I Won't Leave You, Jinchao - Chapter 4

I sent the maid back to our courtyard to prepare a meal.

I was practically wasting away from hunger.

As for me, I strolled along on my own, admiring the scenery. The Xie residence was beautifully laid out.

Getting a little tired, I spotted a pavilion in the distance. Just the place for a rest.

“Xie Jinchao! You’re nothing but the lowborn son of a male whore. Even now, you’re only a princess’s secondary husband. Don’t think you’ve suddenly made something of yourself!”

I stopped short.

Shrubs blocked my view of the pavilion.

“What do you mean, Elder Brother?” Xie Jinchao asked.

“So you can talk? Weren’t you playing mute just now? Do you think I enjoy speaking to someone as low as you? Just being your brother makes me sick!”

It was Xie Jinyan, the eldest young master of the Xie household.

He’d appeared in the original book too, and had never missed a chance to bully Xie Jinchao.

I had to admit the original owner had been blessed with a pretty face. Xie Jinyan had fallen for the Third Princess at first sight during a banquet. After Xie Jinchao married into her household, far from restraining himself, he’d only gotten worse.

No wonder A-Chao hadn’t come back.

I hurried over.

In the pavilion, Xie Jinchao had fallen silent again.

This only enraged Xie Jinyan further. He pulled out a hairpin and moved to slash his face.

“The Third Princess is mine! I’m the son of this family’s principal husband. Only my status is a match for hers! Once I carve up that seductive little face of yours, let’s see how you lure her in!”

Two servants pinned Xie Jinchao’s arms as he knelt with one knee on the ground.

Just as the hairpin was about to reach his face, I shouted, “How dare you!”

Xie Jinyan clearly hadn’t expected me. He flinched, and his hand jerked aside, cutting the skin on Xie Jinchao’s neck.

I rushed over and helped A-Chao up, pulling aside his collar and standing on tiptoe to inspect the wound.

Thank goodness. It had only broken the skin.

Blood slowly welled up. I hastily took a silk handkerchief from inside my robe and pressed it to the cut.

Still shaken, I patted my chest. “Thank goodness. You’re all right.”

“Why are you protecting him, Your Highness? His birth is base. He’s not worthy of you!” Xie Jinyan looked almost deranged, his eyes blazing.

He had the nerve to be angry?

I frowned and snapped, “Are you out of your mind? He’s mine! If I don’t protect him, who should I protect? You?”

I was furious. There was definitely something wrong with Xie Jinyan. His brain hadn’t finished developing.

I pointed at one of the servants. “What are you staring at? Fetch a doctor! And fetch your minister too!”

Seeing my rage, both servants hurried off, afraid a moment’s delay would cost them their lives.

Meanwhile, Xie Jinyan stood looking aggrieved. A grown man, his eyes red, actually starting to sniffle!

What did he have to cry about? He wasn’t the one who’d been hurt.

If anyone was going to cry, it should be Xie Jinchao. He looked so lovely when he cried.

No. Dangerous thought.

I ignored Xie Jinyan and led A-Chao to sit in a corner of the pavilion. “Take it slowly. Let me check whether you’re hurt anywhere else.”

He stared at me for a long moment. “When did you arrive, my lady?”

Leaning over to check his arms and legs for other injuries, I replied, “I was walking nearby and followed the voices.”

I distinctly felt his whole body stiffen.

I slowly looked up at him.

Only then did I see the tears filling his eyes, his pale face, the lower lip he was biting so hard it had turned white.

My heart lurched. I softened my voice. “A-Chao, what’s wrong? Does it hurt that much?”

He didn’t answer. Afraid he’d hurt himself, I slipped a finger between his lips, trying to free the corner he was biting.

He trembled. Tears fell uncontrollably.

“You know now, my lady. You know… you know about my birth.”

His voice caught. “Please… don’t cast me aside.”

Only through those broken words did I understand what he was afraid of.

Xie Yu had conceived him with a male prostitute she’d met outside the household. She despised the man’s origins and refused to take him into the family.

Instead, she’d put Xie Jinchao under the name of one of her secondary husbands, claiming publicly that this husband was his father.

Few people knew the truth. But the masters’ attitudes determined those of the servants, and no one in the household liked him.

I gently stroked his head. “None of that is your fault, A-Chao. Whatever your birth, you’re my husband.”

Disbelief showed in his eyes. He probably hadn’t expected me to say that.

I wanted to offer more comfort, but Xie Jinyan interrupted.

“Your Highness!” His voice was shrill. “He’s only a concubine. How can he deserve to be called your husband?”

I’d forgotten he was there.

“Who gave you leave to speak? Xie Jinyan, you’re a man of vicious character and no decency, trying to harm a member of the imperial family. If anything happened to A-Chao today, your worthless life wouldn’t be enough to pay for it!”

I’d clearly mastered the essence of those ‘pay for it with your life’ novels.

After that threat, Xie Jinyan stood stunned. Served him right.

I turned back to A-Chao, whose color was slowly returning.

The handkerchief at his wound was stained with blood, but luckily the bleeding had stopped.

I gently lifted it away. He flinched slightly.

For some reason, he reminded me of a frightened little lamb.

Such a tall man, yet somehow so soft and sweet.

I nearly smiled at the thought and pressed my lips together to hold it in.

He looked puzzled by my suppressed smile.

While we waited for everyone to arrive, I thought about a great many things.

At last, I made up my mind.

Slowly, I took his hand and settled it in my palms.

He watched me, letting me do as I pleased.

His hand was large, his fingers long and slender.

I could barely enclose it in both of mine. Looking into his deep eyes, I asked solemnly, “A-Chao, will you let me marry you as my principal consort?”