Forced marriage

Great Shang's capital, Li Garden.

It was a property Li Youwei had purchased after arriving in the capital, to serve as the Li Family's foundation there.

Over the past several days, however, the once fresh and elegant residence had become rather foul and chaotic because of one person's presence.

King Xuanwu's son, Chen Yifei.

There were countless powerful clans in Great Shang's capital, but the ten martial kings were undoubtedly the most powerful figures of all.

Great Shang revered martial prowess. To be made a king through martial merit-what an honor that was.

It could be said that Great Shang's ten martial kings held up half the sky of the entire Great Shang Imperial Dynasty.

And King Xuanwu ranked among those ten martial kings, wielding power that reached the heavens.

More daunting still, King Xuanwu's younger sister, Chen Yifei's aunt, had entered the palace as a consort years ago and borne a son: the very third prince who was now enjoying such prominence. This made the already illustrious household of King Xuanwu even more untouchable.

Thus, even if Chen Yifei's status did not quite equal a prince's, it was not far behind.

At a banquet hosted by the third prince, Chen Yifei had seen Li Youwei for the first time and been stunned by her heavenly beauty. For days afterward, he had pestered her relentlessly, even sending people to deliver betrothal gifts with great fanfare, until everyone in the capital knew about it.

This was already a blatant attempt to force a marriage. When King Xuanwu's heir sent betrothal gifts, who in this capital would dare refuse?

No one had expected that Li Youwei would dare.

In front of everyone, Li Youwei had thrown out every last betrothal gift sent by King Xuanwu's heir without the slightest hesitation.

Enraged by this, Chen Yifei had sent men to abduct Li Youwei when she left the residence on business.

Had experts arranged by Li Qingzhi been secretly protecting Li Youwei, she might already have suffered terribly.

The affair escalated, and everyone in Great Shang's capital was waiting to see how this farce would end.

"Yifei, don't take things too far. The imperial family and the Li Family cannot afford an open falling-out yet."

At the third prince's residence, Mu Yao looked at the man before him and counseled him. His younger cousin's actions lately had truly gone a little too far.

"Cousin, they're only a merchant household. Do you really need to hold them in such high regard?"

Across the tea table sat a young man with fairly handsome features but a somewhat pallid complexion, speaking with utter disdain.

"The Li Family is no ordinary merchant household. Their business now spans all of Great Shang, and their wealth is staggering. Even the court has to be wary of them," Mu Yao said gravely.

"Cousin, so what if the Li Family is rich? Once you inherit the throne, everything under heaven will be yours, let alone a single Li Family," Chen Yifei said carelessly.

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Mu Yao's expression shifted slightly at those words, and he rebuked him sternly, "Everything under heaven belongs to Father. Only Father can decide who inherits the throne."

Startled by his cousin's rebuke, Chen Yifei realized he had misspoken and did not dare say anything more.

Seeing his frightened expression, Mu Yao sighed softly. "Yifei, I'm not trying to be harsh with you. But in this imperial capital, danger lurks at every step. One wrong step can plunge you into eternal ruin. Although my mother enjoys favor in the palace, she is still constrained by the empress at every turn. Things are not as glorious as they look on the surface. So cause less trouble outside, understand?"

"I understand."

Chen Yifei nodded and answered quietly.

Mu Yao shook his head helplessly and took a sip of the tea before him, hoping his younger cousin had truly taken his words to heart.

An hour later, Chen Yifei left the third prince's residence. His meek, submissive manner instantly vanished, replaced by disdain.

"Who does he think he is? All he does is lecture me, just because he's my older cousin."

Chen Yifei muttered this, then climbed into his sedan chair. "To Li Garden!"

Inside the third prince's residence, a servant hurried over and reported, "Your Highness, the heir still went to Li Garden."

Mu Yao's eyes narrowed slightly at the report. This brat really was beyond saving.

If he pushed Li Residence too far, the consequences would probably be far more serious than he imagined.

Outside Li Garden, Chen Yifei stepped out of his sedan chair and walked toward the residence ahead.

"Young lord, our young lady said she isn't receiving visitors today."

Two servants stepped forward to stop him at the entrance.

"I'm your future master by marriage. I don't count as a visitor."

Chen Yifei said this with a smile, pushed the two aside, and continued forward.

"Young lord, our young lady has said she isn't receiving visitors today. Please don't make things difficult for us."

The two servants hurried to block his path again.

"Get lost!"

At this, the smile vanished from Chen Yifei's face, and he barked at them.

The two servants' expressions shifted, but they still stood in his way, refusing to move.

"You don't know what's good for you! Men, beat them!"

Chen Yifei's expression turned cold as he gave the order.

"Yes!"

Four burly men came forward from behind him, dragged the two servants aside, and began punching and kicking them.

Chen Yifei snorted coldly, then strode into the residence ahead.

In Li Garden's main hall, Li Youwei was sorting through the accounts from the past several days when a maid hurried in and said anxiously, "Miss, King Xuanwu's heir has barged in again."

Inside the hall, Li Youwei frowned slightly at this. "Understood. You may go."

"Yes!"

The maid acknowledged the order, then turned and left.

"Well? Do you want me to deal with him for you?"

Behind her, a woman in red spoke calmly.

"No."

Li Youwei shook her head. "He is King Xuanwu's heir, after all. If you use force against him here, we'll be in trouble too."

Hongzhu nodded and said no more, coldness flickering deep within her eyes.

King Xuanwu's heir really was a haunting ghost that refused to leave. Last time, had the tower master's people not intervened secretly, Li Youwei would probably have been in danger.

That was precisely why the tower master had sent her to protect Li Youwei personally.

Come to think of it, little Ziye should have received the news too. Counting the days, he should be arriving soon.

That little fellow was nowhere near as accommodating as she was.

"Miss Youwei, I'm here. Why do you keep hiding from me?"

Just then, that loathsome voice rang out from outside the main hall. Chen Yifei walked in with a smile, his manner frivolous, and reached toward Li Youwei the moment he entered.

"Young lord, please conduct yourself with dignity."

Li Youwei retreated half a step, avoiding his hand, and said calmly, "This is Li Garden, not your princely residence. Li Garden has its own rules. I hope you won't overstep them."

"Rules? Hahaha."

Chen Yifei burst out laughing. "Here in Great Shang's capital, no one has ever talked rules with me, Chen Yifei. Miss Li, you really are different. Have you considered what I asked you? Just give me a nod, and I'll marry you with a grand sedan chair carried by eight men at once."

"I have already told you clearly that I have no plans to marry yet. Please leave, young lord," Li Youwei said calmly.

"You refuse the toast only to drink the penalty wine!"

Rejected once again, Chen Yifei's face instantly darkened. "Men, bind this woman who doesn't know what's good for her and take her back to the princely residence!"

"Yes!"

At his command, four burly men rolled up their sleeves and entered the hall, ready to seize her.

Seeing this, Hongzhu stepped out from behind Li Youwei and stood in front of her, saying impassively, "Young lord, are you sure you want to use force?"

Only then did Chen Yifei notice the woman behind Li Youwei, and astonishment at her beauty appeared in his eyes.

This woman in red was not the slightest bit inferior to Li Youwei. Where had Li Garden found so many peerless beauties?

"May I ask your lovely name, miss?"

Chen Yifei asked with a frivolous smile.

"Hongzhu!"

Hongzhu answered coolly.

"Hongzhu, a fine name. How about coming back to the princely residence with me? Serve me well, and I guarantee you'll have anything you want from now on."

With that, Chen Yifei reached out to stroke the beautiful face of the woman before him.

Seeing this, Hongzhu broke into a radiant smile without even trying to dodge. Looking behind him, she said softly, "That could be arranged, but you'll have to ask him first."

"Him?"

Chen Yifei froze, then instinctively looked behind him.

At some point, a youth dressed in cloud brocade had appeared in Li Garden. Without a word, he walked toward the main hall, one step at a time.

Behind the youth was a slovenly old man who did not look particularly remarkable.

Chen Yifei frowned. "Where did this stray brat come from? Don't get in the way of my business. Get lost."

Li Ziye ignored him, strode into the main hall, and came to stand beside Li Youwei and Hongzhu. "Are you all right?" he asked softly.

"I'm fine."

A gentle smile appeared on Li Youwei's face as she answered softly.

"If you'd come any later, we wouldn't have been."

Hongzhu smiled sweetly and fanned the flames, as though afraid the trouble was not big enough.

"Was it him?"

Li Ziye turned and asked.

"Yes. King Xuanwu's heir. His father is one of Great Shang's ten martial kings. A big shot, not someone to cross," Hongzhu said with a smile.

"He has a good father."

Li Ziye nodded. "Actually, I have a good father too."

Watching the two play off each other, Chen Yifei's expression grew increasingly dark. He looked at the four men and barked, "What are you standing around for? Seize them!"

"Seize us?"

Li Ziye smiled, a smile that made the hair stand on end. "Old Zhang, do me a favor. Ten jars of Drunken Life, Dreaming Death."

"Generous!"

Behind him, Old Zhang grinned at those words, then flashed forward, appearing before the four men in an instant.

Before they could blink, the four men felt their vision blur. The next moment, all of them flew backward, coughing blood as though struck by a tremendous blow.

At this sight, Chen Yifei's face filled with horror, and fear flashed through his eyes.

Li Ziye looked at him, still wearing a brilliant smile. "Will you get out yourself, or shall I help you?"

"H-how dare you! I'm King Xuanwu's heir! If you dare disrespect me, I'll have my father exterminate your nine clans!" Chen Yifei shouted, fierce in appearance but craven within.

"So you want my help?"

Smiling, Li Ziye reached out and clamped a hand around his throat. The smile then disappeared from his face, and his voice turned chilling. "I'll be waiting. Let's see whether you exterminate my nine clans first, or I flay you alive first!"

With that, Li Ziye held King Xuanwu's heir up and kicked him out.

With a thud, Chen Yifei slammed into the ground and slid more than ten feet.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

Outside the main hall, Chen Yifei clutched his throat and coughed violently several times. Looking at the youth inside the hall, he said in terror, "Just you wait. All of you, just you wait!"

With that, Chen Yifei struggled to his feet, then staggered toward the gate.

"Little brother, you were too impulsive."

Inside the main hall, Li Youwei glanced at King Xuanwu's heir as he fled in disgrace and spoke softly.

"That's what she gets for bullying you, Sister Youwei."

Li Ziye said gently, "I was already very restrained. Look, I didn't kill him."

"You." Helplessness showed on Li Youwei's face, but she said no more.

"What a heartless fellow. I nearly got taken advantage of just now too. Why isn't anyone comforting me?" Hongzhu said from the side, feigning jealousy.

Li Ziye smiled at her words. "I thought you were willing, Sister Hongzhu."

"You're asking for a beating!"

Hongzhu glared with her almond-shaped eyes and raised a hand as if to strike him.

Meanwhile, news that the Li Family's legitimate son had appeared in the capital quickly spread through the various residences of Great Shang's capital.

At the third prince's residence, Mu Yao's expression changed the instant he received the news.

Li Ziye had arrived.

So fast!