"You don't have to rush to tell me. Wan Ning, you and I grew up together and know each other very well. Our two families are old friends, and my father and mother are very easy to talk to and they like you very much. If you marry me, you can do whatever you want, just like you do now at home."

Pei Xuanzhi was usually a playful person, always telling jokes, but rarely did he say something like this, which made Song Wanning confused.

Song Wanning hadn't recovered from her shock when Pei Xuanzhi continued, "I've remembered you since childhood. Later, when I learned you were married in Jiangnan, I regretted not returning earlier. Now that you're free, we still have a chance. Wanning, I've always had you in my heart."

Song Wanning looked up and happened to see the uneasiness in Pei Xuanzhi's eyes. What he said was indeed from the heart, but Song Wanning didn't know how to refuse. Wen Tingbai was a two-faced and smooth person, and he had never said such heartfelt words to her.

Song Wanning pursed her lips, but still said patiently, "Xuanzhi, I've been married once, and you know I didn't marry the right person. Now I really have no interest in getting married, and I really don't dare to marry again."

"It doesn't matter. I'm still young and I still have time to spend with you. I want you to discover my true feelings." Pei Xuanzhi was not discouraged by Song Wanning's words. He just smiled and said, "I want you to know that not all men in this world are like Wen Tingbai."

Song Wanning felt warm in her heart when she heard this, and a smile appeared on her face. Pei Xuanzhi was Pei Xuanzhi after all, and he would not be sad and shrink back because of a few words from her.

Song Wanning thought Pei Xuanzhi was joking and asked, "What if I can't get over it for the rest of my life?"

Pei Xuanzhi looked at Song Wanning and blurted out what was in his heart, "Then I will wait for you forever."

Song Wanning was stunned for a moment, then slowly said, "You are the only child in the family. I'm afraid your uncle and aunt won't approve of you being so willful. You and I have different profound knowledge."

"Although I'm an only child, I have many brothers from the same clan." Pei Xuanzhi smiled even more happily, looking at Song Wanning and saying, "Wanning, you should worry about yourself. I see that your uncle is very satisfied with me as his future son-in-law and wants to marry you to me. You might as well think about how to refuse."

Pei Xuanzhi's shamelessness was enough to overwhelm Song Wanning. She waved her hands and said, "You've got my father under your thumb now. I'm afraid if you ask to marry me, he'll tie me up and send me to your mansion if I refuse."

Pei Xuanzhi raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a smile, "Since you are so aware, just marry him obediently, so that your uncle won't have to tie you up."

Song Wanning finally couldn't help but hold her forehead and laughed, saying helplessly, "Then you just wait."

It’s a good thing that you didn’t refuse directly.

Pei Xuanzhi watched Song Wanning enter the house before turning around and leaving in a very good mood.

At this time in the general's mansion, there was a completely different scene in Nan Hongqiu's yard.

Song Zhan was now being dragged by Nan Hongqiu to discuss Song Wanshi's marriage. Seeing that Pei Xuanzhi was about to become the eldest wife's son-in-law, Nan Hongqiu could not help but feel anxious. "Master, the eldest wife is so powerful now. Seeing that such a good boy like Xuanzhi is about to become the eldest wife's son-in-law, our daughter Wanshi has also reached the age of marriage. Master must think of a way."

Seeing Nan Hongqiu say this, Song Zhan could only helplessly reply, "Do you think I don't want to? I just went to talk to Brother Pei a few days ago, and he and his wife both said they loved Ning Jie'er very much and didn't take our Wan Shi seriously at all. What can I do?"

Nan Hongqiu's expression immediately turned cold upon hearing this, and she said unhappily, "The Pei family is also trying to curry favor with the powerful. Seeing the eldest wife gaining power, they only want to marry her daughter."

Nan Hongqiu glanced up at Song Zhan and said coldly, "Wanshi is also pitiful. It's a pity that she doesn't have a father who fights in the battlefield. If she did, I'm afraid the handsome men in Shengjing who come to propose marriage would be lined up outside the street."

"You blame me?" Song Zhan also became angry after hearing Nan Hongqiu's words and retorted, "Let's not talk about Sister Shi's appearance, which is a world away from Sister Ning's. Just talk about manners, housekeeping, and flower arrangement. How can Sister Shi compare to Sister Ning? If it weren't for your laziness and lack of proper education, would Sister Shi still be surpassed by Sister Ning in every way? Now you blame me."

"Sister Shi is your own daughter, and you actually think this way about her?" Nan Hongqiu was furious when she heard Song Zhan say this. "For so many years, I've personally taken care of Sister Shi. Have you ever asked about her upbringing? Now I'm just asking you to think about her marriage, and you actually say such things? It's really disheartening."

"Did I say I don't care about Sister Shi's marriage?" Song Zhan and Nan Hongqiu were no longer on speaking terms, so he said coldly, "I think Wan Jiqing, the son of the Imperial Censor in the capital, is a good candidate. His father holds a high position, not much worse than the Pei family."

"What kind of marriage are you looking for for your daughter?" Nan Hongqiu became even more displeased after hearing Song Zhan's words. "Wan Jiqing spends his days fighting cockfights and running errands, and what future can he have relying on his father? Besides, his appearance and character are far inferior to Xiao Pei's. If Sister Shi marries a husband who is worse than Sister Ning, who married twice, wouldn't everyone laugh at her if the news got out?"

"How can you have it both ways? You want a wealthy family with a high official position, and you want a son with outstanding literary talent." Song Zhan was now at his wit's end and could only say coldly, "I can't find such a man. Why don't you go and find one for Sister Shi yourself?"

"If I had a plan, would I need you?" Nan Hongqiu picked up the teacup on the sandalwood table and threw it to the ground, saying coldly, "I see that even though my eldest brother Song Jing is a general, he's been sending invitations everywhere for Ning Jie'er's marriage, and even invited people to come to our house to look for her. Look at you, have you ever done anything that you should do as a father?"

"I can't get this clear with you." Song Zhan was about to leave after hearing this, and said bluntly, "If you have such wild ideas, I can't stop you even if the king of heaven comes to matchmake for Sister Shi. Instead of daydreaming, you might as well take advantage of this opportunity to seize the time when the Pei family stays in the mansion. I'm afraid if time goes on, there will be no chance anymore."

After hearing this, Nan Hongqiu chased after Song Zhan and scolded him, "You don't care about your daughter, but I'm still here. There's no need for you to come up with any tricks here."

Seeing Song Zhan walking away, Nan Hongqiu sat alone in the bedroom, thinking about the last words Song Zhan said.

Nan Hongqiu pondered for a long time and said in a deep voice, "It seems that I can only throw away my pride and take a gamble."