There were only the two of them in the backyard; the rest of the Song family had gone to the shop today.

Xie Linzhou took the opportunity to hold Song Ning's hand, but he couldn't bring himself to smile.

Song Ning noticed a pair of large hands taking hers, but she didn't refuse.

"We've chosen an auspicious date; the betrothal ceremony will take place today, and we can get married after the New Year next year."

"That depends on whether my parents agree or not."

She didn't have any objections. Once things were settled, it was only a matter of time. But don't parents generally not want their daughters to get married too early?

Xie Linzhou believed his mother's words and was sure she would make it true.

With no one in the backyard, Xie Linzhou grew bolder. The two walked to the small garden at the back, where there was a rockery. Suddenly, Xie Linzhou pinned the man against the rockery, looking like he was about to do something naughty.

Song Ning was startled and quickly raised her hand to block his chest: "What are you doing in broad daylight?"

"I...I just...I just want to..."

He has learned a lot from books these past few days and wants to put it into practice today.

Seeing the person lower their head, Song Ning quickly turned her head to ask, "Have you brushed your teeth?"

She had heard before that some people have bad breath, and the other person suffers when doing this.

Xie Linzhou was initially overjoyed, but these words immediately made him dissatisfied.

"You dislike me?"

"No, no, it's just... I have no experience with this before, so I'm really a bit..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Linzhou leaned down and pressed his lips to her soft lips.

Xie Linzhou had no experience either, and his ears turned bright red, but following the instructions in the book, he moved his lips slightly.

Song Ning didn't actually have any experience, but even if he hadn't eaten pork, he had at least seen pigs run, right? He immediately took the initiative, closed his eyes, and went to meet them.

Xie Linzhou froze, not expecting Song Ning to be so bold.

The book says that at times like this, girls would shyly snuggle into each other's arms, so why did Song Ning react differently?

After lingering on her lips for a moment, Song Ning took a step back. Instead of the expected shyness, she seemed to be wondering what the kiss had tasted like.

Xie Linzhou looked at her, his eyes still showing lingering interest, and asked, "Do you hate this?"

Song Ning shook her head: "I don't dislike it."

As soon as she finished speaking, the man in front of her leaned down again, lifted her up, and made her look at him at eye level. He kissed her again, this time domineering and fierce, as if he wanted to meld her into his body.

Unlike before, this kiss came like a sudden storm.

"Hmm..."

The moment the tip of her tongue touched him, Song Ning froze completely.

Where did this person learn this from? He seemed so clumsy just now, how did he learn it so quickly?

His arms held her tightly, preventing her from moving. She pushed his shoulder, but he didn't budge.

After an unknown amount of time, her tongue began to ache. Xie Linzhou finally stood up, and Song Ning was finally able to breathe fresh air. Her fair face flushed, and her eyes looked as if they had been moistened, making her appear pitiful.

Xie Linzhou was overjoyed and lightly kissed the corner of her lips, his breath warm and moist: "Can I call you Aning from now on?"

Song Ning looked up, leaning against him, feeling weak.

People say that people in ancient times were reserved, but Xie Linzhou was anything but reserved.

Just now, she thought they were going to devour her alive.

"It's just a name; call me whatever you want."

Emerging from behind the artificial hill, Song Ning's face was still flushed, and she glanced around guiltily.

"What's there to be afraid of? We've exchanged betrothal gifts today, so we're engaged now and will get married next year. What's there to be afraid of?"

Song Ning glared at him, annoyed: "If someone sees us in broad daylight, where will I put my face? You may not care about your reputation, but I do."

"Don't worry, everyone's in the front hall right now, no one will come here."

The two went out from the backyard. The two families in front had already reached an agreement and set a date for the wedding, which would take place after the first month of the lunar calendar.

Although the Song family felt it was a bit early, the Duke's mansion couldn't wait any longer and insisted on the marriage as soon as possible.

Princess Jianing had already prepared everything for the wedding and was just waiting for her new bride to arrive.

If you do the math, there's not much time left, so we need to hurry up and prepare.

The news that the Duke's mansion had proposed marriage to a commoner woman spread quickly.

For so many years, Xie Linzhou had not found a girl he liked, and everyone in the capital was speculating about which young lady would eventually enter the Duke's mansion.

But after waiting for so many years, there was no news. Now, finally, there is news, and it turns out to be a girl from the countryside.

Since the news of this incident spread, more and more people have been coming to her restaurant.

Compared to last time, this time it's more about exploration.

However, Song Ning hasn't been going to restaurants much lately, and has mostly been in clothing shops, so these investigations don't affect her.

The clothing shop has been doing much better business lately, and Master Tian, ​​a tailor, is even a little too busy to keep up with the demand.

Xiao Cui suddenly ran in from outside and whispered, "Master, the Mu family's daughter has arrived."

As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Xueyun walked in from outside. As soon as she entered, she was captivated by the clothes hanging in the shop.

Completely ignoring Song Ning and Xiao Cui standing beside him, he stepped forward and touched the clothes, clearly enamored with them.

"Miss Mu, your drool is practically dripping onto my clothes. You'll have to pay for it if you get it dirty."

Mu Xueyun suddenly came to her senses, looked at Song Ning, and ran over excitedly: "Song Ning, I knew I wasn't mistaken that day."

"You can be my master."

Not again?

When Song Ning saw her sad last time, he took one of the clothes she had drawn at the Mu residence and sent it to her, thinking that perhaps if she had something she wanted to do, she would slowly forget those sad things.

And it actually happened.

"I don't take on apprentices."

Mu Xueyun has completely changed. She used to find Song Ning displeasing no matter what, but now she finds him pleasing to the eye.

He grinned obsequiously, "Song Ning, since we're friends, please take me as your apprentice. I promise I'll treat you the same way I treat my mother."

"Stop." She was afraid of shortening her lifespan.

"Oh, then you can let me stay here. From now on, I'll work for you in the shop. I don't want wages. You just need to teach me how to make clothes."

"You want to learn how to make clothes?"

"Mmm." Mu Xueyun nodded excitedly.

"It's not impossible for you to stay in the store, but you'll have to listen to me from now on."

"Don't worry, I will definitely listen to you."

"I'm engaged to Xie Linzhou, aren't you angry?"

"Sigh, romantic feelings and all that are trivial matters. My family will naturally find me someone better in the future. I was just... I was just so angry that he didn't like me."

But now... since you'll be my master from now on, I naturally won't hold this against you.

Listen to how open-minded he is.

Just as Song Ning was about to say something, he saw two women enter through the door. Coincidentally, they were the two ladies from the Xu family again.

Having been scolded by Song Ning and Liu Yuelan last time, he had long held a grudge against Song Ning. The three of them locked eyes as soon as they entered.