On the official road to Dayan, countless caravans and travelers passed through. In recent years, Dayu and Dayan had traded and intermarried, forging a friendly alliance. Business between the two nations grew frequent, spawning roadside stalls—after all, no towns dotted the route for weary, hungry, or thirsty travelers to rest.
At that moment, in a modest roadside tea shop, a man and woman sipped hot tea, chatting softly. “At our current pace, we should reach Yandu in three more days.” “Yes, Peixuan—I truly thank you. I’m so grateful for your help along the way. Otherwise, I’d have suffered many losses alone.”
Bai Peixuan replied, “Why so polite? Yiyuan and I are close friends—I’m just doing a small favor for him. It’s no trouble.”
Hua Yaoyao said earnestly, “It’s not mere politeness. You came to Dayan to see me off—my husband is fortunate to have a friend like you. But you’re unrelated to me, so I must express my gratitude.”
Bai Peixuan sighed inwardly and said no more. He was always gentle and kind, never meddling in others’ affairs—yet he’d made an exception for Hua Yaoyao. He’d thought it mere curiosity. But Li Hao’s arrival that day revealed his feelings: in just half a month, he’d fallen for a woman!
Unfortunately, though Li Hao’s visit made him recognize his emotions, it also snuffed them out unspoken. Fate loved its jokes—he’d finally found someone he liked, only for her to be his friend’s wife. How absurd!
He’d used errands as an excuse to escort her to Dayan, satisfying his selfish desire to journey beside her and deliver her safely into Si Yiyuan’s arms. Otherwise, why go personally? He could have sent someone else.
This little woman saw only Si Yiyuan. She believed he’d escorted her solely for friendship, feeling pure gratitude without other thoughts. Though disappointed, Bai Peixuan felt it best this way. Otherwise, if she learned of his improper feelings toward his friend’s wife, he’d lose not just a brother but her respect too.
Fortunately, she fixated on Si Yiyuan, so he’d chatted about his family affairs en route. Mindful of Li Hao’s hint, he avoided revealing Si Yiyuan’s true identity—only reassuring her to relax and hinting all was well.
Hua Yaoyao felt much calmer after his comforts. With her preconception of Si Yiyuan’s wealthy merchant family, she saw it as a loss to avert disaster. As long as everyone was safe, that sufficed—money was external; she could earn more.
Three days later, spotting Yandu’s city gate in the distance, the two smiled at each other and sighed in relief. Bai Peixuan took the lead: “You must be tired after so many days. Why not rest at my home today? Tomorrow, after washing and dressing, I’ll take you to Yiyuan.”
Hua Yaoyao paused, then smiled: “Peixuan, you’re so gentle and considerate—your wife must be very happy.”
Bai Peixuan’s lips twitched stiffly before he smiled again: “That’s premature—I’m not even married yet!”
“Huh?” Hua Yaoyao blinked in surprise, then turned gossipy: “Do you have a fiancée?”
Bai Peixuan dodged the topic with a jest: “I’m not as lucky as Yiyuan, with a beauty chasing him from afar.”
Hua Yaoyao blushed at the tease but stubbornly shot back: “I’m not pursuing him—I’m here to find my husband!”
Bai Peixuan blinked in confusion: “A marriage proposal?”
Hua Yaoyao beamed brightly: “That’s right!”
The next morning, a large crowd gathered downstairs at Dayan’s capital’s largest inn, nearly blocking the entire street. Curious passersby asked what was happening and learned someone was tossing a bridal bouquet to find a husband! It was apparently a lone woman, unaccompanied by family.
Word spread quickly, drawing more onlookers. In Great Yan, women often threw embroidered balls to choose husbands, but always with fathers or relatives present. Never had one stepped forward alone to select a spouse!
Hua Yaoyao stood upstairs, gazing at the throng below, then turned to check the time. Fang Weiwei curled her lips—hadn’t her husband urged her to remarry? She’d oblige by tossing a bridal bouquet! She wanted to see if his “deep affection” would let him sit idly by!
Bai Peixuan was speechless. Yesterday, he’d thought the little woman was joking about a marriage contest. But this morning, she’d risen early, dressed flamboyantly, and asked him to notify Si Yiyuan—announcing the event to provoke him into showing up!
God knows why he was running errands for that scoundrel Li Hao! Truth be told, he wanted to give Si Yiyuan a hard time—otherwise, why not just tell Hua Yaoyao the truth instead of delivering the message and watching the spectacle?
Recalling Si Yiyuan’s stunned expression upon hearing of Hua Yaoyao’s bridal toss, Bai Peixuan—who’d chased after him—felt a surge of satisfaction! Let him steal his sweetheart—he deserved this chaos!
At 1:15 a.m., Hua Yaoyao scanned the crowd, spotted the two rushing figures, and flashed a vengeful, mischievous smile. She raised the embroidered ball and shouted:
“Gentlemen, I am already married! But my husband left without farewell, instructing me to remarry! I dare not disobey, and I have no face to return home, so I’ve come here to find a husband! If any brave man doesn’t mind my fate and will take me, I’ll be eternally grateful!”
With that, she prepared to hurl the ball downward—but before she could, a figure snatched it mid-air. A furious roar followed: “Hua Yaoyao, how dare you!”
Si Yiyuan was livid! Early that morning, Bai Peixuan had rushed to the Prince’s Mansion, announcing his little wife arrived safely. Before he could smile, he learned she planned a bridal toss at Ruihe Tower to choose a husband!
She’d stated clearly, no refusal allowed: at 1:15 a.m., she’d throw the ball. If he didn’t come, fate would decide—if it hit a beggar, she’d wed the beggar; a rich merchant, the merchant! This cheeky woman needed a lesson! He wasn’t dead yet, and she was already remarrying!
Hua Yaoyao startled at his shout. Regaining composure, she smiled: “Excuse me, sir—are you here to snatch the ball? If so, go downstairs first!”
Cheers erupted below: “That’s right!” “Why snatch it upstairs?!” “Doesn’t count—throw again!” With free entertainment and a potential wife, no one cared about Si Yiyuan’s status—they booed him!
Si Yiyuan, face thunderous, ignored her question. He hoisted Hua Yaoyao over his shoulder, bellowed downstairs, “This is my wife!” and stormed off. Bai Peixuan stayed behind, helplessly dispersing the crowd while sighing inwardly: Can’t play the villain—too much hassle!
Hua Yaoyao was carried back to the palace by Si Yiyuan. She didn’t struggle, clinging obediently to his back. She didn’t even glance around, overwhelmed by familiarity: Yes, that’s him! My man—my husband!
Suddenly dizzy, the world spun. She landed on something soft. Moments later, she realized the man had tossed her onto the bed!
Overjoyed to see him, Hua Yaoyao forgot her anger and laughed: “Brave man, do you know the penalty in Great Yan for abducting a respectable woman on the street?”
Si Yiyuan pinned her, grinding his teeth: “All I know is a wife remarrying while her husband’s alive gets drowned in a pig cage!” He tore at her clothes, thinking she deserved punishment! She’d gone too far!
Hua Yaoyao didn’t resist, letting him have his way, but kept provoking: “Then why bring me back, brave man? To commit adultery? Want to drown with me in a pig cage?”
Si Yiyuan’s blood boiled—no mood for banter! He silenced her nagging mouth with his tongue, easing over half a month’s longing first!
An hour later, clouds parted, rain ceased. Exhausted from his scolding, Hua Yaoyao rolled on the bed, eyeing the lavish room. She teased with a forced smile: “Your family seems well-off—no worries about rice or firewood.”
It sounded ridiculous, but Si Yiyuan heard the sadness beneath. Recalling Bai Peixuan’s questions about deceiving her, and her hardships traveling, he softened instantly.
She’d believed Li Hao’s lies, fumed, and staged this bridal toss to lure him out—hoping he’d care enough to stop her self-debasement!
Touched deeply, he marveled: this affectionate woman had journeyed thousands of miles for a substitute husband she barely knew. Unfazed by his family’s fall, she’d share woes and joys. What more could a husband want?
How could he stay mad about her “proposal”? His heart fixed on this endearing fool: “Silly girl, you think of me so much—never doubted if Li Hao’s words were true?”
Hua Yaoyao had journeyed far to Dayan in search of Si Yiyuan. Though seeing him brought immense relief and joy—enough that she willingly shared his bed before settling her “personal grudges”—it didn’t mean she’d forgotten his “evil act” of abandoning his wife. She’d planned to punish him slowly over time, but his sudden question left her stunned!