Chapter 38 I Don't Want You to Marry Her
With light and joyful steps, Bai Ruxue ran down She Mountain and returned to the village.
As soon as Bai Ruxue entered the village, a group of aunties and grandmas surrounded her.
"Ru Xue, congratulations! Your Xiao Mo has passed the imperial examination."
"Ru Xue, you'll be a Juren's wife from now on."
"When Xiao Mo becomes a high official in the future, don't let him forget us, your relatives."
The aunties and grandmas chattered, one after another.
Bai Ruxue's eyes lit up, and she happily said, "Did Xiao Mo really pass?"
"Of course! Not only did Xiao Mo pass, but he's also a Jieyuan? He's first! Even the County Magistrate came."
"Ru Xue, you didn't see how polite the County Magistrate was to Xiao Mo. Usually, it's only others who are so polite to the County Magistrate."
"Mo-ge'er is truly a Wenqu Star descended to the mortal realm!"
Listening to her relatives praise Xiao Mo, Bai Ruxuefelt a sweet joy in her heart.
Bai Ruxue didn't know what passing the imperial examination meant.
But Bai Ruxue knew that Xiao Mo had achieved what he set out to do, and he must be very happy.
If Xiao Mo was happy, she would be happy too.
Just as Bai Ruxue was about to run home, planning to make him a delicious meal to celebrate properly, Widow Wang from the north of the village saw Bai Ruxue and quickly ran over:
"Ru Xue, this is bad! The County Magistrate is arranging a marriage for Xiao Mo, he wants to marry his daughter to Xiao Mo."
"Eh?" The aunties and grandmas all froze simultaneously.
Auntie Chen reacted first and said to Widow Wang, "What nonsense are you talking about? Where did you hear such a rumor?"
"How is it a rumor?!" Widow Wang slapped her thigh, "I just happened to hear it when I passed by Mo-ge'er's courtyard!"
"This…"
"Ru Xue, don't worry. Believe me, Wang Mei might have misheard."
"That's right, Ru Xue. You've taken such good care of Xiao Mo, he definitely won't let you down."
Everyone quickly comforted Bai Ruxue.
Everyone had seen how Bai Ruxue had taken care of Xiao Mo.
"That's true, but that's the County Magistrate's Young Miss… If I were Mo-ge'er…" At this moment, a young woman mumbled to the side.
But she was glared at by others before she could finish her sentence.
"Auntie Chen, Auntie Wang, I… I'm fine…" Bai Ruxuesmiled slightly, "Xiao Mo passed the imperial examination, I should be happy. I'll go make him dinner to celebrate."
Bai Ruxue smiled slightly at everyone, then walked forward.
However, looking at the girl's somewhat dejected back, everyone knew that Bai Ruxue couldn't possibly be fine.
But what could be done about such a thing?
Ru Xue was indeed beautiful, but she was, after all, just a girl from an ordinary family.
Any man would find it impossible to refuse the County Magistrate's daughter.
Bai Ruxue walked on her way home.
She didn't know what kind of feeling was in her heart.
Her mind just felt very chaotic.
She naturally knew what marriage meant.
Marriage meant a man and a woman being together, never to be separated.
"If Xiao Mo marries another woman, will I have to leave Xiao Mo?"
"Will Xiao Mo agree to that County Magistrate?"
"Will Xiao Mo no longer want me…"
The more she thought about it, the more chaotic Bai Ruxue's thoughts became.
Just as Bai Ruxue was about to reach the courtyard, she saw Xiao Mo bidding farewell to a man in official robes.
Bai Ruxue quickly hid behind a stone.
Seeing the two of them chatting happily, Bai Ruxue's heart sank.
Could it be that Xiao Mo had already agreed to marry his daughter?
After the County Magistrate left, Bai Ruxue slowly stood up and returned to the courtyard.
"Ru Xue, you're back."
"Mm."
"I have good news for you, I passed the imperial examination."
"Mm-hmm…"
"Ru Xue, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Xiao Mo asked, seeing Bai Ruxue constantly lowering her head.
"No… I'm fine… I… I'll go cook for you. I'll celebrate properly today." Bai Ruxue shook her head and ran into the kitchen.
About half an hour later, Bai Ruxue came out carrying the dishes.
Xiao Mo looked at the saliva chicken, which was perfect in color, aroma, and taste, and eagerly took a bite, almost choking to death.
"Xiao Mo, what's wrong?" Bai Ruxue quickly poured him a cup of water.
"You try it yourself." Xiao Mo picked up a piece for her.
Bai Ruxue took a bite, and her face instantly turned green.
"Bah, bah, bah!"
Bai Ruxue quickly spat out the chicken.
"Um… I accidentally shook too much, I put too much salt. Xiao Mo, eat this." Bai Ruxue picked up a green vegetable for Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo took a bite of the green vegetable, his expression also very complex: "Ru Xue, did you not put salt in the green vegetables?"
"Ah? Then try this again." Bai Ruxue added a piece of rabbit meat.
"This rabbit meat is too sour, isn't it?" Xiao Mo couldn't quite handle it anymore, "How much vinegar did you put?"
"I… I'll go make it for you again." Bai Ruxue ran back to the kitchen.
The meal Bai Ruxue made the second time was actually fine.
However, when Bai Ruxue ate, she seemed absent-minded, scooping plain rice into her mouth bit by bit, forgetting to pick up any dishes.
While washing dishes, Bai Ruxue also broke two plates…
When hanging clothes to dry, Bai Ruxue would pick up the clothes, put them on the drying rack, then take them off the drying rack and put them back in the basin.
This was repeated over and over.
When sweeping the courtyard, she swept one spot again and again…
Xiao Mo was certain that she definitely had something on her mind.
At night, after dinner, Bai Ruxue didn't return to her room to sleep; she just sat in the courtyard, looking up at the stars.
Xiao Mo walked out of the room, picked up a book, and gently patted Bai Ruxue's head.
Bai Ruxue was startled, her peach blossom eyes glaring at Xiao Mo coquettishly: "You scared me to death! What are you doing?"
"I should be asking you what you're doing. You've been listless all day. Quick, tell me, what happened?" Xiao Mo asked, feigning seriousness.
"I… I didn't…" Bai Ruxue turned her small head away.
"Really didn't?"
"Really didn't!"
"If not, then fine. Sigh…" Xiao Mo sighed, "I thought I was very important in your heart, and you would tell me everything. It seems I was just being wishful."
Just as Xiao Mo turned to go back to his room, feeling disappointed, Bai Ruxue gently pinched the corner of his clothes.
The girl lowered her head and softly said, "It's not… it's not like that…"
"Then why won't you tell me?"
"I… I…" Bai Ruxue hesitated, almost burying her head in her chest.
Xiao Mo was not in a hurry, just waiting for her answer.
"Xiao Mo." The girl seemed to gather all her courage, looked up, and asked nervously, "The County Magistrate wants to marry his daughter to you, right?"
"How do you know?" Xiao Mo was stunned.
"I… I heard about it!" Bai Ruxue's eyes flickered, "Are you going to marry her?"
"Does Bai Guniang think I should marry her?"
Bai Ruxue lowered her head again, falling silent, her small hand gently rubbing the corner of his clothes.
After a long while, the girl's voice was as soft as the evening breeze: "I… I don't want you to marry her…"
"Silly girl."
Xiao Mo pinched the girl's fair and tender little face.
"Then I won't marry her."