Chapter Seventy-Three: He felt somewhat uneasy.

"After all this time, you still don't know my size?"

Shen Qingnian hesitated for a moment.

Seeing Shen Qingnian's bewildered expression, Xie Yanzhi flicked her forehead: "These cuffs are too narrow."

Shen Qingnian immediately understood that Xie Yanzhi thought the robe was bought for him.

She nestled in Xie Yanzhi's arms, feigning shyness: "I just noticed the cuffs were too small, and I was thinking of having them altered for my cousin."

"Cousin, don't look at it yet. I'll bring it over after I've finished making the changes."

Xie Yanzhi raised the corners of his mouth and gently pinched the tip of her nose with his fingers: "I can't wait any longer."

Shen Qingnian was speechless.

She couldn't wait any longer; she couldn't just take the clothes out and alter them right now.

The size is obviously much smaller, and he will realize something is wrong when he sees it.

Shen Qingnian reassured her, "It will be fixed soon."

"I can't wait to see you in your wedding dress." Xie Yanzhi found Shen Qingnian's serious expression amusing.

He liked to tease her when she was being serious, and then watch her get annoyed when she realized he had tricked her; it was very lively and interesting.

"Put them on now!"

Hearing Xie Yanzhi's words, Shen Qingnian knew that he was not discussing things with her, but making a demand on her.

Her heart jumped again, and she felt very annoyed.

The wedding dress was given to Gu Lingyu, so how can she wear it for him now?

Besides, even if that wedding dress were here, she wouldn't wear it!

She, Shen Qingnian, refuses to wear the clothes of a concubine!

Seeing that Shen Qingnian was still hesitating and hadn't made a move, Xie Yanzhi was a little displeased and frowned, saying, "Why aren't you getting dressed yet?"

“Cousin, I…” Shen Qingnian had a headache and didn’t know what to say for a moment.

She just felt that Xie Yanzhi was becoming increasingly difficult for her to deal with lately.

Two knocks came at the door, and Yuan Qing's voice sounded like heavenly music in her ears.

"Sir, could you please come out for a moment?"

"What is it?" Xie Yanzhi was somewhat displeased that his interest had been interrupted.

"Someone from the palace has come," Yuan Qing replied cautiously.

He didn't want to bother the master, but if someone from the palace came, it must be something important.

Xie Yanzhi reluctantly released Shen Qingnian, saying, "I'll come back to check on you later." With that, he got up, opened the door, and went out.

"What happened?" Xie Yanzhi asked as he walked.

Yuan Qing was also unaware of what had happened: "It was Eunuch An from the palace who came and said he had an imperial edict to tell you."

Xie Yanzhi frowned; the arrival of someone at this time was not a good thing.

Eunuch An saw Xie Yanzhi approaching from afar.

Xie Yanzhi was dressed in a black brocade robe and wore a jade crown today, exuding a cold and oppressive aura.

With a smile plastered on his face, Eunuch An stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I have received an imperial edict. Minister Chen of the Court of Judicial Review has discovered several thieves in Qixia Town outside the city. He requests that you accompany him to see if the thieves are related to mountain bandits."

"When do we depart?" Xie Yanzhi coldly uttered a few words.

"His Majesty has ordered you to depart immediately; your troops are already waiting outside the residence," Eunuch An replied with a smile.

Xie Yanzhi did not delay and immediately followed Eunuch An toward the main gate.

I won't be able to see her in her wedding dress tonight.

Xie Yanzhi mounted his horse and turned to Yuan Qing, saying, "On the seventh day, have Shen Qingnian wait for me. I will come back to lift the veil."

He's just going to Qixia Town outside the city. If everything goes smoothly, he'll be able to come back the day after tomorrow to welcome her home.

Yuan Qing understood that his master meant that on the seventh day of the month, they should still welcome Miss Qing into the house as previously arranged.

Xie Yanzhi glanced in the direction of Qianyue Residence, feeling uneasy for the first time: "Also, keep an eye on her!"

He didn't understand why he gave such an order, as if she would leave if he did.

Xie Yanzhi raised his whip and lashed his horse hard; he needed to finish his business quickly and return as soon as possible.

Shen Qingnian must wait for him!

When Yuan Qing went to Qian Yue Ju to tell Shen Qingnian that Xie Yanzhi had left the city, Shen Qingnian almost lost her composure.

She was just having a headache about how to deal with this devil!

He's already left the city and won't be back for another two or three days.

This means that the matter of taking a concubine may be delayed, giving her more time.

She felt a surge of secret joy.

But it wasn't appropriate to show it in front of Yuan Qing.

"But don't worry, Miss Qing, the master said he would still welcome you into the house on the seventh day of the month. He will come back to lift your veil."

The tiny bit of joy in Shen Qingnian's heart vanished instantly.

Xie Yanzhi refused to postpone the wedding date.

She glanced at the robe on the bed and resolved to leave before Xie Yanzhi returned.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you, Your Highness.” Shen Qingnian’s eyes were resolute as she spoke.

To Yuan Qing, it sounded like Shen Qingnian was just putting on a brave face.

In his view, Miss Qing was clearly somewhat disappointed.

Come to think of it, it makes sense. Qing only gets married once, and her husband wasn't even by her side on her wedding day. It must have been a bit unfair to Qing.

"Miss Qing, then I will move all the wedding items over tomorrow and decorate Qianyue Residence properly," Yuan Qing said excitedly.

He would then decorate Qianyue Residence with a festive atmosphere, so that Miss Qing could see how much he valued her.

This can be considered as making up for the regret that Master was not by Miss Qing's side.

"No need. I already told the young master that a small sedan chair is sufficient to carry me in."

"No need for a big celebration!"

It's become common knowledge!

Shen Qingnian did not say what she was going to say next.

Last time, Xie Yanzhi listened to her words and did not inform the old lady about taking her as a concubine.

Therefore, the old lady and the others only knew that Xie Yanzhi wanted to take a concubine, but they did not know who this concubine was.

"You can make the arrangements after I leave the manor tomorrow," Shen Qingnian instructed again.

Once she leaves the Marquis's residence, it won't matter if Yuan Qing plasters the entire Qian Yue Residence with bright red "double happiness" characters.

Anyway, on the seventh day of the month, Xie Yanzhi welcomed Gu Lingyu as his concubine, which had nothing to do with Shen Qingnian.

The next day, Shen Qingnian came to say goodbye to Aunt Su.

Aunt Su was shocked when Shen Qingnian suddenly announced that she wanted to leave.

"Nian'er, why do you suddenly want to go back?"

She held Shen Qingnian's hand, her eyes filled with concern and reluctance.

Her own niece only brought one maid with her when she finally arrived at the Marquis's mansion, a long and arduous journey.

Now he is traveling alone thousands of miles back to Jiangnan, and the journey must be extremely difficult.

“I received a letter from my mother a few days ago, saying that things at home have been settled and that I should go back soon.”

“But it’s not safe for just you and Ling’er on the road,” Aunt Su said with some concern.

"Don't worry, Aunt, Mother has already sent people to meet me on the way," Shen Qingnian reassured her.

This trip was much easier than the last. On the way here, she and Ling'er were surrounded and ambushed.

This time, Xie Yanzhi isn't here, so no one will come to arrest the two of them.

Shen Qingnian took out the string of fragrant beads from her sleeve and handed it to Aunt Su: "Aunt, this string of rose-scented beads was made by my mother herself. Please keep it."

Aunt Su took the bracelet, her heart filled with mixed feelings.