Chapter 58

The two were separated by a shiny polished writing desk. He sat on the opposite armchair, hands folded on his knees.

The morning sunlight, not too strong, shone on the man’s dark robe.

Upon hearing this, Sang Yao’s expression momentarily blanked. She tried to understand the meaning behind Xie Yun’s words.

After understanding, she thought, she must have misheard.

Sang Yao blinked and asked softly, “What did you say?”

Xie Yun quietly met her gaze. There was no emotional fluctuation on his indifferent face.

But perhaps it was because of his deep eyes, when he looked at people, besides being cold, there seemed to be a hint of focus.

He even patiently rephrased his previous words in a more polite manner and said slowly to her, “Miss Sang, may I have your hand in marriage?”

Every word was clear.

This time, Sang Yao really heard it clearly.

The room was silent. In that moment, Sang Yao felt her heart beat faster.

She took a breath. This matter was too sudden, and for a moment, she couldn’t describe her feelings.

She pointed at Xie Yun, almost incoherently saying, “You, you, you… what are you saying?!”

Xie Yun was already tired of repeating himself.

Sang Yaoyao couldn’t keep her composure any longer. She stood up abruptly, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed. “You’re not allowed to joke with me!”

In contrast, the man appeared much calmer. He leaned back in his chair and said, “Do you think I went to such lengths to come to the Sang mansion today just to joke with you?”

He continued, “Instead of asking these meaningless questions, you should consider my proposal carefully.” He was still as indifferent as before.

He was really not gentle at all!

What an attitude!

He wanted to marry a girl, and this was his approach? But wait, it didn’t matter.

What mattered was, did Xie Yun know what he was saying?

Sang Yaoyao’s chest heaved. She looked at the silent man in front of her, countless questions surged in her throat, but she couldn’t ask a single one.

After a moment, she silently exhaled, trying to calm herself down.

But because of her emotional turmoil, her cheeks involuntarily flushed.

She asked the most fundamental question: “Why?” But she regretted it as soon as she asked.

Because she suddenly remembered that the man in front of her, who seemed gentle on the surface, had actually secretly liked her for a long time.

Today, saying such words… actually, it wasn’t surprising.

Just that she had spent more time with Xie Yun recently and had gradually become more familiar with him.

In their interactions, Sang Yaoyao rarely felt that he admired her. So, she always forgot.

She never expected that this person would be so shocking when he finally spoke up!

The manual, after being ignored by Sang Yao for a while, regained its presence.

He was too domineering. He hadn’t even expressed his feelings to her yet, and he came directly to her door.

Xie Yun had no idea what Sang Yao was thinking, but seeing her blush again, he could guess.

After they got married, he could use Sang Yao to avoid the frequent urging of his parents, and Sang Yaoyao could finally be with him as she wished.

It was a win-win deal.

Although he couldn’t empathize with her excitement, he understood her.

After a moment of contemplation, he truthfully said, “My family is urging me, and you are the most suitable candidate for me to marry.”

Simple-minded, devoted to him, and without any ulterior motives, she was indeed very suitable.

“It’s appropriate. For once, his strictness was useful.”

On the other hand, Sang Yao didn’t believe a word Xie Yun said.

If we’re talking about appropriateness, there are plenty of people more suitable than her.

He could easily find a well-matched, stunning lady to be his wife, considering his background.

She could only be his concubine, given her family background.

It’s really absurd. They couldn’t come up with a more reasonable lie.

Moreover, she and Xie Yun weren’t that familiar. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to live with him day in and day out.

Her astonishment and shock today were no less than when she found his manual. Her thoughts were so chaotic that she didn’t say anything for a long time.

Not getting a response, Xie Yun became annoyed and frowned at her, saying, “What’s there to hesitate about? Haven’t you read novels? Come on, stop being stubborn.”

Look at him, still so cold at this point.

Appearing calm on the surface, he must be very nervous inside. This man was always stubborn; Sang Yao couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.

Now that reason had returned, she silently sat back in her chair, thinking back to what Xie Yun had said earlier.

Setting aside her preferences, Sang Yao felt a bit wronged in hindsight. She softly asked, “Are you threatening me?”

If she didn’t agree today, he wouldn’t help her deal with Rong Yan.

Actually, Sang Yao understood. She had troubled Xie Yun several times already and should repay him in some way.

The matter with Rong Yan was the same; she couldn’t expect Xie Yun to help her endlessly without seeking anything in return, which would be no different from dealing with bandits.

But of the countless ways she had thought of to help, she had never imagined that Xie Yun wanted her to give herself to him.

Sang Yao had never cared who she would marry in the future, as long as the person was decent.

But now, she was subtly unhappy. After all, marriage was a big deal, and he was being too hasty.

After a moment of contemplation, Xie Yun said, “I think I am tempting you.”

Sang Yao choked up for a moment; what he said was right.

The fear of being drugged last time still lingered around her. Although she didn’t have many aspirations, she cherished her life.

Compared to marrying Xie Yun, it seemed scarier to fall into Rong Yan’s hands.

But thinking of this, Sang Yao felt even more wronged.

She was just a girl who lived a peaceful life without much excitement.

Her biggest worry was her slightly large chest.

She didn’t intend to attend the banquet at the princess’s mansion last time, nor could she control the sudden heavy rain.

She was not interested in hearing it, yet she inexplicably caught Rong Yan’s eye, and then she was drugged.

Although Xie Yun saved her, she was innocent.

And now, to solve this matter, she had to offer herself.

Thinking again of the strange things in that manual, Sang Yao felt even more afraid.

She thought in agony, this man’s nature was hard to change. If he succeeded like this, he would definitely play with her.

Her expression was too obvious, and she looked like she was about to cry.

As Xie Yun silently thought, he realized this was what they called tears of joy. His voice softened as he said, “Why are you crying?”

Upon hearing this, Sang Yao felt even more like crying. Tears welled up in her eyes and fell.

She wiped her tears hastily and asked, “Is there… no other way?”

Xie Yun comforted her, “There isn’t.”

Sang Yao cried even harder. In Xie Yun’s puzzled gaze, she sobbed, “Can I… think about it?”

Xie Yun didn’t know what she was referring to.

After a moment’s thought, Sang Yao said, “One month.”

“You need that long?” Xie Yun asked, showing some mercy.

Sang Yao silently extended one finger.

“Okay, one month,” she said, but before she could finish, Xie Yun glanced at her and reluctantly said, “I’ll send someone to find you tomorrow.”

She whispered, “I said one month.”

Xie Yun remained silent for a moment and then said, “Three days, at most.”

Seeing Sang Yao’s silence, Xie Yun made the decision for her. “That’s settled then. I’ll come find you at that time.”

He stood up, and Sang Yao followed suit.

With tear stains still on her face, she looked like she had been bullied, sticking close to Xie Yun.

As Xie Yun was about to push the door open, Sang Yao grabbed his sleeve. Xie Yun turned to look at her.

She seemed a bit aggrieved, although Xie Yun didn’t know why.

They whispered to each other, “Can you come secretly next time you visit me?”

Xie Yun nodded.

As the door opened, a gust of wind blew in. Sang Yao didn’t speak for a moment, and Xie Yun thought she had finished talking.

He tried to leave again, but Sang Yao’s fingers were still holding onto his sleeve.

Xie Yun stopped in his tracks and looked at her quietly.

Sang Yao had stopped crying now. She suppressed her sorrows and said, “Xie Yun, can I discuss something with you?”

She added, “If I agree to what you asked.”

Xie Yun turned his head slightly and said, “Go on.”

Looking up at him, Sang Yao said earnestly, “What’s your relationship with Li Yaoge? If I agree to be your concubine, can you promise not to marry her? We don’t get along, and she will definitely bully me.”

Xie Yun frowned slightly. He turned around, facing the distressed girl in front of him, and said seriously, “What are you talking about?”

Sang Yao thought she was asking for too much. She had no right to dictate whom Xie Yun would ultimately marry.

However, she tugged at his sleeve and pleaded, “Please, she will really bully me.”

Lowering her head, she whispered, “…but if you don’t agree, then forget I said anything.”

After a pause, Xie Yun reached out and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him again.

“Sang Yao, please understand, I will marry you as my wife not to take you as my concubine.”

Due to Sang Yao’s misunderstanding, he seemed a little unhappy. He repeated more clearly, “Sang Yao, I intend to marry you as my wife.”

“Do you understand now?”

Before she could answer, Sang Yin walked over slowly from a distance. He looked pleased and kindly asked, “Why not stay a while longer?”

Xie Yun replied, “It’s something that could be said in just a sentence or two.”

Sang Yin nodded, feeling a bit regretful. He said, “I see.”

With the matter resolved, Xie Yun didn’t need to stay longer at Sang’s residence.

He said, “Then I won’t stay any longer.”

As Xie Yun was about to leave, Sang Yin naturally went to see him off, leaving Sang Yao standing alone at the door, lost in thought.

After about half a moment, Sang Yin hurried back from the main gate.

Since Sang Yao was walking slowly due to her troubled thoughts, Sang Yin caught up with her in three or four steps.

He asked eagerly, “Quick, what did Xie Yun say to you just now?”

Sang Yao stopped in her tracks and looked at Sang Yin, her expression calmer.

Seeing the tear stains on her face, Sang Yin became furious. “Did he bully you?”

Sang Yin was heartbroken.

Sang Yin’s thoughts, there really isn’t a good man in this world.

Sang Yao shook her head and said, “Not really.” Sang Yin’s anger had not subsided, “Then what is it?”

Sang Yao was actually very confused. Although she said she wanted to consider it, from the current situation, it seemed that she had no room to refuse.

But she had never been married.

She didn’t seem very sad, but she wasn’t particularly happy either.

She didn’t know what mood she was in right now.

Seeing that Sang Yao was not very happy, Sang Yin solemnly said, “It’s okay, Yao Yao. Whatever it is, Dad is on your side.”

This greatly comforted Sang Yao.

She puffed up her cheeks and whispered to Sang Yin, “Xie Yun said he wants to marry me…”

She was really confused. Lowering her head, she asked softly, “Dad, what should I do?”

Sang Yin was stunned for a moment.

This was indeed a good match. But looking at his daughter’s worried face, he struggled for a while, but in the end, his love for his daughter prevailed.

He raised his hand, comfortingly patted Sang Yao’s shoulder, and reluctantly said, “It’s okay, Yao Yao. It’s just a concubine. If you don’t want to, Dad will refuse for you.”

“Dad won’t force you.”

Sang Yao was a little moved.

But she finally realized how slow she was. It was all her father’s fault, always talking about concubines.

She looked at Xie Yun’s cold appearance and said, “Dad, please understand, He intend to marry me as a wife, not to take me as a concubine.”

Sang Yin’s voice raised, “What did you say?!”

The hand that was originally on Sang Yao’s shoulder instantly withdrew, and he trembled as he asked, “Did you agree?”

Sang Yao: “I said I would consider it.”

Sang Yin had no strength left to be strict. He turned around, beckoned someone over, and weakly ordered, “Go… go bring Master Xie back!”

Sang Yao asked, “Dad, what are you doing?”

Sang Yin ignored her, shaking his hand and said, “…hurry, hurry, change the betrothal gifts today, don’t wait for him to regret it.”

——-

After noon had just passed, the sun was scorching. Sang Yao was sitting in her small room, staring blankly at the familiar manual in front of her, which was neatly placed on the crescent-shaped table.

She had been staring at the manual for a quarter of an hour. In fact, she wasn’t thinking about anything; she was just staring blankly.

Suddenly, a hurried footsteps outside could be heard.

The sound was fast and heavy, giving a sense of urgency. It must be her annoying cousin coming over again.

Sang Yao immediately hid the manual and turned around.

At that moment, Sang Yinyue pushed open the door.

Sang Yao frowned. Before she could say anything, Sang Yinyue strode over, staring at her with wide eyes, unbelievably saying, “You… you… you’re really going to marry Xie Yun!”

Just now, Sang Yinyue rushed in front of Sang Yao, one hand on the crescent table and the other on the armrest of the chair Sang Yao was sitting on, almost enclosing Sang Yao.

Feeling trapped, Sang Yao shrugged, extended a finger, and pushed Sang Yinyue’s shoulder, saying, “…back off a bit.”

Sang Yinyue squatted by Sang Yao’s legs and continued staring at her, saying, “Tell me! Are you really going to marry Xie Yun?”

Sang Yao said, “Who told you?”

Actually, there was no need to ask. It must have been her father.

Sang Yinyue said, “Answer me first.”

Pressured, Sang Yao could only look away and say softly, “Maybe… Do you need anything?”

Looking up, Sang Yinyue’s gaze towards Sang Yao changed in this instant, finally settling on admiration.

Staring at Sang Yao, she sighed and shook her head, saying, “Silly girl, I won’t call you silly anymore.”

“No wonder you wanted to slap me. I really deserved it!”

Sang Yao: ….

Sang Yinyue put her hand on Sang Yao’s knee and earnestly said, “Silly girl, can you tell me how you did it? I won’t tell anyone.”

Sang Yao didn’t know how she did it. She didn’t even know how Xie Yun had the opportunity to have such deep feelings for her, even though they hadn’t met many times before.

Seeing Sang Yinyue’s serious face, Sang Yao felt uncomfortable and said, “Why are you squatting? Stand up.”

Ignoring her, Sang Yinyue, with a pained expression, began to plead, “Wuwuwu, silly girl, I really won’t call you silly anymore. Please don’t hold a grudge against me.”

“If you mind, I’ll kowtow to you twice, please forgive me.”

Sang Yao pursed her lips. Although this person was indeed very annoying, her anger usually came and went quickly, and she didn’t really hold onto those things.

“It’s okay, just get up quickly.” If she kept pulling her skirt like this, the thin veil outside would be torn off.

Sang Yinyue shook her head with tears in her eyes, saying, “Yao Yao, can you please not tell your husband about the things I bullied you in the past?”

The word “husband” was even more direct than “lord.” It exploded in Sang Yao’s ear in an instant, making her blush instantly.

She hurriedly said, “Hus… hus… husband! Don’t talk nonsense!”

Ignoring her, Sang Yinyue stood up and exclaimed, “Yao Yao, you are truly silent, but when you speak, it’s astonishing!”

Sang Yao bit her lip, not wanting to bother Sang Yinyue anymore.