"You little rascal, you've finally deigned to come see your grandmother." The old lady feigned displeasure.
"Grandmother, it's my fault. I've been too busy lately." Nan Wusi apologized sincerely. She had indeed not visited her grandmother's courtyard to keep her company for some time.
"I'm really not used to your serious demeanor now." The old lady looked at Nan Wusi and felt that although she used to be a bit mischievous, it made her seem more lively. Now that her granddaughter has grown up, she seems a bit too mature.
“Mother, Sisi has grown into a young woman now, and she’s almost of marriageable age. It’s good that she’s matured a bit,” Jiang Zhirou chimed in from the side.
"That's true, but does Sisi have someone she likes right now?" the old lady asked with concern.
"No, no." Nan Wusi shook her head abruptly and sat down next to the old lady. "Grandmother, don't listen to Mother's nonsense. Wusi is still young and can stay with you for a few more years."
“I’m not just talking nonsense. Most girls in other families are already engaged before they’re even of marriageable age. Now you’re about to get married soon after the New Year, but you have neither an engagement nor someone you like. And I’m not by your side. How can I not be a little anxious?” Jiang Zhirou glanced at her daughter.
"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Zhirou shouldn't pressure Sisi too much. There are plenty of good young men in the capital for our Sisi to choose from." The old lady wasn't worried about Nan Wusi's marriage at all. With the power of the General's Mansion, even the royal family would be a suitable match for him.
“Mother, you’re spoiling her too much. What good son can wait for her to choose?”
"Oh dear, Mother, marriage can't be rushed. Who knows, your daughter might just fall for some young master someday," Nan Wusi said with a grin.
"Forget it, I can't be bothered with you." Jiang Zhirou knew that getting anxious was useless; everyone in her family was stubborn as a bat.
The end of the discussion about marriage brought Nan Wusi a sigh of relief. She didn't want to marry young; in ancient times, men typically had multiple wives and concubines, while the men of the Nan family were an anomaly, traditionally practicing monogamy. However, she was also a member of the Nan family and couldn't marry into her own family.
As for the men outside, she could only keep her distance. As a modern person, she would rather grow old alone than accept sharing a husband with another man.
However, she dared not say these words aloud, otherwise people would think it was extremely rebellious. Even Nan Wusi's mother, deep down, approved of having multiple wives and concubines, but felt lucky to have met a good match.
These past few days, Nan Wusi has been staying at home, sticking close to Jiang Zhirou, which has made Jiang Zhirou quite uncomfortable, and she's even starting to feel a bit disgusted.
During the day, Nan Tianba goes to the morning court, while Nan Wusi chats with Jiang Zhirou in the courtyard. In the afternoon, he goes to the training ground to spar with Nan Tianba. During dinner, Nan Wusi eats with his parents.
This left Nan Tianba and Jiang Zhirou somewhat amused and exasperated, as they had never seen Nan Wusi behave this way when they left in previous years.
Just one day before they were about to leave, Nan Wusi suddenly remembered, "Oh no, I forgot to inform Xinxi."
Nan Wusi was naturally aware of Ouyang Xinxi's feelings for her elder brother, but Nan Wufeng hadn't even considered it; he was just a simpleton and couldn't be relied on. The thought that her elder brother would soon be going to the border with their parents, and that Ouyang Xinxi was still unaware of it, meant that this separation would inevitably cause further setbacks to their relationship.
Nan Wusi immediately sent Ye Zi to inform Ouyang Xinxi, while she went to Nan Wufeng's courtyard.
Nan Wusi thought it best to let the two meet today to avoid any regrets. With his elder brother gone, his future was uncertain, and Nan Wusi could only worry inwardly. If the two truly had feelings for each other, it would be better to confess sooner rather than later, rather than dragging things out and wasting the young woman's youth.
Nan Wusi's thinking was simple; this matter couldn't be delayed. So, after inviting the two of them to Chunfeng Tower, Nan Wusi requested two private rooms, intending to give them a chance to be alone together.
However, Nan Wusi first called Ouyang Xinxi aside and told her her thoughts, but the final decision was still up to Ouyang Xinxi. At the same time, she also told Ouyang Xinxi that her elder brother was not very clear about matters between men and women, and hoped that Ouyang Xinxi could be mentally prepared.
Ouyang Xinxi blushed slightly after hearing this. She hadn't expected her feelings to be so obvious. But then, thinking that Nan Wufeng might not have any feelings for her, her face turned pale and she looked at Nan Wusi somewhat helplessly.
Nan Wusi shook her head at Ouyang Xinxi's dependent gaze and said to her, "Xinxi, I can't help you with this." Nan Wusi herself was still a lifelong single, so naturally she couldn't offer any more advice. She was afraid that it would backfire and make things worse.
Ouyang Xinxi was initially a little disappointed, but then her eyes became determined. This was her own business, and she couldn't always rely on others.
Ouyang Xinxi knew that this was her last chance, and she didn't know what the future held when they met again. So she decided to express her feelings.
Ouyang Xinxi went into the private room, while Nan Wusi went into another room, ate something, and waited patiently.
Ouyang Xinxi and Nan Wufeng stayed in the private room for a long time. In the end, it was Nan Wufeng who came out first and called Nan Wusi.
The moment Nan Wusi saw Nan Wufeng, he knew something was wrong; it seemed the plan had failed after all.
Nan Wufeng's face showed guilt and a hint of confusion.
Nan Wusi looked towards the private room and saw that Ouyang Xinxi seemed to be crying softly. Nan Wusi was about to push the door open to comfort her, but Nan Wufeng stopped him.
Nan Wusi looked at his elder brother with some doubt, but Nan Wufeng said, "Miss Ouyang asked me to call you. She said she wanted to be alone and that you don't need to wait for her."
After hearing this, Nan Wusi could only glance worriedly at the closed door before following Nan Wufeng back.
"Big brother," Nan Wusi called out as they walked down the road.
"Third sister, I know what you want to ask." Nan Wufeng said very seriously, "Although I may seem a little silly, I know that I am not a good match for Miss Ouyang and am not worthy of her affection."
"Why?" Nan Wusi always felt that his elder brother was not really heartless; perhaps he just hadn't realized it yet.
“I will guard the border year after year, just like my father. Miss Ouyang will only suffer if she follows me, she will not be happy.” Nan Wufeng already knew where his future lay, so he never thought about marriage.
"..." Although Nan Wusi didn't quite agree with Nan Wufeng's unilateral belief that Ouyang Xinxi wouldn't be happy with him, he knew that Nan Wufeng was stating an objective fact. A young lady from the capital who had been waiting to be married for many years would indeed find it difficult to adapt to the harsh life on the frontier. But if she didn't go to the frontier with him, there would be no point in the two of them getting married.
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