Elegy of the Delicate Gate

Zhu Yao returned from the jewelry store, accompanied by her maid, Linglong, their hands full with newly purchased items. As they exited the store, Zhu Yao spotted a vendor selling candied hawthorns and instructed Linglong to buy some.

“Miss, wait here,” the young maid said as she ran towards the stall, glancing back to ensure her mistress was safe from the bustling crowd.

Across the street, a group of people emerged from a tavern, led by a man over seven feet tall. His thick black hair was tied up with a purple crown, and his sharp eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and high-bridged nose gave him a striking appearance. Despite wearing casual clothes, his commanding presence was undeniable. His moderately thick red lips were pressed into a line, revealing a hint of impatience.

Mounting his horse, Lu Chen caught sight of a graceful young girl out of the corner of his eye and turned to look.

The girl was curiously observing the bustling street. Although her face was covered with a veil, her expressive eyes and graceful figure were captivating.

Lu Chen felt a surge of heat in his abdomen. This girl, if he married her, he would never tire of her. He smiled slightly, his captivating grin dazzling onlookers, and dismounted to approach her.

He lifted her veil, examined her face, and then covered it again, asking softly, “Which family are you from?”

Zhu Yao, startled by the sudden exposure, looked up in terror at the tall, imposing man before her, his eyes burning with intensity.

Linglong, seeing a stranger approach her mistress, hurried back and saw the sword at the man’s waist. Frightened, she grabbed Zhu Yao and pulled her behind for protection.

“Go away! My master is the Minister of Rites!” she shouted, pulling Zhu Yao into the carriage. “Hurry back to the residence.”

Lu Chen, fearing he might scare her further, did not move. He let them board the carriage, thinking to himself, “The Minister of Rites, is it?”

As they rode back, Linglong kept glancing behind, noticing the man had mounted his horse and his guards were following.

“Miss, he’s following us,” she warned the coachman. “Go faster.”

Zhu Yao, trying to appear calm, tightly grasped Linglong’s hand. They finally reached the Minister’s residence, both breathing sighs of relief as they hurried back to their courtyard.

“Open the gate,” a deep voice commanded at the residence entrance.

The Minister of Rites wondered why the Regent had suddenly come to his home and quickly went out to greet him in the parlor.

“I pay my respects to the Regent,” he said, bowing.

“Rise! I’m here to propose a marriage.”

The Minister felt a bitter taste in his mouth. “My daughter?”

“Don’t you have only one daughter?!”

“My daughter is of humble appearance, unworthy of the Regent. Besides, she is already betrothed.”

“To whom?”

“To Zhang Zhe, the son of a Hanlin Academy scholar.”

“And who is he?”

“A sensible and understanding young man. I believe he will cherish his wife…”

“So you mean to say that I, the Regent, do not cherish my wife and am unreasonable?”

“No, no, no! I dare not! The Regent protects the people of Da Zhou, fighting bravely on the battlefield. You are the pillar of our nation. But my daughter is timid; she would be frightened by the Regent.”

“Rest assured, father-in-law. I will love and cherish my princess and will not let her suffer.”

“I cannot commit such a dishonorable act.”

Lu Chen glanced at Feiying.

Feiying drew his sword. “I will bring back Zhang Zhe’s head.” With a flash, he was gone.

“Regent, please don’t! I agree! I agree!”

“Then quickly call back your guard,” the Minister urged, his heart pounding.

“He dares to be betrothed to my princess; he deserves to die!”

“Regent, neither family knows of this engagement. It was agreed upon by me and Scholar Zhang. If my daughter learns that a life was taken before her marriage, it would devastate her.”

“Feiying!” The Regent’s voice, imbued with inner strength, carried out. Feiying, already in the city, halted.

The Minister, drenched in sweat, struggled to catch his breath.

“I will come to marry the princess tomorrow. Prepare yourself, father-in-law.”

“Tomorrow? Isn’t that too…”

“If it weren’t past noon, I would have taken her today. The betrothal gifts will arrive soon. My mother has already prepared the bridal dress for her future daughter-in-law. All you need to do is let her rest and wait for me.”

Lu Chen finished speaking and remembered the marriage contract. In a blink, he had burned it to ashes and wrote a new one before contentedly heading to see his fiancée.

The Minister, unable to voice his anger, dejectedly went to the Zhang residence to apologize.