Dandy Escapes From Marriage - Chapter 51

The carriage traveled south all the way, rushing for seven or eight days consecutively, and finally arrived in Jinling City before nightfall.

Outside was bustling and lively, with voices clamoring. The bright yellow light from the streets reflected into the carriage, but the atmosphere inside was rather somber.

“Ake, are you really going to break off the engagement with the Liu family for the sake of an unknown boy, disregarding gossip and insisting?” Madam Shen sat on the inner side, staring straight at Shen Ke.

“Mother, he is not just an unknown boy. His name is Xiao Wu, a very kind and hardworking person. We share the same feelings, and I will not betray him in this lifetime,” Shen Ke replied firmly. Then, he glanced at Shen Yanqing and continued, “As for gossip, I care even less. This engagement was arranged without my knowledge. I am grown now, with my own life. How can I abandon my own choices because of a few words from others?”

Hearing this, Shen Yanqing snorted coldly. “Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words. Why does it become our fault in your mouth?”

“Father has been in officialdom for many years and is used to such situations, but I am not. All I know is that my name is Shen Ke. I am just an ordinary person who wants to spend my life with someone I love, regardless of status and wealth.”

“Alright, alright, it’s my fault.” Madam Shen saw that Shen Yanqing was about to get angry, so she intervened, “Back then, when I went to worship the Bodhisattva, the carriage had an accident on the way. I almost lost my life, but fortunately, Yueju helped me and even assisted in giving birth despite being heavily pregnant, saving both our lives. She suffered complications as a result.”

Shen Ke finally understood the cause and effect. Initially, he only heard his tipsy mother suddenly mention a marriage arrangement during dinner, but by the time he asked for details, she had already fainted, and the matter was not brought up again afterward.

“After this incident, I felt a bond with Yueju and was worried that our son might have problems being born prematurely. I consulted a master who said her son had a fate of early death and needed someone born on the same day to counteract the bad luck. That’s why I voluntarily promised this marriage arrangement. If her son could survive to seventeen, our families would become relatives. If not, it wouldn’t matter, and you could marry someone else, being a man.”

“Ah.” Shen Yanqing sighed heavily, taking his wife’s hand back from Shen Ke’s hand and holding it in his own, soothingly patting her hand. He said to Shen Ke, “As you grew up, sometimes your mother worried if she made a hasty decision. When you were four, they brought the child to the capital to confirm this marriage arrangement. You played with that child for most of the day. Afterwards, your mother secretly asked if you wanted to play with him every day and you were beaten up and said you wanted to see him every day. After the family left, you talked about wanting to play with that child when you were okay and we didn’t refuse the family.”

Shen Ke vaguely remembered, but the impression of the child was already very vague, just faintly remembering that there was such a peer to come to the house, but because of the long-term reasons, it has long been forgotten.

“I didn’t go out much when I was young, nor did I have many friends. It was rare for a peer to play together, naturally happy.” Shen Ke slowly said, “Now that things have come to this point, I can only go to guilt and apologize.”

There are many thick gifts in the carriage, and Shen Ke looks around, and takes out a token from his arms. This is given by Zhao Yelan Zhao, he is not available now, but can be donated to that person, and maybe there will be a place to use.

The voice of the coachman sounded outside: “Trouble, may I ask how to go to the Liu family?”

“The Liu family, go straight, the biggest mansion is their residence.” The pedestrians replied.

Shen Ke has just lifted the corner of the curtain and looked curiously at the city. Xiao Wu is also a gold star, and do not know which lane to live. Thinking of Xiao Wu has said that he has been working in the Green House, he could not help but be kind of heart, to see the small in front of the Green House, and started laughing.

“Laughing at a brothel? What’s so amusing?” Shen Yanqing snorted again.

Shen Ke didn’t explain. Just as he was about to withdraw his gaze, his attention was drawn to a man on a small bridge ahead. Despite the distance and dim lighting, he could vaguely make out the figure. The man was leisurely riding a horse across the bridge, with willow branches brushing against his hair. The courtesans from the brothel called out to him flirtatiously, and a silk handkerchief fell beside him. He reached out to catch it, then gracefully dismounted at the brothel’s entrance and disappeared inside.

The carriage happened to pass by the brothel’s gate. Shen Ke stared in the direction where the man had vanished, feeling oddly familiar.

“We’re almost there. Ake, do you really have to go to the Liu family dressed like this?” Madam Shen hesitated, looking at him. His face, surprisingly, was deliberately smudged with black paint, and he even wore a fake beard and a large mole on his forehead. His own mother found his face disgusting.

Shen Ke nodded. “Yes, this way it’ll be easier to break off the engagement,” as Xiao Wu had instructed.

“But I’m afraid of losing face,” Madam Shen said.

“Endure it for a while; it will soon be over,” Shen Ke reassured her.

Madam Shen massaged her temples and leaned against her husband’s shoulder, closing her eyes to rest.

The carriage stopped, and the family of three got off one after another. The servants had already gone to announce their arrival, and soon Mr. Liu came out with his family to greet them.

“Mr. Shen, Madam Shen, it’s been many years. I hope you’re well,” Mr. Liu greeted warmly.

“Mr. Liu still maintains his distinguished demeanor,” Shen Yanqing smiled.

Madam Shen looked around and asked curiously, “Where is Yueju?”

“Ah, Yueju fell ill a couple of days ago. Afraid of inconveniencing you, she’s resting in her room,” Mr. Liu replied.

“Why say such things? Yueju and I have a deep bond. I want to see her myself,” Madam Shen insisted.

“Ah Qi, please escort Madam Shen,” Mr. Liu instructed a courteous maiden who then led Madam Shen towards the back courtyard.

“You’ve endured a long journey. Mr. Shen and young master, please come in,” Mr. Liu invited warmly.

Shen Ke followed his father into the Liu family’s mansion. Inside was a spacious courtyard, adorned with exotic flowers and plants. Bronze cauldrons at each corner collected rainwater, reflecting the family’s wealth—no wonder Zhang Moyang occasionally mentioned the Liu family’s extravagance.

However, the environment was secondary to Shen Ke. He discreetly surveyed the Liu family members but couldn’t identify who exactly his betrothed was.

At that moment, a servant accidentally broke a porcelain bowl. A young man immediately scolded the servant severely, who fell to the ground in tears, begging for forgiveness.

Shen Ke frowned slightly, then noticed two men nearby whispering about him, barely concealing their mocking smiles. He faintly heard remarks like “So ugly” and “Who would want to marry him?” 

He sighed inwardly and looked away, only to see another man with several concubines beside him, whispering curses at his own child, “There are guests here. Go back to your room quickly.”

Shen Ke’s brow furrowed into a “川”1  character. He overheard his father casually asking about where Liu Shu was.

It seemed Liu Shu was his betrothed. He breathed a sigh of relief internally that Liu Shu wasn’t present. Although he came to break off the engagement, he still didn’t want the other party to be too unbearable.

To his surprise, Mr. Liu sighed, unable to say a word for a long time. It was the man who scolded the servant who gloated, “Liu Shu? He’s been spending his nights at the brothel these days. You won’t find him during the day.”

Shen Ke’s impression of this family plummeted further. Shen Yanqing’s expression darkened, but he quickly rejoiced silently that it was an annulment visit. If his son really married into this family, the Shen family’s reputation would be completely ruined. Madam Shen sighed with a complex expression.

Mr. Liu awkwardly covered his face. Yueju might pretend to be sick to avoid facing the guests, but he couldn’t. He had to force a smile, “My son is mischievous, forgive him for embarrassing Mr. Shen.”

Shen Yanqing forced a smile as well.

Mr. Liu’s gaze then fell on Shen Ke’s face, thinking how handsome the child had been when he was young, but how ugly he had grown up.

But he heard that his son had already found a handsome and talented man outside. He secretly rejoiced that it was better to cancel this marriage.

During dinner, Yueju did not come out to join them. Madam Shen stayed with her in the room, dining together.

Outside, Mr. Liu only let a few of his sons accompany the guests to dinner. As a result, the father and son of the Shen family were very worried. It was like sitting on pins and needles. It was really difficult for these young people to talk together.

After dinner, Shen Yanqing whispered to Shen Ke, “It seems that this marriage cannot be avoided. A group of idle young masters, very troublesome. I think the Liu family seems not to be very satisfied with your current appearance. Your mother went to Mrs. Liu to test the wind. If it goes smoothly, it may be possible to negotiate directly.”

“Okay.” Shen Ke nodded in agreement. He thought that he would return to Beijing tomorrow, so he might as well take the time to stroll through the city and buy something for Xiao Wu.

While others were drinking and chatting with their father, he found an excuse to leave the Liu family alone and went out for a walk.

Snacks on the street, buy!

Preserves in the cabinet, buy!

Fine bow and arrows, buy!

Jade slingshot, buy!

Rouge and powder, buy everything!

In less than half an hour, he carried large and small boxes and was ready to return to the Liu Mansion first. As he walked on a small bridge, he looked around to find the way back to the Liu family, but heard a burst of laughter.

Following the sound, he looked up and saw a brothel across the street.

At this moment, a woman’s melodious singing drifted out of the window, her voice as clear as a lark’s, earning applause and admiration from listeners.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard the sound of a jade flute.

With nothing else to do, Shen Ke stood on the bridge, quietly listening to the enchanting flute accompanied by the beautiful voice. Even after the music gradually ceased, he still felt somewhat unsatisfied, thinking that the southern Jiangnan region indeed possessed a softer charm compared to the capital, where even the brothels housed such refined and leisurely individuals.

He waited for a moment, hoping to hear the flute again.

Fortunately, the flute resumed its melody, this time much livelier, accompanied by complaints from the girls inside who seemed unable to sing this tune.

Listening intently, Shen Ke unexpectedly hummed along.

Suddenly, he remembered hearing this tune at some point—

It was on a Mid-Autumn Festival night, when Xiao Wu and he sat in the courtyard, admiring the moon. After finishing mooncakes, they plucked a leaf and said it was to play a tune for him.

Shen Ke abruptly raised his head, his brow slightly furrowed with a hint of confusion. He strode swiftly into the brothel.

Inside, the hall was packed with guests, clinking glasses and laughter filling the air. Standing in the hall, he glanced around and then looked up toward the upper floor.

“Sir, which lady are you looking for?” the madam approached eagerly.

“Who was playing the flute just now?” Shen Ke asked.

“The flute? That would be Young Master Liu.”

“Young Master Liu?”

“Yes, it’s Liu Shu, the fifth son of the Liu family. Don’t you know?” the madam pointed to a room on the top floor. “He loves listening to our girls sing. Sir, where are you going? Ah, Nishang’s room already has a customer. You can’t barge in! Someone, quickly grab him!”

Shen Ke tossed the items in his hands to the pursuers, dashed to the room’s door, and hesitated whether he was right or wrong. Stopping at the doorway, he listened. Inside, he heard the laughter of girls, one of them giggling, “My dear young master, how long are you going to stay here? We can’t entertain any guests.”

“Then should I leave?” came a lazy voice.

“Oh, don’t go. We’re just teasing you,” another girl said, “you’re really….”

Before she could finish, the door suddenly swung open. The girls turned around in surprise, exclaiming, “Who are you?”

Shen Ke looked inside at the only man, sitting by the window, wiping the jade flute, with long slender fingers and a jade hairpin on his head, revealing a delicate and fair neck. His clothing was vibrant green, transparent and smooth, finely crafted with exquisite detail, obviously of considerable value. Even upon hearing someone intruding, he didn’t look this way, apparently used to such occurrences, merely instructing quietly, “Deal with him.”

“Guards,” Nishang immediately shouted, “quickly throw this person out. Don’t disturb Young Master Liu.”

“Sorry for disturbing Young Master Liu’s enjoyment,” a clear voice apologized.

Liu Shu suddenly stopped wiping and looked up sharply at the door. His indifferent face suddenly showed a look of surprise, even disbelief, as he stood up abruptly.

“A Ke!?”

Nishang and the others witnessed the carefree Young Master Liu’s desperate rush toward an ugly duckling? He even hugged the ugly duckling tightly and kissed it heavily.

Everyone: ???

“A Ke, what are you doing here!?” Liu Shu was surprised and delighted, fearing that the servants would push him open, he just opened his arms to hug him, but his forehead was blocked by his hand.

“?” Liu Shu blinked.

“Are you Xiaowu now, or Young Master Liu?” Shen Ke scrutinized his eyes.

Disaster!!!

He was too happy for a moment and forgot about this!

“You, you, you, you, you listen to me explain!” Liu Shu turned his head to face the stunned crowd and immediately dismissed them, “Go, all of you, get out, don’t let anyone disturb us.”

After locking the door, he turned back to Shen Ke, his steps cautious as he approached, fidgeting nervously and swallowing hard.

Since he had been discovered, there was no point in pretending anymore, especially about the brothel incident!

So, he cautiously asked, “Can I be both?”

Shen Ke glanced around the room filled with a faint fragrance, his expression as calm as water. “If you’re the Young Master Liu who spends nights in the brothel, that’s another matter.”

“No, no, no, listen to me explain!” Liu Shu hurriedly said, “I was just acting. I never actually stayed the night there. I secretly slipped back to the inn to sleep every night. If you don’t believe me, ask the girls!”

“Why were you acting?”

Liu Shu pursed his lips. In this situation, there was no longer any need to hide, especially since Ah Ke had known about his engagement. Honesty was the best policy.

“Sit down, and I’ll tell you slowly.” Liu Shu tugged at his sleeve, realizing it didn’t move, as if Ah Ke didn’t want to go with him.

“Ah Ke,” he looked at Shen Ke pitifully.

Shen Ke lowered his eyes, gazing at the clever and pitiful expression on his face, thinking how cunning this little fox was.

Every time he got angry, he would show this kind of expression and call him Ah Ke in such a soft tone that he could be coaxed back.

“Ah Ke, Ah Ke.”

See?

Shen Ke was dragged down to sit on the mattress, and the other naturally sat on his lap, hugging his shoulders and starting to laugh.

The little fox was back.

“I have an engagement. You know about this.” Liu Shu said, “But I didn’t tell you that my father is the richest man in Jiangnan. The family I’m engaged to is a high official in the capital. I came back this time to break off the engagement. Coincidentally, they wrote to say they were coming to Jinling, so I thought I’d put on a show to make them dislike me. That way, breaking off the engagement would be easier, don’t you think?”

Shen Ke silently looked at him and suddenly asked, “Do you know who you’re engaged to?”

“I only found out recently, it’s the second son of the Shen family, the younger brother of Shen Huai! Isn’t that a coincidence?!” Liu Shu widened his eyes.

“Yeah, quite a coincidence,” Shen Ke said.

“No wonder, I wondered why Shen Huai was so annoying.” Liu Shu held his face and kissed him, reassuring, “But don’t worry, I definitely won’t be interested in his brother. I guess his brother is all study and no play, definitely not as good as you, not in any way.”

Shen Ke blinked, looking at him silently, making his heart beat fast, and asked nervously, “Ah Ke, why aren’t you saying anything? If you don’t speak, I’ll kiss you.”

Liu Shu kissed him as soon as he said it. After not seeing him for many days, the longing had already been injected into his blood. Without waiting for his answer, he kissed his lips involuntarily. Their breath intertwined, and his fingers embedded in his hair deepened the kiss. The two kissed for a long time on the soft mattress, before asking him with a blush, “By the way, Ah Ke, why did you suddenly come to Jinling?”

“I came to break off the engagement.” Shen Ke played with his hair and said slowly.

“Break off what engagement?” Liu Shu was stunned, amazed and shocked, “Come to Jinling to break off the engagement?!”

Shen Ke fell silent strangely for a moment. “Well, I’m the second son of the Shen family that you mentioned, the traditional bookworm who is all study and no play.”

“What are you doing with what toys?”

With a thump, Liu Shu fell back, scared to turn to the west.

 “川”1  The character “川” (chuān) in Chinese means “river” or “stream.” It is composed of three horizontal strokes, representing flowing water.