By the time the group arrived at the main compound, everything looked just as it always had.

Led by brothers who came out to receive them, they all dismounted and headed inside.

Having learned that Feng Jiu’er was coming, Zhao Xiaoxiao had been waiting in a small corner for quite some time.

Yet after catching sight of the people on the main path, she turned and ran.

Everyone had seen Zhao Xiaoxiao’s appearance.

Tuoba Keyan, who had been taking two steps forward, withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er waved her hand and said softly: “Since you want to see her, go find her yourself. Today’s matter doesn’t require you to be present.”

“Alright.” Tuoba Keyan gave a nod, turned, and strode off in the direction Zhao Xiaoxiao had gone.

“Miss, slow down! Miss, your body isn’t fully recovered — please slow down!” Two maids kept chasing after Zhao Xiaoxiao.

Zhao Xiaoxiao did not know what she herself intended to do. She left the side room and headed straight toward the back mountain.

These past few days, it was not that she had not been thinking of Jian Yi — she thought of him often, even longed to see him. But given her current circumstances, what good would seeing him do?

Zhao Xiaoxiao had not known that Tuoba Keyan had come as well. Just now, seeing him walking toward her, she had turned and run.

Why did she fear him? That she did not know either.

“Xiaoxiao.” Suddenly, a man overtook the two maids and caught up to her.

Zhao Xiaoxiao heard Tuoba Keyan’s voice and gave a brief start.

Just as she was about to take another step, Tuoba Keyan was already before her.

Tuoba Keyan took Zhao Xiaoxiao’s hand, his face filled with a gentle expression.

Zhao Xiaoxiao merely glanced up at him, then immediately lowered her head: “What is it you need from me?”

“Why did you run at the sight of me?” Tuoba Keyan furrowed his thick brows and asked.

Zhao Xiaoxiao withdrew her hand from Tuoba Keyan’s palm and shook her head: “I didn’t — I didn’t see you.”

“Do you see me now?” Tuoba Keyan extended a long finger and tilted Zhao Xiaoxiao’s chin upward.

Compelled, Zhao Xiaoxiao raised her head and looked at the person before her, pressed her lips softly together, and gave a nod: “I see you.”

“You came looking for me — do you need something? Jiu’er’s side must be very busy right now. You should get back quickly.”

Tuoba Keyan swept one arm and drew Zhao Xiaoxiao into his embrace.

“You…” Zhao Xiaoxiao looked up at Tuoba Keyan, her eyes going wide.

After a brief daze, she reached out both hands and pushed against him: “Let — let go.”

Tuoba Keyan held Zhao Xiaoxiao’s gaze for a moment, then released her and dropped to his knees.

“Xiaoxiao.” He raised his eyes, looking at the woman before him with deep feeling. “Marry me.”

Zhao Xiaoxiao stared at him without blinking, utterly stunned.

“Xiaoxiao.” Kneeling there, Tuoba Keyan took her small hand in his. “These past few days, I’ve thought about a great many things.”

“Marry me. I can certainly give you happiness — I will do even better than Jian Yi. Trust me, will you?”

The two maids who had been following along had no idea what was happening.

They watched as a man proposed marriage to their young miss, froze in place, covered their mouths with their hands, and were too moved to speak.

Zhao Xiaoxiao had also not expected Tuoba Keyan to pull something like this. Had he not said he would give her more time to think it over? Why, the moment he arrived, had it come to this?

Tuoba Keyan held Zhao Xiaoxiao’s hand and gazed deep into her eyes, his melodious voice continuing: “Xiaoxiao, say yes — will you?”

Zhao Xiaoxiao bit her lip, a faint redness forming in the corners of her eyes.

She did not know what kind of feelings she held for Tuoba Keyan. His face would float to the surface of her mind at times — in her thoughts, in her dreams.

Yet every time she was fully awake and clear-headed, the one she longed for was still Jian Yi — not him, not Tuoba Keyan.

Tuoba Keyan watched the tear that slid from the corner of Zhao Xiaoxiao’s eye and stood, drawing her into his arms.

“From now on, no matter how large or small the matter, leave it to me to handle — no need for you to worry.”

“But I don’t know…” Zhao Xiaoxiao shook her head and cut through Tuoba Keyan’s words in a hushed, hoarse voice.

“Don’t think about it — I’ll sort everything out.” Tuoba Keyan drew in a deep breath and continued: “Your father and mother — I’ll handle them too.”

“As long as you’re willing, whatever conditions they put forward, I’ll agree to all of them.”

“Xiaoxiao, you are a good girl. I cannot let you down — do you understand?”

Zhao Xiaoxiao sobbed quietly in Tuoba Keyan’s embrace for a while, then finally gave a nod.

Tuoba Keyan lowered his gaze to meet hers, his excitement shining in his eyes: “Xiaoxiao, are you saying yes?”

Zhao Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together and gave another mute nod.

“Wonderful!” Tuoba Keyan’s eyes glowed with elation. “You said yes — this is truly wonderful! Come, let’s go back and tell your father and mother.”

Tuoba Keyan took Zhao Xiaoxiao’s hand and turned to head back.

In the sunlight, Zhao Xiaoxiao looked at the smile at the corner of Tuoba Keyan’s mouth, and the tight knot between her brows slowly eased open.

In the main hall, Zhao Qingshan sat in the seat of honor, with his wife on one side and his son on the other.

Beside the Lady of the House, there was a small place left open — usually reserved for Zhao Xiaoxiao.

To the right of the seat of honor, Elder Feng Qinhuai sat in the first position; seated second was Zhao Zhuosheng — Zhao Yusheng’s sworn brother.

Feng Jiu’er sat in the first position to the left of the seat of honor, with Qiao Mu beside her, and Jian Yi standing guard at Feng Jiu’er’s side.

As Tuoba Keyan led Zhao Xiaoxiao in through the door, the servants had just finished setting out the meal for everyone.

Seeing their own daughter being led in by a man, the Old Master and his wife immediately furrowed their brows.

Zhao Xiaoxiao glanced up at the people in the main hall, then immediately withdrew her hand from Tuoba Keyan’s palm.

Head lowered, she stepped inside.

Tuoba Keyan did not stop. He followed close behind Zhao Xiaoxiao.

Before the Zhao Family Stronghold members had even had time to react, Tuoba Keyan came to the center of the hall, took Zhao Xiaoxiao’s hand once more, and bent his knee to the ground.

“Old Master, Madam — please give Xiaoxiao to me. In this lifetime, I will be devoted to her and her alone.”

Zhao Xiaoxiao’s eyes went wide. She looked down at Tuoba Keyan, then turned her gaze back to the people in the seat of honor.

“Father, Mother, I…”

“Xiaoxiao — what is going on exactly?” Zhao Qingshan fixed his eyes on Zhao Xiaoxiao and demanded.

“Father…” Zhao Xiaoxiao had never once been like this.

One could say that ever since she had rescued Jian Yi and brought him back, her character had been gradually changing, and after she went out and returned home injured this time, her temperament had grown even more withdrawn and difficult to read.

What had happened between her and Tuoba Keyan that night — even Zhao Qingshan and his wife were unaware of it.

All they knew was that Zhao Xiaoxiao had suffered a great fright; everything else, no matter how they asked, she would not say.

No one had anticipated that, of all things, a man would suddenly come to propose marriage.

“Xiaoxiao.” Tuoba Keyan gave Zhao Xiaoxiao a reassuring look, then let his gaze fall back to Zhao Qingshan.

“Old Master, I was formerly a man of the Mohechi Kingdom. I was rescued by Jiu’er and have since followed her through countless battles east and west.”

“Though I have nothing to my name at present, as long as you are willing to give Xiaoxiao to me, I will certainly make her happy.”

Tuoba Keyan released Zhao Xiaoxiao, bent at the waist, and knelt down.

“Old Master, please grant your blessing!”