The first time Xia Chengxiu met Yan He was at the spring banquet with his cousin.
Although it was called a spring banquet, it was actually just an opportunity for the noble young masters and young ladies of the right age to see each other. At that time, Xia Chengxiu was only sixteen years old. Although there were young ladies of this age in the capital who were already married, Xia Chengxiu doted on his daughter and did not intend to marry Xia Chengxiu off so early.
Therefore, Xia Chengxiu only came out to have fun with his cousin.
It was the spring of April, and the grass was long and the orioles were flying. The tender grass by the Sishui River was furry. Xia Chengxiu followed his cousin Xia Qianqian out of the carriage. There were already young ladies he knew who were flying kites.
Seeing this, Xia Qianqian immediately asked the maidservant to take out the prepared kites and walked towards her friend.
Xia Qianqian was eighteen years old this year. Among the group of young ladies, her appearance was especially outstanding. She was exceptionally sweet and beautiful. She also understood the strength of her appearance very well. She wore a scarlet tulle embroidered narrow-collared dress that outlined her slim figure. In the crowd, she could be seen at a glance.
Her family background was also the most superior among this group of young ladies. In just a moment, she was surrounded by people and praised.
At that time, Xia Chengxiu was still a sixteen-year-old girl. At most, she could only be considered delicate and pretty, not to mention compared to her cousin Xia Qianqian. Xia Chengxiu was usually called a bookworm, and Xia Chengxiu was secretly called a little bookworm. She scrupulously followed etiquette. Among her peers or sisters, she seemed a little dull and taciturn, which was not likable enough.
The relationship between Xia Qianqian and Xia Chengxiu could not be considered close. They were just ordinary cousins. However, with Xia Chengxiu, this dull and boring bookworm, by her side, it made Xia Qianqian look delicate, light, and intelligent.
Xia Chengxiu did not think much of it. Seeing that his cousin and her friend were talking animatedly, he picked up a book and sat at the side to read. Xia Qianqian couldn't be bothered with her. After a while, everyone began to set up a long table beside the Sishui Shoreline. On the long table were the snacks and snacks that the young ladies had brought out from the residence. They could eat here at noon.
After an unknown period of time, Xia Chengxiu heard the young ladies beside him talking about which brand's new rouge color was beautiful. Now, they were talking about "Young Master Yan will also come today."
The 'Young Master of the Yan Family' referred to the current Young Master of the Left and Right Vanguard's Commander's Residence, Yan Nanguang. He was only eighteen years old this year. It was said that he was brave and good at fighting, and was born with a talent of striking appearance. At such a young age, his future was limitless. Xia Qianqian's father intended to marry into the Yan Family. Today's outing was also a tacit understanding with the Old Master and Madam of the Yan Family. It was to see if there was any fate between the two juniors.
Xia Chengxiu had also heard about this, but this was her cousin's business. She came out today to serve as a foil to her cousin, basking in the sun and reading a book.
Just as she was thinking, someone beside her suddenly shouted softly, "They're here!"
Xia Chengxiu looked up and saw a group of youths approaching from afar on the bank of the Sishui Shoreline. The leading youth was wearing a silver robe. This color was really too eye-catching, but he was handsome and tall, so he didn't find it strange. His hair was tied into a high ponytail, and his eyebrows were unruly. He seemed to be a little irritated and impatient, but it made him stand out among the group of youths.
Everyone said that there were three beauties in the Shuo capital: Young Master Xiao was like the spring breeze, Second Young Master Xiao was like the autumn water, and Fourth Young Master Chu was like an orchid. This youth was like a silver spear. It was a little exaggerated, overly gorgeous, but with a straightforward impulse.
The handsome youth who walked out of the spring day was always exceptionally beautiful. Even though Xia Chengxiu wasn't very interested in these things, he couldn't help but take a few more glances at him. He thought to himself that with this person's appearance, he should be considered the fourth most beautiful person.
Just as he was thinking, the young lady sitting beside Xia Qianqian pushed Xia Qianqian and said in a low voice, "Qianqian, this is Young Master Yan. He looks really compatible with you!"
Xia Qianqian blushed inexplicably.
Before she came, although she had heard of Yan He's name, she had never seen him in person. She didn't know what he looked like. Today, when she saw him, she realized that he was so handsome. For a moment, she was a little moved.
The group of youths didn't approach. From afar, a few youths were laughing and laughing. They began to take out the prepared kites and began to play with the east wind.
In the sky of Sishui Disease, there were many kites, sand swallows, magpies, two dragons playing with a pearl … The silver-robed youth was surrounded and pushed by people. Finally, he impatiently followed the order to bring a "Black King Kong" and held it in his hand.
The "Black King Kong" flew very quickly. This youth was very good at releasing kites. The young ladies watched from afar and couldn't help but secretly cheer. However, they couldn't tell whether it was the kite that flew the highest or the youth who released the kite that was cheering for him.
Xia Qianqian looked at it and suddenly stood up. She smiled and said, "Let's go release it too."
In fact, before this, the young ladies had already released kites for a while. However, these young ladies from rich families were physically weak. After releasing them for a while, they had to sit down and rest. The rest was left to the servants. Xia Qianqian stood up and walked to the maid who was placing her "Hundred Butterfly Painting". She said, "Let me do it."
The young ladies sitting at the long table immediately laughed. Someone whispered, "Looks like Qianqian likes it."
Xia Chengxiu was a little puzzled when she heard that, but she didn't say anything. She wasn't a talkative person to begin with. She only saw Xia Qianqian pulling the kite's string and walking towards the river. Then, she saw that the two kites in the sky were getting closer and closer. She hesitated whether she should open her mouth to remind her. In the next moment, she heard her cousin exclaim, "Aiya!" The string of the "Hundred Butterfly Painting" and the "Black King Kong" were entangled together. They collided into a ball and fell towards the forest.
The noble ladies beside her laughed even louder. They discussed in low voices, "Qianqian, good method."
Xia Qianqian was still holding the kite string in her hand. Her expression was flustered, but there was a smug joy in her eyes.
She was very confident in her appearance. If she wanted to capture the heart of a youth, it shouldn't be a difficult task. Her rouge today was very beautiful, and her dress was also very beautiful. She turned around and glanced at the silver-robed youth who was frowning as he stared at the entangled kite. She turned around and ran into the forest where the kite fell.
At the same time, Xia Chengxiu, who was sitting at the side, put down the book in her hand and stood up.
The noble lady beside her asked, "Miss Chengxiu, what are you doing?"
"Sister's kite fell. I'm going to help," Xia Chengxiu replied.
"Why are you helping?" The noble lady who spoke covered her mouth and laughed. She looked at her as if she was looking at a fool, and there was a complicated sourness in her eyes. "Qianqian doesn't need your help now."
Xia Chengxiu pursed her lips. In the end, she was worried about Xia Qianqian being alone, so she lifted her skirt and ran over.
The noble ladies called her a few times, but when they saw that she ignored them, they let it go.
The forest where the kite fell was not far from the river, but there were bushes growing inside. When a girl walked inside, she had to be careful of the thorny branches and leaves cutting the corner of her skirt. Xia Chengxiu struggled to push aside the bushes and saw a corner of his cousin's scarlet dress not far away. His heart relaxed and he was about to walk over when he suddenly heard Xia Qianqian say, "Young Master Yan."
Xia Chengxiu paused. Only then did he see someone standing in front of Xia Qianqian. It was the main character of today's meeting, Young Master Yan.
Xia Qianqian's voice was gentle and sweet, with a hint of panic and apology. "Young Master Yan, I'm sorry. I didn't do it on purpose."
Yan He just frowned at her.
His gaze was bright and sharp, making Xia Qianqian feel a little guilty for no reason. Xia Qianqian grabbed the corner of her clothes uneasily. "Young Master Yan, the kites are all entangled together now. What should we do?"
Xia Qianqian's eyes were shy and her voice was sweet. Xia Chengxiu finally understood that his cousin was probably "seducing" this Young Master Yan. However, it was too late for her to leave now. She was afraid of alarming the two people in front of her, so she was forced to watch the next scene. At the same time, she thought that this Young Master Yan would probably say things like "it's okay" and "it's none of your business". Then, he would comfort her softly and send Xia Qianqian home. After that, this marriage would be settled … That should be it, right?
"It's okay." Just as he thought of this, the youth's voice came from the front. Xia Chengxiu thought in his heart that it was indeed so. Raising his head, he saw Yan He suddenly smile without a care in the world. He casually pulled out a small knife from his waist and cleanly cut off the threads between the two kites.
Xia Chengxiu was dumbfounded.
She was not the only one who was shocked. Xia Qianqian was stunned for a moment before asking, "What are you doing?"
"So we're separated." Yan He put away the knife. "Don't worry, I'm a broad-minded person. I won't hold it against you for deliberately breaking my kite."
Xia Qianqian had always been flattered by others since she was young. No one had ever spoken to her like this. For a moment, a sense of shame surged into her heart. She cried out, "Who deliberately broke your kite!" She slapped Yan He, lifted her skirt, and ran away crying.
Xia Chengxiu was so scared that she did not dare to breathe loudly. She thought to herself that this Young Master Yan was really unexpected …
"Hey," someone said in an annoyed voice. "The one who's peeping over there, have you seen enough?"
Xia Chengxiu was stunned. Had she been discovered?
The next moment, that person had already walked in front of her.
Xia Chengxiu subconsciously took a step back.
Looking closer, this young man called Yan He was indeed very handsome, but when he looked at people, he always had a condescending look. When Yan He saw Xia Chengxiu, he was also stunned. He frowned and said, "It's you."
Among the noble ladies at the long table, he had seen Xia Chengxiu a long time ago. She did not chat and laugh with those noble ladies, nor did she fly kites. She just sat beside Xia Qianqian and read, like a decoration.
"That person just now," he asked, "Who is she to you?"
Xia Chengxiu said, "Cousin."
Yan He snorted and said in disgust, "Pretentious." He pushed Xia Chengxiu away and walked forward.
Xia Chengxiu did not expect Yan He to suddenly push her. She was a young lady who could not lift or carry anything. Yan He was a martial arts practitioner. After being pushed like this, he took a few steps back. His hand accidentally brushed against a thorny branch, and in an instant, a red mark appeared on the back of his hand.
Such a red mark on his fair skin looked very dazzling. Yan He was also stunned. He did not expect these delicate young ladies to be so fragile. They could get hurt just by touching them. He was a little annoyed, but he could not sit back and do nothing. He took a step forward to check on her injury, but he did not expect Xia Chengxiu to immediately take a step back.
"You're injured," Yan He said.
"I know." Xia Chengxiu's expression was calm, as if she did not care about the wound on the back of her hand. Her tone was calm. "But men and women should not touch each other."
Yan He was a little puzzled. The girl in front of him was far less beautiful than Xia Qianqian. The dress she was wearing was light yellow, and she did not wear any makeup. She looked like she was still at the age where she did not know about love. How could it be "not touching each other"?
He said, "This little girl is young, but she's quite old-fashioned."
Xia Chengxiu just turned sideways to avoid him. "I'm broad-minded. I won't argue with Young Master Yan about the fact that you deliberately pushed me."
Yan He was stunned.
After Xia Chengxiu said this, he turned around and left. Yan He touched his chin. This guy was avenging her cousin. This was the first time he was scolded by a woman like this. She looked gentle and refined, and it seemed that she was not a person who would suffer losses.
After Xia Chengxiu left the forest, the noble ladies at the long banquet had already dispersed in twos and threes. Xia Qianqian was probably unhappy with Yan He, so she cried and took the carriage to go back. Xia Chengxiu also had to hurriedly follow. As a result, when Yan He came out, the group of noble ladies had already boarded the carriage.
There was a book lying in the grass beside the long banquet. Yan He remembered that when he came, only Xia Chengxiu was sitting here reading a book. This book was probably hers, but she left in a hurry and forgot about it. He bent down and picked it up. He opened it and saw that it was a travel book. There was also someone's note on it. The handwriting was extremely beautiful and elegant. It reminded him of the girl who quietly scolded him in the forest just now.
Yan He pursed his lips and said in a low voice, "Bookworm." However, for some reason, he put the travel book into his arms.
.....
This meeting with Xia Qianqian naturally ended without any results. Xia Qianqian's parents even treated Commander Yan coldly for a period of time. Commander Yan turned around and scolded Yan He, but Yan He himself did not think much of it.
However, this "marriage" did not continue.
Time passed quickly, and another year passed. Xia Chengxiu was seventeen years old. Lord Xia was thinking that he should start looking for suitable young talents in Shuo Capital for Xia Chengxiu.
When Yan He returned to the residence, he heard his mother discussing with his aunt about matchmaking his cousin to Xia Chengxiu.
"Xia Chengxiu?" Yan He stopped walking into the house and turned his head to ask, "Is it the young lady of the Imperial College's chancellor's residence?"
"How do you know?" Mother Yan asked in confusion, "Don't you hate to remember the names of these young ladies?"
Yan He did not answer his mother's question. He only frowned and asked, "Cousin is two years older than me. Miss Xia is still young, right? In terms of age, am I not more suitable? "
Commander Yan scolded him. "Miss Xia is from a scholarly family and is knowledgeable. Didn't you say that you hate people who play with words the most? Don't you hate bookworms the most? Are you willing to matchmake you? "
Yan He did not say anything. He returned to his room and stared at the pond outside the window for half a day. He took out a book from the bottom of the desk drawer.
It was a travel book.
In the middle of the night, when the dogs in the Yan residence were asleep, Yan He put on his outer clothes and knocked on the door of his parents' bedroom.
"Yan Nanguang, you scared people to death in the middle of the night. What do you want!" Commander Yan was furious.
Yan He said, "I'm willing."
.....
After that, it was a long day of chasing.
Yan He tried his best to please the beauty. Master Xia was very fierce and old-fashioned. Every time Yan He saw him, he was a little scared. Xia Chengxiu was even scarier than Master Xia. He was clearly a bookworm who did not have the strength to truss a chicken. However, every time he looked at him with his calm eyes, Yan He did not know what to do.
Commander Yan scolded him at home. "You're usually like a gamecock. Why don't you know how to chase a girl properly? Why doesn't she like you? Can't you think about it? "
Yan He could not think of it. He felt that he was quite good. He was handsome, agile, and had a good family background. He was one of the top young talents in the Shuo capital. Why didn't Xia Chengxiu like him? It must be because that bookworm did not know how to appreciate men. He was blind. However, he did not dare to say this in front of Xia Chengxiu.
Seeing that her son had a lot on his mind, Madam Yan felt gratified and helpless. She could only beat around the bush. "Since you like her, you should treat her better. Take care of her more. Eventually, Miss Xia will see the good in you. "
Yan He felt that his mother's words made sense. However, he did not know how to treat someone well. The jewelry and clothes he gave were all returned. The love poem he wrote was returned to his servant the next day. Sometimes, he felt annoyed. When he first met Xia Chengxiu, he should not have been so rude and frivolous. It would have been better than trying his best to remedy the situation, but he still felt that the results were not good.
As a proud son of heaven, he finally felt the anxiety of love and could not sleep.
And no matter how he treated Xia Chengxiu, this girl had treated him neither coldly nor warmly from beginning to end. Therefore, when he asked Commander Yan to propose marriage to Xia Chengxiu, Yan He went with a feeling of failure. However, he was about to lead the army into battle. Life and death were unpredictable on the battlefield. If he did not propose marriage, he was afraid that he would not have another chance. It was better to be disappointed after trying than to be disappointed before trying.
That was what he thought. However, he did not expect that Lord Xia would agree to the marriage proposal from Yan Family.
He could not believe it.
This was supposed to be a happy event. However, when it came to the end, Yan He shrank back. If he died, wouldn't Xia Chengxiu bear the infamy of being a jinx to her husband?
He walked out of Xia Chengxiu's house with a heavy heart. When he was about to leave, someone called him from behind. "Young Master Yan."
Yan He turned around and saw Xia Chengxiu standing behind him, looking at him quietly.
"I …" Yan He was at a loss for words.
"Young Master Yan." This quiet girl smiled at him for the first time. She was gentle and sweet, like the spring willows by the Sishui River, full of warmth.
"Come back early," she said.
He stared blankly for a moment, then inexplicably blushed. Under the sunlight, he stared straight at this girl. He stared until the servant girl beside Xia Chengxiu took out a broom and prepared to chase him away. Only then did he cough lightly and say in a small voice, "I will."
After taking two steps, he turned around and added nonchalantly, "Wait for me."
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