"I can't see clearly."
Wang Fugui spoke the truth.
In this pitch blackness, who could see whom? How would I know what you look like? Too many romantic entanglements, I can't remember.
"Alas, how did you recognize me?"
"This humble girl has been following Young Master all along."
Guards lit torches around them, and only then did Wang Fugui see the woman's true face.
The woman was dressed in a plain white gown, and was beautiful. While not possessing a beauty that could topple kingdoms, she was still dignified and elegant, with a confident and proud aura in her eyes. She clearly came from a wealthy and noble family.
"Why are you following me? If you have nothing important, please leave. I'm busy."
Normally, upon seeing such a beautiful woman, he would have certainly approached her for a chat. But now, he was not in the mood. He was busy making his escape.
"It won't take up too much of Young Master's time. Please, have a seat in my humble carriage and enjoy a cup of fragrant tea?"
"No time."
"Young Master need not worry. You acted discreetly, and the Wang family has not pursued you."
Damn it, no matter how discreet I was, I didn't realize you were following me the whole time.
"Alright then, let's make it quick. I have important matters to attend to."
Wang Fugui followed the woman into the carriage. The carriage was very large, spacious enough to fit over a dozen people. Wang Fugui and the woman in white sat facing each other.
On the tea table between them, candlelight flickered, further enhancing the woman's beauty.
The woman extended her delicate hand, trimmed the lamp wick, and poured Wang Fugui another cup of tea.
"If I'm not mistaken, Young Master is going to meet your little lover, aren't you?"
Wang Fugui's pupils contracted sharply at her words.
"This humble one does not know what the young lady is rambling about."
"Young Master need not be nervous. Humans have seven emotions and six desires. Male and female affection is but a natural human sentiment. This humble girl actually envies Young Master Wang, to have a lover you can leave with at a moment's notice. You can also abandon your family and property to elope with her."
"Who exactly are you?"
Wang Fugui asked, word by word, staring intently at the beautiful woman before him.
"This humble girl's surname is Qi, and my given name is Huixin."
"Qi Huixin?"
Wang Fugui frowned, feeling that the name was familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and his eyes widened.
"That's right, I am the eldest daughter of the Qi family, your fiancée, the woman Young Master Wang is to marry in six days."
"Heh."
Wang Fugui chuckled dismissively, and suddenly relaxed. His hostility diminished considerably.
He leaned back against the carriage wall, picked up the teacup, and drank it down in one go.
At this moment, he was no longer in a hurry.
"Are you here to drag me back?"
"Which do you think is more beautiful, Young Master, your lover or myself?"
Wang Fugui carefully observed his yet-unmet fiancée, and then gave an honest assessment.
"You are prettier."
She was indeed beautiful, with the grace of orchids and a pure heart, bright eyes and white teeth, and elegant bearing. Both her temperament and looks were far superior to that mountain girl.
"So, if you were given another chance to choose, would you choose to marry me? Or choose..."
"I choose her."
Wang Fugui said without hesitation.
Qi Huixin suddenly smiled, a genuinely happy smile, and her gaze upon Wang Fugui became even more appreciative.
"Good. I truly envy your little Daoist nun, to have you choose so steadfastly. Then this humble girl will offer my blessings for your eternal union and lifelong happiness."
Qi Huixin raised her teacup.
"This younger sister offers this tea in place of wine, to toast Young Master Wang's devotion."
"What do you mean?"
Wang Fugui was somewhat bewildered. This woman, following him in the dead of night, just to ask about his loyalty to the little Daoist nun?
"It means nothing. Before coming here, I had already made up my mind. Since Young Master Wang and she are deeply in love, I cannot be the one to break them apart.
However, I do not have much faith in Young Master Wang's character. I worry that the young lady will suffer grievances after following you, given that Young Master Wang's reputation for womanizing is quite extraordinary.
If your answer just now had been to choose me, it would mean you are someone who is swayed by beauty and abandons at will. I would not marry such a person.
If you chose her, then I would know you are a good man, but I still would not marry you. I would only wish you both well."
"Thank you, young lady, for your magnanimity."
Wang Fugui cupped his hands.
"Then, since this younger sister has helped Elder Brother Wang so greatly, shouldn't Elder Brother Wang also help this younger sister?"
"You... is there something you need? Please, just say it. I will help if I can."
Wang Fugui was in a much better mood. As long as he could break off the engagement, he would agree to anything.
"Elder Brother Wang has a beloved in his heart, and actually, this younger sister also has a lover. Unfortunately, our families do not match, and my family has always opposed it."
"Oh? The man whom Miss Qi fancies must be extremely outstanding."
Wang Fugui smiled slightly and suddenly asked,
"More outstanding than me?"
"Then, in Elder Brother Wang's heart, who is better, this humble girl or that little Daoist nun?"
"She is better."
"Likewise, in this younger sister's heart, although that lover is just a fallen scholar, he is still a thousand times better than Elder Brother Wang."
"Er..."
Wang Fugui awkwardly touched his nose.
"Since that's the case, let us return home together and explain to our families. Neither of us agrees to this marriage, and we can directly annul it. It would be good for both of us."
"That would certainly be the simplest. But doesn't Elder Brother Wang bear any resentment? Moreover, with Minister Wang's temper, wouldn't he beat you to death if you said that?"
"Er..."
"This younger sister also resents the disparity in social status, resents the childhood sweethearts who would live in harmony, resents those who cruelly separate lovers, preventing me from meeting and being with my lover.
I have already arranged with my lover. On the fifth day, I will escape and elope with him. By then, when Elder Brother Wang's sedan chair arrives at the Qi family's doorstep, the bride will be gone.
Such an event would cause both families to lose face and become a laughingstock. Wouldn't that be delightful?
This way, Elder Brother Wang can also directly turn his sedan chair around, go up the mountain, pick up that little Daoist nun, and continue with the wedding, creating a beautiful legend."
Wang Fugui pondered for a moment, then gave a bitter smile.
"I actually lack the courage of a woman. Alright, it's settled. On that day, we'll make both families lose face!"
"It's a deal."
"Cheers."
After bidding farewell to Qi Huixin and returning home, Wang Fugui immediately took out paper and brush, wrote a letter, and handed it to one of his trusted confidants, instructing him to deliver it to the mountain posthaste, ensuring it reached the little Daoist nun.
In his heart, there was only one sentence:
"On the fifth day, I will come to fetch you.
Sincerely – Your Wang Da Xiang Gong."
Wang Fugui wanted to keep it a surprise. He decided not to tell the little Daoist nun about his and Qi Huixin's plan directly, but instead planned to give her a surprise on that day.
Yes, he would directly take her to get married with the sedan chair. By then, his father would have nothing to say, as he would have already lost face. If he couldn't even marry one, his old face would have nowhere to hide.
He was also afraid the little Daoist nun might change her mind later. With his sedan chair parked outside her door, he'd see if she would come.
This way, it seemed a bit unfair to the little Daoist nun. Without the consent of parents or a matchmaker, without the three letters and six rites, it seemed as though he was marrying her out of无奈 after being stood up. She was a backup option...
Oh well, this young master doesn't care about these things. She's an outsider, and she probably wouldn't care either.