Gu Jiangli was very confident.

If he really cared about the Xie family's reputation, he wouldn't be unmarried at twenty-eight.

He would never refuse to get close to a woman when he knew that he was the only one left in the main branch of the Xie family.

He doesn't even care that the main branch of the Xie family has no heir, so why would he care about the Xie family's reputation?

That's why she dared to make this suggestion so confidently.

The man snorted coldly:

"A very naive idea."

Gu Jiangli said with a slight smile:

"But it's very useful."

The man then said:

"If you marry me, I can only vent my anger on my family, while you will escape death and become a general's wife. This deal is not worthwhile for me."

Gu Jiangli answered with reason and evidence:

"But besides me, are there any more suitable candidates?"

"With Nanlin's complete surrender this time, they probably won't invade Northern Qi again for the next ten years. Once the war is over, what reason will the general have to go to the battlefield?"

"When you return to the capital with your army, won't the elders of the Xie family take this opportunity to help you befriend all the women in your family?"

"Of course you can refuse them and make them angry."

"However, the rumors circulating among outsiders that you are fond of men will likely become more and more true."

"General, you surely understand that this is a matter of hurting the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred of your own?"

Gu Jiangli's meaning was very clear: no matter what, she was the most suitable candidate.

Even though the general did lose out in this transaction compared to her, the loss wasn't by much.

It's much better than him being labeled a "male-obsessed" person.

The man narrowed his long, phoenix-shaped eyes slightly, and after a moment's thought, said:

"Everyone knows I'm bloodthirsty and cruel, a killer by nature. No woman dares to look me in the eye. You, on the other hand, have quite the guts to propose marriage to me."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jiangli knew that the man had accepted the plan.

She answered frankly, "Brave people enjoy the world first."

"Don't think that just because you've become a general's wife and gone to the general's mansion, your life will be easier."

"You've simply moved from one den of wolves to another."

Gu Jiangli actually understood as well.

It's not that easy to gain a foothold in the Xie family.

Neither the head of the family nor that stepmother were easy to deal with.

Not to mention those mature and law-abiding elders.

But she wasn't worried.

When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it.

She chuckled and said, "Domestic matters are not difficult as long as the general can distinguish right from wrong."

The man seemed impressed by her confidence.

"They all say I'm crazy, but I think you're more like a madman than me."

"This proves that the general and I are a perfect match."

A playful smile appeared on the man's lips: "What's your name?"

Gu Jiangli felt relieved.

With his words, my calculations were completely correct.

"My daughter... Gu Jiangli."

After my nerves relaxed, that feeling of dizziness returned.

This time, she didn't struggle on.

Even if she collapsed on her back in front of this man, her life would not be in danger.

So her body went limp and she fell backward.

I thought I would land on the cold ground, but instead it felt like I landed in a warm embrace.

Gu Jiangli didn't open her eyes to look because she was too tired.

Perhaps the original owner's mind was already on the verge of collapse, and after experiencing all this, it was indeed time for him to give up.

She didn't know how long she had slept.

All I knew was that when I woke up, I was already on the carriage heading to the capital.

Sitting beside him was General Xie, who was wiping his spear with a blank expression.

"General."

She sat up and called out to the man.

She instinctively wanted to touch her neck, but the man stopped her.

"Don't touch it, the medicine isn't dry yet."

Gu Jiangli paused.

There was indeed a cool, refreshing feeling on my neck; it turned out that medicine had been applied.

She watched the man's retreating figure and chuckled to herself.

This general isn't exactly cold-blooded; he even knew to apply the medicine for her.

It seems he also understands how heavy his blows were that day.

"Thank you for your kindness, General," Gu Jiangli said, feigning weakness.

The general turned around, his expression still cold.

"Don't overthink it. I just don't want anyone to see the scar on your neck and mistakenly think that we are having marital problems."

"In that case, wouldn't this plan fall through?"

Gu Jiangli: "......"

Her lips twitched.

Can't she even have a little bit of wishful thinking about this general?

He had to break all of this himself.

She still spoke softly, "In any case, I am very grateful for the General's thoughtful consideration."

The man stared at her in silence for a moment, then spoke:

"I'm not used to your affected manner. I preferred how you were yesterday."

Yesterday?

Gu Jiangli's mind raced.

What did yesterday look like?

What did he look like when he went crazy and made a deal with him?

Gu Jiangli raised her head, "So this is what the General likes. You should have said so earlier. I thought that if I acted like a delicate woman and always nestled in your arms, people would be more convinced that you and I were in love."

"Since we are husband and wife, calling me General seems too formal. Let's call each other by our names."

Gu Jiangli's brain was working at lightning speed.

What was this general's name again?

It seems so...

"Xie...Shiyan?"

"You seem unsure of my name."

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!