Chapter 69

Chapter 70: Forced Marriage

By this time, it was already bright and clear, with the small courtyard bathed in the morning light. A table was placed in the center, and Zhao Cheng sat at one end, with Jianxi and four bodyguards standing behind him, holding boxes. At the other end sat Lu Xiaoyao, his face full of pain, while Xiao Mei stood on the side, making the scene look like a bilateral negotiation that had fallen into a deadlock, with everyone staring at each other.

"Second Young Master, what brings you to my door? I don't seem to have done anything to offend the manor, have I?" Lu Xiaoyao finally caught his breath and asked, his sharp eyes fixed on Zhao Cheng.

"No, I have no ill intentions. I just wanted to discuss something with my brother. But you attacked first, and they, being loyal, caused a misunderstanding!" Zhao Cheng was completely immune to Lu Xiaoyao's murderous gaze, smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Is that so? I wonder what business Second Young Master has with me." Lu Xiaoyao's teeth were grinding with anger. To bring four personal guards and archers and ambushes early in the morning, it didn't look like a simple discussion. But now, under someone else's roof, he had to lower his head. He took a deep breath and spoke.

"Brother Lu, have you married yet?" Zhao Cheng asked.

"I have been wandering outside all this time and am still single!" Lu Xiaoyao didn't understand what Zhao Cheng was up to but answered truthfully.

"Have you made any marriage promises to anyone else?"

"No!"

"Good. I have an older sister, who is as beautiful as a flower. Even Diaochan and Yang Yuhuan would feel ashamed in her presence, and Wang Zhaojun and Zhao Feiyan would be so jealous they'd throw themselves into the river. Her character is gentle and virtuous, not quite as virtuous as Mother Meng, but close. She can handle both the hall and the kitchen." Zhao Cheng, lacking experience in this area, knew he had to say good things. He used every compliment he could think of from both his lives, speaking for over ten minutes without repeating himself. By the end, Zhao Cheng was blushing.

Regardless of the others' reactions, Xiao Mei was entranced. She thought to herself, "I'm actually so good? Those bastards who called me cold-blooded, cruel, a demon, and a harbinger of death must have had no eyes. My brother is the one who truly understands me, knows me, and appreciates me."

"Second Young Master, is there really such a woman in this world?" Lu Xiaoyao's eyebrows were knitted together. His sister was a princess of the Song Dynasty. Even if there were such a "good" woman, it wouldn't be his turn to marry her. He had enough self-awareness to know that. This little brat was probably up to some trick, so he interrupted, "Second Young Master, is there really such a woman?"

"Of course!" Zhao Cheng looked at Xiao Mei, who had eyes full of spring, wiped the foam from the corner of his mouth, and nodded firmly.

"Second Young Master, I fear I don't have the good fortune to marry such an outstanding woman. Please, Second Young Master—" Lu Xiaoyao stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Cheng.

"Heh, Brother Lu, don't be ungrateful. The prince proposing marriage to you is a great honor. How dare you refuse with such arrogance!" Jianxi, standing behind Zhao Cheng, was unhappy. The prince had spent so much time, and this guy was unappreciative. He immediately turned and shouted.

"Hmph!" Pan Long and Zhang Feng were also angry, their eyes wide as they stepped forward, placing their hands on Lu Xiaoyao's shoulders. They were ready to tear him apart at the prince's signal.

"Step back, you meddlers!" Zhao Cheng shouted sternly. Pan Long and the others released Lu Xiaoyao and stepped back, looking disgruntled.

"Brother Lu, look, I am a prince, and the dowry will not be meager. You won't have to work so hard every day. If you want to be an official, it's just a word. If you want to get rich, there are many ways in our manor. I won't treat you badly!" Zhao Cheng was quite foolish in his approach to matchmaking. This was clearly a marriage of convenience, and any man with a bit of pride wouldn't agree. Besides, Lu Xiaoyao, though currently alone, still had the title of gate master.

"Second Young Master, I cannot agree. Though I am down on my luck, I am not so low as to seek wealth and honor through a woman!" As expected, Lu Xiaoyao's face turned red with anger as he stood up and said.

"Brother Lu, think it over. If you have any conditions, just say them. I will do my best to meet them!" Zhao Cheng smiled and spoke humbly, a level of persuasion rarely seen in a matchmaker.

"Second Young Master, don't mention this again. Even if I beg on the streets, I won't agree!" Lu Xiaoyao said resolutely.

"Brother Lu, why be so stubborn?" Zhao Cheng was about to continue, but Xiao Mei interrupted, "Little brother, don't say any more. The fallen flower has no feeling, and the flowing water has no intention. Why force him?" She smiled sadly and turned to go back into the house, slamming the door. At this moment, Lu Xiaoyao seemed to understand something.

"Hmph, since you are so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Zhao Cheng slammed the table and said, "I have recognized Xiao Mei as my sister. If you have wronged her, I, as her brother, will demand an explanation!"

"Second Young Master, I have always treated my junior sister with respect. I don't know what you mean by 'wronged'!" Lu Xiaoyao finally understood. The sister the prince was talking about was his junior sister, not a princess.

"If you hadn't treated her with respect, it would have been better, saving me the trouble!" Zhao Cheng cursed inwardly but couldn't say it out loud. He had to maintain propriety. He asked sternly, "Do you have a marriage promise with Sister Mei?"

"No, we have always treated each other as siblings." Lu Xiaoyao shook his head, puzzled by Zhao Cheng's question.

"Since you have no marriage promise, why do you call Sister Mei your wife and live in the same room? Aren't you ruining her reputation? How will she face the world?" Zhao Cheng slammed the table and shouted.

"Ah—" Lu Xiaoyao's nose started to sweat, and his face turned red. He and Xiao Mei were both people of the江湖 (jianghu, a term for the world of martial arts and chivalry), and they didn't particularly care about such things, but they still understood the principle of no physical contact between men and women. Now, being called out by Zhao Cheng, he felt embarrassed.

"Speak up! Are you a man who dares to do but not to admit?" Zhao Cheng pressed, not letting up.

"Second Young Master, this guy was just talking about not relying on women for wealth and honor, but now he's just a小白脸 (xiaobailian, a term for a man who relies on women for support). He's not a real man, I spit!" Pan Long growled.

"What a小白脸 (xiaobailian)! I think he's just a smooth-talker who deceives and seduces good women. He calls himself a man of the江湖 (jianghu), but he's a disgrace. I, Xue Bao, always beat such scoundrels!"

"Second Young Master, keeping such a fraud in the manor is a disaster. We should break his legs and throw him out!" Zhang Feng said.

"I am not a seducer. We are fellow disciples, and we call each other husband and wife for convenience. We haven't done anything improper!" Lu Xiaoyao argued, his face red with anger, but no one was listening to him.

Zhao Cheng watched them coldly, his heart burning with anxiety. He realized he might have messed things up. After today, Lu Xiaoyao would surely leave in anger, and he would have done a good deed that turned bad, becoming a villain who broke up a couple. How could he face Xiao Mei? "No, I have to use the last resort. I must keep him here!" he thought. Then he decided to use his trump card.

"Jianxi, how much does he owe us?" Zhao Cheng waved to stop the others' accusations and asked Jianxi.

"Second Young Master, he owes us 6,233 guan and 8 wen for medicine, food, and accommodation!" Jianxi answered immediately.

"Ah, Brother Lu, since you disagree with the marriage, you should pay back the money you owe!" Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "Check these to see if they are yours. Calculate them yourself so I don't get the numbers wrong!" He placed the box in Jianxi's arms on the table.

"Yes, these are all mine." Lu Xiaoyao smiled bitterly and flipped through them.

"My manor is currently short on funds for building bridges and roads. Brother Lu, you don't care about this small amount, so please settle it!" Zhao Cheng crossed his arms and said.

"This—this!" Lu Xiaoyao was in a dilemma. If the Night Gate still existed, he wouldn't care about this amount, but now that his home had been raided, this sum was astronomical.

"Brother Lu, I know you are capable. How about this: if you help me with three tasks within three years, I will forgive all your debts. What do you think?" As Zhao Cheng had predicted, Lu Xiaoyao couldn't come up with the money.

"Alright, but the tasks you give me must not violate the principles of chivalry, must not be impossible, and must not restrict my freedom!" Lu Xiaoyao thought for a moment and said.

"Agreed, I promise. But you must not do anything to harm the interests of the manor!" Zhao Cheng nodded and said, then took a piece of paper from the box and handed it to him. "An oral promise is not enough. Sign and seal it here."

"Tsk, a小白脸 (xiaobailian) who relies on women for support, talking about chivalry. Do you think the prince is like you, a liar? You should be ashamed!" Pan Long saw Lu Xiaoyao pick up the document and open it, and he sneered.

"What is this, judging a gentleman by a scoundrel's standards? You'll see. The prince always keeps his word. If you deal with such a person, you'll end up angry!" Song Hu, who had been silent, added a few words.

Lu Xiaoyao's face turned white and then red as he listened to them. He had no heart to read further, took the pen from Jianxi, signed his name, and pressed his fingerprint, returning the document to Zhao Cheng. Seeing Zhao Cheng quickly roll it up and put it in his pocket, he felt uneasy. This little brat said he was here for a marriage proposal, but why did he bring these things? Did he foresee that I wouldn't agree and prepare them in advance?

At this moment, Zhao Cheng secretly sighed with relief. He looked at the two bodyguards who were still whispering and felt grateful. If it weren't for their unintentional help, he wouldn't have been able to bluff his way through. He would have to reward them well when he returned. It seemed that being "honest" was always beneficial!

"Cough," Zhao Cheng cleared his throat and was about to speak when the tightly closed door was pushed open. Xiao Mei, carrying a bundle, walked out. "Little brother, have them step back. I have something to say to you!"