Zhen Heng stood beside Zhen Shicheng, eyes downcast, but slightly raised his eyelids upon hearing the gentle voice.
In that instant, Zhen Heng was thunderstruck, staring blankly at the young woman who entered, unable to come to his senses.
This, this was the girl he met in the forest—
As soon as she entered, that burning gaze made it impossible for Jiang Si to ignore. She glanced at the source of the gaze from the corner of her eye, and the faint smile on her lips instantly froze. She had an urge to turn and run.
Why was the person she encountered when jumping down from the tree that day in her home?
Zhen Shicheng’s hearty laugh rang out: “Miss Jiang, we meet again.”
Jiang Si composed herself and stepped forward to greet Jiang Ancheng and Zhen Shicheng, but couldn’t help glancing at Zhen Heng.
Zhen Shicheng secretly observed his son’s reaction.
The brat had repeatedly dismissed his suggestions, but now, who knew what he was thinking?
Zhen Heng currently had no thoughts at all; his mind kept replaying the scene of their chance encounter.
The image of the young woman with flowing raven hair descending from the sky gradually merged with the young woman before him.
So she was a lady from the Earl of Dongping’s manor, not a forest spirit as he had imagined.
With this realization, for some reason, the fair-skinned youth’s ears turned bright red.
Zhen Shicheng noticed his son’s reaction and was internally furious.
This rascal, acting like he wanted to become a monk in front of his father, and now he’s almost drooling. How embarrassing!
“Ahem, ahem.” Zhen Shicheng coughed forcefully twice.
Zhen Heng snapped out of his daze and quickly lowered his head even more. But the heat on his face took a long time to subside. He didn’t know where to put his hands and didn’t dare look at the young woman again, only pricking up his ears to listen to her speak.
The young woman’s voice was soft and gentle, and her tone when conversing with his father was surprisingly familiar, showing no signs of nervousness.
Zhen Heng listened quietly, a vague thought rising in his mind: So Father occasionally has his reliable moments.
As this thought occurred, his ears turned even redder, and he silently chided himself for being so flustered.
Seeing him like this, would she laugh at him?
Thinking this, Zhen Heng secretly glanced at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si wasn’t looking in Zhen Heng’s direction.
Although it was somewhat embarrassing to be seen jumping down from a tree, that was all. She and this person were, after all, strangers, and she no longer cared much about strangers’ opinions.
In her previous life, she had cared too much about others’ views, which made her life exhausting and vain, ultimately leading to bitter lessons.
Another voice came from the doorway: “I heard Lord Zhen has arrived. I apologize for not greeting you sooner, Lord Zhen. Please forgive me.”
The Second Master Jiang strode in briskly.
Zhen Shicheng frowned briefly.
He had brought his son to secretly look at a potential daughter-in-law, why was this person interfering?
Though thinking this, Zhen Shicheng’s expression remained unchanged as he exchanged pleasantries with the Second Master Jiang.
The Second Master Jiang was surprised to see Jiang Si present: “Si’er, why are you here too?”
Before Jiang Si could answer, Zhen Shicheng said, “I came to thank Miss Jiang.”
“Thank Si’er?” The Second Master Jiang couldn’t question Zhen Shicheng directly, so he glanced at Jiang Ancheng.
Jiang Ancheng suppressed his pride and said to Jiang Si, “The adults are talking. You should go back now.”
Jiang Si curtsied: “Lord Zhen, Father, Second Uncle, I’ll take my leave now.”
Zhen Shicheng waved his hand and smiled, “Miss Jiang, from now on, just call me Uncle Zhen. Calling me Lord Zhen is too formal.”
A look of surprise flashed in the Second Master Jiang’s eyes.
What exactly had the fourth girl done to earn such favor from a third-rank official?
Uncle – was this a sign of wanting to form a connection with his elder brother?
Jiang Si hadn’t expected this change, and she smiled brightly at Zhen Shicheng, curtsying again: “Uncle Zhen.”
In her previous life, her father had been driven out of the family and fallen into decline, while her second uncle inherited the title. This memory hung over her heart like a sharp sword, never letting her forget for a moment.
If her father could befriend Lord Zhen, it would undoubtedly be greatly beneficial. She truly respected Lord Zhen’s character and abilities, so she was very willing to call him “Uncle Zhen.”
Zhen Shicheng, being a perceptive man, naturally heard the sincerity in her voice. He laughed heartily and said to Jiang Ancheng, “Brother, you’ve raised a fine daughter. I’m truly envious.”
Jiang Ancheng hurriedly demurred: “Not at all, she’s just more sensible than those unruly boys.”
Zhen Shicheng immediately felt a sense of kinship: “Indeed, that’s true…”
The two men began criticizing their sons, finding more and more in common, completely sidelining the Second Master Jiang.
Zhen Heng felt increasingly pressured as he listened.
It seemed that neither his father nor Miss Jiang’s father had a good impression of their sons—
He raised his eyes, instinctively seeking the young woman’s figure, only to find that she had long since left.
On the way back from the Earl of Dongping’s manor, Zhen Heng kept hesitating to speak.
Zhen Shicheng, sharp as ever, deliberately ignored his son.
Hmph, he had been so reluctant before, and now that he’s interested, let him stew in his thoughts. There’s no rush.
Upon returning to the rear courtyard of the Shuntian Prefecture, just as they were about to part ways, Zhen Heng finally couldn’t hold back: “Father—”
“Hmm?” Zhen Shicheng glanced at his red-faced son, refusing to say another word.
Today, he’d teach this brat a lesson about the tables turning!
Zhen Heng endured the heat on his face, trying his best to appear nonchalant: “The young lady we met today, is she the one you’ve been praising so highly?”
“Praising highly?” Zhen Shicheng feigned surprise, “Have I? When did I ever praise a young girl so highly?”
Zhen Heng’s mouth twitched.
One day, he might end up hitting his old man.
“Oh, right, I’ve always thought that girl Ah Xi was quite good. I’ve praised her many times. Are you asking about her?”
Ah Xi was the female coroner under Zhen Shicheng. Being a young woman, everyone around Zhen Shicheng knew about her.
Zhen Heng’s face darkened.
Was this his biological father? He seemed to be seizing every opportunity to mock him, sparing no effort.
Seeing Zhen Shicheng’s fox-like smile, Zhen Heng resigned himself and lowered his head: “It’s… the young lady you mentioned before, the one you said you had in mind…”
The one you wanted me to marry!
Zhen Shicheng suddenly realized: “Oh, right, but now I think forced marriages are unpleasant. Let’s forget about it.”
Zhen Heng looked at Zhen Shicheng expectantly, almost accusing him of going back on his word.
Zhen Shicheng calmly stroked his beard: “I have matters to attend to. I’ll be in my study.”
Now that his son was starting to get anxious, he could take his time. After all, the one who wants to get married is the one who’s in a hurry.
But this little brat was so shallow. He had remained unmoved by all his words before, but after seeing her once, he became so eager. He was purely attracted by the young lady’s beauty.
Seeing his father walking away without a care, Zhen Heng finally couldn’t help but speak up: “Father, that marriage… it wouldn’t be entirely forced…”
Zhen Shicheng stared at Zhen Heng for a good while before asking: “You want this bride?”
Zhen Heng nodded with a slightly red face: “I want her.”