Volume 1, Chapter 20: The Uninvited Guest at the Matchmaking Banquet

Meigong Xue’s eyes widened in an instant, a thunderous roar echoing in her mind. She simply could not believe the name she had just heard.

She had never expected it to be this man!

Back then, her father had risked offending the Prince of Ning and eventually chose to go to the battlefield precisely because he refused to agree to this betrothal.

How... how could he dare to do this?!

Mei Yanjun seemed to be saying something more, but Meigong Xue’s mind was a chaotic blur; she could not hear a word he said. Even after Mei Yanjun had left, she remained unable to accept the reality of the situation.

During her interrogation, most of the scars on her body had been inflicted by that very man. Did Mei Yanjun and the others not know how terrified she was of him? She had just escaped one fiery pit, and they were already so impatient to push her into another?

Even if she had to shave her head and become a nun for the rest of her life, she would never marry a man like him!

However, Mei Yanjun’s words had clearly carried a tone of threat. Meigong Xue’s body trembled slightly with rage, and tears threatened to fall, but she quickly tilted her head back, forcing them back by sheer willpower.

When she finally managed to calm herself, she felt a profound, bone-deep exhaustion. As she opened her eyes again, they were bloodshot, staring listlessly at a spot on the ceiling.

Forget it. Her life was already ruined; why bother struggling?

In the few days since she had returned to the Marquis’s residence, she had been actively planning her future. She had been diligently saving her meager treasury and practicing skills that might earn her a living. Even knowing her time might be short, she had been planning how to provide for those around her.

Yet, why did Heaven always treat her this way?

Looking at the roof beams, Meigong Xue was suddenly seized by an impulse. If she were to just hang herself, wouldn't it be much easier?

Without realizing it, she numbly moved a chair over and untied her sash. She tossed it up gently and tied a slipknot.

Forget it, just let it end like this. She no longer wanted to live with a body full of scars and humiliation!

Just as she slowly approached the white silk, a "clinking" sound occurred—something on her head had been knocked loose. She looked down, and upon seeing what it was, she suddenly burst into painful sobs.

It was that peach blossom hairpin!

"Father, they are all bullying me!"

Yet, after this bout of crying, Meigong Xue’s mindset had completely shifted.

Isn't it just marriage? It’s not as if she hadn't been married before! As the daughter of a dignified military family, she wasn't even afraid of death—could she really be afraid of a mere Zhou Fu?

Hmph, at worst, it would just be a case of the white blade going in and the red blade coming out!

Meigong Xue was shocked by her own change in attitude. In short—she was going all in!

Perhaps people are just like this; they might seek death in a moment of despair, but as long as someone gives them a hand, they can pull through. She looked at the peach blossom hairpin in her hand and pinned it back into her hair.

To Meigong Xue’s surprise, Mei Yanjun seemed even more impatient than she had imagined. The very next day, he arranged a meeting with Zhou Fu at a teahouse and specifically instructed her to wear new clothes.

Yishui Pavilion was a newly opened teahouse in the capital, a towering structure three stories high. Unlike the bustle outside, the interior was decorated with great elegance. When Mei Yanjun led Meigong Xue inside, Zhou Fu was already waiting.

After both sides were seated, Zhou Fu kept sizing her up with an intentional yet subtle gaze. "It has been a few days, Miss Mei; you seem different from before!"

Meigong Xue pursed her lips. "Do I?"

Zhou Fu nodded with certainty. After all, two days ago, when Meigong Xue saw him, she had trembled with fear! As a man who spent his life interrogating prisoners, his powers of observation were sharp. He had expected that when Meigong Xue learned their betrothal was back on the table, she would be terrified to the point of tears or look as pale as death. It certainly shouldn't have been like this—facing him with such calm and composure.

In short, he felt as if something had stirred a fierce spirit within Meigong Xue, allowing her to overcome her fear of him! Zhou Fu curved his lips slightly; he found this quite interesting.

Mei Yanjun was still quite worried about Meigong Xue, fearing she might say something inappropriate, so he sat to the side and said earnestly:

"Xiaoxue, Magistrate Zhou is now a dignified sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Justice and a capable lieutenant to the Prince of Ning. His future is limitless! You two were betrothed to begin with; if you can come together, it will surely be a beautiful story!"

Meigong Xue shot him a cold glance. Which family chooses a husband for their daughter solely based on rank and career? Whether the man’s background was clean, his character upright, or his temperament gentle—her "good brother" cared about none of these things!

Mei Yanjun seemed to realize his words sounded too mercenary and immediately tried to make amends: "Besides, Magistrate Zhou is handsome, possesses an extraordinary bearing, and is a kind-hearted, warm-natured man!"

Kind-hearted? Warm-natured?

Meigong Xue looked at him with a mix of surprise and shock. Even Zhou Fu looked over, thinking to himself that he, a notorious, ruthless official, could one day be associated with the words "kind-hearted" and "warm-natured!"

Mei Yanjun coughed awkwardly. "I’ll go fetch a pot of tea. It’s not the first time you two have met; get to know each other. Even if there were any misunderstandings, they can be resolved!"

After saying this, he stood up and left, leaving the two of them alone.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo curtains, bathing the tea-scented room in warmth. Meigong Xue washed the teacups without haste and poured him a cup. "Try it!"

Zhou Fu’s eyes crinkled; he clearly hadn't expected her to take the initiative. "Miss Mei, what are your thoughts on our marriage? Don’t worry, I don’t like to force people!"

Meigong Xue’s hand paused, and she frowned at him. The phrase "I don’t like to force people" was one of Zhou Fu’s catchphrases—though he usually only said it right before he began torturing a prisoner. Meigong Xue felt he was doing it on purpose, deliberately trying to evoke bad memories.

"May I ask Magistrate Zhou a question?"

"Ask away."

"Given my current status, why would you agree to marry me?"

Zhou Fu shrugged. "The Prince of Ning arranged it."

Meigong Xue furrowed her brows in thought. Zhou Fu picked up the teapot and personally poured her a cup. "Your hands are injured; do less of this kind of work in the future."

He then leaned back in his chair. "I am from Cheng Prefecture. I was born during a great disaster and was an orphan; my foster father raised me. My household is simple, and over the years, I’ve gained a poor reputation in the court, and my temper is... average."

It took Meigong Xue a moment to realize he was disclosing his background to her!

Zhou Fu rambled on for a while before sitting up straight and taking a brocade box from his robe. "Though this is a political marriage, if you truly marry me, I will accord you the respect a wife deserves!"

He pushed the brocade box toward her. "This is a gift I have prepared for you. If you agree, please accept it. If you do not, please send someone to return it to the Ministry of Justice in half a month!"

Meigong Xue was slightly surprised by his straightforwardness, and curious about what was in the box, she reached out to take it.

At that moment, the door was kicked open with a violent crash.

A shout came from the intruder: "Don't take it!"

The two in the room turned their heads in unison. The person who had arrived was... Ji Yunchu?