“No! How can I allow you, my beloved older brother, to risk your life for me? This treacherous woman has many tricks up her sleeves. Besides, I’m living on borrowed time. The fortnightly deadline is just around the corner.” Tu Xiupei sneered inwardly while maintaining a surface look of devastation.
“Pei’er, let’s get married.” Qi Shujie grabbed Tu Xiupei by her wrist and looked at her expectantly.
All evil thoughts now left Tu Xiupei’s mind. Shocked, she could only stammer out one word, “What?”
“You know that I have always been in love with you. In the past, my father objected to our union because of your Phoenix Destiny. The situation is different now. Since we have already consummated our relationship, Father cannot say object to this marriage! Not only will we be together, but you also won’t have to worry about the poison anymore. It’s killing two birds with one stone!”
“No.” Tu Xiupei blurted out a flat rejection but stopped herself short when she saw Qi Shujie’s anger brewing. Her eyes welled up with tears as she choked out, “How can I allow you to lower your status to marry me? I am no longer pure. Marrying me will only drag your name through the mud!”
What a damn fool, Tu Xiupei silently snickered. He continues to dream about marrying me. Who does he think he is? I can do so much better.
Qi Shujie heaved a sigh of relief, and his frown relaxed. He replied gently, “I don’t mind. I love you, not your chastity.”
“No. We can’t wrap fire with paper. Word is bound to get out. The disciples must have already heard about how I was violated. It won’t be long till Master knows,” mumbled Tu Xiupei. She lowered her head as thoughts raced through her mind. She tried to think of a way of convincing this idiot to skip the marriage but still kill for her.
Qi Shujie lifted his gaze and glanced at his people, who were standing one mile away from them. He fell silent, but his eyes were icy cold like a murderer’s. He then lowered his voice and continued, “I have my ways. They won’t talk, so just rest assured and marry me. I will take care of the rest.”
Tu Xiupei did not speak. She panicked and wracked her brains, trying to think of something.
Qi Shujie couldn’t help but frown after seeing her hesitate over his proposal. He raised his voice in displeasure, “Do you want to marry me or not?”
He didn’t even mind that she’d slept with other men, so how could she still put on airs with him?
“No! It’s just that…” A brilliant thought suddenly flashed in her mind, thanks to the duress. Slowly, Tu Xiupei formulated her excuse. She raised her doleful eyes and said, “My sister mentioned that if anyone were to marry me, not only would she kill that man, but she would also hasten the effect of the poison. I would be dead in less than two weeks!
“Besides, the poison will relapse every fortnight, and I will be disfigured every single time. I am no longer pure, and you will surely be tainted. I cannot implicate you further by damaging your reputation! You are a man of status. The one you eventually;y marry ought to be perfect like jade.”
Tu Xiupei carefully watched Qi Shujie’s reaction. Seeing his face relax, she continued meekly, “Look at me. I wouldn’t dare dream of marrying you, and I really ought not to provoke Feng Tianlan anymore. If you don’t mind, senior brother, make me your lover first. I can always become your second wife later.”
Tu Xiupei’s heart filled with anger as she clenched her teeth. If it had not been for Feng Tianlan, she would never have trampled on her dignity and spat out words like ‘sharing a husband’ and ‘being the second wife.’
Qi Shujie melted at how thoughtful Tu Xiupei was toward him, sacrificing her status and dignity. He embraced her and slowly assured, “Don’t worry, Pei’er. After we kill Feng Tianlan, you won’t face any more threats. Then, I will marry you, honestly and aboveboard. You will be my wife, the first and the last.”
“Senior Brother…” Tu Xiupei quietly took her curtain call, marking the end of her outstanding performance.
With the beauty in his arms, Qi Shujie’s chest swelled with pride. He promised, “Don’t worry, Feng Tianlan will be dead in no time.”
If this man could grow a bit of a brain, it wouldn’t be hard for him to notice that Tu Xiupei’s speech was riddled with loopholes and inconsistencies. But the fool would always be blinded by Tu Xiupei’s pitiful performances. He thought that she needed him and believed that she was unworthy of his love.
A loser in this game of love from the beginning, Qi Shujie’s folly would ultimately lead to his downfall.
