The Runaway Bride in a Substitute Marriage 35

Not until the palace banquet ended did Chen Yao lift her skirts and hurry back to the carriage, never once thinking to wait for Xie Qingyan behind her.

Only when she was seated inside the carriage did she clench her palms, her chest heaving. A flame of anger rose from the depths of her heart, burning hotter and hotter.

She could accept a clean break with Xie Qingyan, a peaceful parting of ways. But if anyone thought they could step on her to climb higher, then Madam Xie had sorely underestimated her—and the Pingyuan Hou estate.

"My lady." Xie Qingyan had, of course, quietly followed his wife into the carriage.

He saw her small face dark with fury, her delicate brows tinged with displeasure, and instinctively reached out to take her hand in comfort.

"Don't call me that." Chen Yao raised her voice a notch, then quickly pulled her hand away, refusing his touch.

"Don't let your anger harm yourself; it is my fault." Xie Qingyan's voice was low, and he assured her repeatedly, "I will speak to Mother and make things clear. I won't let you suffer this injustice."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

Chen Yao curled her lips and let out a cold snort, her tone sharp. "What can you possibly say to Mother? I simply can't bear a child with my weak constitution—so what, are you planning to find another woman to bear one, like that censor's daughter? Seems like you're not prepared to divorce me either, so you want to enjoy the pleasure of having both?"

"I swear there will only ever be you in this life. Believe me, my lady." Xie Qingyan's burning gaze fixed on the wife before him.

Ignoring her rejection, he still reached out, clasping her hand and pressing it against his chest. His tone was as solemn as if he were taking an oath. "Yao Yao, give me some time. I swear I will resolve this."

What had only been a vague notion in his mind was now a firm resolve.

How could it possibly be resolved? The Xie family cared so much about heirs, and she truly couldn't bear a child—how could there be a way to have it both ways?

Chen Yao wanted to ask him exactly that, but looking at the man's dark, calm eyes, she even noticed a faint reddening at their corners.

She made a slight attempt to free her hand from his grip, but in the end, she bit her lower lip and turned her face away, saying nothing.

The carriage fell quiet.

The wheels rolled over the cobblestone road with a rumbling sound, steadily carrying them toward the Xie residence.

Xie Qingyan looked at his silent wife beside him and, with a slight hesitation, tightened his fingers a little.

Then, following the pull of her small hand in his palm, he tentatively and carefully drew the young woman into his embrace once more.

Only when he felt her warm, soft body against his chest did the hollow ache in his heart begin to feel whole again.

Chen Yao's cheek rested against Xie Qingyan's chest, his heartbeat thrumming against her ear, steady and reassuring, beat after beat.

After a long silence, seemingly having cooled down a little, she finally spoke, slowly. "That time you mentioned—how long exactly?"

After all, this was probably all Madam Xie's doing, perhaps with Lord Xie behind her. He truly had known nothing.

She was angry, yes, but thinking of how well Xie Qingyan had treated her since their marriage, and how little she had truly suffered, she was not one to ignore kindness.

Still, she wouldn't accept empty promises either.

Xie Qingyan's hanging heart eased slightly. He lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against her forehead, and spoke softly. "Just give me three months, my lady."

"Three months?" Chen Yao tilted her head back, narrowing her eyes at him suspiciously. "What do you plan to do? Don't tell me you're going to suddenly show up with a baby, claiming some woman bore it for you, and have me raise it as my own?"

Xie Qingyan, "..."

He wanted to open his wife's head and see what sort of nonsense she was always thinking about.

"Have you been reading some fabricated storybook lately, my lady?" He let out a helpless sigh.

"Don't try to change the subject." Chen Yao pushed him lightly and sat up from his embrace, her pretty face set in stern seriousness as she stared at him.

"Rest assured, my lady, it has truly only ever been you." Xie Qingyan raised his eyes to meet hers and turned solemn as well.

Chen Yao studied him for a long moment before giving a faint "Oh." "I suppose I'll believe you for now."

Xie Qingyan curved his lips, and reaching out, wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her back into his embrace with a soft laugh. "My lady is most understanding."

Chen Yao plucked at his clothes with her fingertips and gave a light humph. "You still haven't told me your plan."

"As for this matter, I wish to keep it a secret for now." Xie Qingyan gently stroked her hair, his tone earnest.

Chen Yao was a little displeased. "You can't even tell me?"

Xie Qingyan was silent for a moment, but in the end, he nodded. "Please forgive me, my lady."

Chen Yao fixed him with a commanding stare for a long while, then pursed her lips and pretended to be indifferent. "Fine, don't tell me then."

Honestly, she didn't really care that much anyway.

What Chen Yao didn't know was that even as she spoke with careless disregard, her fingertips unconsciously tightened on the fabric of his robes.

She was clearly being a little dishonest with herself.

Xie Qingyan raised his hand, his broad palm gently covering the back of hers, and wrapped her delicate little hand securely in his grasp.

He was about to speak when, at that very moment, the carriage arrived at the gates of the Xie residence.

"Young master, young madam, we have arrived." The driver slowly brought the carriage to a halt and called out with respectful deference.

Chen Yao immediately withdrew her hand from his grip, pushing the man away as she rose from her seat and headed out of the carriage.

The night outside was already deep, but with the full moon hanging high, its silvery light spilled down, keeping the darkness from feeling too black.

Chen Yao was helped by Chuntao, who had hurried over, and carefully stepped down from the carriage stool, lifting her skirts.

Then, without waiting for anyone, she lifted her chin crossly and strode into the mansion without a word.

Xie Qingyan, who had been about to follow, was quickly intercepted by a maidservant sent by Madam Xie.

"Young master, madam requests your presence on urgent business. Please come to the main hall of the main courtyard."

Glancing at his wife who had already walked off into the distance, Xie Qingyan thought for a moment, then nodded in acquiescence. "Very well."

He had planned to speak with Madam Xie anyway, though he'd intended to wait until tomorrow given the lateness of the hour.

But since his mother had taken the initiative to summon him, he might as well make things clear tonight. It would save her from constantly scheming, again and again stirring trouble between husband and wife.

"Ban He, go inform the young madam that I will return to Fufeng Courtyard shortly."

"Yes, sir." The servant following behind Xie Qingyan acknowledged and quickly departed on his task.