(4)

Tang Buli had been raised like a boy since childhood, playing throughout the capital and receiving constant adulation, accustomed to teasing cats and provoking dogs, never following the rules of propriety between men and women.

Despite this, even she felt that her impulsive flirtation had gone too far.

Why had she kissed Zhou Yunqing?

Why had she run away?

Why, whenever she recalled Zhou Yunqing’s eyes looking at her, did she feel so embarrassed that she wanted to bang her head against the wall?

Tang Buli wasn’t one to avoid problems. She decided to explain things clearly to Zhou Yunqing and put the matter behind them once and for all.

The next day, when collecting the completed “Word Meanings” reflection, Tang Buli stayed to say a few more words.

“About yesterday… I was wrong. I just wanted to tease you, to see if you were as steadfast as you claimed.”

To show that she had no other intentions, Tang Buli quite boldly patted Zhou Yunqing’s shoulder. “Anyway, a grown man like you wouldn’t suffer any loss. Don’t take it to heart.”

Zhou Yunqing’s suspended wrist became unsteady from the past, and his brush tip left an obvious ink blot on the paper.

He calmly replaced the paper and made a sound of acknowledgment.

Seeing him maintain that same detached calmness, Tang Buli felt relieved and said with a beaming smile: “So we’ve cleared that up! From now on, let’s act as if nothing happened, and neither of us will mention it again!”

With that, she took the completed assignments and returned home, humming a tune, thoroughly satisfied.

Everything seemed to return to the previous carefree happiness.

But Tang Buli hadn’t anticipated that someone from a poor family couldn’t afford to be refined and cultured. While Zhou Yunqing could handle reading and writing with ease, once it came to the etiquette of noble households, his lack of familiarity became apparent.

When a servant brought tea for rinsing the mouth, he drank it all down, causing even the serving maid to cover her mouth and laugh.

Zhou Yunqing sat among the finely dressed nobles, looking completely out of place.

Tang Buli was most protective of her own. How could she allow others to mock someone she had brought?

She dismissed the little maid who had served the tea, and after returning to the mansion, she resolved to teach Zhou Yunqing about wine tasting and tea brewing. If he truly entered government service in the future and joined high society, he wouldn’t be looked down upon and ridiculed.

However, Zhou Yunqing had a remarkably poor tolerance for alcohol. After just half a cup, he became intoxicated and talked incessantly.

After being forced to listen to his lecture on “The Current Dynasty’s Criminal Law Cases” for an entire afternoon, Tang Buli had a splitting headache and didn’t know where she was. She could only decide to abandon teaching him about wine appreciation and focus instead on the art of tea.

She taught him the protocol for social interactions in official households hands-on.

Zhou Yunqing learned about tea very quickly. Within ten days, he could distinguish the qualities of various types of tea and master the art of brewing tea for banquets.

Tang Buli enjoyed watching him brew tea. His elegant and refined manner made him look exactly like a true gentleman from a prestigious family.

But the good times didn’t last long.

Zhou Yunqing soon discovered that he wasn’t a proper scribe of the Tang household. What he had been copying and writing daily were assignments the Old Madam had given to her granddaughter.

“The Young Lady once promised not to make me do anything against moral principles,” Zhou Yunqing said righteously.

“I don’t want to copy books, so I hired you to do it. It’s a mutually agreeable arrangement—how is that against moral principles?”

Tang Buli couldn’t understand Zhou Yunqing’s hair-splitting. “Does that mean if I don’t want to cook and hire a chef, you would also say I’m acting against moral principles?”

“Self-cultivation and propriety—how can they be compared to appetite?” Zhou Yunqing insisted stubbornly.

Tang Buli couldn’t argue with him. Sometimes she really couldn’t stand this young man’s rigid stubbornness.

“If you won’t help, then don’t. Why lecture me so coldly?” she frowned and muttered.

Their first argument ended with an unhappy parting.

(5)

Grandmother fell ill.

When the old lady suddenly fainted, Tang Buli was watching a performance at a teahouse. Upon hearing the news from the panting servant, she felt as if her brain had been struck by thunder and the world was collapsing.

Rushing back to the mansion, she found that the Old Madam had just taken medicine and fallen asleep. Only now did Tang Buli have the opportunity to carefully observe this resilient old woman.

So, Grandmother had grown this old.

Her hair was silver-white, her cheeks no longer plump and rosy, and lying on the couch, one could barely make out the contours of her body. This formidable woman, who had lost her husband and son in middle age, had endured half a lifetime of hardships, supporting the entire Tang mansion by herself, only to succumb to the curse of old age and frailty.

Sometimes, being forced to grow up happens overnight.

With the Old Madam ill, many important matters fell on Tang Buli’s shoulders, overwhelming her.

Only when she had to manage things herself did she understand: that the Tang family had no real power, and maintaining the vast expenses of the household was extremely difficult.

To make matters worse, she had been so ignorant that even keeping a scholar to copy books had almost cost her a fortune.

This person who feared nothing in the world had, for the first time, found something to fear. She was afraid that her grandmother would pass away just like in her dream.

“My good granddaughter, you’ve suffered these past few days.”

The Old Madam weakly caressed her granddaughter’s cheek, sighing faintly, “Since your grandfather passed away, I raised your father alone, watching him enter government service, marry, and have a daughter. Later, after your father died of illness and your mother followed, I raised you… My only regret is that I didn’t have time to arrange a good marriage for you, to proudly watch my granddaughter get married.”

Her grandmother’s voice had the characteristic hoarseness of the elderly. The bitter medicinal fragrance lingered, making Tang Buli’s nose sting with emotion.

“Grandmother will have a long life and won’t have any problems.”

Tang Buli stirred the medicinal soup, her voice husky as she said, “As long as Grandmother gets better, I’m willing to copy as many books and scriptures as needed. I won’t fool around or play anymore.”

“Good child, hearing you say this puts my mind at ease.”

The Old Madam’s eyes showed affection as she slowly said, “You are not like those official children with parents and brothers to support them. In the future, remember to behave properly. Don’t be willful with men outside the family and give others leverage… Do you understand?”

Tang Buli knew the Old Madam had heard about Zhou Yunqing’s existence and was thus reminding her.

With a bitter feeling in her heart, she nodded forcefully: “Granddaughter understands.”

With the Old Madam ill, the household was in financial straits. Tang Buli planned to keep the honest and loyal servants and dismiss the others who could be let go.

Among those to be dismissed, naturally, was Zhou Yunqing.

On the Double Seventh Festival, when the magpie bridge forms for the meeting of lovers, it was said that if you wrote your wish on a sky lantern that day, it would be carried up the Milky Way to reach the heavens.

Tang Buli held a banquet at Wangxian Tower, inviting the Yu siblings to release sky lanterns and pray for blessings.

She also brought Zhou Yunqing along, firstly because writing a hundred prayer lanterns required considerable manpower, and secondly because after today, she would no longer be able to support Zhou Yunqing—it was a way to say goodbye.

On the painted bridge, Tang Buli held a torch, lighting the sky lanterns one by one.

With each lantern she lit, she prayed in her heart for her grandmother’s health and long life.

The wind rose, and unlit lanterns rolled across the ground. Amid the confusion, she suddenly saw a pair of long-fingered hands reach out from behind her, helping to shield the flame that was about to be extinguished.

Zhou Yunqing didn’t say anything, just picked up the lanterns that had fallen to the ground and handed them to her to light.

The two worked together silently. The sky lanterns flew toward the sky like fireflies, converging into a river of orange light.

“Zhou Yunqing.”

Tang Buli finally spoke, picking at the edge of the carved railing as she said, “I can’t keep you from copying books anymore.”

Zhou Yunqing turned to look at her, seemingly puzzled.

The wind stirred his whitened robes as if he might fly away with the wind at any moment.

“Anyway… anyway, you don’t like my pretense, and I don’t like being constrained. We should part on good terms.”

Tang Buli said it all in one breath. For some reason, she didn’t dare look into Zhou Yunqing’s eyes.

She had always been proud, and even now she was unwilling to admit her financial difficulties.

She wanted to say something more, but in the end, she said nothing.

The next day, Tang Buli prepared writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, along with a set of ancient books, carefully packaged them together with some silver, and went to bid farewell to Zhou Yunqing.

The clean room was filled with the fragrance of ink. Zhou Yunqing stood with his back to her, writing rhapsodies on the wall as usual.

“Zhou Yunqing, pack your things and leave.”

Tang Buli cleared her throat and gently placed the package on the table. “These things are for you, as a parting gift for our acquaintance of several months.”

Zhou Yunqing’s brush moved like dragons and snakes, the flowing script gradually changing to running script, the strokes powerful enough to penetrate the paper.

Within his slender, elegant form, there seemed to be undercurrents surging and gushing forth, transforming into a flood of ink across the page.

“Zhou Yunqing, I’m leaving!”

Tang Buli raised her voice, and seeing that the man didn’t speak, she added dryly, “You will have a great future!”

Zhou Yunqing still didn’t make a sound, only bowing his head and frantically writing essays. The running script had already changed to wild cursive.

The paper detached and scattered on the floor, but he was oblivious, continuing to write on the wall.

Tang Buli waited for a while, guessing that he probably wouldn’t speak, then pursed her lips and left with her head down.

Only after Tang Buli’s footsteps had faded did Zhou Yunqing suddenly stop, like a worn-out mechanism.

The already dry brush split and cracked, standing on the wall like disorderly wild grass, leaving a huge dry stroke. Zhou Yunqing’s eyes were lonely and silent as he stood motionless before the unfinished rhapsody for a long time without continuing.

He couldn’t write.

He couldn’t bring himself to write.

The dry brush fell to the ground as he stepped back, futilely pinching the bridge of his nose.

(6)

Zhou Yunqing left.

The empty room was cleaned very neatly. Tang Buli’s parting gift still lay quietly on the table. Besides his own two sets of clothes and writing materials, he hadn’t taken anything else.

Tang Buli looked at the unfinished rhapsody, the wall covered in ink abruptly ending, and felt an inexplicable regret.

She had too many things to deal with and soon put Zhou Yunqing behind her.

Gradually, that lonely figure in blue faded from her heart.

Before long, Grandmother, having inquired in many ways, arranged a marriage for Tang Buli. The suitor was Chen Jian, grandson of the Grand Tutor, reportedly a filial and well-mannered young man from a prestigious family.

Tang Buli didn’t want to marry, worried that she would end up like in her dream, married to a nominal good-for-nothing. But she couldn’t resist her grandmother’s limited time and wished to see her granddaughter married.

“The grandson of the Grand Tutor must have a good family education and shouldn’t be the fool who insulted the Regent Prince in my dream, right?”

Tang Buli pondered, then immediately caught herself, slapping the table. “Tang Buli, what are you thinking? How could such a ridiculous dream come true!”

Besides, the current dynasty’s emperor was still alive; there was no Regent Prince at all.

Thinking like this, Tang Buli reluctantly put her mind at ease.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yu Lingxi fell seriously ill, and Tang Buli visited her especially.

When she heard that Tang Buli was engaged to Chen Jian, Suisui seemed a bit startled.

“I should be happy about Ah Li’s engagement.”

Suisui had grown thinner but was still just as beautiful. She said softly, “But I’ve heard that Chen Jian is overly romantic and arrogant, with a questionable reputation. You should think carefully.”

Soon, Suisui’s words were proven right.

That day, helping Suisui investigate at a brothel, they ran into several powdered young masters from prestigious families, among them Tang Buli’s fiancé, Chen Jian.

Their vulgar language was unbearable to hear.

Just thinking that she would marry such a person, recalling her dream where she was innocently implicated and had to beg others pitifully, Tang Buli became furious.

Before she knew it, her whip had lashed out at Chen Jian.

The Chen family couldn’t swallow this insult and publicly broke off the engagement, citing her “lack of feminine virtue.”

For a time, nicknames like “tigress” and “female tyrant” spread about Tang Buli, making her a laughingstock.

Tang Buli herself didn’t care. Anyone who dared to mock her to her face would feel her whip—she never let herself be taken advantage of.

Her only worry was that her grandmother would be disappointed.

“I’m sorry, Grandmother.”

Tang Buli knelt on the couch, bowing her head. “Your granddaughter has messed things up again.”

“It’s not your fault, my dear. It’s Grandmother’s fault for misjudging people and being deceived.”

The old lady smiled and helped her granddaughter up, comforting her, “That impure, inconsistent young man is better left alone! Even if you hadn’t whipped him, Grandmother would have whipped him for you!”

The expected scolding didn’t come. Tang Buli suddenly looked up: “Really?”

“Really.”

The Old Madam stroked Tang Buli’s bound hair lovingly and said, “Cutting losses in time is fortunate.”

Tang Buli’s eyes welled up, and she tightly embraced her grandmother.

This outwardly tough but inwardly gentle old woman still couldn’t withstand the severe cold of winter and peacefully closed her eyes on a snowy night, departing on a crane to the west.

Tang Buli’s world collapsed.

(7)

After the Old Madam was buried, it was as if a piece of Tang Buli’s heart was missing. From then on, there was no one in the world to shelter her from the wind and rain; she could only stumble and learn to grow up by herself.

A servant came to ask her how to deal with the wall of ink in the back street room.

Tang Buli only then remembered the half-finished rhapsody left by Zhou Yunqing and said, “Just repaint it white.”

The servant accepted the order, but Tang Buli called him back: “Wait.”

The servant turned around, and Tang Buli thought for a long time before sighing, “Never mind, leave it.”

She didn’t know why she wanted to keep that wall, perhaps because the wild, forceful writing had the power to steady one’s heart, or perhaps… simply because it would be too much of a pity to erase it.

The rhapsody was extensively referenced and magnificent in spirit. If completed, it would surely be a masterpiece praised for generations.

…

Tang Buli never expected that the first thing Zhou Yunqing would do after ranking third in the imperial examinations would be to come back to find her.

Could it be that Zhou Yunqing had returned to show off and take revenge?

After all, she had been too proud when she drove Zhou Yunqing away, too direct and blunt, not smooth and tactful enough, easily hurting feelings.

The other party was now a rising star in the court with unlimited prospects, while she was a lonely girl from a declining family. Besides gloating and mockery, she really couldn’t think of any other reason for him to visit.

The more she thought about it, the more guilty she felt. She simply had the steward close the gates and refused to see any visitors.

However, it was already too late—the third-ranked scholar stood outside the gate, insisting on seeing her.

Tang Buli had no choice but to put on a brave face and go out to meet him.

The third-ranked scholar wore a red robe, had a jade-like face, and stood tall, showing no impatience whatsoever.

Undeniably, for a moment, Tang Buli was amazed by his transformed handsome and bright appearance.

She quickly composed herself and warily asked, “What do you want?”

She deliberately used a fierce tone to conceal her current uneasiness and apprehension, which surprised Zhou Yunqing.

Then he slowly folded his sleeves and said clearly, “The Young Lady’s generous support is a debt I can never repay. Now that I have returned with honors, I come specifically to express my gratitude.”

With that, he performed a deep bow, bending to the ground.

His respectful attitude gave Tang Buli a full face.

Tang Buli felt as if she had punched cotton; all her wariness turned to bewilderment.

She understood each word Zhou Yunqing said, but put together, she couldn’t comprehend them.

The silver she had once given him to support him—hadn’t he left it behind? What generous support was he talking about?

(8)

Zhou Yunqing’s talents began to shine, becoming a favorite of the new emperor.

Even a top-ranked scholar entering the court would typically start as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, but Zhou Yunqing was directly promoted to the Court of Judicature.

He was a person so frugal that it bordered on harshness, having only two sets of official robes for spring and autumn and a few regular clothes for receiving guests, which he wore in rotation. He would never have new clothes made unless the old ones were worn out.

Therefore, he had no use for the treasures bestowed by the new emperor and the silk and satin issued by the court. He had them all sent to the Tang mansion, graciously saying: “A drop of kindness should be repaid like a gushing spring.”

Those silks and satins were all of the finest quality from the palace, truly beautiful, but Tang Buli felt truly uncomfortable.

She tried to refuse several times, but Zhou Yunqing only said: “I have no use for them. If the Young Lady doesn’t like them, they can be sold or given away.”

In any case, he refused to take them back.

Tang Buli really couldn’t stand it anymore and asked: “Why are you so good to me? Is it just because I once paid you to copy books?”

Zhou Yunqing paused, raised his eyes from his books, and said: “The Young Lady secretly sent paper, ink, and books every month to help me pass the imperial examinations. Such great kindness, I keep in my heart.”

“Monthly… paper, ink, and books?”

Tang Buli finally discovered the discrepancy: Zhou Yunqing was repaying a debt of gratitude… to the wrong person!

But who could the real person who had supported him be?

Tang Buli thought about it and could only think of one person.

“I did it in your name.”

In Zhaoyu Palace, the beautiful Empress sat smiling, telling her, “Didn’t I tell Ah Li before? Zhou Yunqing is no ordinary person—he should be well-supported.”

(9)

Yu Lingxi seemed to have foreseen Zhou Yunqing’s future glory. She supported him in Tang Buli’s name, somewhat like matchmaking for her friend.

Tang Buli felt uneasy, always feeling like a thief who had falsely claimed gratitude.

Several times, she wanted to tell the truth and tell Zhou Yunqing: that the person who supported him wasn’t her.

However, each time she saw Zhou Yunqing’s silent, reliable face, her throat seemed blocked, and she couldn’t speak.

She began to covet, began to fear. The once fiery and straightforward Young Lady of Qingping had become a hesitant coward.

Zhou Yunqing never had women around him, not even maids to serve tea and water; his household was empty and cold. So Tang Buli learned to make pastries and soups, occasionally bringing some warmth to the busy little court official who often had no time to eat.

This was the only thing she could do for Zhou Yunqing. Only in this way could she offset the guilt and struggle in her heart.

Finally, after burning the kitchen twice and making pastries so hard they nearly choked someone, Zhou Yunqing tactfully told her: “The Young Lady needn’t force herself to do things she’s not good at. Just be as usual.”

The more understanding and magnanimous he was, the more guilty Tang Buli felt.

Since she had no talent for cooking, inviting Zhou Yunqing to dine at Wangxian Tower to thank him for his care these days shouldn’t be a problem.

After the meal, Zhou Yunqing ceremoniously escorted Tang Buli home.

The two rode side by side, moving slowly, and somehow ended up at the back street room where Zhou Yunqing had once lived.

Opening the door, dust fell from the roof beams, and on the wall illuminated by the slanting sun, the vigorous characters were still clearly visible, telling of the author’s vast and unrestrained spirit.

“This rhapsody is rare throughout history. Why wasn’t it finished?”

Tang Buli stood by the wall with her arms crossed and asked.

Zhou Yunqing stood shoulder to shoulder with her, thought for a moment, and said: “My heart wasn’t at peace.”

“Why wasn’t it at peace?” Tang Buli was curious.

In her eyes, Zhou Yunqing was the type of person who wouldn’t even blink if the sky were falling.

Zhou Yunqing didn’t answer. He untied the slender silver sheath at his waist and drew it out. It wasn’t a dagger but a brush.

He carried brush and ink with him! Tang Buli was once again impressed by this bookworm.

Zhou Yunqing stood before the wall of ink, pondered briefly, and then began to complete the rhapsody.

He wrote very seriously, with his wrist suspended and eyes lowered as if performing an extremely sacred task. The warm colors of the sunset fell on his profile, gilding it with golden light, bringing out ten parts of his clear handsomeness from the original seven.

He was so upright and righteous, righteous enough to make all villains in the world ashamed.

Tang Buli opened her mouth and couldn’t hold back anymore. Gathering her courage, she said: “Actually, the person who supplied you with writing materials and books back then wasn’t me.”

A long silence followed.

It’s over, it’s over.

Tang Buli instantly deflated, frantically thinking: This bookworm hates evil as if it were a personal enemy and most despises those who are fraudulent! He must hate her now!

(10)

“Um… sorry for keeping this from you for so long.”

Tang Buli couldn’t face Zhou Yunqing anymore and hurriedly threw out these words as she rushed toward the door.

“I know.”

Zhou Yunqing’s clear voice came, fixing Tang Buli’s footsteps to the spot.

She turned around, eyes wide, and said: “What did you say?”

“I know those things weren’t given by the Young Lady.”

Zhou Yunqing finally finished the last stroke and turned to look at her. “The surprise in the Young Lady’s eyes when I came to thank you at the mansion didn’t seem fake. Finding out the truth wasn’t difficult.”

“So you’ve known the truth that early?”

Tang Buli couldn’t understand it. “Then why didn’t you expose me?”

Zhou Yunqing put away his brush and calmly said: “The Young Lady helping me was kindness, not helping is what’s expected. Besides, wasn’t it the Young Lady who came to my defense, taught me etiquette and social skills, and provided food and shelter when I was in need? Wasn’t it?”

Moreover, watching the Young Lady of Qingping anxiously trying to find ways to repay him was indeed amusing.

This was his secret, one he would never reveal.

His words filled Tang Buli with mixed emotions, her heart soaring from a valley to the clouds.

In an instant, the world seemed to brighten.

This man was infuriatingly rigid, infuriatingly tempting!

Tang Buli’s mischievous heart began to stir again.

Her heart pounded, with only one thought: she wanted to strip away Zhou Yunqing’s cold, inhuman shell and force out that flushed, morally compromised appearance from her dream.

“Does the little court official have a wife?” Tang Buli stepped forward.

Surprised by her sudden change of topic, Zhou Yunqing was momentarily stunned, then honestly nodded: “No.”

“You’re quite the catch now. So many nobles want to form marriage alliances with you, why don’t you agree?”

Tang Buli took another step forward.

“Not interested,” Zhou Yunqing answered.

“Those matchmakers must be wearing down your threshold, you must be very troubled.”

“Yes.”

“I’m also troubled by matchmakers. Since we’re bothered by the same thing, why not join forces?”

“How would we join forces?”

He took the bait.

Tang Buli took another step forward, almost pressing against Zhou Yunqing’s chest, and proudly smiled, “We get married, silencing all the gossip. How about that?”

Zhou Yunqing tensed slightly, looking down at her.

Tang Buli waited from when the slanting sun entered the door until the last rays were gone until her smile was almost impossible to maintain but still didn’t get Zhou Yunqing’s answer.

(11)

Tang Buli opened her weary eyes, having tossed and turned all night on her bed.

She belatedly realized that she had probably been rejected.

Her marriage prospects hadn’t been smooth; she had even been rejected during an engagement breakup. Being rejected once more wasn’t such a big deal…

But the one rejecting her was Zhou Yunqing! Just thinking of that bookworm’s indifferent face made her heartache.

Well, well, the flower may be willing, but the flowing water is indifferent. Rather than hanging herself on one tree, she might as well see other branches. She still had the title of Young Lady, and her appearance wasn’t bad either. Was she afraid she couldn’t attract a consort-husband?

Tang Buli tried to console herself with clenched fists, springing up from bed, but a moment later, she collapsed back into the bedding…

Her heart still ached; she had no energy.

After half a day of dazed existence, she heard a servant happily report: “Young Lady, the little court official has come.”

Tang Buli suddenly stood up from her chair. Seeing that familiar elegant figure step through the door, she slowly sat back down, crossing her arms and snorting: “What are you doing here again?”

“I returned home and thought for a long time about what the Young Lady asked yesterday…”

“Stop right there!”

Tang Buli raised her hand to stop him from continuing, saying with embarrassment, “You rejected me once yesterday, which is enough. This Young Lady is not one to pester. You don’t need to come here to humiliate me again.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yunqing’s eyes flashed with surprise.

“When did I reject you?” he asked.

Seeing his righteous demeanor, Tang Buli couldn’t contain her anger and said with a harsh tone concealing inner timidity, “Your silence was the meaning of rejection, wasn’t it? Don’t pretend to be innocent.”

Zhou Yunqing didn’t argue but opened the scroll in his hand, spreading it flat on the table.

The scroll was four or five feet long and covered densely with writing. Tang Buli didn’t want to pay attention to him, but curiosity got the better of her. She glanced at the scroll askance and said, “What is this thing?”

“Marriage document and agreement.”

Zhou Yunqing said concisely, “It’s not that I was unwilling, but I’m not good with words, so I wrote it down instead.”

Tang Buli’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, and her haughty tone lowered as she stammered, “So last night, you were writing this thing?”

“Yes.”

Zhou Yunqing said, “Marriage is not child’s play; it requires setting out the terms.”

What nonsense!

If he didn’t trust her, he shouldn’t marry her. Why create an agreement… such a long scroll, and so many characters—this wasn’t setting out three terms, it was more like three hundred!

“Let me see it!”

Tang Buli walked over, bent down to look at the small characters on the scroll, and muttered, “Husband Zhou Yunqing, wife Tang Buli…”

After reading just two lines, Tang Buli’s cheeks heated up, and she glared at him: “Nothing’s been decided yet. Who’s your wife?”

She skipped the first few lines and started from the main text: “Before marriage, the man shall give the woman a dowry of no less than ten thousand strings of cash, which cannot be taken back under any circumstances after marriage; the woman’s pre-marital property belongs solely to her, and the man may not use it under any circumstances after marriage; after marriage, if the man behaves improperly, the woman may discipline him, and the man may not object; after marriage, they shall respect each other like guests, and divorce or taking concubines is not allowed. If deliberately violated, the man shall leave with nothing…”

Tang Buli scanned from beginning to end, then from end to beginning, noticing something odd.

“Why does this agreement only restrict the man?”

“In these matters, it’s usually the woman who loses out.”

Zhou Yunqing paused, then added, “Besides, I’ve already gotten what I wanted.”

The last sentence was said very softly.

Tang Buli didn’t hear it, still examining the agreement with suspicion: “This thing isn’t a trick, is it?”

Where in the world would a windfall like this drop from? What man would willingly give his wife control of his property, private wealth, and even the right to speak without seeking any benefit?

“This scroll bears an official seal and is protected by law; naturally, it’s not fake.”

“You even had it notarized at the government office? Where?”

For Zhou Yunqing, who studied the law and was impartially strict, creating a sincere marriage agreement as a betrothal gift wasn’t difficult.

He stepped forward and, reaching from behind Tang Buli, pointed to the red seal at the very end of the scroll: “Here.”

His arm passed by her, and his clear voice fell beside her ear. Tang Buli immediately felt her earlobes tingle and hastily stood up with a flushed face, saying, “All right, all right, I believe you.”

Zhou Yunqing straightened and nodded: “If there are no objections, please sign, Young Lady.”

Their names were placed side by side at the end of the scroll. As they pressed their bright red fingerprints on it, Tang Buli felt as if she were dreaming.

“So, we’re considered engaged now?” she murmured.

“Theoretically yes, but the formal betrothal gifts and ceremonies will not be neglected.”

Zhou Yunqing looked at it for a long time before carefully rolling up the scroll and handing it to Tang Buli with both hands. “To be husband and wife, I ask for the Young Lady’s care.”

Tang Buli accepted the scroll, tossed it lightly, then caught it firmly, saying proudly: “That depends on your performance. If you don’t treat me well, this Young Lady can make you leave with nothing!”

“Of course.”

Zhou Yunqing lowered his eyes, hiding the gentle ripples in them.

If Tang Buli had looked up at that moment, she would have seen what a bright smile was in the eyes of the cold-as-ice little court official.