Chapter 122: The Transaction

Liang Xiao’s opening remarks left Xu Ruojin seething with resentment.

However, since he was standing outside the door, it was inconvenient to speak at length. No matter how much frustration bubbled within her, Xu Ruojin could only nod at Chuncao, signaling for her to let him in and immediately close the small door of the side chamber.

Chuncao was anxious. She wanted to stand guard outside, fearing someone might overhear them, yet she was equally afraid to leave the Second Young Lady alone and vulnerable.

Xu Ruojin urged her to go, her voice laced with bitterness: "Go on. What more can happen to me here? At worst, Young Master Liang will kill me, and I would actually welcome death—it would save me from suffering all these insults and pent-up grievances. Better to die sooner and be reincarnated."

Xu Ruojin’s sharp words caused Liang Xiao’s expression to soften slightly.

After shooting him a fierce glare, Xu Ruojin sat down in a chair. Liang Xiao stepped inside and took a seat across the table. Chuncao let out a long sigh and went outside to keep watch.

Once the door was shut, Xu Ruojin spoke:

"Young Master Liang, I once considered you a benefactor for saving me, and when you revealed the truth that you hadn't actually done so, I still respected you as a man. But today, I find your actions truly hypocritical. You are a high-ranking young master; if you wanted to toy with Zhang Zhongheng, why use a woman like me as your excuse? Lady Liang is a respectable noblewoman, and Mother Fang is a governess I hold in the highest regard. I originally held your family in great esteem and admired the filial piety you showed in taking a blade for General Liang. But your methods now are so vicious that I find them shameful!"

"I don't know why you came today. Is it to force me to refuse your marriage proposal to the death, and then find another way to toy with Zhang Zhongheng?"

Xu Ruojin furrowed her brows. "I truly despise Zhang Zhongheng and wish he were dead, but I will absolutely not agree to collude with you!"

"Are you finished venting?" Liang Xiao’s voice was soft. Xu Ruojin looked at him. "For now, yes."

Liang Xiao nodded. "Then it is my turn to speak."

"Proceed."

Liang Xiao looked at her with complete seriousness. "I am sincere about wanting to marry you."

Xu Ruojin stared at him, her eyes wide with shock. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I will not repeat what I just said."

Liang Xiao looked around for wine, but found none. Xu Ruojin saw what he was looking for. "There is none. For someone I loathe, not a single drop."

Liang Xiao’s lips curled slightly. "The reason I want to marry you is simple: I do not wish to marry the woman my family has engaged me to, and you do not wish to marry Zhang Zhongheng, the man who nearly killed you. Are we not a perfect match?"

Xu Ruojin did not answer, but stared at him for a long time.

His sharp-featured, handsome face showed no signs of hypocrisy. His confidence made Xu Ruojin pause for a moment.

"Is it really that simple?"

"Yes, it is that simple."

"Is that why you’ve been toying with Zhang Zhongheng and preparing to propose to our family? Do you think I would agree to this?"

"Compared to Zhang Zhongheng, I am a much better choice." Liang Xiao paused. "At the very least, I hold no malice toward you. Once you marry into my house, you will have great freedom."

Xu Ruojin bit her lip. "What other motives do you have? This reason alone is not enough for you to go to such great lengths."

"There is also your wine."

Liang Xiao was blunt. "I find it to be very effective for my wounds."

Xu Ruojin fell silent. His words were brutally honest, yet it was a sound trade. She could not deny that going to the Liang household would be a hundred times better than the Zhang household, even if the Liang family was disgraced.

"Actually, you didn't have to come tonight. Marriages are decided by parents; everything you've said to me is meaningless, as I have no say in the matter."

"Your marriage will not be decided by Magistrate Xu, but by the Yan family. And the Yan family will agree."

Liang Xiao’s words startled her. "Wh-why?" This was the one thing she had never understood—why her father had to defer to this Magistrate Yan regarding her marriage. Even if he was the matchmaker, or could help her father get a promotion, why did he have the power to interfere in the marriages of the Xu children? This was simply preposterous!

"Because the Yan family has been obstructing the marriage I am resisting, so by comparison, they would much rather I marry you."

Liang Xiao did not reveal his inner suspicions; he would not speak of things until they were confirmed.

Xu Ruojin bowed her head slightly. "Since you have calculated everything so clearly, why play these games?"

"To avenge you for your near-drowning; consider that a sign of my sincerity."

Xu Ruojin glared at him. "That is an absurd reason. It wouldn't even fool a ghost."

"Then consider it unsaid."

Liang Xiao had not expected her to be able to distinguish truth from falsehood so easily. In reality, he wasn't intentionally making up excuses to stall, but rather keeping his true suspicions to himself. Moreover, while he was indeed toying with Zhang Zhongheng, he had done so for her sake. By cutting off her other paths, she would be left with no choice but to marry him. He did indeed want to marry her.

Xu Ruojin stood up. "Everything that needed to be said has been said. You may leave. As for how things turn out, I don't know—we shall leave it to fate."

"I will come to propose tomorrow. As for finalizing the matter, it should be after the eighth. Please be patient, Miss Xu."

Liang Xiao knew she wanted him gone. He walked to the door, turned, and asked, "Is there really no wine?"

There was a deeper meaning to his words. His grey eyes shone brightly under the candlelight. His handsome face, hardened by years of blood-soaked warfare, carried an intimidating intensity, yet Xu Ruojin glimpsed a flicker of sincerity.

That sincerity lessened the resentment in her heart, though doubt remained. She would have to weigh it in the days to come.

"Take that jar of wine in the corner if you must."

Xu Ruojin pointed to a small jar in the corner. Liang Xiao offered a rare smile.

The two had struck a deal—simple and effortless. And she, she was a very clever girl, one who understood the pros and cons perfectly.

Liang Xiao stepped out, moved to the corner behind Xu Ruojin’s courtyard, and vaulted over the wall with a few light steps. Despite his sturdy build, his movements were light and agile, leaving Chuncao blinking in confusion before she finally snapped back to reality.

"I didn't really see him move, and yet Young Master Liang is gone," Chuncao remarked in wonder. "Wasn't he supposed to be injured?"

Xu Ruojin recalled the night he had vanished like the wind. She wasn't overly surprised. "This man is mysterious. Heaven only knows if he's actually injured or not. Deceptive, he is truly too deceptive!"

"Second Young Lady, what are your plans?"

Chuncao was the only one in the know, and she was more concerned about her mistress's choice.

Xu Ruojin pondered deeply. If this marriage was as Liang Xiao promised, it seemed to be the best outcome available to her. Or perhaps, it had become the only outcome. He had driven everyone into a corner, leaving marriage to him as the only path.

But to be led by the nose like this? It felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Xu Ruojin didn't answer immediately, for she didn't know what tomorrow’s proposal would entail, nor if his predictions regarding time and events were accurate.

"Wait until tomorrow. What use is there in overthinking it?"

After leaving the Xu residence, Liang Xiao navigated through several winding alleys to a small hut where Jiang Biwu was waiting.

Inside, without a word, Liang Xiao opened the jar of wine. The rich aroma was intoxicating. He had become obsessed with this wine, which warmed his cold limbs the moment it hit his stomach. He only wanted to finish it before they talked.

He took a gulp.

Jiang Biwu watched as Liang Xiao’s face turned a deep, bruised red, his expression so contorted it was as if he had been poisoned.

"What's wrong? Where did you get this wine?"

Liang Xiao gritted his teeth, forcing the wine down his throat, his voice barely a whisper. "I’ve been tricked by that woman. When she strikes back, she really doesn't hold anything back!"