CHAPTER 3

The city of Sandthorn was known for its long-standing droughts and its rough, unrefined ways. This was all Lian Sheng knew about it before her journey.

After riding for several days at a relentless pace, she finally experienced the full extent of Sandthorn’s “drought.” While the land wasn’t cracked open as the rumors suggested, green vegetation became scarcer, and the heat intensified as they traveled farther.

The exaggeration of these rumors likely had a reason—Yingdong City, Lian Sheng’s home, was blessed with the longest and widest river in the Liang region, called the Xiangnao River. The abundance of water made droughts unimaginable to its people. Meanwhile, rivers were sparse in Sandthorn, and water was a precious resource.

As they approached the center of Sandthorn City, a sandstorm began to rise in the air.

Wearing a veil to shield her face, Lian Sheng couldn’t help but feel anxious. Could it be that Yi Qiancheng had built his city right in the middle of a sandstorm zone?

She had been traveling day and night, resting only two hours each night, trying her best to reach Sandthorn quickly. On the third day, she had managed to take a proper bath at an inn. But after that, every innkeeper had told her the same thing: “Water is precious in Sandthorn. This is all we have, young lady. Make do with it for a quick wipe-down.”

Each time, she could only sigh and accept the reality of the situation.

At this moment, the wind and sand were raging, covering Lian Sheng in a layer of dust. She couldn’t help but wonder: Was water even scarcer where Yi Qiancheng resided? Could it be that he didn’t bathe even once a year?

That thought…

Lian Sheng found herself on the verge of laughing. But when she remembered that the man in question was about to become her husband, the humor vanished instantly.

As they passed through the wind-swept area, Lian Sheng blinked in surprise at the lush greenery ahead.

So this was what Sandthorn’s terrain was like—the sandstorm surrounded the city center, but within lay an oasis. She had let her imagination run too wild. Naturally, a city would be built in the most fertile location. The successive rulers of Sandthorn wouldn’t have been foolish enough to let the city fall into destitution.

After traveling a bit further, she finally saw the gates of Sandthorn.

The large black characters for “Sandthorn” hung prominently over the gate, their sharp strokes exuding a sense of aggression.

Just as she was about to enter the city to change into her wedding attire and send someone to notify Yi Qiancheng at the City Lord’s Manor, she saw a troop of soldiers exiting the city.

The man leading the group appeared to be in his early twenties. He had a stern, rugged face, a darker complexion, and sat stiffly on his horse. His armor was of excellent craftsmanship, clearly marking him as a figure of authority in Sandthorn.

This man was Song Yuan, a deputy general under Yi Qiancheng. When Song Yuan saw a veiled woman leading a group of soldiers dressed in Yingdong armor, he frowned and rode toward Lian Sheng.

“Who are you? Why are you bringing armed soldiers into Sandthorn City?”

“I am the daughter of the City Lord of Yingdong,” Lian Sheng replied. Noticing Song Yuan’s surprised expression, she added, “I’ve come to marry General Yi.”

Song Yuan’s expression shifted from surprise to scorn.

“I was under orders to escort you to Sandthorn, but since you’ve come on your own, follow me. As for the Yingdong soldiers, you can send them back.”

“No, I’m just a weak woman, and I don’t even know who you are. If you’re lying to me, and I don’t have anyone to protect me, wouldn’t that be dangerous? You can lead the way, but I will seek out General Yi myself.”

Song Yuan responded coldly, “As you wish, miss.”

He still didn’t reveal his name, nor did he show the slightest hint of respect. Lian Sheng understood the situation clearly: it wasn’t just the Lord of Sandthorn who disliked the Lian family; the citizens and soldiers shared the sentiment.

Her chances of surviving well here had just become significantly slimmer.

“I’ll wash up before heading to the City Lord’s Manor.”

Song Yuan didn’t make things difficult for her and let her go. After all, she had only just arrived in Sandthorn. In his mind, though, he thought he had no right to mistreat the daughter of a city lord, but his general certainly wouldn’t make things easy for her.

Fortunately, the center of Sandthorn City was quite prosperous and didn’t lack water. Lian Sheng found an inn and gave herself a proper cleaning.

She changed into her wedding dress, then hesitated. She tied the red wedding veil behind her head like a scarf. It looked somewhat odd, but she reminded herself of her mission to get married—the veil had to stay untouched until her future husband lifted it himself.

When Song Yuan saw her emerge in her wedding attire, her face still veiled, he couldn’t see what this woman—who had come to them of her own accord—looked like.

Lian Sheng had no intention of speaking with him. Time was pressing, and securing troops was her priority. She certainly wouldn’t wait for Yi Qiancheng to send a palanquin to escort her.

“Lead the way.”

They made their way to the City Lord’s Manor. At the gate, only guards stood watch—no one came out to welcome her.

Lian Sheng didn’t believe that, in the time it took for her to freshen up, the stern-faced deputy general hadn’t informed his commander. The lack of a reception was clearly intended to embarrass her.

But Lian Sheng didn’t feel embarrassed. Her mind was solely focused on borrowing troops!

After waiting for a while, the steward of the manor finally arrived, tardy and slow, to escort her inside. The soldiers Lian Sheng had brought only served to protect her, and now that she had arrived safely in Sandthorn, they saluted and began their journey back to Yingdong.

“The general is not in the manor. Miss, please wait in the side chamber.”

“When will the general return?”

“This old servant does not know the general’s whereabouts.”

That was clearly an excuse.

“I’ve come to marry the general. It’s improper to stay in a side chamber. I’ll wait for him in the main hall. When the general returns, inform him that the eldest daughter of the Lian family has arrived as promised and wishes to marry him immediately!”

The steward finally glanced up at Lian Sheng when he heard the last sentence.

Lian Sheng insisted on waiting in the main hall, and the steward had no reason to stop her. After all, it was a reception area, and she was the daughter of a city lord.

She selected a chair in the main hall and sat upright, maintaining a dignified and composed demeanor.

Internally, however, she was growing worried. Yi Qiancheng might not mind this delay, but Yingdong City couldn’t afford it.

She could only hope that Yi Qiancheng would grant her wish for an “immediate wedding.”

As night fell, the lamps in the hall had been replaced twice. Watching the maid responsible for lighting leave, Lian Sheng frowned slightly.

She composed herself and waited a while longer. Finally, the steward returned.

“The general has returned and is in his study. The general said that if the miss is so eager, she might as well go directly to his bedroom and wait.”

The steward delivered the general’s exact words with an expressionless face.

He had deliberately kept her waiting and now wanted her to “get herself” to his bedroom.

Lian Sheng smiled. “Very well, I’ll go!”

She ignored the word “get” and focused on “bedroom.” A bedroom was better than not seeing Yi Qiancheng at all.

The old steward lifted his eyes slightly and led her to the room.

The bedroom was empty. After the steward left, Lian Sheng took her time examining Yi Qiancheng’s room. It was simply but elegantly furnished. The outer area featured a desk with scattered documents on it.

It seemed that Yi Qiancheng, as the lord of the city, was quite diligent.

Lian Sheng didn’t dare scrutinize the documents, casting only a quick glance. She noticed that the handwriting on them felt familiar. Thinking back, she realized it resembled the sharp, aggressive style of the “Sandthorn” characters on the city gate. So, he had written them himself.

She moved behind the screen and obediently sat on the golden nanmu bed. Removing the red veil she had used as a scarf, she placed it over her head once again.

When asking for something, Lian Sheng had always been very obedient.

She thought to herself: since Yi Qiancheng hates the Lian family so much, perhaps the more eager she appears for him to touch her, the more he will resist.

Adjusting her mindset, she hypnotized herself: Yi Qiancheng—who is he? The most heroic and handsome man in the world! She admires him, loves him, and wishes she could transform into his loyal little battle armor at any moment, never leaving him even through the ends of the earth and the collapse of the heavens!

Lian Sheng silently rehearsed the sweet words in her mind when suddenly, a pair of men’s boots embroidered with gold thread appeared before her eyes.

Startled, Lian Sheng realized she hadn’t heard a single sound. The man had appeared out of nowhere!

The next moment, she felt a chill on her face as Yi Qiancheng tore off the veil covering her head.

His movements were casual as he tossed the veil aside, scrutinizing the “very eager to marry him” daughter of the city lord.

Lian Sheng lifted her gaze and gave him a smile. She was naturally beautiful, with slightly upturned eyes that were mesmerizing and a hint of innocence in her expression. Her skin was as fine as porcelain, and under the flickering candlelight, her soft lips naturally drew attention.

Even Yi Qiancheng, who had seen countless beauties, had to admit that this shameless woman was indeed strikingly beautiful.

He shifted his gaze away from her lips. A daughter of the Lian family—it made sense that she would look like a temptress. If she had a demure and innocent appearance, it would almost seem out of character.

Lian Sheng, meanwhile, was also sizing up Yi Qiancheng. Her self-hypnosis had been fairly accurate! Despite his infamous reputation, Yi Qiancheng was surprisingly good-looking.

He wore a narrow-sleeved martial outfit that accentuated his robust figure, exuding an air of arrogance. Compared to her elder brother, Yi Qiancheng’s features were sharper, with sword-like brows that extended almost to his temples and long, piercing black eyes. As a result, when he gazed expressionlessly at someone, he seemed especially cold.

Before Lian Sheng could say anything, Yi Qiancheng abruptly leaned closer to her.

Startled, she instinctively wanted to retreat but stopped herself in the next moment, unable to move.

“Since you came all this way, I’ll let you choose how you want to die. Think it over—how do you want to go, hmm?” Yi Qiancheng’s low, hoarse voice was laced with mockery as he leaned close to her ear. His warm breath brushed against her ear, but the words were chilling.

The dagger in his hand pressed against the back of her neck, its cold, sharp tip sending a shiver through her body, spreading from her neck to her chest. Lian Sheng instinctively tensed, her toes curling as she dared not move even an inch backward.

She gritted her teeth. “I’ve thought about it! You promised to fulfill my wish, so no going back on your word. I fear pain.”

Her cooperative attitude made Yi Qiancheng smirk. The dagger slid upward by an inch, stopping just above her head. He thought to himself that plunging it down would surely be a spectacular sight. “Fine,” he said.

“Dear husband! I want you to love me to death!”

The dagger suddenly pricked the top of her head. Lian Sheng let out a soft gasp, her heart sinking into despair. Was she really about to die at Yi Qiancheng’s hands?

But in the next moment, she realized she was still breathing. Lian Sheng let out a quiet sigh of relief. Fortunately, the dagger hadn’t gone in deep, though she could feel the blood trickling.

Since she wasn’t dead, she pressed on—there would be no chance if she hesitated now. “Your presence is more majestic than the mountains of the Great Liang, your bearing broader than the Xiangnao River, and your bravery makes my heart tremble. The moment I first saw you, I was utterly captivated by your brilliance, unable to extricate myself. My admiration for you runs deep; marrying you is a wish carved into my very bones.”

Yi Qiancheng squinted. “...” Not a single word of it did he believe.

“You must have a problem with your eyes. Shall I dig them out for you?”

The dagger in his hand moved to hover before her right eye, so close that it could blind her from this world at any moment. Yi Qiancheng stared at Lian Sheng, his eyes filled with a destructive intent.

Lian Sheng was terrified he might actually move the blade.

“No, you can’t do that. If I’m blind, I’ll never be able to see you again. That would be worse than death.”

Forcing herself not to look at the glinting dagger, she fixed her gaze on Yi Qiancheng’s eyes. At this moment between life and death, she poured all her intense emotions into her own gaze.

Just as Lian Sheng was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the cold glint of the dagger shifted slightly before her eyes!