That evening, Shang Shaoyan arrived at Yan Xuening's courtyard as promised, bringing a pot of wine, several plates of snacks, and even her sleeping clothes, pillow, and her usual incense.
Anyway, I was prepared to talk all night long.
Yan Xuening had been waiting for Shang Shaoyan for a while. When she saw Shang Shaoyan coming over, she quickly waved and said, "Cousin, come to my study."
Shang Shaoyan was somewhat displeased: "The study is so cold..."
Yan Xuening said earnestly, "It has to be cold. Look at all the things you brought here. Are you here to listen to me or to play house?"
Shang Shaoyan could only sigh regretfully, reluctantly telling Bai Feng to take the things back, and then followed Yan Xuening to her small study.
Yan Xuening and Shang Shaoyan sat facing each other on the small couch. Shang Shaoyan took out paper and pen, and while grinding ink, he solemnly said, "Speak, and I will remember."
Yan Xuening didn't think Shang Shaoyan was taking this matter too seriously. If her cousin didn't pay attention to a male favorite like the musician, who was good at everything, he would run off with someone sooner or later.
Yan Xuening thought for a moment and said, "Let me start with my cousin and the musician's affair to give a negative example."
Shang Shaoyan: "..."
Stop cursing, stop cursing.
She sighed. "Go ahead."
Yan Xuening cleared her throat: "As far as I know, my cousin has made three mistakes. First, the young master is a proud person. Even if the musician's family is down on their luck, my cousin cannot bring him home directly. It would be very embarrassing for the young master."
That's not quite right. Shang Shaoyan felt he had to make his point clear so Yan Xuening could address the issue effectively.
So Shang Shaoyan glanced at Yan Xuening and said, "How about I tell you about my situation with him first, and then you can continue?"
Yan Xuening nodded.
After a moment's consideration, Shang Shaoyan said, "His family is not poor, and he approached me with ulterior motives, as did I. You could say that we both had our own agendas from the very beginning."
Yan Xuening twitched her lips: "Okay, cousin, please continue."
Encouraged, Shang Shaoyan continued, "He's too naive and innocent. His scheming won't last three moves against me, so he quickly developed a genuine liking for me."
Yan Xuening: "..."
Well, that's pretty fast.
Shang Shaoyan was oblivious to Yan Xuening's speechlessness, lost in his memories: "But cousin, you know I especially like good-looking people. Think about it, if a handsome and kind man is always around you, how could you not be tempted? So, I've also developed some feelings for him."
Yan Xuening: "".
So you're making rapid progress, I understand. Okay, next question.
Shang Shaoyan paused, then said somewhat uncertainly, "That day I told him to go back and think carefully about our relationship, trying to force him to confess his feelings to me. As a result, he didn't contact me for several days. He must be angry."
Yan Xuening finally felt she had a chance to prove herself, and immediately perked up: "Cousin, what's next?"
Shang Shaoyan sighed: "As a result, I ran into him this afternoon. He apologized to me, saying that he shouldn't have not contacted me for several days and shouldn't have hidden his family background. He also said that he likes me."
Yan Xuening: "..."
She looked at Shang Shaoyan with a forced smile: "So my cousin can handle it herself."
Shang Shaoyan shook his head painfully: "No, you don't understand..."
Yan Xuening was immediately startled. Just as she was about to say something to comfort her, she saw Shang Shaoyan looking distressed: "I just feel that I can't put all my eggs in one basket. I'm not willing to have only one husband!"
Yan Xuening: "..."
Tired, let's destroy it.
...
New Year's Eve arrived quickly. From the morning onwards, the eastern part of Shengjing City was bustling with activity. Many noble families lived there, and the servants who came out to buy things had smiles on their faces, creating a truly joyous atmosphere.
Shang Shaoyan, however, arrived in the west of the city.
The western part of the city was mostly inhabited by merchants. Madam Xie lived there, in a small courtyard behind the pastry shop, where she and her only daughter, Ye Minyuan, depended on each other for survival.
When Shang Shaoyan stepped into the pastry shop, Ye Minyuan was making fillings for glutinous rice balls in the front hall. When she saw Shang Shaoyan, she quickly stopped what she was doing and asked, "An'an is here?"
Shang Shaoyan smiled and stepped forward, took Ye Minyuan's hand, and looked her up and down: "It's been a few days, and you've become even more beautiful, Minyuan."
Ye Minyuan covered her mouth with her handkerchief and laughed: "You have the sweetest tongue."
Shang Shaoyan and Ye Minyuan walked hand in hand into the small courtyard behind the shop. When Madam Xie saw Shang Shaoyan, she immediately smiled and said, "It's rare that the county princess is so thoughtful. She didn't even forget this old woman on New Year's Eve."
Shang Shaoyan said reproachfully, "Madam Xie's words make it sound like I shouldn't have come."
After the three chatted for a while, Shang Shaoyan delivered the New Year's gifts and then took his leave.
“My brother has been ill these past few days and isn’t feeling well, so I have to take care of him constantly; after spring, I also plan to go to Shuzhou to seek medical treatment at Qingcheng Mountain.” Shang Shaoyan sighed softly, “I’ve been so busy lately, the manor can’t be without me for a moment…”
Ye Minyuan patted Shang Shaoyan's hand: "Don't overwork yourself. The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is counting on you now, so please take good care of yourself."
Madam Xie chimed in, "How is that musician doing now? An'an's journey to Shu Prefecture is long; you could ask him to come along and keep you company."
Shang Shaoyan looked at Madam Xie with a mix of amusement and exasperation: "You know what, he really wanted to go with me, but I refused."
After thinking for a moment, Madam Xie nodded and said, "That's fine. Shuzhou is a land of outstanding people and talents. There might be an even better man there. It's really not convenient to have him with you."
Shang Shaoyan: "..."
...
After leaving Madam Xie's shop, it was getting dark and there were fewer people on the street. After all, every family wanted to have a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, so everyone was rushing home.
Just as Shang Shaoyan was about to get into the sedan chair, a very familiar voice called out to him: "An'an".
Shang Shaoyan paused, turned around, and saw none other than Qiao Xiuyu.
Qiao Xiuyu was still wearing that white Shu brocade robe, holding an umbrella painted with peach blossoms in his hand, and was standing in the brightly lit place, smiling at her.
He was usually gentle, but today, perhaps because he was going to attend a palace banquet, he finally tied up his long black hair and put on a silver hair crown, which made him look like a noble prince.
Shang Shaoyan couldn't help but soften his gaze: "Qiao Zhuo."
Qiao Xiuyu walked towards Shang Shaoyan, looked at her bright and charming face in the lamplight, and asked, "Are you here to buy some snacks?"
Shang Shaoyan nodded and smiled, "That's right. You're here to buy pastries too? You seem to really like Madam Xie's cooking."
Qiao Xiuyu smiled and shook his head: "I came here to wait for you."
Shang Shaoyan was taken aback for a moment, then raised an eyebrow: "Why are you waiting for me? How did you know I... was here?"
Qiao Xiuyu helped Shang Shaoyan into the sedan chair, then sat down herself, and said, "I went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but I heard you weren't there, so I figured you were probably here."
However, he refused to say why he was waiting for Shang Shaoyan.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
