Ming Feng, who was behind him, was delighted and said, "With sincerity, even gold and stone can be moved. The heavens can testify to the master’s intentions, and Miss Xie has finally been moved by you."

To win a beauty’s smile, he even voluntarily gifted the token that could mobilize over a thousand trusted aides in the Capital. Ming Feng truly did not understand it, but naturally, he was happy that his master’s pursuit of love was coming to fruition.

However, Lu Ziyuan had calmed down, "Her heart is as hard as iron, she’s not that easy to move."

There must be something unusual going on; could she have encountered some difficulty?

Lu Ziyuan’s heart tightened.

"Why belittle yourself? You and Miss Xie have had feelings for many years. It’s only natural for her to be moved and change her mind," Ming Feng did not agree and confidently said, "You invited Miss Xie in your letter to meet tomorrow at the Purple Bamboo Forest at the Five Platforms. If she has feelings, she will surely come."

After all, it’s confirmed that she received the token and read the letter. Even if it’s not a change of heart but rather a difficulty requiring help, she should still accept the invitation.

This reasoning was indeed sound, and Lu Ziyuan barely restrained himself from impulsively setting off to the Duke Pei Mansion to find out the truth.

But his cold hard heart ultimately couldn’t remain calm. He looked out the window at the sky, hoping for tomorrow to arrive sooner.

It didn’t matter whether she was touched by his feelings or really encountered a difficulty and accepted his goodwill; he just hoped they wouldn’t break off their connection.

She shouldn’t be enticed by another man and forget him entirely.

...

The next day.

Xie Wanqing was completely unaware of the mix-up caused by a bamboo tube falling from Yun Jin, nor could she possibly know that Lu Ziyuan was already waiting for her in a certain bamboo grove at the break of dawn.

She did indeed leave the house, but she returned to her parents’ home.

Today was the day Duan Cheng came to the Xie family to propose marriage, a joyous occasion for Xie Ruyu. As her cousin, she naturally should return to offer her congratulations.

In her dreams, the memories of her past life were too fleeting. Apart from her little entanglement with Lu Ziyuan, the memories of others remained somewhat vague.

She only remembered that Xie Ruyu, standing up for her, pointed and scolded Lu Ziyuan fiercely, and was only taken away by two of her cousins afterward.

She couldn’t remember if Xie Ruyu had formally married before her death and how her married life turned out.

However, at present, this marriage was indeed praised by everyone as a perfect match.

The newly appointed third-place scholar marrying the eldest daughter of the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, who was also a noblewoman by birth.

Truly a marriage of talent and beauty, a union of gold and jade.

Xie Wanqing quietly asked her cousin about her feelings, and Xie Ruyu herself was satisfied with the marriage, which was a delight to all.

Although she rose early, by the time the carriage stopped, the entrance of the Xie Residence was already bustling with excitement.

Boxes of betrothal gifts adorned with red silk filled the entire front yard.

Though the Liangzhou Duan Family was not an established family rooted in the Capital, they were by no means unknown. For the marriage proposal of their eldest son, they handled everything thoroughly, showing great sincerity.

The aunt Liu, usually gentle and dignified, revealed a few genuine traces of joy around her eyes and brows.

Xie Wanqing did not join the lively crowd in the front yard but went straight to Xie Ruyu’s courtyard.

The sisters were very close and spoke affectionately.

This newly betrothed young girl showed not a hint of shyness. At just sixteen years old, she already exuded the composure of a mistress of the house.

They talked cheerfully until dinner time, and after seeing off the guests in the front hall, Xie YanYu finally had a moment to find his sister, who had returned home.