Chapter 022

Love at first sight, these four words have so many meanings.

Jiashan's expression changed several times before he gradually calmed down, but his voice was still unexpectedly hoarse.

She asked softly, "What else did you say?"

"There is also a hairpin." Zhao Youze said, "Sister wore a new hairpin when she went to see aunt the other day. It was left by Mr. Zhan's grandmother for her grandson's wife."

Jiashan subconsciously felt the tips of his fingers starting to feel hot after touching the hairpin.

She had never thought, never thought that Zhan Yue would...

Jiashan's mouth seemed to be blocked by words, and her face turned red.

In her previous life, Jiashan had seen Feng Shi before. Feng Shi was a woman who also loved to wear silk and satin and wore jewels and gold hairpins, but Jiashan had never seen this hairpin on Feng Shi's head, so she was careless for a moment.

Zhan Yue, was this a long-planned plan or a spur-of-the-moment idea?

Jiashan thought of Zhan Yue in the past. He said that he had a girl in his heart and that she would probably regret it after knowing who the girl he liked was... Thinking of how they met in front of Dongzhimen in the previous life, he told her his father's last words and asked her to take care of herself in the future.

Did it start from then?

Jiashan's nerves tensed up for a moment, and she didn't dare to think about it any further, for fear of bringing up some more detailed things in her mind.

In this world, there is probably nothing that can be hidden for a lifetime.

She didn't understand before, but now she understands.

Seeing that Jiashan didn't say anything, Zhao Youze knew not to bother her. It was not until a long time later that he opened his mouth and asked, "I told my sister everything I know. What does my sister think?"

Jiashan's tongue was dry, and her mind was a mess. Pei Yuantang was fine, as he had given some clues, but Zhan Yue really caught people off guard.

He likes himself. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Jiashan was silent for a while, then answered honestly, "I don't know."

"Well, why not listen to my opinion?" Zhao Youze held his cheeks with both hands and lowered his head and said, "I think what my cousin said is right."

When Pei Yuantang came that day, he did not avoid Zhao Youze. He expressed his opinion on Emperor Zhanghe's selection of a son-in-law for Jiashan, saying, "These noble sons are nothing except for the glittering hereditary titles. None of them is worthy of you."

Because of his outrageous remarks, Pei Yuantang was scolded by Jiashan. She told him to be careful in official circles and not to get caught by others because of his quick words.

Now, when Zhao Youze said that his cousin was right, he was probably referring to this sentence.

Zhao Youze's tone was steady, without much ups and downs. His voice had not changed, and it was still a little tender: "Compared to marrying those unfamiliar noble families, my cousin is the safest choice. If my sister marries into the Pei family, at least my aunt won't make things difficult for my sister. With my uncle's temper, he will not allow my cousin to take in extra concubines."

"My cousin was admitted to the government through the imperial examination, and he is very likely to become a minister of national rejuvenation in the future," Zhao Youze said, "It is the least likely that my sister will make mistakes if she marries my cousin."

He analyzed the situation for Jiashan in a clear and logical way, just like a little dog-headed military advisor. Jiashan could no longer care about regrets. She looked at Zhao Youze meaningfully, and said with a faint smile: "Where is Master Zhan?"

"Well, Master Zhan." Zhao Youze paused for a moment, "I guess Master Zhan will have a bright future, no less than my cousin."

He calmed himself down and continued, "Duke Anguo has already appointed a crown prince, but I heard that Lord Zhan seems to be listed as a legitimate son. Although everyone knows that Lord Zhan is not a true legitimate son, if the emperor is willing to use him, others will naturally not mention him in disappointment."

"Military generals are awarded titles based on their merits," Zhao Youze said. "Even if he cannot inherit the title of Duke Anguo, he may be able to earn a title of nobility himself in the future."

Jiashan took a deep breath. She knew Yuankang was smart, but she didn't expect him to be so far-sighted and to have thought of all her future plans for her.

Zhao Youze said calmly: "Actually, although the relationship between Mr. Zhan is not as close as that between my cousin and my elder sister, I think his personality may be more suitable for my elder sister."

"Marrying your cousin will require a lot of worry," said Zhao Youze.

After all, Pei Yuantang had been a man of fine clothes and fine horses since he was a child, and he had never been one to take things easy.

Jiashan looked sideways at Zhao Youze, her lips slightly parted, she paused, and still held back her words. A-di was an ordinary person, but she was different, she knew how the situation would change later.

Knowing that Zhan Yue would rise to a high position of power and marry Feng, and knowing that Pei Yuantang would become the Minister of Personnel, he would not marry, but the women outside his house were not to be trifled with either.

These two people should have lived their own lives, but in this life, they had different intersections with her.

Is this called changing your destiny?

How could this happen? What should I do?

Jiashan pinched her nose and closed her eyes slightly.

As soon as he closed his eyes, a slender shadow emerged in his mind. Yuankang's words "I have a special liking for you" echoed in his ears again, and Jiashan became more and more annoyed.

She rubbed her brow.

In fact, I know in my heart that Yuankang's words make sense.

Compared to marrying an unknown nobleman, Pei Yuantang and Zhan Yue are both perfect choices.

The Pei family is her cousin, and Zhan Yue will surely have power in the future...

With his protection, even if Yuankang's eyes cannot be fully recovered, she will no longer be so lonely that she can be bullied by others.

It's just, it's just that she remembered Feng who appeared in the Duke's Mansion with Zhan Yue in her previous life; she thought of the women Pei Yuantang had kept as concubines; she thought of the sharp sword that Zhan Shaoying had stabbed in her chest.

Jiashan hesitated and did not dare to take the next step.

Can what she has been asking for in her life really be granted?

Jiashan's eyes were empty.

At this time, Su Yu walked in. It was unknown when this habit was formed, but ever since Zhao Youze came, in order to leave some private space for the siblings, the maids would often leave first.

Therefore, no outsiders heard this conversation.

"Your Highness, the commander is here." Su Yu said, "He said he will be leaving for the palace in two days. He has many things to discuss with you."

Jiashan’s eyebrows twitched.

Some things can never be sorted out, and love is the most so.

It's not good to offend him, nor can I marry him, so how should I tell Zhan Yue?

Jiashan made up his mind: "Please let him in."

Su Yu said yes, and quickly invited Zhan Yue over.

Zhan Yue was wearing a dark official uniform today, perhaps because he had just returned from work and had no time to change. This outfit made him look quiet and cool, and his facial features looked even more delicate.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Youze was already there, so Zhan Yue called out, "His Highness, Fourth Prince, how are you?"

Zhao Youze asked him to sit down, and he picked up a pen, pretending to be oblivious to what was happening outside and only wanted to concentrate on copying the scriptures.

Zhao Youze looks gentle and harmless, not even as tall as Zhan Yue’s chest. When he doesn’t speak, he doesn’t have a strong presence.

Zhan Yue looked straight at Jiashan, his eyes were dark and his expression was almost gentle: "When I left the palace, His Majesty had instructed me to return to the palace before September 20th. Today is September 15th, and I plan to leave the day after tomorrow. What do you think, Your Highnesses?"

Zhao Youze said nothing, Jiashan said: "As you say."

Zhan Yue: “Okay.”

His "OK" was a little soft, Jiashan couldn't help but raise his eyes slightly, and happened to meet Zhan Yue's line of sight. His eyes were slightly curved, his gaze was focused and thoughtful, and it seemed that there was only room for Jiashan in his deep eyes.

The strings in Jiashan's heart suddenly became tighter and tighter. She smiled brightly and said, "I've troubled you with everything during this month in Changchun Temple."

"It's okay," Zhan Yue still looked at her calmly. He opened his lips and said, "In the future, I may have many more dealings with Your Highness."

"Let's bother each other." He curled his lips.

Jiashan was slightly stunned.

Zhan Yue turned his head and stared at her intently: "Do you like the hairpin I gave to Your Highness?"

Jiashan looked up and saw that Zhan Yue's eyes were on her from beginning to end. Her lips were dry, so she licked them and said, "It looks very beautiful. Even my maid said that it is a treasure that has been there for many years. My lord is very thoughtful."

Zhan Yue smiled, and his eyes slowly fell on Jiashan's lips.

While Zhan Yue was distracted, Jia Shan took the initiative to say, "It's just that it's a little too expensive."

"I have nothing," Jiashan looked at him, his cheeks soft and his voice clear, "I don't have anything good to give back to you."

Zhan Yue looked at her without moving his brows.

The sound of a strong heartbeat could be heard slowly in his chest. Zhan Yue's Adam's apple moved slightly. He said, "I gave it to you willingly. There is no need for you to return it, Princess."

Jiashan pursed his lips and smiled, his heart beating like a drum.

She looked at him carefully and saw that his pupils were clear and transparent, but deep in his eye sockets, there seemed to be a little self.

Jiashan suddenly couldn't say anything to refuse. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out of her throat.

Zhan Yue raised his eyes, his face was fair and handsome: "Your Highness said that day that he hoped I could get what I wanted.

He looked at Jiashan intently: "I wonder if this will always count?"

He spoke in a very slow tone, and one could hardly detect any nervousness in it.

However, when Jiashan lowered his head, he saw that he quietly and tightly clenched his right hand, which was bent on his knees.

Even if your heart is as hard as a copper wall or an iron wall, it cannot withstand the tenderness of this cold man.

Jiashan's lips moved slightly. She opened her mouth several times and finally said with difficulty: "What do you think, sir?"

Zhan Yue stared at her seriously: "I thought so."

Jiashan pursed her lips, tilted her head slightly, smiled and said, "My maid has made a lot of green bean paste buns. My Lord, take them back and let the subordinates taste them."

"Don't be polite with me." Jiashan had a snow-white face, she smiled brightly, and her tone was a little gentle.

Zhan Yue looked at her for a long while without blinking, and then he nodded: "Okay."

After hearing Jiashan's words, Suyu quickly came out from the kitchen with a few bags of food.

Zhan Yue held it in his hand, and he looked at her steadily: "In two days, I will send Your Highness back to the palace."

Jiashan smiled softly and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"After returning to the palace, Your Highness should probably make early plans for the marriage." Zhan Yue's fingers holding the thing curled up slightly, and he spoke slowly.

Jiashan forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lao, for your concern. I have already made my proposal."

Zhan Yue stood tall and straight, and said in a low voice: "Wait for good news from the princess."

Jiashan's lips trembled, she hesitated, and finally, said nothing.

A moment of silence.

After a while, Zhao Youze suddenly raised his head and said, "Master Zhan, are you leaving? I want to leave too. Let's go together."

Zhan Yue nodded, and he and Zhao Youze walked out slowly, leaving only a dark back to Jiashan.

Jiashan's eyes never left him. She was in a complicated mood and couldn't tell what was going on in her mind. She picked up the brush that Zhao Youze had placed on the desk and began to paint lightly.

As soon as he started writing, he drew the color of a suit of armor, which was what he wore when he met Zhan Yue in front of Dongzhimen in his previous life.

Jiashan's pen paused, she crumpled the paper into a ball, and put down her writing in frustration.

She bit her lips tightly, put aside all the crazy thoughts in her mind, and found a copy of the Tao Te Ching to copy.

Here, Zhan Yue and Zhao Youze were walking together on the path. Zhao Youze had shorter legs and walked slowly, and Zhan Yue was also walking very slowly, not knowing what he was thinking.

Listening to Zhan Yue's panting, Zhao Youze moved his ears and said, "The task is arduous and the road ahead is long. You still need to work hard."

Zhan Yue was stunned for a moment, he tilted his head and glanced at Zhao Youze.

Zhao Youze pointed out: "My elder sister."

Both of them stopped walking. There was no one around, only the sound of wind blowing, rustling the leaves.

Zhan Yue's dark eyes revealed a hint of tough tenderness, and he squeezed out two words: "Naturally."

Zhao Youze grinned at him.