Ever since the Marquis of Kangding had given his orders, no one dared help Li Shiyan leave the manor, fearing they would be punished like Xiao Luzi.

So for these past few days, Li Shiyan had been stuck in his courtyard, unable to go anywhere. Xiao Luzi had been transferred to work in the kitchen, and he didn’t even have anyone to talk to by his side. He had barely managed to endure through three days.

Early in the morning, the Marquis of Kangding had someone send over a new set of clothes. The person said, “Young Master, you’ll be going to Minister Zhu’s manor shortly. The Marquis instructed you to dress presentably. These clothes were rush-ordered these past few days. Please put them on.”

He glanced at them, hooked his finger around the collar of the garment, then vigorously shook it a few times. The fabric and style were indeed good, but at a glance it was clearly the kind that scholars wore. With a look of disdain on his face, he flung it aside.

“I won’t wear it!”

“Don’t make the Marquis unhappy—just put it on.”

“My own clothes are perfectly fine. How are they not presentable?”

“Young Master, today you’re going to Minister Zhu’s manor after all. You should naturally dress up properly. Just be obedient and quickly change into these clothes. The carriage is already waiting outside. Besides, we servants wouldn’t be able to report back to the Marquis either.”

“Always using my father to pressure me!” Li Shiyan glared hatefully at the servant before him, his eyes rolling sideways.

But—

If he didn’t wear it, who knew if that old man would nag him the entire way. He really didn’t want to listen to a barrage of chatter again, so for the sake of peace and quiet for his ears, he had no choice but to change, then leave the manor and board the carriage.

Throughout the journey, the Marquis repeatedly instructed him about things to pay attention to later.

He, however, kept sticking his head out to look around from time to time, his mind completely not on this matter.

“Did you hear what I just said?” the Marquis asked.

“I heard, I heard!”

“If you dare cause any trouble later or spout nonsense, I won’t spare you.”

“I know, I know!”

The Marquis looked at him with complete disbelief, but everything that needed to be said had been said.

Li Shiyan, however, suddenly asked very seriously, “By the way, Father, haven’t you been busy recently?”

“What do you want me to be busy with?”

“I was thinking… Prince Jing’an’s remains are about to be transported to the capital. By rights, the entire court should be very busy, yet you have time to drag me along on a matchmaking visit!”

The Marquis’s face became stern: “Even this momentous matter isn’t as important as your marriage.”

The corners of Li Shiyan’s mouth twitched a few times, and he said nothing more.

He was being watched closely by a tiger. Until the wedding day arrived, he probably wouldn’t have any good days ahead.

At this moment, at the entrance of the Zhu Manor, Minister Zhu and his entire family were waiting at the door.

Minister Zhu didn’t forget to remind his wife: “Don’t say what you said the other day again.”

“I know.” Madam Zhu was, after all, a person who understood propriety.

Zhu Yao standing to the side felt extremely anxious, her gaze nervously fixed on the distance.

She had finally waited for this!

When she saw the Marquis Manor’s carriage approaching, her heart immediately began pounding. Her fingers clutching her handkerchief involuntarily tightened.

The carriage stopped at the entrance. The Marquis of Kangding got off the carriage, with Li Shiyan following closely behind.

When Zhu Yao looked at him, she felt both nervous and happy, her heart seeming to jump to her throat. Her entire body tensed, not knowing what to say.

“Lord Marquis.” Minister Zhu greeted him with a smiling face and cupped his hands.

“Minister Zhu.” The Marquis of Kangding glanced at Li Shiyan, “Why haven’t you greeted him yet?”

Li Shiyan was an extremely smooth person. Having accompanied his old father on visits for many years, he naturally knew matters of propriety. He immediately put on an obedient appearance, hurried to bow in greeting, and said, “Uncle Zhu, Shiyan first apologizes to you. A few days ago I truly had matters to attend to, which is why I didn’t return to the manor, making you wait. Shiyan was truly at fault, so today I’ve come specifically to apologize. Please forgive me.”

Oh my!

The Marquis of Kangding standing to the side was truly dumbfounded. He knew his son could talk, but he hadn’t expected him to be this articulate, speaking with such sincerity that one couldn’t tell if his words were true or false.

Therefore, the Marquis of Kangding’s heart, which had been anxious throughout the journey, finally relaxed!

Minister Zhu hadn’t expected Li Shiyan to speak so eloquently. Wearing that scholarly outfit and speaking with such refined diction—he was undoubtedly an elegant scholar!

Even Madam Zhu was stunned!

She had thought Li Shiyan was just an uneducated young master, but she hadn’t expected him to be so refined. Recalling the words she had said a few days ago, she felt somewhat guilty.

Minister Zhu said, “Young Master, what are you saying? Seeking learning from General Su is a rare and excellent opportunity. What fault is there in that?”

“Since Uncle can understand, Shiyan is relieved.”

Minister Zhu smiled, then turned to look at his daughter and called out, “Yao’er.”

Zhu Yao’s heart suddenly tightened as numerous gazes all turned toward her.

She involuntarily lowered her gaze a few inches, stepped forward, and bowed: “Greetings to the Lord Marquis, greetings to… Young Master.”

Her voice was soft and delicate, exceptionally pleasant to hear.

Li Shiyan looked at her a few more times. This person was the Minister’s daughter he was to marry?

Her appearance was indeed fresh and lovely—clean, gentle, and gracious.

However—

He had seen many such young ladies. In the capital, they were a dime a dozen!

So he didn’t feel his eyes light up at the sight.

On the other hand, that Miss Ji…

His thoughts drifted far away again. He quickly pulled them back and politely returned Zhu Yao’s bow, saying, “Miss Zhu, how do you do? I am Li Shiyan.”

Zhu Yao had a thousand words in her heart, but at this moment she couldn’t utter a single sentence. She could only lower her head a bit more, concealing the shy blush on her face.

The two young people standing together—a talented gentleman and a beautiful lady—made a perfect match.

This greatly delighted Minister Zhu and the Marquis of Kangding. They couldn’t help but exchange glances, each understanding the other’s thoughts.

“Come, come, let’s go inside and sit.” Minister Zhu said.

Everyone then entered the manor.

Zhu Yao walked more slowly, staying behind. She looked at Li Shiyan’s back, her heart sinking with a trace of disappointment.

“Miss, what are you thinking about?” asked Cai’er, the maid at her side.

She said softly, “Do you think he’s forgotten me?”

“Why would Miss ask such a question?”

“Two years ago, he was the one who rescued me from the river. Why doesn’t he recognize me?”

“Perhaps so much time has passed that the Young Master has forgotten. When you find an opportunity, Miss, you can thank him in person. Surely then he’ll remember.” Cai’er comforted her.

She nodded, “That’s the only way. Oh, later go fetch the Young Master’s clothes and return them to him.”

“Yes.”

Those clothes were what Li Shiyan had draped over her when he pulled her from the water back then. At the time, she hadn’t informed Minister Zhu about her falling into the water, to avoid worrying her family. As for those clothes, she had personally washed them clean and kept them by her side, waiting for an opportunity to return them to Li Shiyan. She never imagined that this opportunity would take two years of waiting!