Chapter 112
It is said that a woman’s marriage is her second life, and whether she marries well or not directly affects the rest of her life.
Chu Shu was used to a life of luxury in the Chu family in the capital. She didn't want to go to a remote small town where she couldn't buy anything she wanted, nor did she want to marry an incompetent man who had to curtsy and flatter every minor official she saw.
All her friends were married, and those who were not as good-looking, talented or had better family background than her were all married, leaving her alone to be married.
Although Chu Shu had stopped associating with these friends because of her aunt, she couldn't bear the shame whenever she thought about what they would say about her in private: "an old maid who can't get married", "what's the use of trying to be strong in everything? In the end, no one will want you".
She wanted to go to the Wen family and apologize, asking them to find a good family for her, but there were years of grudges, and she was also worried that the Wen family would make things difficult for her, and she became more and more anxious.
In her dreams at midnight, Chu Shu often thought of what happened in the past.
What would have happened if she had not told her aunt when she saw Chu Qi coming back to look for his secret money, and her aunt had not taken the opportunity to plot against Chu Huan and Wen Shi?
What would have happened if she hadn't bumped into Chu Huan on the boat, hadn't apologized early for fear of taking a life, hadn't made Old Madam Chu and the concubine cry and make a fuss, ruining all their friendship?
Even if her and Chu Qi's biological mother was not the aunt, but Wen, who was a person with a long-term vision and not obsessed with small interests, perhaps their current situation would be different.
…
No matter what she thought, things had already happened. The only thing Chu Shu could do now was to be content and not waste the last bit of friendship, so that if something happened in the future, even her own father would not be willing to help her.
The next day, Chu Shu took the initiative to apologize to Chu Ping and said that she was willing to marry the scholar.
Chu Ping had been mentally prepared when he heard the system's words last night, but just in case, he still asked, "Are you really willing?"
"My daughter is willing." Chu Shu nodded heavily.
As a father and someone who has experienced this, Chu Ping added a few words: "Marriage is about uniting two families. Once you're engaged, it's hard to go back on your word. Would you like to think about it for a few more days?"
Chu Shu was visibly puzzled. When she had previously rejected the marriage proposal, Chu Ping had clearly disagreed. How could his attitude change so drastically in just a few days? He even asked her to think it over for a while?
Chu Ping explained, "Traditionally, marriages for children have been decided by the elders. The scholar Dad has chosen for you is the best you can choose, considering all aspects."
"I thought this was the best choice for you. You're young and haven't experienced much, so you might not understand it right now. You'll understand it over time, but Huan'er is right. If you really don't want to, and the marriage turns into an enmity, then it's better not to get married."
Chu Ping's previous behavior was the same as that of many elders in Dasheng. They thought that they were more experienced than their children, and they used the excuse of what was good for their children to arrange marriages for them unilaterally, ignoring their children's ideas.
It cannot be said that he does not love his children, but it can be said that in an environment where everyone around him does the same thing, he is inevitably influenced by it.
Chu Shu made a scene in front of her clan members and was so resistant to getting married. With the persuasion of Wen and Chu Huan, Chu Ping began to reflect on whether he had done something wrong.
Chu Shu heard Chu Ping's thoughts for the first time and learned about Chu Ping's unspoken considerations. She said with a face full of regret: "It's my daughter who misunderstood me. It's my daughter's fault. Please forgive me."
Seeing that his daughter admitted her mistake, Chu Ping did not intend to hold on to her. "Dad has not had time to refuse these days due to the New Year. I will reply to the other party after the Lantern Festival."
In other words: if you still want to change your mind, the latest deadline is the Lantern Festival.
Chu Shu pretended not to hear and nodded obediently: "Daughters always listen to their fathers."
Chu Ping: "..."
My daughter is so well-behaved, she might be acting strangely.
With this idea in mind, Chu Ping was alert until the Lantern Festival. However, Chu Shu stayed at home quietly, either reading or embroidering, which made him feel a little embarrassed.
That night, Chu Huan, accompanied by Qingzhu Hongmei and protected by Jia Yi and Cai Gang, had just walked out of the Chu family's gate when she saw Shang Lu waiting not far away.
There was a light snowfall tonight. Shanglu was holding a black bamboo umbrella and an exquisite lantern, waiting alone under a tree, feeling so lonely as if he was isolated from the world.
Chu Huan stepped forward quickly: "Sorry to have kept you waiting."
Her appearance seemed to inject vitality into the painting, and the whole painting came alive instantly.
"Not long ago, I just got here." Shang Lu smiled slightly and held the umbrella over Chu Huan's head. The feeling of isolation and loneliness on his body disappeared instantly.
Chu Hua glanced at the snow on Shang Lu's umbrella and smiled, not wanting to expose someone's polite words. "That's good."
The cool and handsome man and the pretty and charming woman stood opposite each other, smiling at each other and whispering to each other. The scene was so beautiful that Jia Yi, Cai Gang and others stopped and did not get any closer.
The system, like a melon, screamed silently: Aa ...
Shang Lu handed the lantern he had been holding to Chu Huan: "This is for you."
The Lantern Festival in the capital has always been very lively. Tonight, the Chu family hung up a lot of lanterns to suit the occasion, and pedestrians were carrying lanterns in the streets and alleys.
On this special day, both unmarried and married men and women will go out to have fun, and it is normal for them to send lanterns to each other.
Chu Huan took it without refusing.
This is a plum blossom lantern, with pink plum blossoms dotted like stars, and upon closer inspection it turns out to be a star map.
Integrating the stars into the plum blossoms is a unique idea - astronomy enthusiasts are really amazing!
"It's beautiful, why use pink?"
Plum blossom lanterns are usually red, and this is the first time she has seen pink ones.
Shang Lu's gaze swept behind Chu Huan. Chu Huan turned around and saw Qingzhu and Hongmei behind her, and instantly understood.
She didn't care about this, but Shang Lu would take the initiative to avoid suspicion for this, and she was actually a little happy in her heart.
...Could it be that she really has feelings for Shang Lu? Chu Huan was a little confused.
The system screamed frantically in the private chat channel: [Ahhh, Shanglu Beauty is teasing you! ]
He actually painted the plum blossoms in pink just because your maid's name is Hongmei, leaving no room for misunderstanding. Sister Huan, if you still don't understand this, it's truly unacceptable!
Chu Hua: [...I saw it.] So, shut up, you idiot!
Perhaps sensing the host's resentment and embarrassment, the system quickly shut up and stopped disturbing them.
Chu Huan didn't want to carry the lantern around with her. Firstly, it was inconvenient, and secondly, it was too cold.
She handed the plum blossom lantern to Qingzhu, who handed the lantern to the gatekeeper, gave him a few instructions, and then returned.
The group changed to a horse-drawn carriage and arrived at the lantern exhibition quarter of an hour later.
Qingzhu and Hongmei were about to help Chu Huan when they saw Shang Lu standing nearby after getting off the carriage. He reached out his hand before they did.
Chu Huan: “…”
Phytolacca: “…”
At this moment, not only Qingzhu Hongmei, but even Jia Yi and Cai Gang realized that something was wrong.
Riding in the carriage together could be said to be for convenience, but it shouldn't be Shang Lu who offered help.
Shang Lu wanted to help purely subconsciously, but by the time he realized something was wrong and wanted to stop, it was too late.
Chu Huan didn't let Shang Lu stay there awkwardly. She reached out and gently touched him, then got out of the car in two steps and quickly withdrew her hand.
"Let's go."
Shang Lu curled up his palms and forced himself to ignore the feeling of Chu Huan's hand falling on his palm.
The two walked side by side, followed by Qingzhu and Hongmei, with Jia Yi and Cai Gang guarding them on either side, alert to any suspicious people, and occasionally exchanging glances with some passers-by who were disguised.
Chu Huan saw many stalls selling clay figurines, sugar paintings, candied haws, and jewelry, all of which were regular items at festival temple fairs. She hurried past them and saw a small stall selling pine nut candy.
"Pho-lu, do you eat pine nut candy?"
Phytolacca:?
“No.”
Too.
With his way of life where he can eat anything and has no requirements for quality of life, I'm afraid he has never eaten many things.
Chu Huan didn't ask any more questions: "Let's go buy some to try."
Before she finished speaking, she walked over.
There were too many people tonight, and Shang Lu was afraid of being separated by the crowd, so he hurriedly followed, occasionally extending his hand to protect Chu Huan from being bumped into.
Hongmei often goes out to buy things for Chu Huan. She is agile and quick to react. She has already squeezed through the crowd to buy pine nut candies so that Chu Huan can eat them as soon as she arrives.
"Hongmei is awesome." After praising her, Chu Huan reminded her, "There are a lot of people here tonight, so don't stray too far from us. Be careful."
Hongmei narrowed her eyes and smiled: "I will, don't worry, miss."
If she were really separated by the crowd, she would go find the plainclothes Jinyiwei who had just exchanged glances with Jia Yi and Cai Gang. She is so flexible!
Chu Huan pinched one and put it in her mouth. It was the perfect size, sweet but not greasy. It was so delicious!
She pinched another one and shook it at Shanglu: "Try it?"
Shanglu was silent.
The system screamed again in the private chat channel: [Sister Huan, you are awesome! You flirted back!]
[I bet you a pine nut candy, Shanglu Beauty would be so shy that she would almost explode if she were to receive a thermometer from you. She definitely wouldn't take it with her mouth.]
Chu Huan replied nonchalantly: [No need to gamble, you're sure to win.]
System: [Hehehe…]
Shang Lu hesitated for a long time, then opened his palm and said, "Okay."
Chu Huan had an expression that said "I knew it" on her face. She put the pine nut candy in his palm and watched Shang Lu eat it carefully.
"How about it?"
Phoenix rarely eats sweets, so he's a little uncomfortable with it: "Sweet."
Qingzhu: "Miss, there are candied fruits over there, would you like to go and have a look?"
Chu Huan: "Let's go."
The group walked, stopped, ate, and looked around for more than half an hour, then slowly headed towards the Oriental Teahouse.
Last year during the Lantern Festival, the Oriental Teahouse became a big hit. Before the event started tonight, a group of people gathered in front of the teahouse to watch the fun, and some of them brought their own melon seeds and peanuts.
"I ate two of the big melons from the Four Young Masters of Beijing last year. I wonder if I can eat the rest this year."
"How could it be such a coincidence? But I just saw Ximen Jie go up."
"Nangong Ling has also gone up."
"Dongfang Heng is the young master of the Dongfang Tea House and has been here for a long time."
Last year, Chu Huan experienced the inconvenience of watching melons in a crowd, so this year she sent someone to book a private room early so that she could watch the fun from a high vantage point.
As soon as she entered the box, Nangong Ling, the Second Prince's wife and others came to visit, and the Fifth Prince also came to join in the fun.
These people have their own private rooms but insist on crowding in here, trying not to be too obvious.
Chu Huan: "...Come and try some melons?"
"Of course." Everyone grinned, not hiding their purpose at all.
Still wanting to be alone: "..."
What else could Chu Huan do? Of course, she would satisfy them.
【Tong'er? 】
【Here we come!】The system is on call, 【What do you want to eat?】
Everyone said in unison: "Of course it's the remaining two of the Four Heroes of the Capital."
Chu Huan said casually, "Then let's start with Dongfang Heng."
System: [Okay!]
Three seconds later, the system came back in a panic: [This melon cannot be eaten! ]
Since joining the melon-eating system, this was the first time Chu Huan encountered a melon that she couldn't eat. She was very curious: [What's wrong?]
The system said in a very low voice: [He treats you...]
If someone eats Dongfang Heng's gossip at Dongfang Teahouse today, half of the capital will probably know tomorrow that Dongfang Heng loves Chu Huan and it will be bad for Chu Huan's reputation. What if Chu Ping thinks Dongfang Heng is a good person and wants to marry him?
It is supporting the CP of Chu Huan and Shang Lu, and it must not demolish its own house!
"Um?"
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
Everyone's melon seeds dropped in shock, and Shang Lu pursed his lips tightly.
The system didn't finish its words, but from its hesitant attitude and guilty tone, everyone understood the remaining few words.
Not to mention Chu Huan's strong personality, she also has a melon-eating system that makes everything transparent. Isn't she afraid of this?
Dongfang Heng is a true warrior!
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