TSWRLM -Chapter 369 General Xiao, Marry Me in Name Only

Xiao Yecheng found himself stumped again.

The young lady had already said that Zhaoling was full of talented people. If he said there were no outstanding individuals at this year’s Xiao family academy, he would be contradicting her. But if he admitted there were talented youths, he would be creating his own competition.

Moreover, if he praised anyone now, he would later have no way to criticize them.

Xiao Yecheng didn’t know how to respond. At this moment, Chun Xi pressed, teasingly: “General Xiao, why are you silent? Surely there’s at least one promising youth at the Xiao family academy this year?”

Her tone carried a clear playful edge. The Princess Hengyang, curiosity piqued, added: “Yes, General Xiao, with so many young people pouring into the Xiao family academy, surely there must be some who stand out, if only by appearance?”

Princess Hengyang loved looking at handsome young men.

Xiao Yecheng clenched his fists and finally said with a tight expression: “I merely practiced riding and archery with them a few times. I didn’t pay much attention. If the Princess is curious, she can visit the Xiao family academy herself.”

The princess blurted out: “If you don’t care, then why waste time at the academy?”

Over the past two years, Princess Hengyang had often met Xiao Yecheng and knew he was naturally reticent. She assumed he would remain silent, but the next moment he said:

“I went for myself.”

“Are you going to participate in the spring exams?”

Princess Hengyang was incredulous. Xiao Yecheng pressed his lips and said: “I am not participating in the spring exams, but I want Uncle Xiao and Miss He’er to see me.”

He, too, wanted to earn an opportunity for himself.

After her initial shock, Princess Hengyang exchanged a knowing look with Chun Xi.

Finally, the quiet, unresponsive man had shown some initiative. She had thought he might keep to himself forever.

Knowing Xiao Qinghe’s sensitive nature, Princess Hengyang didn’t tease Xiao Yecheng further. Once the two left, she eagerly grabbed Chun Xi’s arm: “Tell me, what happened? How did Xiao Yecheng suddenly figure things out?”

Chun Xi replied calmly: “I’ve been busy taking care of my aunt, so I don’t know all the details. Perhaps it’s because the Xiao family suddenly opened the academy, which gave General Xiao a sense of urgency, prompting him to take this step.”

“Just that simple?”

Princess Hengyang didn’t seem fully satisfied. Chun Xi shifted the topic: “I think there’s something strange about Madam Yu’s matter. The Yu family was previously in Yuzhou, so it was too far to track clues. Princess, where else do you think we could start investigating?”

Princess Hengyang gave Chun Xi a side glance but then thought seriously about it.

Meanwhile, Xiao Qinghe had finished drawing a figure for a doll. Seeing Chun Xi’s interest in woodcarving, she invited her to the General’s residence to give her a detailed explanation.

Chun Xi didn’t refuse. Xiao Yecheng was in high spirits on the way, but upon arriving, they saw Zhang Zhilian squatting at the entrance.

Xiao Yecheng furrowed his brows. Before he could shoo her away, Zhang Zhilian ran toward him with red eyes: “Xiao Yecheng, marry me in name only. I promise that after the marriage, we won’t consummate it, and I won’t stop you from continuing to like Madam Shen. Will you do it?”

Hearing this, Xiao Yecheng’s frown deepened. Xiao Qinghe lifted the carriage curtain in surprise.

Zhang Zhilian had spent several days working up the courage to approach Xiao Yecheng. Her mind was entirely focused on saying this, and she hadn’t noticed Xiao Yecheng wasn’t alone. Seeing Xiao Qinghe now, her face flushed crimson. But the words were out, and she had no retreat—she could only muster courage, fix her gaze on Xiao Yecheng, and wait for his reply.

“Who told you I like Madam Shen?”

“No one told me. I’ve already noticed. Whenever Madam Shen goes to the Princess’s residence, you follow. And before, when Madam Shen saw us together, you got extremely nervous and immediately distanced yourself, afraid of being misunderstood. Don’t worry—if you marry me in name only, I won’t reveal this secret.”

Zhang Zhilian raised three fingers to swear, but Xiao Yecheng cut her off: “You misunderstand. I don’t like Madam Shen. The person I like is the Xiao family’s eldest young lady, Xiao Qinghe.”

“Impossible! But you’re siblings!”

Zhang Zhilian reflexively objected. Xiao Yecheng glared at her: “We only call each other siblings; there is no blood relation. I bear the surname Xiao, but no one in the Xiao family ever officially recognized me as theirs. How is this impossible?”

Zhang Zhilian’s lips quivered. She couldn’t say another word.

Although Xiao Yecheng had been cold to her before, she had been certain he liked Cao Chun Xi. They could never be together, so she had clung to him, holding out hope.

Today she had even swallowed her pride and come forward, asking to marry him in name only.

But now Xiao Yecheng said he liked Xiao Qinghe, not Cao Chun Xi.

Her two years of persistence had turned into a joke.

When she had mistakenly seen Cao Chun Xi as a rival, Zhang Zhilian had felt a sense of superiority. Chun Xi came from a humble background and already had a child, while she was young and beautiful. If she could persevere, she might have eventually won Xiao Yecheng over.

But Xiao Qinghe was different.

Xiao Qinghe, though divorced, had been made a county lady after Wei Lingze’s death. Any suitor could easily seek her hand.

Compared to Xiao Qinghe, Zhang Zhilian had no chance.

Her face gradually paled. She couldn’t stay any longer and tried to flee, but Xiao Qinghe had her stopped.

Zhang Zhilian cried out in despair: “I was too stupid to misunderstand General Xiao and Madam Shen and shamelessly try to marry him in name only! I have completely lost. What more does Young Madam Xiao want?”

Xiao Qinghe handed her a handkerchief and said gently: “This isn’t a place to speak. Come into the residence and calm down first.”

Zhang Zhilian didn’t want to go, and she hadn’t brought a maid, but she couldn’t defy Xiao Qinghe and reluctantly followed her inside.

Once inside, Xiao Qinghe signaled Xiao Yecheng to step aside, then led Zhang Zhilian to the flower hall.

Zhang Zhilian didn’t want to make a spectacle for Xiao Qinghe, but the tears wouldn’t stop. She finally gave up and cried: “Laugh if you want. I am unmarried, and I am allowed to like him. I’m not like you, hiding my feelings instead of saying them clearly.”

If Xiao Yecheng had said earlier that he liked Xiao Qinghe, she wouldn’t have been delayed until today.

Xiao Yecheng handed her two more clean handkerchiefs and said gently: “Miss Zhang, your love is open and sincere, something many people can’t achieve. I admire you for that, and I mean no disrespect.”

Zhang Zhilian glanced at Xiao Qinghe with teary eyes: “You say that now, but who knows what you’re really thinking?”

Xiao Qinghe didn’t explain further and shifted the topic: “Miss Zhang, what are your plans for the future?”