Please make do with it.

Author: Xi Juan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: During the Zhenguan era, the world was at peace, with both literary and martial achievements reaching their zenith, writing a glorious page in the history of the Tang Dynasty. In Yangzhou City, there was a martial arts school named "Yangwei Martial Arts School." It was famous not because of the unique martial arts instruction offered there, but because the owner, Li Shengming, had a stunningly beautiful daughter! Since Li Yuhu reached the age of fifteen and came of age, her beauty became widely known! Almost everyone in Yangzhou knew and talked about her! Yangzhou had two renowned beauties. One was the "flower crown" Li Yuhu from the "Yangwei Martial Arts School" in the eastern part of the city, and the other was the "flower" (top courtesan) from the wealthy Du family in the northern part of the city, Du Bingyan. It was said that Du Zhixiang's youngest daughter, Du Bingyan, was betrothed to the wealthy third young master of the Qi family in Quanzhou due to business relations and for the convenience of trade. However, it was rumored that the soon-to-be-married third young master of the Qi family had been bedridden all year and was critically ill. He was marrying quickly only for a "blessing" to his health. Fearing that the third young master might not survive the year, they at least wanted to leave behind an heir! The first two young masters of the Qi family had both died before the age of twenty-five. Those familiar with the inside story knew that the Qi family was practically forcing the marriage, deliberately controlling the business lifeline of the Du family to pressure Du Zhixiang, the wealthy landlord, into agreeing to the match. After all, which father would marry his daughter to a half-dead man? Moreover, with her beauty and family background, Du Miss could easily have been a queen!