Reborn as a concubine's daughter and entering a noble family: Xie Lang, don't be too seduc

"I really just want to live."

Hawthorne carefully revealed his "purpose".

She couldn't be sure if these words would really move Xie Lin, make him let go of his doubts about her, and stop making things difficult for her if he could.

For now, this is her only option.

No matter how she analyzes it—

Xie Lin is someone who, so far, has no direct connection with the groups of assassins from last night.

This led her to decide to take a risk and gamble.

She feigned weakness towards Xie Lin, attempting to gain his sympathy...

While changing her clothes, she kept an eye on the people outside the screen.

I could vaguely see that figure standing in front of the door, pausing for a long time, but making no move...

Hawthorne couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. Did he agree or disagree?

Unlike her unease, Xie Shu, standing inside the door, was utterly shocked, as if struck by lightning...

At first, I was surprised by Hawthorne's "theory of rebirth," and then I was astonished by the secret in Hawthorne's words: they had actually been married and died together on their wedding night.

In that unchanging past, Hawthorne did indeed marry him!

In other words, the nightmare that had been plaguing him for days...

Actually, it really happened!

He really did marry Hawthorne.

She said she just wanted to survive...

Unable to bear the thought of her discovering that she already knew the truth, Xie Shu took advantage of Huo Sanghua's lack of awareness and fled from her and Xie Lin's room in a disheveled state.

Hearing the faint sounds coming from outside, Hawthorne immediately stopped what he was doing and listened intently.

At this moment, Xie Lin had just finished his business and returned to the room, looking towards the direction of the screen.

Hawthorne, not noticing anything amiss, lowered his guard and continued—

"...I was born unlucky. Although I was born into the once-prosperous Huo family, I remember very little because I was too young. They say my birth mother died early, and I lived with my stepmother, but from my few memories, she didn't seem to like me much. Later, my whole family suffered a tragedy, and for various reasons, I was sent to the palace and became Consort Qi's adopted daughter, but life there wasn't very happy... I don't ask for much, I just want to live peacefully and not lose my life..."

Even if things were unsatisfactory, she was as insignificant as dust, and her days were miserable and helpless, she still couldn't bear to die.

I just want to survive...

Xie Lin was surprised and didn't know why she would bring up these things, but hearing her calm tone as she recounted the hardships she had endured over the years, he couldn't help but feel more pity for her.

She must have been a pitiful person; she seemed to live a life of luxury, but in reality, she was never truly at ease.

Even that small wish is nothing more than this.

Just want to live a peaceful life, right?

Could it be that they look so alike...?

"I've told you so much, but you mustn't tell anyone. Remember to keep it a secret for me!" Hawthorne added.

The Marquis's mansion is a treacherous place, and she had already learned this the hard way from her two wedding nights. She only wanted to win Xie Lin over so that she could live a more peaceful life from now on, and she didn't want her secret to be known by a third person.

If this information falls into the ears of someone who shouldn't know, it might bring about some kind of fatal disaster.

Hearing her say that, Xie Lin assumed that was all she had to say.

"it is good."

He readily agreed, and Huo Sanghua breathed a sigh of relief, as Xie Lin's voice seemed to have dispelled her concerns about her.

After she changed her clothes, the maids entered the room, brought out a basin for washing and dressing, and began to do her hair and makeup.

She took down the old bun, combed her long hair smoothly again, and then put it up in a new bun. She applied hair oil to the stray strands on both sides and combed them back up, making it neat and clean. But she hesitated when choosing hair accessories...

Xie Lin leaned against the door, waiting for Huo Sanghua to go out together to pay their respects to the old lady.

I was just complaining to myself about how troublesome it is for women to get ready, but then I found myself staring at her, completely mesmerized...

He crossed his arms, watching the woman who had become his wife yesterday as she dressed. He watched as she let down her silky, seaweed-like hair and restyled it into a mature woman's updo, which accentuated her still youthful face with a touch of alluring elegance...

For a moment, he was completely bewildered.

In a daze, my first encounter with Hawthorne began to replay in my mind's eye.

The woman playing the zither behind the screen had once left him bewildered. She had boldly stepped out from behind the screen and stared at him...

Her eyes were bright and tender.

His heart skipped a beat because of this. However, at the time, he thought she had seen through his identity, and he felt more nervous and uneasy.

Thinking about it this way...

When I came to my senses, I saw them struggling to decide which hairpin to match.

Hawthorne's features still had a childlike quality, and the woman's hairstyle looked awkward on her, while the hairpins and ornaments looked old-fashioned and out of place no matter how they were paired.

Xie Lin didn't want to delay for too long.

He knew the old lady of the Xie family well; if she really found an opportunity to make trouble for him, Huo Sanghua would probably suffer all kinds of difficulties on his very first day of entering the family.

He sighed and went over to help.

Just moments ago he seemed indifferent, but suddenly he walked behind Hawthorne, and the maids hurriedly made way for him.

Xie Lin reached out and picked up a simple, elegant pale yellow beaded flower from in front of the vanity mirror. He then held it up against Huo Sanghua's hair and said, "This one will do."

Just a moment ago, Hawthorne was avoiding him from behind.

Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of the beaded hairpin in the vanity mirror, and realized she couldn't find anything better. "This one will do," she thought, "let them help me..."

I was thinking of having her maids help her insert them.

Unexpectedly, in the next instant, before she could finish speaking, Xie Lin had already reached out and placed the pearl flower in her hair.

Hawthorne was so nervous that her whole body went numb; she could only watch his movements through the makeup mirror.

He was so casual and natural.

It looks like...

I'm already used to such affectionate gestures.

This reminded her of Xie Lin's infamous reputation in Shengjing. She had heard that he often frequented brothels, indulging in a life of debauchery and being obsessed with beautiful women.

That's understandable; Xie Lin must be more familiar with these jewelry and cosmetics than she is.

The maid Qinghuai stood behind them, secretly laughing as she watched everything unfold. She was glared at by Yanliu beside her, and immediately stopped laughing and lowered her head.

They were all maids specially chosen by Consort Qi to accompany Huo Sanghua in her dowry.

Yanliu is older, while Qinghuai and Wutong are younger, so they naturally listen to Yanliu.

Yanliu may seem to be the most well-behaved, but she is also a confidante of Consort Qi.

I have already recorded all their actions and am waiting to report back when the opportunity arises.

But just after Xie Lin placed the pearl flower in Huo Sanghua's hair, Huo Sanghua's eyes in the bronze mirror became confused...

"Let's go." Xie Lin turned around first and walked outside.

I need to go and pay my respects to the old lady...

Yan Liu was puzzled. Just now, because the second young master of the Xie family and Huo Sanghua were acting too intimately, they had unconsciously avoided looking at each other. But when she saw the look in Huo Sanghua's eyes in the bronze mirror, she suddenly realized—

The moment they looked away, Xie Lin did something to Huo Sanghua.

She couldn't think too much about it, so she helped Huo Sanghua up and they headed towards Madam Xie's courtyard together.

The two had barely stepped out the door when the news spread.

Countless eyes were watching the small courtyard.

Li Lang, who was staying in a guest room in the side courtyard, received the news. Liao Bin also learned from the servant that they had gone to the old lady's place. He immediately relayed the news to Xie Shu, who was recuperating in her bedroom.

"...Although the Second Young Master has married that troublesome woman, his illegitimate son has married before you, and the Old Madam must still have many grievances. She couldn't vent them on the Second Young Master before, but today, on the first day of the Second Madam's marriage, she may face some difficulties."

Liao Bin's casual remark immediately made Xie Shu focus and tense up.

After a brief hesitation, he was about to get out of bed.

"Young Master!" Liao Bin rushed forward to stop him. "You can't move around anymore. The doctor told you to rest. I don't know where you went so early in the morning. If the old lady finds out, she will definitely punish us for not doing our job well."

What does the commotion on the second young master's side have to do with us?

Liao Bin didn't want his young master to get involved in the second young master's affairs.