Chapter 51

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye it was time for the Shangshufang session to end.

When Yan Shuang'er, Yan Wang, and Qianqian returned home, they were surprised to sense that the entire Wangfu seemed immersed in a bustle, as if even the air carried a faint breath of joy, utterly different from the usual calm and peaceful atmosphere.

A thread of doubt rose in Yan Shuang'er's heart; she felt today's atmosphere in the fu was somewhat unusual. So she decided to go to the courtyard where the Wangfei resided to find out what was going on, and seeing this, Qianqian hurriedly followed close behind to go together.

The two had just stepped through the courtyard gate when they saw the Wangfei, face full of delight and radiant, playing with Yan Jie; her cheerful appearance clearly showed her mood was exceptionally pleasant at this moment.

Seeing this, Yan Shuang'er could not suppress her curiosity and quickly asked, "Mother, has some great happy event happened in the fu? Look at how happy you are!"

The Wangfei smiled at her two daughters and replied softly, "Naturally there is, and this happy event is thanks to you two!"

"Ah?" Yan Shuang'er stared wide-eyed, face full of astonishment, and pressed, "Us? What did we do to bring about such a good thing?"

The Wangfei chuckled lightly and nodded, then explained, "Thanks to you two having the thought yesterday to create a chance for Xin'er and Young Master Ai to spend time together. Today, Young Master Ai's father personally entered the palace to see the Emperor, earnestly requesting an Imperial Marriage Decree for the two. Now we only need to pick an auspicious day, and they can be joyfully wed!"

Hearing this, Yan Shuang'er and Qianqian exchanged a glance without prior agreement, both their eyes revealing surprise. They secretly thought: Unexpectedly Ai Dage acts so swiftly; so soon he and Elder Sister are to be married!

Yan Shuang'er walked up to the Wangfei and said with a grin, "Mother, you don't know! This Chuntian outing was thanks to Qianqian! If she hadn't proposed going out for a walk to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery, we wouldn't have had such an interesting experience! And even that sachet was tricked out of Elder Sister by her!" Finished, she still didn't forget to wink at Qianqian beside her.

Qianqian lifted her chin, face full of pride, and declared, "Of course! This Qianqian is clever and quick-witted; such a trifling matter is naturally no trouble! In the future, everyone please address me as Matchmaker Qianqian~"

She set her hands on her hips, a smug smile on her face, as if she had done something earth-shaking.

The Wangfei smiled faintly upon hearing this, but in her heart she was secretly thinking. Originally she had long known that Yan Xiner and Ai Chun had already exchanged love tokens; she just wasn't too clear on the specific details.

So she gently took Yan Shuang'er's hand and asked in a gentle, soft voice, "Good Shuang'er, quickly tell Mother what exactly happened yesterday that made you play so happily?"

Yan Shuang'er nodded obediently, then vividly recounted to the Wangfei all the interesting events of yesterday's spring outing, one by one. From the initial outing to enjoy the scenery, to everyone later sitting around composing poems and matching couplets, to finally Yan Xiner and Ai Chun exchanging sachets and secretly developing affection — nothing was omitted.

The Wangfei sat quietly listening; as the story progressed, she sometimes smiled and nodded, sometimes frowned slightly, her mood rising and falling with it.

After hearing the whole process, the Wangfei couldn't help but sincerely exclaim, "Ai ya, our Qianqian is truly amazing! To think of such a clever method to bring about this good match — truly worthy of being a little matchmaker!" Saying this, she looked with eyes full of doting affection at Qianqian standing beside her, laughing so hard she couldn't close her mouth.

Seeing the Wangfei praise her so, Qianqian became even more carried away; she swaggered up to the Wangfei, tilted her head up, and said, "Hee hee, thank you Mother for the praise!" Finished, she mischievously stuck out her tongue at the Wangfei.

The Wangfei looked at her own clever, mischievous, and utterly adorable youngest daughter. She couldn't help reaching out to pull Qianqian into her arms, affectionately kissing her pink cheeks twice. Qianqian, suddenly hugged and kissed, first froze, then giggled, and for a moment the whole room was filled with joyous laughter.

Just then, a servant came in to report, "Wangfei Niangniang, Masters, dinner is ready; you may go to the Shantang to eat!" Hearing this, the Wangfei released Qianqian from her arms, stood up and straightened her clothes, then smiled and took the children's small hands, walking slowly toward the Shantang.

In the Shantang, the group had not been there long when An Wang, Yan Xiner, Yan Si, and Yan Wang arrived one after another. After everyone took their seats, they began enjoying the sumptuous meal. During the meal, the Wangfei smiled and informed everyone present of that important news; however at this time, Yan Wang and Yan Si still knew nothing of it.

Hearing this news, Yan Si blurted out, "Truly unexpected! Elder Sister is actually getting married this fast; can the wedding date be pushed back a bit? Even waiting a few more years before marrying off would be fine." The Wangfei heard this and couldn't help laughing and scolding, "Look at you, child, spouting nonsense! If it really dragged on like you say, by then I'm afraid the Ai family would long have been unable to hold back and would have come knocking directly!"

Yan Si replied unconcernedly, "What's there to fear? Isn't Father Wang still here? Although this marriage is an Imperial Marriage Decree from the Emperor himself, we can't just let him take Elder Sister away so easily. Hehe, why not take this chance to think carefully — when they wed, how to give him some difficult problems, make things difficult for him!" The Wangfei smiled helplessly and shook her head, admonishing, "That Young Master Ai is a fine young man of upright character; you lot, a little teasing is fine, but absolutely don't go too far!"

"Mother rest assured, your son knows his limits!" After Yan Si swore this guarantee, he turned to look at Yan Wang beside him. Their gazes met; merely a single eye contact, and they understood each other perfectly, swiftly reaching consensus. Meanwhile Yan Xiner had been silently eating with head lowered, her pretty face already flushed red with shyness...

At this moment, the Wangfei suddenly turned to ask An Wang, "Was there any mention of when they will come to propose marriage?" An Wang smiled and replied, "They say tomorrow after the morning court session."

The Wangfei nodded lightly, indicating she had taken note. Beside her, Qianqian suddenly pouted her little mouth and grumbled, "Can Qianqian not go to Shangshufang tomorrow?"

An Wang and the Wangfei exchanged a glance, then replied in unison, "No!" The voices decisive and firm.

Seeing this, Qianqian hurriedly put down the small spoon in her hand, blinked her big eyes, and continued pleading, "Then can the proposal wait until Qianqian's rest time?"

An Wang looked at Qianqian with a stern face and said categorically, "No!"

At this, the Wangfei hurriedly gently comforted Qianqian: "Qianqian, the proposal is just coming to discuss the wedding date together, nothing special. If on the day Xin'er marries, Shangshufang still has classes, Mother will ask for leave for you both, alright?"

Hearing this, Qianqian was still somewhat unwilling, but in the end pouted and answered, "Fine."

After dinner, everyone finished tidying up and returned to their rooms to rest. However, Yan Xiner lying in bed tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Her heart held both infinite anticipation for tomorrow, and at the thought that she would soon become a married woman, a faint sorrow welled up unbidden.

As for exactly which day the wedding date would be set, she had no clue at this moment. Just like that, amid anticipation and conflict, Yan Xiner slowly closed her eyes and entered the land of dreams...