Chapter 219 A vast difference in social standing and incompatible personalities make them an unsuitable match.
Seeing that his mother's expression was unusual, Xiao Yeming immediately got up and went to her, his voice filled with worry: "Mother! Is everything alright? I told you to act according to your abilities..."
"It's alright, it's alright!"
Madam Xiao waved her hand repeatedly to stop him from speaking. A shrewd glint flashed in her eyes as she casually stuffed the spear into her son's hand. "I need to rest for a while. You accompany Zhaoruo to spar and exchange a few moves."
Before Xiao Yeming could answer, she turned to Lu Zhaoruo and said seriously, "Good child, now that you live alone in a house, you must not neglect self-defense. Take this opportunity to let this simple-minded boy pretend to be a 'bad guy' so you can learn a few practical ways to deal with such situations. Remember, do not show mercy, just pretend you have really encountered a bad guy!"
Holding the still-warm spear, Xiao Yeming looked at his mother's feigned pain yet barely concealed smile and immediately understood.
He was both helpless and amused, and had no choice but to bite the bullet, nod slightly to Lu Zhaoruo, and whisper, "Madam Lu, please... show mercy."
Madam Xiao had leisurely strolled back to the stone table, picked up the cup of warm tea, sipped it slowly, and looked at the scene with a smile.
Xiao Yeming stood with his gun in hand, facing Lu Zhaoruo.
His wrist trembled slightly, and the spear in his hand was devoid of any sharpness. He only used the most basic and slow moves. Rather than sparring, it was more like he was patiently feeding her moves and demonstrating them to her.
"Madam Lu, watch carefully. If the villain attacks straight at you like that, you must sidestep to avoid his attack and at the same time attack his lower body..."
He explained as he deliberately slowed his movements, but his gaze involuntarily fell on her cheeks, which were slightly flushed from her concentration.
Lu Zhaoruo focused intently on the task at hand, and although she knew he was intentionally giving way, she still studied diligently.
After several rounds, beads of sweat appeared on her temples, and her breathing became slightly rapid.
The two were sometimes close and sometimes far apart, and although the wind from the gun was weak, their clothes kept overlapping.
Every time they passed each other, he could clearly smell the faint fragrance in her hair; every time she looked up at him seeking confirmation, her clear eyes stirred his heartstrings.
Xiao Yeming forced himself to calm down and was about to perform another move when he saw Lu Zhaoruo stagger, as if her legs were weak from exhaustion. She let out a soft cry and her body swayed to one side!
The suddenness of the attack left Xiao Yeming's mind reeling, and he completely forgot about the martial arts competition and any sense of propriety.
Without a second thought, he instantly discarded his spear, moved with lightning speed, and with a swift step forward, stretched out his long arm and steadily pulled the soft body that was about to fall into his arms.
At this moment, the tall sycamore tree next to them was being caressed by the warm summer breeze, its broad and tender leaves swaying in the sunlight, casting dappled shadows all over the ground.
A few verdant leaves twirled and drifted down, like butterflies fluttering, gently brushing against the shoulders and hair of the two people.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Lu Zhaoruo was still in shock and subconsciously clutched the front of his shirt. She looked up and met his dark eyes, which were full of worry.
His arms were strong and powerful, and his embrace was warm and reassuring.
Xiao Yeming looked down at the person in his arms. She was as light as a feather, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes held a hint of startled bewilderment, completely different from her usual calm demeanor.
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and for a moment he forgot to relax.
"cough!"
A deliberately exaggerated cough came from the direction of the stone table.
Madam Xiao had put down her teacup at some point and was covering her mouth with a handkerchief, but her crescent-shaped eyes and the barely suppressed smile on her face had already revealed her thoughts.
Far from being worried, she watched with great interest.
Xiao Yeming suddenly realized what was happening, his ears turning bright red instantly. He tried to remain calm, carefully helping Lu Zhaoruo to her feet, his voice hoarse: "Lu... Madam Lu, are you hurt?"
Lu Zhaoruo lowered her head slightly, using the tidying of her slightly disheveled hair to conceal the blush on her face, and said softly, "It's alright, thank you General Xiao."
evening.
On the way back to the Xiao residence, the mother and son sat on horseback.
Madam Xiao, who had been holding back all the way, finally couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Ming'er, tell your mother the truth! You clearly like Zhaoruo, don't you? I saw the way you looked at her, it was almost dripping with love! If that's the case, why did you refuse the marriage in public at the banquet that day? Weren't you just pushing away a marriage that was already in your hands? I really don't understand!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming paused.
Why refuse to marry?
In that instant, he felt as if he were back in that night, in that dilapidated thatched hut...
She suddenly bit his neck.
He tore her plain white undergarment.
Afterwards, he gave her the jade pendant he always carried with him, saying, "My lady, wait for me..."
However, he never saw her with that jade pendant in her hand; she must have thrown it away back then.
He also recalled that night, when he carried Lu Zhaoruo on his back, how he had struggled to speak, his voice hoarse: "If...if my wife doesn't abandon me, I...am willing to take responsibility and marry you."
Then, what did he hear?
He heard a very soft, very cold laugh: "You... dare to say that?"
Those three words nailed him to the pillar of shame as a "lecher."
"Ming'er? What are you daydreaming about? Your mother is asking you a question!"
Madam Xiao's voice rang out.
Xiao Yeming snapped back to reality, feeling as if a huge rock was blocking his chest, making him feel suffocated and painful.
He suppressed all his emotions, looked straight ahead, and said in a calm voice without a trace of emotion: "Mother, there is no need to ask anymore. Madam Lu and I... are from vastly different social classes and our personalities are incompatible. We are not a good match."
"You...you blockhead! You're driving me crazy!"
Seeing that he was so unyielding, Madam Xiao flew into a rage and berated him: "What do you mean by social class disparity! I think that child Zhaoruo is better than many noble ladies! When did you start caring about these empty formalities? How have I always taught you? Is it a gentleman's behavior to be concerned with social class?"
"What incompatibility? I think Zhaoruo is gentle and kind, and her manners are impeccable. She and you are a match made in heaven!"
"You're just stubborn and suffer for it! Let me tell you, if you miss out on such a wonderful woman, you'll regret it later! Do you hear me..."
"Then tell me, who do you like?"
"Whether it's Wang Miaoyin or that Lady Yunxiu, neither of them is a good match for you."
"I'm talking to you, can you hear me?"
"Oh dear, how could I have given birth to such an unfilial son? Are you trying to drive your fake mother to her death? I raised you with my own hands, changing your diapers and feeding you, and yet you never listen to a word I say..."
Xiao Yeming listened silently as his mother continued her nagging, sounding disappointed in him.
His thoughts, however, had already drifted far away, returning to that night that had kept him awake at night.
Lu Zhaoruo's icy, piercing gaze is still vividly present in his mind; the disgust and contempt in that look still make him feel as if he has fallen into an ice cave.
Yes.
How could someone as despicable as me be worthy of her current virtuous and noble character?
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