Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 760 - 758

Chapter 760: 758

Xiao’er and Fu Ranhui walked together in the garden. It was late autumn, and the chrysanthemums in the garden bloomed brilliantly. The two of them settled down beside the swing.

This swing was a new addition, demanded by Xi’er who loved to play on it. She usually sat on it, reading for a while each day.

The two of them sat on the swing, gently swaying back and forth.

Xiao’er wasn’t good at comforting people. She believed that matters of the heart weren’t something that could be resolved with a few words of consolation from outsiders. It took time to truly move on.

How should she comfort Fu Ranhui? Xiao’er wondered, a little troubled.

Seeing Xiao’er’s unsteady expression, Fu Ranhui laughed: "Actually, I’ve thought it through. Close relatives can’t get married. If they do, there’s a chance they could have sick children. That must be a warning from Heaven, signalling that incest is forbidden. In the past, people didn’t know and thought it was a case of ’family ties before everything else.’ So, I’ve completely given up on my cousin Ruixi!"

No incest? That’s really an ultimate explanation!

But hearing these words, Xiao’er sighed with relief. Regardless of whether Fu Ranhui had truly moved on, the fact that she could speak so openly showed that she must be close to letting go.

"Then, why does the princess look so downcast?"

"My mother arranged a marriage for me! She even sought the Empress Dowager’s decree!" Having just come out of one emotional ordeal, she hadn’t had time to adjust before she was expected to marry someone she’d only met once and didn’t know well. How could she possibly be happy?

Xiao’er was shocked by these words. How had the eldest princess moved so fast? Startled, Xiao’er jumped off the swing: "This quickly? Who is it?"

She had only been away from the Imperial Capital for half a month, and so much had happened!

She had learned that the Du Yijin and Shangguan Ruixi’s engagement was confirmed when she saw Shangguan Ruixi marching to the Du family to deliver the betrothal gift.

And now even Fu Ranhui’s marriage had been arranged! Why hadn’t anyone told her?

"General Zhao Youwei. You think it’s too soon as well, right? However, my mother acts like she’s afraid I won’t get married! I already mentioned that I didn’t want to get married for the time being and would consider it in a few years. But she quickly arranged my marriage." Fu Ranhui brought up the matter in anger, her usually soft voice sharper than usual. Angered, she pushed the swing into motion.

Xiao’er could sort of understand why the eldest princess was so desperate. Probably because of the example set by the Fifth Princess, she was scared by her mention of considering marriage in a few years! What if, after a few years, she wanted to wait a few more years!

"General Zhao is actually a pretty decent guy, a true gentleman." Xiao’er candidly commented while helping push the swing.

As Shangguan Xuanyi, Zhao Youwei, and Di Shaowei happened to stroll nearby, Zhao Youwei paused for a moment when he overheard Xiao’er’s assessment, then continued nonchalantly.

Seeing Zhao Youwei as soon as they came out, Xiao’er pointed him out to Fu Ranhui: "Princess, look, there’s General Zhao."

Fu Ranhui was swinging at the highest point when she heard this. She was startled and on reflex, she wanted to get off the swing but somehow let go. The next moment, she was flying off the swing.

Xiao’er was taken aback, is there a need to be so dramatic?

Then, she shouted out loudly, "My Lord, quickly catch the princess!"

Even before Xiao’er had finished her sentence, Shangguan Xuanyi pushed Zhao Youwei forward. He then shot Xiao’er a harsh look: who asks their husband to save another woman!? This girl needs to be taught a good lesson.

Also, he had just heard her praising another man earlier! This would be a reckoning yet to be settled! If he can’t settle it now, he would put it off, and then slowly calculate the interest later! He’d teach this girl a lesson.

Zhao Youwei and Fu Ranhui were already engaged, so there was no one more suitable than him to catch her now.

After being pushed forward, Zhao Youwei instinctively stretched out his hand and caught Fu Ranhui.

Fu Ranhui was so frightened that she shut her eyes, ready to kiss the earth. However, she ended up falling into a strong embrace instead.

Fu Ranhui opened her eyes, meeting Zhao Youwei’s calm and deep gaze. She could feel her face redden.

Zhao Youwei calmly set her down on the ground: "Pardon my rudeness, Princess."

Fu Ranhui just shook her head, looking down.

Xiao’er quickly ran over, "Princess, are you alright?"

Fu Ranhui shook her head again, "I’m fine, I just remembered that I had plans with the Fifth Princess, so I must go."

Fu Ranhui felt quite embarrassed by her slip and used this as an excuse to quickly run off.

Fifth Princess: "..." When did she arrange to meet with her? She had no clue! And she didn’t even notice her standing right there! What meeting was she talking about?

Xiao’er looked at the Fifth Princess trailing behind Shangguan Xuanyi and the others and then at the fleeing Fu Ranhui. The excuse she had come up with was truly speechless.

Not holding back her mischief, Xiao’er teased, "Princess, the Fifth Princess is right here. Where are you going?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Ranhui almost tripped, then without turning her head, she ran even faster: "I misspoke, I’m meeting Princess Ling’er!"

The situation was so absurd that Xiao’er couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Since when were Fu Ranhui and Princess Ling’er this close?

Zhao Youwei watched Xiao’er’s playful antics, an unusual flicker of emotion in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

Shangguan Xuanyi had been watching him closely and did not miss his gaze. His heart sank a little.

Shangguan Xuanyi stepped forward and took Xiao’er’s hand. "It’s getting late; let’s head back."

"So soon? I wanted to stay for dinner!" Xiao’er was a bit unhappy at this suggestion.

"Let’s eat! It’s almost dinner time now, we can eat here before we leave! Such a big, happy event, aren’t you going to cook a couple of dishes to celebrate Jingrui?" The prospect of dinner excited Di Shaowei immensely.

"Didn’t Xiao Fuzi say that Shangguan Wanru wrote a letter? Aren’t you going home to check it?" Shangguan Xuanyi directly ignored Di Shaowei’s comments.

Hmph! They’ve all spoiled this guy, always freeloading off them! What’s up with that?

"Princess Wanru wrote a letter? Did the letter not come?" Xiao’er had received a letter of blessings and generous gifts from Shangguan Wanru on her wedding day. She had not heard from her since, and this left her a little worried.

Xiao’er was a bit worried about her because she always considered Wanru as her sister. They used to write letters to each other every month, but then suddenly there were no more letters for several months, and Xiao’er didn’t know why.

"Xiao Fuzi didn’t bring it." Shangguan Xuanyi lied through his teeth.

Upon hearing this news, Xiao’er was indeed no longer in the mood to linger: "Let’s go home! Let’s read the letter! I don’t know what she’s been up to all these months."

A woman, alone in a foreign land after marriage, was indeed a cause of concern. Xiao’er thought of Yun’er, who would be married off to the Eastern Jin Kingdom after the New Year, and suddenly felt all the more worried for them. Life was full of these poignant separations and reunions, which made people prone to melancholy.

Shangguan Xuanyi, with Xiao’er in his arms, went to bid farewell to her parents.

Watching the two of them walking away so close together, Zhao Youwei’s eyes became dim for a moment, but he quickly returned to his usual self.