Three ex-husbands and a marriage

Speed dating

"Young Master Hu has translated each musical note into a move. He had improved the music with two very subtle changes that only I missed. Here, let Young Master Hu play the guqin with his new notes," said Third Brother.

Hu Xuan smiled and sat down by the guqin and strummed some notes. The music was so pleasing to the ears that I didn't want it to stop.

When he did stop, the crowd stayed quiet as if still savouring the lingering notes.

"I have acknowledged defeat, does anyone still feel unreconciled and want to challenge me?" asked Third Brother.

Those words immediately shut the low dissent and those people who have voiced their dissatisfaction previously had to look elsewhere from embarrassment.

Before the celebratory banquet, Third Brother found an opportunity to quickly whisper in my ears, "Mingling, your fate is really unfortunate...with a husband like that...ayish!"

"Brother, what do you mean?" I asked in alarm.

"You know the chess match with Hu Xuan had me sweating. Yes, he played to the musical scores, but the underlying message was threatening."

"Really? He threatened you?"

"Not directly, but he might as well have! Each move was deadly and precise. I fell into his traps over and over again. He kept letting me off, dangling me without making the final cut. The message was clear, win or lose, it is at his mercy," whispered Third Brother with an expression I have never seen before on this haughty and arrogant brother.

"Do you know what he wants? Why did he threaten you?" I asked wide eyed.

He gave me an incredulous look and shook his head before saying, "Sister, how can you ask such a silly question? Of course he wants to marry you, he has made it very clear many times....if he doesn't get what he wants, he will do something drastic."

I chuckled, "Brother, no no, you misunderstood. He wants to get out of this competition because he has fallen in love with Xiao Wei. He was probably warning you to let him lose to save face so that he can withdraw from this fiasco without embarrassing us. I think you think too much."

Third Brother's face went red and he shook his finger at me speechlessly. Then as if he understood, he nodded and entered the banquet before me. I shrugged and followed him slowly.

Tonight I dressed up! I even had my maid draw a very pretty peach blossom motif on my forehead  to spice up the look.

The light pink dress was beautifully flowy with the top ribbon tied tightly across my budding chest. I looked down at the curves and smiled in satisfaction. Tonight is the first time in both my lives that I felt sexy and cute at the same time.

I greeted my parents, brothers and the guests with a small curtesy before taking my seat next to my brothers. Father formally introduced me to the three finalists and we raised our small wine cup in a friendly toast.

"Gentlemen, as we have said in the very beginning, our family is looking for a 'live in' son-in-law, someone who will live with the Bai family and marry in. With your illustrious backgrounds and talent, I beg you to reconsider whether this is too unfair to you and your family. The Bai family will understand and will compensate you with rewards and official positions if you decide to withdraw," said Father.

I smiled and calmly looked at the three very handsome and talented men in front of me. Excluding Hu Xuan, the other two are definitely husband material and I'm equally happy to be single forever and smooch off my rich family.

Hu Xuan's intense gaze sent shivers down my spine, it's concurrent heat and icy blades hit me at full blast. If looks could kill, I'll be dead numerous times.