In the courtyard.
Shen Yuanwei watched wide-eyed as that group of people scurried away in a flurry. Seeing the Old General both amused and exasperated by the servants, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Xiao Lingzhao glanced sideways at her.
Seeing her laugh, Xiao Lingzhao immediately said, “My parents are very good people, and our General’s Residence doesn’t have so many rules. Everyone gets along harmoniously—”
Shen Yuanwei turned to look at him.
His dark eyes were sincere. “I hope… you can like our family… and also like me.”
Shen Yuanwei looked at this easily bullied Young General, then at the distant group of people. Her red lips curved slightly. “I like it very much.”
Xiao Lingzhao’s ears turned slightly red.
He wanted to know whether this young lady liked their family or liked him, but he… was too timid to ask.
He silently turned and signaled to the guard under the eaves to come unlock the chains on him.
But the guard didn’t move, instead directly taking the key from his waist and throwing it into his arms.
He caught the key and looked at the guard in confusion. “What do you mean? Are you planning to quit?”
The guard slightly raised his chin and told him, “Young General, to remove your chains I’d have to touch you. But you’re a married man now. In the future, things like bathing you or touching you—I can no longer do that. You must maintain loyalty to your wife and be a clean man.”
“…”
Xiao Lingzhao silently watched as the guard turned and walked away, somewhat questioning his life.
Was this some kind of ghost possession?
Do two grown men need to avoid suspicion too?
Shen Yuanwei watched the guard’s carefree retreating figure and couldn’t help leaning against Xiao Lingzhao’s shoulder, giggling uncontrollably.
This family was too hilarious!
Earlier, immersed in sorrow, everyone had been suppressing themselves, but now they were all letting their true natures show, weren’t they?
Hearing the sound, Xiao Lingzhao looked down. Seeing Shen Yuanwei like this, he became thoughtful—
Perhaps his family guard was right. Look how happy it made his wife.
His slender fingers gently stroked Shen Yuanwei’s hair as he said to her, “Before, I only kept my distance from women. From now on, I’ll appropriately keep my distance from men too. But…”
He hesitated as he looked at Shen Yuanwei. “My mount probably doesn’t require avoiding suspicion? My mount is a mare—you wouldn’t mind that, would you?”
Shen Yuanwei lifted her head, her expression one of disbelief.
She thought the man was joking with her, but when she met his extremely serious expression, she burst out laughing.
“Hey, your guard was just saying things casually, and you actually took it seriously? Just keeping your distance from women is enough. Why go so far as to avoid men too? People are one thing, but you’re even worried about a horse…”
Xiao Lingzhao’s attitude remained very serious.
“But you like me being clean.”
Shen Yuanwei met his dark eyes, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
“It’s not necessary, really not necessary. Feel free to ride your horse peacefully and continue making friends. You don’t need to be so cautious.”
Xiao Lingzhao nodded.
“Alright.”
He picked up the key and unlocked the chains, then took Shen Yuanwei’s hand and walked into the room with her.
He pointed to the small couch. “Sit here. I’ll go get something.”
Shen Yuanwei asked him, “Get what?”
He said, “Get all my assets to give to you.”
Shen Yuanwei was just pouring herself a cup of water to drink. Upon hearing this, she quickly put down the cup and grabbed his arm. “No, no, no!”Xiao Lingzhao stopped and gazed earnestly at Shen Yuanwei with his dark pupils. “When discussing marriage, shouldn’t I first show you my family possessions to see if you’re satisfied?”
Shen Yuanwei looked up at this handsome Young General who stood a head taller than her.
Who would have thought? This aloof God of War could be so endearingly honest and straightforward—such a striking contrast!
She settled onto the small daybed and chuckled lightly. “What’s the rush? Didn’t we agree to get to know each other properly?”
As she spoke, she rested her elbow on the small table.
Her smooth sleeve slipped down, revealing a section of snow-white arm.
“Let me introduce myself first. I’m Shen Yuanwei—Yuan as in yuanxiao [sweet rice dumplings], Wei as in caiwei [gathering fern shoots].”
Xiao Lingzhao’s dark eyes watched her charmingly languid posture and her exposed pale arm, his gaze deepening.
He said quietly, “The Yuan in your name shouldn’t be the yuan from yuanxiao—”
Shen Yuanwei raised an eyebrow at him. “Do you know my name better than I do?”
Xiao Lingzhao didn’t respond.
He slowly bent down, inching closer to Shen Yuanwei.
Suddenly, she was enveloped in his shadow.
As a commander of thousands, he naturally carried an intimidating presence. Now, pressing so close to Shen Yuanwei, that pressure sent a tingling sensation up her spine. Instinctively, she leaned back slightly on the daybed.
Unexpectedly, the moment she retreated, the man immediately advanced further. His slender fingers pressed against the wall behind her as he leaned in, coming within inches of her.
Shen Yuanwei’s clear eyes looked up at the man hovering over her. “What… are you trying to do?”
Xiao Lingzhao murmured, “The ‘Yuan’ in your name shouldn’t be from yuanxiao, but rather… from yuanpei [first wife].”
His dark eyes fixed on Shen Yuanwei. “I, Xiao Lingzhao, wish to ask you to be my yuanpei. For this lifetime, I will take no other women—you will be my one and only first wife. I beg you to grant me this.”
Shen Yuanwei blinked.
With him suddenly so close, she had thought…
This timid fellow all bold intentions but no nerve.
Still, his words were rather pleasing. How could one not be moved by such a sincere, passionate, and straightforward God of War handsome man?
Shen Yuanwei traced his eyebrow with her finger. “Truly no concubines, no divided loyalties, never betraying me?”
Xiao Lingzhao nodded. “Yes. If I, Xiao Lingzhao, ever betray or harm you, may my family be destroyed, may I be struck by lightning, pierced by ten thousand arrows, head severed from body, and die a wretched death.”
Shen Yuanwei didn’t believe in vows.
But this man was ill—he couldn’t be apart from her for even a day. Perhaps he truly wouldn’t betray her.
Her fingertips brushed across Xiao Lingzhao’s cheek.
“Do you even know who I am? Do you know my family background, whether I’m good or evil? How can you make a lifetime vow so easily? Don’t you think it’s reckless and impulsive?”
Xiao Lingzhao raised his hand to cover hers, deeply cherishing this unique warmth.
“Only those with long lives and fallback options can afford to consider whether something is impulsive or reckless. Someone like me—what chance do I have to hesitate? If I hesitate, you’ll leave me, and before long, I’ll descend back into madness, losing my senses. So I won’t waver, I won’t hesitate. I want you.”
He lifted his gaze to stare intently at Shen Yuanwei.”If your family background is good, I would aspire to match you. If it isn’t, I wouldn’t mind. As for whether you’re a good person or a bad one… I’ll naturally come to see clearly over time. If you’re good, we’ll walk through life together. If you’re bad…”
His brows and eyes turned sharp, and the fingers covering Shen Yuanwei’s hand pressed down slightly harder.
“I’ll kill you to uphold justice, then follow you in death. I’ll repay you with my life, alright?”
Shen Yuanwei hadn’t expected Xiao Lingzhao to say this.
She asked with a laugh, “Repay me with your life? Wouldn’t you feel it’s a loss to die for a bad woman?”
Xiao Lingzhao’s eyes held a smile.
“Trusting the wrong person and paying the price is the retribution I deserve.”