TSWRLM -Chapter 373 I Won’t Settle for Someone Like You

Since returning from the General’s Mansion, the image of Xiao Yechen kneeling there with red eyes kept flashing through Xiao Qinghe’s mind.

Her thoughts were in turmoil, and she had intended to go back and sort them out, but Xie Zhang stopped her: “He’er, may I have a word with you?”

That day, Xiao Qinghe had rejected Xie Huaiyin and also seen through Xie Zhang’s intentions. Since then, although Xie Huaiyin still lived in the Xiao residence, he hadn’t tried to approach Xiao Qinghe again.

Xiao Qinghe quickly composed herself and went with Xie Zhang to the garden pavilion.

Once inside, Xie Zhang got straight to the point: “I want to marry you, He’er. I know I have no advantage compared to others, but I believe I am the most suitable for you.”

Today, Xie Zhang had dressed deliberately: a dark blue brocade robe with swirling cloud patterns that made him look both handsome and scholarly, calm yet composed. His eyes shone with determination and confidence as he spoke.

Xiao Qinghe didn’t interrupt, waiting for him to continue.

“I am like you, He’er—I am a person who loves deeply and long. I cannot forget my late wife, and you cannot forget Wei Lingze. If you marry someone else, no matter how good his character or family, you would have to continue his line of descendants. But I am different. I already have Huaiyin. If you marry me, you needn’t bear children or even consummate the marriage. Nothing would have to change.”

His words were similar to the “fake marriage” suggestion Zhang Zhilian had proposed to Xiao Yechen.

At first glance, it sounded good—but on closer thought, it wasn’t that simple.

“So, cousin, you mean I don’t need to be a wife who truly understands you, I’m only needed so Huaiyin has a mother, right?”

Xie Zhang’s brow furrowed slightly, and after a moment, he nodded: “You could put it that way.”

“You loved your late wife deeply and cherish Huaiyin even more. If I marry you, I would have to constantly attend to Huaiyin, care for her, keep her happy?”

“Huaiyin is obedient and well-behaved. She wouldn’t trouble you, He’er.”

Xie Zhang reflexively defended himself. Xiao Qinghe didn’t contradict, continuing: “When Huaiyin grows up, would I need to take her out to socialize, teach her household management, arrange her marriage?”

“That won’t be difficult for you, He’er.”

“Indeed, it wouldn’t be difficult for me.”

Xiao Qinghe nodded, acknowledging his point, then added: “But it also means that after marriage, I would have to devote time and energy to Huaiyin. During festivals and social occasions, it would fall on me to maintain appearances. Meanwhile, you could comfortably leave Huaiyin in my care. If she were ever unhappy, you and your family could blame me at will.”

Xie Zhang frowned even more and hastily said, “How could you think that way, He’er? I proposed because I trust you.”

“Really? Last time Huaiyin cried, every word you said was a reproach to me for not taking care of her. If you do that before marriage, won’t it be worse afterward?”

Xiao Qinghe’s tone grew colder. Before Xie Zhang could reply, she went on: “You were mistaken just now. You and I are not the same kind of person. My feelings for Wei Lingze have long since faded. I’ve let go completely and hold no obsession. I won’t remain chaste for him. If I marry again in the future, it will be to someone I am truly compatible with, not someone like you to simply settle with.”

Her refusal was direct and unambiguous. Xie Zhang’s face showed clear disagreement: “Truly compatible? He’er, you and Wei Lingze were childhood sweethearts for so many years and never fulfilled that love. And now… you still believe in feelings?”

The reason Xie Zhang dared to propose was that he thought Xiao Qinghe had been deeply hurt and, having seen so many heartless men over the past two years, would no longer trust in men—or in love at all.

But now Xiao Qinghe told him she would find someone truly compatible.

It went completely against his expectations.

His tone mixed disbelief with a barely perceptible sarcasm. In his mind, even if she divorced Wei Lingze, now that he was dead, she should still reserve a place in her heart for him. After all, they had been married for years and shared so much history. How could she like another man?

Xiao Qinghe saw through his meaning, her expression turning even colder: “My relationship with Wei Lingze didn’t succeed, but there are many loving couples in this world. My little aunt and Uncle Shen knew each other only a few months before marriage, and Princess Hengyang decided on a husband after meeting him only once—they are all happy. Why should I lock my heart for someone unworthy?”

“He’er… you are different from them…”

Xie Zhang emphasized, but Xiao Qinghe cut him off again: “I’m no different from them. It’s you who wants to suppress me, forcing me to willingly devote myself to Huaiyin and become a stepping stone for you and Huaiyin!”

Her tone remained calm, but her gaze was sharp as a knife, cutting straight to the heart of Xie Zhang.

Xie Zhang choked on his words and softened his tone: “He’er, I am not as bad as you think. I just feel people’s hearts are fickle. You’ve divorced once; you shouldn’t stake your lifelong happiness on fragile emotions.”

“Cousin, you say people’s hearts are fickle. But if there is never any love from the start, wouldn’t such a partner be even more dangerous?”

Xiao Qinghe spoke clearly and logically, unaffected by him.

Seeing he could no longer persuade her, Xie Zhang calmed himself and said: “Since you insist, He’er, I can only wish you find someone truly compatible. But if one day you change your mind, you can still come to me. The Xie and Xiao families have a familial bond; even if we share no love, as long as the relationship remains, I will treat you well.”

He finished and was about to leave. Xiao Qinghe called after him: “Cousin.”

Xie Zhang paused, and after a moment, turned back.

The cold wind blew sharply. Xiao Qinghe stood in the pavilion, her features cool and composed as a painting: “The Xie and Xiao families’ bond cannot compare to that between the Xiao and Wei families. The Wei family never treated me well for friendship’s sake. I can expect even less from the Xies.”

Once a woman marries, she becomes trapped in the inner court; the husband’s family always has ways to make her suffer in silence.

Xiao Qinghe had walked that path once—she would never walk it again.

She was resolute, leaving no room for Xie Zhang to maneuver. He pressed his lips together, wanting to say more, but then heard her continue: “Cousin, rest assured. I have already found someone truly compatible. He cherishes me as a treasure, does not care about my past, and believes I deserve all the beauty in the world. Compared to him, you are hundreds, even thousands of times weaker.”

Her final words carried a hint of ridicule.

Xie Zhang’s expression changed slightly, and he swept his sleeve and left.

Xiao Qinghe, feeling content, walked out of the pavilion and instructed Quezhi: “Ask the kitchen to warm a pot of wine.”