I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 53

"Let go first," she said. Only then did Wei Hanzhang notice that her wrist was firmly held. She tugged at it urgently, "Let go already!"

Xiao Junzhan paused briefly, then released her grip as she asked, watching her in silence.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable under his gaze, Wei Hanzhang rubbed her wrist and asked, "Are you specifically keeping tabs on my news? The Gu family only came to call off the engagement this morning, yet you already know."

"Mm..." Xiao Junzhan didn't deny it, nodding slowly. "I had to keep watch to prevent you from using your engagement with him as a reason to reject me. Now that it's been annulled, it benefits us all."

Benefits us all? Wei Hanzhang inwardly scoffed. Clearly, it benefits him the most.

Seeing that she appeared composed and not too affected by the broken engagement, Xiao Junzhan calmed the anxiety and irritation that had been building in him. His voice softened as he asked, "Ranran, now that you have no binding 'engagement,' could you consider me properly?"

"..." Wei Hanzhang was momentarily speechless. When a servant brought two chairs, she didn't hesitate to sit down first, looking up to ask him instead, "When will the Jiang family's case be settled?"

Understanding her concerns, and never intending to use the Jiang family's situation to pressure her decision, Xiao Junzhan replied openly, "The case will be closed within three days. By then, only Jiang Zixiu's branch of the family will be exiled to Lingnan. As for Old Master Jiang, I'll send guards to escort them safely back to their hometown."

"The Jiang family's property won't be confiscated, and your other two uncles will retain their official positions," Xiao Junzhan reassured her gently. "The younger generation of the Jiang family will still be able to pursue official careers. Your maternal family won't suffer any serious damage and will remain a distinguished family of Xuzhou."

"Now that I've promised this, there won't be any changes. Ranran, you don't need to worry about upsetting me and causing trouble for the Jiang family."

His voice was calm and soothing, and his gaze held a tenderness like a night sky full of stars. Wei Hanzhang felt her heart pound after only a brief glance and hurriedly looked away, retreating.

Xiao Junzhan's expression softened as he continued, "Ranran, I am fond of you and wish to marry you as my wife. You..."

"Stop right there!" Wei Hanzhang couldn't bear to listen any longer. She felt her throat burning and, flustered, said, "I just got out of an engagement. How could I have the mind to consider anything else? Why are you so eager to press me on this?"

She had only just broken things off; how could she already be looking for someone else, especially someone like him...

Uncomfortably, Wei Hanzhang tried to find faults in him, but after searching, she realized that aside from being previously married, he was practically perfect in every other way.

Yet that was precisely the part she couldn't ignore...

So what if she liked him a little? So what if she felt slightly moved? She couldn't go against her principles.

As her words fell, the courtyard grew silent.

Xiao Junzhan stood tall, his gaze lowering as he looked away from her, and the very air around them seemed to still.

Ning Hai quietly took a step back. Even after witnessing countless setbacks His Highness had faced in his pursuit of this spirited Wei family girl, he admired her boldness more each time.

Xiao Junzhan stood there silently for a long while, and apart from the gentle breeze of summer, no one dared make a sound in the courtyard.

The oppressive silence made Wei Hanzhang belatedly aware of the man's imposing presence, and as she grew increasingly uneasy, she heard his voice:

"If I say I would marry no one but you, then?"

Xiao Junzhan spoke calmly, "I don't wish to make you feel uncomfortable, Ranran. Perhaps think about how you could happily accept me."

"...What do you mean by that?" Wei Hanzhang's expression grew serious.

Was this a threat?

Yes... maybe?

"That question should come from me," Xiao Junzhan lowered his eyes, meeting hers. "Ranran, what exactly do you feel for me?"

He was angry.

Wei Hanzhang stared at his indifferent face, unable to understand why he was upset.

Was he angry because she hadn't agreed to marry him without hesitation?

After thinking for a moment, Wei Hanzhang said, "On Fengxia Mountain that day, since you overheard my conversation with Gu Yunran, you should know my requirements for a future husband."

Xiao Junzhan looked momentarily startled. The mountains were open and empty, and she hadn't spoken loudly with that Gu family gentleman. He actually hadn't overheard the specifics, only sensed from their expressions that they appeared to be quarreling, aware that they didn't get along.

Wei Hanzhang averted her gaze and said quietly, "Your age is one thing—I could accept that, but..."

Once again, bringing up his 'age,' Xiao Junzhan remained impassive. "But what?"

"...Since I was young, I decided that my future husband must be pure of attachments—no concubines, no mistresses, no dancing girls, no catamites, and..."

"Wait..." Xiao Junzhan interrupted her increasingly outrageous remarks, furrowing his brows. "I don't have any of those; you don't need to worry about this."

What had the Jiang family been teaching her, that even 'catamites' were brought up so offhandedly?

"Even if there are no catamites, your rear court has no shortage of concubines... and two sons, one daughter. And let's not forget, your late wife left behind a posthumous child—a son born after she passed..."

His outright denial made Wei Hanzhang's expression indescribable. If she hadn't discreetly inquired with the Jiangs, she might actually have been fooled by his act.

Wei Hanzhang said, "I'm still young and have only learned a bit about managing a household. I lack stability and am not skilled in handling matters, and I can't intimidate the concubines in your rear court. I am also quite petty and jealous, far from the tolerance and generosity expected of a first wife, so I am really not a suitable match for you."

"You have helped me a lot, and I am grateful, but a woman's marriage is not something to be taken lightly. I truly don't want to marry you just out of gratitude."

She spoke sincerely, listing each reason she believed they were unsuited, then concluded, "Xiao Boqian, you should look for another dignified lady as your next wife. With your status, you could have your pick among noblewomen in the capital."

It was rare for her to speak at such length. Xiao Junzhan listened quietly, not interrupting, but his expression grew increasingly complex as he looked at her with a strange expression.

Having come to understand his character over the past days, Wei Hanzhang knew that although this Xiao Shizi might be a bit playful when it came to romance, he was not an unreasonable man. He would be able to understand her reasoning, so she sat calmly on the chair, waiting for his response.

Meanwhile, Xiao Junzhan was stunned. After a long pause, he finally said in a low voice, "What if I were alone, with no one else in the rear court?"

After a moment's hesitation, he added, "If, in the future, it was only you, would you then..."

"Absolutely not!" Wei Hanzhang rose abruptly, exclaiming angrily, "Xiao Boqian, although I once thought you were a bit of a libertine, I still respected you as an upright gentleman. Now, it seems I misjudged you."