Song Xizhi's thoughts were wandering, and his eyes were somewhat unfocused.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, the long arm around her waist suddenly loosened, and she was freed from her restraints. She staggered a step, but quickly regained her footing.

Song Xizhi looked up in confusion, gazing in the direction of the culprit: "He Jingyan? Why are you suddenly so weak?"

He Jingyan was initially taken aback by Song Xizhi's words, but then he straightened his expression and said, "Men and women should not touch each other. Just now, in front of others, I didn't want your family to worry, so I overstepped my bounds with you, Madam."

"Now that your sister-in-law has passed away, and there are no outsiders around you, there is naturally no need to force you anymore."

Song Xizhi's lips twitched. Hearing this familiar line, he never expected that He Jingyan was such a petty man!

Use her words from yesterday to shut her up! She's probably still holding a grudge about being "used and discarded" yesterday!

Thinking of this, Song Xizhi took two more steps forward and naturally took He Jingyan's hand, which was hanging at his side.

The fingers are long and slender with rounded tips, and the palms are warm, just like a hot water bottle.

Song Xizhi looked up at him and smiled: "We've already held hands, aren't you going to kiss me?"

Looking at the woman's bright smile, He Jingyan was slightly dazed, thinking he had understood her meaning. Then he grasped Song Xizhi's hand and intertwined their fingers.

The two stepped over the threshold and went inside.

Song Xizhi's steps were somewhat hurried. She didn't know why the man beside her didn't answer, but instead rushed into the house, and at such a fast pace.

She seemed to remember something, and looking up breathlessly, she asked, "I want to go to the Fengshan Ceremony, do you want to go?"

Hearing the woman's slightly panting voice, He Jingyan slowed his pace. He noticed Song Xizhi's somewhat confused look, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "I'm not going."

Song Xizhi was puzzled: "Why don't you go? Now that He Yunce and Song Ruoan know that you have woken up, this matter can no longer be kept a secret."

He Jingyan nodded, a hint of helplessness hidden in his handsome eyes. He simply said, "I still need to recuperate at the Marquis's residence."

Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi shifted his gaze from the man's face to his broad chest.

Yes, He Jingyan was so healthy and energetic that she had completely forgotten that he still had an injury on his collarbone.

Actually, there were still bruises on his forehead, but I don't know what he used, because the bruises from last night are completely gone today.

Once inside the house, they reached the soft couch. Song Xizhi released He Jingyan's hand and looked at him with curiosity: "My father and my uncle will both try to stop me from going to the Fengchan Ceremony. Can you really handle it?"

The two were separated by a small square table. He Jingyan glanced at her sideways and said, "Are you afraid I'm not good enough?"

Feeling the man's gaze, Song Xizhi shook her head with a sly smile.

She wouldn't dare say that.

To everyone's surprise, He Jingyan was still somewhat dissatisfied when he saw that she didn't say anything. He stood up and walked towards Song Xizhi.

Song Xizhi stared wide-eyed, wondering what he was up to.

To her surprise, He Jingyan stretched out his palm, and in his large palm was a white jade hairpin.

"The 1,500 taels of red envelope is He Yunce's apology, and this jade hairpin is my apology."

Song Xizhi looked up in surprise, watching the man extend his palm forward again, patiently waiting for her answer.

In that instant, she felt her heart melt.

She had never received such a gift before.

Song Xizhi raised his hand and held the jade hairpin in his hand. The hairpin was warm and smooth, imbued with the man's warmth, and did not feel cold.

She gripped the jade hairpin tightly in her hand, opened her mouth, and finally just smiled and asked, "So that's what you went out to do today."

Seeing Song Xizhi's nervous reaction, He Jingyan smiled and said, "Besides doing this, we also have to collect debts."

"He Yunze said that he can get the 1,500 taels of silver for you soon. He seems much more relaxed."

Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi tilted his head, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Get rich overnight?

You should know that this 1,500 taels of silver ranked after government loans and usurious loans...

He Yunze couldn't possibly be unaware of what usury meant, and the Song family was currently broke, while Marquis Anding was also unaware of this matter at the moment.

Otherwise, the Marquis's residence wouldn't be so quiet right now.

So where did his money come from?

This is a question worth considering.

...

For more than ten years after Emperor Guangqi ascended the throne, the government was efficient and the people were harmonious, and people from all directions came to pay tribute. The country was stable, and the Fengshan ceremony was held because of this.

Meanwhile, Tibetan envoys have been arriving in the capital one after another, and the Astronomical Bureau has finally set the date for the Fengshan ceremony as the winter solstice.

Because the winter solstice is an important solar term for the return of yang energy, it symbolizes new vitality and good fortune.

So, half a month before the winter solstice, officials from the Ministry of Rites personally delivered invitations from various prefectures.

At the Marquis of Anding's residence, it was Song Juncai and Su Mingli who personally came to deliver the gifts.

Song Juncai handed the invitation he was holding to Song Xizhi, looking utterly pathetic: "You've really made something of yourself, managing to get arrangements personally made by the Astronomical Bureau."

Even Su Mingli's expression contained a hint of helplessness: "Zhizhi, your skills are indeed impressive."

Song Xizhi ignored Song Juncai, but gave Su Mingli a sly smile: "Is Uncle going to admit defeat?"

Su Mingli shook his head: "What else can we do if we don't admit defeat?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!