Chapter 13: Chapter 13: A Married Woman

"Xiao Xu?" Li Yingshan breathed in shock.

She couldn't believe it. The man sitting in front of her now was her former betrothed? Though she had never met him, she didn't expect to either, especially in Luoyang.

He nodded. "I suppose I should formally introduce myself now. I'm Xu Haoran许浩然 xǔ hàorán - given name meaning "Grand in Manner" or "Awe-Inspiring". My father is your father's sworn brother."

She tipped her head. "Li Yingshan."

Xu Haoran watched her carefully. "You have something else to say. I can see it."

She shook her head. "I still don't understand why you'd marry me. I'm disgraced, invalided, and a ruined woman. Surely, I'd bring down your reputation in the Jianghu."

"Don't bother with reputation. I'm marrying you because I don't believe in your father's justification for breaking our engagement. To me, we're still betrothed."

With her head still bowed, she thought, Oh, so it's just duty. He's marrying me because of his principles. Nothing else.

A slight twinge of sadness flickered in her gaze.

He continued, "Tell me one thing, why did you leave Longxin City?"

Her eyes widened as her head shot up. "Why do you want to know that?"

"Because I'm curious. How did you, the Third Young Lady of the Li family, wind up here in Luoyang as a courtesan?"

She lowered her gaze and explained, "I fled from home. After my downfall, my father kept me under house arrest. He broke off our engagement, saying he didn't want me to disgrace you as well. I was wasting away with nothing to do. Only my maid, Qiu Ling, cared about me. So I chose to leave and brought her with me."

Xu Haoran's eyes blazed with a fury. She flinched, startling him. But before he could say anymore, a knock sounded at the door.

"My Lady, sorry for interrupting, but I've come to bring you your medicine."

Li Yingshan raised her head. "Qiu Ling, come in."

Her maid entered and kept her eyes down when she saw Xu Haoran. She scurried over and held out the tray with the bowl of medicine on it. Li Yingshan reached for it, but he took it first.

"Let me."

Shocked again, Li Yingshan could only allow herself to be spoon-fed by Xu Haoran. Qiu Ling stared, confused and dumbfounded. When the medicine was finished, he set the bowl back on the tray.

Glancing at Qiu Ling, he asked, "Is this your maid?"

Li Yingshan nodded. "This is Qiu Ling. Qiu Ling, this is Xu Haoran... my husband."

Qiu Ling choked. She looked at them. But then, something dawned on her.

"My Lady, Xu?"

She nodded, affirming her guess. "Xu Haoran is Xiao Xu."

∇

The next morning, Qiu Ling packed up all of their belongings. Madam Meng and the other courtesans bid them farewell as Qiu Ling and Li Yingshan exited Dream House. Outside, waiting for them, was a horse and carriage. Xu Haoran was holding onto the reins. He stepped forward and helped both women into the carriage. Then, he swung himself up onto the horse and flicked the reins.

"Ch! Ch! Ch!"

They pulled away from Dream House. Li Yingshan turned slightly and drew aside the curtain over the back window. She looked out over the capital. On the horizon stood the Imperial Palace.

I hope the Seventh Prince's plan falls into place.

"Qiu Ling," she murmured quietly.

"Yes, my Lady?" Qiu Ling whispered back.

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"Did you leave Han Shaolei a message at Jade Bell Inn?"

"Yes, my Lady. I said we're returning to Longxin City and to contact us by way of Ten Thousand Ways Restaurant."

Li Yingshan nodded, satisfied. "Good."

Then, she sighed.

In a normal volume, she said, "I never thought I'd be returning to Longxin City. This is like a dream."

"My Lady," Qiu Ling also returned to a normal volume. "At least we're not returning to the Li family manor."

Li Yingshan shook her head. "I doubt anyone will be pleased to see me. Magistrate Niu is too close with my father. If my family still scorns me, the whole city will alienate me."

Xu Haoran heard her words, and his fists clenched. I won't let anyone harm you. You are my wife now. If they dare to offend you, they'll have to deal with me.

The ride was casual and leisurely, much different from the escape five years prior. Li Yingshan and Qiu Ling relaxed inside the carriage.

Finally, Qiu Ling asked quietly, "My Lady, are you going to tell Young Master the truth?"

Li Yingshan looked up from her book of scriptures and murmured, "Not just yet. Whatever reason Hero Xu had for coming to find me, I still haven't figured it out. If he has ulterior motives, I want to keep on guard."

"Hero Xu?"

"I'm not the Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda for nothing. Do you really think I'm not aware my husband is a Hero of the Jianghu? I have people keep a very detailed report of the Jianghu. I know everything my family has done over the past five years. I know about every Hero and every Elite of the Jianghu."

Qiu Ling was surprised. "I never knew my Lady kept tabs on the Jianghu."

"I just made sure Han Shaolei reported it to me separately. Longxin City is growing more and more corrupted. If they dare to go after me, I will bring them down with me."

∇

When they finally arrived in Longxin City, the residents all came out to greet Xu Haoran.

"Hero Xu!"

"Welcome home, Hero Xu!"

"Hero Xu!"

He nodded to them and continued on to his small manor. Out front, he stopped the horse and dismounted. A manservant came running out who began to unload the luggage from the back. Xu Haoran walked back to the carriage and pulled aside the drape.

From behind a corner, two figures were watching everything. Their eyes widened when they saw a familiar maid step out. She turned around and held out her hand. Then, shock filled their faces when they saw a wheelchair being set up and an invalided woman was helped into it.

The two sped away and returned home. They barged into their father's room, disturbing him and their mother.

"Qin'er, Ying'er, what is it?"

Li Yingqin and Li Yingying fell to their knees and kowtowed. "Father, you'll never believe it!"

Old Li's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"Hero Xu's returned to Longxin City. And, and he brought a wife back with him!"

"What? A wife? Who is it?" Mrs. Li asked.

Old Li leaned forward in his seat. "Spit it out, quickly! Who has Xiao Xu married?"

Li Yingqin and Li Yingying shared a glanced between them before blurting out, "Li Yingshan!"

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