Guihua suppressed the triumphant smile on her lips and said softly, "You've gone to so much trouble, young master."
"Not at all, it's my duty, it's all my duty." Chen Zhancai stared intently at the osmanthus, examining it with great eagerness.
Those rosy little lips, those smooth, tender cheeks, and those big, affectionate eyes—every frown and smile was captivating, enough to enchant a city...
"Young master, say something!" Guihua saw Chen Zhancai in a daze, got up and came over to pour him a cup of tea.
A faint fragrance wafted into Chen Zhancai's nostrils, making him feel itchy and unable to resist swallowing.
"Miss, let's go inside and talk for a while!"
"If you are interested, please follow me."
"Okay, okay, I'm coming." Chen Zhancai was already restless and eager to follow her.
Just as he was about to step into the room, his maid Xiaozhu rushed in, looking flustered. "Miss, something terrible has happened!"
Guihua frowned slightly. "What's wrong, Xiaozhu? What happened?"
"I had just stepped onto the street when I saw servants from our household carrying a sedan chair toward me."
"What?! The sedan chair from your residence!" Guihua's face paled instantly.
Chen Zhancai was somewhat confused and asked blankly, "Miss, what's wrong?"
"It must be my father coming here. You'd better hide quickly," Guihua urged hurriedly.
Chen Zhancai panicked upon hearing this. He knew that officials were not to be trifled with. If he were caught in the act, they might punish him with a death sentence without even asking what happened, which would be a real problem. It was best to hide.
Where should I hide?
"Yes, where should we hide him?" Guihua looked anxiously at the maid. "Xiaozhu, quickly help the young master find a place to hide."
"Oh dear, Miss, where can we hide?" The maid Xiaozhu stamped her feet anxiously. "You know our master's temper. If he finds out you are having an affair with a strange man, he will be furious. Miss will be fine, at worst she can just reflect on her mistakes, but the young master will not be so lucky. His life will be in danger."
"Yes, Xiaozhu, the young master is innocent! Please help me think of a solution!"
"What else is there to think about? Let Young Master Chen leave quickly."
“Yes, yes, that’s the best way.” Guihua said, frowning as she looked at the stunned Chen Zhancai, looking anxious. “Young Master Chen, leave quickly. If my father sees you, things will get really complicated. At best, he’ll throw you in jail; at worst, he’ll be beheaded. I don’t want you to lose your life for this. It would break my heart.”
Chen Zhancai was startled and almost collapsed to the ground in fright. He was still a little unwilling, "Miss, I don't want to leave you!"
"Yes, I thought we would consummate our marriage today, but fate has other plans. Let's wait until another day to raise a glass in celebration!" Guihua said, then feigned reluctance and squeezed out a few tears.
Seeing this, the maid Xiaozhu urged, "Are you two ever going to stop? You're acting like it's a matter of life and death. If you're truly in love, you can find a good opportunity to test the master tomorrow and introduce Young Master Chen to him. Maybe the master will see that Young Master Chen is a handsome and talented man and bring him into the household as his son-in-law. At that time, things will naturally fall into place. Why worry about this short while?"
Guihua quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Xiaozhu is right. Young Master Chen, you should leave now! I'll put in a good word for you with my father when I have the chance. My father will naturally love the person I like as well, and then we won't have to be sneaky anymore."
"Okay, I'll be going now."
Chen Zhancai knew the principle that haste makes waste. Some things cannot be rushed, as it can easily backfire and cause chaos. It is better to proceed steadily and slowly.
He looked back at Guihua several times as he walked, "Miss, wait for me, I'll come to see you tomorrow."
"Alright, then I'll wait for you, young master. Remember to come early so as not to keep me waiting." Watching Chen Zhancai's departing figure, a smug and cunning smile appeared on his lips. All men in the world are big pigs; they can't resist beautiful women. They deserve to lose money!
Chen Zhancai hurriedly left the alleyway, finally letting out a long sigh of relief. Thinking about how he had almost achieved intimacy, he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
That damned old man, of all times, he had to come to see his daughter at this crucial moment. Isn't that just annoying?
He was angry, but he didn't think much of it.
He was secretly delighted; the world was truly full of wonders, and such immense wealth had actually fallen into his lap.
Not only will he have a beautiful woman in his arms, but he will also have a father-in-law who is an official in the imperial court. He will have endless wealth and honor in the future.
Suddenly he remembered the silver he had just taken out, and he frowned.
It's true that alcohol corrupts the mind and lust seduces the senses.
How could you give all that money to him? That was his only forty taels of silver!
We haven't paid for our stay at the inn yet, what should we do?
Get the money back? No way, that's not how you do things!
If you really anger them, your perfect match might be ruined.
Forget it, there's plenty of food and drink at the inn, and nothing to spend money on. Once I'm married to my beautiful bride, what's there to worry about when we'll have gold and silver?
Thinking about it this way, he felt much lighter again...
Back at the inn, Chen Zhancai stopped wandering around and went to bed early to rest and recharge, all for the sake of having a good sparring match with that delicate young lady the next day.
The next morning, Chen Zhancai got up, ate something quickly, and left the inn, heading straight to the street from the previous day.
Seeing that the courtyard gate was tightly closed, he stepped forward and gently knocked on the door knocker, but no one responded for a long time.
Haven't they gotten up yet?
No way! The sun is already high in the sky. What young lady wouldn't be up when the sun is high in the sky?
"Is anyone home? Open the door!"
"Miss Guihua, I am Young Master Chen from yesterday, please open the door!"
"Is anyone there? Open the door quickly!"
Chen Zhancai called repeatedly, but there was still no response from inside.
He was puzzled. What was going on? Where had everyone gone?
Was he taken back to the manor yesterday?
What should we do if that happens?
How careless of me! Yesterday I was so preoccupied with my fantasies that I forgot to ask Miss Guihua why she lived alone here, and where she lived.
Although I know her family are officials, I haven't found out exactly what kind of officials they are. Where am I supposed to find them in this vast sea of people?
Just as he was scratching his head, not knowing what to do, he heard someone speak behind him, "Young man, who are you looking for?"
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