"Gentlemen!" Zhao Ren called out with exaggerated charm, waving his hands as though he were commanding an audience. "Gather close! Let's talk some sense into each other. Look at this poor girl—are we really going to fall for this nonsense?"
Li Xian'er, standing alone in her plain attire, kept her gaze low, though her mind was sharp, alert. (Let them talk. They know nothing. They see only the surface, not the strength beneath it.)
Wei Jun rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Three minutes into this so-called marriage, and I'm already itching to leave."
"Why not?" chimed in Liang Chen with a smirk, nudging Zhi Rui. "This is a joke. The only power she has is being plain enough to disappear in a crowd!"
Some of the other suitors chuckled, each feeding off the other's disdain. Tian Ming, who had been quieter, finally piped up. "If this is the 'fate' we were bound to… then maybe I'd rather tempt destiny elsewhere."
Zhao Ren grinned, pleased to see the suitors rallying behind him. "Exactly! You don't owe anything to this… arrangement. Walk away now, and you'll be free from this mess. Just say it together: 'Divorce!'"
The word hung in the air like a challenge, and each of the suitors eyed one another, hesitant yet tempted.
One of the elders took a step forward, his expression calm but stern. "You young men would do well to heed your ancestors' words. This marriage was crafted by the heavens."
Zhao Ren scoffed, flicking his hand dismissively. "Please, elder. If the heavens had crafted this union, would they have sent us a bride like her?" He turned to Li Xian'er, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "No offense, of course."
Li Xian'er's heart pounded with anger, but she forced herself to remain still, unbothered. (They're not worth it. Let them talk themselves into circles.)
"We're powerful men," Liang Chen announced, standing straighter, "bound by a marriage arranged before we could choose. And now we're expected to believe this… ordinary girl can somehow elevate us to greatness?"
Another elder's gaze hardened. "You underestimate her."
Tian Ming laughed, unable to resist. "Oh, I'm trembling in my boots! A plain-looking girl with no discernible talents is supposed to change our lives?" He leaned forward, smirking at Li Xian'er. "What do you say to that? Do you truly think you're worthy of us?"
The other suitors snickered, their laughter echoing through the hall. Li Xian'er felt a spark of anger flare within her chest, but she kept it buried. (Let them laugh. They have no idea…)
One of the ancestors stepped forward, his voice strong and steady. "These vows are not to be taken lightly. A bond was created today that ties you to her fate. She has a power you do not understand, a potential that could alter your destinies."
Zhao Ren let out a loud, mocking laugh. "Oh, spare us the fairy tales! You think we're going to tremble over some mystical talk? We're warriors, leaders! We're not here to be tied to some girl just because the 'heavens' say so."
The ancestors shared a look, their faces filled with something that resembled pity for the arrogant young men before them. One of them spoke, his voice laced with an ominous warning. "Mock her now, if you will. But know that the day may come when each of you will regret your choice."
"Regret?" Wei Jun snorted, shaking his head. "I'd rather regret than waste my life here!"
As the ancestors stepped back, Li Xian'er caught one of their knowing glances. It gave her a small sense of satisfaction, even as her heart ached from the insults and humiliation. (One day, they'll regret it. Every last one of them.)
Tian Ming sneered, glancing around at the others. "What are we waiting for? Let's say it together! Divorce!"
A murmur of agreement rippled through the suitors, each one building up the nerve to speak the words. Li Xian'er swallowed, her gaze flickering to the floor, the weight of their decision pressing down on her. (If they truly go through with this… what will it mean for me? Will I be free… or abandoned?)
The ancestors, sensing the decision nearing, spoke again, their voices steady and powerful. "If you leave now, you are forsaking a path to greatness that you may never see again."
The suitors paused, hesitation flickering in their eyes. Zhi Rui shifted uncomfortably, muttering under his breath, "But… is it really true? Is she really worth anything?"
"She looks weak to me," muttered Liang Chen. "But… I don't know…"
Sensing the hesitation, Zhao Ren smirked, leaning in and saying in a low voice, "Gentlemen, don't let a little story about 'power' sway you. This girl? She's nothing but a dull pebble pretending to be a diamond."
The suitors nodded, emboldened by his words. Tian Ming stepped forward, looking directly at Li Xian'er with a smirk. "Well, it's settled then. Why waste any more time? I think we're ready to call it off!"
Just then, a powerful voice cut through the air, deep and commanding. "Perhaps you should reconsider."
A hush fell over the room as a masked man stepped forward, his aura radiating strength and authority. The suitors looked at him in awe, uncertain of who he was or where he'd come from, yet unable to deny the force of his presence.
Li Xian'er's eyes widened, her heart pounding. (Who… who is he?)
The masked man's gaze swept over the suitors, his tone cold and unyielding. "You dare speak of divorce only moments after making sacred vows? Are you truly so foolish?"
The suitors shifted uncomfortably, Zhao Ren's confidence waning as he met the stranger's intense gaze. "And who are you to question us?" he demanded, though his voice lacked its usual edge.
The masked man let out a dark chuckle. "Who I am does not matter. What matters is that you seem to have no understanding of what you stand to lose."
Li Xian'er felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. (This man… why does he seem so familiar, and yet…)
The masked man's gaze settled on her for a brief moment, and she felt an inexplicable warmth in his presence, as though he could see beyond the exterior that everyone mocked. (Could he… could he know who I am, truly?)
The suitors, flustered, tried to reclaim their confidence. Liang Chen sneered, "Oh, so you're here to play the hero? Save her from us? Well, go ahead, then. We don't need any part of this."
The man's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint. "So quick to discard what you cannot understand. But be warned—rejecting her will come at a cost none of you are prepared to pay."
Tian Ming, emboldened by his companions, let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, please! Do you really think we're afraid of some empty threat?"
The masked man took a step closer, his presence almost tangible, filling the room with an intensity that made even Zhao Ren take a step back. "Fate does not deal lightly with those who scorn its gifts," he said, his voice low but powerful. "Walk away now, and you may live to regret it for the rest of your lives."
The suitors fell silent, each one sensing the gravity of his words despite their previous bravado. Li Xian'er watched, her heart pounding with anticipation. (Who is he? Why is he… standing up for me?)
Finally, one of the elders spoke, his voice reverent as he addressed the masked man. "Thank you… for reminding these young men of what they risk. Perhaps now they will see reason."
The masked man gave a slight nod, his gaze once more meeting Li Xian'er's. She felt a strange comfort in his silent acknowledgement, a warmth she hadn't felt in so long.
But Zhao Ren, unwilling to let his control slip, sneered. "Well, if this masked stranger wants her so much, maybe we should just leave her to him!"
The suitors laughed, their voices filled with mockery. "Yes! Let the masked man take her if he thinks she's so powerful!" one of them jeered.
The masked man's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "Be careful what you wish for," he said softly, his tone both a warning and a promise.
Li Xian'er held her breath, a flicker of hope stirring within her. (Could this be… someone who sees me for who I am?)
Just as the suitors continued to mock, the masked man spoke once more, his words cutting through the laughter like a blade.
"Then perhaps," he said, his voice low and steady, "I will take what you so foolishly discard."
The suitors froze, their laughter dying in their throats, as the reality of his words sank in.