After sharing a body with her husband

Ignoring what Third Master Xie was muttering to himself, she strode straight toward General Xiao's mansion. She couldn't stay here any longer; she was going crazy!

Upon returning to the Xiao family, Xie Zhaoqing learned from the servants that Xiao Jing had spent the night with friends and had not yet returned.

She was already irritated, and pressed the maid in a harsh tone.

"Where did he go? Tell me!"

The maid was also quite assertive, and retorted:

"Where the young general went is his own business, it's none of my concern. Forgive my intrusion, but it's none of your business either. You're just a distant cousin who came to stay with us, what right do you have to order us around? Who do you think you are?"

After saying that, the maid scoffed, picked up the fruit plate, turned around and left, not even leaving Xie Zhaoqing a single snack.

Xie Zhaoqing was already furious, and now he slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

"How dare you! Who do you think you are, to speak to me like that?"

However, no one paid any attention to her; the servants in Xiao Jing's courtyard went about their own business.

Xie Zhaoqing's fist landed on cotton. For a moment, she was so angry that she trembled all over, but seeing how the servants in the courtyard didn't take her seriously at all, and almost completely ignored her,

She was struck dumb again; her face gradually froze, and only a lifeless light remained in her eyes.

She silently returned to the house, closed the door, and slowly slid down against it.

In the moment of emotional breakdown, she closed her eyes and tears streamed down her face.

Outside the door, the servants were openly gossiping.

"Who does she think she is? No status, no position, just sleeping in the same bed with a man like that? What respectable woman would be so shameless? Does she really think she's her mistress?"

"Exactly, she's trying to act tough with us, like nobody cares!"

"The old lady instructed that those who run away to become concubines are not respectable people, so don't take her too seriously. Let's go, let's go..."

Xie Zhaoqing listened expressionlessly, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably, but she seemed completely oblivious, not even wiping them away.

Her mind drifted back to what her father had just said, each word ringing clearly in her ears once more.

Every word was like a knife, cutting open her heart and telling her how terribly wrong she had been.

Jinglang, when are you going to marry me?

It's unclear how long he'd been sitting on the floor, but the door opened from the outside, and Xiao Jing returned, reeking of alcohol. The first thing he saw upon entering was Xie Zhaoqing sitting on the floor.

"Ah Xuan? What are you doing sitting on the ground? When did you get back? Get up!"

Xiao Jing quickly went to help him up.

Xie Zhaoqing rolled her stiff eyes, staring at Xiao Jing's concerned eyes, and said:

When will you marry me?

Xiao Jing was taken aback, his eyes darting away.

"You know my difficulties. It's hard to persuade my parents, and now is not the right time."

"When will you marry me?" Xie Zhaoqing asked again.

Xiao Jing patiently spoke, his tone now tinged with apology.

"Ah Xuan! I will definitely marry you. I'll be able to convince my father and mother soon. Please believe me, okay?"

As if to comfort her, he placed a kiss on her forehead, then smiled.

When will you marry me?

She repeated it again as if she hadn't heard it.

Xiao Jing paused, only then noticing Xie Zhaoqing's swollen eyes, as if she had been crying.

"You're crying? What's wrong? Who made you angry?"

He raised his hand and gently stroked her cheek.

In the past, Xie Zhaoqing would have found him incredibly considerate, but now, she expressionlessly brushed his hand away, stared directly into Xiao Jing's eyes, and asked again:

"I'll ask you one more time, when are you going to marry me?"

Xiao Jing sighed helplessly and whispered words of comfort:

"Did Ati upset you again? She's being immature, don't hold it against her. I'll have her apologize to you another day. I know you've suffered too much because of me."

Now that you've become Mr. Zhuang's female disciple, Father and Mother's tone has softened. Give me some more time, Ah Xuan, I will certainly not let you down.

"I need you to give me a specific timeframe, whether it's one year, two years, or three to five years, there has to be a deadline..."

Her voice trembled slightly.

Xiao Jing sighed again, "Ah Xuan, you're making things difficult for me."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhaoqing gave a sarcastic smirk, then suddenly laughed. Her laughter was chilling, sending a shiver down Xiao Jing's spine.

Xiao Jing was at a loss, not knowing what to do, and softened his tone even more.

"Ah Xuan... Isn't this good enough for us? You are now Mr. Zhuang's female disciple, and you need to go out and show your face often. If we get married, you will live in the inner quarters, and it will definitely be inconvenient for you to go out."

Didn't you say you missed the old days when you could showcase your talent at banquets and poetry gatherings? I also loved seeing you so spirited and captivating back then. Every time I saw people looking at you with admiration and respect, I was truly proud of you.

Xie Zhaoqing was no longer affected by these words; she was stubbornly determined to know when Xiao Jing would marry her.

Xie Zhaoqing squinted her aching eyes and recalled...

"That night you said you wanted to have an unforgettable wedding night with me, and it truly was unforgettable. Overnight, my reputation was ruined, and I became a laughingstock. You shifted all the blame onto me, washing your hands of the whole affair cleanly..."

Upon hearing Xie Zhaoqing recount those unpleasant past events, Xiao Jing's expression stiffened slightly. His brows furrowed, and a fleeting hint of impatience quickly crossed his eyes, which had previously been full of concern and affection.

The speed was so fast that even Xiao Jing didn't notice it; for a moment, he felt inexplicably irritated deep inside.

However, he still tried his best to be patient and considerate. Perhaps Ah Xuan had been upset again after seeing Ah Ti, which was why she was so emotionally turbulent.

"I've let you down..."

However, Xiao Jing was interrupted by Xie Zhaoqing's monologue before he could finish speaking.

"I faked my death to escape, which caused my parents to suffer greatly, while you are innocent and at most have a few words of gossip from outsiders."

I had nowhere to go, no one to rely on, so I came to you for help. But you settled me outside the general's mansion, keeping me as a mistress, saying you would marry me, but nothing has come of it.

Your parents used to look down on me because of my unclear background, but they've changed their minds now. Besides, I'm now Mr. Zhuang's female disciple. If you insist, marrying me won't be difficult.

Xie Zhaoqing looked at Xiao Jing, her eyes filled with disappointment.

"But why? How can you bear to let me follow you like this, nameless and without status? Do you know how many people look down on me because of this?"

Xiao Jing's throat tightened, and a wave of shame surged within him. Every accusation she uttered was true; he had wronged her.

He opened his mouth, feeling both ashamed and angry. He didn't know how to comfort her, and at the same time, he resented her for bringing up the old story again.

What if someone overhears us through the walls?

"Didn't we agree not to bring that up again? How about I go see Father and Mother now? Or you can come with me, and we can go together to beg them to agree to our marriage?"

Xie Zhaoqing shook his head, a dull ache gripping his heart.

"You know perfectly well that I won't go. My pride won't allow me to lower myself and beg to marry you."

Xiao Jing frowned slightly.

"Then what do you suggest we do? What am I supposed to do? Ah-Xuan, please don't make things difficult for me, okay?"