Lunar New Year's Eve, a rare sunny day.
They had originally planned to go shopping together today, but plans changed. Zhan Xinjia, whose leg was now even more limping, could only sit on the steps of the porch like a little cat, sulking.
The sunlight slanted and fell like scattered gold foil on her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes, while the gentle breeze carried the fresh and clear scent of snow.
Her pale face was bathed in soft, warm light, and her lowered eyelashes shimmered in the golden light. She looked listless, her eyes still red from crying all night, making her appear pitiful.
Having just finished writing a new couplet, Shen Suqing took a handkerchief to wipe the ink stains from his hands, sighed softly, and walked up to her.
He knelt down, his gaze worried and sincere, with a hint of flattery, and his tone couldn't be more earnest.
"Wrong."
Zhan Xinjia snorted, glared at him irritably, and angrily turned her head away.
So Shen Suqing got up again and walked around to her. This time he bent down and used his long, strong fingers to rub the corners of her red eyes. Then he held her face firmly in his hands, not allowing her to look away.
The tone was more sincere, carrying a pleading quality.
"I was really wrong, Ah Zhi, please say something to me."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Xinjia couldn't help but angrily rebuke him. She raised her eyes and glared at him. If it weren't for her inconvenience, she would have really wanted to give him a good whack right now. Damn it, you cunning fox!
Thinking he was gentle and weak was the biggest deception she had ever made in her life!
"I shouted 'I was wrong' all night, why didn't you stop and forgive me??"
“These… cannot be lumped together.”
The young Grand Tutor Shen touched the bridge of his nose guiltily, but he still had some confidence in his words. He cleared his throat a few times and forced himself to put on the air of a well-dressed and upright gentleman.
"Cough... Perhaps the snow was too heavy last night, and I didn't hear you clearly."
"Huh? You can't hear me? Then why did you keep calling me 'husband'? Cough cough! Waaah, my voice is still hoarse."
Shen Suqing looked distressed. His originally arrogant eyebrows and eyes lowered obediently, and his dark pupils softened, filled with shimmering gold, giving the impression that he was also wronged.
Like a gentle and loyal large dog.
“Ah Zhi, you know, I lost my parents when I was young…”
There are some facts that no one has taught us, so we might make a few minor mistakes when learning them, but that's not a big deal..."
Hearing the first sentence, Zhan Xinjia was initially a little heartbroken and upset, and her anger subsided a bit. But when she heard the rest, she completely lost her temper.
"No big deal?! You may be harmless, but what about me?! What about me?!"
"Okay, okay, I was wrong~ Don't feel wronged anymore."
The fastidious and clean-loving Grand Tutor Shen casually sat down on the steps under the eaves next to her, then pulled her into his arms, letting her sit on his lap, and gently patted her back repeatedly to comfort her.
They nestled together, basking in the rare warmth of the winter sun, their years passing by, the young man smiling with his eyes crinkled.
Suddenly, something came to mind.
Zhan Xinjia didn't want to pay attention to him, but she was so comfortable and relaxed basking in the sun in his arms. Her aching and rusty limbs were warmed by the sun, and she half-closed her eyes contentedly.
His voice was also tired and unclear.
"What's up?"
"Hmm... I wonder which little girl used to cry because she thought I was disgusted by her saliva, and said she hated me, but later she got more than just saliva all over me..."
Shen Suqing didn't continue speaking because Azhi in his arms had angrily reached out and pinched his face.
She furrowed her thin eyebrows, her clear eyes were moist and warm, her face was as red as a crab just taken out of the steamer, still steaming, and her two slightly pointed canine teeth were unbelievably cute, grinding together with a creaking sound.
She looked as if she would bite him to death if he dared to say another word.
Shen Suqing did not dodge, letting her hands knead his face haphazardly like dough, and even considerately leaning closer.
Seeing her exasperated expression, his smile deepened, and he felt incredibly soft-hearted. He gently stroked her hair, which he had just washed that morning, using his fingers as a comb to smooth it.
Only after he had tidied all her long, loose hair and gathered it in his palm did he lovingly bring his face close to hers and gently rub it against her.
He finally understood what the book meant by "whispering in each other's ears".
Looking at the paper in front of me, I felt I couldn't get enough of it, it was so sweet and delicious. My heart softened into a light and fluffy cloud, slowly melting in the warm syrup, and I felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
He pressed his head against hers and sighed softly.
“Ah paper, mine.”
Zhan Xinjia's face burned even hotter. She pushed him away, but she didn't use much force, and her voice was soft.
"Oh dear, Master Shen, you're so sticky! Go and put up the couplets! Why do you keep sticking them on me? It's so annoying."
Although this courtyard is only for temporary accommodation, it is still the first New Year that the two of them will spend together, so they should still have a sense of ritual.
Things like paper-cut window decorations, door gods, portraits, candies, nuts, pastries, and drinks have all been hurriedly bought, and new clothes have been made. However, Shen Suqing felt that he could write the couplets for the door himself.
Urged on by the little girl, he reluctantly let go of her hand and stood up after a long while.
Zhan Xinjia was thinking that she could take a nap here after he left and steal half a day of leisure when she didn't expect that her feet would suddenly give way and her body would suddenly lose its weight. She was lifted up and carried high in the air.
What's this, lifting me up high?
Before she could get angry, Shen Suqing released her hand in time and gently placed her on the ground.
He rested his chin on his fingertips, frowning as if deep in thought.
"I feel like our son has grown a bit taller..."
"Otherwise what? I'll be seventeen after the New Year."
Zhan Xinjia added angrily, and at the end, she vainly compared the height difference between herself and Lord Shen.
Previously, she only reached his shoulder, about chest height, and had to crane her neck to look up at him just to speak. He had to half-squat or kneel to be at eye level with her. Now, well…
It still only reaches below the shoulders.
She slumped her shoulders in frustration, covered her face with her hands, and sat back down on the steps in silence, lost in thought about life.
Shen Suqing chuckled softly.
Just as he was about to step forward to offer some comfort, a white eagle flew in from the sky. Shen Suqing was slightly taken aback, took out a well-prepared letter wrapped very tightly from his sleeve, and hung it up.
He watched the white eagle fly away and gradually disappear into the clear blue sky reflecting the snow, and he was in a great mood.
Zhan Xinjia, who was still feeling lost, looked up suspiciously and tilted her head.
"What is that? Is Lord Shen writing a letter to the capital?"
When asked about this, Shen Suqing couldn't help but smile, the slight curve of his eyes incredibly gentle.
He bent down and pinched her soft face.
"You idiot, it's a letter of engagement."
Although I can't return to Beijing for the time being, I should at least show a good attitude to my parents-in-law.
I've already finalized the engagement, and then I've entrusted Fu Shou'an to retrieve my savings from over the years, along with the land deeds, from my study and deliver them to the Zhan residence. If I return later, I can complete the remaining formalities and proceed directly with the marriage."
Actually, when Zhan Xinjia was half asleep this morning, she was being carried and bathed when she saw Master Shen happily writing something at his desk. She never expected it to be this...
Feeling a little embarrassed, she felt she should say something arrogant like "Who wants to marry you?", "I don't want to get married so early", or "I haven't agreed yet" to show her dignified and reserved nature.
But she didn't want to say a word.
She really likes Master Shen and wants to be with him forever, so why say something against her will when she's happiest?
After thinking for a moment, she followed her heart and happily smiled, raising her hands and cheering like a fool.
It provides ample emotional value.
"Yay! Yay!! After the war ends and we return to the capital, I can finally go back to eating Master Shen's rice!"
Shen Suqing chuckled and patted her head.
"Silly child."
Throughout the afternoon, Shen Suqing was busy putting up couplets and organizing the ingredients needed for the New Year's Eve dinner, while Zhan Xinjia lazily leaned against the side to catch up on sleep, occasionally murmuring sweet dreams.
It must be a beautiful dream.
Shen Suqing loved the feeling of turning around and seeing her sleeping soundly right under his nose. It warmed his heart and filled him with comfort. Occasionally, he would even obsessively think that if all the hardships and setbacks he had experienced in his life were for the sake of this moment of sweetness, he would gladly walk the same path again.
He placed the pastries on the steamer, and with his still-flour-covered fingertips, he gently placed a white dot on her nose as she slept.
He murmured softly.
"You are not allowed to leave me again."
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