Hasan Diao stood on the edge of the bed, looking at his bride condescendingly. The handsome face was frowning and his heart turbulent.
As soon as he came back from the mountain, the brothers in the village dragged him into wedding clothes and took him to the Meeting Hall to drink wedding wine, saying that they had robbed him of a bride.
Is this another trial? Could this woman be a nail planted by the boss? Otherwise, why would the eldest and second masters not get married yet, so why would they get him a wife?
More than a thousand bandits gathered in Kuring Mountain. Relying on the dangerous terrain, one man guarded the gate and ten thousand men could not open it. They robbed official roads, disturbed people's residences, and committed all kinds of evil. They became a cancer on the land of San.
Hasan Diao disguised himself here to get in touch with the spy they planted. Their plan was thorough enough and that spy already became the third master of the mountain. He just finally took the place and suddenly got into the bridal chamber.
Looking at the bride again, he knew she was pretty under the veil.
There was a slight noise outside the door, and Hasan Diao couldn't help but sneer. Since they wanted to watch a show, he would cooperate with the acting. Fortunately, this woman was quite attractive.
There was a sound of rustling, the veil was lifted, and then a body full of masculine aura came closer. Kiu Nyu was like a fish out of water, she clearly knew she was drugged, but she couldn't resist the smell from on top of her. Kiu Nyu visibly bit her inner mouth and turned her head away from him.
It was evident the woman wasn't here voluntarily, but as she lowered her head, her glossy black hair hung down softly, carrying a faint fragrance, and swept across his jaw like a feather crossing the tip of his heart. As if a dragonfly touching the water of the lotus pond, with small ripples Hasan Diao's senses heightened.
"How is it, third brother? I pick the best bride for you! She has porcelain skin and is the prettiest among the bunch! HA.. HA.. HA..!"
The outside voice broke his trance. He lowered his head and found the girl's corner lip was bleeding.
Hasan Diao was sober, that little wine couldn't get through him. He tapped her acupuncture for movement, "Please excuse me, Miss."
He kicked the bedpost to disguise his whisper while feeding her a crushed antidote
"Ugh! Uhuk..! Uhuk..!"
The initial burning sensation was replaced by a suffocation. Her dizziness was gone and now her eyes met with a pair of black pools.
"Are you sober now?" Realizing his stupid question he shook his head, "Just blink once for yes and twice for no."
Kiu Nyu blinked once.
"I can tell you're not here voluntarily, if you can cooperate with me, I'll let you go and no one in your family would know what happened. What do you think?"
Another blink.
"Good. Now, can you scream?"
Kiu Nyu raised her eyebrow.
"I'll pretend to hurt you and you must scream as miserable as you can, begging also good. Can you do it?"
She immediately blinked.
The third master of Kuring was a big deal. One, it was the first wedding of the leaders. Two, some people with doubt tried to use this to verify his loyalty. Who knows, not only it was a success but the begging and whip sounds from inside made the onlookers vigorous.
People with wives and lovers found them while the single one found a companion or drank away the sorrow with wine. The second master happy event was heard all over Kuring.
"He bit the bait? Are you sure?"
"Yes, Second Master. We stayed a little longer to make sure and the voices.. No way it's fake."
"He really accepted my gift? Is he dumb or play dumb?"
While the second master's courtyard was in gloom suspecting Huan Ji's motive, the main courtyard where the bandit chief and his adopted son the first master was beaming in joy.
The leader slammed the empty glass in excitement, "Good! Very good! Second Master finally did something good!"
The First Master poured wine to his adopted father's cup, "Second Brother really thoughtful. They said the bride is very beautiful and well behaved. He always has sharp eyes for women."
"Indeed! Little Two has the best ax skills and robs women! HA.. HA.."
"Congratulations Father for having a powerful son."
The middle aged man nodded while stroking his beard, "I never see your third brother close to a woman. Do you think he can handle it?"
"The second brother's people work attentively, the bride and groom will have a good time, Father."
"Hua Ha.. Ha.. Ha..! Good! Good! I can't wait to hug my grandson!"
"Then I'll retire first, Father."
"Yeah, you go too. I heard you got a new concubine, spread the branch, don't just fool around."
"The son will obey."
The so-called first master smiled and it faded once he turned around. His walk was brisk and he stopped at a room guarded by several women.
His arrival made the guarding women immediately salute and leave the premises.
Once he entered the room, his attention focused on the woman with various bruises all over her body. Tears were trailing down to her face and her body shook visibly with every step the first master took.
"Now, now, what toy should we use this time?"
The despair and horror from the girl's face was inconsistent with her good appearance. If Kiu Nyu was there, she would realize it was her maid, Liu Li.
The sun was early in the mountain. Kiu Nyu matched Huan Ji's step although it was unbearable. That man seriously has no pity for others. She was thankful that they had no maid, she could bathe and get ready with her own.
Thankfully the married woman's hairstyle was just a giant bun so she wouldn't need to comb her long hair for too long. She wore a black kebaya gown and a golden earring and hairpin.
The moment she entered the hall, she could feel the burning gaze following her steps. It was a good thing she wore the veil Huan Ji gave.
Kiu Nyu had met many beautiful women, she herself wasn't ugly, but comparing a woman that spent her life pampered by scented baths and all kinds of expensive skin care with the women here.. This gawking stare was understandable.
"Greetings, Chief."
Kiu Nyu followed Huan Jii's salute, staring at the ground as if it was her best friend.
"Get up, get up! Why are you so formal with me, Third Master? Are you angry because I arranged your marriage behind your back?"
"Of course not, Chief. I'm thankful to you and the Second Master for finding me such an understanding wife."
"HA.. HA.. Does it mean you're satisfied with the wife's choice?"
"Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Second Master."
"I'm relieved, I'm relieved. Third Madam, come here."
Kiu Nyu was perfectly fine being a decoration, why did the man call her?!
Huan Ji gave a slight nudge on her waist and she knew she must walk there.
She saluted, "Chief."
The old man handed her a box, "This is a little token of my heart, I hope you like it."
"Thank you, Chief."
"Alright, we've met the bride now. Let's start the banquet!"
Kiu Nyu ate a little bit of everything and purposefully chewed longer. She couldn't trust this group of bandits. She realized their identity by the piece and bits of conversation heard.
A loud bang from a chair being kicked quietened the hall. The bandits that were ready to unsheathed their weapons immediately shrinked in their seats once a girl in a ponytail and sword in hand came into view.
"Which slut is it?" She shouted harshly, pointing at people with her sword. "Which slut dares to climb on the Third Master's bed?! You come out for me!"
Kiu Nyu put her chopstick down, trying to minimize her existence behind Hasan Diao.
"This is over now, the bride will be targeted by Young Miss."
"The Chief sent her for an expedition and purposely held the wedding when Young Miss was not here."
So, she was the reason they needed an outsider as the bride. Hasan Diao got an admirer and based on everyone's attitude, the girl was high ranking or backed by a powerful person.
"Feng Yu! Mind your tongue. It's the Third Master's wife!"
Judging by the chief's indulging tone, it was safe to say that Hasan Diao's admirer was his daughter.
"Wife? What kind of wife! The Third Master clearly should be my husband! Where does this slut come from?!"
"Feng Yu!"
Kiu Nyu heard a lot of scolding among nobles, but this kind of vulgar words was scarier than she imagined.
"Third Master!" The girl stomped her feet, her sight glued on Hasan Diao. "You will get rid of her and marry me, right? You will be the next chief by marrying me!"
The air was stagnant and people were staring at him, but Hasan Diao took her to stand up.
"Young Miss, I understand the grace of the chief and the brothers of Kuring Fortress, but I love my wife and will spend the rest of my life with her."
New information.
The men couldn't let the chief's daughter marry Hasan Diao because of a leadership dispute and the women didn't have enough courage to steal the Young Miss's man.
It's just.. Why did Hasan Diao drag her too? He should talk like that and hide her, not fully displaying her like this! She was a dead meat now!
"How can you spend the rest of your life with this ugly woman? Look at her using that veil, she must be an ugly woman!"
"Young Miss-"
Before Hasan Diao could say anything Feng Yu charged at Kiu Nyu with a sword pointing at her. He took Kiu Nyu to the side and the girl tripped on the chair and fell ungracefully.
"You-"
He disregarded Feng Yu's cursing eyes and saluted the chief, "Chief, my wife was shocked. We will meet you another day."
Judging by how fast the hasty walk changed to normal, Kiu Nyu could tell that it was all acting.
Of course everything was acting. She didn't even know if this so-called third master would really release her or not.
"I have something to do. Just stay in the room and wait for food to be delivered here."
The man didn't even wait for her to answer and disappear.