6 Shang GuoWei vs Minerva He

(Minerva's Point of View)

JiLi and I entered the polished and refined enclosure. There were countless species of flowers, shrubs, and trees which filled the grounds with an aromatic scent. The whole garden was a mixture of lovely shades and tones. However, I didn't come here to see roses. I came because I needed to get out of the Guest Hall. Honestly, I despised Shang Manor. I despise Mrs. and Administrator Shang. I despise the Shang GuoWei who didn't show up. There has to be a way out of this marriage.

The whole situation was too abrupt and too sudden for me to keep up with. I have to leave my home and spend the rest of my life with the Shang's. I have to transform myself into a noble in just a few months despite being a peasant since birth. Worst of all, marriage between a noble and a peasant is a taboo, there is no escaping the mock of the public in this.

I cannot put up with this place anymore, I need to escape.

"Lady He, these are our tulips, they are freshly exported from Su Province. Do you like them?" JiLi asked, pointing to the patch of red and yellow buds.

"Hm? Oh-well yes, could you maybe pick the red one in the middle for me?" I pointed at a random flower.

"Of course, my lady." As JiLi turned around and stepped into the tulip patch, I sped off with my fastest qingong. Trying my best to not make any noise.

"Wait! My Lady!" JiLi called and ran after me. But she was much slower without qinggong.

I leaped over a court wall and arrived in the kitchen quadrangle. The only path available here was at the exit behind the building. Without a second thought, I exited the courtyard and sped down a narrow alley. This alley was a lot different from the other paths. The ground was not paved and the walls were cracked. There were also many twists and turns. It wasn't long before I reached dead end.

"Lady He? Are you in there?" JiLi's voice boomed from the left.

I hurriedly climbed over the opposite wall and found myself in another, tidy, well-furnished courtyard.

There were no guards or servants here. Only a luxury lodge in front of me. I lightly stepped up to the door and peeked in. It was an empty sleeping lodge that looked it belonged to someone important. Conceivably a guest.

Just when I was about to leave, something in the room caught my eye. It was a sleek silver sword on the wall, decorated with leopard carvings. It was one used in battle and still had stains of blood on it. Beside were a General's Helmet and armory. Perhaps this room is-

"What are you doing here." A mighty voice behind me demanded.

Automatically, my hands slid to my bronze sword hidden under my dress and pulled it out into a backward slice.

Ka-Ching!

The sword hit nothing but air. I spun around and there was no one sight. Then suddenly an object pierced at me form the left. I dodge forwards and leaped into the plaza.

Swoosh!

Before I could turn and identify what it was, the object pierced at me from my right, I thrust my sword out and strained the gadget down. It was a sharp silver spear; wielded by a man in violet robes and an official's bonnet. The realization then hit me. This was Shang GuoWei, what have I done?

He drew his spear back and jabbed it into the ground.

"Explain Yourself." Shang GuoWei had an annoyed and confused expression on his face. His presence was scary to say the least.

"I-I didn't know someone was in here, sorry about that," I said.

"You didn't know? This is a restricted area! There were guards-wait, nevermind. Why did you attack me?" He confronted.

"I was shocked. That's all." My head dropped to the level of my shoulders. I was too embarrassed to look up anymore.

"Who are you?" He asked again.

"Me-um, Minerva He," I said, slightly looking up at him.

A wave of realization hit his face as well. His stern face turned into shock.

"Minerva? Ah-yes, you are Minerva. I remember now" An admiring smile displayed on his face.

"My apologies, Minerva. I'd mistaken you for Lieutenant Yan's daughter. My name is GuoWei. I hope you still remember me" He explained.

I furrowed my brows.

"I never met you."

A wave of emotional pain struck his face. I shouldn't have said that.

"Young Master Shang, I mean that I do not remember meeting you. My memory isn't that well." My memory was great, but I do not remember ever meeting him.

"It's okay. I don't think you noticed me at that time. Anyways, call me GuoWei. There is no need to be formal. After all, we are engaged."

I turned red at those words. Engaged. It feels so awkward and strange to meet your husband for the first time.

"Anyways, GuoWei," I tried to change the topic.

"How about we duel again?" I asked. I didn't exactly want to fight right now, but I have never dueled someone outside of my village. Why not try today?

Shang GuoWei laughed at those words.

"Minerva, you want to duel me? I can assure you that you do not want to waste your energy. I am a war General, no one has lost to me in any form of martial-"

Slice!

" Less talking more combating!" I sliced down in a circular motion aiming at his waist. Shang GuoWei hurriedly pulled his spear out of the ground and shoved it out horizontally. Normally, I would've let the other finfish talking. However, I have no interest in listening to Shang GuoWei boast about his abilities and do care if I win or lose. I am angry at the whole marriage situation, and he is just the person to blame.

Ka-Cha!

The weapons collided. I quickly drew back and pierced at his chest. Shang GuoWei drove my pierce away and launched his pear at my face. I ducked struck forwards. Shang GuoWei was both very skilled and talented. After about 20 exchanges in moves, I was exhausted. Drawing my sword back quickly, I performed a faint stab to the left and leaped out to the right.

Dashing over to the side-wall of the courtyard, I looked back at Shang GuoWei one more time, smiled, waved, and sprang over the tall barrier. There's no way I'm going to stay there and admit defeat. I can't let father lose face like this. Shang GuoWei didn't chase after me either as I disappeared into the gardens.

"No! I don't know, I promise! We were in the garden and she just-" I heard agonizing pleading coming from the south of the garden. Could that be, JiLi? I went to investigate and leaped over the south wall. It was a small enclosure with wild trees and unkempt plants. A very messy part of the manor. I hid behind a wild shrub and watched as 6 guards entered, with a sacred and struggling JiLi.

The head butler, Shen Yuan, entered with a grim look on his face. JiLi kneeled in terror on the tiled floor.

"Are you going to tell what you did to Lady He?" Asked Shen Yuan.

"I didn't do anything! I was accompanying her in the garden when Lady He asked to for me to pick a tulip for her. And then when I turned around, she was gone!" JiLi cried. Shen Yuan's mediocre expression didn't change at all.

"Imprison her." He gestured at the guards.

.....,,...,,