TIAN GUAN CI FU Fan fic stories

RED ROBES FOR WEDDING

- CHAPTER 1 -

If Xie Lian was forced to admit the truth, he'd have to say that many of the unfortunate situations he regularly found himself in were his own fault. He had the bad habit of going along with the situations he found himself in, overestimating his own abilities and stretching his optimism until it snapped.

He knew this, and yet he made the same mistakes again and again. This time, though, his soft heart was the culprit as he helplessly stared at the crying girl in front of him.

"Now, now," he awkwardly patted her back. "Stop crying and tell this Daozhang what's the matter."

"It's my father-," she said before she broke out into sobbing again. Xie Lian swallowed a sigh and looked towards the sky as he continued patting her back. It was really getting too late by now for street performances. He could only hope that her father had been kidnapped by a demon or ghost and they would be so grateful to Xie Lian for saving him that they'd give him some food and a place to stay for the night.

Finally, the girl stopped sobbing long enough to speak. "My father made a bet with the ghost king. Last month, our shop burned down and we've been low on money ever since. He planned to win and ask for riches, but instead, he lost and now I have to marry the ghost king!"

Ah, there went Xie Lian's chance at getting a meal out of this. He regarded the girl with pity. She was in quite an unfortunate situation herself, with a father that would bet his daughter away. And now having to marry a ghost, what a sad fate!

"Is there no way to talk to him? Maybe you could offer him something else?"

She shook her head and looked up at him with wide, watery eyes. "Father said we have to! Liu Yang from the neighbouring village went to Ghost City to gamble not long ago, but then he refused to pay up and ghosts came to burn down his house and carried him away."

This Ghost King really wasn't the type to let things go easily, it seemed. Suddenly, the girl fell onto her knees and let out a long wail. "And just two days ago, Xiao Ming asked me to marry him. I was so happy!"

Ah, Xie Lian really couldn't bear it when someone cried in front of him! But what to do?

"We'll surely find a solution," he tried to calm her.

"What solution is there? I have no choice." Her voice took on a resigned quality.

Over the last few minutes, an idea had slowly formed in Xie Lian's mind. He had hoped that he'd be able to think of a better solution, but none had come to him. Now, he looked up and sent a quick prayer for strength to any god that would listen.

"I will go in your place." He winced as soon as the words left his mouth.

Stunned, she looked up at him. "What?"

"I will take your place. If you'll help me alter the wedding dress to fit me?" He gave her a strained smile.

"You... you want to go in my place? You want to marry the ghost king?" Her mouth twitched as if she wanted to laugh. "But, you're a man!"

He waved a hand dismissively. "I'm sure we can convince him of the opposite. And, well, even if we can't, I could offer my services as a servant! It's worth a try, at least."

Xie Lian had to admit to himself that it might not be the best plan, but in his long years of living, he had discovered that very few people were completely unwilling to be reasoned with. And he'd hopefully be able to think of a better plan on the way.

The girl stumbled to her feet and threw her arms around him. "Daozhang would really do that for me? Thank you, thank you so much!"

"Ah", Xie Lian patted her head and smiled. He really had no idea what he was doing. "It's no problem."