Chapter 39: Chapter 39: I Will Marry You in Grand Style
The Qiao Residence, inside the rockery pavilion.
Clear water flowed before the pavilion, the green stones picturesque. The man and woman standing within possessed a spirit and elegance that no painting could capture.
Li Chengxun was dressed in his usual white robes. Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting their patterned shadows upon his garments.
Ji Qingwu turned to the side to face him and said softly, "Mr. Li, I must first apologize to you."
At her apology, his tone became distant and cold. "Miss Ji, whatever you decide, you have no need to apologize to me."
Ji Qingwu’s gaze shifted from his refined profile to his fingers, which were curled at his sides.
’He clearly cares a great deal, yet he’s pretending to be indifferent.’
She cleared her throat and spoke again. "I just came from seeing Madam Qiao. I heard that you have already agreed to the marriage proposal between us."
Most women would be somewhat shy or flustered when speaking of their own marriage arrangements. But Ji Qingwu asked so directly, looking openly at Li Chengxun’s strikingly handsome face.
Sensing her studying his expression, Li Chengxun turned to face her directly.
The woman’s face was fair, her expression gentle. Her eyes were like misty waters, and a gentle breeze carried her faint fragrance to him. His own expression flickered.
Li Chengxun paused for a moment, then lowered his gaze. "Miss Ji, Madam Qiao was correct. I have already agreed to this marriage. If you’ve refused, then you’ve refused. There’s no need to apologize to me."
"Who said I refused?" Her voice was laced with confusion.
Li Chengxun looked up at her and saw that her face was full of mirth. Her eyes danced with life and spirit.
He frowned, seeking clarification. "Then why did you apologize?"
Ji Qingwu said regretfully, "I have to back out of our planned trip to Hanshan Temple. Something has come up unexpectedly, so I won’t be able to accompany you, Mr. Li."
Li Chengxun seemed to let out a long sigh of relief. He quickly said, "That’s fine. We will have other opportunities to visit Hanshan Temple in the future."
Ji Qingwu understood the meaning behind his words. ’In the future...’ There would be a future for them, with plenty of time.
"I have one more question for you, Mr. Li, though I’m not sure if it’s too forward of me to ask."
Li Chengxun nodded. "Please ask," he said earnestly. "I will answer you truthfully."
"I have been married before and have borne a child. You should be aware of all this. Why did you agree to the marriage proposal?"
Ji Qingwu wasn’t looking down on herself, but in the eyes of the world, she was just a widow with a child and a tarnished reputation. How could she possibly be worthy of marrying a man of a future Champion Scholar’s caliber?
She truly wanted to know what Li Chengxun thought.
He seemed to understand her concerns and said directly, "The customs in Xianyang are open-minded. Remarrying is a common affair. When a man takes a wife, he should of course marry the one his heart desires. I have heard that Miss Ji opened a medical clinic in Nanchu and was able to protect herself amidst the chaos of war. A woman of such strong will and talent—"
The man, whose features were as bright and clear as the moon, cupped his hands in a formal salute.
"I, Chengxun, have thought of you, waking and sleeping."
Caught off guard by his confession, Ji Qingwu looked at his face and replied with a light, smiling voice, "Well, there’s no need to toss and turn over it."
Seeing her gentle expression, Li Chengxun suddenly called out her name in a low voice, "Qingwu."
"May I call you that?"
Ji Qingwu looked back at him. "You’ve already called me it, and you’re still asking? If I said no, would you stop?"
His bright laughter rang in her ears. His face was as clear and fresh as sunlit snow on a mountain, and his eyes reflected only her.
"Madam Qiao’s intention is for us to settle this soon. There’s no rush to set a wedding date. Qingwu, I wonder what your thoughts are?"
’Get engaged first, and then get to know each other with marriage as the goal. It might lack a certain romance, but it offers a sense of security.’
Ji Qingwu considered it.
"Qingwu, after I pass the highest imperial examinations, I will marry you with all the honor and fanfare and bring you into the Champion Scholar Mansion. From then on, I will not interfere in anything you wish to do."
"I can also personally tutor the child. If you still wish to open a medical clinic, I will find a good storefront for you. If you prefer to stay at home, then I will entrust the management of our household to you. How does that sound?"
In just a few sentences, he painted such an enticing picture of their future.
She wouldn’t be confined to the rear courtyards; she could freely do whatever she wanted.
Even Ji Qingwu couldn’t help but be moved.
"Alright."
After they finished talking, Ji Qingwu turned and left first.
But Li Chengxun’s gaze was fixed straight ahead into the distance, not on her departing figure.
The rockery was on high ground, offering a clear view of the front hall, where the Qiao Family’s Guest Elders were coming and going in a ceaseless stream.
Only by first climbing high can one see farther.
*
「Cining Palace.」
Shixi entered the hall and knelt by the couch, massaging the Empress Dowager’s legs.
"Empress Dowager, this servant was nearly late. Please forgive me."
"You weren’t actually late, so what is there to forgive?" The Empress Dowager kept her eyes closed, inhaling the scent of the burning pearwood incense. "Tell me, what delayed you?"
"This servant went to the Imperial Garden to collect fresh flower petals for you and happened to overhear the little eunuchs who serve in the imperial court gossiping."
Seeing Shixi’s secretive air, the Empress Dowager opened her eyes. "The rest of you may withdraw."
"Empress Dowager, the little eunuch said that among this year’s new scholars, there is one who is not only exceptionally talented but also exceedingly handsome. Who knows how many noble ladies have already set their sights on him as a potential son-in-law."
The Empress Dowager grunted in acknowledgement, her reaction still mild.
Shixi continued with a demure expression, "Even the Emperor praised his brilliant writing during the morning court session today. It’s likely he’ll be chosen as the top scholar in the palace examination."
The Empress Dowager propped herself up in surprise.
’Even the Emperor praised him? Emperor Wu Su doesn’t give out compliments lightly.’
’And he specifically chose to say so during the morning court session. It seems he’s just one step away from the title of Champion Scholar, waiting only for the final palace examination.’
"Is he truly so handsome?"
The Empress Dowager had a daughter, Princess Qingyun, who was just about at the age to choose a Prince Consort. For the past two years, she had been keeping an eye on which families had suitable young men.
’After searching high and low to no avail, a Champion Scholar has appeared right before my eyes.’
Shixi said, "Yes, Empress Dowager. I heard that the Qiao Family is also very interested in him."
"I don’t care if it’s the Qiao Family, the Li family, or the Cui Family," the Empress Dowager said with a frown. "No family’s daughter can get ahead of my Qingyun!"
Shixi applied just the right amount of pressure, kneading diligently as she spoke softly, "Empress Dowager, your birthday celebration is in a few days. You could invite that talented scholar to come, so you and Princess Qingyun can see him for yourselves."
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes in comfort and said slowly, "A good idea."
*
「Early on the third day.」
Ji Qingwu went to the Princess Mansion to deliver a calling card.
A young servant led her through the mansion gates and down a long corridor.
A muffled roar came from the left, making Ji Qingwu jump.
Following the sound, she could see into the adjacent courtyard. A burly, bare-chested man wearing only a pair of black outer pants was practicing his punches under a tree. Each fist carried the wind, shaking loose a shower of leaves.
It was no exaggeration to say that one of those fists, as big as sandbags, could end Ji Qingwu’s life.
"Miss Ji, that is the Prince Consort."
’So this tall, formidable man was General Wei Chi, the Prince Consort of Princess Hua Chang, Wei Chi Lianping.’
Not caring whether he had seen her or not, Ji Qingwu offered a bow from behind the fence and then quickly followed the young servant away.
