"Moon Lady, you're finally back. Didn't Sui Sui come back with you?" Nangong Zeyue looked behind Jiang Shuyue, but there was no one there.
"Chang Le and Su Nan took him to the streets to watch the excitement. He will be busy with his studies tomorrow and won't be coming home for the time being."
"You're going back to the barracks tomorrow, so get some rest when you get back."
Jiang Shuyue carefully examined Nangong Zeyue. She hadn't lost weight, but the skin on her face didn't seem as fair as before.
Seeing hot tea and pastries on the coffee table, Qiuju picked up a cup, poured a cup of hot tea for her mistress, and then stepped back.
"Miss and young master, please take your time talking. I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare a few dishes so you can have a good drink tonight."
Before Jiang Shuyue could speak, Qiuju smiled and quickly left.
Nangong Zeyue asked, "Does the manor still have peach blossom wine?"
"No, we drank the last jar ourselves. Qiuju asked Mei'er to buy aged rice wine. Women often drink rice wine to help with blood circulation. Try it tonight, it's slightly sweet and not inferior to peach blossom wine."
Seeing Jiang Shuyue sit down with Xue'er in her arms, Nangong Zeyue walked over and bent down to touch Xue'er in her arms.
Their faces were no more than a foot apart, close enough to count each other's eyelashes.
Nangong Zeyue placed one arm on the back of Jiang Shuyue's armchair, making it appear from a distance as if her petite body was being held in his arms.
The warmth, carrying a masculine scent, enveloped her, and Jiang Shuyue instinctively shrank back.
The two were so close that they could almost hear each other breathing.
Jiang Shuyue's hand was on Xue'er's body. Their fingers touched lightly without their notice, and Nangong Zeyue's body trembled slightly, as if an electric current had run through her.
An indescribable atmosphere filled the room, making Nangong Zeyue's heart race and making her unable to resist.
He longed to hold that delicate, jade-like hand in his own to ease the pain of longing he had felt these past few days, yet he feared that his abruptness would startle her.
"Moon Lady, do you know who I envy the most?" Nangong Zeyue suppressed the ripples in her heart, pretended to be calm, straightened up, and sat opposite Jiang Shuyue.
With the inexplicable sense of oppression disappearing, Jiang Shuyue breathed a sigh of relief.
"You have someone else in your eyes that you admire? I didn't know that." Jiang Shuyue stared intently at Nangong Zeyue.
He remained as refined and elegant as ever, but now with an added touch of composure.
Such a man would be the ideal husband for countless girls.
Nangong Zeyue smiled self-deprecatingly, then winked at Jiang Shuyue, "I envy Xue'er for being able to lie in your arms every day."
"Nangong Zeyue! You..."
Jiang Shuyue blushed as Nangong Zeyue's blatant words of love were provoked.
She gave Nangong Zeyue a playful glare, "Don't be so serious, you're going to be a general someday."
“I don’t want to be a general. Let’s become strategists instead. Generals are caught in the bloodshed on the frontier. No one knows if they will see the sun rise tomorrow. I can’t bear to leave my beloved Yue Niang to be a widow.”
Seeing Jiang Shuyue's shyness, Nangong Zeyue became bolder when she started to tease her.
Jiang Shuyue blushed and glared at Nangong Zeyue. "Who says widows can't remarry? I'm not as stubborn as those rich girls here. You dare to die and I dare to remarry."
"Moon Maiden, pluck the flower while it blooms, lest you break a bare branch in vain. Shall we get married?"
Nangong Zeyue took out the jade pendant engraved with a crescent moon from his bosom, knelt on one knee and presented it to Jiang Shuyue, his tone sincere and his gaze earnest.
"Moon Lady, this is the only valuable thing I have on me. Consider it a betrothal gift. I know it's very meager, but I hope you won't find it offensive."
In fact, Nangong Zeyue had already taken the jade to a pawnshop for an appraisal. The old gentleman who appraised it said that his piece of jade was quite valuable and had no market price to refer to.
Jiang Shuyue had discussed with Qiuju a few days ago when it would be appropriate to get married, so this sudden marriage proposal did not leave her at a loss.
She took the warm jade and held it in her hand, then gently tugged at Nangong Zeyue's sleeve. "Don't kneel. The maids will laugh at us if they see us like this."
"Moon Maiden, are you agreeing to my request?" Nangong Zeyue excitedly grasped the small, jade-like hand that she had been longing for.
Jiang Shuyue nodded shyly, "Since you agreed that night, how can you go back on your word? You are willing to be with me for life, to never take a concubine. Does that promise still stand?"
"If I, Nangong Zeyue, ever betray Yueniang in this life, may I be struck by lightning and suffer a terrible fate..."
Before she could finish saying "die," Jiang Shuyue quickly covered Nangong Zeyue's mouth with her other hand.
"Today is the Lantern Festival, so please don't say anything unlucky. I believe you, okay?"
"Moon Lady, you are so kind. It is my good fortune from my past life that I, Nangong Zeyue, have won your favor."
Taking advantage of the moment, Nangong Zeyue grabbed Jiang Shuyue's hand and planted a kiss on the back of her hand.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Nangong Zeyue knelt on the ground, reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, burying his head in her fragrant embrace.
This sudden display of affection caught Xue'er off guard, and she instinctively stepped aside, squatting down to watch coldly.
“Moon Maiden, I used to be like a lone boat adrift at sea, but from now on, I am no longer alone.”
Jiang Shuyue opened her hand and looked at the jade pendant in her palm. "You will not be alone. You have me and Sui Sui. After I have settled everything, I will accompany you to wander the world and see all the beautiful things in the world."
"Um!"
The jade pendant felt smooth and warm to the touch. Jiang Shuyue hung it around her neck and tucked it into her clothes. The warm jade pendant pressed against her skin. Looking down at the person in her arms, a complex emotion welled up in Jiang Shuyue's heart.
I was once alone and helpless here, and I share a similar plight with Nangong Zeyue.
She had at least enjoyed parental love in her previous life, while Nangong Zeyue grew up with her master and uncle.
No matter how well his master, uncles, and fellow disciples treated him, it could not make up for the lack of maternal love.
Nangong Zeyue longed for a complete family, and she also hoped that when she opened her eyes, she would see the person who only had eyes for her.
Slender, delicate fingers gently stroked her ink-black hair. "Get up quickly, Lan'er and Qiuju will be here soon."
Nangong Zeyue raised his head again, and Jiang Shuyue saw that his eyes were red and full of tenderness, which touched the softness in her heart.
That night, Nangong Zeyue and Jiang Shuyue both got quite drunk.
In their hazy, drunken state, the two took out the Chinese almanac to check auspicious days.
"Moon Lady, look, the 28th of this month is an auspicious day, suitable for marriage."
As Nangong Zeyue spoke, he took Jiang Shuyue's finger and placed it on the date he had chosen.
Jiang Shuyue looked up at the handsome face swaying in front of her. "Stop swaying. You chose the date too hastily. We don't have time to prepare the wedding clothes and quilts. Postpone it a bit more."
Nangong Zeyue pulled the soft hand to her face and said, "Moon Lady, feel it. I'm not swaying. You're the one who's drunk."
Since ancient times, drunk people have never realized they are drunk.
Jiang Shuyue was no exception; she withdrew her hand and turned a page.
"February is also...okay."
Before Nangong Zeyue could finish speaking, Jiang Shuyue turned the page again.
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