My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 52

Chapter 52: The Proposal

Xie Huaichuan had submitted a leave request to his superior before the New Year. He hadn’t been home for many years and wanted to go back for a visit.

Thanks to his relationship with the Xiao family, Xie Huaichuan’s request was quickly approved. Master Wu’s eyesight was not good, so Xie Huaichuan had entrusted a trusted soldier to take care of him. Before he left, he had thought of buying some things from the border to take back, but then he thought that it would be better to buy some things in the prefectural city.

Like a star shooting across the sky, like a wild duck flying over a river, Xie Huaichuan was eager to return home.

He first went to the Xie family’s to tidy up the house. After cleaning it, he couldn’t wait to go to the Xu family’s.

When he entered the Xu family’s door, he recognized Xu Sunzheng and Cao Qin. When Xie Huaichuan entered the main hall, he felt a sense of homesickness and didn’t dare to look at the other people.

He took off his cape, put it on the side, and sat between Xu Sunzheng and Song Changxu. Song Changxu even moved a little.

My brother-in-law looks so tall and strong. A single slash of his sword could send me to heaven. As a gentle scholar, Song Changxu knew his place.

Xie Huaichuan quickly glanced at Song Changxu, then lowered his head and said a word of thanks.

Seeing Xie Huaichuan’s appearance, Song Changxu couldn’t help but sigh. As expected of the protagonist gong. He was so good-looking. No wonder he attracted so many romantic encounters.

He secretly sized up Xie Huaichuan. Xie Huaichuan naturally knew, but he didn’t say anything. He also sensed a hostile gaze. Without thinking, he knew who it was.

Cao Qin brought over a cup of hot tea. “Huaichuan, have some tea to warm up first. When did you come back?”

The tea was fragrant. It was the jasmine tea they had bought in the county. They had only brewed one pot.

Xie Huaichuan held the teacup and took a sip. After being with Xiao Bang and those dandies, his mouth had tasted many good things. The taste of this tea still made him savor it.

He could taste his own apprehension, panic, joy, and nervousness… all sorts of emotions gathered together, making him even more speechless.

Xu Sunzheng glanced at Xu Zhici. Xu Zhici’s head was lowered, and so was Xie Huaichuan’s.

“Huaichuan, have you been well at the border all these years?” Xu Sunzheng started the conversation.

Xie Huaichuan said, “It was a bit difficult when I first went. We couldn’t go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. We first had to build the border defenses and also be patrol soldiers. It was a bit hard at first, but at least there was no danger to my life.”

His tone paused. “After three months of building the border defenses, we had some simple training and then went to the battlefield. At that time, I couldn’t even hold a sword properly. It got better after I had more experience.”

He casually brushed over the life-and-death situations he had experienced. Xu Sunzheng could tell it was not easy. Xie Huaichuan was only sixteen when he had joined the army. Now he was twenty-three.

They were both unfortunate children.

Xie Huaichuan had never mentioned these things in his letters. Xu Zhici knew that being a soldier at the border was hard and life-threatening. Xu Zhici couldn’t care about anything else. He looked up at Xie Huaichuan.

Xie Huaichuan sensed a gentle, watery gaze on him. He was still talking to Xu Sunzheng and Cao Qin. His body suddenly stiffened, and his head was buzzing. He felt as if all the blood in his body was flowing backward, his throat burning and hoarse.

He was only sixteen when he had left home. Xu Zhici was a year younger than him. The two of them had known each other since they were children, childhood sweethearts. When they grew up and reached the right age, he had found a matchmaker to propose.

Now he was back, twenty-three, and he had dragged Xu Zhici to twenty-two.

Others of this age were already married and had children, but he had waited for him in the village for so long, and he didn’t know how much gossip he had to endure.

And now he was still looking at him so gently.

Xie Huaichuan’s face and expression were visibly stiff. Song Changxu saw that Xu Zhici was looking at Xie Huaichuan and understood. He also saw that his own husband was also looking at Xie Huaichuan, and with a very hostile gaze.

Song Changxu: “?”

No, wife, you really don’t like the protagonist gong. You’re a real cannon fodder.

Cao Qin said, “You’ve suffered all these years, child.”

Xie Huaichuan shook his head. “Although joining the army at the border was not my choice, now that I think about it, it should be my best choice. I haven’t been back for all these years, and I’ve made Zhici wait for me. The one I’m most sorry for is him, and also you, Uncle and Auntie.”

Xu Sunzheng and Cao Qin had mixed feelings. It was impossible to say that they did not resent Xie Huaichuan. It was not that no one had proposed to their Zhici. He was good-looking, from a good family, and had a good personality. If it weren’t for waiting for Xie Huaichuan, he would not have had to endure the gossip in the village.

Now that the old couple saw Xie Huaichuan, they thought that this young man had not had it easy either, and their resentment lessened. Besides, Zhici had his heart set on Xie Huaichuan. They, as parents, naturally hoped that their child would have a good life.

Xu Sunzheng waved his hand. “Don’t include us. You young people can handle your own affairs. I’ll just say one thing. Zhici has suffered all these years. You also know that he’s an unmarried ge’er who has been delayed until now. There’s a lot of gossip in the village. He’s waited for you for seven years. Don’t let him down.”

Xie Huaichuan cupped his hands, his heart full and sour. He said solemnly, “I will never let Zhici down in this life.”

Cao Qin smiled. “We’re much happier to hear you say that. How long can you stay this time?”

Xie Huaichuan said, “I can stay for half a month. I’ve come to propose this time. I want to get married in this half a month. I’m also apprehensive. The barbarians have not yet been driven back. If I marry Zhici now, I’m afraid I’ll meet with a mishap on the battlefield. Then there will be no turning back.”

At the end, Xie Huaichuan lowered his head.

Xu Zhizhou’s eyes were about to spit fire. He snorted heavily and was about to start scolding.

On the surface, Song Changxu was gentle as jade, but he actually held Xu Zhizhou’s hand to comfort him.

Xu Zhici’s hand grabbed his robe. He said, “If I were afraid to marry you because you’re on the battlefield, Xie Huaichuan, then you’ve looked down on me, and you’ve looked down on yourself.”

Xie Huaichuan was stunned. This was the first time he had looked up at Xu Zhici since he had entered the Xu family.

In his mind, he saw himself leaving with a bundle to join the army. That year, the fifteen-year-old Xu Zhici had looked at his back with tears in his eyes.

That face had always been in his mind, in his dreams, haunting him, becoming a demon in his heart.

Now they were all grown up…

Xu Zhici’s eyes were like autumn water, his face had a hint of resilience. Xie Huaichuan was in a daze.

Xu Zhici continued, “Ever since you went to join the army, I was prepared. If you were to meet with misfortune on the battlefield, I would wear mourning for you. I still have this thought now.”

Xu Sunzheng and Cao Qin were both shocked by their eldest son. Xu Zhici had been a well-behaved child since he was young and had never given the old couple any trouble. Except for the twists and turns of his marriage, he had never made a single mistake.

They had never expected his feelings for Xie Huaichuan to be so deep.

Xu Sunzheng was so angry that his beard was bristling. “Nonsense!”

Song Changxu had also known Xu Zhici for a long time. In his eyes, his elder brother had always been gentle. He had never expected him to be so resolute.

Xu Zhizhou was even angrier.

Xie Huaichuan’s throat bobbed up and down, feeling dry. “What have I done to deserve such treatment from you? I am deeply ashamed.”

Xu Zhizhou slammed the table, startling Song Changxu, Xu Sunzheng, and Cao Qin.

“Are you a coward or not? Just say if you want to marry my elder brother. You’ve said so much nonsense. Who knows if it’s just an excuse? Could it be that you’ve found someone else at the border? If so, then don’t delay my elder brother. We’ll find a good family for him to be a husband. The two of you won’t be delayed,” Xu Zhizhou said fiercely to Xie Huaichuan.

Xie Huaichuan met Xu Zhici’s eyes. He said in a deep voice, “I want to marry him.”

“If you want to marry him, then find a matchmaker and the betrothal gifts,” Xu Zhizhou said, crossing his arms.

Xie Huaichuan: “I’ll find a matchmaker tomorrow to carry the betrothal gifts.”

He had brought a box of New Year’s goods for the Xu family, and had not left anything for the Xie family.

“These few days, I’ll find a few idle men to fix up the house,” Xie Huaichuan said, looking at Xu Zhici. “Zhici, are you really willing to marry me?”

Xu Zhici was a bit shy, but since they were all his own people, he nodded gently. “I’ve been waiting for this day for many years.”

Xie Huaichuan agreed to the marriage. He felt relieved and looked at Xu Zhizhou with a bit more gratitude and tolerance.

In the future, Xu Zhizhou would also be his younger brother. As his brother-in-law, he had to be more tolerant of him.

He always thought so.

Xu Zhizhou rolled his eyes at him.

Xie Huaichuan: “…”

Xu Sunzheng: “Alright, you two should get married. This time it’s a bit rushed. I’ll inform the relatives to come as soon as possible. It’s the New Year now, so they haven’t gone far.”

Song Changxu cupped his hands to Xie Huaichuan. “Hello, Elder Brother Xie.”

Xie Huaichuan looked at Song Changxu’s clothes and age and recognized him. “Zhici mentioned you in his letter. You’re Changxu, right?”

Song Changxu smiled and nodded.

“I’ll have to ask for your guidance in the future,” Xie Huaichuan said politely. He had a good impression of Song Changxu.

Song Changxu also responded with courtesy.

Xie Huaichuan sat on the side and glanced at Xu Zhici. Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other.

Song Changxu, sitting on the side, felt a bit out of place.

Cao Qin saw the box behind Xie Huaichuan. She said, “It’s not easy for you to be outside, child. Why did you bring so many things?”

Xie Huaichuan’s heart stirred. He said, “I get a reward for killing the enemy in the army camp. And I’m already a junior seventh-rank company commander. Although I’m still a minor official, I have a salary from the court.”

The county magistrate of Jinhe was a junior seventh-rank. For the protagonist gong to be a junior seventh-rank company commander was already quite high, especially since he had no background.

Xu Sunzheng was surprised. “You, you’re an official?!”

Xie Huaichuan cupped his hands. “I’m indebted to my superior for his appreciation.”

Cao Qin murmured, “He’s an official. We’ve never heard of it.”

Xu Zhizhou was also stunned. He widened his eyes like a frightened kitten. Now he didn’t dare to glare at Xie Huaichuan anymore. He was very good at adapting to the situation.

Song Changxu said, “Elder Brother Xie is a junior seventh-rank company commander, which is the same as the county magistrate’s official position. They are both junior seventh-rank.”

Xu Sunzheng stumbled, in disbelief. “The county magistrate?!”

If they didn’t know what a company commander was, who didn’t know what a county magistrate was? After Song Changxu’s explanation, the whole family looked at Xie Huaichuan with different eyes.

Oh my god, their eldest son-in-law’s official position was as high as the county magistrate’s. Their heads were spinning just thinking about it.

Cao Qin: “You all can chat first. I’ll go and cook. You can all have dinner here tonight before you go back.”

Xu Sunzheng said, “Then I’ll have to call you Sir Xie in the future.”

Xu Zhizhou hid behind Xu Zhici. He wouldn’t call him that. He had his elder brother.

Xie Huaichuan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He said solemnly, “The official title is just a military designation. You can still call me Huaichuan, Uncle Xu. No matter what my official position is, I am still your junior.”

Xu Sunzheng’s face was wreathed in smiles. “Alright.”

Xu Zhici was also a little surprised, but his brow was furrowed with worry, as if covered by a light mist.

Xu Sunzheng went outside to chop firewood. Just as Xie Huaichuan was about to help, Xu Sunzheng said, “I can still do this. You’ve just come back. You young people should talk more.”

Song Changxu cleared his throat and pulled Xu Zhizhou from Xu Zhici’s side. “Didn’t you say you wanted to show me your room? Let’s go now.”

Xu Zhizhou: “I’m not…”

“Xie Huaichuan, don’t think that just because you’re some kind of official, I’m afraid of you. If you’re not good to my elder brother, I’ll beat you.”

Xie Huaichuan: “You don’t have to tell me. I will be good to Zhici. I also have to thank you for taking care of him all these years.”

Xu Zhizhou: “Elder Brother has taken care of me more. Husband, let’s go.”

Meeting Xu Zhici’s gentle gaze, many of Xu Zhizhou’s words were stuck in his throat and he couldn’t say them.

The two of them went into the room. Xu Zhizhou patted his chest. “Oh my god, Xie Huaichuan looks so scary.”

Song Changxu smiled. “You knew he was scary, and you still talked back to him.”

“That’s my elder brother. He doesn’t mind that he’s been gone for so many years, but I’ve seen my elder brother suffer for him.”

Song Changxu couldn’t say anything about the protagonist gong and shou. They were his elder brother and brother-in-law.

Everyone had left. Only Xie Huaichuan and Xu Zhici were left in the main hall.

***

Author’s Note:

Little Song: Witness. [Let me see]

Little Xu: My brother, this is my brother. [Clown]