CHAPTER 15

RUAN YANJUN

I took the seat that Luo Fan had vacated when he left to meet Princess Xinnu. I had wanted to take him back home immediately, but Luo Fan himself was convinced that it would not be proper to leave without greeting the celebrant first. Now, the princess was clinging to his arm like a leech and the poor priest had no idea how to escape.

Shi Tengfei was smiling while watching his daughter flirt with Luo Fan. I tried not to look at them anymore because I might just throw up.

“Is it that amusing watching your daughter acting inappropriately before a priest?” I asked sarcastically.

He cleared his throat and tried to wear a stoic face. “She had never acted that way with any other men. I believe she’s just deeply smitten. Don’t they look great together?”

I scowled. That pairing was atrocious. Even a former whore like Jinjing would make a better partner for Luo Fan than that spoiled brat. “If you think you can convince me to agree with this marriage, you’re mistaken.”

“That’s for Priest Luo to decide.”

I squinted. This man was becoming a little too cunning. “Do you think he will say no? He knows that an emperor’s word is an order, so even if he does not like your daughter, he will not refuse. You are practically forcing him to marry your daughter against his will.”

He smiled again while watching his daughter as if he did not hear what I had said.

I grabbed Luo Fan’s cup of leftover wine and chugged it down.

Zeng Jie, who had just bent down to fill a new cup paused and stared at me. He was probably shocked that I had just drunk from another person’s cup.

“Fill it up,” I ordered.

He was about to fill the new cup when I interrupted.

“Not that. This one,” I said, referring to Luo Fan’s cup.

Zeng Jie did not dare utter a word and just did as I had told him.

I picked up the cup and looked at Shi Tengfei who was staring at me in puzzlement. Right before his eyes, I lifted the cup to my lips and took a small sip while giving him a meaningful look.

His jaw dropped as he got the subtle message. Perhaps that would dissuade him from trying to marry off his daughter to my A-Fan.

*****

LUO FAN

I looked around anxiously.

Princess Xinnu had invited me into the garden to take a look at her grandmother’s collection of herbs. I went along thinking I might find something useful. I did not notice that the servants had all left, leaving just the two of us.

It was already dark, but several lanterns illuminated the place which helped me navigate my way through the winding pathways even without my stick. Until I noticed that she was leading me to a dark spot.

“I think we should go back inside,” I said. It was bad enough that the emperor wanted to marry off his daughter to me. If we stayed here for too long and unescorted unescorted, the more reason he’d have to seal the marriage. Even Ruan Yanjun might not be able to save me.

“I thought you wanted to check on the herbs?” she replied. “We haven’t even gotten there yet.” Her arm tightened around mine and she even rested her head on my shoulder.

I stiffened.

Jinjing had sometimes acted that way with me, but her touch had been nothing but casual and sometimes sisterly, untainted by any other intention.

But Princess Xinnu’s was different. While she clung to my arm, her other hand stroked my bicep.

It made me feel uncomfortable.

I did not think there were any herbs in the garden either. She had been showing me flowers and ornamentals for the past few minutes instead.

“There’s no one here with us,” I said in an attempt to discretely dissuade her. “People might get the wrong impression.”

“What about it?” she returned. “His Majesty has already decided to have us married. Hasn’t he told you that earlier?”

My whole body went numb.

So this had been a trap. That was why they had come to get me when Ruan Yanjun was away. They even had my outfit prepared because tonight I would be engaged, and they had expected me to just bend a knee and accept the marriage without any protest.

She giggled, and suddenly, her fingers were wrapped around my neck, her body pressed against mine.

I was paralyzed, shocked beyond my wits.

“Priest Luo, the first time I saw you, I knew you’d be my husband.” She was slowly rising, and I knew she was going to kiss me.

I understood that she was a little drunk and had probably lost touch with propriety, so I felt obligated to protect her dignity.

“Your Highness,” I said as I gently held her on the shoulders to keep her in place, but he grabbed my head instead, tugging it down.

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Before our lips touched, I pushed her on the shoulders and stepped back at the same time.

Never had I expected that a decent woman could act in such a way. Not even Jinjing or her friends, who were considered by society as women of ill repute, had dared do such a thing to me.

When I looked at her again, she was already seated on the ground.

Frantic as I was, I might have pushed her a little too hard.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“You… you pushed me,” she cried. “How dare you push me away?”

“Your Highness, I apologize,” I replied calmly even if my heart was still beating erratically. “I didn’t mean to.”

“You are just a commoner. You should be honored that I even showed you the slightest interest.”

I was speechless. Just moments ago, she was very kind and sweet. Suddenly, she was reprimanding me for being a commoner.

“I apologize,” I said sincerely and extended my hand toward her. “Here. Let me help you.”

She slapped my hand away and stood up on her own. “After we’re married, don’t expect me to be a good wife to you.”

My jaw dropped. After this, she still wanted to marry me?

“Your Highness, I have not yet decided on the matter of marriage.”

“Are you saying you don’t want to marry me?”

At first, I wasn’t sure how to answer, but I decided to be honest about it. “Your Highness, you’ve seen my condition. I’m blind and sick. I am not worthy.”

She was quiet. For a moment, I thought she understood, when suddenly, a sharp shriek broke the silence of the surroundings.

I was stunned and my ears ached. Several footsteps came rushing out of the back door to see what was happening.

“Arrest him!” Princess Xinnu ordered, pointing a finger at me.

I had expected the guards to seize me right away, and honestly, I would have preferred it. I’d rather be imprisoned than get married to this terrifying woman.

But no one moved.

“Guards, seize him! He hurt me!” she screamed louder.

“Who do you want to be arrested?” Ruan Yanjun’s voice silenced everyone, including the princess.

For the second time this evening, Ruan Yanjun’s arrival had given me reprieve.

I rushed to hide behind his back, like a child running to his parent for protection after stirring trouble.

Before any man, I had never been afraid, but in the presence of this devious woman, I was suddenly a coward. I’d rather bear the domineering presence of two Ruan Yanjuns for an entire week than spend another minute with a creature named Princess Xinnu.

“It was an accident,” I explained. “She was touching me inappropriately and I pushed her a little too hard.”

Ruan Yanjun smirked. “And why are you hiding behind me?”

I flushed. I could not tell him that his back was the safest place to shelter me from the wicked woman. I could not hurt her. My upbringing had taught me that I should never hurt a woman because they were delicate, so I’d rather hide, even if I didn’t think this particular variety of a woman was anything delicate.

“Lord Ruan,” Princess Xinnu said. “Priest Luo pushed me for no reason and caused me injury. He deserves to be punished.”

“No reason you say?” Ruan Yanjun taunted. “He just told me you were doing inappropriate things to him, so he acted in defense of his virtue.”

I heard gasps and whispers from the onlookers, which probably embarrassed Princess Xinnu, and started screaming like the spoiled brat she was.

“Seize them both!” she cried. “Right now!”

The guards did not move.

“I said seize them now! If you don’t arrest them, His Majesty will have your heads!”

Still, no one moved.

Ruan Yanjun laughed deeply. “Your father must be hiding his face in shame right now. He won’t even come out to support you. Go back inside and continue celebrating your birthday. I’m taking Priest Luo away.”

“You will not take him away! We’re already engaged!”

“Ah, I’m surprised you think that way. So why do you want him punished?”

“I will be the one to punish him. As my future husband, he has to learn how to conduct himself properly in the presence of a woman.”

My eyes shut wide. Hearing the word ‘husband’ from her chilled me down my spine.

“From how I see it,” Ruan Yanjun said, “it’s you who lacks propriety not only in the presence of a reputable man like Priest Luo but also in the presence of the general public. Take a look around you. With so many onlookers, you’re behaving like an uncultured wretch in the street. If you don’t care about your own reputation, then at least consider your father’s status.”

I heard Princess Xinnu’s angry grunt, but she did not dare say another word.

Ruan Yanjun sighed. “General Xu, escort this lady inside. She’s getting on my nerves.”

Immediately, the general approached Princess Xinnu. When the princess refused to come along, General Xu carried her in his arms. She kicked and screamed but that did not stop the general from taking her back inside the hall.

“All of you, get back inside,” Ruan Yanjun ordered the rest of the onlookers.

A moment later, the garden was peaceful once again.

Ruan Yanjun turned to me and lightly tapped my nose. “Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, no one can touch you.”

I was still shaken by the prospect of marrying the princess that I did not bother with his playfulness. “We’re not really engaged, are we?”

“That’s just the princess’ delusion. It won’t happen. That woman is not worthy of you.”

“I think it’s the other way around.”

“If you were a noble, do you want to get married to that brat?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Of course, you won’t. Otherwise, I’d despise you for having such a ludicrous preference.”

“Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

He chuckled. “Do not get too involved with women. If they come too close to you, by all means, avoid them. Despite your physical condition, you’re still a much sought-after commodity. Knowing your origin makes you even more desirable.”

He made it sound like I’m a product being sold in the market.

“Does the princess know anything?” I asked.

“She does not. She likes you mainly because of your beauty, but Shi Tengfei does. Why else would he scheme behind my back and systemically coerce you into a marriage with his daughter?”

I was not surprised. Being the emperor, he had to be wise. The moment he learned of his daughter’s infatuation with me, he naturally had asked some people to investigate my background. But if he had known about my achievements in the past, he definitely should have known about my crime, as well. So why did he decide to still marry off his daughter to me?

“Don’t worry, Shi Tengfei does not share confidential information that comes his way. He’s a wise man. He keeps that information to his advantage.” Ruan Yanjun grabbed my wrist. “Let’s go.”

I went along without objection. Having offended the royal family, my best option was to stick close to Ruan Yanjun. He was the only one who could protect me.

He pulled me towards a pathway. The area was dark and I could not see anything, so I allowed him to guide me through until we stopped before a carriage.

We were back at the front yard and the guards still surrounded the place.

“Lord Ruan,” General Xu approached us, gasping as if he had been running for miles. “Are you leaving?”

“I’m taking back what you have stolen from me,” Ruan Yanjun replied. “The next time you take him away without my permission, I’ll have your head on a plate.”

General Xu quickly lowered his head and did not say a word.

Ruan Yanjun turned to me. “Get inside and take that robe off.”

Immediately, I climbed up the carriage and undid the belt around my waist. Even if Ruan Yanjun did not tell me, I definitely would not want to keep this robe anyway. It was too heavy and too intricate.

After removing the robe, I pushed the curtain aside and handed the heavy brocade to Ruan Yanjun. He returned it to General Xu.

“Allow us to accompany you back to your residence then,” the general offered.

“No need,” Ruan Yanjun quickly retorted. “I can protect Priest Luo on my own.”

When Ruan Yanjun climbed into the carriage, I moved aside to give him space. He sat down beside me and started pulling the accessories off my hair. He tossed them aside as if they were mere trash.

“You look a lot better without those glittering rubbish. They only ruin your perfection.”

I lowered my head as I felt heat flushing my cheeks. There was something awkward about the way he tried to praise me.

“Lin Si,” Ruan Yanjun referred to the coachman. “Let’s go.”

I suddenly remembered something. “We have not bid goodbye to His Majesty.”

“No need. After what his daughter has done, Shi Tengfei does not have the face to show right now.”

I stared at him with my mouth agape. Only this man could dare speak out the emperor’s real name. If he were a commoner, he would have been beheaded already.

One thing was certain, Ruan Yanjun was more powerful than the emperor himself.

I finally understood why everyone treated him with utmost respect. Emperor Yin was just Ruan Yanjun’s puppet. The real power in Xianru was Ruan Yanjun himself.