Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

"Since you've heard about it, you must also know that I'm going to look for Shen Zhiyi."

Tao Jiuxi said straight to the point that she didn't want Xie Jinghuan to have any expectations, so it would be better to make it clear as soon as possible to avoid further embarrassment in the future.

"If you have something to do, why don't you come to me?" There was a hint of loss in Xie Jinghe's voice.

He always thought that he was someone Tao Jiuxi could rely on, but when she encountered problems, she chose to go to Shen Zhiyi.

"I'm already staying at your house, so it's not appropriate to bother you with everything."

"How can it be inappropriate! Whatever you need from me, I'm willing to help you."

"But I don't want to." Tao Jiuxi sighed.

"Why don't you want to?"

"Only Shen Zhiyi can help me with my problems. I know that brother treats me like his own sister, so I naturally know that brother will be worried about me. Thank you brother for this."

Tao Jiuxi followed Xie Jinghuan's words, trying to make Xie Jinghuan understand in this way that the relationship between them could only be that of brother and sister.

At the same time, she also hoped that Xie Jinghuan would not break the last layer of window paper, so that everyone could understand each other's intentions and avoid unnecessary embarrassment and hurt.

"I'm not a brother or sister to you, why are you pretending not to know?"

Xie Jinghuan's eyes were full of pain. He didn't understand why Tao Jiuxi always avoided his feelings.

Tao Jiuxi: “…”

Tao Jiuxi thought to himself, my refusal is so obvious, why are you pretending not to know?

After a while, he avoided Xie Jinghuan's burning gaze and said, "Brother must have drunk some wine at the banquet and is a little unconscious now."

Today, Shen Zhiyi did not agree to let her move out of Xie Mansion, so she guessed that she would have to live in Xie Mansion for a while in the future.

Now that Xie Jinghuan has said it, wouldn’t this just add to the embarrassment?

"Xi'er, why are you still thinking about him even though he sent you away? Haven't you two been out of touch for a long time?"

Xie Jinghuan did drink some wine today, but he was not drunk.

Tao Jiuxi remained silent. She didn't know how to respond to Xie Jinghuan's question.

"This time, I wanted to wait until after the palace examination and after entering the Hanlin Academy, and then tell you. With an official position, I will have more confidence." Xie Jinghe continued, his eyes full of anticipation.

He always thought that as long as he had an official position and enough strength, he would be able to win Tao Jiuxi's heart.

Tao Jiuxi: “…”

"As long as I enter the Hanlin Academy, I will be diligent and will eventually have a chance to succeed. Can you give me some time, Xier?" Xie Jinghe said, and reached out to hold Tao Jiuxi's hand.

Tao Jiuxi immediately moved to prevent Xie Jinghuan from touching him.

"In fact, even if you don't hold an official position, you are still a rare talent. There is no need to belittle yourself in front of me."

When Xie Jinghuan saw Tao Jiuxi avoiding him, he felt even more uncomfortable.

"Then can you please stop looking for him and look for me instead? I will definitely do whatever you want."

Xie Jinghuan's tone was full of pity and pleading. He hoped that Tao Jiuxi could see his sincerity and give him a chance.

"You're really drunk. You're talking nonsense."

Tao Jiuxi just felt that Xie Jinghe's tone was a little pitiful, and she felt a little reluctant in her heart.

However, she knew she couldn't be soft-hearted and give him false hope.

"I won't beat around the bush with my brother. I only treat you as a brother and a friend. I have my own concerns. Life is so long, and I don't want to make any decisions before I think it through clearly. That's why Shen Zhiyi and I are in this situation now."

At this moment, Tao Jiuxi only hopes that Xie Jinghuan can understand her feelings, let go of his feelings for her, and find his own happiness.

"What are your concerns?" Xie Jinghe asked.

"I've been trapped in the harem, spending my entire life fighting for favors and complaining about myself." Tao Jiuxi said slowly, her eyes filled with fear.

She felt that it was terrible to even talk about such days, and she really couldn't imagine what kind of ending she would have with such a personality.

When she thought of this, she could almost see herself falling into endless depression.

"But which girl doesn't get married?" Xie Jinghuan tried to refute her point.

"If this is the situation after getting married, it's better to be self-reliant. Besides, I know my character. Here, you are all dignified ladies. Someone like me who has no rules, even if it is fresh for a while, will inevitably be disliked in the end."

"Besides, I'm a carefree person by nature. Living cautiously all day would make me very tired."

Tao Jiuxi doesn't think she has the ability to change other people's perceptions. She just wants to live her own life well.

She knew that she was different from other women of that era, and she did not want to be confined to the harem and live a life of intrigue.

She longed for freedom and to be able to live her life on her own terms.

"If, if you are willing, I can marry you alone in this life. I won't confine you to the backyard, and I won't let you get jealous. You can still be yourself."

Tao Jiuxi was silent for a moment, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.

She just felt that if Shen Zhiyi said this, she might really be moved and want to stay with him forever.

But Shen Zhiyi is different from Xie Jinghuan in front of him. Shen Zhiyi is too overbearing and only does things according to his own ideas and does not tolerate any discussion at all.

And you can't always compromise, flatter, and beg for mercy to get what you want.

This kind of inequality is the reason why Tao Jiuxi wants to leave Shen Zhiyi.

Xie Jinghuan looked at the silent Tao Jiuxi and continued, "Xi'er, I know that life is difficult for women. If you don't get married, your uncle will be criticized. If your sister Wan'er has a sister who never gets married, she might also be criticized."

Xie Jinghuan's tone was sincere, and he was not exaggerating, because in this era, this was indeed the case.

In the places where they lived before, women were relatively free, but even so, they could not avoid external pressure.

What's more, this was ancient times, an era with many restrictions on women.

After hearing this, Tao Jiuxi felt depressed.

Her own idea did not take into account the situation of her father and elder sister.

But she just didn't want to get married, and she didn't do anything wrong. She didn't know where she went wrong.

But if she insists on doing it, she will have to face everything Xie Jinghuan said.

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she became.

"Xi'er, I can agree to whatever you say. I don't think you're breaking the rules. You're innocent, straightforward, optimistic, and live like the sun in the sky."

Xie Jinghuan said this, looking at Tao Jiuxi with a burning gaze, and said each word seriously: "My grandfather and mother also love you very much, and they will definitely not let you suffer any injustice."

"Can you look at me too?" he asked again, with a hint of pleading in his voice.