Counterfeit Bride
Chapter 2 : Counterfeit Bride Chapter 2First time arriving in Guanwai, s.h.i.+ Jie Yi had a sort of

Counterfeit Bride Chapter 2



First time arriving in Guanwai, s.h.i.+ Jie Yi had a sort of an alarm feeling for the unfamiliar world.

When he took a broad view through the window of the carriage, without exception, all he could see was the limitless luxuriant happy-smelling gra.s.s. Once in a while he caught a glimpse of a pa.s.sing stream and wooden shack. It was obvious that it was the place for cows or horses to rest.

Heaven! He couldn’t have arrived at a place where beasts are more than human, right? Could he live in this kind of uninhibited place?

At that time, what kind of ghost had possessed him to make him agree to disguise as Young Lady? If by any chance he was chased out of the Yun family, that thing definitely would happen, he didn’t have even a little money for the travelling expenses. Would he be able to trudge a long distance back to Jiangnan? The only a.s.sets he had on him was, that one bracelet his Young Lady gave him, didn’t know how much money its worth, enough or not for him to return Jiangnan?

Actually, s.h.i.+ Jie Yi held a thread of hope in his heart, if the Master of Yun Family was benevolent enough, perhaps he could allow him to stay under their eaves, had no choice but to yield to the predicament, what follows next was to accept him.

After all he was an orphan, since earlier had no one to rely on. Wherever he stayed would be the same. Just said that he was chased out to return to Jiangnan, the Ling family absolutely wouldn’t let him off. For now, he could only place his hope on the benevolence of the Yun Family!

Presently, he was arranged to stay in an inn, waiting for the husband from the Yun Family to arrive. It was said, this inn was the only inn in this small town, there was still quite a distance to the Yun family’s house.

s.h.i.+ Jie Yi nervously entangled his fingers, frequently touched the bracelet on his left wrist, encouraging himself. At least he still had a little money, not completely with nothing to rely on.

However, it had been too long! The husband shouldn’t have forgotten to come to fetch him! It had been four hours. He was wearing a red head covering so he didn’t dare to move recklessly. In his anxiety as well as nervousness while waiting for the husband, it was as if he was facing the death of a thousand cuts.

Finally, the sound of walking steps was transmitted, the ‘ya’ sound of the wooden door being pushed open. s.h.i.+ Jie Yi busily straightened up his sitting posture, didn’t dare to make a loud breathing sound.

Through the edge of his red veil, he could see a person wearing a pair of black boots slowly approaching to the front of him.

The man after being silent for a period of time, finally stretched out his hand, in a slow motion he lifted up the red veil on his head.

Yun Tian Yang thought after he lifted up the red veil, he would see a pair of angry with resentment eyes, after all he had been four hours late, letting her prop up the heavy bride’s headdress while waiting for nothing. Of course, he did it purposely, he wanted to ignite her anger.

However, never crossed his mind that what he saw would be, not pouting in furious kind of face, instead, it was a pair of timid in anxiety like autumn pupils, like the mind of an animal which fell into a trap. This made the always exceedingly loved domestic animals Yun Tian Yang had his heart seized.

Resentful that this Ling Shuang could make him have this kind of reaction, Yun Tian Yang couldn’t restrain his brows from tauting.

s.h.i.+ Jie Yi timidly lifted his eyes to glance at Yun Tian Yang, realizing he was frowning wordlessly, nervously he lowered his head. Why doesn’t he say anything, the husband wouldn’t have known that he is the counterfeit! Why is he angry?

Or was it, because his face was too ugly? s.h.i.+ Jie Yi anxiously made an inward speculation.

Although it was merely a brief glance, he also knew that the husband actually was very good looking. More good looking compared to all of the people he had seen, also tall and big certainly just like a deity. Even compared to the Young Lady’s deeply in love with Xiao Young Master, still more good looking by far!

If Young Lady knew that the husband was such a very good looking one, definitely would regret not marrying to him!

Yun Tian Yang completely unaware of what random thoughts s.h.i.+ Jie Yi had in his mind, he only silently scrutinized him.

This little thing was not bad. Honestly speaking, she was actually very good looking. He couldn’t help but be suspicious, such a beautiful little thing, did she need to marry herself to an unfamiliar place with unfriendly people? He should admire the courage of this little thing, or should he be puzzled by her foolishness?

What’s more…she…really is small! He couldn’t help but plainly asked her to stand up. Carefully looked, she ought to only reach his shoulder! Compared to the women from the north she still was much smaller, looks like having a kind of grace.

Perhaps, father so deeply in love with Jiangnan’s lady, because of this kind of reason. At this moment, Yun Tian Yang couldn’t not agree with this opinion. Particularly, this little thing’s timid expression, he truly rarely saw it.

Honestly speaking, he had accustomed to the northern ladies bold and open-minded style, even if the publicly known as Guanwai’s number one beauty Lin Xi, also didn’t have such dainty and mild gracefulness, could only bluntly make a demand.

Upon a look, she was stealthily looking at him, frequently the eyelash cutely quivered. The amorous red mouth opened and closed, but utter out not even half a word, the commendable fair and clear hands twisted and turned, seemingly nervous to the extreme! What an interesting reaction.

To strengthen the sense of his existence, Yun Tian Yang odiously pulled a chair, then sat in front of s.h.i.+ Jie Yi, looking at him eye to eye.

This action of course got the desired result. He could see s.h.i.+ Jie Yi anxiously widened his eyes, let out a sharp gasp, whole face blushed deep red.

“I am your haven’t met before husband, do you know?”

“I…... I know…...” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi inclined to the back out of reflex and shrank back, muttered and mumbled softly in his reply.

“You are called as Ling Shuang?”

“…....” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi didn’t know if he should or should not answer, after a long while he finally hesitatingly nodded his head.

“I am Yun Tian Yang.”

“I…....” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi deeply sighed, finally decided to say it quickly, he didn’t have big guts, didn’t have the way to do this over and again. “I am not…...”

Didn’t give him the chance to complete his words, Yun Tian Yang suddenly raised his body, to tower above while glaring at him.

“Our introduction only until this point!” Yun Tian Yang frankly spoke. “I don’t know why you agreed to this marriage, but as you can see, I am not that kind of extremely thoughtful man, also will not be a good husband. If you expect something like that Jiangnan’s talented scholarly refined and cultured man, then you probably have to be greatly disappointed, your luck is not that good.”

“I didn’t expect anything...…” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi replied in a soft voice.

The same as before, Yun Tian Yang didn’t give him the chance to finish, just minding his own speech.

“Because of the oldman, I agreed to marry you. But for your own good, it is better if you go back on your way home, to avoid falling into a without any affection feeling marriage. Of course, after returning to Jiangnan, whatever you want to say is up to you. Saying that I am such a brutal savage also can do, just don’t stay here.”

s.h.i.+ Jie Yi was a face of confusion. Yun Tian Yang thereupon made a persistent effort.

“I tell you now, here you wouldn’t have a maidservant who would follow you like a cloud, everything must be done by your own hands, a person as delicate as you, will can never do such a heavy manual labor.”

 “It doesn’t matter! But, I ...…”

“Most importantly,” Yun Tian Yang cut him off. “Even if I married you, I will not be faithful. I already have a girlfriend!”

“Concubine?” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi oddly asked.

“That part is of no importance for us.” Yun Tian Yang claimed with a guilty conscience. “We are very contented with each other, there is no room for you to stick in.”

So it is like this. s.h.i.+ Jie Yi nodded his head in comprehension. When he was about to open his mouth to guarantee he would never be the obstacle between them, Yun Tian Yang open his mouth again!

“So, if you wanted to stay, you could obtain a husband in name only, I absolutely will never touch you.”

“Absolutely never?” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi opened his eyes widely.

“Correct, you are merely a tool to give consolation for a critically ill oldman, for me you have no other significance.”

“If I left, what about the old Master?”

“I will think of a way…...” Yun Tian Yang said without any confidence.　

Actually he didn’t have any way! s.h.i.+ Jie Yi looked at him in pity. In s.h.i.+ Jie Yi’s heart, Yun Tian Yang had become a pitiful crazed in love man whose affectionate feeling was broken.

“You…... really won’t touch me?”

“Correct!”

“You sure?”

“Of course!” Yun Tian Yang was unhappy. What was in this woman’s mind? She looked as if happy to the utmost hearing he wouldn’t touch her, but, certainly this was merely his illusion, wasn’t it?

This kind of insulting talk, how could she be happy?

“That’s great!” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi said as if relieved from a burden. “Then I can stay.”

This decision was greatly beyond Yun Tian Yang’s expectation.

“You must not have heard it clearly, I am saying that...…”

“I do understand!” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi cut him off. “You have someone you love, married me only because the critically ill oldman, eh, father, for all your life you will never touch me, isn’t that right?”

Had he ever said for all his life? This moment Yun Tian Yang nodded with his head in the mist.

“If so, I will just stay. For you, I will take care of the oldman, eh, father, so you can account to you father.”

“I think you don’t understand...…”

“I really do understand.” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi cheerfully smiled.

“No, you don’t understand, eh...…” Yun Tian Yang anxiously began to tell a lie. “We Yun Family are not at all wealthy. Doesn’t matter what that old man said in his letter, all of it was not the truth, the fact is the Yun Family already only strong in appearance but inwardly weak. You staying here will only bear hards.h.i.+p and endure hard work, there isn’t anything good.”

“No problem.” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi faced him with a brilliant smile.

Pretending to be the Young Lady made s.h.i.+ Jie Yi to have a deep guilty feeling. In the normal course of events, he should tell the truth about the situation, and then hit the way back home. But…... return to Jiangnan, there was no one waiting for him, but here, there was a family waiting for him, a dying oldman was waiting for him to console.

A family! Heaven knows how much he yearned for a family. To have people who cared for him, to have people who he could care about.

Although the husband didn’t like him, but if he stayed, at least he could take care of the oldman for him, it wasn’t completely useless. As long as he was careful, not letting people find out his real ident.i.ty, hence upon, he would have a family!

Marriage, is a long-term guarantee! After all, the husband only wanted a pretense wife, if so, he absolutely could be one, wouldn’t give the husband any unnecessary trouble and complications.

If by any chance...… by any chance his ident.i.ty as a man was exposed, then he would just leave by his own accord, definitely wouldn’t give Yun Family whatever increasing trouble. As for now, just let him be selfish a little bit, to indulge himself in the pleasure days of having a ‘family’ feeling!

※※※※　　

“Eh….. That...…”

“Tian Yang!”Seeing s.h.i.+ Jie Yi hesitating didn’t know how to address him, Yun Tian Yang impatiently told him. Why no matter what, this little thing always not able be clear, even a name he couldn’t utter.

“Tian Yang!” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi followed what was right as a stream followed its course, called out. “We are going back to the ranch now? Right?”

Changed into an easy and convenient clothes, s.h.i.+ Jie Yi immediately felt a lot relaxed. Even with his current ident.i.ty, the dress was extremely convenient, however, when the heavy makeup on his whole face had been removed, letting his hair hang down naturally, only tied on the hair end with a ribbon, the Young Lady’s clothes material although fine, the style was indeed simple. When he changed to this convenient to move clothing, Tian Yang didn’t seem to have any opinion.

Hence, s.h.i.+ Jie Yi could feel more at ease. It seemed like, Tian Yang saying only wanted him to be a wife in name only was the truth.

“No. Father said, we as newlywed husband and wife, should spend a period of time as a little family on our own, so we will go to stay in the new ranch first.” Yun Tian Yang deliberately scared him. “That place doesn’t have anything. There isn’t anyone to wait on you. Now if you want to regret it you still have the time. So to avoid the time when you call out to Heaven, Heaven won’t answer, call out to the earth, earth won’t respond.”

Actually Yun Tian Yang’s speech had one hundred loopholes1. If s.h.i.+ Jie Yi was a little bright, he would find the faulty wording in Yun Tian Yang’s words. Just too bad, s.h.i.+ Jie Yi because of trying hard to discard his own first falsehood, had become extremely nervous, of course he didn’t have any surplus energy to notice other’s faults.

“I will not regret.”

This woman! Really dull and stupid. Yun Tian Yang furiously thought to himself.

Really couldn’t have guessed. This person was not that tall, but the character was really stubborn. Caused him to try every possible way to persuade, still didn’t agree to nod head in agreement. Fine, just wait until arriving at the strong-winded ranch, let’s see how will she react.

TianFeng Ranch was his pride. Everything was established by his own hands. In not a long time, it would become great. But at the present, it was still nothing. Most probably, for Ling Shuang with a high ranking status, definitely it was simpler and cruder. However, this Ling Shuang, was a little beyond his expectations. In his impression, all of the people from rich and influential families, once they went out of the house they would have servants to follow like a cloud, to display their high ranking status. And what’s wrong with her, actually dared to come alone to marry to Guanwai. Even not bringing one personal servant to wait on her.

See! A foolish moth received what it deserved! n.o.body helped her to manage her appearance; the beautiful hair could only hang down loosely, just casually bound at the end by a ribbon. When the wind blew, the hair tried to struggle free from the bind, willfully floating in the wind. Upon the sight, it was really… d.a.m.n that pleasing the heart and eyes scenery.

After removing the heavy makeup and gaudy dress, a delicate and pretty visage appeared, the hadn’t been stained with rouge and powder face, unexpectedly wasn’t pale in comparison to the face when in the bride makeup, on the contrary, there was a kind of unusual feelings, a little bit lacking of a woman’s scent, but still revealed her own exquisite and elegant demeanor. Humph! Yun Tian Yang didn’t want to admit it, thought to himself, she did this definitely to emphasize her inborn beauty, need not to adorn any rouge and makeup, already could be the most gorgeous amongst beauties.

But it was too bad, the her who didn’t use cosmetic, although adorably pretty and delicate, in fact compared to Lin Xi’s amorous like peaches and plums appearances  was not up to standard… only that, Yun Tian Yang was extremely unwilling to realize, he seemed like he had a special fondness to a delicate and pretty type of woman. d.a.m.n!

Seeing s.h.i.+ Jie Yi rooted on that place, whole face anxious like didn’t know how to manage, he impatiently shouted.

“What are you dawdling about?”

“Eh?” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi busily lifted his head to look at him. Yun Tian Yang since earlier had climbed up the carriage, hands already held the reins. “I am ready.” He hurriedly shouted to answer.

“All ready why are you still not up the carriage!” Yun Tian Yang shouted. “Don’t say that you are waiting for me to help you, are you? I am not into that kind of convention.”

“Ah!” s.h.i.+ Jie Yi as if being awoken from a dream, busily climbed the carriage. “I forgot I can take the carriage.”

He always had the part to follow behind the carriage, except for that short period of time when he was disguised as a bride, he had never been in a carriage before.

Yun Tian Yang suspiciously glanced at him, then out of habit stretched his hand to pull him up. Previously, what kind of life did she have? Even could forget riding in a carriage?

s.h.i.+ Jie Yi silently and stiffly sat by Yun Tian Yang’s side. In his heart, because of this pretense, he felt guilty of this sin. If the Young Lady is here, this seat ought to belong to her. Was he being too evil, for not telling the truth to Tian Yang?

Tian Yang even if his language was bad, he was not a bad person. Seeing him just now using bad languages and bad temper towards him, but still stretching his hand to pull him up, just by this he could already know, he was a good person who showed consideration towards other.

Jie Yi stealthily looked sideways at Tian Yang’s direction, realizing that he was being lost in thought and pursed his lips, Jie Yi also stiffened not knowing what to say. The seventeen year old him all along never had a friend of the same age, Yun Tian Yang though still young and not pretty much the same as him, only about twenty, but Jie Yi still couldn’t find a subject to converse with.

The carriage had been moving for a good distance, Yun Tian Yang finally broke the silence.

“You know, father falls ill!”

“Mm!” At first he didn’t know, but because Tian Yang had been grumbling, wanting not to know was also difficult. “Wish that… father…” This sentence he said for a short while was indeed sincere. He finally had a father. “Wish him to get well soon.”

At least she didn’t wish him to pa.s.s away soon. So she could spend freely the large sum of money and the family property. Yun Tian Yang thought to himself.

“You know, seeing me married is his cherished wish.” Yun Tian Yang cleared his throat. “Even if we already reached a common understanding, but since you want to stay, then it is necessary to put on a play in front of father. After all, he wishes me to have a wife who is coming from a n.o.ble background.”

“Put on a play?” Jie Yi confusedly asked. “What kind of act?”

“In front of father, we must play the part of a ‘happy’ husband and wife.”

According to Yun Tian Yang’s estimation, father was so looking forward for the bride to arrive, even more pressing than him as the groom. Tian Hao definitely wouldn’t be able to stall father for a long time, also the level of stubbornness of this woman surpa.s.sed his expectation. His plan now probably would be very difficult to be successful, if not had talked earlier about terms and conditions, it wouldn’t do.

“You know how much father is expecting your arrival, if by chance he found out that our marriage is merely a pretense, for him this won’t be a small attack. So, in front of him, you play your expected role, I play my part. We, in front of father, are a couple of happy husband and wife, do you agree?”

“Mm!” Jie Yi nodded his head. “But…How is it to be called as happy husband and wife?” He asked in puzzlement.

Because Tian Yang promised not to touch him, so that he could boldly continue to pretend, eventually being a little ‘happy’ with Tian Yang, could he still play the part when he was only a counterfeit bride?

“What do you think? What else kind of happiness could be done by a couple newlywed husband and wife?”

“That…” Jie Yi blanked for a while, completely didn’t have any idea. “Then… you can say something nice in front of father”

“Just that?” Seeing her rack her brains, but only could think out this small bit, Tian Yang couldn’t refrain himself from breaking into laughter. His bride was still awfully pure and honest, really didn’t know what those Jiangnan’s men had in mind, to actually let this kind of woman marry into Guanwai.

“Not enough?” Jie Yi was surprised and became nervous, couldn’t calm the beating in quickened speed heart.

Maybe, he should tell the truth for the better, not letting his imagination to run wild.

Tian Yang both amused and angered upon seeing her expression. Was he so extremely terrifying? He, Yun Tian Yang, was Guanwai’s well-known handsome man! See, she was frightened to the point of having a disgusted expression.

And also, this was not him being picky, but this had no opportunity to be a wife of his, the figure was rather poor. The front of the chest that two round flesh was rather too flat, almost couldn’t see the undulating part. Physically such not well developed he also didn’t fuss over it, somehow his complaints should be more!

“I think…...” Tian Yang returned to the main subject. “Once in a while a bodily contact is a must.”

“But…... You said…...”

“I know what I have said.” Tian Yang fixed his eyes on her to cut her off. Tian Yang still clearly remembered her happy reaction at that time. “Don’t worry. Everything is merely an act. Your chast.i.ty for all your life not to be worried about.”

“Then it is fine!” Jie Yi for this could be at ease.

Agreement had been formed, the two people sank into silence again.

Didn’t know what would she say when she saw TianFeng Ranch? Tian Yang secretly glanced aside at the sitting upright and still by his side, who also once in a while secretly looked at him. Only that she didn’t realize, her every line of vision, had been known by him without missing out even a single line.

TianFeng Ranch from their original home of the Yun family was not far, however, at the present there was nothing beautiful, to the point the house was only providing a place to rest, a storehouse of gra.s.s and mud to pile up items of no value, also there was a hut made out of some logs, these things definitely did not match up with this highly privileged Young Lady’s imagination. But, the faster she lost her hopes, the better for her.

See! She is being so quiet, probably already pondering over whether to go home or not.

“Listen, Ling Shuang…...”

“Call me Yi’r.”

“Yi’r?”

“Eh….... that…..... That is my childhood name.” Since he had considered to stay, Jie Yi decided it was best not to let people address him as Ling Shuang, to avoid his tardy reaction.

“Alright! Yi’r.” Yun Tian Yang’s rough voice and rough temper called him, what kind of weird childhood name was that, completely didn’t match with her name!

“I was born at Yi River’s side, so...…”

Tian Yang nodded his head, seemingly accepted his explanation.

“Be…... Because you said we must be a little bit intimate, so….. so I think..… calling my childhood name should be more convincing.” Jie Yi twisted his fingers, nervously giving an explanation.

“Yi’r.” Tian Yang intended to make the last attempt. “You’re all the way in Guanwai you must prepare to taste hards.h.i.+p, especially after arriving in the Ranch. I believe you yourself already could see, this place is originally very rare of signs of human habitation. The only suitable to be called as bustling place, is that town where you had been.”

“However, this so-called small town, actually is not more but a single street. In the days to come, what you have to face, is not a bustling place of distinguished people or exquisite objects gathering together, a scene of people making an uproar of entertaining noise, there won’t be anybody coming to visit, won’t be any amusing things to entertain you.”

“I know.”

“You don’t know!” Tian Yang severely cut her off. “Maybe now you are moved by this magnificent scenery, but for the next many long days to come, you will definitely be fed up, will not be able to endure the loneliness, also, here has n.o.body or whatsoever to let you vent out your grievances.” 

“I will not be fed up.” Tian Yang’s each and every worries, had always been his livelihood.

“You will.” Tian Yang nearly got his temper up. This little thing up to this point was unexpectedly still so stubborn. “You should know, the days in Guanwai, wouldn’t be the same as in Jiangnan. What we will have, is the actual ‘life’. Not that Jiangnan’s ‘enjoyment’.”

“I also only think about to live on.” Jie Yi lowered his voice determinedly said. As long as I didn’t have to be alone in loneliness, that would be fine. He didn’t mind at all whether to go through hards.h.i.+p or not.

“Then, your husband’s heart has somebody else, how do you handle this?” Tian Yang loathed himself to be this cruel, to smash her confidence in staying in this place. “Don’t forget, husband is a woman’s G.o.d. If your G.o.d, is not someone you could rely on, do you still have the reason to stay?”

s.h.i.+ Jie Yi lifted his head to look at him.

“I don’t need whoever to rely on, I can take care of my own self.” He only didn’t want to be lonely, was this an excessive extravagant wish? He and Tian Yang, should be able to stay together like friends, as long as Tian Yang is willing to give him a chance.

No. He absolutely wouldn’t compromise.

“Tian Yang. I want a family. There is a father, family members, as for you agree or disagree to become my family, I couldn’t force you. If this kind of family, only by playing the role of your wife so that I can have it, then I will become your wife.”

d.a.m.n! Such a firm and unshakable manner, Yun Tian Yang nearly had a dazzled bewilderment! This little thing actually could have such an imposing manner. But, this was not the time to admire.

This is what she wants. Yun Tian Yang basically still hesitated whether he should or should not carry out the plan. Now, if I don’t do it, it wouldn’t do anymore!

Humph! Wait until she faces the hards.h.i.+p life in the ranch, at that time, don’t blame him for not warning her.


End of Chapter 2


Notes:
(1). One hundred loopholes (id): Full of mistakes.