Chapter 6: The Marriage Proposal (Part II)

“Of course!”
Jiang Zhiyan was overjoyed and immediately began recounting the events from a year ago in Suzhou with her.
He spoke of how charming the young lady was; how they shared mutual interests and a love for painting; how, to him, she was like a kindred spirit; and how much he adored her.
Lu Zhi remained silent.

******

In the Lu residence, Yan Xi’s chamber.
“Who is it?”
She asked Qinglian to open the door, her face filled with puzzlement as she looked toward the maid who had come to inform her.
The maid, named Xiaoliu, replied, “Miss, it is the young master Jiang from the Marquis of Jing’an’s family. He is waiting in the front courtyard to see you.”
Qinglian and Atai both chuckled quietly upon hearing this.
“Speak of the devil, and he appears. What happened this morning, he comes this afternoon. This young master Jiang is truly eager.”
Their laughter only made Yan Xi’s cheeks flush deeper, leaving her momentarily at a loss.
It was Qinglian who reminded her, “He came all this way just for you, Miss. You should at least see him; don’t keep him waiting too long.”
Only then did Yan Xi nod in agreement.

******

The front courtyard.
As dusk approached, a gentle breeze swayed the willow branches, and the sunset bathed the horizon in a warm red glow. The rosy light shimmered across the rippling surface of the lake, creating a picturesque scene.
Jiang Zhiyan stood with his back to the water.
He was slightly shorter and leaner than Lu Zhi.
At just twenty-one years old this year, born into a scholarly family with strict upbringing, he had a gentle disposition and observed proper etiquette—undoubtedly a man of integrity and honor.
When he met Yan Xi in Suzhou a year ago, he fell for her at first sight. As he had said, ever since their parting, she haunted his dreams. Whenever he thought of her, he would paint to ease his longing, sometimes smiling foolishly at his portraits for quite a while. It was precisely because his heart belonged to her that he had delayed marriage.
He had longed for this reunion like one yearns for the stars and moon—and finally, she was here.
Jiang Zhiyan’s spirits were high; a constant smile graced his handsome face as he gazed intently toward the opposite side.
After a long wait, he finally saw her silhouette.
Delighted, his eyes followed her until she disappeared from view, and his heart burned as he turned toward the Marquis.
When the young lady appeared, he immediately went to greet her, his excitement overflowing.
“Ruan Ruan!”

******

Night had fallen swiftly; lanterns were lit. The back courtyard of the Lu residence gradually grew quiet, and the streets outside emptied.
Yan Xi had just bathed and now sat before her dressing table as two maids gently combed her hair.
The room was very still, no one spoke, yet the atmosphere was exceedingly sweet and pleasant.
The two maids seemed to be holding back laughter.
Yan Xi’s delicate eyes flickered as she caught their expressions in the bronze mirror, her face slowly flushing red.
Her complexion was so fair and tender that any blush showed more vividly than most.
Qinglian and the other maid noticed immediately.
Unable to hold it any longer, their laughter burst forth.

******

The room was filled with the young ladies’ soft giggles.
Yan Xi’s voice was low, clearly helpless, “Stop... stop laughing.”
Taohong said, “I bet this young master Jiang will come tomorrow to formally propose!”
Qinglian added, “I bet he won’t even be able to sleep tonight!”
Yan Xi retorted, “You two, shut up...”
The maids only laughed more wildly.
After a long while, they returned to the matter at hand.
Qinglian said, “Miss, young master Jiang is truly a worthy man. From what we have gathered—from family background to character—there is not a single flaw. He and you have a history, so he knows you well. Looking back, that meeting was indeed fate.”
Taohong chimed in, “Look at how he looks at you with such adoration; he’s bound to be a devoted husband!”
Yan Xi pleaded, “Enough, stop talking...”
Qinglian and Taohong laughed again, then quieted down. Qinglian asked seriously,
“Miss, how do you feel about him?”
What did Yan Xi think of Jiang Zhiyan?
She had no strong feelings one way or the other.
She neither liked nor disliked him.
There was only one thing she somewhat liked—he called her “Ruan Ruan.”
“Ruan Ruan” was her childhood nickname, which she had told him in Suzhou.
In the past, only her parents, uncle, elder sister, and the entire Sheng Wang family had ever addressed her that way.
Having not heard it for six years, to suddenly hear it again at dusk felt like a different world.
Besides that, she truly had no deep feelings.
“I don’t have any particular thoughts. Please don’t say any more nonsense.”
Whether or not it was nonsense didn’t matter; the answer came the very next day.
Jiang Zhiyan, accompanied by his father and a matchmaker, indeed came to the door.
By midday, the news had spread throughout the Lu residence and naturally reached Yan Xi’s ears.
She was received by Madam Fang of the Duke’s household.
Since the Duke of Ningguo had recently been away from Chang’an and Yan Xi had only just returned home, she had yet to meet the Duke in person, so the matter was not yet finalized.
Still, everyone in the household tacitly agreed that this marriage would almost certainly succeed.
After all, the Jiang family was wealthy and influential; Yan Xi was from the Shen family, and even with the Lu family’s backing, her status remained somewhat tarnished. This match was the best she could hope for—a blessing akin to reaching the heavens.
There was no shortage of private discussions.
She was destined to be the most honored princess of Dayong but had fallen to marry a declining nobleman, which stirred some sighs, yet at least she had a fate.

******

Now that the matter was before her eyes, Yan Xi had to contemplate.
After careful thought, she felt that the young master Jiang might truly be her suitable match.
The first advantage was that he was not a complete stranger.

The second, and most important, was that the Jiang family kept to themselves and maintained a good relationship with the Lu family.
Though they had declined, they at least offered stability.
Years from now, if the Lu family seized power, the Jiang family would remain unaffected.
Moreover, if she became betrothed early—or simply married him outright—she could sever ties with Lu Zhi completely and thus escape that dreadful nightmare.
With this clarity, the young lady’s heart gradually accepted the match, agreeing to take Jiang Zhiyan as her husband.
Having given her consent, she allowed herself to think positively of him and found herself increasingly fond of him.

******

The day after the proposal, Jiang Zhiyan came again.
The afternoon sun shone generously, with flowing water under a small bridge and a sky as blue as polished lapis.
They walked side by side, admiring the chrysanthemums around them.
The scent was just right—not too strong, not too faint—filling the air with a soothing fragrance.
Jiang Zhiyan said, “To be honest, Ruan Ruan, I haven’t slept for two days.”
Yan Xi wore a pale pink cloak, her skin as smooth and delicate as jade, her beauty like a freshly blooming lotus. The soft color only enhanced her exquisite charm, captivating all who saw her.
“Why?” she asked with curiosity.
Jiang Zhiyan stopped walking and faced her with a smile, speaking frankly:
“Don’t laugh, Ruan Ruan, but if I said it was because I was so happy to see you again, would you believe me?”
Yan Xi was momentarily taken aback. Her thoughts first wondered: How could happiness cause sleeplessness? Happiness should make one sleep better. She had always been able to sleep well before; it was fear that had kept her awake now.
As she pondered this, she realized the true meaning behind his words.
Her cheeks flushed deeper, and after a while, she lifted her face to him and smiled gently...

*******

Far ahead, the man had unknowingly slowed his pace, coming to a halt. He turned his head toward the two figures in the chrysanthemum garden.
Behind him, a young servant followed hastily, caught off guard by the sudden stop and nearly bumped into him. He quickly stepped back and, looking up again, tried to follow the young master’s gaze but saw that he had already walked away.
He hurried to catch up, smiling as he asked,
“What was the young master looking at?”
Lu Zhi said nothing, returning to his chambers.
Inside, the room was lavishly furnished, dominated by dark tones. Smoke wafted from the incense burner, creating a misty haze that blurred the view.
Lu Zhi leisurely removed his cloak and tossed it to the servant.
Occasionally, a maid would bring tea.
The man remained expressionless, pouring and sipping the tea slowly. When he finished, his slender fingers suddenly applied slight pressure, causing the cup to emit a soft clink before vanishing. A fine powder fell gently through his fingers.
At the same time, a calm, measured voice spoke:
“Send someone...”