When Shang Shaoyan got up, it was already broad daylight.
She was still a little sleepy, leaning lazily back in her chair, and asked, "Has Young Master Lu returned?"
Bai Lu sighed and combed Shang Shaoyan's hair, saying, "Doesn't the county princess ask you this every morning? Aren't you tired?"
Shang Shaoyan smiled, her tone languid: "Where am I tired? I was just asking, did you see me go to see him?"
Bai Lu chuckled, and as she spoke, she had already styled Shang Shaoyan's hair into a flying bun, adorned it with a white jade begonia hairpin, and placed a white jade forehead ornament on it.
Shang Shaoyan chose a light white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), paired with a green shawl, and finally wrapped in a jade-colored cloak before leisurely heading out to find Shang Yunlan.
Shang Yunlan was talking to the physician at the palace, discussing his condition.
"...Your Excellency must avoid mental strain and emotional fluctuations, and especially abstain from sexual activity and exercise."
After the physician left, Shang Shaoyan smiled and entered the study: "Did you hear that? Abstain from sexual activity."
Shang Yunlan: "..."
He rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache, and then noticed Shang Shaoyan's rather elaborate attire, asking with some confusion, "What are you planning to do?"
Shang Shaoyan complained, "What else could it be? Accompanying Yan Xuening on her date with Li Langxuan. I really don't understand them. If it's a date, why invite me, the third wheel? It's so unreasonable!"
Shang Yunlan smiled and said, "Yan Xuening has been much more well-behaved lately, all thanks to you. Not only has she stopped trying to marry me, but she has also found a pretty good family for me."
Shang Shaoyan rolled his eyes: "Look at what you're saying... She's just a little dim-witted. A little scare and coaxing will do the trick. Li Langxuan is indeed a good person. He can tolerate Yan Xuening, and this marriage has tied us together with Consort Zhao. It will be easier to get news from the palace."
After saying that, she said somewhat sullenly, "Speaking of the palace... Qiao Xiuyu is really something. He's been gone for several days now, and instead of coming back, we haven't even heard a word from him?"
Shang Yunlan looked at Shang Shaoyan helplessly: "Didn't you used to say that you could have any man in the world and just change if he didn't work out? What, are you stuck on one guy?"
Shang Shaoyan muttered, "It's still much better than you being single all this time..."
Shang Yunlan: "..."
Shang Shaoyan didn't even glance at his older brother's aggrieved expression. He waved his hand wearily and said, "Then I'll go with Yan Xuening first. You have a good lunch, okay?"
Shang Yunlan chuckled: "I know. By the way, I've found the most suitable formula for the glass, as well as the methods for making floral soap and penicillin. Once you return from Shuzhou, we'll start mass production."
Shang Shaoyan nodded: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
...
Yan Xuening stood in the central garden, somewhat lost in thought, waiting for Shang Shaoyan.
Seeing that she was not in a good mood, Yingge asked, "What's wrong, Miss?"
Yan Xuening's eyebrows drooped: "I'm going back to Hangzhou to prepare for my wedding after the New Year. I... I just feel a little unreal, like I'm not ready to get married yet."
Upon hearing this, Yingge was also quite confused: "Ah... Miss, I've never been married before, so what... what does this feel like?"
Yan Xuening couldn't explain it either, and could only sigh with a worried expression.
From afar, Shang Shaoyan saw that Yan Xuening and Yingge both had troubled expressions, as if they had some kind of problem. He frowned, quickened his pace, and walked over, asking, "What's wrong with you two?"
Yan Xuening looked up at a 45-degree angle, gazing at the sky with a bright yet melancholic expression, trying not to let her tears fall. Then she sighed and shook her head sadly.
Shang Shaoyan: "."
You're acting in some kind of idol drama.
She was lucky she didn't use her superhuman strength to hit him. With a stern face, she said, "Just say what you have to say. If you act like this, people will think I'm bullying you."
Yan Xuening wrinkled her nose and said with a flattering smile, "Cousin, that's not right. You would only help me, never bully me."
Shang Shaoyan's brows relaxed: "Is there something you can't say?"
Yan Xuening hesitated, "Sigh... it's not a big deal, I'm afraid my cousin will laugh at me if I tell her."
Shang Shaoyan was almost laughing in anger: "Go ahead and say it, I will never laugh at you."
Yan Xuening said softly, "I just told Yingge that I'm going back to Hangzhou after the New Year to prepare for my wedding, but I still feel like I'm not ready to get married yet. I feel... it feels so unreal, and I even... I don't want to get married anymore."
After she finished speaking, she glanced at Shang Shaoyan cautiously, afraid that she would laugh at her.
Unexpectedly, Shang Shaoyan's expression turned serious as he looked at her earnestly: "If you feel that you are not ready, I will ask them to postpone the wedding until you are ready."
Yan Xuening was stunned for a moment, then said hesitantly, "No, no need."
Shang Shaoyan: "..."
She didn't quite understand what Yan Xuening was thinking with her dramatic behavior, and asked again in confusion, "Are you really not going to? Didn't you say you weren't prepared?"
Yan Xuening's eyes widened slightly, somewhat surprised: "It's one thing that I'm not ready, but it's another thing that I want to marry Mr. Li!"
She paused, then complained, "That's what my cousin doesn't understand. No, cousin, you have to change. Don't be so silly, or that musician will leave sooner or later."
Shang Shaoyan: "...?"
Say it again, who's being silly? Who'll leave sooner or later?
Shang Shaoyan thought of Qiao Xiuyu, who had disappeared without a trace, and his face darkened. Normally, Yan Xuening would have been scared long ago, but today she finally felt that she could help Shang Shaoyan, so she was not afraid. Instead, she said, "Cousin, listen to me. The reason behind this is very complicated. I can't explain it in a few words. Why don't I come to you tonight and explain it to you in detail?"
Shang Shaoyan remained silent for a while.
She suddenly felt a little flustered—had she really made a mistake before, failing to understand the man's thoughts? Otherwise, why hadn't Qiao Xiuyu come back for so long? Without even a word of greeting?
Shang Shaoyan thought about it and became more and more convinced that this was true. After all, she had never actually been in a relationship, and her attitude towards Qiao Xiuyu had always been somewhat teasing; she had also said some harsh words that day, and Qiao Xiuyu must have been heartbroken by her.
Thinking this, she nodded seriously: "Okay, come see me tonight."
...
The Yongle Marquis's Residence.
A gentle and handsome young man in white robes walked gracefully through the mansion, carrying a bamboo pole in his hand. The bamboo pole led the way, and it was none other than the blind Marquis of Yongle, Li Langxuan.
Not far behind him followed a handsome young man with exquisite features and a beautiful face. Who else could it be but Qiao Xiuyu?
Qiao Xiuyu frowned and sighed deeply, his frustration evident to everyone, which made Li Langxuan chuckle: "I never knew you could be so troubled."
Qiao Xiuyu said softly, "Isn't it all because of An...and the matter of Princess Yang?"
Li Langxuan said gently, "So you've fallen for her?"
Qiao Xiuyu thought for a moment and said, "I can't really explain it. But I want to marry her. This... must be because I like her."
Li Langxuan smiled slightly: "You don't even understand your own thoughts, so how can I help you? You should think about it again."
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