Although Qin Zhuo did something impolite, he kept his word and promised Shen Ning that he would never do anything so reckless as kissing or hugging again. However, there was one thing he would not back down on: holding hands.
This was his final line of compromise.
Shen Ning hesitated, but did not refuse again; holding hands was still within her acceptable range.
Enjoying flowers, tasting tea, and painting.
Shen Ning is not skilled in painting and dares not embarrass himself.
Qin Zhuo asked her to get a pen and grabbed her hand from behind, saying, "I'm not good at it either, just draw whatever."
They're standing too close; it makes one suspect he has ulterior motives.
Shen Ning was distracted, but Qin Zhuo had already grabbed her hand and started writing.
Shen Ning's painting skills were average, but he did have an appreciation for art. Qin Zhuo's casual strokes clearly showed his skill, but out of the many plum blossoms in the garden, he only painted one red plum.
The tree trunk has a unique sharpness, like a bladed weapon, yet it is covered with bright plum blossoms, like spots of blood, or like tender red cherry blossoms.
Seeing the words is like seeing the person; the same is true of seeing the painting.
Qin Zhuo exuded a strong killing intent, yet also carried an unusual tenderness.
Shen Ning dared not think too deeply about it.
Finally, after finishing the painting, he wrote their names on the side, instantly adding a touch of ambiguity to the painting, making it something that belonged to both of them.
The smile in Qin Zhuo's eyes bloomed instantly, more radiant than the red plum blossoms in the courtyard.
Shen Ning stared at the two names that were placed side by side and remained silent for a long time.
------
After returning from the plum garden, Shen Ning told Liu Ying and the others about what had happened between her and Qin Zhuo.
Although there is no defined relationship, it is different from ordinary friends. I need to let the people around me know so that they won't worry, and also let them know how to treat Qin Zhuo next time.
Qin Zhuo was Shen Ning's savior, and he was of noble status and handsome. He was a perfect match for Shen Ning.
However, being older, Liuying couldn't help but think about things in the long term.
"Miss, will Her Majesty the Empress allow Young Master Qin to marry you?"
Once a man and a woman start talking about feelings, the ultimate goal is always marriage.
Liu Ying thought her young lady was very good, but after all, he was the Empress's younger brother, a member of the royal family. This marriage would definitely face many obstacles. If it didn't work out, what would happen to her young lady who was getting deeper and deeper into the relationship?
Marry?
Shen Ning hadn't thought that far ahead. Her only concern was whether she liked Qin Zhuo and whether she should accept his affections. She hadn't even considered marriage.
"Things will straighten themselves when they reach the bridge."
She didn't want to think about it for the time being, because even if she did, she couldn't change anything.
Moreover, her relationship with Qin Zhuo has only just begun. She can't just start plotting to please Qin Zhuo's family and be so eager to marry him. That would be too unreserved and make it seem like she's desperate to get married.
In short, Shen Ning suppressed the matter and left it aside for the time being.
If Qin Zhuo were to marry him, these would be the difficulties he needed to resolve; Shen Ning would never willingly take on trouble for himself.
On the seventeenth day of the twelfth lunar month, with the Lunar New Year just around the corner, Shen Ning needed to go out. Today was the anniversary of her father's death, and she was going to pay her respects.
As usual, he prepared the necessary items for the worship ceremony and led Mo Lin and the others out of the city.
In the past, she would be accompanied by Shen Shu, Shen Yu, and the Liang family father and son at this time, but this time she came alone with her own people.
Shen's father died in the line of duty. His tomb was chosen by the Imperial Observatory and was located at the foot of a mountain not far from the imperial mausoleum. The emperor ordered the Ministry of Works to build it. It was a large-scale tomb with stone statues, a watchtower, and a tall plaque. The mausoleum was only located in the rear hall after going through the mausoleum.
The father was buried in the middle, and the mother was buried in the small stone gate beside him.
Liu Ying and Yu Zhu had been here several times before, and they skillfully instructed people to clean the area before arranging the offerings in order.
Shen Ning lit incense and candles and poured wine.
"Father, Mother, I've come to see you."
She slowly knelt down and kowtowed.
If it were her past life, she would always have so much to say to her father every time she came, about what happened at home, about Shen Yu's academic performance, and about what she had been doing lately.
She could always recall the way her father praised her.
He said, "My Ningning is the smartest." "Ningning is such a sensible older sister." "Ningning is my best child."
However, for her now, it has been far too long.
So much time passed that she almost forgot her father's voice and smile, and the bits and pieces of the past gradually faded from her memory. Even those praises could no longer be a source of strength for her.
"Father, if you were alive today, you would be very disappointed to see what I'm doing now."
“I was your best daughter, and I took care of them wholeheartedly. They are the ones who let me down.”
"Father, please consider me an unfilial daughter. From now on, I will live for myself."
Shen Ning lit the paper money and watched it being consumed by the flames little by little.
Snowflakes began to fall gently from the sky. Firefly comforted her, "Miss, let's go back. It's snowing, don't catch a cold."
Yu Zhu knelt on the prayer mat and prayed respectfully: "Master, please bless Miss and let her have a smooth and prosperous life without any disasters or difficulties. Miss has encountered too many unfortunate things this year. May she live a peaceful, healthy, happy and fulfilling life from now on."
Shen Ning patted her head: "Let's go."
Having died once, she doesn't believe in any ancestral blessings.
It's better to rely on yourself than on others; her future still depends on herself.
Just as I finished packing up and was about to leave, I heard a group of footsteps coming from behind me.
"Young Miss".
The ones carrying the offerings were Steward Liang and Liang Zhuo, along with several familiar servants, and behind them was Shen Shu, supported by a maid.
I never expected to run into them.
unlucky!
Shen Ning didn't want to argue with her parents at their graves, so she nodded slightly and prepared to leave.
"Sister." Shen Shu stood in front of her, her expression aggrieved, but her eyes held deep resentment.
"Why didn't you invite me when you came to pay respects to our parents? If our parents saw that we sisters were not getting along, they would be so heartbroken."
Shen Ning adjusted her sleeves: "Shen Shu, we are not on good terms now, and we will not be on good terms in the future. You don't need to bring up our parents to pressure me. They can't even control the ridiculous things you do, so how can they control me?"
Shen Shu gritted her teeth in anger, feeling very resentful: "My sister is so heartless, she doesn't care about sisterly affection at all."
She leaned closer, smugly threatening, "To tell you the truth, sister, Han Gongzi and I are in love. He has already promised to bring me into his mansion after the New Year. Sister, you must know Han Gongzi's identity very well. Don't come begging to me for help in the future."
Why are you so eager to show off your power here?
Shen Ning sneered sarcastically: "Being a concubine instead of a wife, I can't appreciate this kind of hobby. If you really think it's an honor, don't brag to me in such a low voice. Go tell your parents loudly, and they will surely be happy to hear this 'good news'."
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