Chapter 131 Brother Du, do you know why Ying'er returned home?
It will arrive in two days as promised.
Although Cheng's taste was a bit vulgar, but when it came to preparing gifts, especially preparing for marriage proposals, the vulgar yellow and white items actually added a lot of joy.
The proposal of marriage was part of the Nacai (a betrothal gift) process, and the man only needed to bring gifts of sincerity, such as a betrothal letter, a letter of farewell, and some decorative fabrics, perfume, and brocade. However, Cheng Shi prepared six boxes of gifts, one each of gold, silver, and jade jewelry, and three boxes of silks, satins, the four treasures of the study, and perfume, rouge, and powder.
Cheng excitedly pulled Rong to examine box after box, her face beaming, "Ruolan, look, are these any good?"
"Sister-in-law, this is just a proposal of marriage. You are being a bit ostentatious." Rong said tactfully.
Cheng disagreed, saying, "More gifts show our sincerity. Two days is too short. If I weren't busy preparing a birthday gift for Ying'er, I would have prepared even more!"
"I will prepare the betrothal gifts after Heng'er finishes his Spring Examination. By then, it will be more, not less."
Cheng spoke with great enthusiasm. Although Rong felt that she was being too ostentatious, she understood in her heart that she really treated Su Ying as her daughter-in-law, so she smiled and accepted everything.
The carriages and horses were ready, but because the heat was getting worse, the old lady did not come out to see them off. Cheng Shi also felt reluctant to leave her mother-in-law alone in the mansion, so she and Wanyi accompanied Su Ying and Rong Shi to the Chuihua Gate, with Du Heng, Li Mao and others escorting them on horseback and in carriages.
They were silent all the way to the dock, and Su Ying and Du Heng never had a chance to say goodbye alone. Rong Shi saw this, knowing they would be gone for at least a month. As Du Heng helped her out of the car, she said, "Heng'er, help Second Aunt check if she's left anything behind." With that, she boarded the boat first, taking Xiuyu and Qingyun with her.
Du Heng understood what she meant. After his second aunt walked away, he stepped forward and softly called out "Ying'er". After hearing a response from inside the car, he reached out and lifted the curtain.
There were many followers on this trip, and the carriages and horses were lined up in a row. The boxes and gift boxes were piled up full. Several carriages were connected end to end, forming a hidden corner.
Du Heng held Su Ying's arm with one hand and gently protected her waist with the other, helping her down from the car. As soon as she landed, before she could even stand, he gently held her in his arms.
It was almost noon, and the sun was blazing. His satin robe was smooth and cool, and against her cheek it felt refreshingly cool.
"Be careful," he whispered, his voice penetrating his chest and reaching my ears with a reassuring echo. "I'll come pick you up after the Spring Examination."
This sentence hit the empty spot in Su Ying's heart.
Ever since she met Su Run, she had a vague feeling of unease, always feeling that this coming-of-age ceremony was a Hongmen Banquet, and that once she went there, she would never be able to come back.
But there is no evidence, and I only know the ups and downs of my time in the Su family over the past two years.
She didn't want to make her aunt worry, nor did she want to distract Du Heng, so she just suppressed this uneasiness in her heart.
But the moment she heard "I'm here to pick you up", she could no longer hold back the sadness in her heart, nodded vigorously, then reached out and gently hugged him.
After a while, they heard the boatman's shouts urging them to go further in the distance. The two people, who were immersed in the sadness of parting, reluctantly let go of each other's hands.
As he relaxed, Su Ying saw the blue-gray sachet pendant on his waist, which was a gift the two of them received at the Lantern Festival.
Without saying a word, she gently took it off and tied it around her waist. Then she handed her own light crimson scented sachet to him.
Du Heng naturally understood the meaning of it. After taking it, he solemnly hung it around his waist.
"Sir, the boatman is urging us to get on board."
Qingquan's voice sounded behind him.
He waved his hand behind him, then took out a brocade bag from his bosom, handed it to her, and said, "This is my birthday gift for you."
"The time was too short, and it was only finished this morning." His eyes were tender and the corners of his lips curled up gently.
Su Ying took it and opened it, and was pleasantly surprised to find a Qingtian stone seal inside, engraved with the four words "Su Ying Private Seal". The handwriting was thin and strong, which was her favorite thin gold font.
The Qingtian stone symbolizes "sweet love", so Du Heng worked all night just to give it to her before leaving.
He is not good at expressing love, so he can only carve his true feelings into stone.
Under urging, Du Heng finally sent Su Ying to the front of the boat and watched her figure disappear into the cabin.
With a shout, the boat slowly left the shore. He couldn't help but ride his horse along the dock. However, at this moment, a chaotic sound of horse hooves came from a distance, as if someone was rushing over.
"No matter how hard I try, I'm still a step late. But that's okay. The sooner I can leave this dangerous place, the sooner I can feel at ease."
The visitor's tone did not express much regret, but rather obvious joy.
"Thank you, Brother Du, for sending Ying'er back home for me."
Du Heng's face darkened slightly. Turning around, he saw Yuan Song with a smug and triumphant look on his face.
Seeing his cold stare, Yuan Song smiled even more happily. His phoenix eyes slightly raised, and he asked deliberately, "Brother Du, do you know why Ying'er returned home?"
Du Heng didn't want to talk to him any more and was about to ride off. Yuan Song, however, seemed intent on stopping him. He pulled the reins and pulled his horse sideways, saying with a smile, "Brother Du, you don't really think Ying'er is just going back for a coming-of-age ceremony?"
This advice really worked. Du Heng paused, his hand gripping the reins, and said coldly, "How do you know she's here for her coming-of-age ceremony?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Song's expression grew even more smug, his eyes almost slanting into his temples. He turned his horse and rode alongside Du Heng. Du Heng leaned slightly to the side and whispered, "Brother Du, do you remember you once said that marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words?"
"Thanks to Brother Du's reminder, I was able to write home."
That day, Su Ying confessed to him that after the Spring Examination, she intended to go to the north with Du Heng. He knew that Ying'er had been bewitched by Du Heng. Since she would not listen to his advice, the only way for her to come to her senses was to let her leave the Du Mansion.
So he wrote a letter and sent it urgently to Hangzhou, asking his mother to propose marriage to the Su family on his behalf.
However, his mother's reply came two days later than Su Run's. After receiving the letter, he hurried to the Du Mansion, but heard that Su Ying had already gone to the dock.
His mother said that since his sister-in-law was in confinement, a wedding could not conflict with hers. But to reassure him, she sent word of the prospect to both the Su and Rong families. This led to the Su family's grand ceremony to the capital to welcome Ying'er.
Thinking of this, Yuan Song became more and more proud, and couldn't help but want to make Du Heng unhappy.
"To be honest, Ying'er went here to discuss the marriage between us. However, since she hasn't reached the age of marriage yet, this matter cannot be made public for the time being."
After saying this, he feigned a humble smile and said, "I was so happy that I spoke a little too much. I hope Brother Du will keep my mouth shut for me. When Ying'er and I get married, I will definitely send an invitation and invite Brother Du to have a drink at our wedding."
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