[Translator/Editor: otwentyfirst]
[Host: justreads.net]
[Nov. 4th, 2018]
Ji Shumo was so shocked at how graceful her movements were that he could only stare at her sleeve as it waved. She looked genuinely happy. He quickly came back to his senses and decided on his next move. From now on he was going to give her the cold shoulder and the silent treatment. He was definitely not returning to the Xiao House until she acquiesced to his wishes.
She had obsessively chased after him for three years, so he knew what her temperament was like and how to deal with her. She was as soft as a marshmallow when it came to him. All he had to do was wait for her to get back home, then she would definitely feel regret and miss him immediately. She'd come back, admit she was wrong, and work hard to coax him out of his mood. She wouldn't dare deny his requests after that.
Ji Shumo would have been right and this would have been the order of events had this been the same Xiao Wan he was accustomed to, however this Xiao Wan had a new lease on life and her priorities were completely different. She felt no regrets and in fact Not only did she feel no regrets about him staying, she was in fact it in fact left her feeling motivated and liberated.
Xiao Wan had originally intended on spoiling Ji Shumo as she had done in her previous life but then she realized this: although Ji Shumo hated her, he needed her to stay in love with him in order for to complete his objectives. As for her, it didn't matter how she treated him, she would be able to use him as long as she could keep an eye on him. There was no reason for her to go out of her way to appease and spoil him. This realization considerably lightened her mood, making her feel refreshed and unburdened. What a great time to teach him a lesson. He'll know I'm not the same obedient Xiao Wan that he can lead by the nose anymore. She was in a good mood laughing cheerily as her entourage made their way back home.
Hua Xia on the other hand was sweating nervously as she drove the carriage back . Perhaps Xiao Wan had become stupid because of Ji Shumo? In a rare display of concern she refrained from using her sharp tongue and instead asked, "Miss, don't laugh so much. You're scaring everyone. If you don't want to let go of Ji Shumo, then you have to go back and get him. If Miss and Ji Shumo have a fall out it will only be Miss's heart that breaks!"
Xiao Wan leaned against the goose down cushion and gently pushed the curtain apart. She couldn't resist smiling as she looked up at the bright sunshine. "No, he needs to understand. I'm not the same Xiao Wan anymore."
Hua Xia had become accustomed to the feeling of having her liver and guts wretched everytime Xiao Wan foolishly threw money around whenever it involved Ji Shumo. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the words coming out of Xiao Wan's lips. Turning to Yun Yan next to her she said, "How can love fade away so fast? The Young Miss will definitely regret it after a few days... and guess who's gonna bear the brunt of it? Us!"
Yun Yan covered her face, her brows seemingly locked in a permanent furrow. Xiao Wan had asked her and Hua Xia to collect a bunch of antiques and artwork with the intentions of giving everything to Ji Shumo and his mother. But in the end not only did she not hand everything over, she even refused Ji Shumo's request in a way that left him no face at all. Then she topped it all off by letting him stay and leaving the Ji House with a bounce in her steps.
This was just too strange! When has Xiao Wan ever been able to withstand Ji Shumo's displeasure? If it weren't for the fact they'd been guarding her since leaving the Xiao House, they would have thought that the Xiao Wan in front of them was an imposter.
Xiao Wan's good mood didn't last for too long though. Looking out the window she saw two familiar figures trying to sneak around a wall.
"Young Master, just grab my hand. I'll pull you up."
"I, I can't..."
Xiao Wan narrowed her eyes at the curious sight. She had Hua Xia stop the carriage and cautiously walked over to the two people. She worriedly watched as the young man tried to climb over the wall.
"Zhao-er, I can't climb up." Because of his ankle injury Xie Chuchen's movements were really clumsy. He jumped several times trying to grasp Zhao-er's offered hand, but he just couldn't get a good hold. Ultimately he ended up yanking Zhao-er down off the wall. The two gave up, bit the bullet and walked to the front gate. Suddenly Zhao-er's eyes widened in surprise.
"Young Master! There's a doggie hole here!"
The two young men squatted down and proceeded to wiggle their way in through the hole unaware of the eyes behind that were watching them.
Xie Chuchen was able to wiggle through the hole successfully, however Zhao-er was more portly and couldn't get all the way through, leaving him tragically stuck halfway.
"Zhao-er!" Just as Xie Chuchen was trying to figure a way to help his friend a mocking voice spoke up.
"Oh what's this? Why are you crawling in through the dog hole like a thief cousin? Do you have a guilty conscience or something?" The woman that spoke had a rotund belly that was barely restrained by the teal green belt of the dress she wore. In her hair was a flower blossom pin and in her eyes was a tremendous amount of scorn.
The young man by her side had a toothsome smile and red lips. His brocade clothes were richly embroidered. What came out of his mouth was just as unkind. "To go missing for an entire day, what woman did you elope with? Returning like a loser, was it possible you were discarded immediately?"
"What drivel are you spouting?!" Zhao-er angrily yelled from his position. He wanted to do more but he couldn't move out of the hole. The only thing he could do was attack with his words the two vicious siblings in front of him.
"How dare you speak that way to your superiors! You clearly don't know how to behave!" She had long wanted to tell Xie Chuchen's manservant off for some time. She looked at Zhao-er stuck in the hole, signaled one of the wet nurses at the side with her eyes. With one hand on her hip that lady sashayed forward and raised her foot to kick Zhao-er in the face.
Xie Chuchen blanched and immediately stepped forward taking the hit instead. It was painful but he refused to move and leave Zhao-er defenseless. There was now a clear footprint added to his already messy and dirty clothes. He stared at his two cousins with ice daggers shooting out of his eyes.
At this point a middle aged woman could be seen walking towards them. Her face was round, the picture of glowing health, while her body was plump, decked out in jewels making her shine like a treasure herself. Her physical appearance was similar to the two siblings; it was obvious she was their mother.
Upon seeing Xie Chuchen's filthy sorry figure she immediately set to criticizing him. "Chen-er![notes] What is with your appearance?! Go clean up and make yourself presentable. Missing for a whole day, your dad's been worried sick about you. How would I ever face your mother if something happened to you?"
Xie Chuchen laughed sarcastically at that. "Second aunt, there's no need to put on a show of concern. You just want me to freshen up so I can look presentable when you sell me out as a concubine right? If I went missing then the Xu House would definitely make second aunt pay for it right?"
Xie Chuchen's mother had worked hard to make the Xie House a prosperous and powerful one. It was through hard work and dedication that Xie Xinxuan, Xie Chuchen's mother, made them the richest house in the nation. After her death everything fell apart. Her younger sister, Xie Qingrong, took over raising Xie Chuchen and made a show of caring and consoling the young boy. Through him she was able to take over more than half of Xie Xinxuan's properties.
Despite the immensity of the legacy left behind by Xie Xinxuan, Xie Qingrong managed to go through it in a matter of three years, spending more than half of the money on booze, food, men, and gambling. Once the money was squandered away Xie Qingrong's mask fell off and her initial care and concern towards Xie Chuchen and his father turned into cold neglect.
Despite profits at the Xie shops declining, Xie Qingrong still gambled like she always did. Their current financial state meant she couldn't pay her gambling debts. In order to save herself she made a secret deal with the Third Young Miss of the Xu House; she would give Xie Chuchen to her in exchange for 1,200 silvers as a dowry.
Xie Chuchen was so stubborn, she knew it was unlikely he'd agree to a marriage where he wouldn't be the main husband. She planned on drugging him then secretly deliver into the wedding sedan chair. By the time he woke up, it would be too late for him to do anything about it, as his tofu would have already been eaten.
Her plans were ruined when Xie Chuchen disappeared the day before the ceremony!
Xie Qingrong narrowed her eyes as Xie Chuchen aired out her secret plan. He must have snuck out because he overheard her speaking to the Xu matchmaker about it.
She stopped bothering with the show of concern and said, "Well, since you already know, hurry up and make yourself presentable! The Xu people will be here with the sedan chair soon. Don't cause any more delays!" She shot him a warning look that clearly said he shouldn't try to escape again.
Xie Chuchen swallowed his anger before saying, "I'm already married. I'll have to trouble second aunt to take care of this other marriage."
"Already married?!" Xie Qingrong couldn't contain her laughter and her body shook like a rolling log of jello as she guffawed. "You mean, when you brazenly crashed Xiao Wan's wedding spouting nonsense about how she promised to marry you? Everyone knows Xiao Wan will only marry one man, and that man is Ji Shumo. We all know how insanely infatuated she is with him. You and Ji Shumo are as different as night and day and you still dare to want to marry Xiao Wan?"
Xie Chuchen lost all the color in his face, like she had struck a nerve. Xie Qingrong saw this. Together with his dejected return through the doggie hole and his posturing, Xie Qingrong immediately realized Xiao Wan did not officially recognize Xie Chuchen as a husband. Regardless of his status, she already accepted the dowry from the Xu House. She had to uphold her end of the bargain and send Xie Chuchen over. It was imperative he not run away again! How could she convince him?
She suddenly leaned forward and spoke earnestly, "Chen-er, Xiao Wan won't be a virtuous wife to you. Don't hold her in such high regard in your heart. Listen, Aunty picked out a real nice girl for you to marry. The Xu's Third Young Miss has a promising future, is beautiful, and her House is well off . She'll definitely treat you well and pamper you. Now put a smile on that face of yours and go and make yourself presentable so you can give her a proper greeting when she arrives.
The Third Young Miss of the Xu House was named Xu Qing. She recently turned eighteen but already had twelve husbands; Xie Chuchen would become the thirteenth. She was known for her bossy and domineering attitude towards her husbands. Together she and Xiao Wan were the top two lechers in the capital. Any fool would recognize Xie Qingrong's words for the barefaced lies they were.
"Chen-er, with your reputation there's no one who'd be willing to take you as a main husband." Xie Qingrong paused when she saw the sneer on Xie Chuchen's face. She felt the need to add, "You have to be aware the financial situation of our House isn't great right now. If you don't marry into the Xu House we'll lose the 1,200 dowry. On top of that we'll have to pay them 2,200 for breach of contract. Your father's health is getting worse by the day. If he doesn't get medicine..."
Xie Chuchen's eyes widened in panic and his brows furrowed in worry. He clenched his fingers unconsciously into fists in his sleeve, a bitter smile on his face.
The look on Xie Chuchen's face was exactly the look Xie Qingrong was looking for. Feeling relieved she immediately gave the two wet nurses standing to the side a look. They took the hint and walked over to Xie Chuchen, one on his left, the other on his right. "Young Master this way..."
Zhao-er finally understood the situation. Those two are here to make sure the Young Master doesn't run away again. No wonder he's been so depressed lately. This must be why he ran away to the Xiao House and tried to marry Xiao Wan. It explains why he didn't want to return and why he didn't want to go through the front gate...It explains so much!
"Young Master!" Zhao-er shouted in tears. "You can't marry the Xu Third Young Miss! She's a monster! It's said that any man she marries will be tormented! Don't go with them!"
She had hung out together with Xu Qing several times so she knew exactly what kind of personality the other girl had. Xiao Wan didn't intend to interfere in their family affairs... She just never expected the Xie family would actually try to coerce Xie Chuchen to marry Xu Qing. No wonder he looked so sad when she asked him to go back home. It was because he was returning to this! His situation sent a stab to her heart as she stood watching from the front gate.
"I..." Xie Chuchen knew it was impossible for him to escape. Despite being his mother's first born child he had no authority. His aunt had seized control of the House and he was left penniless. If he didn't go along with his aunt's plan then there would be no way to treat his father's illness. He couldn't bear the thought of his father languishing sick in bed.
A sharp voice yelled out, "Is this the one who's to be Third Young Miss's thirteenth husband?" It was the matchmaker from the Xu House. She was dressed brightly in a crimson outfit with a face loaded with makeup that only served to accentuate the mole on her face. She critically looked at Xie Chuchen up and down, noting his filthy appearance before speaking. "Ah! Mistress Xie, originally our Third Young Miss wanted to hold a festive wedding ceremony for the beautiful and talented Young Master Xie, however the recent scandal has made her lose considerable face. The Third Young Miss is very angry and wants Young Master Xie to just enter through the side door and proceed directly to the bridal chamber. Forget about the front gate."
The matchmaker purposefully chose her words to be as insulting as possible, however she was left unsatisfied with Xie Chuchen's blank stare and lack of reaction. She frowned and finally yelled at him. "It's already so late! Do you want the Third Young Miss to wait for you? Hurry up and change!" She walked over and yanked him by the arm after saying so.
Xie Chuchen wasn't offended because he was actually lost in thought, recalling bits and pieces of conversation, so when the matchmaker grabbed him he nearly lost his balance and staggered a few steps. In his mind he was
The only one that child has space for in her heart is Ji Shumo.
How can I, Xiao Wan have such a lousy good for nothing as my main husband?!
Xie Chuchen bit his lip remember those words. For him the only person he wanted to marry was Xiao Wan. Since she refused him then it didn't matter who he married; it was all the same to him. His hair fell in front of his face covering his eyes as he stiffly walked forward escorted on either side by the two stout wet nurses. The matchmaker continued to prod him from behind. What did he have left to fear? There was no hope left, might as well just go along with the charade. His eyes became vacant, a window to an empty soul.
Xiao Wan became increasingly uncomfortable as she watched the spectacle from the front gate, her distress level rising. She kept hearing Xie Chuchen's voice at the execution grounds and remembering the desperation and despair in his eyes. His bitter and gut-wrenching cries still haunted her even now. She couldn't help but remember his drunken embarrassment and happiness when they shared the wedding wine together.
"Xiao Wan, I'm your husband! You have to acknowledge me!"
"Xiao Wan, I really like you!"
"Dear wife. I'm so happy! I finally get to marry you..."
After the experience of being betrayed in her previous life, Xiao Wan's heart had considerably hardened, yet a seed of pity and sorrow still managed to burrow through. How can you stand there so cold and composed? I never wanted to take you for my husband... I don't even like you. But this I know. I definitely owe you a debt. I won't stand by as your chance at happiness is destroyed. I failed you as a wife before, I won't let it happen again.
Originally she wanted to cut him free and have nothing further to do with him, but now she wanted to protect him and she was one who always acted on her impulses. She never imagined how drastically her actions would change the course of both their lives.
Xiao Wan would look back at that moment and realize how fortunate it was she interfered, that she decided to make Xie Chuchen a part of her life, to pull him closer and protect him under her wing. Had she pushed him away she would never have known what a wonderful, beautiful, and delicious husband he was.