99 Have We Passed The Ordeal (1/2)

Helian Jing wiped the sweat from his forehead as the group exited the palace. His relief was obvious in his voice as he said, ”Man, I was so terrified I broke out in cold sweat! I thought we would definitely get hit.”

Xia Chunfeng also voiced out his lingering fears, ”My legs and stomach are still trembling…”

Helian Xuan and Xia Chunyu both rolled their eyes at their younger brothers.

”Thank heavens that the Emperor is wise enough to give us jobs in the pretense of punishing us! This is a blessing in disguise, right?” Helian Jing said, sounding pleased with himself.

Yu De rebuked, ”Stop being so smug. I was scared to death in there! When we reach home, face the wall to reflect on your mistakes. You are also grounded for a month.”

Xia You also turned to Chunfeng and said, ”You, too. If this happens again, I will break your legs.”

”His Majesty is assigning me to work in the army tomorrow! How can I do that if I'm grounded?” Helian Jing countered, smiling triumphantly.

His mother simply gave him a cold stare.

Xia You noticed that Chun-er and Helian Xuan were standing close together as if they have something else to discuss. She called out, ”Chun-er, go home early, alright? I have something to ask you.”

Xia Chunyu nodded and watched them leave.

”What is going on with you and Li Yao?” Helian Xuan asked.

Xia Chunyu sighed. He never intended to keep his best friend in the dark, but he didn't want to mention it earlier to him either since he has yet to confirm his feelings. Now that Helian Xuan was entangled with his lies, he has to come clean. Maybe he could even be of some help to them.

”She is the woman I married in the stockade.”

”I'm sorry, woman? You're saying she's a woman?”

”Her real name is Ye Jinxuan. She is the oldest daughter of Ye Binghuai, the Yang Zhou's government sub-prefect, and his first wife…” Xia Chunyu proceeded to tell Helian Xuan how Ye Jiayao got captured to the mountains and became his woman. He told him how they got separated because of a misunderstanding and how she eventually escaped death and traveled to Jin Ling.

Helian Xuan was speechless for a few seconds, deeply moved. ”That's incredible. It's such a bizarre turn of events, even more brilliant than the stories in books.”

Helian Xuan laughed inwardly as he recalled how he used to think that Li Yao and Helian Jing were homosexuals. ”What do you intend to do now?”

Xia Chunyu smiled. ”Marry her.”

”Marry her? How?” Helian Xuan was astonished. ”She can't even return home. And even if she is reinstated as the eldest daughter of the Ye family, her status is still far beneath yours. Besides, you can't decide on your marriage. Even if Liu Li decides to cancel, she'd just be replaced by other princesses.”

This is precisely the problem that Xia Chunyu was stuck with.

”She can become your concubine. That would be easier to settle,” Helian Xuan suggested.

”That will not do. Do you really think that she'd dress up as a man and work as a chef if she's willing to become a concubine? She has a very strong character. Besides, I don't wish for that either,” Xia Chunyu told him with a bitter laugh.

Helian Xuan looked at him in surprise. ”I didn't know you were such a romantic!”

Xia Chunyu laughed and punched his shoulder playfully. ”Wait until you meet the right person, and then you'll understand how I feel.”

”Well, it's a pity that my Miss Right may still be in someone's womb.” Helian Xuan laughed mockingly at himself.

”Quick, take a look at which family has a cute little baby and carry her home to raise her,” Xia Chunyu cajoled.

Helian Xuan replied with a punch. ”How about you quickly give birth to one for me to carry home.”

”That won't do,” Xia Chunyu said, playing along. ”I don't want my daughter to marry an old man.”

Helian Xuan raised his fist as though he was going to beat him up, and Xia Chunyu nimbly dodged it, laughing heartily.

A few palace maids passed by and Xia Chunyu immediately made his expression somber.

”Hey, keep this matter a secret for the meantime, okay?” Xia Chunyu reminded Helian Xuan.

Helian Xuan raised a brow. ”Get my sister-in-law to bring me some delicious food so my mouth would be occupied.”

In the palace, Liu Li lays on the Empress Dowager's lap, sobbing. ”Empress Dowager, I know I was wrong, but they were too ruthless! How can you expect me to face everyone again...”

Earlier on, someone had told her what happened in the palace hall. The Empress Dowager wanted to take her side, but the Emperor kept supporting them. Instead of punishing the rascals, he even arranged jobs for them. Liu Li was a little panic-stricken. What does this imply? Was the Emperor dissatisfied with her? Does the Empress Dowager no longer have the ability to shield her?

The Empress Dowager tenderly brushed her hair. ”Liu Li, the Emperor is right. You are all grown up, it is time to be sensible. If you continue like this, how are you going to become someone's wife? How are you going to become a mother? I am already old, who knows how long do I have left? But with you like this... how can I pass on peacefully...”

Liu Li looked up at the Empress Dowager tearfully. ”Empress Dowager, Liu Li knows her mistakes. I will not make you worry again. Please, don't say such things to scare me. I am scared...”

”I am not trying to scare you, Liu Li. To be born, to grow old, to get sick, and to die are all part and parcel of life. Everyone has to go through them. I thought you'd be alright with the Xia family since they have a hundred-year Marquis name, and they've never faltered despite the changes of the imperial politics. Xia Chunyu seemed earnest and reliable so I thought you'd be okay in his hands.

”But what he's shown today... no, this won't do. He has yet to marry you and he's already treating you like this! He even dared to challenge me! This marriage agreement should cease immediately.” The Empress Dowager sighed. Xia You and Xia Chunyu's performance today disappointed her deeply.

”But Liu Li only likes him. I won't marry any other man!” Liu Li blurted out in a moment of desperation.

She has liked Chunyu for a long time. When the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and her aunt were choosing her marriage partner, she had been so afraid that they wouldn't pick Chunyu.

It was because she likes him that she was unable to take it when he scolded her so harshly. She felt so wronged and abandoned. However, even though she hated him for embarrassing her like that, she has never thought of giving up on their impending marriage.