Shen Zhao sat on the soft couch by her window, her face slightly flushed. Her thoughts drifted to the northern frontier thousands of miles away, and to the boy who always teased her.

Since their parting in the northern frontier, Brother Lu Qi would occasionally send her little trinkets through intermediaries. Sometimes they were beautiful stones unique to the northern frontier, sometimes exquisite silver ornaments, and sometimes sweet dried fruit. Each time, they would be accompanied by a short letter, written in flowing handwriting. The content was nothing more than asking her how she was, what the weather was like in Longxi, and whether she missed him... Every time she read them, her heart would race, and she would feel both shy and sweet.

"Miss, Young Master Lu has sent someone to deliver something!" Xiao Mei's voice, filled with laughter, rang out from outside the door.

Shen Zhao's heart skipped a beat. She quickly stood up, straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and said, "Please come in quickly."

The messenger was one of Lu Qi's close attendants, who respectfully presented an exquisite brocade box: "Miss Shen, this was sent by my second young master on a fast horse. He said it's a dried flower called 'Edelweiss,' newly acquired from the northern frontier. Its fragrance is refreshing and long-lasting, and it's very soothing. He told you to place it by your pillow for a peaceful sleep." The attendant paused, a mischievous smile appearing on his face, and added in a low voice, "The young master also specifically instructed me to deliver it to you personally, saying... saying there are some 'important words' he wrote for you inside."

Shen Zhao's cheeks flushed even more as she accepted the heavy brocade box, her fingertips burning slightly. "Thank you for your trouble. Please... thank Brother Lu Qi for me." She then asked Xiao Mei to give the visitor a tip.

After the attendants withdrew, Shen Zhao eagerly carried the brocade box back to the window. Opening it, he found it filled with snow-white, fluffy dried flowers, their cool, refreshing fragrance wafting out, soothing and delightful. Among the flowers lay a letter sealed with wax.

She carefully opened the letter. Lu Qi's handwriting was still as elegant and flowing as ever, filling two pages. The first part was mostly about interesting things in the northern frontier, training in the military camp, and the recent situation of his elder brother and sister-in-law and his three little nephews and nieces. He said that Xiao Han'er looked most like An'an, and was very cute. The two boys were very naughty and had even pulled out a few hairs from their grandfather's beard... Shen Zhao couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

In the last few lines of the letter, the handwriting seems to be pressed harder:

"...Zhaozhao, no matter how fierce the winds and sands of the North are, they can't blow away the longing in my heart. Is the moon in Longxi as round as the one in the North? When you fall asleep with these edelweiss blossoms as your pillow, can you smell a trace of the North's scent? I wish I could be by your side right now, to see how you look when you receive these flowers; you must be even more beautiful than these edelweiss blossoms. There's something I should mention; last time in the garden... I was impolite. But whenever I think of your blushing face then, I... never mind, we'll talk about it when we meet. After I finish my military duties, I'll personally come to Longxi to see you! Wait for me!"

The signature reads "Qi, who longs to see Zhaozhao".

Holding the letter, Shen Zhao's cheeks burned, and her heart pounded like a deer's. The unfinished words and the straightforward "hope to see you" made her feel both shy and sweet. She couldn't help but press the letter to her chest, as if she could feel the burning affection of the boy thousands of miles away.

However, Shen Zhao did not expect that Lu Qi's "Wait for me" would come so quickly.

Two weeks later, the Shen residence welcomed another uninvited guest. When the gatekeeper scrambled in to announce their arrival, Shen Zhao and his mother, Xiao Mingyu, were preparing to go horseback riding!

"Madam! Miss! Young Master Lu... Young Master Lu has arrived! He said he was sent by General Lu and Madam to deliver some furs and medicinal herbs from the northern frontier to Master, Madam, and Miss, and also to... to visit Miss!"

Xiao Mingyu was taken aback, then smiled knowingly and looked at Shen Zhao, whose face had instantly turned red: "This child is quite thoughtful. Please come in."

Shen Zhao's heart leaped into her throat, and she hurriedly followed her mother out to greet them.

In the front hall, Lu Qi, dressed in a smart brocade robe, looked travel-worn but radiant. He was exchanging pleasantries with Shen Wensong, but his gaze kept drifting towards the door. When he saw Xiao Mingyu and Shen Zhao appear, his eyes lit up instantly, and a bright smile spread across his lips.

"Uncle Shen, Aunt Mingyu!" He bowed respectfully, then turned his gaze to Shen Zhao, his smile deepening, tinged with a hint of mischief, "Sister Zhao Zhao, it's been a long time, how have you been?"

Shen Zhao lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, and her voice was barely audible: "Brother Lu Qi, I... I'm fine." She secretly raised her eyes and met Lu Qi's smiling gaze, and her heart pounded even faster.

Shen Wensong and Xiao Mingyu exchanged a smile, observing the growing affection between the two. Shen Wensong stroked his beard and said, "Qi'er, you must have had a long journey. How are your father, mother, brother, and sister-in-law? How are the three little ones?"

Lu Qi immediately began to vividly recount the amusing stories of his family, especially focusing on how his three little nephews and nieces "tortured" his grandparents, making Shen Wensong and his wife burst into laughter. Shen Zhao listened intently, temporarily forgetting her shyness, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and tenderness.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Mingyu said, "Zhao'er, why don't you take Qi'er for a stroll in the garden? A new batch of fabric has arrived at the warehouse. Your father and I will go take a look and pick out some good ones to take back to your cousin An'an and the children." Shen Zhao blushed and agreed.

The two walked one after the other in the exquisite garden of the Shen family. Spring was in full bloom in Longxi, with flowers in full bloom and butterflies dancing. Shen Zhao walked ahead somewhat awkwardly, while Lu Qi followed behind at a leisurely pace, his gaze fixed intently on her slender back and her ears, which were slightly flushed with shyness.

“Sister Zhao Zhao,” Lu Qi suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with amusement, “did you like the edelweiss I gave you last time? Did you sleep soundly with it on your pillow?”

"Mmm...I really like it, it smells wonderful." Shen Zhao answered softly, quickening her pace.

"That's good." Lu Qi took two quick steps to stand beside her, turning his head to look at her downcast profile. "Did you...read the letter?" He deliberately dragged out his words.

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