Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 494 - 492

Chapter 494: 492

"This height is just right!" Shangguan Xuanyi reached out to straighten her hair strands that were blown about by the breeze.

"What do you mean ’just right’! I can still grow taller!" Xiao’er thought that Shangguan Xuanyi was referring to her height when he made the comment.

If she was really this short, she would feel the urge to force herself to grow taller!

Shangguan Xuanyi laughed at her childish remark: "What I mean is your current height is just right..."

He didn’t say the rest, instead, he demonstrated it with his actions.

As their lips touched, both their hearts tremored.

Shangguan Xuanyi couldn’t resist holding the girl in his arms more tightly.

Xiao’er felt a bit of pain from his grip and quickly pushed him away when she snapped back to reality.

This was the garden! If someone saw them, she’d have to hide in a hole!

Xiao’er glanced around and noticed that only the two of them were left in sight.

When did Yang Mei and Yang Liu leave?

Apparently guessing what Xiao’er was thinking, Shangguan Xuanyi said, "I asked them to leave."

As Shangguan Xuanyi tried to lean in again, Xiao’er quickly covered his mouth with her hand: "No! What if Jinghao comes back!"

This man must have deliberately sent Jinghao away earlier.

Shangguan Xuanyi kissed her palm and did not insist further.

"Girl, the royal astrologer and the Imperial Observatory have selected our wedding date!"

"So soon? The Second Prince hasn’t even married yet!" Xiao’er was a little shocked, she didn’t want to get married yet!

"How is it soon! Their dates have been set too, all within this year, ours is next year!" Shangguan Xuanyi huffed discontentedly, they were the ones getting married last!

"Next year is also soon, I don’t want to get married yet!" Next year, she’d only be fifteen. The thought of being married and having kids at such a young age, having her freedom restricted, wasn’t as appealing as she once imagined. She wouldn’t be able to go wherever she wanted due to the children, this was nothing compared to her current freedom!

"You don’t want to marry me?" Shangguan Xuanyi felt a pang of something unpleasant upon hearing her words.

He thought that she, like him, was also looking forward to living together.

He couldn’t understand how getting married next year was ’soon’? Most girls got married at fifteen or sixteen, and next year she’d already be sixteen in an old age!

"No." Xiao’er shook her head.

"Then why?" Shangguan Xuanyi’s hand which was circling her waist tightened, as if he was ready to snap her waist if her answer was unsatisfactory.

"I’m still young, and I don’t want to be tied down too soon, I don’t want to lose my freedom so early." Xiao’er said honestly.

Tied down? No freedom? So, she thinks he’s imposing too many restrictions on her, and she’s lost her freedom?

Shangguan Xuanyi’s hand loosened, hiding the disappointment and sadness in his eyes.

"Please give me some more time to think." He said softly.

After saying this, Shangguan Xuanyi left hastily.

Watching his retreating figure, Xiao’er reached out her hand as if to call him back, but she didn’t say anything in the end.

Although those around her, such as Liu Jingshu and Ming Jingya, seemed to be living a happy life.

But after Liu Jingshu had her children, she had to spend most of her time on them. She even had triplets, making her even busier.

Ming Jingya got pregnant soon after getting married and she was restricted by her elders on what she could and couldn’t do. Sometimes, she wanted to eat something but couldn’t, she was forced to endure.

Having lived two lifetimes, she still held the idea from her past life, thinking it would be better to have children later. Two people need to live a life of two first.

However, in this era, marriage was seen as an important event to continue the family lineage. After three years of marriage without procreation, the husband could divorce his wife.

As Shangguan Xuanyi was a prince, if there was no child after three years the emperor would probably instruct him to accept a concubine.

If she herself was to get married at eighteen, live a two-person world for two years, and have a child at twenty, it would be perfect.

There were also women who got married at eighteen, the Fifth Princess was already seventeen and she hadn’t gotten married yet!

Just as Jinghao stepped into the study of the front yard, Shen Chengyao walked out.

"Dad, are you going out?"

Shen Chengyao had just changed into his outdoor clothes, and he nodded: "Jinghao, hurry! Come with your father and your brother to meet your grandmother and the others outside the city."

"Have grandma and the others arrived?"

"Yes, this letter was delayed for a few days, and I just received it. Don’t tell your mother yet, so she won’t rush out herself. Let her be surprised later!"

"Alright! I’ll go to call my elder sister and second sister."

"Good, go quickly!"

As Xiao’er was still standing there, contemplating whether not wanting to get married at an early age was too selfish of her, Jinghao found her.

Jinghao was too excited to notice Xiao’er’s gloom.

As he pulled on Xiao’er’s hand and walked towards the exit, he said, "Big sister, grandmother and the others are outside the city, let’s go to the city gate to welcome them!"

Xiao’er snapped back to reality: "They’ve arrived so quickly? How come we received no previous notification?"

"Father said the letter was delayed for a few days before it was delivered."

"Then we better hurry!" Xiao’er put aside her chaotic thoughts and looked down at her clothes. Finding no problem, she quickened her pace.

After Liu received the good news, the news was sent back to Shengping County, and Liu’s parents were overjoyed. They replied saying they would all come to the Imperial Capital after the Lantern Festival.

Liu hadn’t seen her biological parents in years. After hearing the news, she, who was usually sleepy due to her pregnancy, got so excited that she couldn’t sleep all night.

As a result, Shen Chengyao and the others decided to keep the news from Liu for the time being.

In the early spring, under the blue sky and white clouds, various kites spotted the sky.

Inside the city gate, Shen Chengyao and a few children were eagerly waiting.

Around this time, Shangguan Xuanyi, Shangguan Xuanhao, Di Shaowei, Zhao Youwei, and others all appeared on horseback at the city gate.

Xiao’er was a little surprised to see Shangguan Xuanyi.

He didn’t mention going out of town just now! And with such a large group, was something happening?

Shen Chengyao and the children greeted them and Shangguan Xuanyi nodded without saying a word.

Shangguan Xuanhao and Di Shaowei ran over to Xiao’er.

Di Shaowei asked, "Hey girl, are you here to pick up someone? Who are you picking up?"

"My grandmother is here in the Imperial Capital, and she’s currently in line to get into the city. What about you?"

"We have received imperial orders to go and welcome Prince An as he arrives in the capital."

"Well then, you better go!" Xiao’er took a glance at Shangguan Xuanyi, and saw he wasn’t looking towards her. She muttered ’Stingy ghost’ to herself.

Shangguan Xuanyi saw Xiao’er talking to Di Shaowei and Shangguan Xuanhao, yet she didn’t talk to him. It made his heart burned with jealousy. Turning his head, he saw Zhao Youwei staring at Xiao’er and his temper flared. Angrily, he said: "Let’s go!"

Everyone found Shangguan Xuanyi’s sudden outbreak of temper inexplicable, and their gaze turned to Xiao’er.

Xiao’er stuck her tongue out at Shangguan Xuanyi’s retreating figure: Stingy ghost! I’ll coax you next time!

After doing this, Xiao’er turned back and found that everyone was watching her. Her face instantly turned as red as a tomato!

"Why are you all looking at me! Never seen a beautiful girl before?" Xiao’er said grumpily.

"Someone’s angry out of embarrassment!" Shangguan Xuanhao joked.

For the first time, Zhao Youwei saw such a childlike expression on Xiao’er and couldn’t help but laugh.