Chapter 129 Don't want to do it? Then who do you want to marry?
Seeing that she looked serious and didn't seem to be making excuses, Xiao Lingxi didn't press her.
"Alright then, you go ahead with your work, I can go see the show by myself."
After chatting for a few more minutes, Su Xiaoyu took her leave, and the dog stealthily headed towards its small courtyard. Its bright eyes darted around, as if it were on guard against something.
For several days in a row, Xiao Jingheng didn't know what got into him. Even though the autumn hunt was just around the corner and he was busy every day, he still came to her place almost every night to "check in".
Under the guise of 'testing her knowledge' or 'checking her rules,' they were actually keeping a close eye on her in various ways, and incidentally... feeding her some delicious treats or novel gadgets.
According to Xiao Jingheng, "You will be the wife of the heir of this Marquis's mansion sooner or later. You should learn some skills and etiquette as early as possible. Otherwise, even if there are tutors in the palace, they won't be as gentle and understanding as me."
For Su Xiaoyu, who aspired to be a lazy bum, this was nothing short of a bolt from the blue, coupled with torture.
She transmigrated into the book with the initial thought of clinging to the mistress's coattails for comfort and living a life of leisure, counting money and enjoying life's simple pleasures – that was her ideal life.
But what about now?
With the mistress gone, she was forced to learn accounting, calligraphy, etiquette, and how to be a proper wife of a noble family.
The thought of not being able to make the slightest mistake in the future, having countless eyes watching her every word and action, having to outwit and outmaneuver the various demons and monsters in each household and courtyard, and having to help her husband arrange for concubines to serve her...
Just thinking about it made Su Xiaoyu feel dizzy and wished she could lie down on the bed immediately and give herself a CPR.
Yes, Xiao Jingheng is good. His appearance is unmatched, his skills are exceptional, and he is endlessly indulgent and gentle towards her in private.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted.
That face alone is enough to make one's heart flutter repeatedly.
But while you may be moved, life is life.
Su Xiaoyu didn't want to be confined in a glamorous cage, becoming a 'model housewife' who was controlled in every way and even had to share her husband with others.
His plans for becoming the Crown Princess held no appeal for Su Xiaoyu, only a suffocating feeling.
Of course, Su Xiaoyu also resisted; she tested Xiao Jingheng:
“Your Highness, what if… what if I don’t want to be the Crown Prince’s wife? I’m wild by nature, I can’t stand being bound by rules, and I’m not good at those social duties.”
As a result, Xiao Jingheng immediately gave him a cold look, "Don't want to do it? Then who do you want to marry? Lu Xinghe?"
His tone grew increasingly dangerous as he moved closer to Su Xiaoyu, his breath spraying all over her face.
"What's so good about him? Can he protect you, or promise you wealth and luxury? Or... are you really willing to follow a mediocre person and struggle to make ends meet for the rest of your life?"
Su Xiaoyu quickly denied it: "No, Your Highness, you've misunderstood..."
"Su Xiaoyu!" he called her by her full name: "Stop your unrealistic thoughts. Since I have chosen you, you can only be my person. If you don't know the rules, I can teach you. If you are wild, the Marquis's mansion is big enough for you to do whatever you want. But don't mention the words 'I don't want to' again in the future."
The almost domineering declaration made Su Xiaoyu realize that saying anything more now would be pointless.
He could only silently gather his strength, planning to have an open and honest talk after the autumn hunt in order to try and obtain his indenture.
As expected, the unexpected always arrives on time.
Just as Su Xiaoyu was crouching down to stuff something under her pillow, a familiar voice sounded behind her.
"What are you hiding?"
Su Xiaoyu shuddered and quickly turned around, waving her little hands incessantly: "No... Young Master, didn't you say you were going to the military camp to check on the guards tonight? Why are you back so early?"
Xiao Jingheng didn't speak, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze locked on Su Xiaoyu, and he stepped closer.
Su Xiaoyu's heart pounded, and she instinctively used her body to shield the bed.
Oh no! Has he found out?
As Xiao Jingheng moved closer and closer, Su Xiaoyu couldn't help but lean back, her body almost bent at a ninety-degree angle. Her entire being was radiating nervousness, as if she were trying to hide something obvious.
No...don't come any closer...
Xiao Jingheng stopped less than an arm's length away from her, his tall figure almost completely enveloping her.
Then, unsurprisingly, he reached out and slipped his hand over Su Xiaoyu's waist, precisely targeting the pillow behind her...
【It's all over!】
Su Xiaoyu nervously closed her eyes and pretended to be dead!
However, Xiao Jingheng was taken aback when he saw what was in his hand.
Su Xiaoyu covered her face with her hands, then secretly spread her fingers to form a 'V' shape. Seeing Xiao Jingheng's stunned expression, she began to stammer an explanation:
"I... I was afraid I'd get hungry at night, and I was also afraid you'd find out and say I wasn't dignified enough, so..."
After saying that, she put on a bitter face and said in a tone that seemed to say, "Your Highness, I was wrong. Please punish me."
Xiao Jingheng looked at the chestnuts in his hand; they were still slightly warm, so he must have just bought them recently.
A strange feeling swept over me.
Was I being too harsh on her? She was so afraid of a bag of pastries.
He softened his voice as much as possible, with a hint of helplessness: "When has the Marquis's mansion ever lacked your food and drink? Is it necessary to be so secretive and afraid over such a small treat?"
Seeing his tone soften, Su Xiaoyu immediately seized the opportunity, raising her large, watery almond-shaped eyes and looking at Xiao Jingheng with a wronged expression:
"But... Your Highness, you said before that no dignified princess would secretly hide snacks in the middle of the night. If you saw me, you might say I'm not composed or dignified enough..."
After saying that, she muttered to herself, "That's why I said, with my carefree nature, I'm really only suited to be a lowly maid, just enough to make a living. I don't have such lofty ambitions, and I'm not cut out for it..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Jingheng's face suddenly darkened again. Su Xiaoyu quickly shut her mouth.
Xiao Jingheng pinched the bridge of his nose with a headache and tried to explain: "I'm teaching you rules, not to stifle your nature and turn you into a wooden beauty."
"It doesn't matter what you do in the Marquis's mansion, but once you go out into the world, if you don't follow the rules, you will be seen as unruly and wrong in the eyes of others. This will become a weapon to attack you. I can't protect you every moment and shut everyone up."
Su Xiaoyu's heart pounded wildly, and her fingers clenched tightly.
In fact, she understood all the principles he was talking about. How could she not know the importance of public opinion?
But since she had made up her mind to leave the Marquis's mansion, this was also intentional. She thought that if Xiao Jingheng would become disgusted with her and stay away from her because of this, that would be the best outcome. She deliberately acted like 'hopeless wood' in the hope of wearing down his patience.
However, it seems unlikely at present.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness." She sighed silently in her heart. "I'm afraid I can only fail to live up to your good intentions."
Upon hearing her thoughts, Xiao Jingheng frowned slightly. He assumed she felt guilty for hiding snacks and arguing with him earlier. His tone softened involuntarily.
He reached out and touched the top of Su Xiaoyu's head; "Alright, you don't need to think too much about it, and you don't need to feel too much pressure. I'll take care of these trivial matters after the autumn hunt..."
He had intended to say that after the autumn hunt, he would inform his parents and establish their relationship, but fearing he might frighten Su Xiaoyu, he changed his mind at the last minute:
"While I'm away, you should stay in the manor without worry."
This time, Su Xiaoyu did not resist and obediently nodded, "This servant understands. I will definitely pay attention next time and will not make you worry again."
I'm so sorry, Your Highness.
Xiao Jingheng gave her a deep look, feeling that there was something hidden behind her obedient demeanor.
"Well, it's getting late, you should rest." After giving his instructions, he turned and left the courtyard.
Only after confirming that he had gone far away did Su Xiaoyu's heart slowly settle down. Then she reached into her pocket and took out the dark token, her eyes flashing with a complex light.
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