I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 4

The Marquis of Zhongyong's household in the capital sent an urgent letter, while the Jiang family was preoccupied with the upcoming wedding of their eldest daughter. In the midst of the commotion, it was decided that the idle Second Master Jiang would escort Wei Hanzhang back to the capital.

Old Madam Jiang specifically selected several capable servants to help pack Wei Hanzhang's belongings.

Having been raised at her maternal grandparent's house for over a decade, Wei Hanzhang had never lacked anything, with the Marquis's household regularly sending supplies. Pampered and well-provided for, she always had the best.

Given the haste of the journey, Second Master Jiang insisted on traveling lightly. Wei Hanzhang was overseeing the packing when she heard her third cousin Jiang Shengwen's voice from outside the courtyard.

Stepping outside, she saw a young man standing next to Jiang Shengwen, her eyes lighting up. "Gu Yunran!"

The young man named Gu Yunran, dressed in a black narrow-sleeved robe, stood on the path outside the Blue Pavilion courtyard, his eyes slightly upturned, gazing at her with a sparkling smile.

Unlike the refined and gentle sons of noble families, Gu Yunran, from the prominent Gu family in Xuzhou, had a bold and unruly nature. Yet he was always gentle and considerate towards Wei Hanzhang, her beloved childhood sweetheart.

Jiang Shengwen pretended to be displeased, "Ranran, I'm standing right here and you only see Gu Yunran?"

"I see you, and I see him too," Wei Hanzhang reluctantly acknowledged her cousin, smiling slightly. "Third Brother, if you're busy, go ahead."

In this open-minded dynasty, it was common for unmarried couples to spend time together. Growing up together, Gu Yunran and Wei Hanzhang were the recognized betrotheds of their families.

Jiang Shengwen had no concerns, knowing his little cousin was returning to the capital the next day. He was the one who informed Gu Yunran.

Raising an eyebrow, he smiled, "Alright, I'm leaving."

As soon as Jiang Shengwen left, Gu Yunran, who had been holding back, reached out, only for Wei Hanzhang to step aside, prepared.

She looked up at him.

The boy who once accompanied her through wall holes had now grown taller than her. He stood tall and strikingly handsome. As Wei Hanzhang gazed at him, she was reminded of the conversation she overheard between her two cousins a few days ago.

Though she didn't entirely believe it, the frustration had been building up, and she needed answers before she made herself ill.

Wei Hanzhang lowered her gaze and softly asked, "I heard something recently, and I need you to confirm it. You must be honest with me."

Gu Yunran was startled, "What is it?"

"Did you recently take in two concubines?" Wei Hanzhang asked bluntly, "I want the truth."

Gu Yunran's smile slowly faded, and he remained silent.

"Just tell me the truth," Wei Hanzhang's heart sank, but her voice remained gentle, "Gu Yunran, you know I hate being lied to."

Gu Yunran struggled to speak, but after a long pause, he finally said, "It was my mother..."

"So it's true?" Wei Hanzhang's eyes widened in disbelief, quickly giving way to uncontrollable anger, "Do you remember what I've told you? I won't accept..."

"I remember, I've always remembered," Gu Yunran nodded urgently, panicking, "But you can't refuse a gift from an elder. Just treat them as inanimate objects, okay? I promise they'll never bother you."

Treat them as inanimate objects...

Wei Hanzhang was in a daze, unable to believe that the boy she grew up with could say such a thing.

She came from a high-status family, always pampered and cherished by her elders, and Gu Yunran had always been her doting childhood sweetheart. Everything had always gone smoothly for her.

Having seen the lives of the wives in grand households, constantly managing affairs and handling concubines, trying to maintain peace while appearing unbothered, Wei Hanzhang, as a transmigrator, couldn't accept living her life that way.

From a young age, she instilled in Gu Yunran her belief in a monogamous marriage, firmly refusing any other women in their relationship.

But now, what was he saying?

How laughable that he referred to them as mere objects, not women...

She once believed she could change his outdated beliefs. But apparently...not.

Despite instilling this idea since childhood, it wasn't enough?

It made sense, though. To these men, concubines were just playthings, akin to the porcelain displayed on shelves.

Wei Hanzhang's expression grew increasingly desolate.

Seeing this, Gu Yunran grew frantic, "Ranran, they're just inconsequential. If you don't like them, I'll send them away. Don't stay silent."

Send them away?

What had he done with them these past days?

A seventeen-year-old boy, with bed-warming maids thoughtfully prepared by his mother—he called them objects...

What could she say?

Could she tell Madam Gu to stop sending people to her son?

What authority did she have to say that? She wasn't even married yet. And even if she were, could she prevent it?

Looking at the genuinely distressed boy in front of her, she realized their childhood bond was real. He did care for her.

Maybe she was being greedy.

Expecting monogamy in an era of polygamy seemed too much.

Even as the daughter of a marquis, even with her stunning beauty, it seemed too much to ask.

"You leave for the capital tomorrow. Let's talk about us and not irrelevant people, okay?" Gu Yunran reached for her again, but seeing her tear-filled eyes, his hand froze mid-air, his heart aching.

"Ranran..." He clenched his hand into a fist, trying to calm his pain, and explained softly, "I never touched them. I accepted them to appease my mother. I'll send them far away and never let them upset you."

Reassured...

What could she trust?

If he couldn't refuse the women his mother sent before marriage, what about the countless others after? There would always be more excuses.

Wei Hanzhang let out a bitter smile. She had tried so hard but still couldn't change the norms of this era. What was left to trust?

She dodged his outstretched hand, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

Gu Yunran, at a loss, pleaded, "Ranran, don't be mad at me."

"It's not your fault. You did what any noble son would do," Wei Hanzhang said quietly, looking down, "It's my fault."

For thinking you were different.

"Ranran, how could it be your fault? It's mine," Gu Yunran finally grasped her hand, apologizing softly, "I was wrong. I'll never make you cry again."

Wei Hanzhang blinked, staring at him.

Her heart wavered briefly, but then the ripples quickly vanished.

The trust that had been shattered would never return.

She would never be that naive again.