I Won't Leave You, Jinchao - Chapter 2

The next morning, we got up to visit the Xie residence.

Xie Jinchao had dark circles under his eyes. Yesterday must have come as such a shock that he’d barely slept.

Once everything was ready, we climbed into the carriage. He was visibly nervous.

“You didn’t sleep well, and it’s still some way to your family’s house. Why not rest for a while?” I was honestly worried about the state he was in.

“Thank you for your concern, my lady, but I’m fine.” He politely declined.

He went back to the Xie residence twice a month, yet he seemed unusually tense today.

Was it because I was here?

Trying to bring us closer, I said, “You don’t have to call me ‘my lady.’ Just call me Zhiyi.”

His fingers clenched until they turned white. “I couldn’t. How could I use Your Highness’s personal name so casually?”

I couldn’t bear to watch him nearly crush those lovely hands of his.

The original owner really was a monster, to have frightened him this badly!

I reached over and took his fingers in my hand. “I’ll call you A-Chao, and you’ll call me Zhiyi. You have my permission. Who would dare object?”

Only after a mixture of coaxing and insistence did he reluctantly agree.

When we arrived, there was no one at the gate to welcome us. What sort of family ignored a married son’s return?

Xie Jinchao seemed to find it inappropriate too. “My la—Zhiyi, I’ll have someone announce us.”

He started to get up.

I held him back. “No need. Let’s just go in.”

Taking his hand, I walked into the residence. A servant at the entrance saw us and hurried to announce our arrival, but I stopped him.

We went all the way to the main hall without anyone coming to meet us.

The young male servants inside dropped to their knees. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

When I neither spoke nor told them to rise, they began sneaking glances up at me.

I put on an angry expression and snapped coldly, “So these are the manners of the Xie household! No one comes to receive us when A-Chao and I return, and now your servants don’t even know how to pay their respects?”

Xie Jinchao grew tense at my anger.

Feeling him stiffen, I looked up at him, patted the back of his hand, and gave him a wink.

When no one answered, I said icily, “What? Is my husband unworthy of your respects?”

Only then did they understand. They all prostrated themselves, greeting him and begging forgiveness.

I still didn’t let them rise.

Xie Jinchao slowly turned to look at me, beginning to realize that I was establishing his authority.

This way, people wouldn’t dare bully him in the future.

If even the servants looked down on him, how hard must his life have been?

Xie Yu hurried in. “Your servant greets Your Highness. To what do we owe your visit today?”

She was a minister, after all, and nominally my mother-in-law. I had to show her some courtesy, so I waved everyone else away.

Then I slowly took Xie Jinchao’s hand. “I’ve been too busy to visit before. Today, I’ve accompanied A-Chao home to pay my respects to my mother-in-law.”

She hastily wiped her forehead. “You honor us beyond measure. Your presence is a privilege for the Xie household.”

We stayed for a meal. Minister Xie hadn’t reached her position for nothing; she was certainly good at putting on a show.

Acting the doting mother, she fussed over Xie Jinchao and asked after his health.

Did she think that would get rid of me?

Not a chance.

As soon as we finished eating, I announced that we would stay the night. “A-Chao misses his family. We’ll stay here today and leave tomorrow.”

Would Xie Yu dare refuse? Of course she wouldn’t.

Being a princess meant getting my way. I liked this identity.

“Then I’ll have a room prepared.”

I immediately said, “Don’t trouble yourself. We’ll stay in A-Chao’s old courtyard.”

Her expression turned ugly.

Trying to take me on, were you? Let’s see how you handle this, you old fox.

Xie Yu had someone show us to our lodgings.

A flowering crabapple tree stood in the courtyard.

Inside, Xie Jinchao was restless. Clearly, this hadn’t been his old home.

Seeing how nervous he was, I wondered if he feared Xie Yu would blame him.

“Do you like it here, A-Chao?”

“I…” At my question, he started to speak, then faltered, unsure how to answer.

“If you do, then it’s yours from now on. Whenever you come home for a short stay, you’ll stay here.”

He was plainly full of questions. “My lady, you know?”

I nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. “Of course I know,” I said seriously. “You’re married to me. I won’t let other people bully you. Whatever you want, I’ll help you fight for it.”

I had to make him believe as soon as possible that I wouldn’t hurt him. I wasn’t the same Third Princess anymore.

He slowly lowered his head, hiding his expression. His voice was muffled.

“Thank you, Zhiyi.”

That answer made me happy. He was gradually accepting me.

“You’re welcome!”

The candles flickered, and I grew sleepier.

I needed an early night. Tomorrow I’d have to deal with that old fox Xie Yu, and with Xie Jinchao’s elder brother, Xie Jinyan, who had bullied him often enough.

As I reached for my shoes, someone stopped me. Xie Jinchao had somehow already knelt at my feet.

“Let me remove your boots and socks, my lady.”

I hurried to stop him. “I can do it myself.”

He froze. I softened my voice. “We’re husband and wife, A-Chao. There’s no need for this between us.”

He stared at me so steadily that I began to panic.

Had he noticed something?

Had I changed too quickly? Was I acting too unlike the original owner?

Then perhaps I should let him kneel and take off my shoes, and then… Forget it. I really couldn’t imitate that woman’s level of perversion.

If she’d been here, they’d probably be in bed by now.

The thought made me shudder.

Xie Jinchao came back to himself and stopped staring. As if he’d finally confirmed something, he pressed his lips together and gave a little smile.

“What are you thinking about, my lady?” he asked with a soft laugh.

I looked up just in time to catch it. It was the first time I’d seen him smile since yesterday.

When he smiled, he was utterly captivating; when he cried, he made you ache to protect him.

No wonder the original owner had carried him off. But now he was my husband.

Lucky me.

“Nothing.”

I covered my embarrassment with a yawn. “I’m so sleepy. I’m going to bed. Good night.”

Without waiting for a reply, I slid under the quilt and closed my eyes.

All in one smooth motion.

A long time passed.

Then, in the stillness of the room, his low, lovely voice answered.

“Good night.”