Chapter 42, "Bestowed Marriage," is now complete.
Zhu Xuanning's consciousness kept flickering. She didn't know if she was having a long nightmare. In the dream, she was gently awakened, fed some easily digestible food, and then fell into a deep sleep again.
Zhu Xuanning was only awakened again when the vast river revealed the distant, dot-like opposite bank.
"Ah Ning, we've arrived," Song Zhaohan whispered, her arms around her.
Zhu Xuanning opened her eyes, seemingly half-asleep, and subconsciously nodded, relying on her sluggish reflexes.
She felt as if someone had picked her up around the waist, followed by another jolt.
When I opened my eyes again, it was noon. The sky was overcast and a light drizzle was falling.
Zhu Xuanning quietly moved out a small stool, sat down under the eaves, looked up at the square opening in the sky, and stared blankly into space.
What other countermeasures are there?
Zhu Xuanning was taken aback; Song Zhaohan had even come up with a way to feed her medicine, which showed how determined she was. The elopement couldn't be kept secret for long; by the time she returned, rumors would be flying all over the city.
It seems she's forced to be tied to Song Zhaohan.
Thinking of this, Zhu Xuanning gave a highly sarcastic smile.
As if venting her anger, she ripped off the pearl hairpin in her hair and threw it hard into the pond, startling several small fish swimming leisurely.
"Ah Ning, you're awake." Song Zhaohan walked towards her from the opposite direction. Even though the beaded flower had been thrown in his direction, he didn't care and just quickened his pace happily.
It's already very kind of Aning to come out and see this courtyard.
It's just a pearl hairpin; it's not like he can't afford it. Even if it's a pearl from the East, if she's unhappy, she can take it out and smash it to make a sound, and he'll be happy to do that.
With this matter settled, what else could he not obtain?
Thinking about it, Song Zhaohan couldn't help but walk behind her and tell her about the scenery that could be enjoyed in the courtyard.
But Zhu Xuanning was exhausted. Thinking about all her hard work going to waste, she simply couldn't force herself to keep up the act any longer.
"That's enough," she said indifferently.
Zhu Xuanning turned her head away, and Song Zhaohan's hand, which was about to stroke the soft hair by her ear, missed its mark.
The atmosphere was heavy for a moment, then Song Zhaohan exclaimed and laughed, "It's my fault, Aning, are you hungry? I'll have someone bring some food up now."
"No." Those were the two cold words again. Zhu Xuanning had no appetite or desire to eat.
She just wanted to be alone for a while.
But Song Zhaohan seemed not to understand. He still had someone bring him food and clung to Zhu Xuanning, refusing to leave.
Zhu Xuanning's bad temper, which she had been suppressing for so long, finally reached the point of exploding.
"You're so annoying." This was the first time she had expressed her annoyance to Song Zhaohan.
Even though she knew it was a very unwise choice and would anger her, Zhu Xuanning just wanted to indulge her feelings this once.
Song Zhaohan's smile vanished. His hand holding the chopsticks froze for a moment, then he lowered his head and picked up another dish: "A-Ning, you don't like this dish, do you? How about this one?"
He suppressed the slight ache in his eyes, and when he looked up again, he had a bright smile on his face.
Zhu Xuanning's unfocused gaze finally turned from the square sky and landed on Song Zhaohan.
She knows best how to coax people, and even better how to hurt them.
"Don't you understand, Song Zhaohan? Then I'll say it again: you're really annoying and disgusting."
"There's no one else here, what are you pretending for?"
Song Zhaohan could barely hold his chopsticks. A hint of brokenness appeared in his bright and flamboyant eyes, and even his eyelids flushed red, as if he were heartbroken to the extreme.
"You hate me, don't you?"
"Do you hate me as a person, or do you hate my feelings for you?"
Song Zhaohan asked her.
"What's the difference?" Zhu Xuanning asked back.
At this point, she had come to understand that a true playboy could not possibly elope so easily and be so certain that no one in the capital would find him. She was merely a link in the chain of their scheme.
"I truly love you." Song Zhaohan put down her chopsticks and looked at her with pity, but when her gaze met the resistance in the girl's eyes, she felt angry.
He really hated the way Zhu Xuanning looked at him.
Even if it's just an act, why not keep lying to him?
He is of royal lineage; if you follow him, you'll have everything.
Why can't she understand?
While Song Zhaohan was feeling distressed, Zhu Xuanning had already stood up to leave, but someone grabbed her slender, fair wrist.
"Could you please stop looking at me like that? I'll treat you well. I'll give you whatever you want: immense wealth, unparalleled power, and the position of my legal wife." Song Zhaohan pleaded with her, offering what she could to express her sincerity.
But it was too late. The Duke's mansion had already been turned upside down because of Song Zhaohan's willful actions. What use would she be if she married into the mansion? She didn't want to waste her energy on pointless intrigue.
So Zhu Xuanning asked, "I want to leave now, will you let me go?"
Song Zhaohan froze, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Besides this,” he replied, and then he saw a faint, mocking smile appear on Zhu Xuanning’s face.
Look, he even said he'd give it to everyone, it's ridiculous.
Zhu Xuanning didn't say anything, but Song Zhaohan understood.
The girl raised her other hand, trying to pull Song Zhaohan's hand off her wrist.
Song Zhaohan let go of her hand, but stood up without a care. Ignoring Zhu Xuanning's kicks and punches, she hugged her tightly and awkwardly, as if she wanted to embed her into her bones.
A barrage of delicate yet passionate kisses rained down on her. Zhu Xuanning, already weak from not having eaten much, gradually lost her strength to kick and stomp because she was being deprived of her breath.
She concentrated and bit down hard, but even though there was blood in her mouth, Song Zhaohan didn't let go. Instead, she became even more frantic.
Finally getting a chance to breathe, Zhu Xuanning thrust upwards forcefully, delivering a headbutt to Song Zhaohan.
With a muffled "crack," Song Zhaohan's slightly parted lips were forcibly closed by the force. The pain of his teeth hitting each other and biting his tongue was nothing compared to the pain in his heart.
Song Zhaohan embraced her, ignoring her struggles, and pressed her reddened chin against the girl's head, her eyes filled with tears.
"Whether you despise me or hate me, I will not let you go."
"Don't even think about it."
He choked up as he left, taking away all the sharp objects that could potentially harm her, not even a single pearl hairpin.
The small courtyard fell silent once more, with only the sound of rain pattering on the eaves.
Zhu Xuanning's prediction came true; she was like a little oriole with broken wings, trapped in this square world.
The servants and maids who served her in the courtyard were all mute and could not utter a single word. They didn't even have any stories to amuse her.
Song Zhaohan acted as if nothing had happened, always dining with her and taking her for walks to aid digestion. Even if she refused to go out, Song Zhaohan would sit in her room and talk to her.
Zhu Xuanning knew that Song Zhaohan was trying to imprison her using such dirty methods, forcing her to willingly fall in love with him.
She wouldn't agree, but she knew she couldn't hold out for long; three whole days without speaking had driven her crazy.
She could already sense that her initial aversion to Song Zhaohan's arrival had turned into a vague anticipation.
However, Song Zhaohan did not come on the fourth day.
There was none on the fifth day either.
They did not come again for three consecutive days.
Zhu Xuanning's emotions were on the verge of collapse.
She thought that if no one else came to her rescue, she would really have to give in to Song Zhaohan.
With nothing to relieve boredom and no one to talk to, Zhu Xuanning barely managed to hold on for a week.
Finally, she saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
On the evening of the eighth day, Song Zhaohan returned.
"Ah Ning." As Song Zhaohan carefully pushed open the door, she was immediately enveloped by a light fragrance.
The cool black hair clung to his collarbone. Song Zhaohan was slightly taken aback, then lowered his head and hugged her tightly with joy.
A soft sob came from his arms: "Why did it take you so long to come back?"
Song Zhaohan's lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Ah Ning, I'm sorry."
He pressed his face against the girl's, letting the tears in her eyes soak his skin, and then kissed her carefully and tentatively.
Zhu Xuanning smelled the fragrance on Song Zhaohan's body, which was stronger than usual, seemingly suppressing a faint fishy smell.
She just wanted to vent her emotions from the past few days, and without thinking about anything else, she choked up and spoke on her own instincts.
She didn't even know what she said.
All she knew was that Song Zhaohan was gentler and more considerate than ever before, and responded to every word she uttered.
After all the pent-up emotions were released at this moment, Zhu Xuanning fell into a state of bewilderment and confusion, along with a heavy sense of fatigue.
Song Zhaohan realized it and picked the person up.
This time, Zhu Xuanning didn't struggle. Instead, she nestled obediently in his arms like a docile little cat.
"Go to sleep, Aning. These things will be over tomorrow, and we'll always be together." Song Zhaohan gently lowered his head, pressed his face against Zhu Xuanning's, kissed her, and then lay down with her in bed.
That night, Song Zhao simply held her as they fell asleep.
The next morning, Zhu Xuanning was shaken awake by a mute servant.
She was vaguely pushed to the dressing table to get dressed and do her eyebrows when her consciousness snapped back to reality.
Zhu Xuanning instinctively resisted, and the mute servant had no choice but to retreat.
"Ah Ning, what's wrong? Didn't you look forward to my arrival yesterday? Today, after the ceremony, we can be together forever. Why are you unwilling?" Song Zhaohan entered the room, gently stroking her black hair. When she stared at her, Zhu Xuanning felt a very strange sense of unease.
She pursed her lips and remained silent.
Song Zhaohan pulled her along, leading her to sit in front of the mirror. Then, she put her arm around her slender shoulder and leaned down, saying, "A-Ning, if you want me to do your makeup, that's not impossible."
After saying that, Song Zhaohan really intended to make a move.
"No, don't." Zhu Xuanning quickly pressed down his hand.
"Then call them back." Song Zhaohan took the opportunity to grasp Zhu Xuanning's hand and kiss it.
The sense of unease intensified. Zhu Xuanning remained silent for a long time. Seeing the smile on Song Zhaohan's face gradually fade, she couldn't help but recall the painful torment of those days, and subconsciously nodded.
Song Zhaohan smiled and said, "Ah Ning is so good. Your husband is waiting for you outside."
The hall and courtyard were silent, except for a few red silk ribbons hanging under the eaves and doorways, which fluttered silently in the breeze, adding a touch of dazzling festivity to this cage-like space.
Zhu Xuanning glanced at the red silk decorations outside the courtyard, but remained silent. When the mute servants returned, she stood there as still as a wooden statue, letting them dress her up.
The girl in front of the bronze mirror had black hair, red lips, and bright, beautiful eyes. Although she was wearing a wedding dress, she showed no joy. Instead, she exuded an indescribable sorrow.
Zhu Xuanning tried hard to raise the corners of her mouth, but found that she looked even worse when she smiled.
The door was pushed open. Zhu Xuanning took a deep breath and slowly raised her fan to cover her face. Holding onto the door frame, she walked out step by step, extremely slowly.
Song Zhaohan stood in the courtyard, dressed in a crimson wedding gown, her posture upright and her eyes smiling.
He watched her walk towards him, her face hidden by a fan, a burning sense of satisfaction and possessiveness surging in his eyes. Song Zhaohan took a few steps forward, reaching out his hand to take hers.
Zhu Xuanning subconsciously gripped the fan tighter and turned it slightly to avoid his outstretched hand.
Song Zhaohan's gaze darkened slightly, and although her smile faded, she did not force her. Instead, she led her into the green pavilion.
In the center of the green pavilion was a wedding bed, and the two sat facing each other according to etiquette.
Zhu Xuanning lowered her eyes, her gaze fixed on the intricate blue patterns on her knees, refusing to meet his eyes.
The master of ceremonies' hoarse voice rang out from outside the tent: "Please, groom, compose a poem about the back of the fan!"
Song Zhaohan looked at her and gently murmured: "The silk fan will eventually fall on your jade-like face, and the red candle will illuminate our hearts tonight. From now on, do not envy the magpie in the clouds, but only perch on the paulownia tree in the courtyard."
"Ah Ning, it's time to put down your fan."
Zhu Xuanning's finger joints turned slightly white from exertion.
Song Zhaohan waited patiently without urging her.
After a brief standoff, Zhu Xuanning lowered her eyes and slowly removed the fan that was covering her face.
Just then, a commotion arose outside, and it sounded like the clash of weapons.
Zhu Xuanning inevitably stopped what she was doing.
Song Zhaohan naturally heard it too, but he ignored it and stared at Zhu Xuanning, saying, "Madam, the poem is finished, why not hold the ceremony?"
His voice was slow, yet carried a hint of urging.
Zhu Xuanning gripped the fan handle tightly, instinctively not wanting to do as she was told.
The commotion outside grew louder as Song Zhaohan spoke, and the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground made Song Zhaohan frown.
He could only sit in the tent, suppressing his emotions, and order the servants outside to handle the matter.
But suddenly the blue cloth curtain was lifted, and blinding light shone in, accompanied by a cold laugh.
"Cousin, you're playing house with others, why didn't you invite me to join you?"
The man, travel-worn and sickly-looking yet strikingly beautiful, raised his chin and eyebrows in a mocking smile that was neither genuine nor feigned, which strangely gave Zhu Xuanning a sense of comfort.
Song Zhaohan stared coldly at Yan Hengdan, her gaze sharp as a knife.
"Get out." As he spoke coldly, the sound of swords being drawn came from outside.
Zhu Xuanning saw that the tent was surrounded by a circle of servants, as if Song Zhaohan could order them to execute Yan Hengdan on the spot.
"How dare you!" Yan Hengdan did not speak. The young man who broke down the door was followed by a dark mass of soldiers.
He glanced into the tent once, then looked away with difficulty.
"What did Yan Hengdan promise you that allowed you to enter this mortal world?" Song Zhaohan's anger faltered slightly. He lowered his voice, attempting to negotiate with Ji Yucheng to break the deadlock.
Ji Yucheng did not answer, but glanced at Yan Hengdan out of the corner of her eye.
The two sides were locked in a stalemate for only a short time before another commotion broke out.
Someone galloped in on horseback, the wind howling and whipping his official robes. He was covered in dust, his face like jade covered in dust.
Ji Yucheng's gaze dimmed, and after making a hand gesture, all the soldiers surrounding the courtyard withdrew.
"You two receive the imperial decree."
Yu Xuan dismounted and shouted, causing everyone to kneel.
The first half affirms and praises Song Zhaohan's handling of the matter of framing the crown prince in recent days.
Song Zhaohan remained unmoved, and even relaxed, which was precisely what he relied on to abduct A Ning this time.
But when Yu Xuan read the word "ran", Song Zhaohan had a bad feeling.
"Indeed! Merits cannot overshadow faults, and virtue must match one's position. Although you have made meritorious contributions, your actions have been reckless and disregard for minor matters. You even dared to abduct Zhu Xuanning, a daughter of an official, imprison her in your private residence, and presumptuously carry out a marriage ceremony. This is arrogance based on merit and willful behavior, which is not the behavior of a loyal minister of the country! You have disappointed me and further damaged the reputation of the court."
"Song Zhaohan, upon receiving this decree, you must return to the capital immediately without delay. You must clarify the rumors in court and personally apologize to the Zhu family to uphold propriety. If you persist in your folly, you will be punished without mercy!"
Every sentence in the imperial edict was like a slap in the face, striking Song Zhaohan hard. He knelt on the ground, his muscles tense and stiff, his knuckles clenched until they turned white.
He looked up, almost embarrassed, with an incredulous expression: "Impossible!"
He didn't believe it! It was clearly his uncle who promised him! The emperor's word is law, how could he go back on his word? How could he possibly go back on his word!
Yu Xuan ignored him and continued reading, but this time, his solemn tone was a little gentler.
"Zhu Xuanning, a woman of gentle and virtuous character and beautiful appearance, though she was in distress, her integrity remained undiminished..."
The Imperial Inspector Yu Xuan was personally appointed by me as the top scholar in the imperial examination, achieving the highest honors in all six levels of the examinations, surpassing all others in literary talent; he is as gentle as jade, a virtuous and upright gentleman…
I observe that Lady Zhu possesses wisdom and Lady Yu is a man of exceptional talent; they are truly a match made in heaven. If we do not bring them together, would we not be betraying the will of Heaven?
We hereby bestow this marriage upon Yu Xuan and Zhu Xuanning, and choose an auspicious day for their wedding to take place, so that they may be united in eternal bliss.
So be it!
Upon hearing this, Song Zhaohan understood everything. He stared at Yu Xuan with almost hateful eyes, and finally revealed a sad and rather mocking smile.
"I see, I see." Song Zhaohan laughed, her gaze sweeping over Yan Hengdan and Ji Yucheng before settling on Yu Xuan.
He thought that this relationship would be fine as long as he could overcome the resistance from his family, but it was much more than that.
He entrusted his beloved to his best friend's care, but his best friend betrayed him.
They are even more disgusting than Yan Hengdan.
What are these aloof Taoists who are detached from worldly affairs, or gentle and upright gentlemen? They are nothing but pretentious and filthy things.
Hypocritical and disgusting.
Song Zhaohan clutched her chest, suppressing the stinging pain and the nausea.
"This guilty subject accepts the decree." He suppressed his tears, defined his absurd dreams of the past few days, and then slowly kowtowed, forcing himself to accept this ending.
Zhu Xuanning listened attentively to every word of the imperial edict. She could hardly believe that what she had been searching for all these days had finally come to fruition today.
She held back her tears, her expression still somewhat dazed, but through her blurry vision, a pair of dark blue official boots came into her view.
Zhu Xuanning subconsciously looked up and saw a handkerchief being handed to her.
"Miss Zhu, it's time to receive the imperial decree." Yu Xuan smiled and, seeing that Zhu Xuanning hadn't taken the handkerchief, gently wiped away her tears and tenderly reminded her.
"Your subject receives the imperial decree."
Yu Xuan helped Zhu Xuanning to her feet. Ji Yucheng watched from afar, only moving her lips but saying nothing.
Yan Hengdan had a sour face and was in a bad mood, but he attributed it to the fact that the deal with Zhu Xuanning had ended before they could complete it. He looked at Zhu Xuanning with complicated eyes, and when he left, he took Ji Yucheng, who was still standing there, with him.
"It's alright, Miss Zhu, I'll take you home." Yu Xuan stroked her hair, his voice gentle and deep, which made Zhu Xuanning burst into tears.
He knew she must have many questions to ask, and that she might feel scared, anxious, and insecure because of this.
But it's okay, there's plenty of time in the future. He has plenty of time to answer her questions and be there for her.
Yu Xuan took off his dusty cloak and draped it over her shoulders, shielding her from the glaring wedding dress. Then, he protected her and led her step by step out of this cage-like world.
Author's Note: At this point, the main story is basically complete. The ending of the Zhu family, especially the fates of Madam Zhu and Zhu Yuli, as well as the endings of the various characters, will be covered in the epilogue. There will also likely be some bonus epilogues. Thank you for your support.
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