Chapter 38: I Don't Want You to Marry Her

With light and joyful steps, Bai Ruxue ran down from Sheshan and returned to the village.

As soon as she entered the village, a crowd of aunts and elderly women swarmed around her.

"Ruxue, congratulations! Your Xiao Mo has passed the imperial examination!"

"Ruxue, you're going to be the wife of a scholar from now on."

"Once Xiao Mo becomes a high official, don't you dare let him forget us, your many aunts and elders!"

The women chattered one after another.

Bai Ruxue's eyes lit up, and she asked happily, "Did Xiao Mo really pass?"

"Of course! Not only did he pass, but he was also the *Jieyuan*—the top scorer! Even the County Magistrate himself came."

"Ruxue, you should have seen how polite the Magistrate was to Xiao Mo. Usually, it's others who are that polite to the Magistrate!"

"Mo-ge'er is truly a star of literature descended to earth!"

Listening to the praises heaped upon Xiao Mo, Bai Ruxue felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

She didn't quite know what passing the provincial examination meant, but she knew that the thing Xiao Mo wanted to achieve had been accomplished, and he must be very happy.

If Xiao Mo was happy, she was happy.

Just as Bai Ruxue was about to run home, intending to cook him a delicious meal to celebrate, Widow Wang from the north of the village saw her and rushed over

"Ruxue, something bad has happened! The County Magistrate is arranging a marriage for Xiao Mo; he wants to marry his own daughter to him!"

"Eh?" The crowd of aunts fell silent in shock.

Auntie Chen was the first to react, snapping at Widow Wang, "What nonsense are you talking? Where did you hear such a rumor?"

"It's no rumor!" Widow Wang slapped her thigh. "I happened to overhear it just now while passing by Mo-ge'er's courtyard!"

"This..."

"Ruxue, don't worry. It's possible Wang Mei misheard."

"That's right, Ruxue. You take such good care of Xiao Mo; he certainly won't let you down."

The crowd hurried to comfort her. Everyone had witnessed how well Bai Ruxue cared for Xiao Mo.

"That may be true, but she is the Magistrate's daughter after all... If I were Mo-ge'er..." a young woman muttered from the side.

But before she could finish, she was glared at by the others.

"Auntie Chen, Auntie Wang, I... I'm fine," Bai Ruxue said with a faint smile. "Xiao Mo passed the exam; I should be happy. I'm going to cook for him to celebrate."

Bai Ruxue smiled at the crowd and began to walk away.

However, looking at the girl's somewhat despondent silhouette, everyone knew she was anything but fine.

But what could they do?

Ruxue was indeed beautiful, but she was merely a girl from an ordinary family. Any man would find it impossible to refuse the daughter of a County Magistrate.

As Bai Ruxue walked home, she didn't quite know what kind of emotion was swirling in her heart. Her mind felt cluttered and chaotic.

She naturally knew what marriage meant. Marriage meant a man and a woman staying together, never to be parted.

"If Xiao Mo marries another woman, will I have to leave him?"

"Will Xiao Mo agree to the Magistrate's request?"

"Will Xiao Mo stop wanting me...?"

The more she thought, the more her thoughts spiraled.

Just as she reached the courtyard, she saw Xiao Mo bidding farewell to a man dressed in official robes.

Bai Ruxue quickly hid behind a large rock.

Seeing the two of them conversing so amiably, her heart sank.

Could it be that Xiao Mo had already agreed to marry his daughter?

Only after the Magistrate left did Bai Ruxue slowly stand up and return to the courtyard.

"Ruxue, you're back."

"Mhm."

"I have good news. I passed the exam."

"Mhm..."

"Ruxue, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Seeing that she kept her head bowed, Xiao Mo couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing... nothing is wrong. I... I'm going to cook for you. I'll give you a proper celebration today." Bai Ruxue shook her head and ran into the kitchen.

Half an hour later, Bai Ruxue emerged carrying the dishes.

Xiao Mo looked at the mouth-watering "Saliva Chicken" and couldn't wait to take a bite, only to nearly choke from the saltiness.

"Xiao Mo, what's wrong?" Bai Ruxue hurriedly poured him a cup of water.

"Try this yourself," Xiao Mo said, placing a piece on her plate.

Bai Ruxue took a bite, and her face instantly turned pale.

"Pah, pah, pah!" She spat the chicken out.

"That... I accidentally let my hand slip and added too much salt. Xiao Mo, try this instead," she said, placing a piece of green vegetable in his bowl.

Xiao Mo took a bite of the vegetable, his expression complicated. "Ruxue, did you forget to put salt in the vegetables too?"

"Ah? Then try this." She added a piece of rabbit meat.

"This rabbit meat is too sour!" Xiao Mo was reaching his limit. "How much vinegar did you put in?"

"I—I'll go make it again!" Bai Ruxue ran back to the kitchen for a second time.

The second meal she prepared was actually quite good.

However, while eating, Bai Ruxue seemed lost in thought. She shoveled plain rice into her mouth mechanically, forgetting to even pick up any side dishes.

While washing the dishes, she even broke two plates.

While hanging the laundry, she would pick up a piece of clothing, place it on the pole, take it back down, and put it in the basin—repeating the process over and over.

While sweeping the courtyard, she swept the same spot again and again.

Xiao Mo was certain: she was definitely troubled by something.

As night fell, after dinner, Bai Ruxue did not return to her room to sleep. Instead, she sat in the courtyard, gazing up at the stars.

Xiao Mo walked out of his room, picked up a book, and gently patted Bai Ruxue's head.

Startled, Bai Ruxue glared at him with her peach-blossom eyes, acting coquettishly. "You scared me! What are you doing?"

"I should be asking you what you're doing. You've been listless all day. Tell me, what happened?" Xiao Mo asked with feigned seriousness.

"I... I didn't..." Bai Ruxue turned her small head away.

"Really?"

"Really!"

"If there's nothing, then fine. *Sigh*..." Xiao Mo let out a long sigh. "I thought I was important to you, that you would tell me everything. It seems I was just being sentimental."

Just as Xiao Mo turned to go back to his room in disappointment, Bai Ruxue gently caught the corner of his robe.

With her head lowered, she whispered, "It's... it's not like that."

"Then why won't you tell me?"

"I... I..." Bai Ruxue hesitated, her head nearly buried in her chest.

Xiao Mo was not in a hurry; he simply waited for her answer.

"Xiao Mo." As if gathering all her courage, the girl looked up and asked nervously, "The Magistrate wants to marry his daughter to you, doesn't he?"

"How did you know?" Xiao Mo was stunned.

"I... I heard it!" Bai Ruxue's eyes wavered. "Are you going to marry her?"

"Does Miss Bai think I should?"

Bai Ruxue lowered her head again, falling into silence, her small hands merely fidgeting with the hem of his robe.

After a long time, her voice was as light as the evening breeze: "I... I don't want you to marry her."

"Silly girl."

Xiao Mo pinched her fair, soft cheek.

"Then I won't."