Looking back later, Li Yuan Gui couldn’t recall many of the words he had spoken that day. It seemed like meaningless raging and shouting. After all, in his confrontation with Cheng Yao Jin, he didn’t have the slightest justification for his behavior.
Even if he had been given three to five days to plan carefully and calculate calmly, he couldn’t have found any plausible excuse, let alone maintain his composure in the moment.
He couldn’t remember how he had rushed from the Taiji Palace to the tower of Xuanwu Gate in one breath. Finding the Northern Command quarters empty, he asked around and learned that General Cheng was inspecting military supplies in the Forbidden Garden’s garrison camp. Without pause, he descended from the tower and rushed straight to the camp. By the time he lifted the tent curtain and entered that dim space, thunder was already rumbling in the distance, perfectly matching his explosive state of mind.
Initially, there were three or four military officers discussing matters inside the tent, but seeing his state, they quickly withdrew, leaving only Cheng Yao Jin alone, wearing a bewildered yet serious expression as he listened to the shouting. When Li Yuan Gui reached the height of his anger, he paced around the room, waving his arms with flying spittle to emphasize his points. Most of the content of his tirade he couldn’t remember… or perhaps he intentionally chose not to remember to avoid dying of shame.
He could only recall the single somewhat reasonable accusation he had leveled at Cheng Yao Jin: “taking advantage of someone’s predicament” and… “deceiving and purchasing a noble lady”… well, the latter charge was also groundless. The marriage arrangement between the Cheng and Wei families was a proper match with formal matchmakers and parental consent, with the addition of “personal willingness.” As for the number of betrothal gifts and dowry, that was a matter between the two families to decide – what business was it of an idle prince like himself?
So Li Yuan Gui later had to admire himself for managing to rant incoherently for so long in front of General Cheng’s dark face, until his throat was sore and swollen, his mouth parched, and he finally collapsed powerless onto the carpet, gasping for breath, too exhausted even for tears.
A water gourd was held to his lips. Cheng Yao Jin also knelt beside him on the carpet, and after kindly offering the water, furrowed his bushy brows and asked in his gruff voice:
“Tell me, Prince of Wu, what exactly are you trying to say? What do you want old Cheng to do? Speak plainly!”
Break off your engagement with Young Lady Wei – Li Yuan Gui whispered in his heart – A Fen is the woman I love and wish to marry, we are the truly destined couple who care for each other –
These words, he couldn’t speak aloud.
He had already promised before the Emperor to go to the Kingdom of Gaochang to marry their only princess, first becoming their prince consort, then returning with his wife. He had even put all his effort into vigorously arguing down the court officials’ objections, including Wei Su Fen’s father… For him, there was no other choice or solution possible – he had to first clear himself of the charges that endangered so many people before anything else.
Previously, whenever he thought of Wei Su Fen, he always consoled himself that there was still time, still opportunity. As long as he could first resolve the Great An Palace conspiracy matter, he would find a way to properly settle related matters. They were both still young, they could wait… could wait…
This chance to wait had been exchanged for Wei Su Fen’s lifetime of freedom and happiness.
“I…” Li Yuan Gui rasped, “Young Lady Wei has shown great kindness to me… and to my sister from the same mother… I absolutely cannot sit by and watch her sacrifice herself, selling herself for a betrothal price… She originally didn’t want to marry you, surely you must know? You, General Cheng, hold the highest military position – how can you use your wealth and power to force yourself on someone’s daughter?”
“What? Young Lady Wei doesn’t want to marry me?” Cheng Yao Jin was stunned. “Really?”
“Of course it’s true! She tried to escape the marriage and attempted suicide, seeking death more than once, all because she refuses to enter your demon king’s household – why are you pretending to be confused!”
After blurting out these words, Li Yuan Gui froze, realizing he had perhaps… said something he shouldn’t have.
Since he couldn’t prevent this marriage, he should at least try to ensure Wei Su Fen would have better days ahead, earning her husband’s respect and love. What good would come from telling Cheng Yao Jin that his unbetrothed wife didn’t want to marry him and that her heart belonged to another? What benefit would this bring to Wei Su Fen?
Realizing this, his whole body broke out in a cold sweat, and he hurriedly tried to cover up:
“But now she’s willing… right? Young Lady Wei is beautiful and talented with a noble heart. Since she has agreed to marry, she must be wholeheartedly committed to following propriety… The Wei family’s teaching is strict, and the Wei clan of Julu maintains a pure reputation. Although she may have had other thoughts before, it’s not easy to cut them off completely, but after all, she is the daughter of a minister. Even if she’s reluctant in her heart, she still…”
It seemed he was only making things worse… Li Yuan Gui stammered and fumbled for words for a while, watching as Cheng Yao Jin’s dark face grew increasingly twisted. He could only fall silent, wishing he could slap himself twice.
Li Yuan Gui silently cursed himself – you’re unable to save anyone and instead spread rumors damaging someone’s reputation behind their back, how are you any different from those malicious people who spread jealous gossip?
He couldn’t decide who he would marry, yet Wei Su Fen had chosen for his sake the path she had once been willing to die rather than follow. Months ago, because she refused to be sold in marriage to Cheng Yao Jin, she had resolutely fled, rashly entering the Ganye Temple in the Forbidden Garden, causing an enormous scandal, enduring all kinds of pain and hardship, struggling through near-death experiences with no regrets… all now wasted in an instant.
She had simply gone home. Following her parents’ wishes, agreeing to marry this fierce and ugly man old enough to be her grandfather. For Li Yuan Gui’s sake.
He had no reason, no standing to ask Cheng Yao Jin to break off the engagement. Even if he did, thinking carefully, canceling the marriage would do Wei Su Fen no good. If she didn’t become the wife of the Duke of Su Guo, the first young lady of the Wei family, where would she go?
Everyone in court and throughout Chang’an knew she was to be General Cheng’s second wife. If the marriage were suddenly canceled now, it would surely bring endless gossip and criticism, further damaging the pure young lady’s reputation, and might even taint the ministerial reputation of Lord Wei’s household. Let alone Cheng Yao Jin’s unwillingness to comply, Minister Wei would never allow it, and the Emperor and Empress would certainly not support their younger brother’s emotional foolishness…
Cheng Yao Jin slouched onto the carpet, crossed his legs, and pondered with a troubled expression for a long while, mumbling something incomprehensible, before finally letting out a long sigh:
“So that’s how it is… I was wondering… Now I understand.”
The mighty general tilted his head again, staring at the young prisoner he had been guarding for months, and chuckled:
“Now I remember, in early spring in Xianyang, near those caravan merchants’ warehouses, that’s where I first saw Young Lady Wei, and you, Prince of Wu, were there too. When they arrested you, Fourteenth Brother, at Purple Void Temple, she stepped forward to stop them. Later… even when she was about to marry into my household, she still sent letters asking old Cheng to plead on Prince of Wu’s behalf. Why didn’t I think of it before… Today I finally understand – the young bride old Cheng paid such a hefty bride price for, the lover she holds in her heart is you, Fourteenth Brother, isn’t it?”