Looking back later, Li Yuangui couldn't clearly remember most of what he had said that day—it seemed like nothing more than meaningless, furious shouting and raging. After all, in his direct confrontation with Cheng Yaojin, he didn't have a shred of reason on his side.
Even if given three to five more days to carefully plan and calmly strategize, he still wouldn't have been able to come up with a single decent excuse—let alone remain calm in that moment.
He couldn't recall how he had sprinted all the way from the Supreme Polarity Hall to the tower of Black Tortoise Gate, only to find the Northern Depot Guardhouse empty. After asking around, he learned that General Cheng was inspecting military preparations at the Forbidden Garden Garrison. Without pause, he descended the tower and rushed straight to the garrison. By the time he pushed aside the tent flap and entered the dimly lit space, distant thunder was already rumbling on the horizon, perfectly matching the explosive fury in his heart.
Inside the tent, three or four military officers had been discussing some matter, but upon seeing him in such a state, they quickly withdrew, leaving only a bewildered and stern-faced Cheng Yaojin to listen to his tirade. In the heat of his anger, Li Yuangui paced around the room, waving his arms and spraying spittle to emphasize his words—though he had little recollection of what exactly he had shouted... or perhaps he deliberately chose not to remember, lest the shame burn him alive.
The only remotely plausible accusation he could recall leveling against Cheng Yaojin was "taking advantage of someone's misfortune" and... "deceiving a respectable family into selling their daughter"... though even the latter was utterly unreasonable. The marriage arrangement between the Wei and Cheng families was a proper match, brokered by a matchmaker and agreed upon by both parents—with the added legitimacy of "mutual consent." As for the dowry and betrothal gifts, that was a matter for the two families to settle. What business was it of an idle minor prince like him?
So later, Li Yuangui had to admit a grudging admiration for himself—that even in his blind rage, he had managed to rant incoherently at General Cheng's dark face for so long, until his throat was parched and swollen, his limbs weak, and he finally collapsed onto the carpet, gasping for breath, too drained even for tears.
A gourd of water was pressed to his lips. Cheng Yaojin knelt beside him, handing over the water with rough kindness before furrowing his bushy brows and asking gruffly:
"Your Highness Prince Wu, what exactly are you trying to say, huh? What do you want this old Cheng to do? Spit it out clearly!"
I want you to break off the engagement with Wei Niangzi—Li Yuangui whispered in his heart—A Fen is the woman I love and wish to marry. We are the ones truly meant for each other—
But these words, he could not speak aloud.
He had already pledged before the emperor to marry that so-called only princess of Gaochang, first becoming her consort, then returning to the capital with his bride. To this end, he had stubbornly pushed forward, even vehemently arguing down the court officials—including Wei Shufen's own father—during deliberations... For him, there was no other choice. He had to first extricate himself and others from the accusations of treason before anything else.
And whenever he had thought of Wei Shufen before, he had always comforted himself with the belief that there was still time, still a chance. Once he resolved the Great Peace Palace conspiracy, he would find a way to settle matters for those involved. They were still young—they could afford to wait... afford to wait...
But this waiting had come at the cost of Wei Shufen trading away her own freedom and happiness for life.
"I..." Li Yuangui rasped, "Wei Niangzi has shown me kindness... and to my sister as well... I will never stand by and watch her sacrifice herself for the sake of dowry money... She never wanted to marry you—surely you know that? You, General Cheng, a man at the pinnacle of power—how can you use your wealth and influence to force a young girl into submission?""What? The young Lady Wei doesn't want to marry me?" Cheng Yaojin froze in astonishment. "Truly?"
"Of course it's true! She fled the marriage and attempted suicide more than once, refusing at all costs to enter your World-Rending Devil's Manor. Don't play dumb!"
The words tumbled out before Li Yuangui caught himself, realizing he might have... said something he shouldn't have.
Since he couldn't stop this marriage, he should at least ensure Wei Shufen would be treated with respect and affection by her husband. What good would it do to tell Cheng Yaojin that his betrothed was unwilling and had affections elsewhere? How would that affect this mismatched couple? What benefit would it bring Wei Shufen?
Cold sweat broke out across his body as he hastily tried to backtrack:
"But she's willing now... right? The young Lady Wei is talented, virtuous, and noble-minded. Since she's agreed to marry, she must be fully committed to propriety... Chancellor Wei's household is strict, and the Wei clan of Julu maintains impeccable standards. Though she once had other thoughts that aren't easily forgotten, she's after all a chancellor's daughter—no matter how unwilling she might feel inside, she..."
He seemed to be making it worse. Li Yuangui stammered incoherently until, seeing Cheng Yaojin's dark features twist further, he fell silent, wishing he could slap himself.
Li Yuangui, he cursed inwardly, what difference is there between you—powerless to save anyone yet gossiping behind their backs—and those petty, jealous rumor-mongers?
While he couldn't choose his own bride, Wei Shufen had already chosen for his sake the path she'd once rather die than take. Months ago, unwilling to be sold in marriage to Cheng Yaojin, she'd fled recklessly into the forbidden garden of the Temple of Common Vocation, stirring up tremendous trouble. She'd endured all manner of pain and hardship, facing death unrepentant... all for nothing.
Now she had returned home. Obeying her parents, agreeing to marry this man old enough to be her grandfather—this fierce, ugly warrior. For Li Yuangui's sake.
He had no grounds to demand Cheng Yaojin break the engagement. Even if he did, canceling the marriage would only harm Wei Shufen. If not the Lady of the Duke of Su, where would the Wei family's first daughter go?
The entire court and all of Chang'an knew she was General Cheng's intended bride. Calling it off now would invite endless gossip, further damaging the innocent girl's reputation and possibly tarnishing even Chancellor Wei's household standing. Neither Cheng Yaojin nor Wei Xuancheng would permit it, and certainly the Son of Heaven and Empress wouldn't support their younger brother's selfish whims...
Cheng Yaojin slumped onto the carpet, crossing his legs as he pondered with evident distress, muttering indistinctly before finally sighing deeply:
"So that's how it is... I wondered... Now I understand."
The formidable general tilted his head, fixing his months-long prisoner with a stare before chuckling darkly:"I remember now. Early spring in Xianyang, near the warehouses of those foreign merchants' mule and horse caravans, that was the first time I saw Miss Wei of the Wei family, and you, Prince Wu, were there too. When the Purple Void Monastery came to arrest you, Fourteenth Young Master, she stepped forward to stop them. And later... even when she was about to be married, she still sent letters asking Old Cheng to plead for Prince Wu's sake. How could I not have realized it then?... Only today did it dawn on me. The bride Old Cheng paid a hefty betrothal gift for, the sweetheart she pines for in her heart—it's you, Fourteenth Young Master, isn't it?"
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