Song Ning didn't think too much about what happened today. She figured she would just get to know him first, and if things didn't work out, she could always find an excuse later and say that they weren't compatible or that she didn't like him.
With the school about to officially start classes, Song Ning has been busy at the school, neglecting her work in the fields.
The county magistrate also takes it seriously and has been coming almost every day recently.
Zheng Gaoyi teased, "I heard someone's been trying to set you up with a boyfriend lately?"
Song Ning chuckled helplessly, "Sigh, there's nothing I can do. Everyone's been talking about marriage lately, and my mother's getting anxious. That's why she keeps trying to introduce me to potential partners."
"Is there anything you like?"
"I haven't found anyone I like, but there's one that's pretty good, and my parents are both satisfied with it."
Zheng Gaoyi's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked with a smile, "So what do you mean? Don't forget, there's someone else waiting for you in the capital."
To be honest, if Zheng Gaoyi hadn't mentioned it, Song Ning would have completely forgotten about Xie Linzhou.
I heard that Xie Linzhou has already set off for the capital, and the affairs in the north have been handed over to the newly appointed prefect of Yuezhou.
Regarding the matter in Qingyang, the prefect of Qingyang and related personnel were escorted back to the capital.
Before leaving Qingyang, Qi Liangyuan sent her a letter saying that he would be waiting for her in the capital.
"If you're really planning to get married, why don't you consider Ying Huai?"
"Lord Zheng, you're such a grown man, is it really appropriate for you to ask me such a question, a young girl like me?"
"I'm just worried about Ying Huai. You know him, he's been single for so many years, and he finally found a girl he likes. As his older brother, I should naturally care about him."
Song Ning had indeed not considered Xie Linzhou.
Even knowing his feelings, she never considered it.
Xie Linzhou's status was simply too high; she couldn't stand those tedious rules.
She loves freedom and can't stand being restricted, let alone living under constraints her whole life.
Besides, once she truly enters the Duke's mansion, she will be the Duke's daughter-in-law, and her every word and action will represent the Duke's mansion.
As the daughter-in-law of a princess, she would inevitably have to deal with royalty and nobles. Just thinking about that scene makes my hair stand on end.
Forget it, now that I think about it, Xie Linzhou is not as good as Zhou Ling'an.
"Lord Zheng, let's not talk about such unrelated things. I'm in Tianxiang County, and he's in the capital. We're a hundred and eight thousand miles apart, harder to meet than the moon in the sky."
Zheng Gaoyi smiled and said, "Don't worry, maybe things will turn around."
"Come on, what kind of place is the Duke's mansion? Do you think I can just walk into it whenever I want? Besides, I don't want to be someone's concubine."
Zheng Gaoyi was taken aback, then his expression turned sour: "Did someone say something to you?"
Song Ning shook her head: "No one said anything to me, but I know my place. I am just an ordinary citizen. A place like the Duke's mansion is not a place for me. General Xie did say that he admired me, but given my status, does Lord Zheng think I am qualified to be the Duke's wife?"
“Even if General Xie is willing, others will not be. Rather than going to the capital to suffer injustice, it is better to make your own decisions here.”
It's nice to live in a grand mansion; you have no worries about food or clothing, and someone will wait on you for everything. You don't have to work so hard.
However, this is not what she wanted.
What she wanted, the grand mansions couldn't provide, and she didn't force it.
Xie Linzhou is not suitable for her.
Zheng Gaoyi remained silent. He knew Song Ning was right, but... Xie Linzhou probably wouldn't give up.
It all depends on how far the Duke's mansion is willing to compromise for Er Ya.
As the two were talking, someone ran in from outside: "Miss Song, someone is looking for you outside. They say their surname is Qiu."
"Okay, I understand."
Qiu Hua has been coming to see her a lot lately, without stopping at noon or night. Her mother also sees them going out for walks, saying it's to help them get to know each other better.
Song Ning didn't refuse; she had to put on a show for her mother.
"Lord Zheng, I'll be going now. I'll come earlier tomorrow when school starts."
After saying that, he packed his things and left.
Qiu Hua wore a moon-white robe today. I must say, anyone who isn't bad-looking looks good in white.
He looks quite different today than he did a few days ago; he really has the air of a young master now.
"Thank you for your trouble, you still have to come pick me up every day."
Qiu Hua smiled faintly: "It's alright, I don't have anything to do anyway."
Many men and women walked side by side on the street, but the two of them didn't attract much attention.
"Classes officially start tomorrow, and I'll come to support you," Qiu Hua's gentle voice rang in my ears.
"Okay, I'm afraid I'll need your help then."
"Okay, I'll go early tomorrow. Just leave anything to me."
Qiu Hua is indeed a very good person. After spending the last few days with him, you will find that he is patient, has a good temper, does everything in a calm and unhurried manner, and is very organized.
When we went out together, I took extremely good care of her, even noticing that she wasn't dressed warmly enough.
He noticed details that even she couldn't see.
Although he is the child of a merchant, his overall demeanor is somewhat similar to that of Zhou Ling'an.
The last time I encountered something like this was Qi Liangyuan.
Qiu Hua initiated conversations the whole way, while Song Ning barely spoke.
But this person didn't seem annoyed at all, and kept trying to find topics to talk about with her, appearing very enthusiastic.
People like that are really popular with girls.
It's a pity, his family has their eyes on her.
As the sun sets and night falls, the night descends.
The shops on the street lit up, and Qiu Hua took her out for a meal, to see the lights, and to stroll through the night market.
Song Ning was not in a good mood throughout the entire process; she didn't like this blind date-like feeling at all.
But Qiu Hua seemed oblivious, continuing to talk to himself and sometimes recounting his past.
Gradually, Song Ning felt that Qiu Hua didn't seem interested in her. She wondered if it was just her imagination, or if he was just completing a task.
"Young Master Qiu, it's getting late, I have to go back, otherwise my mother will worry."
Upon hearing Song Ning's words, Qiu Hua subtly breathed a sigh of relief.
But his expression remained completely unchanged: "Then I'll take you back."
"No need, I can go back by myself."
"Let me take you home. It's getting late, and it's not safe for you to go home alone."
"Really, there's no need. It's not far from my home. You should go back too. You need to get up early tomorrow to help out at the school."
Before he could speak, Song Ning waved and turned to leave.
Qiu Hua watched her figure disappear into the night, lost in thought, before finally turning away with a pursed lip.
Song Ning had felt like someone was following her as she walked down the street, but every time she turned around, there was no one there.
When asked, Qiu Hua said he didn't feel anything.
But her intuition was right; now, walking alone on the street, the pair of eyes behind her were clearly gone...
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