Chapter Eighty-Seven: The God of Wealth’s Daughter Need Never Worry About Marriage

Autumn winds brought a chill, and Tang Xiaoqi, the cold sinking straight into her heart, instinctively wrapped her arms around herself and shrank back, not daring to lift her head and meet Lu Jiu’s gaze.

“So tell me, what was he after?”

“Why, you, of course, Miss An Susu. If you had not run into that foolish bandit chief Tang Xiaoqi, you should already have been in the Grand Bright Palace, contending with the foremost beauty of the Great Tang for imperial favor. Though with your limited wits, you might well have died without even knowing how. How could you still have the energy to curse me as some fox spirit and try to steal your man?”

Lu Jiu stepped close to Tang Xiaoqi and tipped her chin up with a finger, her eyes full of mockery and disdain.

Tang Xiaoqi’s face went deathly pale at once, and her body began to tremble. She did not dare look at Lu Jiu even once.

“You, you are talking nonsense. I am Tang Xiaoqi, not An Susu.”

“Whether you are or not, we all know it in our hearts. You cannot even tolerate a Miss Ye Lai who has not yet crossed the threshold; what right do you have to compete for the main wife, let alone seize the position of empress consort in that Grand Bright Palace? Remember this: if you dare hurl around the word fox spirit again, beware that I may not let you off.”

When Lu Jiu finished, she strode away, leaving Tang Xiaoqi alone, shivering in the autumn wind.

A curved moon hung in the autumn night sky, lonely and cold.

Lu Liaoliao set down the book in his hands, blew out the candle, and left the study to return to the inner chamber. Tang Xiaoqi did not throw herself into his arms as she usually did, chattering on and on. Instead, she stood dazed and forlorn by the window, gazing at the moon in the chill sky.

Taking a cloak and draping it over Tang Xiaoqi’s shoulders, Lu Liaoliao said with heartfelt concern, “The autumn nights are cold, and you are with child. How can you stand by the window like this and catch a chill?”

Tang Xiaoqi turned and looked at him in a daze. “I like to sulk and lose my temper with you, and I often quarrel with Ye Lai out of jealousy. I am nothing but trouble. Do you still like me, Liaoliao?”

“What nonsense. If you have a temper, where else are you meant to lose it but on your husband? As for Caressing Flowers, I was at fault. I should never have hidden it from you for so long. You care for me, and that is why you grow jealous of her. In my heart, I would only feel quietly pleased and proud; how could I be angry with you?”

As he spoke, Lu Liaoliao gathered Tang Xiaoqi into his arms.

Tang Xiaoqi buried her face in his chest and wept. “I know that envy is unbecoming in a woman, but for some reason, whenever another woman appears by your side, my heart aches as though it were being torn apart. I am terrified that someone will steal you away from me.”

Gently stroking her hair, Lu Liaoliao murmured, “Your husband is right beside you, deep in your heart. No one can steal him away.”

Tang Xiaoqi could not help crying aloud. Between sobs she said, “It is all my fault. I should never have hidden my origins and background, and in the end that Lu Jiu seized upon it to threaten you into doing something so dangerous.”

Lu Liaoliao’s expression changed. “That madwoman, Wang Liuli, threatened you?”

Tang Xiaoqi shook her head sadly. “Liaoliao, if she ever threatens you again and forces you into something you do not wish to do, then hand me over. After that, just pretend you know nothing.”

“What nonsense are you spouting! If I cannot even protect my own wife, then I would be unworthy of being called a man. Besides, I, Lu Liaoliao, have even managed to steal the woman presented to the sage and make her my wife. Even if I die tomorrow, my life will have been worth it.”

Tang Xiaoqi was coy and bashful as she lightly punched his chest twice. “I am not the sage’s woman; I am only your woman, Lu Liaoliao.”

“Look at how cold your body has gotten. Come, let us rest. Even if the sky falls, your husband will hold it up for you and the child.” With a stir of longing in his heart, Lu Liaoliao supported Tang Xiaoqi and led her toward the bed.

After a tender hour of quiet intimacy, Tang Xiaoqi looked at Lu Liaoliao with misty eyes. “That Lu Jiu had you attend the marriage selection. What exactly was she plotting? What if you were to defeat everyone?”

“That? Wang Liuli is impossibly proud and does not put any man in the world in her eyes; she never intended to marry at all. She only had me join the selection so that I might help her keep the suitors at bay.” Lu Liaoliao smiled easily.

“What if you really do keep everyone away, and she insists on marrying you?” Tang Xiaoqi asked uneasily.

“Haha!” Lu Liaoliao could not help laughing. “You have far too much confidence in your husband. There are so many talented men in all of Chang'an; how could it be so easy to defeat every single one of them?”

“What if?” Tang Xiaoqi shifted slightly and stared at him intently.

“Lu Jiu swore before me that she would never marry. She may be cruel and severe, but she is very conscientious when it comes to keeping her word. Besides, you treasure your husband like a jewel; how could Lu Jiu possibly set her sights on someone like me?”

A little drowsy, Lu Liaoliao turned over, still holding Tang Xiaoqi in his arms.

“But I still think that Lu Jiu must have no good intentions. A woman’s vows are the least trustworthy of all.” Tang Xiaoqi snuggled stubbornly against him and muttered in protest.

Lu Liaoliao yawned. “Sleep, sleep. Since you became pregnant, you have been thinking too much.”

Several days later, in the pleasant autumn colors and fragrant osmanthus blooms of Dayu Town at Zhongnan Mountain, carriages, horses, and streams of people came and went without pause. The marriage selection gathering for the daughter of the God of Wealth, Wang Yuanbao, was being held at the Wang family’s nearby villa.

Deep within the Wang family’s extensive estate, no one could say how vast it truly was. In the front courtyard, lined with willows and flowers, neatly dressed servants welcomed the arriving guests, the spectators, and the eager young men seeking a bride.

Behind Lu Liaoliao came several friends who were nominally there to cheer him on but in truth were simply there for the spectacle: Zhou Liuzi, Hu Laoda, Pei Wuniang, and Li Sheng. After handing over their horses to the Wang household servants, they entered the front courtyard in a playful mood.

The gardens and pavilions of the outer hall were crowded with dark masses of people. Most were in fine clothes, clearly either rich or noble. Lu Liaoliao, just after entering, nearly drew in a sharp breath.

Forcing down his earlier ease, he carefully approached an elderly man with white hair and an air of refined detachment and greeted him respectfully.

“May I ask, esteemed sir, are all the guests in this garden here to take part in the marriage selection?”

The old man stroked his flowing beard and glanced at him with an air of self-satisfaction. “Naturally. The spectators are being received elsewhere.”

“In that case, sir, are you also here to compete for Miss Wang’s hand?” Lu Liaoliao hesitated, then asked cautiously.

“Of course! Consider the Immortal Poet Li Taibai—his poem on the Liang Garden in Luoyang led to the granddaughter of the former prime minister Zong Chuke buying a wall’s worth of his calligraphy in gold, and the two were united in marriage. If I, Lao Luren, were to compose a poem on the Wang Garden, perhaps Ninth Miss Wang would look upon me with favor, and I too could embrace a beauty and take her home.”

Lao Luren gazed toward the inner courtyard of the Wang residence, his robes fluttering.

“Ah! Then I wish you every success, Brother Lao.” Lu Liaoliao wore a solemn, earnest expression.

The old man waved his sleeve lightly, dismissing him like a passerby and telling him to move aside.

Just as Lu Liaoliao was feeling somewhat disheartened, someone tapped his shoulder lightly with a folding fan. Turning around, he saw a handsome young gentleman in splendid attire.

Lu Liaoliao’s expression immediately darkened. Though this young gentleman had changed his appearance, even if he were reduced to ashes, Lu Liaoliao would still have recognized him.

“What are you doing here, causing trouble?”

“Hee hee.” Gu Xihua smiled softly. “I knew that no matter how I changed my appearance, I could never hide it from you.”

Lu Liaoliao seized her hand at once and was about to drag her outside.

“I came to help you defeat the other suitors so that you can bring Wang Liuli home as your wife. That way, many things can be solved very easily.”

As she explained, Gu Xihua kept retreating with all her might.

“Hmph.” Lu Liaoliao gave two cold snorts. “Other women are afraid of some rival stealing their man, but you, Gu Xihua, are remarkable. You are actually trying your hardest to help your own man marry another woman.”

“I don’t care. I just want to see the awkward look on Lu Jiu’s face when you marry her home. After she has bullied me for so long, only then will I feel a little better.” Gu Xihua twisted and struggled, but could not break free.

“What exactly do you spend all day thinking about in that head of yours?” Lu Liaoliao pinched her forehead in exasperation.

“Lu Liaoliao, if you do not let go, I will start shouting. Then everyone will think you have some improper fondness for men.” Gu Xihua gave him a sly look.

Lu Liaoliao quickly released her, glaring at her in irritation. “Fine, I won’t bother with you. Just do not reveal that you are a woman.”

“In years past, I, Young Master Caressing Flowers, was famous all over Chang'an for my roguish charm. How many people ever saw through my female identity?” Gu Xihua said with leisurely delight, leaving Lu Liaoliao only able to smile wryly and shake his head.

On the terrace of a pavilion, a middle-aged man in a blue robe and of distinguished bearing stepped forward. He waved to the noisy crowd below and announced in a loud voice:

“Those taking part in the Wang household’s selection for the Ninth Daughter’s husband, listen carefully. The first round will test your knowledge of the Classics. You will be divided into groups of fifty, and someone will lead you there. Writing materials have already been prepared. If anyone is found cheating, their qualification will be revoked on the spot.”

“This is choosing a son-in-law, not sitting for the imperial examinations. What is the point of these pointless tests?” a sturdy young warrior shouted in displeasure.

The middle-aged man fixed him with a cold look. “If you are unwilling to take the assessment, you are free to leave. The Wang family does not lack one son-in-law candidate.”

The young warrior huffed unhappily, but did not move to leave.

Clad in white and graceful as ever, Jun Ruchen, surrounded by noble sons such as Cheng Changmu and Yin Feng, strolled unhurriedly with the crowd toward the examination hall prepared by the Wang family. In a fleeting glance, he saw Lu Liaoliao speaking and laughing with a handsome youth. His eyes narrowed slightly, and in the end he stepped forward with firm resolve into the examination hall.