For the past few days, not only the medical clinic has been busy, but Shen Xuan has also been very occupied.
Shen Xuan had not come to the academy for several days while recovering from his injuries. Although Gu Yi had attended his literacy classes for him, he had also missed several painting and calligraphy classes, and the students were very worried about him.
These past few days, Shen Xuan had been striving to catch up on what he had missed. Coupled with the fact that he had been getting along with everyone for a long time and had become more familiar with them, the students, concerned about Shen Xuan's health, would ask him this and that, and the day would quickly pass.
Busy with work every day, the time flew by until the day of the holiday.
As the end of the year approached, the weather grew colder, and more vendors appeared on the streets selling New Year's goods. Pedestrians bustled to and fro, stall owners enthusiastically hawked their wares, and the clamor of voices rose and fell. The festive atmosphere was strong, truly different from ordinary days, and very lively.
Lu Yu and Shen Xuan wore the cloaks they had bought at the clothing store that day. Lu Yu's was bright white, and Shen Xuan's was smoke blue, both with plum blossom imprints along the hem, truly a perfect pair.
The two stood under an umbrella, the swirling snow blending with Lu Yu's bright white cloak, making it impossible to tell whether it was snow or the down on the clothes.
Shen Xuan's cloak, however, was more noticeable. Lu Yu would occasionally bend down to brush the snow off Shen Xuan's cloak, preventing it from melting from his body heat and soaking his clothes.
His entire hand was enveloped by Lu Yu's, and warmth rapidly spread from his fingertips. He loved the feeling of Lu Yu holding his whole hand; it was so warm.
After leaving the shop, the wind and snow had stopped, and the sky was beginning to clear. The unique warm sunlight of winter, after the snow, pierced through the sparse tree shadows, reflecting brilliantly on the compacted snow.
Pedestrians' footsteps on the snow made a faint "crunch, crunch" sound, and the snow surface quickly became as slippery as ice.
After finishing their shopping, the two returned to the manor hand in hand, handing the purchased items to the servants.
As soon as they entered the manor gate, the two cats in the courtyard meowed "meow, meow, meow" and happily ran over, standing on Shen Xuan's feet. They stretched their front paws and leaned onto Shen Xuan's legs, their desire for a hug evident.
"They are really attached to you." Looking at the kittens wearing clothes and shoes sewn by Shen Xuan himself, Lu Yu couldn't help but sigh.
These two kittens were truly intelligent, oh no, cat-intelligent. They knew who was good to them, and as soon as they came home, they clung to him.
"Wife, you go ahead and be busy. I'll go check on the other kittens." Shen Xuan squatted down, lifted Xiao Xuan into his arms with a slight effort, and looked up at Lu Yu, who was standing to the side.
"Be careful, don't slip." Lu Yu helped Shen Xuan up as he squatted down to hold the kitten, and casually stroked Xiao Xuan's fluffy head.
"Mm."
Shen Xuan walked ahead with Xiao Xuan in his arms, while Xiao Yu trotted happily behind. Midway, he seemed to remember something, stopped, turned his feline body, and glanced back at Lu Yu, who was standing at a distance, as if realizing Lu Yu wasn't following.
Lu Yu waved at him. Xiao Yu understood, wagged its tail, turned, and quickly ran a couple of steps before turning to follow Shen Xuan, who was walking ahead.
Watching the backs of the person and the cat, Lu Yu chuckled. This kitten was quite human-like.
In the study, Hui Yi, Hui Er, Hui San, and Hui Si were all lying in their nests, squinting and basking in the sun.
These four kittens were very afraid of the cold and dared not play in the courtyard like their mother. They could only curl up in their nests and sleep all day.
Perhaps sensing Shen Xuan's scent, the two little kittens in the nest turned over and opened their eyes. Seeing Shen Xuan in the room, they stood up from their nests, wagged their tails, and ran to Shen Xuan's side, rubbing against his trouser legs.
Shen Xuan put down Xiao Xuan in his arms and picked up the two little kittens, one in each hand. Their fluffy touch was very pleasing.
If Shen Xuan and Lu Yu's home was a scene of peace and quiet these past few days, then Zheng Yu and Gu Yitong's families were bustling with activity.
The day Zheng Yu and Gu Yitong finished their conversation, she told Zheng Chen about it. Zheng Chen had already prepared the betrothal gifts long ago, waiting only for his daughter's command to rush to Gu Yi's place to propose marriage for his daughter.
Although Gu Yi could not be wronged, and the "three letters and six rites" could not be omitted, the two already knew each other and had met each other's parents, so the rites of "asking for name" and "receiving auspiciousness" could be omitted.
"Asking for name" was to ask a matchmaker to inquire about Gu Yi's name and birth date and time. However, since the two had known each other for a long time, there was no need for a matchmaker, and their names were already known. As for the birth date and time, Zheng Chen had already inquired about it when he was interacting with Gu Yi while hiding his identity.
"Receiving auspiciousness" was even less necessary. "Receiving auspiciousness" was the third of the six rites, which involved asking someone to divine the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of their birth dates and times.
After the two confirmed their relationship, Zheng Chen had already divined their birth dates and times. Even if he hadn't, it wouldn't have mattered. Could they really tear apart lovers just because their birth dates and times were incompatible?
Zheng Chen was very efficient. In just a few days, he had completed the rites of "presenting betrothal gifts" and "confirming the engagement." Today was the day to "set the date."
Zheng Chen originally wanted his daughter to marry before the end of the year. He hadn't expected so many things to happen in the past six months, and their wedding had been postponed again and again. With the New Year just around the corner, setting a date before the end of the year was already a quick move on his part.
Zheng Chen had asked someone to divine a good date, which was the third day of the second lunar month after the New Year, suitable for marriage. He was really eager to have Gu Yi, this obedient daughter-in-law, in his home to keep him company.
"This... isn't it a bit too fast?"
It was Gu Yitong who discussed these matters with Zheng Chen. Since they had no elders, the only one who could make decisions for Gu Yi was her, her sister.
"Ah? Fast?" Zheng Chen hesitated for a moment, his face showing some entanglement.
"It is a bit fast." Although Zheng Yu really wanted to welcome Gu Yi into the manor as soon as possible, she still had to consider the wishes of Gu Yitong and Gu Yi.
The Lunar New Year was approaching, and the third day of the second lunar month was only two months away. The preparation time would likely be very rushed.
Moreover, Gu Yi had told her before that she wanted to spend more time with Gu Yitong and did not want to get married less than a year after they had reunited.
"Is it really fast?" Hearing her daughter's words, Zheng Chen looked embarrassed and, while Gu Yitong wasn't paying attention, glared fiercely at Zheng Yu.
"You child! I'm helping you! Helping you marry your husband sooner. If you're not anxious, I am! I'm anxious for him to keep me company!"
As soon as they left Gu Yitong's house and were sitting in the carriage, Zheng Chen grabbed Zheng Yu's ear and kept scolding her, completely dissatisfied with her daughter's decision.
"Father, it was Yi'er who said she wanted to spend more time with her sister and didn't want to get married so soon after they reunited."
Zheng Yu was helpless. Her father's ear was almost twisted off, so she could only bring out Gu Yi as a rescuer.
"Ah? Yi'er requested it?" Zheng Chen let go of her ear with a disgruntled expression.
"This child is truly sentimental. She's afraid her sister will be reluctant. Alas, you must hurry! Where can you find such a good child? You can't find her anywhere!" Zheng Chen, in his anxiety, even spoke in his hometown dialect.
???
When it comes to him, she's good? But when it comes to me, I deserve to be scolded? What kind of logic is this!