Chapter 98 Scarlet Rose "Why are you all leaving?"...

Xue Chan stayed at the Cheng family's house for three days.

Everything was as usual; there were no rumors, and no one came to visit.

The day she left, Cheng Qingpei rushed back.

Madam Zhou told him everything.

But after listening, Cheng Qingpei simply said in a serious tone, "So what if she can't get married? Does our family lack her food and clothing?"

How could you, as the older brother, think like that?

But Cheng Qingpei asked them, "Father, Mother, let's not say the marriage is off for now. Even if it were to happen, would you be happy? Would you be able to happily marry her off?"

The couple didn't say anything more.

Because she hadn't been home for a few days, Jiang Ce, who was off duty, came to pick her up.

Jiang Ce watched as Xue Chan gently leaned her head against the window, so he leaned closer and nudged her with his elbow: "How about we go to Ningcui Tower? They've recently introduced several new dishes."

Xue Chan turned around and smiled at him: "It's all good."

Seeing that she still didn't seem very interested, Jiang Ce fumbled around on his person and pulled out a small box, looking rather mysterious.

"Guess what's in this box?"

Xue Chan sighed and then cheered him up.

"I suppose you got this stuff from some unknown dealer again."

Jiang Ce held up a finger and waved it in front of her: "No, no."

Xue Chan was not in high spirits and gave a somewhat tired smile.

He took her hand and pressed on the box. As soon as the lid opened, two little birds jumped out.

This thing is small and exquisite, the little bird is carved so lifelike that it can even hop gently and nod and tilt its head like a real bird.

Xue Chan picked it up and looked at it from left to right, finally managing a relaxed smile.

"That's really interesting."

Jiang Ce laughed and said, "Having fun, huh? Now you're in the mood to go eat something delicious, aren't you?"

Xue Chan smiled gently at him, but the next moment her eyes stung with tears. She rubbed her chest, lowered her head, and took deep breaths.

A moment later, she covered her face and leaned on Jiang Ce's shoulder.

He put his arm around her and gently patted her back to help her catch her breath, saying, "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Xue Chan wiped away a tear: "I've already resolved the bookstore matter. As for the Zheng family, they should be fine. What I'm worried about is..."

"I know."

Jiang Ce hugged her tightly: "You're worried about Miss Cheng, so when you have some free time, spend more time with her."

Xue Chan gave a soft "hmm".

Days passed by peacefully and harmoniously.

March passed just like that.

As late spring transitioned into early summer, the weather grew increasingly dry and warm, prompting the roses on the wall in the yard to burst into full bloom one night.

Xue Chan moved her desk into the courtyard and began to paint the roses that were already in full bloom.

An invitation was handed in from outside.

Xue Chan looked at it and saw that it was Yu Lang's invitation to the Spring Gathering.

It rained for several days in mid-March, and by the time the rain stopped, it was the season for spring harvest.

Xue Chan went to the banquet according to the invitation.

She went with Cheng Huaizhu, and as soon as they arrived at the garden, they immediately ran over to the girl by the water who was looking at the flowers.

"Waaaaah..." Cheng Huaizhu almost threw herself into Xiao Yangjun's arms, her voice choked with sobs, "Why do you have to marry someone so far away? We'll never see each other again..."

She was sobbing uncontrollably, and Xiao Yangjun was both amused and exasperated by her display. He could only wipe away her tears and comfort her.

"Oh dear, it'll be a while before we meet again."

Cheng Huaizhu's lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face.

Xiao Yangjun cupped Cheng Huaizhu's face in his hands, puffing out her cheeks slightly. His eyes also reddened, but he scolded her, "Look, look, I spent a long time putting on my makeup today. If it's ruined, I won't talk to you anymore."

“Huaizhu…” Xue Chan stepped forward to help Cheng Huaizhu.

The group stood together, comforting Cheng Huaizhu, who was still sobbing, and said softly, "His Highness held this spring banquet so that we could all get together. It wouldn't be good if you cried."

Cheng Huaizhu blinked, lowered her head, wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, and didn't say anything more.

"Has the wedding date been set?" Xue Chan asked softly, feeling a little reluctant.

"Hmm," Xiao Yangjun smiled and nodded, "February 13th next year."

"But the capital is far from the northern frontier, and the wedding is on February 13th..."

She has to leave at least two months in advance, so she has to get married in the first month of the lunar calendar.

Xiao Yangjun breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "The current plan is to leave the capital on the fifth day of the first lunar month. My brother will accompany me to the northern frontier and stay until the wedding before returning."

She smiled faintly.

At that moment, the spring sunlight was just pouring down from the flower wall and into Xue Chan's eyes. She felt as if her eyes were filled with hot and stinging water.

The waterside fell silent for a moment.

I wonder how many more times I'll see such wonderful moments...

Xue Chan turned her face away slightly, shook it, and swallowed the rose-scented tears back into her body before stepping forward.

Xiao Yangjun withdrew his gaze and patted the hand that was resting on her arm.

She thought for a moment, then smiled brightly: "The roses in the Princess's residence are blooming so beautifully. Please draw them for me, and I'll take them with me later."

"good"

Some were heartbroken, others were filled with emotion.

"Oh, why are you all here?"

Fang Youxi came in, fanning herself with a smile: "Her Highness has prepared fine wine, just waiting to get drunk tonight. She's been complaining about you not coming."

She pulled a few people along and dragged them to Lu Ting.

There were a few apricot and pear trees planted there, and now they were in full bloom, scattering a flurry of jade-colored petals.

Yu Lang had a mat laid out inside, and incense tables and flower stands were set up, with several screens placed in a row.

When the group arrived, Yu Lang had already drunk his wine and was angrily confronting them.

"It's so slow, so slow."

Xiao Yangjun rushed over and hugged her, coaxing her gently, "Oh, I know Your Highness meant well. It's just that I was captivated by the beautiful flowers in your garden."

She blinked: "Your Highness is so kind, so please don't be angry."

"Fine, I'll reluctantly forgive you." Yu Lang raised his chin, pointed at them, and said, "You all have to toast me!"

The group drank wine, played the zither, and fiddled happily.

Xiao Yangjun, in high spirits, raised his wine cup and said with a smile, "My brother recently composed a new piece of music, and we choreographed a dance together. We haven't performed it for anyone yet, so let's show it to you."

Yu Lang played the zither himself, and then had Qing Luan play the se.

The moon is pale, the wine is warm, and our joy never ends.

Yu Lang sighed and poured himself a drink: "The northern frontier is so far away, I don't know when we'll meet again after you leave."

Xiao Yangjun smiled and wiped away her tears, comforting her: "We will meet again someday."

Although she said this, everyone understood that it was just a way for her to comfort herself and others.

Many people never see each other again for decades, or even when they pass away with gray hair.

Crossing mountains and rivers, I passed by carrying with me childhood memories.

Cheng Huaizhu leaned against Xue Chan, her head bowed and tears streaming down her face. Perhaps it was because she had grown up a bit, but she was now more thoughtful and melancholic.

A moment of silence fell over the room, and Xiao Yangjun smiled.

"Oh dear, I finally managed to find time to get together with you all, not to watch you shed tears and sigh."

Fang Youxi replied, "Let's enjoy ourselves while we can. If we don't have a proper get-together today, I don't know when I'll be able to return to the capital."

Cheng Huaizhu sat up straight, and Xue Chan asked her, "Are you leaving the capital?"

She nodded and smiled faintly: "I received a letter from home saying that my father is ill and misses me very much, and wants me to go back to Cheung Chau as soon as possible."

Yu Lang: "So today is also a farewell ceremony for Yuki."

Cheng Huaizhu was the first to break down, and she hugged Xue Chan and started crying.

Why are you all leaving?

She asked the question, but no one could answer it.

This time, Xiao Yangjun couldn't hold back either, and hugged Fang Youxi and cried: "I can't bear to part with you. I still want to play polo with you, go on spring outings, fly kites, and go hunting in the autumn."

Tears streamed down his face, more than the wine he had drunk.

Xue Chan's emotions were like a thread, originally all tangled up without any sign, but now a loose end was being pulled out.

It has a beginning but no end, it gets longer and longer, and it piles up more and more.

She gently patted Cheng Huaizhu, who was already sobbing uncontrollably, and exhaled several breaths thick with tears.

Yu Lang wiped away his tears: "Don't cry, let's go to the Star Pavilion to stargaze! This is the best day for stargazing that Youxi calculated."

She led the group up to the Star Pavilion.

The group sat together, drinking hot wine, and listening to Fang Youxi point out the stars in the sky.

"When you miss each other, look up at these stars."

Yu Lang's banquet didn't end until midnight, and Xue Chan and Cheng Huaizhu left together in a carriage.

Cheng Huaizhu leaned silently against Xue Chan's chest the whole way, whether from drunkenness or sorrow, it was hard to tell.

The carriage traveled for a while and then slowly came to a stop near the entrance of Zhishu Lane.

Xue Chan was still in surprise when You Yu outside the carriage whispered, "It's Zheng Shaoyu."

She felt the person lying in her arms stiffen slightly, so she called softly, "Huaizhu?"

Cheng Huaizhu didn't respond; she seemed to be asleep.

Xue Chan gently lowered her down, then lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage herself.

Zheng Shaoyu stood at the alley entrance, holding a box in his hand, leading his horse.

"she......"

Xue Chan smiled slightly and said gently, "She's asleep."

“I…I understand.” Zheng Shaoyu handed her the box.

Xue Chan was somewhat confused: "This is...?"

Zheng Shaoyu gave a slight, bitter smile: "This is the third volume of 'The Golden Hairpin'."

"Isn't it already gone?"

Cheng Huaizhu burned all the manuscripts.

Zheng Shaoyu took a breath: "I know she burned the manuscript; this is a copy I made."

"Rewrite?" Xue Chan was somewhat surprised.

He lowered his eyes and smiled, "She showed it to me once before, and I remember it."

"Madam Xue, please give this to her for me." Zheng Shaoyu handed the box to Xue Chan, who hesitated for a moment before taking it.

Xue Chan stroked the box, bit her lip for a moment, and then said, "Huaizhu, she..."

"I know! I know!" Zheng Shaoyu immediately raised his face, tears welling up in his eyes. "I know she refused the marriage not because she doesn't like me. She just can't accept this situation; she feels it's unfair and she's unwilling to accept it. I know all of this..."

Xue Chan sighed softly and asked him, "Do you have any other message for her that you would like me to deliver?"

Zheng Shaoyu shook his head slightly: "No need, I'm leaving anyway..."

"Go? Where to?"

“Go to Dongxian Academy to study. My father and Dean Cui of Dongxian Academy are good friends. I have already passed the academy examination and will be leaving in a couple of days.”

Xue Chan looked down at the box in her hand, then looked up at Zheng Shaoyu, who looked very forlorn.

"So, you came to deliver the manuscript so she would wait for you?"

"No! No!" Zheng Shaoyu immediately retorted, then choked up slightly after a moment, and gave a self-deprecating laugh, "How could I have the right to make her wait for me?"

He raised his sleeve to wipe away the tears welling up in his eyes: "But I'm a stubborn person, and there will never be anyone else but her."

Xue Chan frowned, her tone serious.

"Things change in an instant, so why be so resolute? Besides, whether you get married or not, and your life, is not her responsibility."

"I know!"

He looked up, his expression resolute: "I've already told my family that this is my own decision, and I will take responsibility for it myself. No one can blame her."

Xue Chan didn't say anything.

Zheng Shaoyu bowed and said, "It's getting late, I'll take my leave now."

Having said that, he mounted his horse, glanced back at the carriage whose curtains had not yet been lifted, and rode away.

Xue Chan got back into the car with the box in her arms, while Cheng Huaizhu had already sat up.

She handed the box over.

Cheng Huaizhu gently opened it and touched the papers inside.

"I met him the year I first came to Beijing, and it's been five or six years since then."

She looked up, smiling through her tears: "Actually, I quite like him."

"Qiao Niang" Cheng Huaizhu smiled, then looked somewhat confused. "Should I have refused the marriage proposal? Did I do something wrong?"

Xue Chan embraced her, and she wept on her shoulder.

"Huaizhu, marriage is not a necessary part of life; just follow your heart."