RUAN YANJUN
I took the seat that Luo Fan had vacated when he left to meet Princess Xinnu. I had wanted to take him back home immediately, but Luo Fan himself was convinced that it would not be proper to leave without greeting the celebrant first. Now, the princess was clinging to his arm like a leech and the poor priest had no idea how to escape.
Shi Tengfei was smiling while watching his daughter flirt with Luo Fan. I tried not to look at them anymore because I might just throw up.
"Is it that amusing watching your daughter acting inappropriately before a priest?" I asked sarcastically.
He cleared his throat and tried to wear a stoic face. "She had never acted that way with any other men. I believe she's just deeply smitten. Don't they look great together?"
I scowled. That pairing was atrocious. Even a former whore like Jinjing would make a better partner for Luo Fan than that spoiled brat. "If you think you can convince me to agree with this marriage, you're mistaken."
"That's for Priest Luo to decide."
I squinted. This man was becoming a little too cunning. "Do you think he will say no? He knows that an emperor's word is an order, so even if he does not like your daughter, he will not refuse. You are practically forcing him to marry your daughter against his will."
He smiled again while watching his daughter as if he did not hear what I had said.
I grabbed Luo Fan's cup of leftover wine and chugged it down.
Zeng Jie, who had just bent down to fill a new cup paused and stared at me. He was probably shocked that I had just drunk from another person's cup.
"Fill it up," I ordered.
He was about to fill the new cup when I interrupted.
"Not that. This one," I said, referring to Luo Fan's cup.
Zeng Jie did not dare utter a word and just did as I had told him.
I picked up the cup and looked at Shi Tengfei who was staring at me in puzzlement. Right before his eyes, I lifted the cup to my lips and took a small sip while giving him a meaningful look.
His jaw dropped as he got the subtle message. Perhaps that would dissuade him from trying to marry off his daughter to my A-Fan.
*****
LUO FAN
I looked around anxiously.
Princess Xinnu had invited me into the garden to take a look at her grandmother's collection of herbs. I went along thinking I might find something useful. I did not notice that the servants had all left, leaving just the two of us.
It was already dark, but several lanterns illuminated the place which helped me navigate my way through the winding pathways even without my stick. Until I noticed that she was leading me to a dark spot.
"I think we should go back inside," I said. It was bad enough that the emperor wanted to marry off his daughter to me. If we stayed here for too long and unescorted unescorted, the more reason he'd have to seal the marriage. Even Ruan Yanjun might not be able to save me.
"I thought you wanted to check on the herbs?" she replied. "We haven't even gotten there yet." Her arm tightened around mine and she even rested her head on my shoulder.
I stiffened.
Jinjing had sometimes acted that way with me, but her touch had been nothing but casual and sometimes sisterly, untainted by any other intention.
But Princess Xinnu's was different. While she clung to my arm, her other hand stroked my bicep.
It made me feel uncomfortable.
I did not think there were any herbs in the garden either. She had been showing me flowers and ornamentals for the past few minutes instead.
"There's no one here with us," I said in an attempt to discretely dissuade her. "People might get the wrong impression."
"What about it?" she returned. "His Majesty has already decided to have us married. Hasn't he told you that earlier?"
My whole body went numb.
So this had been a trap. That was why they had come to get me when Ruan Yanjun was away. They even had my outfit prepared because tonight I would be engaged, and they had expected me to just bend a knee and accept the marriage without any protest.
She giggled, and suddenly, her fingers were wrapped around my neck, her body pressed against mine.
I was paralyzed, shocked beyond my wits.
"Priest Luo, the first time I saw you, I knew you'd be my husband." She was slowly rising, and I knew she was going to kiss me.
I understood that she was a little drunk and had probably lost touch with propriety, so I felt obligated to protect her dignity.
"Your Highness," I said as I gently held her on the shoulders to keep her in place, but he grabbed my head instead, tugging it down.
Before our lips touched, I pushed her on the shoulders and stepped back at the same time.
Never had I expected that a decent woman could act in such a way. Not even Jinjing or her friends, who were considered by society as women of ill repute, had dared do such a thing to me.
When I looked at her again, she was already seated on the ground.
Frantic as I was, I might have pushed her a little too hard.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"You… you pushed me," she cried. "How dare you push me away?"
"Your Highness, I apologize," I replied calmly even if my heart was still beating erratically. "I didn't mean to."
"You are just a commoner. You should be honored that I even showed you the slightest interest."
I was speechless. Just moments ago, she was very kind and sweet. Suddenly, she was reprimanding me for being a commoner.
"I apologize," I said sincerely and extended my hand toward her. "Here. Let me help you."
She slapped my hand away and stood up on her own. "After we're married, don't expect me to be a good wife to you."
My jaw dropped. After this, she still wanted to marry me?
"Your Highness, I have not yet decided on the matter of marriage."
"Are you saying you don't want to marry me?"
At first, I wasn't sure how to answer, but I decided to be honest about it. "Your Highness, you've seen my condition. I'm blind and sick. I am not worthy."
She was quiet. For a moment, I thought she understood, when suddenly, a sharp shriek broke the silence of the surroundings.
I was stunned and my ears ached. Several footsteps came rushing out of the back door to see what was happening.
"Arrest him!" Princess Xinnu ordered, pointing a finger at me.
I had expected the guards to cease me right away, and honestly, I would have preferred it. I'd rather be imprisoned than get married to this terrifying woman.
But no one moved.
"Guards, cease him! He hurt me!" she screamed louder.
"Who do you want to be arrested?" Ruan Yanjun's voice silenced everyone, including the princess.
For the second time this evening, Ruan Yanjun's arrival had given me reprieve.