Chapter Three: Bloodshed and Forced Marriage Chapter Eighteen: A Sham Wedding

Yu Bing smiled faintly, lifted the teacup for a gentle sip, then set it down and turned to ask him, “Is it possible to travel to the Commander's Mansion and return in a single day from here?”

“One day? Do you think I can fly?” The tapping of fingers halted; Zhang Huai looked at Yu Bing with a face full of dismay.

“With a fast horse and your lightness skills!”

“I suppose… it might be possible!?”

“If you can’t, four lives will vanish!”

“How did it become four?”

“Don’t forget—I count as well!”

“…”

The following day, at mid-morning, on the main street of Yixiang Town.

With a thunderous string of firecrackers, a wedding procession clad in brilliant red began its march from one end of the long street, heading toward the Ye family’s garden amid the blaring of suona horns.

“Looks like that scoundrel is out to snatch another bride!”

“Sigh, I wonder who will lose their life today…”

“Why doesn’t that villain just die? Only then would this place truly be at peace!”

“Haven’t you heard? Good people die young, while evil ones linger for generations!”

“It’s just a pity for such a beautiful woman…”

At the same moment, in the boudoir of Ye Kaixin, at the Ye family’s garden.

“That’s better! If you’d thought it through sooner, Huiniang and Ruyi wouldn’t have… Ah! It’s all fate.” Madam Duan muttered while helping her tidy the bridal attire. “Kaixin, once you marry, you’ll be a member of the Xu household. Everything before is over—don’t dwell on it. Especially in front of him, never have other thoughts. Once your father is rescued, stay quietly in the Xu house. As long as you live, he’ll spare your father. Do you understand?”

Once the dressing was done, she picked up a comb and began the most important ritual in a woman’s life:

“With this first stroke, may love last until old age.
With the second, may you forever be united and respectful.
The third stroke brings children and grandchildren in abundance.
From beginning to end, may you ever share joy and prosperity.”

After the combing ritual, Madam Duan took out a carefully prepared apple and handed it to Kaixin. “Keep it safe—don’t lose it!” As soon as Kaixin took the apple, Madam Duan fetched the red bridal veil and covered her head, then clapped her hands and said to Yu Bing, who was watching, “It’s all done!”

“Madam, would you step out for a moment? I have some private words for Kaixin.” With a gentle smile, Yu Bing quietly ushered the talkative Madam Duan out, bolted the door, and turned to the bride in crimson. “Are you ready? I’m about to begin!”

“Go ahead.”

…

By late morning at the Xu residence.

Though it was also a festive day, compared to the bleakness at the Ye family’s garden, there was far more cheer here: arched bridges over flowing streams, decorated pillars and corridors—every corner adorned for celebration. The maids and servants bustled about with smiling faces, and the grand courtyard rang with merry voices.

Guests in their finery streamed in through the gates, exchanging pleasantries and compliments.

Xu Liang, radiant in his groom’s attire and sporting a brilliant floral corsage, stood at the entrance, graciously greeting the endless line of well-wishers.

Awaiting the auspicious hour…

“Where is the young master?” The master of ceremonies, also clad in red, pulled aside Xu Liang’s personal servant.

“At the gate, welcoming guests with the steward.”

“Hurry and fetch him! The auspicious hour is nearly here!”

“Right away!”

…

Meanwhile, at the Yixiang Town magistrate’s office.

“Hurry, the auspicious hour is almost here! As the county magistrate, I cannot arrive late!” The somewhat rotund magistrate snatched his hat from his wife’s hands, perched it atop his head, seized a folding fan, and hurried to the door.

“Remember to return early!” his still-elegant wife called after him from the doorway.

“Go back inside—I know!” he replied, already halfway across the courtyard.

Suddenly, a rapid roll of drums echoed across Yixiang Town, and a curious crowd began gathering at the magistrate’s gate.

“Hey! Who is that handsome young scholar?”

“No idea—must be from out of town. Never seen him before!”

“Why is he striking the drum of injustice?”

“Could someone in his family have died?”

“Hush, don’t jinx it!”

“Exactly. Can’t you wish others well?”

…

Of all those inconvenienced by the drum, the magistrate was the most vexed. He was just about to step into his sedan when the drum sounded. Sighing, he withdrew his foot and returned to the office.

“To court!” Several officers, wielding batons, jogged in and lined up in two rows. “Majesty… and strength!”

The registrar, robed for duty, slapped his casebook onto the desk and called out, “Bring the plaintiff!”

A figure in pale blue, led by the bailiffs, entered the hall. Disguised as a young scholar, Yu Bing stood at the center. Immediately, the bailiffs behind barked, “Kneel!” and attempted to force her down.

Yu Bing’s heart already burned with indignation. Even in the imperial palace, she had only called the emperor “Uncle” sweetly—never had she knelt. Especially not for a mere county magistrate!

With this in mind, she spoke sharply, “How presumptuous!”

A surge of inner force sent the two bailiffs stumbling back several steps. Embarrassed under so many eyes, they gripped their batons and moved to rush her again.

“Enough!” the magistrate commanded from within. He had observed everything and sensed the air of authority about this youth—clearly not ordinary. Best to hear him out.

“His Honor enters the hall!” At the registrar’s cry, the bailiffs banged their batons to the floor.

Seated, the magistrate slammed the gavel. “Who stands before me?”

“A passing merchant, Li Yubing.”

“What is your grievance?”

“I accuse Xu Liang, son of Xu Zhong, Prefect of Central Province, of poisoning with the Ye family’s flower poison to murder, of imprisoning Ye Qing, and of coercing the second Miss Ye into submission, resulting in the deaths of her mother and sister!”

As the unlucky bailiffs retreated, Yu Bing stood tall, her tone heavy.

A stone cast into a pond—the crowd erupted in commotion.

The magistrate trembled, his hat falling off. He bent to retrieve it and, uncertain, asked again, “W-who did you say you’re accusing?”

“That villain, Xu Liang!” Yu Bing replied coldly, fixing the magistrate with an icy stare.

“He dares to say it aloud!”

“Everyone in Yixiang Town knows the magistrate himself takes orders from Xu Liang!”

“Finally, someone seeks justice for the Ye family!”

“May good be rewarded with good!”

“Let’s hope…”

Having steadied his hat, the magistrate regarded the proud, extraordinary scholar and kindly warned, “Do you know who his father is?”

“Xu Zhong, Prefect of Central Province, rank five,” Yu Bing replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

“And my rank?” the magistrate asked, leaning back.

“County magistrate, rank seven,” Yu Bing answered, understanding his intent.

“Exactly. I am but a seventh-rank official,” the magistrate said, brushing imaginary dust from his robe and preparing to leave. “Take back your complaint. My rank is insufficient.”

“Sir, you misunderstand,” Yu Bing called out as he turned to leave. “I am accusing Xu Liang, not Lord Xu.”

“What difference does it make?” the magistrate asked, turning back with a frown.

“Perhaps you forget—Xu Liang holds no official rank. He is just a commoner!” Yu Bing’s voice was icy.

“You… How can you be so tactless?” the magistrate grumbled, pointing at Yu Bing. “You want a mere seventh-rank magistrate to challenge a high-ranking official? Are you trying to get me killed?”

“If you deny redress for grievances, can you bear the consequences as a seventh-rank magistrate?” Yu Bing retorted, flashing a jade pendant before the magistrate’s eyes—its flash too swift to see, but he caught a glimpse of a five-clawed golden dragon.

“What is this?” he asked, puzzled.

“There is injustice in the Ye family case, and several lives are at stake. I now order you to reopen the investigation. Do you object?”

“No, no objections! I… I will give orders at once…” At the sight of the jade, his attitude changed at once. Clearly, this person concealed a great identity—for whatever reason, he had no choice but to comply.

Hurriedly, he circled the desk, fetched tea from a servant, and personally set the cup before Yu Bing, asking quietly, “Where shall we begin?”

“Start with the body of the one who died from the flower poison.”

“That… the body has been buried nearly a month!”

“Then exhume the coffin for autopsy!”

At the Xu residence, noon—the auspicious hour.

“The bride has arrived!” With the master of ceremonies’ loud proclamation, Ye Kaixin, resplendent in red, entered the hall, supported by two Xu maids.

“The groom, please take your place!”

Everyone crowded in, eager to behold the bride who had stirred the entire city.

When Xu Liang reached the altar, the auspicious hour had come.