Bai Qian, who was fiddling with the tablecloth, suddenly stopped and felt a burning gaze fixed on her.
Bai Qian wrung the tablecloth hard. Back in the capital, who would dare speak to Jiang He like this? Women who tried to approach him were warned before they even got within three feet of him. But now that they were in Lingzhou...
They even went so far as to host a banquet in their honor.
Thinking of this, Bai Qian felt as if a bottle of vinegar had been spilled in her heart. Back in the capital, she could stand up and threaten every woman who wanted to get close to Jiang He, saying that only she could take the position of Lady of Dingyuan Marquis.
Would she still dare to do that now? Bai Qian asked herself.
A self-deprecating smile appeared on her lips. Ever since she told Jiang He that she really liked him, she hadn't dared to do it again. Now, Bai Qian even regretted it a little. If she hadn't said those heartfelt words back then, would she and Jiang He still be the same as before?
"This gentleman looks unfamiliar."
As soon as Jiang He's voice rang out, the lively atmosphere instantly quieted down, and everyone's gaze followed Jiang He's and turned to Bai Qian.
The maid standing behind Bai Qian couldn't help but step forward and pat Bai Qian on the shoulder. Only then did Bai Qian look up and realize what was happening, meeting Jiang He's gaze.
In an instant, Jiang He's eyes flashed with intense joy.
"I came from the capital and passed through Lingzhou. I heard there was some excitement here, so I wanted to come and see." Bai Qian's voice sounded a little weak. "What? Didn't the Marquis say that everyone was welcome to the banquet?"
Bai Qian emphasized the words "welcome all" even more, and a faint smile began to appear in Jiang He's eyes. "Yes, welcome all."
At the subsequent banquet, Jiang He's emotions were clearly on full display. The wealthy businessmen even thought that Jiang He was considering choosing a princess, so they all had their daughters go up to toast Jiang He.
Jiang He kept drinking cup after cup, making Bai Qian's cheeks puff out in anger.
"Gentlemen, I, the Marquis, would like to drink with you all."
Jiang He kept his eyes fixed on Bai Qian the whole time. When he saw Bai Qian's appearance, even the corners of his mouth turned up. Even the servants serving him were a little surprised.
Since arriving in Lingzhou City, there have been very few times when the Marquis is as happy as he is today.
Could it be... that the Marquis is truly considering choosing a wife?
Just then, Jiang He's voice rang out again, "As for the matter of marriage, I already have someone I like, so please don't bother thinking about me anymore."
"Does Your Excellency have someone you admire?"
Everyone present was so shocked that their jaws dropped. Some of the girls even had tears in their eyes. Which girl was so lucky to have such a handsome and noble nobleman?
To win his favor.
“Yes.” Jiang He looked at Bai Qian, who was curled up in a ball, “but we don’t know what she likes, or whether she is willing.”
"What girl in the world would refuse to win the favor of the Marquis?" someone said with a smile.
But Jiang He's expression turned serious. "She's different."
After the banquet ended, Bai Qian felt the atmosphere was strange and wanted to slip away when Jiang He immediately stood up from his chair and walked straight towards Bai Qian in full view of everyone.
"Since you're here, why leave?"
Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief. Why was the Marquis... dragging a man along? Could it be...?
The sensible people quickly got up to say goodbye. Bai Qian looked at the suddenly empty room and pursed her lips uncomfortably. "They all seem to have misunderstood that you have homosexual tendencies."
Jiang He raised an eyebrow. "If it's a misunderstanding, then it's a misunderstanding."
Upon hearing this, Bai Qian, not knowing where she got the courage, broke free from Jiang He's hand and said, "You already have someone you like, so why are you coming towards me?"
"Jiang He, could it be that the person you admire is me?"
Bai Qian's eyes turned red with shyness, and a glint flashed in her eyes. Jiang He couldn't help but swallow.
He always knew how beautiful Bai Qian was after she took off her armor.
When he realized that he liked every version of Bai Qian, he knew he was already in love.
Perhaps he fell into it earlier and more deeply than Bai Qian.
"Yes, it's you."
Jiang He grinned, revealing his white teeth.
Bai Qian froze. Jiang He said that the person he admired was her.
"Bai Qian, I like you."
Jiang He put his arms around Bai Qian's shoulders and said, "Whether you're fighting on the battlefield in armor or strolling around the street in a traditional Chinese dress, I love you both the way you are."
Thud—Thud—Thud—
Bai Qian could almost feel her own heart pounding, almost jumping out of her throat.
“I didn’t tell you this before in the capital because I was afraid of holding you back.” Jiang He’s eyelashes trembled slightly. “I was afraid of becoming a stumbling block on your path.”
"I'm holding onto Lingzhou like a man nearing his end; how can I drag you down with me into this hopeless situation?"
Bai Qian pursed her lips. "Then why are you holding me like this now?"
"Because I like it so much."
"And because you came."
His beloved woman had traveled a long way to stand before him, and all reason seemed to have vanished.
"Jiang He, I didn't come here specifically to see you. I'm here on the Emperor's orders to deliver a message." Bai Qian retorted, "Besides, with so many beauties at the banquet just now, did none of them catch your eye?"
Jiang He chuckled softly, then lowered his head. "Come on, let me show you around Lingzhou."
......
Bai Qian followed Jiang He through the streets of Lingzhou City. As they walked, Bai Qian seemed to realize something, and her heart trembled slightly.
This direction...
A quarter of an hour later, the two stood before the coffins of the late Marquis Dingyuan and his wife.
"I buried my parents' coffins here. Many of my brothers' remains are buried here, so my parents won't feel lonely here."
After saying this, Jiang He lifted his robe and knelt down, kowtowing three times with utmost seriousness.
"Father, Mother, I have brought someone to see you today."
"You all know this person, it's Ah-Xi."
Bai Qian stared at Jiang He for a moment, then knelt down beside him without hesitation. The sound of her knees hitting the ground rang out, and Bai Qian said loudly, "Bai Qian greets the Marquis and the Madam."
"I want to marry A-Qian. Father, Mother, you should also take a good look at A-Qian." Jiang He reached out and squeezed Bai Qian's hand tightly. "I have liked her for a long time."
"I will remember what my parents told me. If I marry one day, I will treat my wife with sincerity, not take any concubines, and have only my wife. Please bear witness for me here."
"I will always keep my word and never break my promise."
After saying that, Jiang He turned to look at Bai Qian beside him. Their eyes met, and Bai Qian smiled brightly.
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