Chapter 22 – So You Want to Leave

Wanruo’s body stiffened slightly. “Why are you here?”

Xie Xianyu’s expression was unreadable, but his dark eyes seemed to pierce straight into her heart. “Where did you go?”

Her gaze flickered. “Today Miss Jiang invited me to Ta Ming Lake for a spring outing.”

“Just for a spring outing?”

Wanruo didn’t understand what he was implying. She pressed her lips together. “What else?”

His eyes chilled. “I came from Ta Ming Lake as well.”

The hand hidden in Wanruo’s sleeve clenched tight, her face paling slightly.

“When I arrived, they said you had already left. Yet after I returned home, I waited half an hour before you came back.” His tone was slow, deliberate—waiting for her explanation.

Wanruo forced herself to remain calm. “On the way back, I stopped by a medicinal shop to buy herbs. I lingered a while, so I returned late.”

He glanced at the packet of herbs in her hand, his expression softening a little, though his voice was still cool.

“Such trivial errands—why must you go personally? You could send a servant.”

“I wanted to go myself. Am I supposed to sit in this little courtyard day after day and grow mold?” Wanruo felt he was meddling too much.

He rose, walked to her, and clasped her hand. “If you feel stifled, wait until I’m less busy. Then I’ll take you out myself.”

Her pupils shrank. Go out with him? As if she wanted the whole world to know their relationship?

Xie Xianyu had always been disciplined and measured—he should have known the risk. Yet now his behavior was growing increasingly reckless, and she truly didn’t know how to handle it.

Annoyance pricked at her. She pulled her hand back. “You have your duties. If I want to go out, I’ll go myself. Don’t come looking for me again—if people see us, it’ll only cause trouble.”

His expression darkened instantly. He tightened his grip, yanking her into his arms. “You call me trouble?”

Meeting his stormy gaze, her heart raced. She turned away from his piercing eyes. “You’re already engaged. The court keeps you busy. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with me.”

“And if I insist on meddling?” His stare was sharp, cutting through her like a blade.

Wanruo pressed her lips tightly together, a chill creeping up her back.

“I haven’t taken you into my household yet only because I want your future days to be easier. After I’m married, I’ll ask the Old Madam to admit you properly as a secondary wife. That way, it will be justified and honorable. Wanwan, I’ve been paving the way for you—you should be more obedient.”

Her scalp tingled just listening to his arrangements. Finally she snapped. “I’m not a slave you bought! You think you can just ‘take me in’? What if I don’t want to? If you’re unhappy, go tell the Old Madam to drive me out this very moment!”

His face grew darker and darker, his grip on her wrist tightening painfully.

Wanruo winced, fear rising in her chest—but she forced it down. She had always known this day would come. Better to cut ties cleanly than remain tangled in his grasp forever.

That thought stiffened her spine. She glared at him, pushing down her fear.

Suddenly, he smiled—a cold, thin smile. “So, you want to leave.”

Her heart lurched. The words struck too close, exposing what she dared not admit.

“A year ago, you begged me, and I let you stay in the Xie household. You wanted Xu Shujin to study, so I sent him to the Xie family academy. You wanted legitimacy, so I promised to wait until marriage to take you in. Wanwan, have I been too good to you? Do you think I’m easy to push around?”

His voice was calm, but the invisible pressure bore down, making it hard for her to breathe.

“The Xie family academy is strict. No student can leave without permission. Even if you went to fetch him, he wouldn’t be allowed out.”

Wanruo’s head snapped up, colliding with his dark eyes.

A threat.

Yes—this was the real Xie Xianyu. He had never been merciful. Even past kindnesses were now weapons in his hand.

Taking a deep breath, she forced out stiff words. “Where could I even go if I left the Xie household? My stepmother still watches for a chance to seize me and my brother, to sell us off. All I want is a place to live in peace. What could be safer than the Xie estate? I’m not ungrateful.”

Her eyes reddened as she lowered her gaze, then looked back up. “I’m just afraid you’ll cast me aside. You’re engaged now—your fiancée, Miss Jiang, is refined and talented in all the arts. Everyone calls her a female zhuangyuan, the perfect match for you. With her beside you, what am I?”

Seeing her tear-filled eyes, the oppressive air around him eased. His voice was still cool, but not as hard. “When have I ever said I don’t want you?”

She gave a sharp laugh. “It’s only a matter of time. You’ve had me for a year already—you must be tired of me. Unlike Miss Jiang, I know nothing of music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Soon you’ll grow bored. I only wanted to prepare a way out for myself.”

He pinched her cheek lightly. “And you dare twist it back on me.”

He no longer looked truly angry. His grip loosened. When he noticed the red marks on her wrist, his brows furrowed, and he gently massaged the sore skin.

“I don’t go back on my word. Stay in the Xie household peacefully. The Xu family won’t dare touch you. Once Xu Shujin grows up, I’ll assign two capable men to help him return and take over his family’s estate.”

Wanruo nodded obediently. “I understand.”

His tone softened further. “If you want to learn music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, come to Songhe Garden every day. I’ll teach you myself.”

Her face stiffened. Dryly she replied, “Cousin, you’re busy with state affairs every day. I shouldn’t trouble you with such trivial things.”

“It’s almost finished now. Starting tomorrow at dusk, come to Songhe Garden. I’ll teach you one by one.”

Wanruo’s head throbbed. She had no desire to study such things—least of all under him. That would mean visiting him every day!

“Better not—”

His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Didn’t you say you feared I’d tire of you?”

Wanruo: “…”

She wanted to slap herself for speaking such nonsense earlier!

Drooping her head, she muttered, “I know.”

A faint smile curved his lips. He reached out to rub her hair. “It’s late today. We’ll start tomorrow.”

Wanruo felt utterly suffocated. She tugged at his sleeve, whispering, “You should go back quickly. If people see us again, it’ll cause a stir. Last time you carried me to Songhe Garden, the whole household was gossiping. I’m afraid.”

He gazed down at her. Originally he’d wanted her to accompany him tonight, but remembering her recent illness and exhaustion, he relented.

“Rest well then.”

Finally, he turned and left.

Outside the courtyard, Dingdong hurriedly bowed. “Young Master.”

“Take good care of her,” Xie Xianyu ordered coldly. “Report to me immediately if anything happens.”

“Yes, young master.”

Qiushui Courtyard was remote. With dusk falling, no one noticed his departure.

Inside, Wanruo stood at the window, watching his figure vanish, her expression darkening.

Sumoon stepped in, worried. “Miss, are you alright?”

She shook her head. “I was too hasty. A man like Xie Xianyu never tolerates others defying him. And Shujin is still in his hands.”

It would take patience and careful planning.

If she could find a way to get Shujin out first, she would have no more fears. Luckily, there was still time. For now, she would have to placate Xie Xianyu and make her plans gradually.

But what truly vexed her—was that she would now have to visit Songhe Garden every single day to learn those cursed arts!

Meanwhile, Xie Xianyu left Qiushui Courtyard. Qing’an, who had gone ahead to scout, returned quickly. “Young Master, should we head back to Songhe Garden now?”

Xie Xianyu’s voice was cold. “To Wutong Pavilion.”

“Ah?” Qing’an froze.

Wutong Pavilion belonged to the third branch of the family. The young master had never had dealings with them before…