In the turmoil at the Su family mansion, he stepped forward.

The news of Shen Qingci's open confrontation with Li Linfu in the imperial court spread like wildfire throughout the capital, and the courtyard of the Su family was also shrouded in this storm.

Inside the study, Su Mingyuan paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed, his tone full of anxiety: "Qingci is too upright! Li Linfu wields immense power and has a vast network of cronies. Openly offending him now is tantamount to courting death."

Madam Su sat to the side, her needlework long since stopped, and echoed with worry, "Yes, Mingyuan. Although our Su family is considered a scholarly family, how can we withstand the suppression of powerful officials? I think it would be better to postpone Qingci and Yunqing's marriage until the storm has passed, so as not to implicate the entire Su family."

"No!" Before the words were finished, Su Yunqing's firm voice came from behind the curtain. Dressed in plain clothes, she strode into the study, her eyes shining brightly. "Father, Mother, Brother Qingci did nothing wrong! He spoke frankly and offered advice for the sake of the people and the country. What wrong has he done? How can you break off our marriage just because you're afraid of Li Linfu?"

Su Mingyuan sighed: "Yunqing, your father knows that Qingci is upright, but the officialdom is treacherous, and Li Linfu is narrow-minded and will definitely retaliate. We are doing this for your own good."

“Your daughter understands your good intentions,” Su Yunqing said, her eyes slightly red, but she still kept her back straight. “But Qingci and I have been deeply in love since childhood and have already pledged our lives to each other. Now that he is in danger, how can I abandon him? If even I have to back down, how isolated and helpless will Qingci be in the court?”

She paused, her voice growing even more resolute: "No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, I will marry Brother Qingci and share his joys and sorrows, his life and his death. Even if it implicates the Su family, I will do it willingly."

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Shen Qingci, dressed in a blue robe, walked in calmly. He had overheard the conversation inside from outside the door, and his heart was filled with a mixture of warmth and guilt.

“Uncle, Aunt, Yunqing,” he bowed and said earnestly, “This matter was caused by me and has nothing to do with the Su family. If Li Linfu wants to take revenge, I will take full responsibility and will never let the Su family suffer any consequences.”

He walked to Su Yunqing's side, gently took her hand, and looked at Su Mingyuan and his wife, his words resounding: "But my heart for Yunqing is as clear as day. I, Shen Qingci, will marry no one but Yunqing in this life. Uncle and Aunt, rest assured, I will definitely protect Yunqing and the Su family. Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, I will never back down and will definitely strive to earn a stable future for her in this chaotic world."

Looking into his resolute eyes, Su Yunqing finally shed tears, but nodded with a smile: "Brother Qingci, I believe you."

Looking at the two kindred spirits before him, Su Mingyuan's concerns gradually dissipated. He sighed and finally nodded: "Very well, your minds are made up, so I will not stop you. Qingci, Yunqing is in your care. From now on, you must treat her well."

Shen Qingci kowtowed solemnly: "Uncle, rest assured, I will never let Yunqing down or the Su family down in this life."

The turmoil in the study finally subsided. Sunlight streamed through the flower branches outside the window, illuminating their clasped hands, firm and warm. They both knew that this marriage was destined to be anything but peaceful, but as long as they stayed together, they would fear no storm.