Chapter Thirty-Three: The Proposal

Hall

Li Yu sat in the main seat of the hall, gazing at the figure in black who had been captured. Yes, it was truly a shadow—dressed in black, flamboyantly so.

“Why were you following me?” Li Yu asked.

“I was just passing by. I didn’t expect your men to mistake me for someone else,” replied the shadow, completely unruffled, his tone careless.

“Mistake? Interesting. Since it’s all a misunderstanding, what do you think I should do?” Li Yu pressed further.

“I’m with General Ji Wuye. You should know what to do now, right?” The shadow’s patience was wearing thin.

“Oh? So that’s it. In that case—” Li Yu deliberately paused.

The shadow looked as if he expected nothing less.

Li Yu continued, “I suppose I have no choice but to kill you, make you disappear without a trace, with no one left to testify.”

The shadow was speechless.

“I’m joking, just joking. How could I possibly know General Ji? I’m just a bit strapped for cash lately…” As he spoke, he made a gesture with his hand, miming a thief’s move.

Li Yu replied, “Moya, the first-ranked assassin of the Hundred Birds, famed for your peerless lightness skills. Are you saying you don’t know yourself?”

Moya’s composure finally faltered. “Who are you really?”

Li Yu shook his head. “Who I am isn’t important. What matters is what I want to do now, and the choice you have to make.”

Moya responded, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. The General admires your talents and wishes to invite you over.”

Li Yu replied, “General Ji Wuye—others may fear him, but as for me…” He shook his head and continued, “If I were to tell you who I am, you would have only two choices.”

“Are you sure you want to hear?”

Li Yu genuinely admired Moya—otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered with all these words.

Moya fell silent. He didn’t think Li Yu was bluffing. Ever since he realized his cover was blown and tried to escape, a dozen skilled fighters had appeared to surround him, and he hadn’t been able to defeat even one.

Yet what Moya couldn’t understand was why this man wanted to win him over, knowing full well he was one of Ji Wuye’s people.

Li Yu spoke again, “I’ve also heard of someone named Bai Feng, who is quite close to you.”

At this, Moya’s face turned cold. “What do you mean by that?”

Li Yu replied, “Nothing much. I’m just saying, I can grant Bai Feng his freedom, but in return, you must work for me.”

Moya asked, “How can I trust you?”

Li Yu answered, “My name is Li Yu, from the State of Qin. Is that enough for you?”

Moya was visibly shocked. “You’re the King’s brother of Qin?”

Li Yu neither confirmed nor denied it, merely staring at Moya.

After a moment’s thought, Moya said, “I can serve you, but not Bai Feng. I don’t want him to live this kind of life.”

Li Yu replied, “Deal. For now, you remain by Ji Wuye’s side. I’ll contact you when needed. Go.”

Moya gave Li Yu a curious look. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll change my mind?”

Li Yu smiled. “Would you dare?”

Moya rose, saluted Li Yu, turned, and with a leap, vanished into the night.

Ji Wuye, though wielding overwhelming power, was plagued by internal troubles. Of the Four Fiends of the Night, Emerald Tiger was restless—otherwise, he wouldn’t have transferred most of his assets to Qin. Bai Yifei and Ji Wuye were more collaborators than allies, and as for the Straw-Clad Guest, Li Yu was extremely curious about his true identity. Li Yu suspected he was from the Net, for some of their intelligence was still controlled by Yanri. As for the Tidal Enchantress—Li Yu smiled knowingly.

He had long yearned for her, and would not rest until he claimed her.

The Seventh Year of King Zheng of Qin

The sixth day of the third month.

Li Yu gazed at the newly refurbished stage.

The girls were preparing for the final rehearsal of the day. Though somewhat weary, their faces betrayed a hint of excitement.

Wearing the clothes Li Yu had designed, some were ill at ease, while others admired themselves in bronze mirrors.

Li Yu approached Zi Nu, handing her a paper box.

“Try it on, and let me know if it needs any adjustments,” Li Yu said expectantly.

Zi Nu accepted it with curiosity. Having seen what her sisters wore, she wondered what kind of outfit Li Yu had prepared for her.

She opened the box to find a violet dress. Closing the lid, she headed upstairs.

Li Yu waited with anticipation. He knew Zi Nu liked purple, and he had gone to great lengths to create this shade.

The other girls were also eager to see what their master had chosen for their mistress.

Soon, the sound of footsteps announced the descent of a fairy-like woman. Her skirt was tailored into countless pleats, with a sheer veil overlaying them like morning mist. The uneven lace edging of the sleeves enhanced her delicate grace. Spiraling down from her shoulders, tendrils of deep violet violets adorned the fabric. The well-fitted bodice and billowing skirt made her look like a princess among the clouds—elegant and magnificent.

Zi Nu’s slender waist, combined with her languid yet rhythmic steps, made her seem both fairy and queen.

Embellished with glass fragments sewn into the violet gown, she gleamed under the lights—radiant and dazzling, the very center of attention, the star of the stage.

Zi Nu, seeing her sisters staring in astonishment, knew the dress was beautiful, and she herself was fond of it. As she walked, she gently held up the hem, careful not to soil it.

Li Yu stepped forward, knelt on one knee, took out a small box, and, looking up at Zi Nu with deep affection, declared, “Zi Nu, you are as beautiful as a fairy in the heavens, as virtuous as the earth itself. Will you marry me?”

Zi Nu was taken aback by this kneeling proposal. In ancient times, a man’s status was almost unimaginable to future generations. For a man to kneel before a woman—utterly unthinkable. Yet Li Yu had done it. How could Zi Nu not be moved?

Perhaps there was no one else in the world who could treat her better than Li Yu. She knew this well, and after fourteen days together, her heart had slowly opened to him. Yet there was still a barrier she could not cross.

“Can you tell me who you truly are?” Zi Nu asked.

Li Yu was startled—so that was it. He had sensed that Zi Nu accepted him, but there had always been a faint, elusive distance between them. He had never figured it out until now.

Zi Nu was too clever not to have doubts. After all, Zilan Pavilion was a place for gathering intelligence. He had appeared out of nowhere, with no background or clues.

Li Yu lowered his head in thought. Should he reveal the truth? Reason dictated he should not, but he truly did not want to deceive Zi Nu. If the truth came out in the future, it would leave a lasting scar between them.

Zi Nu, seeing Li Yu fall silent, turned in disappointment and started upstairs.

Li Yu stepped forward, whispered in her ear, “I’ll come up and give you an answer.”

With that, he took her hand and led her to the loft.

The other girls exchanged wide-eyed glances. They had wanted to follow and tease, but the situation had changed. They didn’t know if their master could really win over their mistress. They all knew how hard Zi Nu’s life had been, and they had seen with their own eyes how well Li Yu treated her. They sincerely hoped the two would be together.

…

After closing the door and carefully checking the surroundings to ensure no one was eavesdropping, Li Yu finally moved close to Zi Nu.

Seeing Li Yu so serious, Zi Nu grew nervous, sensing that whatever he was about to say would be earth-shattering.

“Allow me to reintroduce myself,” Li Yu said solemnly, bowing deeply to Zi Nu. “I am Li Yu, courtesy name Mengde, from the State of Qin.”

Zi Nu waited for more, but Li Yu said nothing further. Only then did she understand—the names “Li Yu” and “Qin” said it all.

The man she had spent the past fortnight with was actually the King’s brother from Qin, the most powerful man in the land at present.

Zi Nu had entertained many suspicions, but never guessed that Fang Yu was actually Li Yu. How could someone of such rank and prominence appear at the distant Zilan Pavilion, and even kneel before her?

She doubted Li Yu had ever knelt to Ying Zheng himself.

Now she understood why he concealed his identity—it was simply too incredible.

Li Yu had come to Han alone, without any official notice—it was practically courting death! No one could blame anyone else if he died here.

Suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation, Zi Nu anxiously glanced around, then smacked Li Yu on the head. “How could you tell me all this? Don’t you care about your own life?”

Li Yu replied, “I don’t wish to deceive you, Zi Nu, because in my heart, your life is more important than my own.” The words came naturally, sweet and sincere.

In this era, Li Yu’s tongue was a deadly weapon.

Tears welled in Zi Nu’s eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

She had always thought she would live out her life as it was. She had never dared hope for love—it simply wasn’t realistic. To conceal her true feelings, she had deliberately dressed herself in striking, mature styles, as a shield for her fragile heart.

Sensing the moment was right, Li Yu gently embraced the weeping Zi Nu, breathing in her fragrance, her delicate softness. It was his first time holding her, and he was nervous, afraid of offending her, so he held her only lightly.

Just then, the door opened.

A white-haired man appeared in the doorway, stunned at first as if witnessing something inconceivable, then turned and left without a trace of guilt at disrupting an intimate moment.

Li Yu cursed Wei Zhuang silently. To think such a scene from a drama would happen to him.

The mood broken, Zi Nu slipped from Li Yu’s embrace, awkwardly wiping her tears.

Li Yu reached out, taking her hand to prevent her from pulling away.

He said, “I was wrong to deceive you before. In truth, I came to Zilan Pavilion because of you. The first time I saw you, I decided you would be my wife. I swear to give you happiness. Such a treasure—if I didn’t cherish and pursue you, I would regret it for the rest of my life.”

Zi Nu looked away, murmuring, “I’m not as good as you say.”

Leaning close to her ear, Li Yu whispered gently, “I know you better than you know yourself. In my eyes, you are the flawless violet, pure and proud.”

He knelt once more. “Zi Nu, whether in poverty or wealth, in health or sickness, I promise to love and protect you. Even if the world crumbles and the seas dry up, I will stand by your side for the rest of my days. Please, grant me the chance to cherish the perfect violet in my heart.”

In this era of strict hierarchy and ritual, for a man—especially the most sought-after man in the land—to kneel twice to propose was unheard of. He had journeyed thousands of miles for her. Zi Nu could think of no reason to refuse.

More importantly, she had grown fond of Li Yu—not for his status, but for all he had done for her, for his respect toward her and Zilan Pavilion, something she had never received from anyone else.

Zi Nu felt that if she let this chance pass, she really would regret it for life, just as Li Yu said.

Li Yu opened the ornate wooden box he held, revealing a gleaming golden ring.

He gently took her left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger.

Zi Nu did not resist, nor did she refuse. Whatever the future might hold, she accepted it.

She knew that she had fallen in love with this man.

Seeing her accept the ring, Li Yu knew she had accepted him. He rose and gathered her into his arms, kissing her vibrant violet lips—forceful and possessive.

…

The girls waited below in growing anxiety, eager to see what would happen next.

When Li Yu appeared at the upstairs exit holding Zi Nu’s hand, the girls below broke into cheers and applause.

Nongyu stroked the ancient zither Li Yu had given her, sighed softly, and joined in the clapping, happy for Zi Nu.

Night fell.

Li Yu did not return home. Zi Nu pulled him aside to discuss preparations for the next day. Sensing her eagerness, Li Yu shelled nuts and fed them to Zi Nu one by one, watching her nibble with small, delicate bites.

The look in his eyes was so tender, Zi Nu’s heart nearly melted.

She did not ask Li Yu the real reason for coming to Han. Having agreed to be his woman, she would support him unconditionally, no matter what happened.

Suddenly, a chill swept into the room, dropping the temperature sharply.

That damned white-haired man had barged in again.

Li Yu smiled as Wei Zhuang entered, and said to Zi Nu, “Wife, may I introduce this gentleman?”

Zi Nu accepted the title without objection and answered solemnly, “This is Wei Zhuang, disciple of Ghost Valley.”

Li Yu acted as if meeting him for the first time, extending his hand. “Brother Wei Zhuang, I am Fang Yu. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Wei Zhuang glanced at the offered hand and ignored it, instead saying coldly, “If you ever dare wrong Zi Nu in the future—” With a sweep of his sword, he cut through the table leg.

Li Yu was speechless. So much for property—what a brat.

“Just like this table.” Sheathing his sword, he couldn’t resist showing off.

Truly one of the top three show-offs of the era.

Li Yu smiled and withdrew his hand. “No one will ever care for Zi Nu as I do, not even Brother Wei Zhuang need draw his sword. If I ever betray Zi Nu, I will take my own life.”

Wei Zhuang replied, “Remember your words.”

Then he said to Zi Nu, “I have business tonight. I’ll return later.”

Zi Nu watched him leave with concern.

“No need to worry, just some small fry,” he said, shutting the door behind him.

Li Yu had wanted to stay, but remembering the work ahead for tomorrow, he resisted making a move on Zi Nu and, with some reluctance, left Zilan Pavilion.

On a deserted street

Li Yu stopped in his tracks as a shadow appeared before him.

“Emerald Tiger will arrive in Xinzheng the day after tomorrow,” reported Moya, now Li Yu’s spy inside Ji Wuye’s camp.

“I know. Take care of yourself as well,” Li Yu said quietly.

Moya was taken aback—since when did bosses act like this?

“Go on,” Li Yu said.

Moya bowed. “I take my leave.”

He disappeared into the night.

Li Yu watched with a hint of envy. Perhaps he should start practicing lightness skills—it might come in handy.

“If you need something, find Jing Ni,” he muttered, heading for his home.

…

“Jing’er, how does one practice those ethereal lightness skills?” Li Yu asked curiously.

“Push all the qi in your body downwards,” Jing Ni explained succinctly.

“…Is that all?”

Jing Ni nodded.

Fine—he’d practice on his own.

Push all the qi down, right?

As his body gradually began to rise, Li Yu’s face grew more and more excited.

“Ouch!” Stumbling, Li Yu fell back to the ground before he’d even risen a foot.

“Your internal energy is strong, you’re just not used to channeling it. Practice more and you’ll be fine,” Jing Ni encouraged him seriously.

After half an hour of practice, Li Yu began to get the hang of it, able to glide short distances, though exhausted and out of breath.

“We’ll practice more tomorrow. Jing’er, let’s go to bed now,” he said, taking her small hand and leading her to the bedroom.

“Jing’er, lie down for me—yes, just like that. Now let me give you a kiss.”

Soon, the room was filled with passionate, intimate sounds.

…