Zuo An Ning mustered up the courage to say, "Mr. Tan, it is said that family disgrace should not be made public. In fact, this matter has no impact on our marriage."

"But I am extremely stubborn inside. I was prepared to be alone, but you, Mr. Tan, barged in."

"The emperor's order cannot be disobeyed. Since the marriage is a foregone conclusion, there are some things I don't want to hide from Master Tan."

"My parents...Mr. Tan, I will tell you everything."

Zuo An Ning held onto the coffee table in front of him and told his father everything he had seen and heard since he could remember, including his parents' unfortunate marriage, their endless quarrels and complaints, and even the matter of Li Xusheng.

"Mr. Tan, I don't want to repeat the misfortune of my parents, nor do I want a gentleman like you to fall into the quagmire of misfortune."

"I am very happy to have Mr. Tan's favor, but my father was also deeply in love with my mother. However, human hearts can change easily."

"Mr. Tan, I say this just because I think that if you and I don't get along in the future, or if you want to leave, I hope you can tell me clearly, and we can part ways openly and peacefully..."

Having said this, Zuo Anning's voice also lowered.

She felt bitter and was filled with anxiety and confusion about this marriage.

Tan Hanchi was standing on the other side of the screen. He frowned as he listened, his heart filled with distress and pity.

He has always believed that parents' words and deeds are extremely important.

Perhaps because she had witnessed too many misfortunes of the Prince of Yan and his wife since childhood, Miss Zuo did not dare to believe that she could have happiness and perfection.

"Ms. Zuo."

Tan Hanchi spoke in a gentle and cautious voice.

"Thank you for being so frank and willing to say these things to me."

Seeing Zuo An Ning wiping her tears, his heart tightened slightly, and he quickly continued:

"Miss Zuo is the daughter of the Duke of Yan, and you are of noble status. Do you despise me because I am born a commoner?"

"Of course not!"

Zuo Anning responded quickly. She had never judged anyone by their background.

Tan Hanchi's lips curled up slightly when he heard this.

"Miss Zuo, people cannot decide their own birth, nor can they choose their own parents, but we can decide for ourselves how to go in the future."

"I was born a poor boy. It can be said that I have gone through a lot of hardships to be able to stand in front of Miss Zuo today."

"I have never been attracted to anyone before, nor have I ever thought about starting a family. These thoughts only came to me after I met Miss Zuo."

"I highly respect the rules of Brother Qiao's family. As long as you have one person in your life, that's enough."

"Miss Zuo, I know you are uneasy, but can you try with me and not think that we will get divorced one day, but believe that we can live happily together until the end of our lives."

Tan Hanchi spoke sincerely, and even walked forward and stood in front of the screen.

"Ms. Zuo, you are an excellent girl, and I am the one who should be worried."

"In my heart, you deserve all the best things, and I will work hard to give them to you in the future."

He placed his hand on the screen and moved closer to the slightly trembling figure.

When Zuo Anning heard such a gentle voice and such soothing words, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Really?

Can she also have such a good husband and have a happy life?

At this moment, Zuo Anning couldn't help but think of Han Yaxian's words of comfort to her a few days ago.

"Ning'er, I know what you are afraid of, but don't be afraid to move forward because of past misfortunes."

"You are such a good girl, don't be afraid, sometimes if you look up, you may find that a turning point has already appeared in front of you."

Thinking of this, Zuo An Ning looked up in a daze, and just saw Tan Hanchi's palm covering the screen, with an extremely clear outline.

At this moment, her heart was beating violently.

The several encounters with Mr. Tan had left such a deep impression on her. In fact, she had already...

"Ms. Zuo?"

Seeing that Zuo An Ning had been silent for a long time, Tan Hanchi called out to him uneasily.

Zuo An Ning's heart trembled, and suddenly she felt great courage. She took a few steps forward and raised her hand to place it on the broad palm.

Through a thin screen, the two hands gently touched each other.

"Mr. Tan, thank you for what you said today. I think, if that person is you..."

——I’d like to try it with you.

After she made up her mind, a hint of shyness and the joy that had been suppressed for so long filled her heart, so much so that she was too embarrassed to say the following words.

Tan Hanchi was stunned at first, then his eyes were filled with joy and he couldn't help but slightly clench his palms.

This is Miss Zuo’s best response.

As long as she is willing to take this step, she can leave the rest to him.

It starts from emotion and ends with etiquette.

Until Tan Hanchi left, the two of them never went around the screen to meet each other.

However, unlike the nervousness when he walked into the attic, Tan Hanchi's steps were brisk when he left.

Butler Xi was not waiting outside, so Tan Hanchi walked back the way he came. Just as he turned a corner, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and grabbed him.

Tan Hanchi's heart skipped a beat, thinking that there were bad guys in the Duke of Yan's Mansion. The first thing he thought of was the safety of Zuo Anning in the attic.

"Brother Tan, this is all you can feel when you are so proud of yourself."

A familiar voice sounded behind him, and Tan Hanchi's nervous mood suddenly relaxed. He could not help but said:

"Brother Qiao, why are you so elusive?"

Tan Hanchi turned his head and saw Qiao Diyi's handsome face.

Next to him stood the smiling Qiao Tianjing.

"Brother Tan, congratulations!"

Qiao Diyi nonchalantly put his arm around Tan Hanchi's shoulders and smiled mischievously.

Tan Hanchi's face turned slightly red, and he felt a little embarrassed.

Qiao Tianjing glanced at him curiously, then said with a smile, "Brother Tan, are you satisfied with the candidate my mother picked out for you?"

Tan Hanchi nodded sincerely, "Thank you, Brother Qiao and his family, for your help."

Qiao Tianjing waved his hands hurriedly upon hearing this, "No, no, I just said it casually. This marriage was requested by you, Brother Tan."

"Come on, let's have a drink. My dad is here too, and I just happened to tell you something important, Brother Tan."

When Qiao Diyi heard about drinking, he immediately grinned, "Today is all thanks to Brother Tan. I haven't touched alcohol for a long time!"

"Let's go! We've cleared the area everywhere. We came here secretly, so it's safe. Brother Tan, we won't leave until we're drunk today!"

Three rounds of wine were served on the table.

The heartless Qiao Diyi didn't dare to get drunk, because he finally got together with Brother Tan today to discuss the trip south.

Qiao Tianjing told everyone seriously about the trip south, including his guesses.

"Brother Tan, this is the situation."

Qiao Zhongguo nodded, took over the conversation and continued:

"The Second Prince is most likely going to use a self-torture tactic, so I will definitely be held responsible for my failure to protect him."

"The emperor favors the second prince, so he might be furious, so..."

When Qiao Zhongguo said this, he suddenly raised his head and gulped down a glass of wine. Then, as if he had made a great decision, he said solemnly:

"So, I decided to take this opportunity to retreat bravely!"