Jiang Rong first stepped onto the wooden stool and sat down in the carriage. Only then did she see the rugged and burly Yao Zhan casually climb into the carriage. She couldn't help but nervously purse her lips, her round eyes darting around anxiously.
Yao Zhan was a large man, and once he sat in the carriage, the interior space immediately felt cramped and small.
It would be a lie to say that Jiang Rong wasn't afraid when she was alone with Yao Zhan.
But she thought of Yao Zhan, who, although young, had always had a good reputation and had a life-or-death friendship with her father.
Even if he were stupid, he wouldn't think of attacking himself.
With this thought in mind, Jiang Rong finally felt a little more at ease.
However, upon further reflection, she realized that Yao Zhan should be the one who was afraid.
Today, in order to make herself look ugly, she not only applied her cousin-in-law's ugliness-enhancing ointment, but also specially added many small black moles to her face, making her look both red and black. Even she herself couldn't bear to look at herself.
But Yao Zhan simply sat upright, looking completely at ease, without showing the slightest disgust or reluctance.
The carriage moved slowly. Seeing that the time was right, Jiang Rong cleared her throat and said to Yao Zhan, "You heard me introduce myself just now, General Yao, I am Jiang Rong."
Yao Zhan lifted his eyelids to glance at her, then lowered his eyes again, answering in a dry tone, "I know."
Why is this man like a block of wood?
Jiang Rong muttered to herself, but put on a fake smile: "I already secretly met you when you came to my house a few days ago. I know my father wants you to marry me."
Upon hearing this, Yao Zhan's expression finally changed. His eyes flickered as he looked at Jiang Rong, "You knew everything?"
Jiang Rong was secretly delighted and quickly nodded, then sighed heavily, feigning melancholy: "But I know it's all because my father forced you. You definitely wouldn't want to marry such an ugly girl like me."
"I'm willing."
"Yeah, you'll definitely dislike me. What did you say?" Jiang Rong only realized halfway through her sentence that Yao Zhan's words were "I'm willing."
She stared in surprise, her eyes widening. "No way? You like ugly women?"
Does Wu Fu like this type?
This flavor is a bit strong.
Yao Zhan gave Jiang Rong a deep look. His eyes were dark, his features were handsome and deep, and his skin had a healthy bronze color from being exposed to the sun for a long time. He looked very imposing.
Jiang Rong shrank back when he stared at her like that.
Fortunately, Yao Zhan stared at her for a while before saying, "Beauty and ugliness are not about appearance, but about the heart."
Upon hearing his words, Jiang Rong forced a smile and said, "I didn't expect General Yao Zhan to be of such high moral character."
"The marriage proposal wasn't forced upon me by Lord Jiang; I originally wanted to marry you," Yao Zhan said in a low voice.
Jiang Rong's fair face immediately turned bright red with embarrassment: "How dare you marry me when I look like this?"
"I dare," Yao Zhan answered decisively, his fists already clenched tightly, unbeknownst to Jiang Rong.
Jiang Rong became anxious upon hearing this, and said slowly and deliberately, "But I don't like warriors, they're too barbaric. I... I like the kind of person who is well-read and can recite poems with me under the moon."
Yao Zhan looked at Jiang Rong and replied, "If you like that kind of thing, I can learn it. I passed the provincial examination, but I joined the army because my family was poor."
Jiang Rong was speechless. Why was Yao Zhan biting her like a vicious dog? "Why are you so determined to marry me? There are so many well-bred young ladies in the capital, why did you choose me?"
Upon hearing this, Yao Zhan's cold and hard facial features softened slightly, and he replied directly, "I have liked you for a long time."
When he was fifteen, his only relative passed away from illness, and he was so poor that he couldn't even afford to eat. He had no choice but to come to the capital to work as a handyman in a restaurant.
One day, a drunk customer caused trouble and tried to leave without paying the bill. Yao Zhan could only stop him from leaving. Unexpectedly, the customer actually dumped all the leftover food on himself.
His face and body were covered in fish soup, and everyone around him was laughing at him. No one offered to help, and he just watched as the drunkard kept throwing things at him.
At that moment, a girl of thirteen or fourteen ran in from the doorway, pulled herself behind her to protect her, and her servants also subdued the drunkard.
Yao Zhan still remembers that the girl had a pretty face and a cheerful smile. When she saw that he was all dirty, she kindly asked the servant to take him to change his clothes.
The servants said that their mistress was Jiang Rong, the daughter of General Jiang Tong, and that you were very lucky to meet her today.
Yao Zhan silently memorized the name.
Jiang Rong.
That day, he took his small package and joined the army. He started as a soldier, then fought his way up to the rank of general, saving Jiang Rong's father.
He is returning to Beijing now to fulfill a wish he made in his youth—to marry Jiang Rong.
"You knew me before?"
Jiang Rong's voice abruptly pulled him out of his memories.
He looked into those almond-shaped eyes that were exactly the same as when he was young and said, "Yes, a long, long time ago."
He briefly recounted how he met Jiang Rong.
Jiang Rong was taken aback at first. To be honest, she had no recollection of ever helping Yao Zhan.
After that, she fell into distress again.
That's a problem. I never expected that Yao Zhan had been in love with me for so long.
But to be honest, it feels really good to be chosen.
Jiang Rong's heart wavered slightly.
Seeing that he was no longer afraid, she raised her head with a touch of arrogance and said, "Your affection for me doesn't mean I have to marry you."
“I know, don’t worry, I won’t force you,” Yao Zhan said frankly.
He pulled a small bamboo horse from his pocket, a hint of shyness flashing across his face, and said, pretending to be calm, "I made this myself, here you go."
Jiang Rong was about to refuse, but when she saw how lifelike the horse was, and how he had carefully used small beads to make the horse's eyes and dry grass to make its tail, she found it novel and cute, as it was the first time she had ever seen it.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Rong accepted the gift. "I can play with it, but that doesn't mean I agree to your request."
Seeing her obvious joy at receiving the gift, Yao Zhan couldn't help but smile and say, "Mm."
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