Lu Yanyan rose to her feet, awkwardly straightening her dress before approaching the elderly matriarch to pay her respects.
However, her hopeful anticipation of making a good impression on the old lady had been completely ruined by her own clumsiness.
A tingling sensation welled up in her nose, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
Oh no, the old lady must think she was unruly and lacked any semblance of a ladylike deanor.
"Are you hurt, my dear child?" The old lady stood up, her face filled with concern and devoid of any hint of disdain.
"N-no..." Lu Yanyan was taken aback, and her tears retreated.
The Pri Minister’s wife interjected, trying to smooth things over.
"This child was just too overjoyed upon hearing of your arrival, she didn’t pay attention to her footing."
Lu Yanyan nodded hurriedly, adamant that her falling had nothing to do with being distracted by Chu Shuo.
The old lady nodded with a smile. "As long as you’re not hurt."
Chu Shuo also paid his respects to the Pri Minister’s wife.
Only then did she invite everyone to sit down and instructed the servants to bring the finest tea and refreshnts.
She was unsure of the purpose behind the old lady’s visit, but seizing the mont seed more opportune than waiting.
She decided to broach the subject and gauge whether Chu Shuo had any intentions of betrothing the Lu family’s young miss.
As she pondered how to approach the topic, the old lady spoke up, quick and direct.
"I ca here today for the sake of my grandson. Chu Shuo has co of age at eighteen, and though he may not have achieved any official rank, he has proven himself in business. He is a good child."
Chu Shuo tensed up upon hearing this, his usually shaless deanor replaced by a hint of nervousness.
The Pri Minister’s wife, catching on to the old lady’s intentions, felt a surge of joy in her heart.
The distinguished families were indeed different; they spoke and acted straightforwardly without beating around the bush.
However, as the representative of the bride’s family, she didn’t want to be too direct. Instead, she cautiously inquired, "What does the old lady an?"
"I simply wish to inquire if the Second Miss has any marriage prospects. I wonder if my grandson has the chance to pursue such a match." The old lady didn’t beat around the bush either, stating her intentions plainly.
Since she had co directly to their doorstep, there was no need for her to be circuitous.
Lu Yanyan widened her eyes and couldn’t help but stand up.
"No!"
Her outburst startled both the old lady and the Pri Minister’s wife.
Chu Shuo, finding her anxious appearance amusing, abandoned any pretense.
"So, you’re giving this chance to pursue you?"
Lu Yanyan’s face imdiately flushed.
The Pri Minister’s wife sighed in relief, grateful that the people of Anyang Marquis’s residence didn’t harbor ulterior motives.
If it were any other family, they would surely look down on her daughter, thinking she couldn’t discipline her properly.
She smiled and said, "The old lady’s visit couldn’t have co at a better ti. I was actually planning to visit the Marquis’s residence myself. It doesn’t matter if the Second Young Master hasn’t achieved any official rank; what matters is his character. However, my daughter lacks proper manners. She caused a scene at the Marquis’s residence before, and I’ve been feeling guilty about it."
The old lady burst into laughter, delighted by the affection between the couple. "Li’er doesn’t mind, so we won’t either."
As an elderly person, she always prioritized her grandson in everything.
Even Nanli had let go of her grudges, so there was no need for her to keep track of Lu Yanyan’s mistakes.
After discussing matters privately, they finalized the marriage arrangent.
They still had other matters to discuss, so they asked Lu Yanyan and Chu Shuo to explore the residence.
The Pri Minister’s residence was spacious, and with the pleasant spring weather and gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers, it was a refreshing and delightful atmosphere.
The two of them walked side by side, but neither spoke a word for quite so ti.
Chu Shuo rembered their initial eting, where they exchanged a few heated words.
Now, he couldn’t help but worry, "You haven’t said a word for so long. Could it be that you’re unwilling? Rest assured, if you don’t want to, I won’t force or trouble you."
He couldn’t help but feel that they were destined to be apart in this lifeti.
Lu Yanyan quickly glanced at him and bit her lip.
Ever since she learned of Chu Shuo’s feelings, she hadn’t been as outspoken as before, instead adopting a more demure deanor.
In a low voice, she said, "I am willing, but... I just wanted to ask, if you marry , wouldn’t that an neglecting the Qian family’s cousin? Or will you take her as a concubine?"
Chu Shuo was puzzled.
"The cousin’s marriage matters are decided by her uncle. Our families have never discussed any engagent. How could I be neglecting her?"
"It was your sixth sister who said you were discussing a marriage arrangent." Lu Yanyan pouted.
"That’s not true. Perhaps you misheard." Chu Shuo replied.
He considered Qian Ruolan as his sister, and he never had such thoughts.
At first, Lu Yanyan thought she had misheard, but upon careful consideration, she quickly understood why Nanli said that.
It was a way to make her anxious, so she would understand his feelings.
She couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated, realizing that Nanli had long seen through everything.
With a flicker in her eyes, she took two steps forward and grabbed Chu Shuo’s hand.
mories of their ti together flooded her mind, from the little monts to the encounter with evil spirits beneath the Wanfo Temple, vivid and unforgettable.
When did her heart start to flutter?
It must have been from that mont when she completely fell for him.
"Chu Shuo, I like you," Lu Yanyan took a deep breath and confessed, "I don’t know when it started, but my heart is filled with thoughts of you."
Speaking out one’s feelings bravely is not a difficult task.
Chu Shuo was montarily stunned, but then he grinned and tightened his grip on Lu Yanyan’s hand.
"I feel the sa," he said, "I don’t know when it started, but whenever I see sothing beautiful, I not only think of my family but also of you."
Learning about the entanglent between Lu Zheng and Yun Zhi, he feared missing out on his destined partner in this lifeti.
Life is short, and if one is not careful, regrets may linger.
Lu Yanyan’s heart raced.
Chu Shuo’s words, though simple, struck a chord deep within her.
That night, Nanli learned that the engagent between the two was temporarily settled, but due to Lu Zheng’s wedding, which was turned into a funeral, the formalities of the marriage ceremony could be postponed for a few months.
The timing of the wedding was not important; what mattered was that they both knew each other’s hearts.
Nanli was in a good mood, and after dinner, he wanted to have a few drinks.
Ye Siheng hurriedly intervened, saying, "Last ti, you had three cups of peach blossom wine and ended up drunkenly babbling."
"I can handle three cups, this ti I’ll only have two, I should be fine," Nanli said earnestly.
Under the flickering candlelight, Ye Siheng’s handso face was as gentle as jade.
His gaze was intense, and finally, he relented slightly, "Just one cup."
"One cup is not enough," Nanli pouted, "Forget it, I won’t drink."
Seeing her displeasure, Ye Siheng’s heart trembled, and he was at a loss, "Alright, the Emperor sent so Western grape wine with a low alcoholic strength. You can drink as much as you want."
Nanli imdiately smiled, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Her smile was enchanting, her gaze captivating.
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