Chapter 59: I Would Rather Die Than Marry a Bald Man!

Staring at the painting before him, Ye Kun felt utterly disinterested.

At this moment, Ye Qin appeared. At sixteen, Ye Qin had inherited their mother's looks—hair black as ink, eyes bright as stars, proud and graceful, dressed in immaculate white. In Taixi County, the two brothers, Ye Kun and Ye Qin, were renowned for their striking appearances, each with a distinct charm that made the county’s young ladies swoon.

Especially this year, the Ye family’s threshold had nearly been worn down by the many suitors and matchmakers. Yet, six years later, Ye Qin’s temperament had changed somewhat; he had grown a little distant.

This change began two years ago when County Chief Ba Tai was transferred to Ankang Prefecture, and Ba Wanqing had to leave with him. From then on, Ye Qin became quieter and more reserved. Ye Kun had noticed all of this—after all, anyone would feel bitter after losing a beloved.

Fortunately, his younger brother’s feelings for him had not changed, though his smiles had become rare.

“Brother, you’re back early today? Finished teaching already?” Ye Kun set down his brush and smiled gently at his brother. A few years ago, Teacher Wu Chi had left the cultivation academy, and Ye Qin had taken over as instructor, since he was now a swordsman himself and could teach the children.

Even the Sword Study had closed down; rumor had it the owner had fled, leaving the rent unpaid.

A faint smile played at Ye Qin’s lips as he walked to the painting. “Brother, you’ve improved again.”

“Just idly sketching,” Ye Kun replied helplessly, weighed down with worries.

Ye Qin chuckled softly, knowing well why his brother was troubled—the coming-of-age ceremony was approaching. For the past six years, Ye Kun had rarely left home, and when he did, it was only to visit Teacher Wei for scholarly discussions, never to seek out a sweetheart.

“Brother, are you troubled by the coming-of-age ceremony?” Ye Qin sat on a small stool nearby, his disappointment obvious. In his younger imaginings, he had hoped to marry Wanqing at his coming-of-age, but now Wanqing was far away in Ankang Prefecture, and there had been no word from her in two years. He wondered whether she still remembered their parting promise; at least Ye Qin did.

Ye Kun did not deny it, but quickly changed the subject. “After the ceremony, we can go to Ankang Prefecture. We haven’t seen your sister-in-law in two years—she must have become even more beautiful.”

Ye Qin managed a wan smile, full of helplessness.

Seeing his brother’s gloom, Ye Kun felt his own spirits sink. Perhaps things would be better after the coming-of-age ceremony.

But must he really, as tradition demanded, marry a girl he had never even met? The thought was unsettling, but he had made a promise to their mother long ago.

And judging by his brother’s attitude, it was clear Ye Qin would settle for no one but Ba Wanqing. This matter had given their parents many headaches, and even Ye Kun’s persuasion had been useless; matters of the heart are not easily swayed.

Ye Qin patted Ye Kun’s shoulder. “Brother, don’t worry about me. You should think more about yourself.”

The more Ye Qin said this, the more Ye Kun could sense his brother’s sorrow. Over the past years, he could have inquired about Ba Wanqing, but he had refrained. What if he found out his sister-in-law was involved with another man—would he be able to bear it?

Would he kill them both?

As Ye Qin walked inside, Ye Kun sighed, pressing his palm to the paper; in an instant, the entire painting dissolved into grains.

Meanwhile, Ye Ming and Dongmen Meng were discussing Ye Kun’s marriage.

“Husband, you haven’t seen the Yan family in years. Are you sure about this?” Dongmen Meng asked worriedly.

Ye Ming took a sip of tea and smiled. “I trust them. Tian Tian brings news of the Yan family’s youngest daughter every day. She’s an excellent child—good looks, good character. She’ll make a fine daughter-in-law.”

“It all feels a bit hasty.”

“You’re never satisfied! Now that we finally have a candidate, you’re still uneasy. What do you want? They’re probably already on their way!”

“I…” Dongmen Meng didn’t know what to say.

“Let’s talk about Qin Qin instead. Ever since Wanqing left, the child has changed completely,” Ye Ming said, worried for his son. He wondered how he had raised such a romantic.

Dongmen Meng sighed. “Honestly, I don’t think those two stand a chance anymore. Ba Tai is no simple man; even our people can’t figure him out.”

“Yes, I just hope our son doesn’t get caught up in anything.”

“Kun Kun and Qin Qin have both grown up. It gives me nothing but worry…” Dongmen Meng murmured, supporting her head in her hand.

Ye Ming laughed. “You’re just afraid your sons will love their wives more than their dear mother, aren’t you?”

“You talk too much! Go and see to Kun Kun’s marriage arrangements. The coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow!”

“I’ve already arranged everything. Let’s just wait for our daughter-in-law to serve us tea.”

“Sigh…”

Ye Ming shook his head at his wife’s contradictions.

At that moment, several miles outside Taixi County, a luxurious carriage was stopped on the road, surrounded by guards in a panic, as if disaster had struck.

“Find her! We must find the young lady, or we’re all dead!”

“Yes, sir!”

It seemed the guards had lost their young mistress.

In a nearby grove, two young women were fleeing.

“Young Miss, is it really all right for us to run like this? If your father finds out, he’ll kill me,” the anxious maid panted behind—the young lady had run away from her wedding!

Indeed, the girl fleeing ahead was none other than Yan Mu’er, the Yan family’s youngest daughter.

It had to be said, Yan Mu’er’s beauty was extraordinary: fair skin, clear blue eyes like gems, brows delicate as a crescent moon, lips rosy as dew, pure as a white lotus, flawless in every way—a girl not easily forgotten.

But now, Yan Mu’er’s bearing was the very opposite. Her face was twisted with disdain, ashamed of her own fate.

“I, Yan Mu’er, am a woman blessed by the heavens! My husband should be a man above all others—not some callow youth! What right does he have to marry me? My father must be mad, marrying me to the abandoned son of the Ye family! Worse yet, I hear he’s bald! The thought disgusts me!” As she ran, Yan Mu’er’s heart brimmed with contempt. “A bald wretch like him will never have me in this life!”

Her maid was equally despairing.

“But, Young Miss—”

“Silence! I don’t need your worthless opinion! Even if it kills me, I will never marry beneath myself!” Yan Mu’er’s words dripped with loathing.

Just as she finished speaking, a black cat leapt out and blocked her path. Both girls froze.

Yan Mu’er stared in confusion as the cat pounced, its claws like blades, piercing through her jaw.

It all happened too quickly. A wave of weakness swept through her as she crumpled to the ground, able only to watch as the black cat lapped the blood from its paw, then slowly transformed into her own likeness. It was incomprehensible.

“Then you can die,” said the black cat, now wearing Yan Mu’er’s face, a seductive, deadly smile curling its lips.