I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 35

For five consecutive days, Wei Hanzhang spent most of her time next door, only joining Madam Jiang for meals.

Most of the time, the two were alone in the room, with Xiao Junzhan seated at his desk handling official business while Wei Hanzhang casually flipped through rare books and scores on the bookshelf.

On rare occasions, they would sit outside at the flower wall, brewing a pot of tea and playing a few games of chess.

One patiently taught, while the other learned earnestly, and they surprisingly got along quite harmoniously.

After a few days, Wei Hanzhang almost began to doubt her initial judgment, not because she thought he wasn't the heir of the Prince of Yan, but because he really didn't look like a playboy surrounded by concubines.

He carried an air of innate indifference. Even with a gentle demeanor, the coldness in his brows and eyes created a sense of distance.

With every movement, he exuded the elegance of a gentleman; it would be more believable to call him an otherworldly immortal than a scumbag.

In fact, Wei Hanzhang recalled Jiang Shi's description of the Crown Prince: pure in ambition and graceful in demeanor. Such words suited this person perfectly.

Wei Hanzhang was a self-aware beauty; she knew how beautiful she was, clear as a mirror. Indeed, she was a rare sight in the world, but standing next to this Xiao Junzhan, she felt like a commoner by comparison.

After losing another game, Wei Hanzhang felt quite bored and called for Ning Hai to take the chessboard away.

"Ranran," Xiao Junzhan called her name, his gaze somewhat indulgent. He gently said, "How about another game? I'll let you win."

"No, a loss is a loss," Wei Hanzhang replied, unwilling to let anyone give her an advantage in chess. "After a few days of learning from you, I was able to win against my sixth sister yesterday. Just a few days ago, I couldn't even fight back when we played."

If she lost, she could accept it!

To be honest, Wei Hanzhang felt a bit dissatisfied; most of her rare chess-playing experience had been with Gu Yunran, who would never dare to win against her like this.

This was the first time she had played chess with the same person for several days in a row and had lost every game without winning even once.

Xiao Junzhan noticed her displeasure and lightly tapped his fingers on the stone table, suppressing his slight awkwardness beneath the surface.

He had actually... let her win, but it wasn't enough; he always won against her.

At that moment, it was early afternoon, and the early summer weather was just right. A gentle breeze wafted the faint fragrance of jasmine, making one feel relaxed and at ease; everything was just perfect.

Wei Hanzhang held her teacup with both hands and took a delicate sip of the fragrant tea, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Today's tea is better than before."

With the prevailing openness of the times, the girls in early summer wore very light clothing. As she held the teacup and looked down to taste the tea, her collar loosened slightly, revealing her delicate, fair collarbones. When Xiao Junzhan's gaze swept over her, it felt like he had been scalded, and he quickly turned his eyes away.

He said, "If you like it, take a jar back with you."

After saying this, Xiao Junzhan called for Ning Hai. "Go prepare..."

"No need," Wei Hanzhang, already accustomed to the royal supplies at his place, declined. "No need. If my family finds out about this tribute tea, how should I explain where it came from?"

"Since that's the case, why don't you come here more often for some tea?" Xiao Junzhan said helplessly. "Actually, Ranran, you don't need to be so cautious."

"......" Wei Hanzhang fell silent. Why shouldn't she be cautious? Being even more careful wouldn't be excessive.

She knew that the Jiang family was in trouble, and she came to meet with this Young Master Xiao every day to get his help for the Jiang family.

But others didn't know this; if the Jiang family or anyone else found out about her close dealings with the heir of the Prince of Yan, they would... misunderstand the situation in ways she couldn't even imagine.

She didn't notice that Xiao Junzhan had stopped tapping his fingers on the stone table, his gaze lowered as he seemed lost in thought.

"Ranran," Xiao Junzhan said somewhat awkwardly, avoiding her gaze. "In these past few days together, what do you think of me?"

Xiao Junzhan was born into nobility and handled matters decisively. The rare moments of hesitation he experienced were all because of her.

His heart trembled as he saw her silent; after a while, he added, "I want to hear your honest opinion. Aside from the fact that I'm much older than you, what do you think of me?"

Wei Hanzhang hung her head, still unwilling to answer, until she felt his hand cover hers...

She instinctively pulled away. Unable to avoid the situation any longer, she softly replied, "In terms of status and character, you are indeed one of the few ideal suitors in the capital. However, my marriage has already been arranged by my elders, even if it's just a verbal agreement."

"What about that marriage of yours?" Xiao Junzhan lifted his gaze, feeling irritated once more about her vague engagement. He looked at her and said, "You just need to tell me what you genuinely think of me."

Wei Hanzhang felt a deep sorrow in her heart. She wanted to straightforwardly express that she had no interest in a widowed man. No matter how deceivingly handsome he might be, he was still a widowed man who was flirting with young girls less than six months after his wife's death.

But her maternal grandfather's family was arriving in the capital soon. The reason she had been coming here every day was to save the cannon fodder Jiang family from the original story, wasn't it?

If she offended him now, wouldn't all her efforts be in vain?

Wei Hanzhang hesitated for a long time, trying to stall, but the man across from her persistently waited. She couldn't risk putting herself in jeopardy and could only reluctantly say, "Since I was young, I've known that the person I am meant to marry is Gu Yunran. We grew up together..."

"Enough, Ranran," Xiao Junzhan interrupted her, his usually gentle tone now tinged with coldness. "Let's not discuss this anymore."

Wei Hanzhang immediately fell silent, internally grumbling that he was the one who brought up the topic, and he was the one getting angry.

How fickle...

After a moment of silence, Xiao Junzhan looked at her and spoke with a hint of awkwardness, "Do you have feelings for that Gu family's young master?"

"......" Wei Hanzhang was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "It's not exactly feelings. It's just a bond from growing up together, and the elders in the family are also satisfied."

Wei Hanzhang was speaking the truth. Ever since she learned that Gu Yunran had had two concubines, she had tried to retract her feelings for him.

Not to mention Gu Yunran's cold attitude towards Cao Xinrou's death, saying with an impatient expression that she should have gone earlier to leave a clean break.

The icy demeanor with which Gu Yunran had said those words made Wei Hanzhang unable to recognize him as the childhood friend she had grown up with.

He and Cao Xinrou had known each other since they were young and shared a deep bond.

How could he say such cruel things...

In short, Wei Hanzhang's feelings for Gu Yunran were now very complicated. If she had the freedom to marry in her past life, she might have regretted the engagement...

Lost in thought, she suddenly heard Xiao Junzhan's warm voice say, "In that case, consider me as well. As long as you, Ranran, are willing to nod in agreement, I can guarantee that your family will be satisfied with me."