While Qian Yu allowed Chu Han to be lost in his own thoughts, she also started calculating in her head what she would do now that the man is in front of her. Of course, she understands that tonight is their first night as husband and wife. Although she had already understood the implications of that, she is still unsure whether or not she is okay with rolling under the sheets with someone she doesn't really know all that well.
Chu Han, on the other hand, was pulled from his own thoughts after a while. It was then that he noticed that the woman in front of him was also lost in her own thoughts.
"Cough", unable to stand being ignored, Chu Han cleared his throat to get Qian Yu's attention.
Qian Yu blinked twice before her sight focused once again to the man in front of her.
"Is this the part where we will call on the maids to turn off the candles?", Qian Yu said with a hint of teasing in her tone.
Chu Han's eyebrows twitched slightly but just enough for Qian Yu to notice. He cleared his throat again. He effortlessly pulled a chair in front of the woman sitting on the bed and sat down to face her before speaking out.
"I don't know what you three sisters are planning, throwing yourselves into this marriage just like that.", he started. "However, I guarantee this - whatever evil plot you three are hatching, you won't succeed."
"It seems that this little wife has given the general a bad first impression.", Qian Yu amusedly asked. "Why are you doubting if we have an evil plot or not?"
"Anyone with eyes can see.", Chu Han replied in a cold tone. "Why would you dare to recommend yourselves to the three highest powers in the kingdom if you don't have something planned? The emperor would have made proper arrangements for the three princesses, given time, but you just have to go ahead and nominate yourselves to be someone's wives. What do you intend to do?"
Qian Yu chuckled. "If I tell you, would you dare to believe?"
Chu Han gave Qian Yu a piercing glare. "Let me hear it and I'll decide whether or not I'll believe it."
Qian Yu gave another soft laugh upon hearing the general's words. "The only reason why we have recommended ourselves as we did is simply because we sisters don't want to share the same man."
Qian Yu observed Chu Han's face for a while before continuing. "As for why we chose the emperor, the prime minister, and you, we've already given our reason back at the banquet. Who else aside from the three of you can be considered qualified to take our hand in marriage?"
Chu Han's face grew colder as he heard Qian Yu's words. It may sound like legitimate reasons for their previous action but he would be a fool if he believed that.
"Liar!", he spat out in between gritted teeth.
Qian Yu secretly sighed in her heart. It seemed like the general was getting angry every passing moment.
"But that is the truth though.", she insisted.
Chu Han did not speak. However, his heaving chest was a clear sign that he was trying to calm his temper. His piercing glare didn't leave Qian Yu's face, as if not daring to miss any subtle hints of evil intentions from her face.
"I don't know what you are plotting but I assure you that if it harms His Majesty and his people, I will not spare your life.", Chu Han said in a threatening tone after a while. "However, I will still give you the benefit of the doubt, seeing that you have already entered the door as my legitimate wife."
Qian Yu secretly raised her eyebrows at his words. She was actually bracing herself for any violent retaliation from the man. She thought that Chu Han would wring her neck in anger. Never did she expect that the man will still speak to her diplomatically despite his temper.
"As our marriage was decreed by the emperor, it is this subject's duty to obey. Thus, I have no choice but to welcome you as my bride. You will become the rightful madam, as long as you do not break the rules of the Chu manor nor of the land. As long as you respect me, I will respect you. As long as you do not threaten the kingdom, I will spare your life."
"Oh?", Qian Yu softly exclaimed, with a tinge of surprise in her voice. "Back at home, I heard rumors from the battlefield that the general is a ruthless person. It seems I may be wrong."
"Indeed, I am ruthless. But only to my enemies."
"Then, this little wife, in your eyes, is not an enemy?"
"That is yet to be seen."
A smile bloomed on Qian Yu's face upon hearing that. She nodded, as if she understood something.
'So this is the kind of mind he is.', Qian Yu re-evaluated the man in front of him.
According to the reports they received about the General, he was cold-blooded killer on the battlefield. His methods were ruthless and efficient. He is the type to remove all troubles from the roots. Despite that, it seems that he is also the type to investigate further first before eliminating his enemies.
That's good. At least, there's a bit of an assurance for her that this man won't lay his hands on the people he shouldn't.
"Well, then," Qian Yu replied as she bowed her head in solemn promise. "husband can expect that this little wife will not be causing any trouble in the inner courtyard. I will just be as docile as I can be so you won't have to worry even when you are on the battlefield."
A trace of doubt flashed on Chu Han's face but Qian Yu didn't see it as she had her head lowered. Chu Han thought that her words were filled with mockery but he can actually see the sincerity in the woman's face so he was confused as to how he should react.
"Hmm.", Chu Han just grunted in response.