Everyone crowded around, their eyes darting, quietly appraising Hua Hua's suitor.
Yan Shuo was a little excited, his face flushed with joy. He hadn't expected to gain Miss Lu's approval so quickly, to the point that everyone in the entire mansion now considered him Miss Lu's—suitor.
"Hello everyone, I am your suitor—oh no, I am Yan Shuo, and this is my sister Yan Huan," Yan Shuo bowed to everyone.
Yan Huan also smiled politely at everyone.
The crowd chuckled and nodded at Yan Shuo and Yan Huan.
"Young Master Yan, why… why have you come?" Lu Hua appeared at the doorway, with Ga Mei making faces behind her.
Lu Hua's gaze paused on Yan Huan's face, and it was clear that this girl was likely his sister.
Upon seeing Lu Hua, Yan Shuo transformed like a peacock spreading its feathers, his entire being radiating a glow. "Miss Lu, I heard from my father that your grievances have been redressed, and you've been released and declared innocent. I was so happy that my sister and I decided to come and see you."
Yan Huan smiled and waved at Lu Hua. This was her future sister-in-law, and she needed to make a good impression.
Bai Sheng looked at Lu Hua and Yan Shuo, then at the onlookers, coughed lightly, and said seriously, "Uh, Uncle Ding, the garden in the backyard needs some planting. Take everyone to go plant flowers."
Uncle Ding, who had been observing with a curious expression, saw his madam wink at him and suddenly realized what she meant. He immediately called out loudly to everyone, "Except for Miss Hua Hua, everyone else, come with me to the garden to plant flowers! Third Great Uncle, aren't you still peeling the bamboo? How's that going? Lu Tie, aren't you fetching water? Is the water缸 full? And Yang Ming, weren't you teaching Lu Tong and Lu Hu martial arts?"
With Uncle Ding specifically calling them out, the onlookers walked out of the reception hall, looking back repeatedly. As they passed the windows, they couldn't resist taking another glance.
Bai Sheng said to Yan Shuo, "I apologize, Young Master Yan. My family comes from farming stock, and we don't have many formalities. How about this, you and Hua Hua have some private matters to discuss, and we'll step out for a bit. Ga Mei, take Miss Yan around the mansion."
Yan Shuo replied, "Madam Lu— Madam Lu, you are too modest. I find the family atmosphere here to be very good."
Ga Mei approached with a sly smile, ready to escort Yan Huan out. However, Yan Huan said, "Thank you, Madam Lu, thank you, Sister Ga Mei. I'd rather just sit here and read for a while. I'm at a crucial part."
Yan Shuo glanced at Yan Huan, giving her a few stern looks, after which Yan Huan finally took the book and went out with Ga Mei.
Lu Ye was observing Yan Shuo from all angles, with no blind spots. Bai Sheng caught his eye and then, linking her arm through his, pulled him away.
Ga Mei was truly a loose-lipped person. In just a few days, the entire mansion knew about Young Master Yan.
Lu Yin and Ding Xiang: Hua Hua, you've wronged Ga Mei. Actually, we're also quite talkative.
Once the two were alone in the reception hall, Lu Hua's cheeks turned a delicate shade of red. She did indeed have some things she wanted to clarify with Yan Shuo. Unsuitable affections should be nipped in the bud.
The reception hall was eerily quiet, so quiet that it seemed they could hear each other's breathing and heartbeats. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Fortunately, Lu Hua had developed some composure through a year or two of trials. She forced herself to calm down and was just about to speak first.
However, Yan Shuo walked forward enthusiastically and asked gently, "Miss Lu, are you... are you alright? Did you suffer in prison?"
"I am... very well, thank you for your concern, Young Master Yan," Lu Hua nodded. "Young Master Yan, there are some things I wish to discuss with you clearly."
Yan Shuo looked at her with burning eyes. "Yes, please speak."
Lu Hua opened her mouth several times but couldn't voice the words she wanted to say. Yan Shuo chuckled, "Miss Lu, please speak your mind. You can say anything to me."
Lu Hua raised her shy, dewy eyes and softly asked, "Young Master Lu and I have only recently met, we are but acquaintances. Why do you—care for me so much?"
Yan Shuo's gaze flickered, and he pursed his lips, his tone firm. "Because, I... I admire you."
"Admire me?" Lu Hua looked slightly surprised, and a strange sense of anticipation filled her heart. "But... we've only met a few times, you don't know me."
"Admiring someone isn't determined by the number of times you meet. The first time I saw you, I was... deeply attracted to you. I feel you are like the freshest flower." To cover his nervousness, Yan Shuo raised his hand and touched the back of his neck.
Lu Hua could clearly feel her heart pounding, "thump-thump-thump," rapid and strong. "But... don't you already have a woman you like?"
"I have a woman I like?" Yan Shuo's eyes widened in surprise.
Lu Hua glanced at him and lowered her voice slightly. "Didn't you buy rouge and powder last time to give to her?"
"Ah, that. I bought it for my sister Huan Huan. It's her twelfth birthday, and I promised to give her rouge and powder," Yan Shuo chuckled.
Oh, so that's how it was. Lu Hua felt a strange sense of relief and a wave of inexplicable joy surged through her chest. "Then, Young Master Yan, do you have anything else? If not, I won't keep you company."
"Miss Lu, I..." Yan Shuo raised his hand as if to stop Lu Hua from leaving.
Lu Hua turned to look at him, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
Yan Shuo's gaze was clear, without any evasion. He looked into Lu Hua's eyes and said, "Miss Lu, I have already told my parents that I admire you and wish to marry you."
Lu Hua froze. "Did... did your parents agree?" How could they possibly agree? The difference in status between her and Yan Shuo was too vast.
Yan Shuo's gaze deepened. "Not... not yet, but I won't give up. And regarding marriage, I can make my own decisions."
"I am a mere merchant's daughter born to a farming family, and you are the eldest son of a Censorate official with a boundless future. Do you think we are a good match?" Lu Hua twisted her fingers together, squeezing them hard.
Yan Shuo's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "Whether we are a match isn't decided by status or position, but by the hearts of two people. The person I love, even if she were a beggar, I would still love her."
Lu Hua looked at him with surprise. "But I am very jealous and absolutely will not allow my future husband to take concubines."
"I will never take concubines. And, I like a jealous wife; it shows she loves me and cares about me," Yan Shuo's eyes were incredibly gentle at this moment.
Lu Hua's heart pounded rapidly. "I... I am only thirteen years old. I don't want to—" get engaged so soon.
"I can wait for you!" Yan Shuo blurted out before Lu Hua could finish. "Don't worry, I will wait for you until you feel it's appropriate."
Lu Hua felt that she had pressed him at every turn, throwing all her concerns at him, and Yan Shuo had unhesitatingly given her the most satisfactory answers. Now, how should she react?
But Yan Shuo seemed to see her hesitation and shyness, and without giving her time to think, he asked with a steady voice, "Miss Lu, may I have your permission to wait for you?"