Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Talking to Liu Ye'er, Gong Jianyun felt utterly powerless, like a tiger swatting a mosquito. Gong Jianyun knew she understood what he wanted to say, but even though Liu Ye'er knew he understood, she still pretended not to understand, saying things that sounded like she understood everything. Gong Jianyun just wanted a clear answer; even if he were to die, he wanted to die knowing why. But this little fox was deliberately feigning ignorance. Helpless, Gong Jianyun steeled himself, abandoned all pretense, and said clearly, "I want to marry you. I shouldn't be entangled with Xiangxiang. I have nothing to do with her. You can hit me, you can scold me, but Xiangxiang practically offered herself up..."

"So, why not take advantage of this cheap deal..." Liu Lian asked coldly.

"Hmm. No, it's not what you think..." Gong Jianyun was really panicked.

Liu Ye'er used her fan to stop Gong Jianyun, whose face was flushed with anger. "Officer Gong, we are not engaged. You are free. Even if we were engaged, we can break it off, and even if we were married, we can divorce. Xiangxiang is a good girl. I wish you both a long and happy life together!"

"Seventh Miss, I swear, I never intended to marry Xiangxiang, I..."

Liu Ye'er gave a soft shush and pointed her index finger to the sky, "What goes around comes around. Be careful of retribution." She then turned to leave. Gong Jianyun wouldn't let her go and rushed forward to block her path. Looking at the man clinging to her, she sighed, "You should clarify things between you and Xiangxiang first, and appease her. I don't want to be seen as someone who steals another man!"

"Okay, okay!" Gong Jianyun felt that the young girl was too understanding, and that he really had to handle this matter himself.

Many things in the world seem difficult, but they are not difficult at all; they just require effort. Many things seem simple, but they are not simple at all. It's just a matter of a word, but that word carries the weight of Mount Tai. Widow Yang's tea stall, which she relied on for a living, could no longer operate. After Gong Jianyun and his men caused trouble for her for a few days, no one came to patronize it anymore. The rumors that had been circulating in the shadows were now completely exposed and had become an almost undeniable fact.

Gong Jianyun went to the Zheng family to thank Xiangxiang. In all honesty, he and Xiangxiang had absolutely no romantic relationship. She couldn't possibly try to extort money from him just because he patted her on the shoulder while laughing too happily at a joke. She had taken care of him for so many days, and he really should go and express his gratitude.

After hearing Gong Jianyun's words, Xiangxiang's face gradually turned deathly pale. Gong Jianyun declined Zheng Tu's offer to stay for dinner and insisted on leaving. The Zheng family father and daughter saw him off, and just as Gong Jianyun's foot stepped into the doorway, Xiangxiang lunged towards the well. The two men hurriedly pulled her back and finally calmed her down. Just as Gong Jianyun was about to take his leave, Xiangxiang rushed towards the well again. After several such incidents, Gong Jianyun became furious. Admittedly, the two had not been intimate, but Xiangxiang refused to admit it. Gong Jianyun sat in the front yard, while Xiangxiang remained seated by the well, her mouth tightly shut like a clam. Gong Jianyun broke out in a sweat. He tried to explain to Zheng Tu, but after only a few words of grievance, Xiangxiang was already halfway into the well. Zheng Tu pounced like a madman, barely managing to grab one of her feet and pull her out with tremendous effort. Xiangxiang's face was ashen, her eyes fixed blankly on the well opening.

With tears streaming down his face, Zheng Tu pleaded, "Officer Gong, I only have this one daughter. Please, I beg you, save her life. I know my daughter is not good enough for you, but look at her unwavering devotion to you. Please, at least arrange this marriage. Even if she's just a concubine, my family will accept it."

Gong Jianyun was frantic. Those who wanted her wouldn't budge, while those who didn't threatened suicide. Judging from Xiangxiang's attitude, if he didn't give in, he might not be able to leave this room. If he did give in, Liu Ye'er would truly be gone. Recalling the inscrutable smile on Liu Ye'er's face when they parted, Gong Jianyun shuddered. Indeed, women understood women best. Unwilling to give in and with no way to escape, Gong Jianyun faced off against the Zheng father and daughter, not daring to utter even the words "a forced marriage is never sweet." Zheng Tu sighed softly, "Officer Gong, if things get out of hand, I won't survive, and Officer Gong will lose face too. Aren't all women the same after the lamp is extinguished? My Xiangxiang, apart from being a little stubborn, has no other faults. She's determined to be with you; please, at least give her a way out." Gong Jianyun was speechless. After a long while, he sighed deeply, pulled out the hairpin from his hair, and handed it over. Zheng Tu pulled out the hairpin from Xiangxiang's hair and exchanged it with him. Xiangxiang lowered her head and began to sob. Zheng Tu hurriedly comforted her, and Gong Jianyun took the opportunity to slip away.

Xiangxiang cried harder and harder. Zheng Tu patted her head and said, "Don't cry. There's a long road ahead. If you take good care of him and do everything he wants, you can win him back. After all, you'll still be together. What if he doesn't support your children?"

Gong Jianyun grew increasingly furious. Too ashamed to confront Liu Ye'er, he'd been defeated by two mere young girls. This usually arrogant man was now disheartened. After calming himself and pondering for a long time, Gong Jianyun devised a wicked plan to retaliate. Forget about Liu Ye'er; there was no fate between them! Don't be fooled by Xiangxiang's father's suggestion of her as a concubine—that's utter nonsense. A mere constable taking a concubine? What a joke! You're so eager to marry me, aren't you? Fine, come on then!

Twenty days later, Xiangxiang got married to the famous Constable Gong. The happy event was both unexpected and perfectly natural. People had no time to comment on the dowry; they only carefully observed the bride's figure, exchanging knowing glances and understanding smiles.

Liangjie and Fengxian sat together chatting about the happy occasion. Fengxian scoffed, "Officer Gong came to my house to ask for my hand in marriage, and I even put in a few nice words for him, but my father just wouldn't agree. He kept making excuses. I really don't know how he figured it out. When he was recuperating at my house, my father wouldn't allow Xiaoqi to see him! You can know a person's face but not their heart!"

"Willow Leaf...?"

"The marriage of my savior and my best friend naturally calls for a grand gift. Xiao Qi is fine and hasn't taken it seriously, so I guess she hasn't fallen for Officer Gong! Xiu Luan, on the other hand, is still angry!"

"Who is this person? Knowing full well that Constable Gong and Qiqi are discussing marriage, they still shamelessly sidled up to her. No wonder our Xiu Luan is angry! You don't know, that day, Xiu Luan was so angry that she wanted to break off her friendship with Xiangxiang, but Qiqi didn't take it seriously and remained calm!"

Both sisters-in-law sighed for Liu Ye'er. Liu Lian herself also sighed; a perfectly good marriage had been stolen by her best friend. How could people in ancient times do such a ridiculous and absurd thing!

Gong Jianyun coldly looked at the bride dressed in her wedding gown by the bedside, without the slightest bit of joy that a groom should have—he had drunk too much while entertaining relatives and friends outside, and his head was throbbing badly.