1. Consent to marriage

Liu Xiu propped himself up with one hand, swaying as he barely managed to stand upright. Rainwater dripped from the corners of his robe onto the mat, instantly soaking more than half of it.

Although Yin Shi has always been somewhat eccentric and unpredictable, and at times has taken on a paternal role towards my brother with a seriousness akin to that of an old scholar, he has always been adept at socializing, skillfully navigating interactions with others. I have never seen him so ruthlessly confront someone face-to-face as he is now.

What business is it of yours

I was blushing with embarrassment, wanting to say "no," but that word spun on the tip of my tongue three times and ultimately could not be uttered. I mumbled a few indistinct sounds with a flushed face, without giving any direct answer

He is ill, why are you hitting him? Taking advantage of someone's misfortune is the behavior of a petty person. If you want to challenge him to a duel, can't you wait until he has recovered?

I exclaimed, reaching out to touch his forehead. Indeed, the temperature beneath my palm was shockingly hot

He took two steps back, yet did not turn around. I watched in disbelief as he stumbled and missed a step on the staircase.

Liu Xiu does not love Yin Lihua! Indeed, he may truly have no feelings for that former Yin Xiaomei, but Liu Xiu towards me... he towards me, is the same... No! No! There is no commitment between him and me; even if there are feelings, they have nothing to do with love! I never believed that Liu Xiu would fall in love with me; his attitude towards me is as ambiguous as mine towards Liu Yan!

His face was as red as the glow of the sunset. Rainwater trickled down along his hair and temples, his gaze was hazy, as if infused with a kind of uncontrollable madness

As I landed, Yin Shi quickly jumped down and nervously pulled me up from the ground, asking, "You didn't fall, did you?"

"Do not seek me! Go and ask her instead—" Yin Shi said sternly, pointing directly at me. "Li Hua, see clearly this man; he wishes to marry you not out of pity or love... He is suffering in the flames, seeking to gain an advantage in peril, and intends to drag you into the abyss! You are merely a tool for his use; he does not love you, not six years ago, and not now! Do not let his sweet words confuse you!" He finished speaking in one breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Taking a deep breath, he said, "As for the matter of your lifetime, you... decide for yourself."

The clothing was drenched by the rain, exuding a chill. I shivered, feeling as if all the hairs on my body stood on end. Yin, who had been waiting for my response with anticipation, hoped that I would rationally refuse. Indeed, I am very rational! I am more rational than the deceased Yin Lihua! Because I am not her! I am not that foolish girl who harmed herself to death for love!

The sound behind me faded away. I could not afford to pay attention to the reaction of my subconscious, and I propped Liu Xiu up to stand. His appearance was both disheveled and despondent, which made it even more unbearable to behold.

Yin Shi stepped back and said: "Get up!"

Ahem. I cleared my throat

The ruqun was soaked by the rain, clinging tightly to my body. I held up the heavy sleeves, pointing at Liu Xiu, who lay motionless on the ground, gasping for breath: "Why isn't he getting up? Could he have fainted from the fall?"

Elder brother... I spoke softly

"Be careful!" I shouted, and without a moment's hesitation, I rushed from behind the shadow and grabbed his hand. Unfortunately, Liu Xiu had already fallen most of his body down; the force was too great, and I couldn't pull him back, instead being dragged down with him towards the steps.

The heart is racing, and the ears are burning with a fiery sensation

I nodded with a smile and said lightly, "You can go back and prepare; you can come to greet me whenever you wish!"

I want to save him! I absolutely must save him! I would rather die myself than let him die!" I vented my anger fiercely, almost roaring as I shouted at the shadowy consciousness.

I was still not fully recovered in strength and simply could not drag Liu Xiu up from the ground. I pulled on his arm and turned to Yin Shi, shouting, "Elder brother, come help me quickly!"

Liu Xiu pressed his lips tightly together, staring at me intently. After a moment, he tightened his jaw and nodded heavily.

I was astonished

With a thud, Liu Xiu and I fell together into the muddy ground, rainwater mixed with yellowish mud splattering all over my head and face. My nose collided with his chin, causing a sharp pain that made my eyes water. Fortunately, the steps were not high; otherwise, falling backward like that could have resulted in a concussion.

That particular person... is still Liu Xiu, who is known for his honesty.

Scalding tears fell unknowingly, mingling with the rainwater, washed away completely.

Three bows: "I request ... ... "

Liu Xiu bows again and says: "I request the next lord to grant me this favor!"

Liu Yan is dead! No matter what, I cannot bear to watch Liu Xiu get into trouble any longer

Yin Shi did not hold back with that punch; it was evident that he had used all his strength. Liu Xiu had a split on the corner of his mouth, blood was hanging from his lips, and there was a large swollen bruise under his chin

Lihua, can you marry me

Yin Shi left without looking back

The words spoken by Yin Shi are laden with meaning; I am not unable to discern them, yet at this moment, I lack the inclination to ponder their significance deeply. Liu Xiu swayed slightly, as if he could not maintain his balance and was on the verge of fainting. I looked at him with concern, wanting to reach out and support him, but I feared that it would only further provoke Yin Shi, leading to unintended consequences.

What?

Li Hua—"Yin Shi lost her voice in shock.

Yin Shi wore a grim expression, remaining motionless as raindrops slid down his tightly furrowed brows, trickling past his slightly narrowed eyes, exuding a sense of coldness: "What does it matter that you helped him this time? He is ultimately destined to die!"

Liu Xiu knelt upright, his back appearing solitary and desolate, his thin, damp clothing clinging to his body, outlining a frail and emaciated figure

Taking two steps forward, I crouched down beside Liu Xiu, tilting my head to quietly observe him

"No... he has a fever." I broke free from the haze of consciousness and anxiously grabbed Liu Xiu's collar, "Liu Xiu—wake up!"

I bitterly forced a smile

Yin Shi released his grip and jumped back a step, while I turned and lunged towards Liu Xiu

I want to save him

He paused, then after a while, he released my hand: "I will prepare the dowry for you, you need not worry about it."

Liu Xiu smiled faintly and gently shook his head

The eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, yet those eyes remained as clear as a small stream, with a gentle breath flowing softly into my heart. My heart suddenly softened, and I gently asked: "Do you want to marry me?"

Save Liu Xiu! At any cost!

Holding back my tears, I glared at Yin Shi with resentment, forcing myself to take a deep breath as I grabbed Liu Xiu's arm, trying to lift him up. Yin Shi wore an expression of disappointment, raising his hand as if to strike. I closed my eyes and instinctively turned my head away. However, that slap did not land on my face; instead, I heard a cold snort: "Don't regret it in the future!" Suddenly feeling lighter, I opened my eyes and turned around, only to find that Yin Shi had already carried the unconscious Liu Xiu on his back and was heading straight to my room.

Yin Shi cast a glance at me, his gaze profound. Just as I was curious about his unusual behavior, he suddenly bent down, grasped Liu Xiu's damp collar with his left hand, and slapped his face twice with his right hand.

Silence, I forgot how to respond to him in shock, he held his breath, the furrowed brow etched with deep pain, in his misty eyes flashed a complex and inexplicable expression, perhaps it was hope, perhaps it was fear, ... perhaps it was worry ...

The pale lips, slightly tinged with purple, trembled as they opened once more. Though the volume was low, I could hear it with utmost clarity.

Liu Xiu fell to the ground like a sandbag with a thud, and I gasped. In an instant, Yin Shi's second punch came down. I reached out to block it, grabbing his wrist and twisting his arm. Yin Shi was momentarily taken aback, and his left hand reached out to untangle my grip. I had no time to think further, so I bent my knee and raised my leg, aiming a kick directly at his ribs.

I only want her

But why did he suddenly propose to me? What is the reason behind it?

Li Hua will not marry you; apart from this, I will agree to anything you want

Liu Xiu lowered his head, and after a while, he suddenly smiled gently, his shoulders shaking lightly: "I understand." He raised both hands high and gave a deep bow towards Yin Shi, saying, "I apologize for the disturbance."

I laughed, yet I do not know how much bitterness and heartache lie within this laughter: "Alright! I promise to marry you!"

Liu Xiu! He suddenly roared in anger, and Yin Shi raised his right fist to strike Liu Xiu's jaw

Can you ... ... Marry me, and be my wife

The two of them remained silent, the room was stifling hot like a large furnace, they were the coals, and I was being roasted on them

"You have a fever!" I was in a state of panic, "When are you coming back? How is the situation in the father city? You..."

Suddenly turning his head, Yin Shi stepped out from the shadows at the end of the corridor, his face ashen. The heavy rain poured down, the sound deafening, yet that voice, more piercing than thunder, decisively cut through all illusions, "You shall not—" With a stride, before I could recover from the shock brought by Liu Xiu, he had already pushed Liu Xiu aside with one hand, his right arm pulling me behind him, "Dispense with your thoughts at once! How you choose to feign madness is your own affair; if you dare to entertain any ideas about her, do not blame me for being impolite!" Before I could recover from the shock brought by Liu Xiu, he had already pushed Liu Xiu aside with one hand, his right arm pulling me behind him, "Dispense with your thoughts at once! How you choose to feign madness is your own affair; if you dare to entertain any ideas about her, do not blame me for being impolite!"

Liu Xiu smiled faintly, his smile tinged with a hint of bitterness. He waved his hand at me, breaking free from my support, and walked straight to Yin Shi. Yin Shi was standing against the wall, his expression fluctuating between dark and light, yet his gaze towards Liu Xiu was like a sharp sword, as if he wished to cut him into a thousand pieces. Liu Xiu clasped his hands together at his forehead, knelt down on the mat, and actually bowed to him, saying: "I only seek your approval, Second Uncle!"

I was both surprised and delighted, moved to the point of tears yet smiling, and quickly ran after him: "I won't, big brother, I will never regret it..."

Liu Xiu's eyes were tightly closed, his face as pale as white paper. I raised my hand to touch his forehead, and even under the relentless wash of the cold rain, the temperature on his forehead showed no sign of cooling.

Yin Shi turned his head and coldly ignored him

Elder brother

"What did you just say?" I asked in a hushed voice, raising my head to gaze at him with tears in my eyes

Li Hua ... ... Thank you ... ... '' The hoarse voice conveyed sincerity

Liu Xiu, may our marriage...! ... not be a mistaken choice

The peach blossom eyes suddenly opened wide in anger, and the piercing gaze made me tremble, causing me to forget how to articulate the words I intended to say.

I am lost in his gaze, attempting to seek out the answers I can truly understand from his face

The cold light flickered in the depths of the eye, exuding a sharp aura: "What scheme are you plotting? Others may be unaware, but do you think you can deceive me? You may marry any kind of woman you wish, and I believe that even if she is not a beauty, there will not be much difference. If that is the case, not only will I not hinder you, but I will also wholeheartedly assist you..."

My mind is very chaotic, as tangled as a ball of knotted hemp.

This is not the Liu Xiu that I am familiar with in everyday life

I will not regret it! ... Never! ... Liu Yan is no longer in this world, and I do not wish to lose Liu Xiu again! I would rather die myself than witness another tragedy! The pain of losing a loved one is enough to endure just once!

Unable to resist, I reached out to brush aside the hair that was falling across his face. He shuddered slightly and slowly turned his head.

I stared blankly at the empty door, the curtain of rain outside resembling towering mountains, obscuring my line of sight, preventing me from seeing further, just like... I cannot foresee what kind of future the choices made today will encounter

Get up, stop playing dead

"A woman of great stature should not be kept!" Yin Shi coldly snorted, lowering her head to look at the pale-faced Liu Xiu, and arrogantly asked, "Do you really want to marry him?"

He looked at the shadowy figure in front of him with a bewildered expression, and the two of them stared at each other. Gradually, the gaze of the shadowy figure became increasingly sharp, while Liu Xiu's gaze grew clearer.

Liu Xiu's pale cheeks suddenly flushed red, perhaps the two slaps were indeed effective, and her butterfly-like black eyelashes trembled twice before her eyelids slowly lifted.

Yin Shi was not as courteous to Liu Xiu as he was to me. After carrying him into the room, he let go, causing Liu Xiu to fall heavily onto the mat. With a loud bang, Liu Xiu's head hit the ground, and I cried out in pain: "Be gentle! Be gentle..."

"Elder brother—" I did not have the time to ponder the profound meaning behind his words, and I became angry solely due to his sarcasm and indifference. Liu Yan's death had already left me feeling deeply guilty and sorrowful; how could he use such heartless words to provoke me again

His profile is beautiful, with sharply defined contours like those carved by a knife. Even at this moment, when his face is as pale as paper, with blood at the corners of his mouth and a damp strand of hair sticking to his cheek, his disheveled appearance only accentuates his fallen state, yet it does not diminish his elegance or his gentleness. ... He can indeed be considered a good person, but ...! ... he is not a simple-minded good person!

Yin sighed dejectedly, turned to leave, and I hurriedly grabbed his arm, calling out softly and earnestly: "Elder brother..."

He was waiting for a response, I licked my lips, and before I could speak, I heard a stern shout from beside me: "She cannot!"

His complexion was as pale as snow, yet his cheeks revealed a strange flush of crimson. He opened his eyes, and his gaze appeared somewhat dazed

Liu Xiu also looked at me in disbelief