Chapter Four #2
I roll my hand, trying to emphasize my thoughts. “A way of us both agreeing that we won’t ruin each other’s lives after we are married.”
He finally nods, setting his teacup down on the table. “I agree. Just because we have to be married doesn’t mean that we can’t be civil about it.”
I begin pacing and start ticking off on my fingers. “First, you cannot interfere with my cultivation in any way.”
“We will agree to both stay out of each other’s business,” Shu clarifies. “I have interests as well.”
I purse my lips. Are these interests that he is referring to, the undertakings that has earned him such a poor reputation? I’m about to argue but stop myself short. If I argue against his term, then that means he can take offence at mine and I won’t give up my cultivation for anything.
I suppose if this marriage is to be at all harmonious, we must find a way to compromise, and if that compromise comes in not caring about each other’s matters, then I can happily comply.
“You must uphold my reputation,” I say instead, folding my arms. “And the reputation of the Mu Family. You must be…discreet in your dealings.”
He considers this and nods. “Fair enough. Should we be writing this down?”
I quickly fetch my ink quill and pot off my belt and Shu goes over and roots through the drawers in his room. A second later he comes back with a parchment of rice paper. He hands it to me. “I’m sure you have the better handwriting of the two of us.”
I smirk at that. As a cultivator, I spend all day writing.
He’s catching on. Perhaps this marriage won’t be so bad after all.
We can agree to give each other space, and both continue on our way through life.
And that way I don’t have to ever worry about being forced to marry someone else.
Someone who could be less understanding and refuse the marriage contract outright.
I begin writing out the terms we already agreed to.
Xiao Shu and Mu Fanqing will not interfere with each others’ interests and hobbies
Xiao Shu will uphold the reputation of Mu Fanqing and the Mu family
I pause, pressing the wooden end of my brush to my lips as I struggle to think of how to delicately phrase my next demand. I turn to Shu who has moved back to his seat. “We will be married in name only. There is no need for…er, intimacy between us.”
I expect him to argue, but instead he says, “Agreed.” A bit too quickly for my liking. A little bit of protesting would have been just fine.
He holds up a finger. “However, I have a reputation to uphold as well. To outside observers we are to make every effort to appear as a loving and harmonious couple.”
“Harmonious, at least, I can manage,” I mutter as I lean forward to add both those requests.
Shu pushes to his feet and strides over to me. I can’t help but blush as he begins reading over my shoulder before he kneels. “Since we are to be married in name only, I wonder what are your thoughts on the possibility of one of us falling in love?”
I feel my eyes round and turn to him.
“With someone else,” he adds a second later just in time to keep me from blurting that no matter if he falls in love with me, the contract won’t change.
I have absolutely no intention of falling in love with him and he must know that this contract will not be at his whimsy.
It is a binding thing. “Please don’t flatter yourself. ”
“Oh,” I say softly. Love is not something that I ever considered in my calculations for the future.
My magic is already my love. My life has been dedicated to my cultivation, and my spells.
I really can’t see myself making room in my life for another.
I can barely make room for Xiao Shu, hence the need for this contract.
But what if he hoped to one day have that special connection with someone?
What if he already has a person in mind?
“I suppose that’s all right,” I say softly.
For some reason, this is the hardest part of the contract to agree to.
I don’t even want Shu, and yet I don’t quite like the thought of sharing him.
No, I suppose we wouldn’t be sharing at all.
He would just be solely that woman’s. But what is the alternative?
We tear up this contract and proceed to be a normal couple?
No, I’d rather he have another than for me to be his to begin with. “But you can’t go against the second term. You must be discreet about any lovers you take on, and you are not to have a concubine.” I narrow my eyes as I point at him. “I will be your only wife.”
He sighs and shrugs. “Very well.”
I swallow and turn back to the parchment and write that out. Shu is quiet as he watches me.
I pull my brush back and turn to him, only to find that he is watching me closely. Far too closely. Did he see my hesitation to agree to the last point? I hope that he won’t read too much into it.
I don’t know what he reads in my expression, but his mouth twists as he takes me in. “No matter how the future plays out, I will respect and protect you and give you a good life,” he promises, holding my gaze.
I stall, desperately grasping for something to say. A simple “thank you” doesn’t seem to suffice. This is my whole future, and he holds it in his hands, but he is willing to make this marriage contract to make me feel better. He even goes on to add clauses I didn’t even ask for.
He nods toward the paper. “You can add it.”
I stare at him, not moving. I feel like if he makes that promise, I should make one in like to him. “And I…”
“You don’t have to,” he says, shaking his head. “You’re already having to leave your life, your family, and your home to join my family. I’ll make more concessions on this contract.”
“I will be loyal to the Fourth Family,” I continue, ignoring his protest. “I will manage your household well and never do anything to harm you or the Xiao family.”
I turn and write it down before he argues. However, Shu just nods, accepting it. He gestures down to the list. “Is that it, or do you have any further demands?”
I nibble on my lip as I try to think of anything else, but nothing comes to mind.
In front of me lies the groundwork for a peaceful life and marriage.
I may never achieve my goals of being an imperial scribe, but at least I have made certain that I will still be able to live a modestly comfortable life.
Finally, I shake my head. “No.”
“All right then,” Shu says as he pulls a small dagger off his belt.
“The only thing left to do is sign it.” He holds his thumb up, pricking it with the end of the dagger.
I wince as blood bubbles up on his skin.
However, he is completely calm as he puts the dagger down and squeezes his thumb until his print is bloodied.
He presses it against the parchment at the very bottom before turning to me.
I pull back slightly as my eyes dart down to the dagger. Does he really expect me to slice myself? It seems so unnecessary to do that and tear my skin just to sign the contract.
Shu must sense my hesitation because he sighs and holds out his hand palm up. “Here.”
I stare at his calloused fingers before I slowly slide my hand into his. It’s obvious from the roughness of his skin that he is a swordsman, just as it is obvious simply by looking at the callous on my hand that I’m a scribe.
I want to pull away the second he closes his fingers around my wrist. However, instead of using the dagger to slice my thumb, he simply rubs the blood from his thumb against it.
My eyes shoot up to his face, but it is completely impassive as he turns my thumb over and presses it against the paper. His hands are so warm, it makes my whole body feel as if it might combust. Especially my face.
Am I blushing or is it suddenly abnormally warm in here?
A cool breeze comes through the open partition in the wall and caresses my hot cheeks.
“There, now it’s done,” Xiao Shu says as he releases me and pushes to his feet.
I blink once, then twice, trying to get control of myself.
I have no idea why I’m acting like this, I’m not usually so slow witted.
Nor do I usually have such a hard time getting my thoughts in order.
It’s an uncommon and uncomfortable situation to find myself in.
I quickly turn to the paper, allowing some of my hair to fall forward so that it can hide any trace of redness on my cheeks.
I try to draw in calming breaths as I read over the paper that now reads out what our marriage will look like.
Xiao Shu and Mu Fanqing will not interfere with each others’ interests and hobbies
Xiao Shu will uphold the reputation of Mu Fanqing and the Mu family
Xiao Shu and Mu Fanqing will be married in name only; they will respect each other’s privacy and never push the other for anything they aren’t willing to give
Xiao Shu and Mu Fanqing will uphold the appearance of being a loving and harmonious couple to all outsiders
If a time comes when either Xiao Shu or Mu Fanqing falls in love with another, neither will be held responsible for this and they are allowed to take on the lover so long as they are discreet. Xiao Shu is not allowed to take on another wife or concubine, however
Xiao Shu will always respect and protect Mu Fanqing, ensuring that she has a good life
Mu Fanqing will be loyal to the Fourth Family, and run the household and manage the family affairs as well as if this were a love match
And underneath the list are our two thumbprints, red with the blood. Pressed against each other, slightly overlapping. So that they almost form the shape of a heart.