Chapter 20: Make It Clear (1/2)
Translator: Flying Lines
Edited by Lord Immortal
“I have something to tell you, Geng Zhishan,” said Xie Mengxuan in a low and soft voice after taking a deep breath.
Having an ominous presentiment, Geng Zhishan gradually let go of his grasp and sat straight on the side.
Xie Mengxuan reached out to smooth her hair. “Thanks for taking good care of me over these days, Zhishan.”
“It’s my responsibility. There is no need for thanks.” Geng Zhishan said, raising his eyebrows.
Xie Mengxuan could not help giving out a sigh. “Since we met by chance like patches of drifting duckweed, I’m grateful to you for offering me shelter with a lie.”
“If so, why not marry me? I love you so much that I’ll bestow all my favor on you and keep you from suffering any harm if you become my wife.” Geng Zhishan chimed in.
Xie Mengxuan shook her head with a faint smile. “You’re a good guy. I believe that the girl who will marry you is bound to live a happy life, but sadly, that girl is not me.”
Upon hearing “good guy”, the face of Geng Zhishan turned as black as the bottom of a frying pan. When she gave a negative response, he pressed near her. “Why? Everyone in the Zhoujia Village knows that you’re my wife. Are you blaming me for not taking good care of you or not saving you in time?”
He got flurried and stammered over the words. “I… I have my own difficulties. They… They were pressing upon me and kept me down. Upon getting rid of them, I went to look for you straight away.”
While patting him, Xie Mengxuan shook her head and appeased him with a gentle voice. “No. I’ve witnessed your performance that day. Although I was aware of your anxiety, there was no other solution when you were so hopelessly outnumbered.”
Looking up at her, Geng Zhishan gradually calmed down. Xie Mengxuan asked him in a soft voice, “Do you know who I am, Zhishan?”
She lowered her voice in case the man became frightened. Suspicious though she had been of his identity, considering the fact that she met Gu Yusheng, she would not take a skeptical attitude towards him to figure out his true intentions.
Geng Zhishan insisted in a low but firm tone, “I don’t care who you are. In my eyes, you are just my wife.”
Xie Mengxuan pursed her lips and explained in great details, “Listen, what you know is that my surname is Xie, and I’m called Xie Mengxuan. Among other things, I, the legal wife’s eldest daughter, come from the Xie family of the imperial capital. I’m burdened with the honor and disgrace of the whole family since there’s a close connection between us. Instead of following my heart, my marriage—of great use—is destined to be the stepping-stone of the Xie Family.”
This was her first time talking with a solemn look. Geng Zhishan frowned his eyebrows in confusion.
She fixed her long hair behind her ear and continued, “I’ll always owe the debt of my life to you. However, as to your request for being your wife, I cannot accept it because I have no right to do so. I’m sorry that I’ve failed to give you a flat refusal over these days and kept you on the hook, which brought you trouble. I hope it’s not too late for me to make it clear and cut off our relationship.”
They lapsed into total silence. Staring at Xie Mengxuan, Geng Zhishan clenched his fist hard. What else could he say? Now that what Xie Mengxuan said seemed to be so reasonable, even if he denied it, she would pay no heed.
After a long while, he said in a low and humble voice, “Darling, am I being rejected due to my identity of a peasant, not as promising as others?”
Xie Mengxuan nodded with a faint smile. “It’s not true that a peasant will not have a promising future. Besides, I never disliked you. During these days, I’ve kept in mind your care and code of conduct. When I’m back home, I will not only entrust my father with your marriage but also take you to the imperial capital. You’re not going to suffer any wrong, I promise.”
She made a promise as if it was as easy as turning her hand.
However, it was obvious that Geng Zhishan was not satisfied since he turned his head in a fit of pique.