Chapter 16: Marrying Her as a Concubine

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Huo Heng hadn’t expected her to ask that, nor had he ever intended for her to live as a servant or maid.

“We love each other; we will be husband and wife. How could I ever let you live as a servant? I will treat you well for the rest of my life and promise you won’t suffer any grievances.”

Under Huo Heng’s hopeful gaze, Qin Hanxiao sneered coldly.

“You married, and I am betrothed. I am not your wife; my husband is Pei Yuantang.”

Huo Heng interrupted loudly, “What kind of husband is he to you? You’re hardly a proper couple; he can’t even fulfill that role, and yet he drags you down. What right does he have to be your husband?”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then reopened them, his demeanor returning to its refined composure.

“I know you’re kind-hearted. Even if there’s no marital intimacy or affection, you won’t bear to leave him. Then let me talk to him. His younger brother studies at Qin Song Academy, right? I’ll try to transfer his brother to the top class. If he’s a gentleman, he shouldn’t force you to suffer with him.”

Qin Hanxiao wasn’t moved by such words; she only found them laughable.

If he truly cared so much, why didn’t he act sooner?

When Lady Qin asked her to take the place of the fake heiress in the countryside, she had sought out Huo Heng. At that time, he said his family had arranged a marriage for him, and he was powerless to intervene.

And now, here he was again, pretending to be deeply devoted—it was nothing but absurdity.

Seeing Qin Hanxiao’s sneer, Huo Heng grew anxious and asked earnestly, “Why don’t you trust me? Is it because I hurt you before, and you’re angry? At that chaotic moment, that brute from the Pei family insisted on taking you away. I didn’t mean to push you down. These past few nights, I’ve tossed and turned, sleepless, thinking only about how to rescue you. Come with me now, and we can talk everything over later. I’ll find a doctor to tend to your wounds first.”

He reached out to pull Qin Hanxiao again, clearly not having learned his lesson.

She slapped him hard across the face, “Don’t touch me.”

“Our matters as husband and wife are private. Pei Yuantang and I were united by our parents’ arrangement and the traditional three formal letters and six rites; we are legitimate spouses. I was not bought by him, and he would never sell me.”

She gave Huo Heng no chance to speak and continued, “Now, I ask you, if you insist on taking me away, what status do you intend to give me? Wife? Concubine? Or a nameless, shameful mistress?”

Pain flared across Huo Heng’s face, yet hope stirred within his heart.

Sure enough, she was trying to provoke him. By asking this, she was demanding a title, demanding responsibility.

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He could provide all of that.

“As long as you agree, you will be my wife.”

Qin Hanxiao questioned him, “If I am your wife, then what about the wife already in your home? How is she to live? What do you consider her to be, and where do you place her?”

Huo Heng thought briefly before deciding, “I can take you as a secondary wife.”

“After marriage, you and Wei Niang will be equals, like sisters. If you don’t want to live in the main house, you may reside in the outer mansion, where you will hold the highest status and have the final say. If you wish to return home, you may. Wei Niang is virtuous, magnanimous, and gentle; she will never make things difficult for you. You two will surely get along like true sisters.”

Not only did Qin Hanxiao want to punch him at this answer, but a maid hiding around the corner clenched her fists tightly.

She was Fan Xiaowei’s personal maid.

She had originally stepped out to buy rouge for her mistress but accidentally witnessed the young master struggling with a woman and overheard this major secret.

Her mistress had been married to the young master for less than three months. How could he treat Lady Fan so unjustly?

It was outrageous!

She wanted to rush out and defend her mistress but held back for her sake.

One must not act rashly for one’s lady.

Meanwhile, Qin Hanxiao sternly rejected Huo Heng, “I’ll say it once more: you and I have nothing to do with each other. Don’t come bothering me again. If you truly feel sorry, then stay out of my sight and live your own life well. Also, if you have any conscience, you wouldn’t chase after me but rather treat your wife well. Since you’ve married her, you should honor, love, and protect her for life, not cause her pain. Only then would I think you possess some sense of responsibility and manhood.”

Having said this, Qin Hanxiao walked past him, but Huo Heng caught up again after only a few steps.

He looked at her with a complicated expression, opening his mouth several times but unable to speak.

He knew she was right; he shouldn’t have remarried after having a wife.

But his heart was beyond his control. He couldn’t let her go.

He had only made one mistake—missing her. Couldn’t he have a chance to make amends?

“Hanxiao, can’t you give me one more chance to make it right? I truly love you and want to treat you well.”

Seeing his sincere yet tormented expression, Qin Hanxiao only felt disgusted.

“You make me sick.”

Those two words shocked Huo Heng, wounding him deeply, his heart twisted with pain.

They had once declared their love for each other, holding only each other in their hearts.

Now she could say something so cruel.

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“I’m worried about you. You shouldn’t suffer those hardships. The suffering you endure now should fall on Qin Xiyao’s shoulders—you’re taking it for her. Come with me to see Uncle Qin; we’ll exchange our identities.”

Exchange? Such a simple phrase.

Qin Hanxiao had long lost patience and didn’t want to say another word.

She said bluntly, “You go talk to Qin Xiyao’s uncle. Whatever you decide has nothing to do with me, but don’t drag me into it. I still want a peaceful life.”

Her words left Huo Heng speechless. Just a few days ago, his father had trouble finding a magistrate to assist them.

Before Qin Hanxiao left, he suddenly said, “Wait for me. I will study hard and earn a title. I will definitely rescue you.”

“I don’t need your rescue. The further you stay from me, the better. Whether you try or not has nothing to do with me. Don’t pin anything on me, and don’t dare sully my name.”

After saying this, Qin Hanxiao strode away, cursing her misfortune in her heart.

Huo Heng didn’t pursue her further. He watched her figure grow smaller until it was swallowed by the crowd, never to be seen again.

He hadn’t just missed her once; he had missed her every time.

She was right; his efforts weren’t just for her but for himself and the entire Huo family.

After Huo Heng left, the maid hiding in the corner hurried away.

She rushed home to inform her mistress, “Mistress, I saw and heard everything with my own eyes and ears. Every word is true.”

Fan Xiaowei sat stunned for a long moment before coming to her senses. “Qiu Yi, have you told anyone else these things?”

“No, mistress. I wouldn’t dare.”

Fan Xiaowei warned sternly, “Keep it to yourself. Don’t tell a soul.”

The Qin family’s affairs were a tangled mess, and she didn’t want to get involved.

Qiu Yi nodded in agreement but still felt worried.

“The young master even prepared a mansion. It doesn’t seem like he will give up so easily. This time, the other party refused, but who can guarantee she won’t agree next time? After all, she has a bond with the young master from childhood. What if she agrees again? What will you do then?”