Chapter 110: Zhou Tang (2)

(4)

Tang Buli was a tomboy since childhood, roaming all over the capital and receiving endless attention. Used to teasing everyone, she never followed strict gender conventions.

Even so, she thought that sudden provocation was quite outrageous.

Why did she have to kiss Zhou Yunqing?

Why did she have to run away?

Why did she feel so embarrassed, almost wanting to bang her head against the wall, whenever she recalled the way Zhou Yunqing looked at her back then?

Tang Buli was not the type to avoid problems. She decided to clearly explain everything to Zhou Yunqing and put this matter to rest once and for all.

The next day, after retrieving the written reflections on the “Meaning of Words,” Tang Buli stayed behind to say a few more words.

“What happened yesterday… was my fault. I just wanted to tease you, to see if you really were as steadfast in character as you said.”

To show that she had no other intentions, Tang Buli slapped Zhou Yunqing’s shoulder generously. “Anyway, you’re a grown man; you won’t lose out. Don’t take it to heart.”

Zhou Yunqing was caught off guard by the slap, his wrist unsteady, and the pen tip left a noticeable ink blot on the rice paper.

He calmly switched to another sheet and uttered a quiet “Hmm.”

Seeing that he remained as calm and detached as ever, Tang Buli felt relieved and smiled brightly: “Then it’s all clear! From now on, let’s pretend nothing happened, and no one is allowed to bring this up again!”

After saying this, she picked up her already finished homework and hummed a tune, satisfied as she left.

Everything seemed to return to the carefree and happy days of before.

Whenever a refined lady who appreciated literature hosted a banquet, Tang Buli would bring Zhou Yunqing along to meet guests, using him as a front for her own lack of skill.

But Tang Buli never expected that the son of a poor family, without spare money for cultural refinement, could handle reading and writing with ease but would reveal his true nature when it came to the etiquette of the upper-class nobility.

When the servant brought the mouth-rinsing tea, he drank it all at once, causing even the serving maid to cover her mouth and laugh.

Zhou Yunqing, sitting among well-dressed nobles, looked out of place.

Tang Buli was very protective and would not allow others to mock those she brought along.

She sent the serving maid away and, after returning home, resolved to teach Zhou Yunqing about wine tasting and tea brewing. If he could one day enter the court as an official and join the upper class, he would no longer be despised or laughed at.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yunqing had a poor tolerance for alcohol. After only half a cup, he would become tipsy and talk incessantly.

After being forced to listen to his long-winded explanation of “The Penal Codes of Our Dynasty” for an entire afternoon, Tang Buli developed a splitting headache and felt completely lost, so she gave up on teaching him wine tasting and turned to focus on the tea ceremony instead.

She taught him, hand in hand, the social etiquette of official households.

Zhou Yunqing learned tea tasting very quickly. Within ten days, he could distinguish the quality of various teas and master the art of brewing tea at banquets.

Tang Buli enjoyed watching him brew tea. His elegant and refined manner was so pleasing to the eye that he looked like a true noble son.

However, the good times did not last long.

Zhou Yunqing soon found out that the copying work he was doing was not official Tang family clerk duties, but homework assigned by the old lady Tang to her granddaughter.

“The village lord promised not to make me do anything that violated morality,” Zhou Yunqing said firmly.

“I don’t want to copy the books either, but I asked you to copy them. How is this against morality when it’s something we both consent to?” Tang Buli said, puzzled by Zhou Yunqing’s stubbornness.

“If cultivating oneself and respecting propriety is the goal, how can that be compared with mere desires of the ownself?” Zhou Yunqing insisted stubbornly.

Tang Buli couldn’t argue with him. Sometimes she really couldn’t stand this young gentleman’s stubbornness and old-fashioned ways.

“If you don’t want to help, then don’t. Why lecture me so coldly?” she frowned and muttered.

Their first argument ended unhappily.

(5)

Grandmother was ill.

When the old lady suddenly fainted, Tang Buli was at the tile market watching a variety show. Upon hearing the news from the sweating servant, she felt as if her head was buzzing, the sky was falling.

Rushing back to the mansion, the old lady had just taken her medicine and gone to sleep. Only now did Tang Buli have the chance to closely examine this strong-willed old woman.

So, grandmother had grown this old.

Her temples were silver-white, her cheeks no longer carried the rich rosy fullness of the past, and lying on the couch, her body’s outline no longer showed any rise and fall. This tough woman, who had lost both her husband and son in middle age and endured half a lifetime of hardship, had single-handedly upheld the grand Tang household—but now had fallen victim to the curse of old age and frailty.

Sometimes, being forced to grow up can happen overnight.

With grandmother sick, many important affairs in the household fell heavily on Tang Buli’s shoulders, overwhelming her.

Only after taking charge herself did she realize the Tang family mansion had no real power, and it was truly difficult to maintain the huge household expenses.

Being inexperienced, she even begrudged spending money on hiring a scholar to copy books.

Fearless by nature, she had never been afraid of anything before. For the first time in her life, she was afraid—afraid that grandmother might slip away just like in her dreams.

“My dear granddaughter, these past few days must have been hard for you.”

Grandmother gently stroked her granddaughter’s cheek and sighed weakly. “Since your grandfather passed away, I raised your father alone, watched him enter court service and marry, and have children. Later your father died, and your mother-in-law went with him. Then I raised you… My only regret is that I didn’t get to arrange a good marriage for you, to see my grandson marry in glory.”

The old lady’s voice was hoarse with age, the bitter scent of medicine lingering, making Tang Buli’s nose sting.

“Grandmother, you will live a long life and be healthy.”

Tang Buli stirred the medicinal soup and spoke in a choked voice, “As long as you get better, I am willing to copy as many books and scriptures as needed. I won’t be frivolous or lazy anymore.”

“My good child, hearing you say that makes grandmother feel at ease.”

The old lady’s eyes revealed loving kindness as she slowly said, “You don’t have the backing of parents or brothers like the officials’ children. Remember to behave properly from now on, don’t act recklessly with outside men, giving others leverage over you… Understand?”

Tang Buli knew grandmother had heard about Zhou Yunqing and was thus warning her.

She felt bitter inside but nodded firmly, “Your granddaughter understands.”

With the old lady ill, the household was tight on resources. Tang Buli planned to keep only the loyal and honest servants, sending the others away if possible.

Of course, Zhou Yunqing was among those kept.

On the Qixi Festival, the day of the magpie bridge reunion, it was said that writing wishes on sky lanterns could send them to heaven along the Milky Way.

Tang Buli held a banquet at the Wangxian Tower, inviting the Yu siblings to release sky lanterns and pray for blessings.

She also brought Zhou Yunqing along—partly because lighting one hundred wish lanterns required many hands, partly because after today, she would no longer be able to support Zhou Yunqing, so this was a farewell.

On the painted bridge, Tang Buli held a lit candle and lit the lanterns one by one.

With each lantern lit, she silently prayed in her heart for her grandmother’s good health and long life.

The wind picked up, and the sky lanterns that hadn’t yet been lit were blown, rolling all over the ground. In the flurry, she suddenly felt a pair of long-fingered hands reach from behind to steady the nearly extinguished candle.

Zhou Yunqing said nothing. He picked up the lanterns that had been blown down and handed them back to her to relight.

Without a word, the two worked together silently. The lanterns, like fireflies, floated up into the sky, merging into a river of orange light.

“Zhou Yunqing.”

Tang Buli finally spoke, clutching the carved railing. “I can’t keep you copying books anymore.”

Zhou Yunqing turned to look at her, seeming puzzled.

The wind fluttered his faded white robe, as if at any moment he might ride the wind and fly away.

“Well… since you don’t like me faking things, and I don’t like being controlled, it’s better we part on good terms.”

Tang Buli said it all in one breath. For some reason, she didn’t dare look Zhou Yunqing in the eye.

She was proud by nature, and even now refused to admit her own financial hardship and plight.

She wanted to say more, but in the end said nothing.

The next day, Tang Buli prepared ink, brushes, paper, an inkstone, and a set of ancient books. She carefully wrapped them with some silver coins and went to bid Zhou Yunqing farewell.

In the clean room filled with the fragrance of ink, Zhou Yunqing stood with his back to her, writing prose on the wall as usual.

“Zhou Yunqing, pack your things and leave.”

Tang Buli cleared her throat and gently placed the wrapped bundle on the desk. “These are for you—consider it a parting gift for the months we’ve known each other.”

Zhou Yunqing’s brush moved like a dragon and snake, flowing calligraphy gradually turning from semi-cursive to wild cursive, with force that seemed to pierce the paper.

Within his refined figure, it seemed dark currents surged and erupted, transforming into an outpouring of ink.

“Zhou Yunqing, I’m leaving!”

Tang Buli raised her voice. Seeing he didn’t respond, she added dryly, “You’ll be very successful in the future!”

Zhou Yunqing still said nothing. He just lowered his head and furiously wrote his essay, the wild cursive turning into mad cursive.

The white paper peeled away, scattering on the floor. He was oblivious, continuing to write on the wall.

Tang Buli waited for a while, guessing he probably wouldn’t speak, then pursed her lips and walked away.

Only after her footsteps faded did Zhou Yunqing suddenly stop, like a clockwork mechanism that had fallen into disrepair.

The already dried brush split and cracked, resting on the wall like wild, messy grass, leaving behind a large patch of withered ink. Zhou Yunqing’s eyes were lonely and silent as he stood motionless before the unfinished prose for a long time without continuing.

He couldn’t write.

He just couldn’t.

The dry brush fell to the ground. He stepped back and helplessly pinched the bridge of his nose.

(6)

Zhou Yunqing left.

The empty room was cleaned neatly. Tang Buli’s farewell gift still lay quietly on the desk. Besides his own two sets of clothes and the writing supplies, he had taken nothing else.

Tang Buli looked at the unfinished wild prose on the wall, where the ink abruptly stopped, feeling an inexplicable regret.

She had too many things to deal with and soon left Zhou Yunqing far behind.

Gradually, that cold and lonely blue figure faded from her heart.

Not long after, her grandmother had people inquire everywhere and arranged a marriage for Tang Buli. The suitor was Chen Jian, grandson of the Grand Tutor, said to be a filial and well-mannered young man from a respectable family.

Tang Buli didn’t want to marry. She feared ending up like in her previous dreams—married to a good-for-nothing drunkard with only an empty reputation. But she couldn’t go against her grandmother’s limited time and her wish to see her granddaughter married.

“The Grand Tutor’s grandson, probably well-educated at home. Surely not that idiot who insulted the Regent in my dream, right?”

Tang Buli pondered, then snapped back to reality and patted the desk, “Tang Buli, what nonsense are you thinking? Such a ridiculous dream could never come true!”

Besides, the current emperor was still alive; there was no Regent at all.

Thinking this way, Tang Buli reluctantly felt reassured.

At Mid-Autumn Festival, Yu Lingxi fell seriously ill. Tang Buli went specially to visit.

Hearing about Tang Buli’s engagement to Chen Jian, Yu Lingxi was a little stunned.

“Ali, your engagement is great news. I should be happy.”

Yu Lingxi was thinner but still looked healthy and said softly, “But I’ve heard Chen Jian is a reckless womanizer with a bad reputation. You should think carefully.”

Soon enough, Yu Lingxi’s warning came true.

One day, while helping Yu Lingxi to investigate a matter at a flower house, Tang Buli ran into several slick young gentlemen from noble families—including her fiancé Chen Jian.

Their filthy words were unbearable to hear.

Thinking about marrying such a man and recalling how she suffered innocently and humbly begged in her dream, Tang Buli was furious.

By the time she realized it, her long whip had already been cracked down towards Chen Jian.

The Chen family couldn’t swallow the humiliation and, accusing her of “improper womanly conduct,” publicly broke off the engagement.

For a while, Tang Buli’s nicknames “She-Tiger” and “Female Overlord” spread far and wide, making her the subject of ridicule.

Tang Buli herself didn’t care. Anyone who dared mock her in front of her would get whipped—she would never lose out.

Her only worry was that her grandmother would be disappointed.

“Sorry, Grandmother.”

Tang Buli knelt before the bed and bowed her head. “I messed things up again.”

“Don’t blame yourself, dear granddaughter. It’s Grandma’s fault for trusting the wrong people and being deceived.”

The old lady smiled warmly as she helped her granddaughter up and comforted her: “That kind of impure, two-faced young man—better not to have him! Even if you don’t whip him, Grandma will whip him for you!”

The scolding Tang Buli expected never came. Instead, she suddenly looked up: “Really?”

“Really.”

The old lady smoothed Tang Buli’s tied-up hair and lovingly said, “Stopping the loss in time is a blessing.”

Tang Buli’s eyes stung, and she hugged her grandmother tightly.

This strong but gentle old woman still couldn’t survive the harsh winter. On a snowy night, she quietly closed her eyes and peacefully passed away.

Tang Buli’s world collapsed.

(7)

After the old lady was buried, Tang Buli felt as if a piece of her heart was missing. From then on, no one in the world would shield her from wind and rain; she could only stumble and learn to grow up on her own.

The servant asked her what to do with the entire wall covered in ink stains in the back street room.

Tang Buli suddenly remembered the half-written essay left by Zhou Yunqing and said, “Just repaint it white.”

The servant took the order, but Tang Buli called him back, “Wait.”

The servant turned around, and after thinking for a long time, Tang Buli sighed and said, “Never mind, just keep it.”

She didn’t know why she wanted to keep this wall—perhaps the rebellious words on the wall had a calming power, or maybe… it was simply too precious to paint over.

That essay was full of references and magnificent momentum; if it had been completed, it would surely have been a masterpiece passed down for generations.

…

Tang Buli did not expect that the first thing Zhou Yunqing would do after passing the imperial examination as the third-ranking scholar was to come back to find her.

Could it be that Zhou Yunqing had come back to flaunt and get revenge?

After all, she had been proud and chased Zhou Yunqing away with a tone too blunt and ungraceful, which was hurtful.

He was a promising rising star in the court, while she was a fallen orphan from a declining family. Besides mocking him to feel better, she could not think of any other reason for Zhou Yunqing to visit.

The more she thought, the more uneasy she felt. She had the steward close the mansion doors, avoiding visitors.

However, it was too late; the third-ranking scholar stood outside the door, insisting on seeing her.

Tang Buli had no choice but to muster courage and go out to meet him.

The scholar wore a red robe, his face like jade, standing tall without any impatience.

Undeniably, for a moment, Tang Buli was stunned by his refined and clear-cut handsome appearance, like a reborn man.

She quickly restrained her feelings and guardedly asked, “What do you want?”

She deliberately used a fierce tone to hide her nervousness and vulnerability, which surprised Zhou Yunqing.

Then he slowly folded his sleeves and said clearly, “My deep gratitude for your generous support cannot be forgotten by Zhou. Now that I have returned home in glory, I have come specially to thank you.”

After saying this, he performed a deep bow.

His respectful attitude saved Tang Buli’s face.

Tang Buli felt like a punch landed on cotton—her guardedness turned into confusion.

She understood every word he said, but together, she did not understand.

The money she had given him at the start—he hadn’t taken it away, right? Where was this “deep gratitude for support” coming from?

(8)

Zhou Yunqing’s talent first emerged, and he became a favored person under the new emperor.

Even the top scholar, the number one in the imperial exam, had to start at the Hanlin Academy as a compiler, but Zhou Yunqing was directly promoted to the Court of Justice.

He was an extremely frugal person, almost to the point of severity. For years, he only had two sets of official robes for spring and autumn, and a few sets of common clothes for receiving guests, which he rotated wearing. If they did not wear out, he never cut new ones.

Therefore, the treasures awarded by the new emperor and the court-issued silk and brocade were too good for him to enjoy. All were sent to the Tang family mansion by officials, under the pretext: “A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring.”

Those silk and brocade fabrics were top-quality from the palace and looked truly beautiful, but Tang Buli felt uneasy about them.

Several times she wanted to refuse, but Zhou Yunqing only said, “I don’t need them. If the lady of the manor doesn’t like them, you may sell or give them away.”

In short, he did not want to take them back.

Tang Buli couldn’t hold back any longer and asked, “Why are you being so good to me? Is it just because I hired you to copy books with money back then?”

Zhou Yunqing paused, then lifted his eyes from the scroll and said, “Every month, the lady of the manor secretly sent me paper, ink, and books to help me prepare for the imperial exams. Such great kindness, Zhou will always remember it.”

“Every month… paper, ink, and books?”

Tang Buli finally realized something was wrong: Zhou Yunqing’s repayment of gratitude… seemed to be to the wrong person!

But who was the one who truly supported him?

Tang Buli thought hard and could only think of one person.

“It was done in your name by me.”

At Zhaoyun Palace, the beautiful Empress smiled serenely and told her, “Didn’t I tell you, Ah Li? Zhou Yunqing is not an ordinary man. You must take good care of him.”

(9)

Yu Lingxi seemed to have foreseen Zhou Yunqing’s success. Supporting him in Tang Buli’s name was somewhat like playing matchmaker for a friend.

Tang Buli was uneasy, always feeling like a thief who had taken credit for a kindness she didn’t deserve.

Several times, she wanted to reveal the truth to Zhou Yunqing: that she was not the one who actually supported him.

But every time she saw Zhou Yunqing’s silent and dependable face, her throat tightened and she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She began to grow attached and afraid. The once bold, fearless, and passionate Lady Qingping had become a hesitant coward.

Zhou Yunqing never had a woman around him, not even a maid to serve tea or water—his place was empty and cold. So Tang Buli learned to make pastries and soups, occasionally bringing some warmth to the busy Lord Zhou, who had no time to eat.

This was the only thing she could do for Zhou Yunqing. Only in this way could she offset the guilt and struggle in her heart.

After accidentally burning the kitchen twice and almost choking someone with hard pastries, Zhou Yunqing finally tactfully told her, “Lady, you don’t need to force yourself to do things you’re not good at. Just be yourself.”

The more understanding and generous he was, the more guilty Tang Buli felt.

Since she didn’t have the talent for cooking, inviting Zhou Yunqing to dine at Wangxian Tower to thank him for his care over these days was not a problem.

After the meal, Zhou Yunqing politely escorted Tang Buli back to the mansion.

They rode side by side, slowly moving along, and somehow ended up at the guest room in the back street where Zhou Yunqing used to stay.

Opening the door, dust fell from the beams. On the wall lit by the slanting sun, the bold handwriting still clearly remained, telling the story of the author’s free and vast spirit.

“This essay is rare in all history. Why wasn’t it finished?” Tang Buli asked, arms crossed, standing by the wall.

Zhou Yunqing stood shoulder to shoulder with her and thought for a moment before replying, “My heart wasn’t calm.”

“Why wasn’t it calm?” Tang Buli was curious.

To her, Zhou Yunqing was the kind of man who wouldn’t even blink if the sky fell.

Zhou Yunqing didn’t answer. He untied the slender silver sheath at his waist and pulled out—not a dagger, but a brush.

He actually carried writing tools with him! Tang Buli was once again impressed by this bookish man.

Standing before the wall covered in ink, Zhou Yunqing pondered briefly, then began to continue writing the essay.

He wrote very earnestly, his wrist suspended and eyes lowered, as if performing a sacred ritual. The warm sunset light bathed his side profile in golden glow, highlighting his natural elegance even more.

He was so upright and honorable, so pure and just, that even the villains of the world would feel ashamed.

Tang Buli opened her mouth, unable to hold it in any longer. She mustered her courage and said, “Actually, the person who supported you with paper and books back then… wasn’t me.”

A long silence followed.

It’s over. It’s all over.

Tang Buli instantly deflated, panicked at the thought: He’s such a stickler for honesty—he must hate people who lie and deceive the most! He must absolutely loathe me now!

(10)

“Um… sorry. I hid it from you for so long.”

Tang Buli felt too ashamed to face Zhou Yunqing any longer. She blurted this out and rushed toward the door.

“I know.”

Zhou Yunqing’s clear voice rang out, freezing Tang Buli in her tracks.

She turned around, eyes wide. “What did you say?”

“I knew those things weren’t sent by you.”

Zhou Yunqing finally finished the last character on the wall and turned to look at her. “That day I came to the manor to thank you, the surprise in your eyes wasn’t faked. It wasn’t hard to find out the truth.”

“You… already knew the truth from that early on?”

Tang Buli was baffled. “Then why didn’t you expose me?”

Zhou Yunqing put away his brush and said calmly, “Your help was a favor, not an obligation. Besides, it was you who helped me out of trouble, taught me etiquette and how to handle social affairs, gave me shelter and care when I had nothing. That was truly your doing, was it not?”

Moreover, the way Lady Qingping restlessly tried to repay him in every way she could—

Was quite amusing.

That was his little secret, one he would never say aloud.

His words stirred a whirlwind of emotions in Tang Buli’s heart. It was as if she had soared from the bottom of a cliff straight into the clouds.

For a moment, the whole world seemed to brighten.

This man… he’s unbearably stiff—yet unbearably attractive!

Tang Buli’s mischievous heart was once again starting to stir.

Her heart pounded wildly, and she had only one thought: She wanted to peel away Zhou Yunqing’s cold and untouchable shell, and force out that blushing, rule-breaking version of him she had dreamed of.

“You don’t have a wife, do you, Lord Zhou?” Tang Buli took a step forward.

Caught off guard by her sudden change of topic, Zhou Yunqing was slightly stunned, then answered truthfully, “No.”

“You’re quite the hot commodity now—so many powerful families must want to marry into yours. Why haven’t you accepted any of them?”

Tang Buli took another step forward.

“I don’t like them,” Zhou Yunqing replied.

“With all those matchmakers constantly knocking down your door, it must be a headache.”

“It is.”

“I’m equally troubled by persistent matchmakers. Since we’re both bothered by the same thing, why not join forces?”

“How would we do that?”

Fell into the trap.

Tang Buli took another step forward, almost pressing against Zhou Yunqing’s chest. She smiled proudly and said, “Let’s get married and shut up all the gossip, how about it?”

Zhou Yunqing tensed slightly and lowered his eyes to look at her.

Tang Buli stood in the doorway from sunset to dusk, waiting until the last rays of sunlight faded. Even when the smile at the corner of her mouth was about to collapse, she still didn’t get a reply from Zhou Yunqing.

(11)

Tang Buli lay tossing and turning all night, her tired eyes wide open on the bed.

It only occurred to her belatedly—she had probably been rejected.

Her marriage prospects had never gone smoothly. Even her engagement had once been broken off. Being rejected once more wasn’t such a big deal…

But the one rejecting her was Zhou Yunqing! Just thinking of that bookworm’s expressionless face made her chest ache.

Forget it, forget it. A falling flower is intentional, but the flowing water is heartless. Rather than clinging to one tree until death, she might as well take a look at other branches. After all, she had the title of “Lady of the Township,” and she wasn’t lacking in looks. Why would she be afraid of not finding a husband to marry into her family?

Tang Buli clenched her fist to comfort herself and sprang up like a carp leaping from water—only to collapse listlessly back into the bedding moments later…

Still heartbroken. Still unmotivated.

She muddled through half the day until a servant came in with a smile to report: “My Lady, Lord Zhou is here.”

Tang Buli jumped up from her chair. When she saw that familiar refined figure step through the door, she slowly sat back down, crossed her arms, and huffed, “What are you doing here again?”

Zhou Yunqing said, “I have given it much thought after returning home. About what My Lady asked yesterday…”

“Stop right there!”

Tang Buli raised her hand to cut him off, speaking in frustration, “You already rejected me once yesterday. I’m not the kind of person who pesters others endlessly. No need to come back just to humiliate me again.”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Zhou Yunqing’s eyes.

“When did I reject you?” he asked.

Seeing him act all righteous, Tang Buli couldn’t hold back her anger and snapped, her voice tough but lacking conviction, “You said nothing—that’s the same as rejecting me! Don’t act all innocent.”

Zhou Yunqing didn’t argue. He simply unfurled the scroll in his hands with a rustling sound, laying it flat on the table.

The scroll was at least four or five feet long, densely covered with writing. Tang Buli didn’t want to acknowledge him, but her curiosity got the better of her. She glanced sideways and asked, “What’s that mess?”

“A marriage contract and agreement,” Zhou Yunqing said simply. “It’s not that I’m unwilling—just not good with words. So I wrote it out instead.”

Tang Buli’s heart skipped a beat, and her overbearing tone dropped noticeably. She stammered, “So you were up all night… writing this thing?”

“Yes,” Zhou Yunqing replied. “Marriage is no trifling matter—it needs clear terms and conditions.”

What the hell!

If he doesn’t trust her, then he shouldn’t marry her. What’s the point of drawing up some agreement… and such a long scroll, so many words—this isn’t three simple rules, it’s at least three hundred!

“Let me see!”

Tang Buli paced over, leaned in to look at the fine writing on the scroll, and muttered under her breath, “The husband: Zhou Yunqing; the wife: Tang Buli…”

She had only read two lines when Tang Buli’s cheeks flushed. She glared at him and said, “We haven’t even agreed on anything yet—who’s your wife?”

Then she skipped past the opening lines and started reading from the main content:

“Before the wedding, the groom shall gift the bride a dowry of no less than ten thousand taels; under no circumstances may it be reclaimed afterward.

The bride’s personal property before marriage shall remain solely hers and may not be appropriated by the husband for any reason after marriage.

Should the husband behave improperly or without decorum after marriage, the wife has the right to discipline him, and he shall not refute her.

The couple shall treat each other with respect as honored guests. Divorce and taking concubines are strictly forbidden.

If the husband insists on violating this, he shall leave the marriage with nothing.”

Tang Buli skimmed it from top to bottom, then again from bottom to top—something didn’t feel right.

“Why does this agreement only place restrictions on the husband?”

“Because in such matters, it’s always the woman who gets the short end of the stick,” Zhou Yunqing said after a pause. Then he added softly, “Besides, I’ve already gotten what I wanted.”

His last words were spoken so gently, she didn’t catch them.

Still holding the agreement, Tang Buli studied it suspiciously. “This thing… is it really not a trick?”

Where in the world does pie fall from the sky? What kind of man gives up his fortune, assets, even his authority, all willingly into the hands of his wife?

“This scroll bears an official seal and is protected by law. Naturally, it’s not fake.”

“You even went to the magistrate’s office to notarize it? Where?”

For someone like Lord Zhou, who diligently studied law and had a famously upright character, preparing a sincerely written marriage contract as a betrothal gift was no difficult task.

He stepped forward, reached past Tang Buli from behind, and pointed to the red seal at the bottom of the scroll. “Here.”

As his arm brushed past her and his cool, clear voice sounded beside her ear, Tang Buli’s ears tingled. She blushed and stood up in a fluster. “Alright, alright, I believe you.”

Zhou Yunqing straightened and nodded. “If you have no objections, please sign, My Lady.”

Their names were written side by side at the end of the scroll. When they pressed their bright red fingerprints onto the page, Tang Buli felt as though she were dreaming.

“So… this means we’re engaged?” she murmured.

“In theory, yes. But the proper betrothal process with the formal three letters and six rituals will not be omitted.”

Zhou Yunqing stared at the scroll for a long while before carefully rolling it up and solemnly offering it to her with both hands. “Now that we are husband and wife in promise, I ask My Lady to take good care of me.”

Tang Buli took the scroll, tossed it playfully, and caught it again with a smug smile. “That depends on how you behave. If you treat me poorly, I can kick you out with nothing!”

“Of course,” Zhou Yunqing replied, lowering his eyes to hide the ripples of emotion that flickered there.

Had Tang Buli looked up at that moment, she would have seen that beneath the cold, aloof surface of Lord Zhou’s expression, there was the warmest hint of a smile.

(End)

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