Help! I don't want to get married, I don't want to get married!

Afternoon at Suoyan Road

Suoyan Road was a very narrow street lined with thatched huts on both sides. The people living here made a living by foraging for wild herbs, and they probably could not even afford a single meal of regular white rice or wheat flour. There were about twenty-odd households living here. However, despite wearing coarse hemp clothing and eating wild fruits and vegetables, they were very friendly to their neighbors. They often chatted and played together. Instead of sorrowful expressions, their faces wore mostly smiles—a spirit of finding joy in adversity.

Yue'er went in first to check whether Ouyang Ye had returned. They had already decided on a division of labor: Yue'er was responsible for reconnaissance, while Qiqi, Shang Zhixia, and Dugu Jing were in charge of the performance. They found a hidden spot to change their costumes and prepared to put on a good show for Ouyang Ye as soon as he returned. Shang Zhixia and Qiqi played the roles of lovers forced into a clandestine elopement, while Dugu Jing played Qiqi's father. Naturally, they needed some makeup. Shang Zhixia and Qiqi changed into the villagers' clothes that Yue'er had bought, ruffled their hair, and smeared yellow loess dust on their faces so that they looked entirely like refugees. As for Dugu Jing, who was to play the one pursuing them, he was dressed up as a drunkard, complete with glued-on sideburns and ordinary clothes. When Dugu Jing produced a pair of fake whiskers, it startled everyone; no one expected him to carry such disguising props on his person, which showed true dedication. Then, putting on the old servants' clothes that Qiqi and the others had brought, he truly looked the part.

Yue'er saw what appeared to be that man entering the entrance of Suoyan Road. She brushed past him. Ouyang Ye was a young man of medium build. Yue'er cast a sidelong glance at Ouyang Ye and happened to lock eyes with him. Yue'er felt that Ouyang Ye's gaze was exceptionally fierce and cold, causing the hair on her arms to stand on end even though she had experienced many trials and tribulations. That was how freezing Ouyang Ye's gaze was. Yue'er walked past without changing her expression. She knew Ouyang Ye might have his suspicions, since Ouyang Ye should be familiar with the people here. Ouyang Ye obviously knew she was not a local resident, but she did not look back and continued walking. Yue'er walked up to Qiqi and said, "Proceed with the utmost caution. If anything happens, hide behind Lord Minister Shang; he will protect you!" The reason they chose Shang Zhixia to act was because Shang Zhixia knew a bit of martial arts. Although he could not compare to Dugu Jing, he was still better than Yue'er, who had lost all her martial arts skills.

Qiqi nodded and whispered into Yue'er's ear, "Sister Yue, don't worry, Qiqi knows her limits!" She did not understand why Yue'er had instructed her to say he was her older brother. Hadn't old man Yang told them to say she was Yang Wentai's wife? Would this count as disobeying old man Yang's orders? But after a moment of thought, old man Yang wasn't here anyway, and he wouldn't find out, which put Qiqi's mind at ease. Qiqi could not yet fully appreciate Yue'er's good intentions, but one day she would understand, and that day wouldn't be too far off.

Yue'er nodded at Qiqi to signal that she was reassured, then came over to report to Shang Zhixia, "He's back, and his gaze is very fierce. Be careful!" Shang Zhixia glanced at Dugu Jing, who signaled with his eyes that he was ready.

Shang Zhixia came over to Qiqi's side and said, "Don't be nervous. Just follow what we discussed earlier and everything will be fine!" With that, he took Qiqi's hand and ran into Suoyan Road. Although Qiqi was not frightened, she felt her heart beating exceptionally fast and could not help blushing. This was the first time a young man had held her hand. Looking at Shang Zhixia as he ran, Qiqi thought he was the most handsome man in the world. She had never felt this way before. Young girls in ancient times were very innocent and rarely had the opportunity to have such physical contact with men, so naturally, she felt shy.

After they had run for a while, Dugu Jing followed closely behind. Shang Zhixia led Qiqi right up to the front door of Ouyang Ye's house. Qiqi intentionally pretended to trip and fall. Seeing Dugu Jing approaching, Qiqi cried out, "Help! I don't want to marry, I don't want to marry..." As Dugu Jing drew closer, Qiqi broke down in tears and said, "Father, please spare me! How can your heart bear to make me marry a man of your own age? Father!" She glanced sideways at Shang Zhixia, who gestured for her to continue. Qiqi went on, "Father, your daughter knows that Mother died early and it wasn't easy for you to raise me alone. In the future, Brother Shang and I will take good care of you and show you filial piety. I beg you, stop forcing your daughter, I beg you..." Their performance drew a crowd of onlookers, and Yue'er also came over, taking advantage of the gathering crowd.