Chapter 1: Is it possible for her not to get married?
In the eleventh year of the Dazhi reign, on the sixth month.
At the residence of Shen Shiyan, the Imperial Secretary, in Luoyang, the Eastern Capital.
Inside an elegant embroidery room, the doors and windows were tightly shut, not even a wisp of wind could get in, and the bed with its curtains hanging low was so quiet that it seemed to be isolated from the world.
A fair-skinned, beautiful young girl was lying on the bed.
She was only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a pair of bright, clear black and white eyes that sparkled with anxiety and unease that were completely out of character for her age.
She is Shang Ruyi, the eldest daughter of the Shen family.
What she anxiously awaited was an answer to the most important matter of her life—
Is it possible for her not to get married?
She brought up the matter of breaking off the engagement half a month ago when she was at her worst. Her uncle, Shen Shiyan, immediately objected. After all, Shang Ruyi's marriage was arranged by her father before his death, and the betrothed family was not an ordinary family, but the Yuwen family, which ranked third among the sixteen prominent families of Longxi.
The man she was to marry was Yuwen Qian, the eldest son of the Duke of Sheng!
Half a month ago, her marriage certificate was sent to Taiyuan. If she breaks off the engagement now, not only will they not be able to become in-laws, but the two families will probably become enemies.
Despite repeated attempts by Shen Shiyan and his wife to persuade her, Shang Ruyi was determined and eventually coughed up blood and fainted.
Before she fell into a coma, she kept repeating one sentence—I will not marry Yuwen Qian!
How is the wedding going now?
Shang Ruyi couldn't sit still any longer and was about to get out of bed when she heard a creak and the door was pushed open.
A noblewoman dressed in fine clothes and adorned with jewels entered with two maids. Upon seeing her like this, she immediately said, "What are you doing? Quickly lie back down!"
The speaker was none other than Yu, Shang Ruyi's maternal aunt.
This woman, surnamed Yu, whose given name was Meixian, was a Hu person. She was forthright and straightforward. As she spoke, she took two steps over and pressed Shang Ruyi back onto the bed: "You're acting recklessly right after you've recovered from your illness. What if you fall and hurt yourself?"
Shang Ruyi didn't have time to think of anything else, she just grabbed her sleeve and asked anxiously, "Aunt, my marriage—"
Madam Yu glared at her before saying irritably, "Your uncle and I have already figured out a solution to this matter. In short, if you don't want to marry Yuwen Qian, then don't. We will never let you suffer any injustice."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately felt relieved.
As long as I don't marry Yuwen Qian, that's fine!
Ms. Yu hesitated again before saying, "However—"
Before she could finish speaking, a servant suddenly ran to the door and said urgently, "Madam, something terrible has happened!"
Ms. Yu turned around unhappily: "What's all the fuss about?"
The servant stammered, "The Yuwen family has come to our door!"
"What?!"
Both uncle and nephew were greatly surprised. Didn't the Yuwen family live in Taiyuan? How come they arrived so quickly?
After thinking for a moment, Ms. Yu said, "Don't move yet, I'll go out and take a look."
Shang Ruyi said, "Aunt, they've come to see me, haven't they? I was in the wrong about this, so please let me go—"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Mrs. Yu was both annoyed and amused. She pressed her back onto the bed and said, "The elders are still here. How can a junior like you take responsibility? Lie down properly!"
After saying that, Madam Yu gave her a complicated look, then turned and left.
Although she remained in her room, Shang Ruyi was restless. Breaking off an engagement was no small matter. If the Duke of Sheng really blamed her, not only would the relationship between the two families be ruined, but it would also implicate her deceased father, as well as her uncle and aunt. She would be truly unfilial.
With that thought in mind, she still managed to get dressed quietly and opened the door to go out.
However, as soon as the door was opened, Shang Ruyi froze.
A tall figure stood at the door.
Under the dim sky, the thick shadow cast by that person almost completely enveloped her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com