Ever since Yu Jiaxing accidentally eavesdropped on Sheng Hong last time, he'd felt different the next time he met her. He'd always been so relaxed and confident, but now he felt a little awkward. Even with that feeling, he couldn't help but look back at Sheng Hong's back.
On this day, Yu Jiaxing returned home from the Sheng family's family study and was summoned to the main courtyard by his mother. Seeing his father and mother together, Yu Jiaxing bowed and asked, "Father, Mother, is there anything you need to ask me?"
Lin Jiaoniang looked her son up and down, then said, holding her handkerchief, "That's fine, son. You're not young anymore. As the saying goes, get married first and then build a career. I've found a good match for you."
Yu Jiaxing, only twelve, was shocked by this. When he wanted to refute, a flash of Sheng Hong's back suddenly flashed through his mind. Yu Jiaxing asked awkwardly, "I wonder which girl Mother is looking for for me?"
Lin Jiaoniang, who was laughing with her handkerchief covering her mouth, said, "You have seen her before. She is the eldest daughter of the Sheng family."
The eldest daughter of the Sheng family, isn't that Sheng Hong? This surprise was so great that the young Yu Jiaxing jumped up and said with a smile: "My marriage is up to my mother."
Lin Jiaoniang and Yu Shuyuan both laughed heartily at their son's delight. Seeing this boy so happy, the idea of marriage really touched his heart. This was good; it would make life easier for him to be with someone he loved.
Then, Lin Jiaoniang took out a jade pendant and said, "Stop jumping around. There will be holes on the ground if you keep jumping. Look, this is a token of love between the two of you. It's a pair of mandarin duck pendants."
Hearing this, Yu Jiaxing quickly took the jade pendant and examined it carefully. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it. He grinned and said to Lin Jiaoniang, "Thank you very much, mother." After saying this, he bowed deeply.
Lin Jiaoniang was so amused that she scolded, "I don't see you being so well-behaved in daily life. You seem to have grown up now that you're getting married." After saying that, she wiped her eyes and thought of Yu Jiade who died young.
Seeing his mother's sadness, Yu Jiaxing knew she was thinking of De'er. Just as he was about to step forward to offer comfort, his father gave him a look that clearly said, "Get lost!" After rubbing his nose, Yu Jiaxing bowed and took his leave.
I didn't need to look back to know that my father had already hugged my mother and was coaxing her.
After Yu Jiaxing left the main courtyard, he looked at the setting sun in the distance. He thought to himself that after getting married, he must treat his wife well, just like his father treated his mother.
Back in the front yard, Yu Jiaxing examined the jade pendant carefully for a long moment. He'd heard that after getting engaged, men and women exchanged gifts to express their affection. Looking around, Yu Jiaxing spotted a piece of red sandalwood on a shelf of antiques. He picked up a brush and meticulously sketched the design of a hairpin. Speaking of affection, Yu Jiaxing felt that handcrafting was the most expressive way to express it.
The next day, Yu Jiaxing woke up in a daze, his eyes rimmed. He only regained consciousness after breakfast. He had been up all night, his hands bruised. This sandalwood hairpin was truly difficult to make.
When Yu Jiaxing arrived at the Sheng residence that afternoon, he suddenly felt shy standing at the gate. He hesitated for a moment before entering. He had been absent-minded during class, only regaining his focus when the teacher called him to answer a question. Naturally, he didn't understand the meaning and was asked to copy the text fifty times.
At such a young age, Yu Jiaxing couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "What is love in this world..."
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