Chapter 60: Sisters-in-law Confrontation

Madam Xu was greatly angered by the Ninth Miss's refusal to obey her. She believed that, aside from the Old Madam and her own husband, everyone else in the Long family should follow her arrangements. In order to defend her authority, she decided to force the Ninth Miss to marry Zhao Wuzong, in exchange for Shadowless Manor’s support of the Long family.

It was during the third Long-Eagle War that the father of Long Wei, the patriarch of the Long family, was mortally wounded by Bai Xuehua and died. Thus, the Ninth Miss used the recent passing of her adoptive father as an excuse, claiming it was inappropriate to marry during the mourning period, suggesting that she could marry after observing three years of filial piety. This year marked the end of those three years, so Madam Xu came again to press the matter of her marriage.

The Ninth Miss, of course, understood all this. She deliberately kept Xiaoyun by her side, making it inconvenient for Madam Xu to bring up the topic of marriage. Madam Xu, upon seeing this, understood as well and grew even more irritated. She thought to herself, since she had come specifically to speak with the Ninth Miss about marriage, if she didn’t bring it up, wouldn’t that be letting the girl off too easily? In any case, she had no intention of currying favor with her.

So she said, “Ninth Sister, you used to say you were too young to marry Zhao, and you’ve delayed until now. Not long ago, Hero Zhao passed by here and reminded the Old Madam of his brother’s marriage, insisting it could not be postponed any longer... Zhao is already twenty, and you are now nineteen. Do you still think you’re too young?”

The Ninth Miss had already anticipated both the purpose of Madam Xu’s visit and her words. Seeing that Madam Xu was willing to speak plainly even with Xiaoyun present, she quickly replied, “Sister-in-law, could we not discuss this today?”

Madam Xu, annoyed, retorted, “Why not? If we don’t talk today, you’ll avoid me again, and when will we ever talk?”

Also angered, the Ninth Miss said, “Then say your piece and be done with it!”

Madam Xu snapped, “You don’t even consider your own situation. I want to marry you off, but haven’t had the chance myself! I’m working for your good, worrying about your future, arranging a match with the promising Zhao, yet you refuse—it’s truly ungrateful, infuriating!”

The Ninth Miss understood that both she and Long Hanchun were pawns of value to the family, albeit used in different ways. Long Hanchun was kept from marrying because her staying benefitted the family more. As for herself, marrying her off would bring greater advantage to the Longs. Whether to marry or not was equally unfortunate for her, for all these arrangements were against her true wishes.

Both Long Hanchun and Long Lengyue were dissatisfied with having their fates dictated by others. But Long Hanchun, being the Long family’s trueborn daughter, accepted her fate, believing it right to sacrifice personal happiness for the family’s interests. Long Lengyue, however, was different. She had no blood ties to the Longs; as the saying goes, “Those not of our kin must have different hearts.” The family did not trust her, nor would they ever consider her happiness. Though the Ninth Miss had not openly rebelled against being used, she would not submit if pushed too far. Now, hearing Madam Xu’s words, she decided to throw caution to the wind and replied coldly, “Who says I don’t want to marry?”

Madam Xu was stunned, thinking the girl had always been stubborn but had finally given in. She smiled, “That’s more like it. Young Master Zhao is an excellent match. His elder brother is the leader of the martial world, the greatest martial artist alive. Though Zhao himself may not match his brother, he is still an outstanding young master, desired by countless women. You are lucky to marry him, and it’s thanks to the Old Madam and myself.”

Long Lengyue replied with equal coldness, “Who says I want to marry him?”

Madam Xu was taken aback. “Then whom do you want to marry?”

Long Lengyue pulled Xiaoyun forward and said, “I’ll marry him.”

“What? You—!” Madam Xu was so furious her face turned livid, unable to speak a word. With a cold huff, she turned and left.

Xiaoyun, too, was dumbfounded by the Ninth Miss’s words. Though he had always felt that she was unusually kind to him, he had never imagined she would wish to marry him. He gazed at her in astonishment. Deep down, he admired her beauty and nobility; it was only natural for him to like her. But he had never dreamed of marrying her. Their stations and ages were so mismatched, there seemed no way.

Xiaoyun only wished to take the Ninth Miss as a model, for she was exceptionally intelligent and capable, gradually becoming indispensable to the Long family. This was also why, even past the age of twenty, she had not married. The Ninth Miss understood this, so she feigned ignorance. A young woman spending her days among drunkards, learning to brew wine with them, sometimes getting herself tipsy—she always avoided family councils of importance, or if she attended, she contributed nothing of value.

The Old Madam gradually lost faith in her, granting her more freedom, and even allowing her prospects for marriage. However, Madam Xu, harboring her own prejudices, saw that the Old Madam no longer relied on her and decided to marry her off to Zhao Wuying’s brother, Zhao Wuzong, in exchange for Shadowless Manor’s support. Madam Xu had always been compelled by a desire to control the destinies of others, satisfying her own thirst for power.

The Old Madam, seeing benefit for the family, agreed to Madam Xu’s plan, and so the Ninth Miss found herself in a bitter dilemma. To be kept from marriage was sorrowful, but to have one’s husband chosen by others was no less so. In the Ninth Miss’s own words: “The best thing forced upon you is not to your liking, but something you choose for yourself, no matter how humble, will be cherished.”

She had never even met Zhao Wuzong, so she could neither like nor dislike him. But she deeply resented Madam Xu’s attempt to force her into this marriage. After all, she was ranked seventh among the women of the Book of Famous Beauties—a strong-willed woman with her own passions and ideals, not someone to be manipulated at will. She believed she had the right to choose her own fate, and so she left Luoyang for Xianyang to pursue her own business. In her heart, no one but herself could determine her destiny.

When she left Luoyang, she promised the Old Madam to provide the Long family with one or two taels of silver each year.

Madam Xu objected, but Long Hanchun advised the Old Madam, “Let Ninth Sister try. If she truly earns a tael of silver, it will greatly benefit the family’s finances. If she fails, then it won’t be too late to marry her off.” In the end, persuaded by Long Hanchun, the Old Madam agreed to let the Ninth Miss seek her fortune outside.