Chapter Three: Forced Marriage in Blood Chapter Seventeen: Making a Plan

“If only she could come to her senses sooner!” Madam Duan glanced once more at the fluttering white banners in the Ye family’s mourning hall, sighed, and departed.

“Auntie, didn’t I say I wanted to be alone for a while?” As soon as she entered, Yu Bing was greeted by Ye Kaixin’s irritable words. Perhaps she had heard Yu Bing’s approaching footsteps, for she turned her head with a look of impatience and snapped, “Why are you—” She stopped abruptly, realizing the visitor was not the familiar Madam Duan but an unknown, beautiful young woman. Her expression grew blank as she asked, “Who are you? I don’t believe we’ve met?”

“You are the second Miss of the Ye family? Ye Kaixin?” From her scrutinizing gaze, Yu Bing understood she was being sized up. She in turn examined the girl who had stirred up so much trouble in town: up close, the bereaved girl looked fragile. Her face was delicately shaped, features exquisitely arranged, lips tightly pressed in grief and anger, her complexion pale. She wore mourning white, her spirit drained, eyes void of hope.

Yet Yu Bing noticed a resolve in her gaze that ordinary people lacked—a determination that made her seem like a sword yet unsheathed, its deadly aura contained within.

“Call me Yu Bing,” Yu Bing introduced herself as she walked to the two spirit tablets. She took incense from the altar, lit it, offered three solemn bows, then placed the incense in its holder and moved quietly to Ye Kaixin’s side.

“My resolve is firm. I need no more persuasion.” Before Yu Bing could speak, Ye Kaixin coldly shut down any attempt at conversation.

“I know how you feel,” Yu Bing replied, her eyes fixed on the girl's. “Let me ask you just one thing: ‘Are you willing to let him get away so easily?’”

“Of course not! I wish I could tear him apart, drink his blood!” Each word was a cry of pain, every sentence steeped in sorrow. Her eyes reddened as she glared at Yu Bing, gritting her teeth. “I would rather torment him slowly, but…” She looked up, tears brimming in her eyes. “What can I do? He’s destroyed my martial arts. I have no option but to marry him, and on the wedding night, take his life with a blade. There is nothing else left for me!”

“And what about you?” Yu Bing could see she meant every word. If she hadn’t come today, there would soon be three more deaths. “What then? Are you planning to die as well? What about your father? He’s surely being tortured in prison, battered and bruised. If you die, what will become of him? Do you want him to suffer and die in agony?”

“I… I want revenge! For my mother and sister!”

“And what about your father’s vengeance? Are you going to abandon it?”

“I…”

“Your mother gave her life to save you. Was it so you could die again? Your sister chose to be burned alive to protect you—was it just to postpone your death? If they knew you would make such a choice, they would regret saving you!”

“But…”

“I believe your mother and sister faced death bravely because they knew you were clever, and would find a way to save your father.” Yu Bing sighed, then went on, “Sadly, they overestimated your strength, and now you’re thinking of perishing with that scoundrel. Do you think it’s worth it?”

“What else can I do? Even the magistrate obeys him.” A trace of hesitation flickered in Ye Kaixin’s eyes. “His father is the prefect of Zhongzhou, a senior official. In a small place like Yixiang Town, his authority is absolute. Who could oppose him?”

“Don’t forget, Xu Liang holds no official position.” Yu Bing turned toward the door, watching butterflies flutter freely outside. “The magistrate only listens to him to curry favor with his father. But would Xu Liang dare let his father know about all this? I doubt it!” Turning back to Ye Kaixin, Yu Bing continued, “If his father learned of these deeds, would Xu Liang still act with impunity?”

“But…” Ye Kaixin lowered her head, softly protesting, “He is, after all, Master Xu’s own son.” Then she looked up, hope flickering in her eyes as she weakly asked, “Would he really kill his own son for the sake of an outsider like me?”

“That depends on whether this imperial official truly deserves the people’s praise.” Yu Bing encouraged her, “At the very least, it could ensure your father’s safe release.”

“You? Don’t tell me you’re a disguised imperial inspector on a secret tour?” Ye Kaixin’s face showed surprise.

“You’re overthinking it. If I were an official, I would have acted long ago.” Seeing her expression, Yu Bing realized the misunderstanding and replied with a wry smile, “I’m a commoner, just like you.”

“Then how…” Ye Kaixin looked at her in confusion. If Yu Bing had no background, how could she reach Master Xu? And even if she did, how could she convince him to return? What reason could she give? Was she supposed to say: ‘Your son has killed someone! You must return and execute him to atone for others!’?

“Don’t worry about that. Just trust me—your father will return safely tomorrow. If you insist on your current course, I can’t stop you from seeking vengeance. I can simply leave, as if I was never here.” Yu Bing saw the turmoil in her eyes and sighed, regretful as she prepared to leave. She had truly done all she could.

“Are you certain you can rescue my father tomorrow? Can you guarantee it?” As Yu Bing stepped regretfully out the door, Ye Kaixin’s uncertain voice called from behind.

“If you follow my plan, I am seventy percent confident,” Yu Bing replied, smiling gently as she turned to the girl now close beside her. The change in Ye Kaixin was remarkable; she seemed to have found new hope, no longer shrouded in despair.

“For my father, I’ll agree!” Ye Kaixin stepped over the threshold to stand with Yu Bing. “Tell me, what must I do?”

“Go along with the plan. Marry him tomorrow,” Yu Bing’s lips curved upward; she had known Ye Kaixin would agree.

“What!? You…” Ye Kaixin recoiled, glaring angrily at Yu Bing.

“For your father, you promised to listen to me.” Anticipating her anger, Yu Bing turned and stared back, speaking each word deliberately.

“You’d better have a good reason…” Ye Kaixin clenched her fists tightly. She didn’t understand—if the outcome was the same, what had Yu Bing promised? Was it all just a game?

“I can bring Master Xu back tomorrow, personally.”

“Fine, I keep my word! Tell me, what do you want me to do?”

“Marry him tomorrow.”

“…All right.”

Yixiang Town, Elegant Residence Inn.

The inn was large, the most prominent building in town. From the third floor, the view was wide; bridges and rooftops stretched below. Outside, vendors called out their wares, their voices rising and falling, while clusters of people gathered to whisper about yesterday’s bizarre wedding. The town was too small to compare with Luoyang, and yesterday’s events were too momentous, witnessed by too many. No matter how populous and powerful the Xu family was, the rumors could not be silenced.

As she listened to the gossip, Yu Bing leisurely picked up her teacup and took a small sip. She brushed the floating leaves from the surface with the lid and gazed again out the window.

“You’re remarkably calm!” Folding his fan and placing it on the table’s edge, Zhang Huai sat down.

“Please,” Yu Bing gestured indifferently toward the teacup before him.

Zhang Huai pushed the cup aside and slumped over the table, his brow creased in worry. “I’m not in the mood.” He pointed to the misty mountains outside, looking at Yu Bing. “See the sky? The sun is setting, smoke rises from the rooftops. Less than half an hour and it’ll be dark.” He tapped his fingers on the table to remind Yu Bing.

“Tell me what you’ve found out.” Yu Bing glanced at the abused table, ignoring his impatience.

“Whenever I talk about that Xu family scoundrel, I want to smack him!” Zhang Huai sat up, indignation on his face. “He relies on his high-ranking father to commit countless wicked deeds. He was always a rake, but he still had a shred of conscience—never went too far, never took lives.” Hearing this, Yu Bing stared at Zhang Huai in surprise. Was he really describing Xu Liang, the notorious villain?

Seeing her shock, Zhang Huai nodded, sharing her astonishment. “Strange, isn’t it? I thought so too. I even suspected I’d been told about the wrong person. After repeated checks, it was indeed him. Digging deeper, I learned his corruption began after he took a new master on the road back half a year ago.”

“This master is highly suspicious,” Yu Bing said, quietly turning her teacup, eyes narrowed.

“Do you think his master could be Su Liuyun?” Zhang Huai speculated, continuing to tap the table. It seemed he was set on sparring with that poor tabletop.

“Unlikely,” Yu Bing paused, her hand still on the cup, then shook her head. “I trust my medicine.”

“Then who is this master?” Zhang Huai, hearing her certainty, began to speculate wildly again. “Could it be connected to the ‘master’ Su Liuyun mentioned?” Suddenly, he stared at Yu Bing. “Do you think he’s here for you?”

“It’s hard to say. This is the main route from Qinghe to Luoyang. If I were him, I’d choose this spot for an ambush.” She subconsciously turned her cup, gazed at the quietly resting bundle beside her, and said with a hint of melancholy, “I think Xu Liang’s lust ruined his master’s plan. We must resolve everything here and leave before they find a remedy.”

“Looks like you already have a plan.”