Chapter 3: Even If You Die, I Won’t Remarry

“It’s no use. As long as I live in Huai Shu Village, the village head will find endless ways to make my life miserable. I’ve thought about running away with my mother and little brother, but they’re both too frail. Even if you help me this time, once you return to the barracks, the village head’s family will surely step up their bullying of me.”

As she spoke, Lin Chu grew desperate. “Do you look down on me? I’m not bad-looking, I’m healthy, and I can work. Even though my mother and little brother are frail and need medicine, I can earn the money for it—I won’t be a burden to you…”

What on earth was this girl thinking? Li Xiao was at a loss. He cut her off. “Why are you so determined to marry me?”

“I’ll tell you the truth, but don’t get angry.” Lin Chu glanced at Li Xiao cautiously. Seeing him nod, she revealed the scheme she’d been hatching in her mind. “You’re a military household. I heard from the elders in Huai Shu Village that military households can marry women of good standing like me. If I marry you, I’ll become a military household member too. But once I join a military household, I can never return to being a woman of good standing, nor can I marry into one.”

Her voice grew softer and softer. “So even if you die later on, the village head won’t be able to set his sights on me anymore.”

In these turbulent times, with wars breaking out frequently, soldiers live with their heads on the line—there’s no telling when they might die on the battlefield. Li Xiao’s face darkened.

Lin Chu’s calculations were clear. She believed that if she wanted to marry Li Xiao, she had to be completely honest with him: “I’ve heard from my father that you’re a decent man. If I marry you, you shouldn’t object to me bringing my mother and younger brother to live with us. Besides, the Li family is large. With this kinship, our Lin family won’t be alone and without support here anymore.”

Li Xiao’s gaze was heavy, his expression inscrutable, as he waited for the girl to continue.

“You have three younger siblings at home, all quite young. If I marry you, I’ll have to help support them. No decent family would want to send their daughter here to suffer, and even those who are willing to marry into the family might not truly care for the three children. So it’s quite difficult for you to find a wife.”

“But I’m different. By marrying me, you’re helping me. I’ll be indebted to you, so I’ll certainly take good care of them. Even if you were to die one day, I’d raise your younger siblings to adulthood and find them good matches.”

Lin Chu grew increasingly nervous as she spoke, stuttering slightly by the end. “I absolutely won’t remarry. I’ll be your widow for the rest of my life. If you don’t believe me, I can swear an oath.”

Li Xiao nearly laughed in exasperation. So, it turns out this girl is determined to be his wife—not because she’s interested in him personally, but because he’s a military household with a large clan.

She’s even thought through how she’ll manage after his death.

Looking at the young girl earnestly trying to persuade him, Li Xiao’s heart softened. He sighed and said, “As you said yourself, my family’s circumstances aren’t great. Besides, I can’t say for sure when I might die. You’d be at a real disadvantage if you married into this family.”

“I don’t think it’s a bad deal. On the contrary, I’m very grateful to you for giving me the chance to raise my brother to adulthood.” Lin Chu was speaking the truth.

Li Xiao was silent for a moment before asking, “Where is your father’s burial plot? Would you mind being buried somewhere else?”

“The burial plot hasn’t been decided yet,” Lin Chu said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Li Xiao. “Do you agree to this marriage?”

Li Xiao didn’t speak. Marrying her now would clearly be taking advantage of her vulnerability. He couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing.

“Then let’s bury him on the back mountain. There’s a spot there with good feng shui.” Li Xiao pointed to the empty courtyard next to his house. “This is my eldest uncle’s courtyard. His entire family is gone, and now the place stands empty. You tidy it up, and I’ll go fetch your family. Your father’s funeral procession will start from here.”