Seeing this, Lady Zheng felt a bad omen, burning with urgency. “Where is Wuniang?!”

Old Liu almost wept, trembling, “It’s… it’s already too late, too late…”

Clearly shaken, she said emotionally, “Young mistress escaped yesterday…”

At these words, Lady Zheng’s blood boiled, rushing to her head. She shouted angrily, “Where did she go?!”

Old Liu shook her head, lamenting, “This old servant does not know. She never mentioned it.”

Old Madam Cao, frantic, said, “Old Liu, in times like this, why do you still hide things?”

Old Liu regretted deeply, eyes red, “It’s all my fault for not persuading her, causing this great mistake.”

She slapped herself several times, clearly filled with remorse.

Lady Zheng was furious, abandoning her composure, rushing forward to grab Old Liu by the collar and demand answers.

Old Liu recounted everything in detail. Lady Zheng nearly fainted from anger.

But the urgent matter was not punishment but secretly searching for the girl without alerting the Prince of Huai’an.

Suppressing her fury, Lady Zheng decisively sent word to her brother Zheng Zhang, asking him to dispatch men to quietly retrieve Chen Xianle.

While the Jade and Gold Courtyard was in turmoil, the Prince of Huai’an personally visited the Pear Fragrance Courtyard to announce his decision to mother and daughter.

Lady Xu lost her mind on the spot.

Chen Jiao coldly stared at the stepfather seated on the couch.

Cui Jue, you villain, you have destroyed my faith!

If I suffer, no one else shall find peace!

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