Li Xue

"What different destiny?" He asked.

*Ding! 

[The destiny is a secret of heaven, host. You may not question it.]

Alex narrowed his eyes. He wouldn't need to speak anymore. If he thinks about it, the system is actually giving him a choice.

No, in disguise, it was asking him to break the marriage and escape.

After all, it is obvious that talent points would be more precious than credits.

He hovered a finger over the third one for a moment.

"Break the engagement, huh?" he muttered. "And piss off a clan that has Grandmaster-level martial artists?"

He scoffed and leaned back again, both hands behind his head now. "No thanks."

He wasn't dumb.

Maybe in the stories he used to write, the protagonist could slap their fiancée's father in the face and escape with just a dramatic exit.

Or stage death to run away.

But this reality.

No matter how much plot armor he created for his main protagonists, he wasn't that delusional to think that he had some kind of plot armor that could save him from any reckless situation.

He wouldn't definitely expect that favor from such a system with such a mean personality.

Well, yes, due to the backing of the Emperor, he might be spared from death, but he wouldn't want to put his life in danger.

He scratched his cheek, muttering bitterly in the end. "Let's just marry her for now and divorce her later. Luckily, in this world, there's the concept of divorce. Not to mention, she doesn't like me. So, it will be easier to do it anyway."

Then, after a brief pause, his gaze went slightly blurry as he went into a daze. "Or maybe, who knows, if she is a beauty and easy to get along with, I could get along with her. I wonder whether I could meet her this evening…"

Meanwhile, at the northern ridge of Beiling, Immortal Pavilion Sect;

In the center courtyard, amidst the circular stone tiles and blooming peach trees, blades clashed against each other.

Clang!

Li Xue stepped forward with a sharp thrust, her sword glinting silver like lightning.

Her long, ink-black hair was tied into a high warrior's knot, her robes soaked with sweat.

Her breathing was steady and sharp, and so was her footwork.

Meanwhile, her senior brother grunted, barely managing to parry her strike.

"You're too impatient today," Wang Lu said, twirling his blade back in defense. "Your wrist gives away your next move."

Li Xue said nothing. Her eyes, calm and cold, locked onto him again. Then she lunged.

Clang! Clang!

Blade clashed again, but every time they clashed, her opponent was forced to push backward.

And after the third strike, the blade in his hand flew away, and her sword stopped just short of his throat.

He raised both hands. "All right, all right. I yield."

She stepped back without a word and lowered her sword.

"You fight like someone going to war," he said, wiping his brow with a sleeve.

Li Xue turned away as she replied. "Don't joke."

He gave a slow sigh. "Still not looking forward to tomorrow? It's your wedding."

She didn't reply.

Instead, her gaze shifted toward the horizon.

Toward the city beyond the mountains.

Toward the man she had never seen, but whose reputation was known all over the Empire.

"Qin Wei," she said quietly. "Disgrace of the Qin Clan, a playboy, a scoundrel, and a bully. To call him my husband just feels like my tongue has touched poison. Do you think I look forward to tomorrow's wedding?"

She sheathed her sword with a sharp click.

He fell in step beside her, hands behind his back.

"But I heard," Wang Lu said, glancing sideways at her, "that you're… allowing his tongfang maids to move in after the wedding, and instead of him joining the Li residence, you even arranged for a separate household. So, I thought you liked him."

Li Xue scoffed at his remark, "Like? You must be out of your mind."

"Then why?"

She calmly replied. "If I moved him into the Li residence, Father and the elders would constantly ask me about him. They would want to know where I go, what I do, and what kind of wife I am. And if he acts like a fool, I would be the one held responsible for not keeping my husband in line."

She plucked a falling leaf from the air and twirled it between her fingers. "This way, he stays with his maids, and I stay with my peace."

Wang Lu chuckled softly. "That's... pragmatic."

"Cold, you mean?" she asked with a slight smile.

"I didn't say that."

They continued walking in silence for a few paces.

Then Wang Lu asked, more quietly this time, "Why not just annul the engagement if you don't like it? Would your father not listen to his only daughter?"

Li Xue's smile faded, shaking her head. "Did you forget it was an imperial decree?"

She looked up at the sky, pale clouds drifting like idle thoughts.

"Defying the Emperor would bring disgrace to the clan. Maybe worse. So I'll marry him. Act like a wife. And in a year or two… once I reach the Ninth Rank, no one will be able to stop me from divorcing him."

Letting out a deep sigh, she added. "Too bad that I don't have someone I like. Or else, I could have a perfect reason to turn down this marriage…"

Wang Lu walked in silence beside her, his jaw tightening.

Then, almost hesitantly, he began, "Then, how about m…"

But he stopped himself, keeping his lips pressed shut.

Li Xue looked up at him, tilting her head slightly. "What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. Forget it."

But she kept looking, her gaze sharp. "Hmm?"

Wang Lu turned away first, suddenly interested in the koi pond they passed by. "Forget I said anything," he murmured again.

Li Xue let it go, but her eyes lingered on him for a second longer.

Back at the Li Clan mansion;

With the arrival of dusk, oil lamps flickered across the corridors, painting golden shadows on stone walls.

In the grand dining hall, the aroma of roasted duck and stir-fried lotus root filled the air, and the family gathered for dinner.

But one chair at the table remained empty.

"He's still asleep?" an elder asked, eyebrows furrowing.

The maid bowed her head low, her voice small. "Young Master Qin has not stirred all day. I tried to wake him twice, but…"

"Is he… back in a deep hibernation state again?" A worried voice rose from one of the distant seats.

The family exchanged uncertain glances. Some whispered while some merely sighed. Some even had these hopeful gazes.

Patriarch Li Yujin, seated at the head of the table, on the other hand, clicked his chopsticks against the side of his porcelain bowl and looked toward his daughter. "Xue'er. Go check on your husband."

Li Xue blinked, looking at her father. "Eh?"

"Patriarch Li, it's inappropriate for the bride to see her groom before the wedding," said an elder, almost immediately as soon as Li Yujin ordered his daughter to check on Alex.

Li Yujin shrugged. "What's inappropriate? They are going to be husband and wife tomorrow anyway." Taking a pause, his eyes narrowed as his gaze shifted to the elder who commented. "Unless you are expecting that the wedding will not happen tomorrow, due to unexpected reasons?"

Elder Li Cheng hurriedly shook his head, beads of sweat almost forming on his forehead. "Not at all. Who would dare to even think about defying an imperial decree?"

Li Yujin calmly nodded, shifting to his daughter. "Xue'er, what are you waiting for? You're his future wife. You'll need to get used to looking after him in the future too."

She clenched her fists under the table but released them in the end and stood, her long sleeves brushing against the table as she turned and walked away.

Her footsteps were light and slow as if she wasn't in any hurry.

A few moments later, the door creaked open with a soft groan, and her eyes fell on the man sprawling across the mattress like he had no worries in the world.

His chest rose and fell in deep, rhythmic breaths. His face looked almost… peaceful.

Li Xue took a glance behind, her eyes darting left and right. As she spotted no one, she suddenly scurried on her toes, reaching him in an instant.

Her calm demeanor changed all of a sudden. Her cheeks turned rosy as she reached the bed, kneeling to the bed's height and watching Alex's face up close.

"Wei-ge looks just as handsome as he was in his childhood... Li Xue... you are one lucky girl to marry your first love... Tomorrow, by now, he will be your husband. Husband? Keeee..." She almost squealed aloud, but shut her mouth. *Ahem* Clearing her throat, she murmured. "Li Xue... Don't forget. You hate him and that's a scourge…" Then, her brows furrowed in thought. "Why wasn't he awake, though? It shouldn't be serious if Father didn't take any action. Let's check if there's something wrong with his body."

Taking a deep breath, she extended her hand and placed two fingers lightly on his wrist.

Her eyes narrowed in concentration, checking his meridians.

Her frown only deepened, "He looks perfectly alright."

As she was muddled in thoughts, a warm hand suddenly shot up and grabbed hers.

"Wha…"

Before she could react, Alex's arm tugged her forward, pulling her off balance. With a soft yelp, Li Xue tumbled onto the bed and directly into his chest.

He wrapped an arm around her, murmuring with a sleepy smile, "Mmm… warm pillow… don't go…"

His eyes remained closed, and his breath was calm.

Li Xue froze in place for a moment, and her cheeks started burning. "Wei-ge... not now. We aren't married yet. It's wrong to... to..."

She was about to get free, but just then the door opened again.

Maid Roulan entered with sheets in her hand, only to halt mid-step. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Lady Xue?"

"Oh! I… I apologize!" she squeaked, backing away so fast that her figure turned into a blur. "I didn't mean to disturb…"

She darted out and slammed the door shut.

Li Xue's face was scarlet now, her fists clenched against his chest.

"W-Wait! That's not what it looks like…" she shouted after the retreating maid, even though the door was already closed.

She turned back to Alex, who still hadn't opened his eyes."Wei-ge, you are going to destroy my hard-earned reputation at this rate..."

But right then, a smile appeared on his face as his hug tightened. "Mmm… Lu Yi… don't worry. I will come to visit the Fragrance Moon Pavilion again. So, let's just…"

Li Xue's face froze in an instant, her embarrassment gone, turning into anger.

*Slap*