Chapter 64

Chapter 64

[The Male Chauvinist’s Victory – 5]

Was there some misunderstanding between Li Jiangyue and me?

Why did she target no one but me?!

Jiangyue was so beautiful that she couldn’t be the sort of person I described?!!

“…” Li Jiangxue: “?????”

Li Jiangxue nearly died of rage. Her face flushed scarlet with anger. “Cousin! What are you saying? How can you take Li Jiangyue’s side?!”

Liu Che’s expression turned grave. Looking at her reproachfully, he said, “Jiangxue, what do you expect me to do? Stand with you and condemn Jiangyue without distinguishing right from wrong? But what has she done wrong? Was she wrong to treat me kindly whenever we met, or wrong to defend me several times and send medicine after I was injured? Jiangxue, please judge Jiangyue rationally and objectively. I think she is a very innocent, kindhearted girl!”

Li Jiangxue: “…”

Li Jiangxue failed to catch her breath and nearly choked herself to death. She stamped her foot furiously. “Then why are you with me? Go find your innocent, kindhearted Jiangyue!”

Liu Che looked wounded. “Jiangxue, I know you’re angry, but you cannot lash out wildly and hurt my heart! What do you take our love for-garbage to be thrown away whenever you please? Jiangxue, you disappoint me terribly!”

The emperors: “…”

Holy hell. Magnificent!

Li Jiangxue regretted the words as soon as she said them. Hearing his reply made her equally miserable. Then she remembered her father’s merciless slap and cold accusations that evening. Her nose stung, and tears fell.

“Cousin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it, but I truly have no other choice…”

She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her beloved’s waist. Sobbing, she said, “My father wants to marry Jiangyue to you. I told him we have long loved each other, but he refused to believe me. He decided I was being malicious and wanted only to steal my sister’s husband… What am I supposed to do? Watch that wretch marry you? No, I can’t! I refuse!”

At first, Liu Che stroked her shoulder and soothed her gently. But when she insulted Li Jiangyue again, his face cooled.

“Jiangxue, I have told you many times that Jiangyue is a very kind girl. Stop constantly speaking of her with such malice!”

Li Jiangxue: “…”

Li Jiangxue pulled free of his embrace and stared at him incredulously through her tears. “Cousin! My father has already settled your marriage to Li Jiangyue. What does that make me? How can you ask me to be calm at a time like this? Please put yourself in my place!”

Liu Che looked at her in pain. “Then tell me, Jiangxue. What do you want me to do?”

Li Jiangxue sniffed and fixed him with an urgent gaze. “Cousin, go to my father and tell him that I am the woman you want to marry, all right? We were together first. Why should Li Jiangyue be allowed to take advantage of a loophole? Cousin!”

She begged him through her tears.

Liu Che looked deeply conflicted. After pondering for several moments, he said painfully, “But what will happen to Jiangyue? Your father announced my engagement to her at tonight’s family banquet. If I marry you in the end, what will Jiangyue do? How could she hold her head up or face the world afterward? How could I let our love and negligence reduce her to such a state? Jiangxue, I truly love you, but Jiangyue is such a kind and innocent girl, and she has shown me kindness. I cannot do this to her!”

“Cousin!” Li Jiangxue screamed almost madly, stamping her feet in desperation. “Jiangyue, Jiangyue-everything is about Jiangyue! Have you thought about me? What am I supposed to do now?!”

“Jiangxue, I’m sorry!”

Liu Che gazed at her with unbearable guilt. “You are wonderful. I am the one unworthy of you! You should find a young lord from a great clan, not entangle yourself with a lowborn soldier like me. I’m sorry. I truly am!”

Li Jiangxue stared blankly as tears streamed beyond her control.

She reached for her beloved, but Liu Che stepped back and painfully avoided her hand.

“Jiangxue, if I cannot marry you, I should no longer approach you.”

He looked at her with profound affection and smiled bitterly. “Forget me. Find someone worthy of you.”

A light rain began at just the right moment, deepening the desolation between them, revealing the pain and struggle within their hearts, and driving the tragedy toward its next development.

Li Jiangxue’s heart felt carved apart by knives. Filled with despair, she looked at her beloved and finally screamed, “I hate you!” Then she turned and fled into the fine rain of the night.

Liu Che did not chase her. He stood frozen outside the door for a long while, then finally crouched weakly and buried his face in his palms-where no one could see him laughing.

The emperors: “…”

Zhi’er, you shameless peacock!

“Hurry inside,” Zhu Yuanzhang said helplessly. “It’s raining, and the weather is cold.”

“No, I cannot leave,” Liu Che said. “An excellent actor never exits the stage before every member of the audience has gone.”

Ying Zheng’s brow twitched. Still crouched with his face buried in his hands, Liu Che explained knowingly, “If I were Li Dongshan or Lady Yu, I would have someone watching from the shadows, both to learn the truth and to guard against the unexpected. I must let them know I am an honorable gentleman!”

The emperors: “…”

There was always a greater master of shamelessness!

…

Li Dongshan was not as clever as Liu Che imagined, but Madam Yu was. The watcher she sent stood too far away to hear the entire exchange. Yet when he reported that Li Jiangxue had fled in hatred rather than embracing Yan Hongguang tenderly, Madam Yu knew her chosen son-in-law had not slipped away.
“This Yan Hongguang is remarkably handsome, capable, and decent in character. After learning that your father announced your engagement at the family banquet, he rejected even the legitimate eldest young lady and remained willing to marry you. He truly is a man to whom you can entrust your life.”

Alongside her satisfaction, Madam Yu felt puzzled. “We know Eldest Young Lady’s temper. She has never been able to keep anything inside and always looks down upon everyone. Why would she suddenly take a fancy to Yan Hongguang? It cannot simply be because he has achieved success. She was already showering Yan Hongguang and the Guan brothers with attention before he rose to prominence.”

Li Jiangyue found it strange too. “Wasn’t Father considering husbands for her recently? I heard they were all legitimate sons of great clans. She was insufferably smug then and flaunted it before me every few days. Who knows why her nature suddenly changed?”

Madam Yu and her daughter both knew that Li Jiangxue had recently paid unusual attention to Yan Hongguang. They simply had not expected her to be genuinely devoted to him-enough to defy her father at a family banquet and rush to see Yan Hongguang after being struck.

“With her nature, she never acts without the certainty of profit. Now she is eagerly throwing herself at Yan Hongguang, and Madam Wei has not stopped her. Clearly, they both think him an excellent choice. That only proves our judgment was correct.”

Unable to make sense of it, Madam Yu stopped trying. She lovingly straightened her daughter’s sash and smiled. “This husband is yours now. Do not let him escape. Eldest Young Lady is spoiled and willful, and she bullied him many times. You had no part in any of it. Instead, you repeatedly sent people to show concern and deliver medicine. Whatever your purpose was then, when the story is told now, it shows that you cared for him.”

Then she earnestly instructed, “Sweeten your words and soften your manner. Mother is not asking you to imitate crude seductresses. But married life is not a court case in which everything must be black or white. If no principle is at stake, there is no harm in yielding a step and coaxing him. Do you understand?”

Shyness showed between Li Jiangyue’s brows as she nodded.

Madam Yu trusted her daughter and stroked her face with a smile. “Good girl.”

…

Li Jiangxue had marched out in high spirits and returned like a defeated rooster, even her comb drooping. When servants tried to hold an umbrella over her, she screamed at them to get away and stubbornly walked through the rain alone.

After her daughter left, Madam Wei waited anxiously at home. When Li Jiangxue finally returned in such a state, she immediately knew the conversation had gone badly.

Li Jiangxue sat rigidly in a chair, her face cold and pale as tears streamed down it. A girl whose combined mental capacity across two lives scarcely reached fifteen or sixteen had fallen into love and now truly tasted the suffering dealt by a scoundrel. Not even the phrase “pain piercing the heart and bones” could capture it.

After hearing her tearful account, Madam Wei actually gained some respect for Yan Hongguang.

Lady Yu and her daughter had intercepted the match, but the engagement had indeed been settled with them first. If Yan Hongguang abandoned Li Jiangyue now to marry her own daughter, Madam Wei would not object, but she would inevitably think less of him and suspect he coveted the Li Family’s power and the support of her own natal family.

More importantly, once Yan Hongguang decided to marry Li Jiangyue, he did not continue entangling himself with Madam Wei’s daughter. He drew a firm boundary and left Li Jiangxue not the slightest false hope.

Madam Wei was very satisfied with that.

If he had been wicked at heart, acting vague and ambiguous while tangling himself between two Li daughters in the hope of enjoying both Ehuang and Nüying, that would have been truly disgusting!

“Since that is so, let it go.”

Madam Wei sighed despondently and consoled her daughter. “You had affection but no destiny in this life. You were fated never to be husband and wife. Jiankang has many other gifted young men. Mother will choose carefully for you again, all right? Please stop tormenting yourself.”

Li Jiangxue gave a bitter laugh, unable to conceal her resentment.

Gifted young men?

What gifted young man could compare to a true Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler of the realm?

Mother, do you understand what your daughter has lost?!

It was the position of Empress above ten thousand others!

Li Jiangxue sat in the chair, imagining the day years later when Yan Hongguang ascended the throne. The woman beside him wore a phoenix crown and ceremonial pheasant robe. Husband and wife stood high above, looking down upon her-and that woman’s face was unmistakably Li Jiangyue’s!

Li Jiangxue had been reborn with every advantage. Her cousin clearly loved her. Why, in the end, did he intend to marry Li Jiangyue?!

Had she returned to life only to make Li Jiangyue’s wedding dress and deliver her to the position of Empress?!

If it had been any other woman in the world, she would not have felt so bitterly unwilling!

Li Jiangxue lowered her head dejectedly, buried her face in her hands, and wept.

Madam Wei’s heart felt cut apart at the sight. She coaxed softly, “Forget what has passed. What is so wonderful about Yan Hongguang? Your uncle will travel to Suzhou in a few days. Why not go with him and have some fun? Treat it as a chance to clear your mind.”

“Mother, could you stop talking and let me have some peace?!”

Redirecting her anger, Li Jiangxue suddenly raised her head and snapped impatiently, “I told you long ago that Cousin and I loved each other. Why didn’t you tell Father sooner? Now Cousin has been stolen by that wretch Li Jiangyue. Are you finally happy?!”

Madam Wei had never expected those words. She stared blankly for several moments, deeply hurt. “Jiangxue…”

“You’re so annoying!” Li Jiangxue plugged her ears and screamed, “Stop nagging! Can’t you let me be alone?!”

Words spoken by strangers were merely snow. No matter how unpleasant, they did not settle in the heart. Words from one’s own daughter were knives. If sharp enough, the lightest thrust could flay a mother’s flesh and leave her heart dripping blood.

Madam Wei’s expression was wounded. Her lips moved several times, but no words emerged. She gave her daughter one last worried look, then rose and left in sorrow.
…

Once Liu Che had performed long enough, he turned back into the residence and ordered wine warmed. He drank while teaching his two brothers, using a ready-made example: the battle in which he had risen to fame on his first campaign by capturing a Northern prince.

Geniuses truly did exist in this world-or perhaps the Guan brothers really were the reincarnations of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. They understood extremely quickly and drew broader conclusions from every point. In flexibility of thought and military instinct, they even slightly surpassed Liu Che.

And he was an ancient monster who had lived for who knew how many years and witnessed countless battles!

Half emotional and half wistful, Liu Che stroked his brothers’ heads and offered encouragement. A servant then entered to report that all the palace rewards had been inventoried.

Without even looking, Liu Che ordered, “Some of my soldiers died or were wounded in this battle, while the rest also made great contributions. Keep none of the palace’s gold and silver in the residence. Distribute all of it among the soldiers.”

The servant paused, then asked hesitantly, “This subordinate heard that you intend to marry a daughter of the Li Family and may soon need to present betrothal gifts. Should some wealth be retained…”

“No need,” Liu Che said. “Does the Li Family not know the extent of my property? Even if I carried every piece of gold and silver from the palace to their gates, they would consider it no great sum. Why pretend to be richer than I am and stage such an empty display? I recall there were imperial gifts besides the gold and silver. Select a few things a young woman would like and send those directly to the Li Family when the time comes.”

The servant obeyed and left. Liu Che leaned back and used the occasion to instruct his brothers.

“A man shouldn’t make life too exhausting. He must understand his own worth. Does the Li Family want to marry a daughter to me because they covet my little pile of gold and silver?”

Knowing his brother was deliberately teaching him, Guan Pu became solemn and shook his head. “Of course not.”

“Then there is no need to rush over and offer them money,” Liu Che said. “They want an alliance between the families. It is enough for me to show that I value the marriage. Given the Li Family’s status, even if I sold every pot and pan I own, I could not assemble betrothal gifts worthy of them.”

Guan Pu fell into thought.

Liu Che smiled and ruffled his hair. “Go away and think it through, brat. You’re clever, but you still have much to learn!”

…

Liu Che rose early the next morning and guided his brothers through martial practice in the courtyard. The three ate breakfast together in the front hall. After telling them to study diligently at home, Liu Che rode to the Li residence.

He did not conceal his past relationship with Li Jiangxue. After lightly altering and polishing the story, he told Li Dongshan what had happened and reaffirmed his position.

“When honored Father-in-law mentioned the marriage yesterday, this son-in-law assumed you meant Jiangxue and agreed. I never imagined you meant Jiangyue. The misunderstanding arose entirely because I was careless and failed to ask clearly. But since you have already announced my marriage to Jiangyue before the entire family, it naturally cannot be changed. Otherwise, what position would Jiangyue be left in? We can only accept the mistake and follow through.”

Finally, he bowed deeply. “Jiangxue is the legitimate daughter of the Li Family and should be matched with the son of a great Jiankang clan. I am unworthy of her. Please choose a fine husband for her, Father-in-law. When she marries, Jiangyue and I will naturally present generous gifts.”

Li Jiangxue had ruined the family banquet the previous night, and Li Dongshan had still been furious. Now, learning that the two had long shared affection, he felt somewhat guilty.

But whom could they blame?

Li Dongshan had raised the subject of marriage, and Yan Hongguang assumed he meant Jiangxue, so he eagerly agreed.

Li Dongshan had actually been thinking of Jiangyue. Hearing Yan Hongguang agree, he naturally thought nothing more of it. In confusion, they settled the engagement and announced it publicly.

Jiangxue was legitimate and had a powerful maternal family, so she could not be wronged. Jiangyue might have been born of a concubine, but she was also the daughter of Li Dongshan’s beloved woman. Having suffered this unexpected calamity, she could not be made to bear the loss either.

At the family banquet, Li Dongshan had granted the marriage to Jiangyue. Even now that he knew of the misunderstanding, he could not change it without damaging his beloved daughter’s reputation. They could only carry the mistake through and have Yan Hongguang marry Jiangyue.

As for Jiangxue, Jiankang contained many sons of great families. With her status as the Li Family’s legitimate daughter, could she possibly fail to find a good husband?

Then Li Dongshan considered that Yan Hongguang had frankly explained everything. To protect the reputation of the Li daughters, he would rather marry Jiangyue, a concubine’s daughter, than entangle himself in demands for the legitimate daughter. Li Dongshan gained some respect for him. He nodded and sent a message to Madam Yu, saying he would bring a guest to lunch.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yu knew her husband did not intend to alter the marriage. Why else would he specially bring an unrelated man to dine in her quarters?

Overjoyed, she ordered dishes prepared and urged her daughter to return to her room and dress. Now that the marriage was settled and her husband was bringing their son-in-law over, he would presumably give the young couple time to speak. It was the perfect opportunity for them to grow closer.

Naturally, the news could not be hidden from Madam Wei. When a subordinate reported it, she could only sigh. “Keep it from Jiangxue for now. Do not let her hear.”

At this point, further trouble would do her daughter no good. Better to separate the two temporarily. As time passed, her daughter’s feelings would presumably fade, and they could discuss another marriage then.

At noon, Li Dongshan brought Liu Che to Madam Yu’s quarters. Both sides were willing, and the gathering naturally delighted host and guest alike.

After the meal, Li Dongshan and Madam Yu thoughtfully gave the young couple some time alone.

Liu Che was a professional scoundrel and world-class master of heartlessness. Li Jiangyue was a self-interested pragmatist who sought prospects rather than love. They hit it off immediately. One was martial and striking, the other elegant and gentle: a talented man and beautiful woman, perfectly matched.

Fearing that delay might produce change, Madam Yu immediately urged her husband to proceed with the Six Rites. Li Dongshan knew Yan Hongguang had some entanglement with his eldest daughter and feared trouble too. For the sake of his eldest daughter’s reputation, he readily agreed.
Yan Hongguang had lost both parents and had once been fostered by the Li Family, making the Li household half the groom’s relatives as well. The Six Rites therefore proceeded swiftly.

Madam Wei knew about the matter, but she also wanted to extinguish her daughter’s hopes. From beginning to end, she kept it tightly concealed, allowing not a breath of news to reach Li Jiangxue.

The term Northern Dynasty did not refer solely to Northern Qi but to several states established by the Hu peoples north of the Huai River, just as Southern Dynasty included more than the present state.

Northern Qi’s southern expedition had failed, making Northern Wei and Northern Zhou hesitate. As time passed, however, they learned the inside story of Northern Qi’s defeat. Hearing that a young general had broken through its east-west line, penetrated alone, and captured its commander, they concluded that luck had played a large role. They ceased hesitating and marched south.

For the present dynasty, this was undoubtedly terrible news. Before Liu Che had even warmed his seat in Jiankang, Li Dongshan informed him that, because of his exceptional performance, he might be sent to war again.

He could not possibly serve as commander-in-chief, but he might well be given several tens of thousands of troops and a suitable degree of independent authority.

Here, the benefits of marrying into the Li Family became apparent.

First, they had people in the central government and could obtain news promptly. Second, with the Li Family behind him, he did not yet need to fear arrows fired into his back.

The Southern Dynasty’s officials might be poor at mounted warfare, but they excelled at internal strife and political maneuvering. The Yan Family had long since declined, and Liu Che had stolen a great deal of glory this time. If someone took offense and stabbed him in the back, his death would be intolerably unjust.

Moreover, while he campaigned abroad, supplies and provisions were matters of life and death. Emperor Gaozu had arrived in his world already an emperor and did not need to fight. Zhu Yuanzhang had fought, but who would dare withhold that old master’s allotments?

Did they find the skin they wore too hot and want it peeled off?

Liu Che, however, was a poor little cabbage loved by neither father nor mother. If someone secretly cut off his grain for two days, he would have nowhere even to cry.

After repeatedly thanking Li Dongshan, Liu Che forgot all thoughts of romance. He returned home and studied terrain maps throughout the night while the military masters in the space took turns tutoring him. He also dragged his brothers over to listen.

Little Sunflower Zhi’er Classroom was now in session!

Liu Che heard the original, first-hand audio. Guan Pu and Guan Sheng heard the second-hand version relayed by their brother, allowing Liu Che to show off without anyone realizing it.

Their father had often praised both boys as excellent talents. Now they watched their big brother speak as if his tongue were spring-loaded, rattling on without pause. Yet when they carefully considered his words, every sentence contained the purest essence. Their admiration was immense. Four shining eyes remained fixed on him, unwilling to miss a single word.

Liu Che felt extraordinarily accomplished. He boasted to his old companions, “Look how impressive I am. I’ve dazzled these twin stars into stupefaction.”

The SSRs all sneered and immediately fell silent, refusing to offer another word of guidance.

Unfortunately, the hapless Guan Pu had no sense of timing. At that precise moment, he pointed at the map and asked, “But nomadic peoples have no fixed homes. At the slightest sign of defeat, they flee far away. How can we find and annihilate them amid ten thousand miles of desert?”

Liu Che: “…”

“Indeed.” Adopting a thoughtful expression, Liu Che looked at Guan Sheng as if testing him. “Nomadic peoples have no fixed homes and flee at the slightest sign of defeat. How can we find and annihilate them amid ten thousand miles of desert?”

Guan Sheng’s little brows furrowed. Several moments later, understanding dawned on his face. “I know.”

Liu Che: “…”

“Don’t be afraid of being wrong.” He looked encouraging. “Speak boldly!”

Guan Pu frowned as well. After pondering, inspiration suddenly struck. He turned to his brother. “Is it what I’m thinking? Like herding sheep in a pasture-observe their…”

Guan Sheng nodded happily. “Exactly!”

“…” Liu Che: “?????”

Completely bewildered, he maintained a solemn expression and encouraged them like an excellent teacher. “I always teach you not to fear mistakes. Only by working hard and correcting errors in ordinary times can you win when you truly reach the battlefield.”

Guan Sheng laughed. “Big Brother, that isn’t right. If hard work were useful, what would the world need geniuses like us for?”

Liu Che: “…”

Liu Che’s heart had been stabbed.

He pulled a stern face. “Why are you laughing? What is funny? Did you understand the military texts I found for you? Do you know how to arrange marching routes?!”

Guan Pu stared at him in surprise. “Does that require study?”

Liu Che: “…”

Guan Sheng was astonished. “Isn’t it obvious at a glance?”

Liu Che: “…”

“Foolish Zhi’er, stop running headfirst into the wall. In the military realm, ordinary humans and commanders on the level of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing can scarcely be considered the same species.”

Li Shimin folded his arms and said leisurely, “There will certainly be military matters they do not understand, just as there are for you. But you fail to understand because your talent and mind are limited. They fail to understand only because the subject does not interest them. You’re already an old man. How can you still not grasp that?”

Liu Che: “…”

The tears fell only after I learned the truth.