Chapter Seventy-Two: Wu Yuanshuang's Roar

Whether Yun Hao was willing or not, he had become a betrothed man. Correction—he was now engaged. The engagement ceremony was absurdly simple; all Yun Hao had to do was don a red robe and follow along in a daze, saying and doing whatever he was told, like a puppet on strings. After two hours of this farce, everything was settled. In a month, he would be a groom.

Even by the end, Yun Hao still couldn’t fathom what the “Three Matchmakers and Six Betrothal Gifts” truly meant. All he knew was that several aunties, whose waists rivaled their heights, paraded around the house with painted faces, causing Yuan’er and Xin’er to nervously stand guard at the storeroom door, terrified something might go missing.

Rumors were flying all over Jinyang City. Some claimed the Yun family boy had barged in on the Zhang family’s young lady while she was bathing, and that she’d been forced to become a child bride for him. Others whispered that the Yun family boy had climbed into the Zhang girl’s bed and, despite his frail eight-year-old body, had forcibly taken her in an act of unspeakable brutality.

Spreading sensational gossip was a beloved pastime among the people of Jinyang. As soon as news broke of Yun Hao and Zhang Miaoke’s engagement, their scandalous story immediately toppled the tale of Captain Liu’s sudden stroke from the top of the city’s news. Everywhere, people discussed the pair over tea and meals. Anyone who didn’t know the story felt too embarrassed to leave the house and ask about it.

“Hao, is it true you’re getting married just like that?” Hou Junji lounged bonelessly on the couch, his face a picture of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

“Get lost. If it weren’t for you lot, I wouldn’t be marrying this wife.” Just thinking of Zhang Miaoke’s seductive fox-like face made Yun Hao want to end it all. What sins had he committed in a past life to deserve marrying such a clever woman in this one? Decisive, shrewd, resourceful, action-oriented, combative, and armed with the Women’s Rights Protection Act—damn, he was doomed for life!

Qi Biao was busy peeling eggs—the same eggs recently used for his black eye. He hadn’t expected Yun Hao, in a fit of rage, to leap up and land a punch squarely on his eye. Caught off guard, Qi Biao took the hit, but at least he got to keep the eggs as compensation. Lai Shun, who had darted out like lightning, gleefully picked up his twenty-third fried dough stick and took a hefty bite.

“You really have the nerve to complain. If Qi Biao hadn’t given you a push, would you have landed such a beautiful wife? She’s educated, polite, literate, and stunning to boot, with a figure to match…” Hou Junji was rattling on in excitement when Yun Hao shot him a wolfish glare, making him swallow the rest of his words.

“Were you peeking too that day?” Yun Hao demanded. The thought of anyone else spying on his wife-to-be’s bath was intolerable, even if he himself wasn’t exactly thrilled about the engagement.

“No, absolutely not! Hao, you must believe me—if I did, may heaven strike me down!” Hou Junji hurriedly raised three fingers and swore solemnly by the lamp.

“Hmph! Don’t make such oaths. I really could call down lightning, and then you’d have to keep your promise.” Yun Hao was like an irritable old tiger, ready to snap at anyone in his path.

Hou Junji shivered. He now believed completely in Yun Hao’s uncanny abilities. If Yun Hao said he could summon lightning, he certainly could. Nervously, he glanced around, looking for an escape route.

“So all the rumors in Jinyang are your doing?” For days now, Yun Hao couldn’t leave the house without being pointed at and whispered about, a walking scandal. Imitating modern celebrities, he’d asked Yuan’er to make him a mask, but that only drew more attention. He wanted to slap himself—he was the only one in all Jinyang wearing a mask. His mind was turning to mush, all thanks to that troublemaker Zhang Miaoke.

“Don’t hit me! If you do, I’ll fight back. It was your wife’s orders—she said if we didn’t spread the word, she’d make me try medicines. Heaven help me, that huanglian is unbearably bitter. I don’t want to test it.” At Yun Hao’s question, Qi Biao was nearly in tears. That she-devil Zhang Miaoke, lording it over them as Zhang Wen Zhong’s niece, made life at the Zhang family’s pharmacy a living hell for him and Lai Shun.

* * *

“Brother Zhang, what is going on? How could you…how could you marry Miaoke off as a child bride to an eight-year-old? Weren’t we planning for…!” Wu Shi Yao burst into Zhang Wen Zhong’s pharmacy, beside himself with rage.

“You may go,” Zhang Wen Zhong dismissed the attendant, then personally poured Wu Shi Yao a cup of tea. “Brother Wu, this matter…ah, it’s a family tragedy! That day, Miaoke was bathing when, somehow, Yun Hao barged in. He may only be eight, but he’s still a boy. Once she’s been seen, what else can we do but let her marry Yun Hao?

Even if your family wouldn’t mind, it would always be a thorn in Yun Shuang’s heart. How could a young couple live peacefully with that between them? In the end, there was no other way. Brother Wu, I am truly sorry!” Zhang Wen Zhong’s face was etched with pain and remorse.

Wu Shi Yao was speechless, stunned by the disgrace to a young woman’s virtue. Zhang Wen Zhong was right—a maiden exposed before marriage was a serious matter. Even if the boy was only eight, he was still male. For Zhang Miaoke to marry into the Wu family now would indeed be improper. Still, the bride he’d hoped for was now someone else’s child bride, and Wu Shi Yao could not help but burn with resentment.

“Brother Wu, I am to blame for this. Punish me as you see fit. Do you think I feel no pain, marrying Miaoke off as a child bride? Alas, there was truly nothing else I could do!” Zhang Wen Zhong’s face twisted with anguish; his suffering was palpable.

“But…” Wu Shi Yao felt like a tiger stuck in a mud pit: full of rage, but unable to vent it. He wanted to trouble Yun Hao, but the boy was close to the Duke of Tang’s household. He came to question Zhang Wen Zhong, only to find the rumors were true. Grinding his teeth, Wu Shi Yao was at a loss.

“Brother Wu, Yun Shuang is a bright, promising child and a student of Master Li Gang—his future is limitless. If Miaoke lacks the fortune, surely Yun Shuang will find a good match. Let us speak no more of this.” Zhang Wen Zhong slumped into his chair, exuding resignation.

“Yun Hao…” Wu Shi Yao returned home, helpless, and recounted the events to Wu Yun Shuang. Soon after, furious roars echoed from Wu Yun Shuang’s study.