Xie Yanchuan's sudden roar startled Xie Jing and his wife.
At this moment, Old Master Xie was in a fit of rage. How dared he?
Xu Qing quickly shot Xie Yanchuan a warning look.
But Xie Yanchuan seemed oblivious. He carefully helped Lu Wanrou up and shielded her behind him.
"Yan'er, if you care about your child, let her give birth first. Later, we can register the child under the name of Cousin Girl."
Xu Qing came up with this idea after some thought.
But Ruan Jiu disagreed.
She let out a cold snort and said, "Does the First Lady mean that I should marry in and immediately become a step - mother?"
"I didn't mean it like that," Xu Qing said awkwardly. "We can let her go to the manor to have the baby. After the child is born, we'll keep the child and get rid of the mother..."
Xu Qing didn't know that her words had hit a sore spot with Old Master Xie.
Back then, he had wronged his own wife. Was he going to wrong Ruan Jiu now?
Old Master Xie slammed his palm hard on the table and roared, "Those who shouldn't exist shouldn't come into this world!"
Lu Wanrou trembled all over in fear and hid behind Xie Yanchuan, sobbing softly.
Seeing this, Xie Yanchuan felt even more pity for her.
Ignoring Xu Qing's obstruction, he stared directly into Old Master Xie's angry eyes and said coldly, "Grandfather made a mistake back then too. And now, isn't Uncle Third still in the Xie Mansion?"
Hearing this, the anger in Old Master Xie's eyes flared up even more.
"Presumptuous!" he shouted, his voice quivering with rage.
Xie Jing and Xu Qing were so scared that they knelt down in unison.
"Father, calm down. It's Yan'er who is being unreasonable!" Xie Jing shouted.
After saying that, he pulled at Xie Yanchuan's hand, signaling him to kneel down and admit his mistake quickly.
But Xie Yanchuan remained unmoved. He stared straight at Old Master Xie and said, "If I were to let two lives be lost because of me, that would be the real mistake!"
"Someone, bring out the family punishment rod! Today, I'll beat you myself until you admit your mistake!"
As soon as Old Master Xie finished speaking, Steward Li handed him a wooden stick.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary stick. But on closer inspection, it was covered in dense barbs. It was extremely terrifying.
Xu Qing gasped and almost fainted.
Then she quickly begged Ruan Jiu, "Cousin Girl, please persuade Father. This could kill someone!"
Ruan Jiu had been enjoying this drama. Suddenly, she heard Xu Qing calling her.
After a moment's thought, she remembered that this whole play was her plan.
If Xie Yanchuan was injured because of this, it would be unjust.
Moreover, Xie Yanchuan was the most beloved child in the Xie family. Old Master Xie's actions were just to appease her anger. He probably didn't really want to hurt him.
So, she put on a wronged look and knelt down. "Grandfather, calm down! I'm sure Yan Chuan didn't mean it. Since he and Miss Wanrou are in love, A Jiu is willing to cancel this engagement and let them be happy!"
"No!"
"No!"
Old Master Xie and Xie Jing said in unison.
Old Master Xie disagreed because it was his idea to marry Ruan Jiu into the eldest branch.
And Xie Jing disagreed because he simply looked down on Lu Wanrou.
He couldn't let this insignificant person displease the old master.
Seeing that both of them rejected her proposal, Ruan Jiu couldn't help but think that maybe she had overacted.
So she quickly changed her tone and forced a smile. She said to Old Master Xie, "Grandfather, a gentleman doesn't take what others like. Even though I'm a woman, I think the same way."
But in Old Master Xie's eyes, her expression was a forced smile. He felt even more pity for her.
He quickly stepped forward to help her up and comforted her gently, "A Jiu, you're just too sensible."
Then he glared at Xie Yanchuan and scolded, "You mistake a fish - eye for a precious gem. You're such a fool!"
Xie Yanchuan looked apologetic and said to Ruan Jiu, "A Jiu, don't worry. I will never let you down! I will definitely handle this matter properly!"
In fact, even he didn't believe his own words.
On one hand, there was a woman who had saved him, had a tragic life, and was pregnant with his child.
On the other hand, there was a woman who had grown up with him. Only now had he realized his feelings for her, and he had sworn to cherish her.
At the moment, he didn't know what to do.
Ruan Jiu let out a long sigh. She didn't really expect that Lu Wanrou's pregnancy would help her cancel the engagement.
"Miss Wanrou is pregnant now. Let her stay in the mansion to take care of the baby first."
Xie Yanchuan didn't expect Ruan Jiu to say this. He immediately shook off Lu Wanrou's hand.
He ran up to Ruan Jiu, grabbed her hand tightly, and said gratefully, "Thank you, A Jiu!"
Ruan Jiu was startled at first. Then she looked at Xie Jingchu beside her guiltily.
She quickly withdrew her hand. "You should quickly arrange a place for Miss Wanrou."
Xie Yanchuan nodded.
After leading Lu Wanrou a few steps, he turned back and said to Ruan Jiu, "A Jiu, don't worry. I will never let down your affection for me!"
Ruan Jiu couldn't help but rub her forehead in frustration.
What on earth was this idiot thinking!
That night, after Chun Tao made the bed for Ruan Jiu, she was about to close the window when she heard Ruan Jiu suddenly say, "Don't close it!"
"Why?" Chun Tao asked in confusion.
Although it was almost the Beginning of Spring, the weather showed no sign of getting warmer.
Cousin Girl was usually most afraid of the cold.
Ruan Jiu bit her lip and nervously shifted her gaze. "I'll close it myself later."
Chun Tao nodded and then left the room.
A moment later, there was a noise by the window.
"My A Jiu knows to leave the door for me."
Hearing the voice, Ruan Jiu lifted the curtain. She looked up and saw Xie Jingchu looking smug. She said guiltily, "This is a window, and I'm just letting in some air."
Xie Jingchu knew she was being duplicitous.
He smiled and asked, "Were you waiting for me?"
Ruan Jiu was taken aback by the question.
If she said yes, it would seem that the window was really left for him.
If she said no, she was indeed waiting for him and had something to ask him.
So she frowned and nodded.
Just then, Xie Jingchu suddenly leaned in close to her. They were so close that she could feel his breath.
Her heart started pounding, and she held her breath.
Almost involuntarily, she closed her eyes.
Suddenly, a warm breath caressed her brow.
"Don't frown," Xie Jingchu's deep voice whispered in her ear.
She opened her eyes abruptly and met his gaze.
Xie Jingchu gave a devilish smile. "What did you think I was going to do?"
Yes, what did she think he was going to do!
Damn it!
Why did she close her eyes just now!
At this moment, she wished she could dig a hole and hide in it.
Xie Jingchu couldn't bear to tease her anymore. He asked, "Do you have something to ask me?"
Ruan Jiu put away her embarrassment and nodded. "Is everything done?"
"Don't you trust my ability?"
Indeed, Xie Jingchu was the Fourth Master of the Xie family. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he had great power in Qinzhou City.
Was there anything he couldn't do?
"Okay, then you can go."
Hearing this, Xie Jingchu widened his eyes and complained, "You're such an ungrateful little thing."
Ruan Jiu rolled her eyes.
What he said! Canceling her engagement with Xie Yanchuan was exactly what he wanted. What kind of "river - crossing" was this?
Suddenly, Xie Jingchu crouched down in front of her.
Just as she looked at him in confusion, Xie Jingchu took her hand.
Her expression became even more puzzled. Just as she was about to ask, she heard Xie Jingchu speak.
"I want to hold your hand too."
Only then did she realize that this man was jealous because Xie Yanchuan had held her hand during the day.
Then, with a shy look on her face, she said, "You're so annoying."