After Feng Ye left, Yuan Sikong was depressed for quite some time.

He and Feng Ye agreed to exchange letters, but he didn't know where to start, so he decided to wait until the ground was covered with silver and snow hung on the branches, then paint a winter scene and send it to Feng Ye.

Yuan Nanyu saw that Yuan Sikong was unhappy and knew why. He felt bad and had to find ways to make him laugh: "Second brother, look, look at me."

Yuan Sikong turned his head and saw Yuan Nanyu lifting his good leg behind his neck and grinning at him foolishly.

Yuan Sikong shook his head helplessly: "It seems that your hands and feet haven't grown during these days of bedridden."

"Of course. My father forced me to learn martial arts when I was four years old. I've only been bedridden for a month." Yuan Nanyu said as he started punching on the bed. His moves were powerful and looked very professional.

Yuan Sikong teased, "Oh, you've been practicing martial arts for so many years, and you actually fell down from the building. What did you learn?"

"It's because I was scared by my father." Yuan Nanyu made a face.

"This incident also serves as a warning to us. In the future..."

"Hey, stop it, stop it!" Yuan Nanyu covered his ears exaggeratedly, "Second brother, you really are becoming more and more like dad."

Yuan Sikong smiled and said, "What's wrong with being like dad? Dad is a good man."

Yuan Nanyu's eyes lit up: "Second brother, you smiled, you finally smiled!"

Yuan Sikong touched his face and said, "Have you never seen me smile before? I look like I've seen a ghost."

"Ever since the little prince left, you have been in a bad mood all day long."

Yuan Sikong sighed softly, then smiled again: "Parting is always a time to miss someone."

Yuan Nanyu muttered, "Second brother has me, don't think about him anymore."

"Okay, I won't think about him anymore. Today is a good day, how about I take you out for a walk?"

"OK."

Yuan Sikong first helped Yuan Nanyu put on a thin shirt, then put on crutches and helped him walk out.

As soon as he walked out of the door, he saw the ginkgo tree at first sight. This century-old tree carried the memories of the Yuan family's children from childhood to adulthood. Now that it was climbed by the prince's son, it was even more respected. Thinking of this, Yuan Sikong couldn't help but smile knowingly.

"Second brother?"

"Hey." Yuan Sikong supported Yuan Nanyu and walked into the yard.

The two of them started chatting.

"My eldest brother has joined the army this year. He looks so handsome in armor and with a sword." Yuan Nanyu said enviously, "In a few years, I want to be like him and like my father, guarding Guangning City."

Yuan Sikong looked at Yuan Nanyu in surprise: "Why did you suddenly come to your senses today? Weren't you just thinking about playing before?"

Yuan Nanyu curled his lips and said, "Who said I only thought about having fun? I have never fallen behind in studying and practicing martial arts. This time, I witnessed the might of the Feng Family Army, and I was greatly encouraged."

Yuan Sikong said with relief: "It's great that you think this way. Maybe when our Yu'er grows up, he can become the top martial arts champion."

Yuan Nanyu suddenly said excitedly: "If my second brother gets the first place in literature and I get the first place in martial arts, then our Yuan family will be famous all over the world."

Yuan Sikong laughed and said, "It's not as easy to be the top scholar as you say. However, if you work hard, you will succeed. If you keep it in mind and pursue it with your feet, you will definitely gain something."

"Yeah!" Yuan Nanyu nodded vigorously.

As they walked out of the courtyard, they suddenly heard a quarrel coming from the main house, and the two looked at each other.

Yuan Sikong had been in the Yuan family for four years, and he had never seen Yuan Mao speak loudly to Yue Qingshuang. Even though he was a strict and cold person, this man gave all his tenderness to his childhood sweetheart.

Yuan Nanyu became nervous: "Why are Dad and Mom arguing?"

"This……"

At this moment, the door was opened heavily, and a goose-yellow graceful figure rushed out. The two of them looked closely and found that it was Yuan Weiling.

Yuan Weiling's pretty face turned red and was filled with anger. Tears welled up in her eyes and she rushed out with her head down.

"Ling'er!" Yue Qingshuang chased after her, her voice full of anxiety.

"Ignore her!" Yuan Mao said in a bad tone, "Let her figure it out herself."

Yue Qingshuang stood at the door awkwardly and just happened to see the two of them.

Yuan Sikong asked with his mouth: "What's wrong?"

Yue Qingshuang winked at them and told them to go find Yuan Weiling.

Yuan Nanyu had difficulty using crutches, so the two of them walked very slowly, but they still found Yuan Weiling quietly wiping away tears under the ginkgo tree.

Yuan Sikong helped Yuan Nanyu sit down, and he also sat cross-legged next to Yuan Weiling. He took out a handkerchief and handed it over.

Yuan Weiling took the handkerchief and wiped her tears vigorously, rubbing her delicate skin red.

Yuan Nanyu whispered, "Sister, what's wrong?"

Yuan Weiling gasped and said nothing.

"Is it true... that Dad has arranged a marriage for you?" Other than that, Yuan Sikong couldn't think of anything else.

Yuan Weiling nodded, and her eyes became moist again.

Yuan Weiling was born extremely beautiful. Although her hot temper was as well known as her beauty, she had been approached by people proposing marriage since she was 13. Yuan Weiling was different from other girls. She had been wielding swords and guns since she was young and wanted to join the army. There were women's armies in the Sheng Dynasty, but they were not successful and most of them were people with bad luck and no other options. For someone like Yuan Weiling, it was rebellious.

A few years ago, Yuan Mao could have declined on the grounds that Yuan Weiling was too young, but now Yuan Weiling was about to turn eighteen, and it was unusual for a girl to be so old and still not have an engagement. Moreover, Yuan Weiling was the eldest daughter, and if she didn't get married, Yuan Shaoxu wouldn't be able to marry either. No wonder Yuan Mao and Yue Qingshuang were anxious.

Yuan Weiling choked up and said, "What high-ranking official? I have never even met such a person. I don't want to marry him."

"But Dad is determined this time." Yuan Sikong held Yuan Weiling's hand and said softly, "Sister, Dad has offended many people who came to propose marriage for you. You should also understand Dad. He must have chosen a very good family for you."

Yuan Weiling pouted: "What if I don't like him? What if he is stupid and ugly? What if he is a fool?"

Yuan Sikong felt sorry for Yuan Weiling, but he could do nothing but comfort her: "Sister, tell me whose family Dad told you about. We can go and see secretly if that person is worthy of you. If he is not worthy of you, then don't marry him."

"Yes, we'll go check it out for you." Yuan Nanyu said angrily, "If he really isn't worthy of my elder sister, we'll go together and ask Dad to cancel the engagement."

"I don't know. I didn't listen at all." Yuan Weiling wiped away tears. "If I were a man, Shao Xu and you could do whatever you want, but I can't. I have also studied and practiced martial arts since I was young. How am I worse than you?"

Yuan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu looked at each other, both helpless. The Yuan family had only one daughter, who was the treasure of the whole family, but the father was the guide for the son, and according to ancient ethics, no one could disobey Yuan Mao.

The two of them sat with Yuan Weiling under the tree until dark, until her mood calmed down.

That night, before going to bed, Yuan Sikong wiped Yuan Nanyu's body. Yuan Nanyu said gloomily: "Second brother, one day in the future, will you and I also marry a woman we have never met?"

"Well, I want it."

"So what kind of woman do you want her to be?"

Yuan Sikong was stunned. He had never considered this question before. When it was brought up, he suddenly realized that he had no idea about his future wife. He only hoped that the woman would be gentle and filial, and satisfy Yuan Mao and Yue Qingshuang. As for whether she was beautiful, virtuous, or had a good family background or talent, he didn't care. He hesitated for a moment: "As long as my father and mother like her, that's fine."

"You...don't you want to marry a wife you like?"

"I'll listen to my father." Yuan Sikong put down the cloth, dressed Yuan Nanyu, and teased, "What about you? What kind of wife do you want to marry? I didn't even realize that Yu'er has already started to have sexual thoughts."

Yuan Nanyu blushed and defended himself loudly, "I'm not thinking about love! I don't want to get married at all. I just asked casually when I saw my elder sister worrying about marriage today."

Yuan Sikong laughed: "I was just joking, look how anxious you are."

Yuan Nanyu snorted heavily and said, "When the time comes, I'll marry you off to an ugly bastard. Let's see if you still listen to me!"

Yuan Sikong joked: "It doesn't matter if I marry an ugly woman, but Yu'er can marry a beautiful woman."

"Second brother, you...you just rely on your eloquence to bully others!"

“Hahahahahaha—”

——

Yuan Weiling's marriage was finally settled. The man was from a famous family. His ancestors had been ministers, and now some of them were officials in the court. His son was also very handsome, and Yuan Weiling was not wronged at all. Although the man's family was not in Guangning City, it was only a day's journey away. The parents of both families chose an auspicious day and prepared to propose marriage. They agreed to get married next year when the weather warmed up and the birds were singing and the flowers were fragrant.

The Yuan family hadn't had such a happy event for a long time. The whole mansion was filled with a joyful atmosphere, which dispelled a lot of winter chill.

In order to welcome the future in-laws, Yuan Sikong got up early in the morning and helped Uncle Chen and his wife clean the house. The Yuan family only had these two servants. Uncle Chen guarded the door and did chores, and Aunt Liu cooked and did small chores. Although they were old, Yuan Mao couldn't bear to resign. Although they were called servants, they were actually more like family members.

After a busy day, the whole house was tidy, the newly bought lanterns were hung up, and a table of good wine and delicious food was prepared to welcome the guests.

Yuan Mao changed out of his light armor and put on a nice set of clothes. He was just over thirty, handsome, and tall. He usually wore armor and a helmet, which made him look cold and unapproachable. Now he was wearing a long robe with dark blue embroidery, which actually made him look noble.

Yuan Sikong praised: "Dad, you look really good today, like a general in casual clothes."

Yuan Mao was in a very good mood and said with a smile, "Really? Dad rarely wears clothes like this. It seems he can wear them more often in the future."

"You should wear more clothes. You and mother standing together like this, you really are a perfect couple." Yuan Sikong winked at Yue Qingshuang.

Yue Qingshuang covered her mouth and smiled: "Kong'er is good at talking."

"Hey, the in-laws are here!" Uncle Chen stood at the door, looking into the distance and shouting excitedly.

Yuan Mao took Yue Qingshuang's hand and said, "Let's go."

Yuan Mao and his wife were in front, while Yuan Shaoxu led his two younger brothers behind, ready to welcome the guests.

At this moment, a figure suddenly flashed in through the door and almost bumped into Yuan Mao. Everyone was startled because it was not the future relative they were expecting, but the serious-looking Hu Baicheng.

Before Yuan Mao opened his mouth to ask, Hu Baicheng said anxiously, "Master Qianhu, something terrible has happened!"