CHAPTER 2

Lian Sheng’s marriage was a rushed affair, as the pressing threat of an army at the gates left no time for thorough preparation.

Moreover, Yi Qiancheng displayed little sincerity.

Seven days earlier, the city lord of Yingdong, Lian Mo, had sent an envoy riding day and night to beg Yi Qiancheng for assistance. The great general of Yi had only raised an eyebrow upon hearing the plea and remarked, “I have no ties with you lot. For Lian Mo to seek me out, is his brain waterlogged?”

Strictly speaking, that statement wasn’t wrong. There was no kinship between them, but there was a “reason”—though that reason was rooted in animosity.

The envoy, a clever man and one of Lian Mo’s aides, quickly adjusted his approach. Seeing that Yi Qiancheng had no intention of helping, he recalled the marriage pact that had once existed between Yingdong and Shaji—an engagement between Yi Qiancheng and a daughter of the Lian family.

Clinging to this hope, the envoy braced himself and brought up the matter.

Yi Qiancheng shot him a faint, mocking glance, which made the aide’s legs tremble.

“In that case, tell Lian Mo to send his daughter over,” Yi Qiancheng said casually, his tone as indifferent as someone ordering a trinket to be delivered. He didn’t even specify that he intended to marry a Lian daughter.

The aide understood Yi’s implication but, desperate for aid, clung to even this slim chance. With a respectful bow, he accepted the order and promptly sent word back to Lian Mo via carrier pigeon.

Fully aware of the stakes, the aide carefully worded his message. He left out Yi Qiancheng’s disdainful tone and reframed the message as: “The great General Yi has expressed willingness to consider lending troops after a marriage alliance.”

As the pigeon flew away, the aide sighed, silently hoping that once the girl was delivered, Yi Qiancheng would agree to send troops. Having heard of Yi Qiancheng’s humiliation years ago, the aide wasn’t sure what the general’s true intentions were.

But even the faintest hope was better than none. Sacrificing one woman to save an entire city seemed a logical trade.

Lian Mo remained oblivious to the full details, and naturally, Lian Sheng knew even less.

Yi Qiancheng didn’t send anyone to escort the bride. The Lian family considered this an affront, but given the circumstances, they couldn’t voice any complaints. The Lian family would have to deliver the daughter themselves. Lian Sheng silently mused that this was likely Yi Qiancheng’s way of humiliating the Lian family.

Dressed in her wedding gown, Lian Sheng noticed her nursemaid, Madam Liu, dabbing at her tears nearby. Having lost her mother at a young age, Lian Sheng had been raised by Madam Liu, who treated her like her own child. Now, knowing that Lian Sheng was heading to Shaji—a barren land—to marry a volatile man who harbored a grudge against the Lian family, Madam Liu couldn’t help but weep in sorrow and worry.

Lian Sheng twirled around in her gown and said softly, “Don’t worry, nanny. Look, don’t I look beautiful?”

“You’re beautiful, my girl. The most beautiful.”

“I’m going to Shaji to marry, not to suffer. Don’t cry anymore. I’ll take good care of myself. You must take care of yourself too—look after your health.”

Hearing the implications in Lian Sheng’s words, Madam Liu anxiously asked, “Miss, are you not taking me with you?”

“The journey to Shaji is long, and I’m worried you won’t be able to endure it. Don’t worry—I’m not going away forever. I’ll definitely come back to visit you.”

Lian Sheng had indeed decided not to take Madam Liu with her. The elderly woman wouldn’t be able to withstand the arduous journey, nor the harsh conditions of Shaji. And with Yi Qiancheng’s unpredictable nature, she couldn’t risk putting Madam Liu in danger.

After much persuasion, Madam Liu finally accepted that her young mistress was determined to leave her behind.

The next day, Lian Sheng set off. As she left the city gates in her wedding gown, she felt like the most poorly treated bride in history.

To expedite her arrival in Shaji, the entourage was lightly equipped and traveling quickly. Even Lian Sheng’s wedding gown had been hastily stitched together, simple in design.

The group consisted of two squads of soldiers, about fifty men in total, tasked with ensuring Lian Sheng’s safety, along with two young maids.

Since the marriage arrangement had been finalized, the Lian family’s second daughter, Lian Sitean, had scarcely left her room. Meek and subdued, she hadn’t even shown her face on the day of Lian Sheng’s departure.

It seemed the once-arrogant second daughter was utterly terrified of Yi Qiancheng.

In contrast, Lian Sheng’s younger half-brother, Lian Xiyue, appeared to take a certain pleasure in her plight.

The Lian family had four children. Lian Sitean and Lian Xiyue shared both parents.

The eldest son, Lian Qi, was the child of Lian Mo’s first wife, Madam Meng, who had passed away shortly after his birth due to poor health. Not long after, Lian Mo had married his current wife, Madam Sang.

Madam Sang was gentle and timid, but her children didn’t take after her. Her firstborn, Lian Sitean, was arrogant, while her son, Lian Xiyue, was malicious. While they showed some respect for their elder brother, Lian Qi, their treatment of Lian Sheng was entirely different.

Lian Sheng, born to a concubine of foreign descent, had the lowest status among the siblings. Her mother, presented as an exotic beauty to the Liang Empire, had passed away shortly after Lian Sheng’s birth due to homesickness.

Perhaps because of their similar fates, the eldest son, Lian Qi, had always been especially kind to Lian Sheng.

Now, as Lian Sheng left for her marriage, Lian Qi, stationed on the battlefield, didn’t even have the chance to bid her farewell.

The entire city of Yingdong was subdued, its air heavy with the looming threat of invasion by the Xiqiang forces. As Lian Sheng’s carriage traveled through the city gates, she saw few commoners, mostly women with sorrowful expressions.

At the gate, custom dictated that parents should weep for their departing daughter. Madam Sang didn’t come. Only Lian Mo and Lian Xiyue were there to see Lian Sheng off.

Lian Xiyue, with little to say to his half-sister, lounged arrogantly on his horse, smirking as he watched Lian Sheng in her wedding gown.

Lian Sheng’s marriage was arranged in a rush. With an army pressing at their borders, there was no time for her to prepare.

And Yi Qiancheng wasn’t exactly sincere about it either.

Seven days ago, the Lord of Lian City had sent someone riding day and night to plead for Yi Qiancheng’s help. The general had raised an eyebrow upon hearing the plea and sneered, “I have no ties with you people. For Lian City to come begging me, they must be out of their minds.”

That wasn’t entirely true. While there were no familial ties, there was a connection—but that connection was a feud.

The envoy, being a resourceful man, immediately thought of something. Lian City’s Lord had a daughter, and years ago, there had been a marriage pact between Yi Qiancheng’s Sandthorn region and the Lian family.

Gathering his courage, the envoy brought up the marriage arrangement.

Yi Qiancheng cast him a mocking look that sent shivers down the envoy’s spine.

“Well then, have the Lord of Lian send his daughter over.”

The tone in which Yi Qiancheng said “send her over” was casual, as if he were asking for a trinket to play with. He didn’t even specify that he intended to marry her.

The envoy knew exactly what that tone meant. But desperate times called for desperate measures. Even if there was only a sliver of hope, they couldn’t afford to pass it up. Bowing respectfully, the envoy accepted the order and immediately sent a letter via carrier pigeon to inform the city lord.

The envoy carefully crafted his message. Knowing the dire state of Lian City, he didn’t dare disclose that Yi Qiancheng might only see the city lord’s daughter as a plaything. If the city lord flew into a rage and abandoned the plan, the entire city would be doomed.

So, in the letter, the message became: “General Yi has indicated that he will only consider lending his troops after the marriage alliance is finalized.”

Watching the pigeon fly off, the envoy sighed, hoping Yi Qiancheng would act after the girl was sent. He’d heard of the humiliation Yi Qiancheng had suffered in the past but couldn’t guess what was on the man’s mind now.

Regardless, as long as there was hope, they had to seize it. Sacrificing one woman to save an entire city seemed justified.

Neither the city lord nor Lian Sheng herself knew the full story.

Yi Qiancheng didn’t send anyone to fetch the bride, a deliberate slight that the Lian family could not afford to protest. They had no choice but to send their daughter to him themselves. Lian Sheng guessed this was Yi Qiancheng’s way of humiliating her family.

Wearing her wedding dress, Lian Sheng stood before her nanny, Liu Momo, who was wiping away tears. Lian Sheng had lost her mother at a young age, and Liu Momo had raised her, treating her as her own. Knowing the hardships and dangers awaiting her in Sandthorn, the nanny was overwhelmed with sorrow and worry.

Lian Sheng turned in a circle and gently asked, “Momo, don’t worry. Do I look beautiful?”

“Beautiful, my lady. The most beautiful in the world,” Liu Momo replied.

“I’m going there to marry, not to suffer,” Lian Sheng reassured her. “You mustn’t be sad. Take care of yourself, Momo. Stay healthy for me.”

Liu Momo clutched Lian Sheng’s hand, her voice trembling. “You won’t take me with you, my lady?”

“The journey to Sandthorn is long, and I worry you won’t be able to endure it. Don’t worry, I’ll come back to see you. I promise,” Lian Sheng said, her tone gentle but firm.

She had no intention of bringing Liu Momo with her. The elderly nanny wouldn’t survive the harsh conditions of Sandthorn, and Lian Sheng couldn’t bear to drag her into danger, especially with Yi Qiancheng’s unpredictable temperament.

After much persuasion, Liu Momo finally gave up on accompanying her.

The next day, Lian Sheng set out. As her modest procession left the city gates, she thought to herself that she must be the most pitiful bride Lian City had ever sent out.

To save time, the escort team traveled lightly. Lian Sheng’s hastily tailored wedding dress was simple, her entourage consisting of fifty soldiers and two young maids.

Her younger brother, Lian Xiyue, looked on with a trace of schadenfreude.

Lian Sheng, born to her father’s concubine, had always been looked down upon by Lian Xiyue and his full sister, Lian Sitian, both children of the lord’s second wife. The eldest son, Lian Qi, born to the lord’s first wife, treated Lian Sheng with kindness, often shielding her from their cruelty.

Now, however, Lian Qi was at the front lines, unable to even bid her farewell.

At the city gates, where her parents should have wept in the traditional send-off, only her father and Lian Xiyue came to see her off.

Lian Sheng lifted the curtain of her carriage and addressed her father, “Father, don’t tell Elder Brother about my marriage.”

Lian Qi doted on her and would surely be furious if he knew the reason behind her marriage.

“If he does find out, tell him that years ago, I saw General Yi from the city tower and fell in love with him at first sight. Tell him I’m marrying for love.”

Her father nodded. He didn’t want Lian Qi to know either. The eldest son was critical to defending the city and couldn’t afford distractions.

The father and daughter shared a silent understanding before Lian Sheng lowered the curtain.

The escort began its journey to Sandthorn.

Inside the carriage, Lian Sheng observed her two maids. One was timid and fearful, while the other seemed more composed, sitting quietly with her eyes lowered.

Both maids had been chosen by her stepmother, and Lian Sheng hadn’t objected. She didn’t want to bring her own loyal servants into danger.

“You two, what are your names?” Lian Sheng asked.

The calm maid spoke first. “This servant is called Xiyu.” She gave a quick account of her background, explaining that poverty had forced her family to sell her into service.

The timid maid followed suit. “This servant is Lǜ’er. I was separated from my family as a child and sold to the lord’s household by traffickers.”

Lian Sheng nodded. Both maids were bound by life-long contracts, effectively severing ties with their pasts.

“Xiyu, Lǜ’er, listen carefully. Once we reach Sandthorn, our fates will be tied together. If I don’t do well, neither of you will survive. If you have any doubts or fears, stay behind now. I have no use for traitors.”

The maids quickly pledged their loyalty, kneeling and vowing to follow her commands.

Satisfied, Lian Sheng asked, “Can either of you ride a horse?”

Both shook their heads.

“Then tomorrow, I’ll ride ahead with the soldiers. You’ll follow the main group.”

The maids were shocked. “My lady, you’re riding to Sandthorn?”

“Yes. Time is of the essence,” Lian Sheng replied. “Help me out of this dress tomorrow and prepare my riding gear.”

The next morning, dressed in practical riding clothes, Lian Sheng had Xiyu pack her wedding dress. She couldn’t afford to forget her true purpose—marrying Yi Qiancheng.

If he saw her and decided, “I asked for a wife, not another envoy from Lian City,” she’d lose everything.

Preparing for every possibility, Lian Sheng rehearsed her lines: “I’ve admired you for so long, my lord. Marrying you is the greatest joy of my life. I couldn’t wait another moment!”

With that, she mounted her horse and set off, lighting a mental candle for herself. To survive, she’d have to cast aside her pride. From today onward, Yi Qiancheng would have to be her number one. She’d praise him to the skies if she had to.