Chapter 12: You've to learn Cultivation!
Ying Yue stared at Shui Jin when she heard a voice. "You lost, Miss Yue." Immediately she released herself from his grip straightened up.
"Young Lord Fu wins in the challenge with Miss Yue." Announced one of the disciples loud and clearly. Ying Yue turned around when she noticed most of them laughing at her.
"It was evident from the very beginning that Young Lord Fu will win. How could someone challenge the Young Lord Fu?" Said another voice.
"He cheated," muttered Ying Yue and glared at Shui Jin. Mencius, Fai Zhen and Daisung stepped in the ground followed by Li Jei and Yang Zi.
"Miss Yue, Fu Shui did not cheat. It was a fair match," stated Zewu with a smile.
"So, it is decided then. Miss Yue and Fu Shui will get married. As per your challenge, you were defeated therefore you can not refuse this marriage any further, Miss Yue." Fai Zhen asserted.
Ying Yue glared at Shui Jin. "I know, you used magic, that's why I wasn't able to strike you. Earlier too while healing my foot you used magic. This is not good. This is unfair," muttered Ying Yue with teary eyes.
She kicked at the sword which was lying on the ground when Daisung scolded her again. "Yue, what kind of behaviour are you showing? How could you say that young Lord Fu cheated. You lost the match which was obvious given you do not know a single thing about sword cultivation." Daisung said sternly.
Ying Yue could not hold her tears back and she started to cry. Li Jei went towards the disciples and told them to leave the ground.
"Yue, wipe your tears. Do not take your brother's words to your heart and forgive him," Daisung said softly and patted her back. However she failed to stop despite the comforting words and touch of her brother. The reason behind her tears was not that she lost the match but because she was stuck in a place where everyone was determined to marry her off to a complete stranger. She was missing her parents, her family, coach and manager.
Zewu Jin stepped forward and consoled Ying Yue. "Don't cry, Lady Yue," said Zewu. Ying Yue tightly hugged him which shocked all of them. "I- I want to go home. I do not want this. Mom- dad, my brothers I'm missing them all," murmured Ying Yue while crying.
Zewu stood still frozen as she kept on crying. Bao Li patted her miss back and told her to stop crying. "Miss Yue, you do not need to cry over this small defeat." Fai Zhen said.
"Miss Yue, I want to talk to you," Shui Jin announced. Ying Yue, who was sobbing, looked at him with teary eyes. "Sa- say it," stuttered Ying Yue.
"Let's talk in my private chamber." Shui Jin stressed his words. His elders brothers glanced at him but decided not to say anything.
"Say here," said Ying Yue while wiping off the tears from the back of her palms.
"I cannot say here, Miss Yue. Please follow me," said Shui Jin turned and kept walking. Ying Yue looked at Daisung who told her to go. Ying Yue nodded and went after Shui Jin. They kept walking when they reached the eastern side of the palace.
"Do you live in your garden?" Ying Yue asked as they were walking through that path. Shui Jin remained quiet and kept walking. Ying Yue didn't say anything further and decided to follow Shui Jin. After they passed through the garden, they went towards the forested area of Mount Tai.
Ying Yue was facing difficulty while walking through the hilly terrain but she still kept following Shui Jin. "Why am I feeling so tired? I never felt this way when I used to train. Such paths were nothing to me but now, it seems a really tough task." Thought Ying Yue.
"Do you live on a hill?" Ying Yue inquired after some time but Shui Jin again remained quiet. She was climbing through the path which had stairs carved from the mountains itself when her foot slipped.
She passed a low scream when Shui Jin with a blink of an eye turned to her and grabbed her hand gently. He straightened her and told to be careful. Ying Yue thanked him and then again asked, "Do you really live on a hill? Shouldn't your chamber be in the Palace?"
"It is not there. I prefer to stay up there," replied Shui Jin, which didn't seem satisfactory to Ying Yue but she didn't question him further. After a few meters walk, they reached the place where Shui Jin resides.
Ying Yue was awestruck by the surroundings. "It's beautiful," murmured Ying Yue and looked around. Shui Jin turned his gaze to Ying Yue and unknowingly a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Miss Yue, this way," said Shui Jin. Ying Yue looked at him and nodded.
'Zhongnanhai' read Ying Yue which symbolises Lotus residence and then walked after Shui Jin. She found no one there except them. There was a small pond in front of the house in which swans were swimming.
Ying Yue's eyes glistened seeing the swans. It was her first time seeing such beautiful swans and a broad smile appeared on her lips. There were lotuses too in the pond which enhanced the beauty of the natural pond several fold. "That's why he named the residence- 'Zhongnanhai'," murmured Ying Yue.
"Miss Yue," called Shui Jin in his soft voice. Ying Yue turned her eyes to him and found he was almost inside the residence. She ran towards him and said, "this place is really beautiful." There was a glow on her face and she again turned her eyes towards the pond.
"You can gaze at them later as well, Miss Yue. For now let us go inside the chamber," said Shui Jin. Ying Yue turned her head to Shui Jin and nodded.
As they reached inside the chamber, Shui Jin told Ying Yue to take the seat on the cushioned floor mattress. Ying Yue quickly sat there and opposite her Shui Jin took the seat.
"What do you want to talk about?" Ying Yue asked. Shui Jin offered her water. Ying Yue took the porcelain glass; was going to drink the water when she stopped and glared at Shui Jin.
"You can't make a fool of me. I know you've mixed something in this water," muttered Ying Yue. Shui Jin looked at her and passed a slight smile.
"It is not what you are thinking, Miss Yue. If you have any kind of suspicion on me then I'll drink this water as well," said Shui Jin and picked another porcelain cup, poured water from the porcelain jar. He then drank the water and showed her the empty cup. Ying Yue got assured and drank the water.
"Wow, this water tastes so sweet," mumbled Ying Yue and then took more water from the jar. Shui Jin smiled at her. Once Ying Yue was done drinking, she again asked Shui Jin what he wanted to talk about.
"Wait, let me say something first. I accept my defeat. You are in- indeed good at sword fighting. As per the challenge, I'm unable to defeat you but I don't accept this marriage.
You should know that we two don't know each other and it's really uncomfortable for me to see you as my husband. But I know that my dad- I mean my father won't agree with me. So, it's like my choice doesn't matter at all," muttered Ying Yue and lowered her eyes.
"I am not marrying you." Shui Jin asserted. Ying Yue raised her head and looked at him shockingly. A smile carved on her lips.
"Thank you. Thank you for not marrying me. You don't like me either, right? Why did you take so much time to tell this thing? You could've told me this there too in front of everyone. I know. You don't want to look like stupid man in front of them. You do not need to worry. I, Ying Yue, will say to them-"
Shui Jin cut Ying Yue's words. "Miss Yue, let me finish."
"Ahh, okay. Sorry, go on," said Ying Yue with a smile.
"I'm not marrying you only on one condition," stated Shui Jin.
"What condition?" Ying Yue with an inquisitive look.
"You have to learn Cultivation." Shui Jin asserted.
"Why so? I mean what if I will not learn that cultivation? Why do you want me to learn that instead of marrying me?" Ying Yue inquired.
"Miss Yue, I was not doing a sword fight with you, it was sword cultivation. They are different. Cultivation is an art which enhances our powers and creates a bond between us and our swords. I want you to learn that because it will help you. I shall not marry you if you agree on this," stated Shui Jin.
Ying Yue put a thought on this. "Well, he is right. I do not know when I will return back to my time. Earlier that girl was also talking about cultivation and then others too. Maybe by learning this thing, I will be able to find a way back to my time. He doesn't want to marry me which is good for me."
She then looked at Shui Jin. "Fine, I will learn the cultivation and in turn you will not marry me," said Ying Yue.
Shui Jin nodded. "Yes, I shall not marry you." Ying Yue smiled hearing this.
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