Chapter 48 - Marriage Competition
The afternoon sun lazily cast its light over the landscape garden, adding a touch of warmth to the frigid winter.
It had been half a month since the incident at the escort agency.
Chi Nanwei sat outside in a wicker chair. A Tang blade lay across her lap, and the sunlight cast a golden halo around her. She had a faraway look in her eyes.
"Miss," a maid said as she entered, "The master and mistress request your presence."
The maid waited, but Chi Nanwei was lost in thought and did not notice the maid at all. After a long time, when Chi Nanwei had not responded, the maid gently shook her shoulder.
"Miss… Miss!"
Chi Nanwei snapped out of her daze and looked at the maid. "Ah, what’s wrong?" she asked.
"The master and mistress request your presence," the maid repeated.
"Ah, okay." Chi Nanwei adjusted her hair and replied softly, "I’ll go right away."
Chi Nanwei had been staying in Luzhou at the Li residence for the last half month. From the day she moved in, Li Muxian had instructed his servants to treat her as the eldest daughter of the Li family.
Li Muxian had his reasons for this decision. He had only one son, who was a member of the court. He had always wanted a daughter, but had been unsuccessful so far.
Half a month ago, he received a letter from Wu Changfeng that made him feel like something was amiss. Several days later, Wu Changfeng entrusted Chi Nanwei to him and sent him a follow-up letter.
Sure enough, within a few days, there was terrible news. The entire Changfeng Escort Agency was wiped out, with no survivors. Just like that, the Li family gained a daughter.
Although he now had the daughter he always wanted, Li Muxian remained uneasy. He had used many connections to investigate the reasons behind the destruction of the Changfeng Escort Agency but had not received any useful information.
Some even subtly advised him to drop the investigation. Li Muxian could only be sure that an influential figure in the imperial court made the decision that led to the tragedy at the escort agency. It no longer mattered who this person was, all signs indicated that it was someone he could not afford to offend.
Now, Li Muxian was terrified that Chi Nanwei might be considered a loose end. Her identity still belonged to the Changfeng Escort Agency. If the truth were discovered, not only would Chi Nanwei’s life be in danger, but the Li residence might be implicated as well. The consequences would be unimaginable.
Therefore, he urgently needed to give Chi Nanwei a legitimate identity, one that could protect her from her past and ensure her safety.
In the Li residence’s banquet hall, Li Muxian and his wife, Madam Yu, sat at the head of the table. Below them sat a young man dressed in a mink fur coat. The atmosphere was cordial, and it was clear they had been chatting for quite a while.
Li Muxian sipped his tea and laughed, "Young Master Zhou is talented and accomplished. It would be an honor for my daughter Nanwei to marry you."
"Hehe, Sir Li, you're too kind. You are a great scholar of our time, so Miss Nanwei must also be a well-read and sensible person too." The young man, Young Master Zhou, paused and wondered, "It's just… why hasn’t Miss Nanwei arrived yet?"
"She should be here soon." Madam Yu looked outside and said, "I’ve already instructed the servants to call for her, so she should be arriving soon."
Just then, a maid came in and reported, "Master, Mistress, Miss Nanwei has arrived."
Li Muxian waved his hand. "Very well, let Nanwei come in quickly."
Received by the maid, Chi Nanwei soon entered the hall.
She was wearing a bright yellow gown, the hem of which covered the tops of her shoes and brushed the floor. Her hair was pinned behind her shoulders, and a Tang Blade hung at her side.
She first gave a deep bow to Li Muxian and Madam Yu before turning to the unfamiliar young man and nodded at him.
Young Master Zhou’s eyes were glued to Chi Nanwei the moment she entered, his mouth fell open, and his gaze was full of desire.
Chi Nanwei felt his gaze burning like a hot iron roving across her body. She couldn’t help but furrow her brow slightly.
The young man realized his faux paus and awkwardly scratched his cheek as he smiled apologetically at Chi Nanwei.
"Nanwei, let me introduce you," Li Muxian began, "This is Young Master Zhou Yi, the son of the Governor of Luzhou."
Chi Nanwei glanced at Young Master Zhou and then lowered her head, giving him a respectful bow and saying, "Greetings, Young Master Zhou."
"There is no need for formalities," Young Master Zhou quickly said. Reaching out to support her, he added, "Miss Nanwei is my peer, there is no need for such courtesy."
Chi Nanwei shrank back, avoiding Young Master Zhou grasp, and standing upright on her own.
Li Muxian noticed their interaction, but kept a neutral expression as he casually mentioned, "Ah… Nanwei, why are you still carrying that blade?"
Chi Nanwei stared at Li Muxian and replied, "It is a treasured item from an important friend, I will always keep it by my side."
"Nanwei, I know you’re hurting, but what's done is done," Madam Yu sighed, "It’s useless to hold onto this. Young Master Ye went back alone. Like the others, he's not coming back—"
"He will be back," Chi Nanwei interjected. She looked at Madam Yu with stubborn eyes and with an unwavering certainty she said, "He promised me that he would come back."
Chi Nanwei caressed the hilt of the blade as she whispered to herself, "He will come back… His blade is still with me."
"Haih… You silly child." Madam Yu exchanged a frustrated glance with Li Muxian.
Li Muxian cleared his throat and was about to speak when Young Master Zhou chuckled and said, "I didn’t expect that Miss Nanwei would like such things."
Chi Nanwei looked up at him, her expression puzzled.
Young Master Zhou laughed and pointed to the Tang Blade at Chi Nanwei’s waist. "Not to brag, but I consider myself quite skilled in martial arts. I'm also well versed in all types of weapons. Since Miss Nanwei is interested, we have much in common."
"But this blade…" Young Master Zhou stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"You recognize this blade?" Chi Nanwei asked curiously.
"Of course," Young Master Zhou nodded and said with certainty, "That should be a Japanese blade. Not many people in the Central Plains use such blades as they are mostly favored by samurai from Fusang."
Chi Nanwei subtly curled her lips at his ignorance.
"Young Master Zhou is indeed talented," Li Muxian laughed, clapping delightedly. I knew of your literary talents, but I didn’t expect you to be knowledgeable in martial arts as well. Since that’s the case, I will arrange a martial arts competition for my daughter's hand in marriage. What do you think?"
"Excellent! Excellent!" Young Master Zhou agreed exuberantly.
"What a marriage competition?!" Chi Nanwei asked, feeling flabbergasted.
"Hmm?" Li Muxian looked at Chi Nanwei in surprise and then at Madam Yu, "What? Didn’t you inform Nanwei?"
Madam Yu gave a mollifying smile to Young Master Zhou before turning to Chi Nanwei and saying, "It’s like this, Nanwei. Your father and I think you’re at the right age for marriage, so we looked for a good match for you. After much thought, Young Master Zhou seems to be the only one worthy of you…
"Look, Young Master Zhou is accomplished in both literature and martial arts, has a distinguished appearance, and is still unmarried. If you marry him, you would be the main wife, the only—"
"I won’t marry!"
Young Master Zhou had been nodding like a pigeon while basking in the flattery when Chi Nanwei suddenly refused. Stunned, he didn’t know how to respond.
"You won’t marry?" Li Muxian frowned and continued, "Brother Wu entrusted you to me. I will naturally fulfill my responsibilities. As your parents, our arrangements are absolute. Who do you think you are to defy our arrangements?"
Chi Nanwei looked steadily at Li Muxian, her eyes filled with stubbornness. After a moment of silence, she bowed and stated, "I will not marry."
Then, she turned to the astounded Young Master Zhou and pointed to the weapon at her waist. "This is a Tang blade…
"And it is named Stormqueller."
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