Zhao Tingduo arrived at the garrison that very night.
In addition to a dozen or so tribespeople, they brought a large herd of live cattle and sheep.
It took a lot of effort to get these livestock across the rugged mountain path along the Huangsha River, and more than a dozen sheep and cattle fell into the river.
Seeing Zhao Tingduo in such a disheveled state, Song Liyun felt a pang of sympathy!
Given his status, he didn't need to go through such hardship. He could have returned to the Marquis's mansion, dressed in silk robes, and been waited on as the Third Young Master.
But now... Song Liyun brought him and Abu back to Baolin Residence.
After a quick wash, Zhao Tingduo was unwilling to rest: "Yun'er, I'm leaving today. I need to talk to Brother Song about the marriage now!"
When Song Liyun went to the grasslands last time, Song Zhenping already understood the relationship between the two, but since the matter was not made public, he did not say it outright.
Now Zhao Tingduo is going to propose marriage in person!
However, Zhao Tingduo did not allow Song Liyun to be present; the two of them spoke alone in the side room.
After they finished speaking, the two came out. Song Zhenping's expression was somewhat solemn, but Zhao Tingduo remained calm: "Brother Song, if there are no unforeseen circumstances, I will definitely keep my promise next spring."
Song Zhenping nodded: "You guys...be careful."
Zhao Tingduo patted his shoulder: "No matter how capable Yun'er is, she's still just a woman. The family still depends on you. You have to protect her!"
Song Zhenping blushed slightly and nodded again emphatically: "Okay! We can definitely do it."
Song Zhenping is slightly older than Zhao Tingduo, but the two of them together at this moment seem to be of different ages.
On the way to the garrison, Abu rode ahead on horseback, carrying two large boxes of goods.
The night wind was chilly, and the only sound in the quiet fields was the rustling of withered grass.
Zhao Tingduo led the horse with one hand and held Song Liyun's hand tightly with the other as they walked slowly.
His hands were strong and broad for his age, with thin calluses, marks left by years of hard work.
With their hands clasped together, Song Liyun's hands were completely enveloped, giving people a warm and safe feeling.
Zhao Tingduo squeezed her hand: "It's not even winter yet, how come your hands are so cold? Tomorrow I'll have someone give you some good furs, and you can have the Wan family make them into a padded jacket and skirt, a rabbit fur scarf, a wolf fur rug, and fox and mink fur jackets to keep out the wind in winter."
Song Liyun grabbed him: "What's wrong? Ashi, is something the matter? If something is wrong, don't hide it from me, or I'll get angry."
Zhao Tingduo is a gentle person, but she hasn't paid attention to what clothes Song Liyun needs. Something's not right.
Zhao Tingduo's visit this time was rushed. They had originally planned to propose marriage, but now it seems to have been postponed to next spring. What happened that she couldn't know?
Having been independent for so many years, Song Liyun is no longer the naive little girl hiding under someone else's wing.
She wants to take control of her own destiny!
Zhao Tingduo stopped and stared at her for a moment before speaking, "Yun'er, you must wait for me."
I will carve out a grassland that will belong to you for life.
When spring arrives next year and the flowers bloom, at the most beautiful time on the grasslands, I will come to marry you in the finest yurt.
At this moment, all around was darkness, there was no moonlight in the sky, and even the stars were dim.
But Song Liyun saw Zhao Tingduo's eyes, which shone like obsidian.
His once gentle gaze had turned cold and stern, and his tall and upright figure made him instantly exude a commanding presence.
Song Liyun was stunned. She stammered, "Conquer a whole grassland! Conquer? You want to wage war! You want to wage war?"
"Yes, for the future of the Uda tribe, and for our future."
"I'm going to take over the Mida River Valley. The grass and water there are lush, and you won't have to migrate with the cattle anymore; that's too hard work."
Song Liyun shook her head; she wanted to say that she didn't need any grasslands.
But she couldn't bring herself to say such discouraging words when facing Zhao Tingduo.
Everyone has their own aspirations and goals. Zhao Tingduo is not only the son of the Marquis of Zhenbei, but also the young master of the grassland tribe, and he needs to make a living for his tribe.
Thinking of his promise to give her a grassland so she wouldn't have to migrate anymore, Song Liyun felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
At this moment, even this cold and aloof older sister was somewhat moved by the twenty-year-old boy in front of her.
Youth is wonderful; you don't have to weigh the consequences as long as you like something.
At this moment, she remembered the valuable agate and turquoise necklace in her online space.
That was a gift from Lady Uya. Lady Uya wouldn't act impulsively; they were serious.
Compared to these alien races, I, who came from the apocalypse, am ultimately too materialistic when it comes to emotions.
Thinking of this, Song Liyun hugged Zhao Tingduo's slender waist, rested her face against his chest, and murmured, "I am only an eighteen-year-old girl. I need to yearn for love and see all the beauty in the world. I don't have eyes that have seen the darkness."
She needs to hypnotize herself to truly become a girl experiencing first love.
Zhao Tingduo didn't hug her. Instead, she held her shoulders and pushed her away, saying, "What are you muttering about? Don't worry, I will definitely come to marry you in the spring!"
Song Liyun released her hand: "Ashi, I believe you."
Zhao Tingduo grinned: "Yes, winter will be over soon."
Song Liyun pulled him into a sheltered ditch by the roadside, took out a tinderbox, blew it into the wind, and said by the glowing embers, "Do you still remember the drug I used to knock you out?"
"Drugs? I remember." How could Zhao Tingduo forget that the first time she fainted, it was because of this?
Song Liyun reached into the small satchel tied around her waist and pulled out a tube-shaped object thicker than her thumb.
"This is a sleeping potion. You just need to unscrew the cap and press it with your thumb to release the gas. Remember, release it after just one breath. That gas is enough to knock out ten cows."
Song Liyun explained in detail how to use the sprayer.
Although Zhao Tingduo was also delighted with the sprayer's effect, she held it up and down before shoving it back into Song Liyun's hand: "No, I don't want it. This is for your self-defense. It's better to keep it with you. I have a knife, so there's no danger."
The dim firelight from the folding paper illuminated the handsome young man's brows and eyes with a hint of red glow, and in a daze, even his starry eyes were tinged with a blush.
Song Liyun looked up at his face with a touch of infatuation: "Ashi, although this sleeping potion is useless on the battlefield, it is my token of affection. With this, your safety will be more guaranteed."
Looking at the woman beside him, who was chattering away, he could vaguely see her small mouth opening and closing, and she was speaking softly and gently.
Zhao Tingduo, who had been suppressing her passionate feelings all night, finally couldn't hold back and hugged Song Liyun and kissed her.
The light from the tinderbox dimmed little by little, and a deep, long kiss finally ended.
Zhao Tingduo cupped Song Liyun's face and whispered, "Yun'er, I'll have my mother come to propose marriage right away. Once I kiss you, you're mine, forever!"
Song Liyun felt a mix of wanting to laugh and wanting to cry.
Before the apocalypse, those who made lifelong promises based on a kiss were naive minors; adults only cared about what they could gain from it.
Zhao Tingduo is such a simple and adorable boy!
She raised her hand and touched Zhao Tingduo's face: "I won't ask you what you want to do, just remember me."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
