RPAGF Chapter 141 Conditions
Chapter 141 Conditions
Li Chong's words struck Xie Wenyu like a thunderbolt.
People in ancient times were reserved; they would never express their emotions as intensely as he did.
In addition, in ancient times, marriages were arranged blindly, and it was very difficult for people to know what their life partner would be like before the wedding.
The idea of catching a son-in-law after the list of successful candidates sounds unreasonable, and it puts the successful candidates in a passive position.
But for the woman who was about to get married, she had no say in the matter. For the sake of her family's future, she was forced to marry a man she had never met. Wasn't this a form of oppression?
Having lived in this world for so long, Xie Wenyu had become accustomed to it and therefore did not feel anything was amiss.
But when Li Chong confessed his feelings, she was completely stunned.
Recalling Li Chong's humor and respect over the past few days, and thinking about her previous married life, Xie Wenyu couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.
Why didn't I marry the man in front of me back then?
Realizing her own thoughts, Xie Wenyu felt both ashamed and guilty, and quickly lowered her head so that Li Chong could not see her expression.
"You are utterly shameless!"
Xie Wenyu muttered a curse at Li Chong.
However, although it was said to be an insult, Xie Wenyu's tone was mournful and full of twists and turns, making it sound somewhat lacking in conviction.
Upon hearing this, Li Chong became even more excited and took another step forward.
"lady."
He reverted to the way he had been addressed these past few days.
As Li Chong approached, Xie Wenyu panicked, "You...you mustn't come any closer!"
As she spoke, she staggered and took a few steps back.
In just a moment, her delicate, boneless body was tripped and fell back onto the bed.
Li Chong gazed intently at her, then sat down beside Xie Wenyu, taking her delicate hands in his. "I admire your beauty, Madam. Now that we've spoken frankly, I beg you to give me a chance to get to know you better."
"I will prove to my wife that I am a man worthy of entrusting one's life to!"
Li Chong's resolute words and aggressive demeanor made Xie Wenyu feel uneasy.
For a moment, she even forgot the possible "hatred for killing her husband," and struggled in vain.
"Let go first!" Xie Wenyu lowered her voice, trying to pull her hand away from Li Chong's. "You lecher!"
Li Chong gripped her hand tightly and continued his offensive: "Please give me an answer, Madam. Even if it's a refusal, I will let go immediately."
"That girl is still outside, please don't do this." Xie Wenyu's face flushed red, and her voice was barely audible.
"Then you should answer quickly, Madam, so as not to disturb her."
If Xie Wenyu wanted to refuse, she wouldn't have needed to make excuses; she could have just refused outright.
Her reaction clearly indicated that she also had feelings for Li Chong; otherwise, she wouldn't have only asked Li Chong to resign before Zhong Mei appeared.
If things aren't settled quickly now, and things are delayed any longer, Li Chong is really worried that something might go wrong.
Seeing Li Chong's shameless behavior, Xie Wenyu looked towards the door again, where Zhong Mei's figure was faintly visible.
As her beautiful eyes darted around, Xie Wenyu's eyes sparkled.
How did things get to this point?
But when she thought about her past life and the harmonious days she had spent with her husband these past few days, Xie Wenyu wavered a lot.
Then she thought of her father and younger brother. They must also need her as their husband.
Finally, Xie Wenyu said softly, "I agree."
"Indeed!" Li Chong looked at Xie Wenyu excitedly.
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the backyard was now stable.
Xie Wenyu suddenly became serious: "However, I have three conditions. If you can meet them, I'll let you remain as magistrate for now. If you can't, it's best to resign as soon as possible. If I discover you've been deceiving me, we'll both perish!"
Seeing that she was serious, Li Chong also looked at her with a serious expression.
Releasing Xie Wenyu's hand, Li Chong sat up straight: "Please give your instructions, Madam."
"First, as an official in this region, you must not exploit the people or embezzle public funds."
Li Chong smiled easily: "I can do this without you telling me, Madam. Next."
Xie Wenyu remained unmoved and continued, "Secondly, since you have taken over the identity of my husband, you are now the son-in-law of the Xie family. You must treat my father and brother with sincerity and must not deceive or take advantage of them."
"That's natural." Li Chong nodded.
"This third one..."
After hesitating for a moment, Xie Wenyu said somewhat embarrassedly, "Thirdly, since you said you want to understand this properly, you must not be rude to me during this time."
Ultimately, she couldn't get over the hurdle in her heart, and it was impossible for her to immediately throw herself into Li Chong's arms.
Since Li Chong is so sincere, she will test him.
But then Li Chong looked troubled: "That's easy to say, but if it falls into the eyes of outsiders, wouldn't it become evidence of discord between us? If this gets out..."
"this……"
Xie Wenyu also hesitated. She had never experienced these things herself, so it was impossible for her to be thorough in every aspect.
Seeing that she was at a loss, Li Chong's eyes lit up and he suggested, "Madam, how about this? We can still share a room, but I'll stay in the outer room and you in the inner room. That way, we won't give away any clues in front of outsiders. As for Shu'er, how about letting her settle down somewhere else?"
As long as he could share a room with Xie Wenyu, Li Chong was confident he could win her over.
He figured he could just treat it as pursuing a girl; he refused to believe that even a strong woman could be won over by persistent suitors, and that he couldn't win Xie Wenyu's heart.
But Xie Wenyu's answer surprised him greatly.
"No," Xie Wenyu shook his head. "Shu'er has always served me personally. Sending her away might make her overthink things..."
After carefully examining Li Chong, she made up her mind: "You can stay here, but at night you won't be allowed to go to bed. You'll have to make your own bed on the floor. Consider it punishment for impersonating someone else."
Li Chong's good behavior towards her these past few days has undoubtedly given Xie Wenyu a good impression of him, which is why she decided to let Li Chong continue living in the house.
Li Chong was first startled, then his face lit up with delight.
"Madam, I... I will certainly live up to your expectations!"
Li Chong stepped forward and took Xie Wenyu's hands in his own, looking at her with deep affection.
Xie Wenyu was most unable to resist these things, and quickly leaned back, trying to avoid Li Chong's enthusiasm.
"Don't be like this. I have no expectations of you. You should find Shu'er first. I don't even know if that Miss Zhong hurt her."
Li Chong then got up, comforted Xie Wenyu for a few words, and went out to find Zhong Mei.
Looking at Li Chong's retreating figure, Xie Wenyu's eyes filled with confusion.
Am I doing the right thing?
Her husband died, and instead of seeking revenge, she helped someone else impersonate him to conceal her identity. Such behavior is tantamount to adultery with her lover…
"No, that's not right!"
Xie Wenyu shook his head vigorously: "I was testing him for the sake of the people of Yanggu County. I had no personal feelings involved, so what else is there to say?"
That's the only way she can convince herself now.