Chapter 5, the wind comes swiftly

Nightfall soon descended. He Ying remained seated in place, not moving at all. It seemed that only today did she realize: she was to be married, and would have to live with a stranger. She would have to tolerate his touch, and also endure his taking of concubines

What? Impossible! Lu Ming's body swayed slightly, and his handsome face suddenly turned pale. He murmured, "Impossible, I will go ask Uncle He!" After saying this, he turned and ran towards the main courtyard. In his haste, he stumbled and nearly fell to the ground.

He Ying opened her mouth wide in disbelief and said, "Father, I am not yet fourteen years old!"

These distant matters suddenly came to the forefront, leaving He Ying momentarily dazed and unsure of how to proceed

He Ying did not pay attention to his gaffe. Today's news was too sudden for her. She was unable to accept it all at once. She walked like a zombie to a nearby pavilion, hugged her knees, and stared blankly at the pond.

Xiao Huan was clearly very frightened, and her voice, tinged with tears, sounded: "Miss, the young lady is really just asleep inside. She will wake up very soon."

He Ying nodded, somewhat puzzled as to why he suddenly brought this up. He's father looked outside, and after a long pause, waved his hand: "You all can leave now!" The "you all" in his words also included Lu Ming, who had just arrived. Lu Ming glanced at He Ying with concern, gritted his teeth, and then also withdrew.

He father said somewhat bitterly: "He is only taking you to live with him; your wedding will be held after you come of age." He Ying looked at her father in confusion: Where is there such a saying? She had not married her fiancé, yet they were living together. What kind of reasoning is this?

At that moment, a person glanced over and saw He Ying standing there in a daze. He hurriedly ran over and rushed in front of He Ying, asking: "Sister Ying, what happened?" This person was, of course, Lu Ming

At that moment, a person walked up behind her, slowly crouched down beside her, and tightly embraced her. He Ying did not look up, but curiously called out, "Brother Lu?"

The two hurried along the road, and Lu Ming was quite familiar with the streets and alleys here. Before long, he chose a shortcut and quickly arrived at the He residence. He Ying similarly climbed over the wall. Just as she appeared in her room and changed her clothes, she heard her father's voice from outside, somewhat angry and somewhat weary: "Xiao Huan, where on earth has the young lady gone? Are you still going to keep it a secret?"

After they all left, Father He said again: "In those years, I was in Liangcheng, serving as a local official. Liangcheng is a crucial border city of my Zhou state. For my father, alas!"

Before long, Xiao Huan quietly approached her and called out, "Miss, Miss?" He Ying looked at her vacantly. Xiao Huan patted her chest and said, "Miss, please don't do that, you startled me."

Father He's body stiffened as he was walking. After a while, he sighed and said: "In any case, your father owes their family. Li'er, you should consider it as repaying your father's debt."

He Ying said softly, "Xiao Huan, you may leave now. I wish to be alone for a while." Seeing the young lady in a daze, Xiao Huan paused for a moment but ultimately turned and left.

He Ying looked at the anxious Lu Ming, opened her mouth, and decided to tell him the truth: "My father said that my betrothed fiancé has arrived and wants to take me to the capital!"

Father also appeared at a loss for how to explain it to her. After a while, he said: "He insists on this. Li'er, tidy up a bit; in a couple of days, just go with him!"

He looked up at his daughter, who had grown into a graceful young woman. For a moment, his eyes became somewhat blurred. After a while, he finally spoke softly: "Li'er, come sit here with your father." He Ying responded and walked over to sit in front of him

Ah

Looking at his daughter, Father He gently said: "Ying'er, ever since your mother passed away a year ago, I have neglected you." He Ying shook her head repeatedly and said: "Father, you don't need to say that. I know that you care for me."

Facing his daughter's astonished expression, Father He took a long time before saying: "Originally, over the years, you have been inseparable from Lu Ming. If nothing unexpected had happened, you should have been betrothed to him. However, today, your future husband has arrived, and he requests to take you back to the capital as soon as possible"

Upon hearing her voice, Xiao Huan let out a deep sigh, nearly collapsing to the ground. At that moment, He Ying, dressed in women's clothing, walked out. He Fu, whose face was originally a mix of pale and green, unexpectedly let out a long sigh upon hearing his daughter's voice. In that sound, there was an inexplicable sense of desolation.

Lu Ming did not respond, and He Ying faintly heard his sobbing. She couldn't help but look up at him and gently called out: "Brother Lu? Are you...?"

At this point, he seemed unwilling to linger even for a moment and hurriedly walked outside. He Ying stood there, motionless, watching her father's figure, murmuring, "Why so soon? I thought I still had a year or two of freedom left." For her, the most important thing was that her freedom was gone. As for the grievances between the two families or what intentions her future husband might have towards her, they did not seem to be within her considerations.

Having said that, he did not even glance at He Ying and turned to leave. Seeing his back, He Ying finally spoke up: "Father, do you have any leverage in his hands?"

At that moment, He Ying's sweet voice rang out: "Father, what is the urgent matter that requires your daughter?"

At this point, he fell silent, appearing somewhat hesitant to speak. After a while, he resolutely said: "Li Er, do you know that even before you were born, I had already arranged a marriage for you?"

Lu Ming shook his head and said, "It must be something very important. Uncle He is usually so calm; his urgency this time surely indicates a matter of great significance"

He father looked at He Ying and said gently, "Li'er, you are also an adult now." There were still traces of rage on his face, yet he was so gentle now that He Ying felt something was amiss.

Upon hearing this, Father He's eyes suddenly turned red. After a long pause, he finally stammered, "Ying'er, your father was once the governor of Liangcheng, as you know?"

"Then why aren't you going to wake her up?" A loud shout rang out. Xiaohuan was startled and immediately replied, "Yes, yes!" At that moment, Father He’s voice sounded again, "You’ve agreed, so why are you still dawdling?"