It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 47

The steward knelt in the cold, wet mud, trembling with fear—he was far too old to bear the wrath of the Lord Jiu Qian Sui.

Shivering, he finished explaining, then bowed his head hard to the ground.

“…Got married? Jun Mo Ran was so furious that he felt like exploding, though his expression only grew colder”. “How long has she been gone? ”

The steward kept his forehead pressed to the ground, mumbling, “She… she left last night at midnight.”

Wonderful. He’d traveled all night to save her— only for her to spend the night running off to find another man.

Absolutely wonderful!

“Hyah!”

Jun Mo Ran leapt onto his horse and galloped off toward Datong County.

Yun Sheng, still reeling from his earlier anger, swiftly followed him. He’d run all night too and was exhausted—but as a mere pond fish dragged into deep waters, he dared not complain.

On a countryside road outside Shengjing, a modest carriage moved slowly and steadily.

Shen Qing Li looked out at the falling leaves, feeling unexpectedly cheerful.

She had been stuck in Shengjing for many years. This was her first time leaving the city.

Last night, Xuan Yuan Zhe had sent her a note: “No need to rush the marriage. The world outside is gorgeous—go take a look.”

She didn’t understand why Xuan Yuan Zhe sent the message, but what he said made sense. As long as she escaped Shengjing, the Emperor wouldn’t be able to find her right away. Even if he did after a few days, her marriage to Jiang Chen would already have been settled, giving her an excuse even if the imperial edict came later.

The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. That very night, Shen Qing Li escaped Shengjing with her mother. They misled the steward into believing they were on their way to Datong for the wedding.

She had long heard that the Jiangnan region was rich and beautiful, with clear mountains and waters. Now that she was free, she wanted to take her mother there to see it for herself.

That was where her father had been born and raised.

Jiang Yingwan, her mother, thought her daughter was rushing to marry Jiang Chen that very night. But by morning, she realized something was off—the route they took never passed through official roads, and the direction was wrong.

At first, she was worried, but watching the scenery outside and seeing her daughter’s beaming face, she too began to feel at ease.

In any case, the token of engagement had already been sent to Jiang Chen. Now they just needed his token in return to officially seal the engagement.

ever got the chance to give. Now, there would be no need to give it.

She was, after all, someone’s fiancée now. Sending the letter would be improper.

As her fingers rubbed the sachet, memories of meeting Jun Mo Ran slipped through her hands like grains of sand that are impossible to hold onto anymore.

She felt peace had settled over her heart. In this vast world, even the small tangle of emotions in her chest seemed to smooth out.

Amidst the green bamboo was a peach blossom tree that’s blooming brightly. That blossom was her little secret—one that would remain hidden forever.

The flowers are so dazzling in bloom, so suited for a home.

She took a deep breath, tucked the sachet away again, and placed it at the very bottom of her bundle.

Shengjing – The Chief Minister’s Residence.

Chen Dabao came home with his left hand severed by the Ninth Lord, Jun Mo Ran, and his whole family cried over him like he was their lifeblood. Chief Minister Chen was furious—angry at his grandson for provoking that terrifying man again and even more furious that Jun Mo Ran had humiliated him so blatantly in public.

Chen Dabao was full of rage too. Just then, his loyal friend Zhou Bowen, son of the Minister of Rites, came to visit.

Chen Dabao cursed nonstop.

Zhou Bowen said, “My sister told me she saw you being attacked by the Ninth Lord in the streets today. It’s fortunate that you only lost your left hand.”

Chen Dabao snapped, “Good thing? Why don’t you go lose yours then! Damn that man, lording over everyone and bullying a decent man!”

Zhou Bowen quietly scoffed—he didn’t think “decent man” quite applied here.

“Well, look. It’s just a girl. If you really like her, ask your grandfather to request a marriage decree. Bring her home, and then she’s yours to do with as you please.”

Chen Dabao’s eyes lit up.

He wouldn’t dare go against the Ninth Lord, but that woman? He’d make her regret everything—to the point of death, just to avenge his hand.

If Jun Mo Ran wouldn’t let him touch her in public, then he’d marry her and touch her in private. Let’s see how the Ninth Lord could stop him then.

He could already imagine the look on both their faces at the wedding—how amused and helpless they’d look!

Without hesitation, Chen Dabao went to his grandfather’s study. The Prime Minister, accustomed to flattery and status, had long perceived Jun Mo Ran’s arrogance. Receiving his grandson’s request exacerbated the situation.

He agreed right away. After checking the girl’s background, he sent someone to deliver an apology gift.

The next day, he went to the palace.

Shen Qing Li wasn’t from a noble family, while the Prime Minister was the Emperor’s trusted aide. Granting a small favor like this was insignificant to him.

Matching a pair like that would even be considered a good story—so the Emperor agreed.

He was old now, and none of his sons were particularly capable. If Jun Mo Ran truly wanted the throne, none of them could stop him. Hearing that Jun Mo Ran had been protective of the girl, the Emperor grew curious—maybe this would be a good opportunity to send him a warning.

As per custom, before issuing a marriage proclamation, they had to confirm that both parties were unmarried. The Emperor gave instructions: ask the girl. If she was unwed, proceed with the decree.

Back in his room, Chen Dabao heard his grandfather say that the imperial decree would be issued soon. He jumped up with joy, forgetting all about the pain in his hand, wishing he could run to the Ninth Prince’s mansion to show off.

That entire afternoon, he fantasized about how he’d torment that girl. That night, a servant rushed in with urgency:

“Young Master, our men reported that Miss Shen seems to have fled in the night.”

“What? Chen Dabao shot upright in bed, furious”. “Where did she go? ”

“When we found out, she was already gone.”

“Damn it, go find her!” His duck was already in his mouth, and now it flew away. Furious, he kicked the servant in the chest. “Even if she’s dead, bring her damn body back to me!”

Datong County—Jiang Chen’s Home.

Jun Mo Ran was about to lose it. When he reached Datong County after a day of travel, they informed him that they hadn’t seen her.

What they did have was a letter from Jiang Yingwan and a token of engagement.

Everyone in the courtyard knelt on the ground, trembling. The most important man they’d ever seen was the county magistrate. Even the prefectural magistrate was present, and they all felt a great deal of fear.

“When did the messenger leave? Jun Mo Ran held Shen Qing Li’s birth details and a golden hairpin—the engagement token—in his hands while speaking coldly.

Jiang Chen, dressed in a worn blue robe, bowed and replied, “They left half a day ago… They took my letter and the engagement token.

Even someone like Jiang Chen, with no experience in court politics, could tell that this man had come for the woman he was supposed to marry.

Jun Mo Ran took a deep breath to calm himself. “Did they say where the lady and her mother were headed? ”

“No… they did not.”

A wave of powerlessness washed over him. This girl always finds a way to make him angry.

Jun Mo Ran turned and walked out of the courtyard gate. “Miss Shen is not suitable for you.”

With that, he mounted his horse and rode off with Yun Sheng.

They stopped at a random place to grab a bite. Jun Mo Ran held the golden hairpin in his hand…

They had no family. Where could they have gone?

Yun Sheng quietly reminded him, “My lord, not finding Miss Shen right away might not be a bad thing… But we must return to the capital.”