"Don't worry, your father likes me very much," Yan Qinghe said with confidence.
Sunlight streamed through the latticed window into the room, falling upon the young man's spirited features and softening his angular face.
He lowered his gaze to look at the soft, delicate girl before him, smiling to reveal his even, pearly white teeth.
In that moment, Qi Huan raised her instant camera and snapped two photos.
As the film slowly printed out, Yan Qinghe reached out to gently stroke Song You'an's fluffy hair.
"You're adorable even with white hair. The medicine is potent, so use it sparingly. When I earn military merits and reach a high enough position, I'll protect you so you can be free to be yourself."
"You'an, after we get engaged tomorrow, I'll be heading to the border. The battlefield is unpredictable - if I should fall in battle, you needn't remain faithful to me..."
Yan Qinghe fell silent for a moment, his hand at his side suddenly clenching into a fist.
He gritted his teeth and said, "But I won't give you the chance to marry anyone else."
"I will definitely come back alive."
"Wait for me to return and marry you."
Song You'an raised her small face to look at him intently, enunciating each word: "I'll wait for you."
Seeing tears welling up in her eyes again, Yan Qinghe clumsily tried to console her: "Don't cry, You'an. You're even prettier when you smile."
Song You'an replied with a gentle smile, "Alright."
"You'an, I need to go pack my things now. When you finish embroidering your wedding dress, I'll be back to marry you."
Before leaving, he finally couldn't resist pulling his beloved girl into an embrace.
A moment later, Yan Qinghe reluctantly let her go and called out to Qi Huan, who was crouching in the corner: "Ah Huan, let's go."
Qi Huan walked over with a beaming smile and distributed the photos to them: "One for each of you. Keep them safe."
"You can look at them when you miss each other."
After the two carefully tucked away their photos like precious treasures, Qi Huan once again asked Song You'an to close her eyes. She then summoned Li Shuchen, pressed Yan Qinghe's sleep acupoint, and transported them to the Mingyin Teahouse.
On the way, she meticulously sorted through a batch of supplies.
Various medicines like Yunnan Baiyao, gauze bandages, as well as compasses, compressed biscuits, Swiss Army knives, bulletproof vests, and more.
She packed the pre-prepared wooden box full to the brim.
As dusk fell, the sunset's glow leapt through the carriage window onto her fingertips. She closed the box with a long sigh.
The carriage gradually came to a stop, and she released Li Shuchen and Yan Qinghe.
Looking at Yan Qinghe's sleeping profile, she asked worriedly, "Ah Shu, do we really have to let Ah He go?"
Li Shuchen pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back. His thin lips parted as he spoke slowly, "Ah He wants to go."
As the only heir of the Marquis of Wei Yuan and a son of the Yan family, Ah He had his own responsibilities and duties, as well as ideals and aspirations.
For country and family - first comes the nation, then the home.
By stopping the Western Jin dynasty's cavalry, he would be protecting not just the country, but also his beloved girl and brothers at home.
Qi Huan ultimately expressed her understanding.
She pointed at the wooden box: "When Ah He wakes up, let him pick through it and take whatever he can use."
For each item she gave to Yan Qinghe, the system awarded her ten points. This box full of supplies earned her over a thousand points in total.
Qi Huan made a wish in her heart: Please bless Ah He to return safely. This humble believer is willing to exchange ten thousand points for his safe return.
System: !
*
The next day.
As dawn broke in the east, a hush fell over the prince's mansion.
Yan Qinghe rose early to wash up, then went to knock on Li Shuchen's window: "Ah Shu, are you awake?"
"No."
"The sun's already up. Quick, wake up. We might still catch Ah Huan at the Song Mansion."
As his words faded, a rustling of footsteps finally sounded from within the room.
Li Shuchen cracked open the small window and gave him a sidelong glance: "Tell Yanwu to prepare the ceremonial gifts."
"Right away!"
At a quarter past seven in the morning.
Just as the gates of the Song Mansion opened, the gatekeeper yawned and stretched, only to see an unassuming, classical-style carriage racing towards him.
Immediately after, a man jumped down as if his backside were on fire, grinning foolishly at their mansion gates.
The gatekeeper took a closer look: it was the benefactor whom the master had once entertained... and Prince An.
He instantly perked up and waved over a servant: "Quickly, inform the master that Prince An and Young Master Yan have arrived!"
Upon hearing the news, Elder Master Song hurried out to welcome the two into the mansion for tea.
In the main hall.
He glanced at the cold-faced Li Shuchen, then at the brightly smiling Yan Qinghe, feeling a tinge of regret.
In comparison, he would have preferred young Yan to become part of the family as his niece's husband.
Old Master Song shared the same thought.
Father and son kept their thoughts to themselves as they turned to Prince An.
"To what do we owe the honor of Your Highness's visit?"
Li Shuchen drawled lazily, "I've come to propose a marriage for my younger brother."
Hearing his terse response, Yan Qinghe grew anxious and quickly added, "During the Lantern Festival, I had the fortune of meeting Miss Song. I was instantly smitten."
"I humbly request Miss Song's hand in marriage, and hope that Uncle Song will grant his blessing."
Elder Master Song's eyes widened.
After all the twists and turns, young Yan would still become their son-in-law?
Suppressing his excitement, he replied solemnly, "Xiao Yan, you've seen You'an's hair..."
"Please don't worry, Uncle. I can accept it. Miss Song is charming even with white hair."
"You child, always speaking the truth."
Elder Master Song was overjoyed but didn't immediately agree.
"We still need to ask You'an's opinion."
Yan Qinghe grinned, "Please do."
"However, I must embark on a long journey soon, and time is pressing. I've come to present a betrothal gift first. When I return in the future, I'll come to formally propose."
By then, if he couldn't return, it wouldn't affect You'an's reputation.
But he was determined to come back, to win military honors and rewards, and to welcome You'an with a grand wedding procession.
Old Master Song's shrewd gaze flicked between him and Li Shuchen. Combining this with news from the border, he vaguely guessed a thing or two.
Knowing but not speaking, he took a sip of tea.
"Young Master Yan, go with peace of mind. We'll be waiting for your return."
Seeing that even Old Master Song had given his word, Yan Qinghe's smile grew even brighter. He reverently presented his family heirloom dagger with both hands.
"This is the betrothal gift. I swear I will never betray Miss Song."
Old Master Song very much wanted to accept it immediately, but in the end, he still sent someone to ask for his granddaughter's opinion first.
An incense stick's burn later.
A maid brought back a jade pendant.
After exchanging tokens, Yan Qinghe walked as if he were floating, his whole being seemingly treading on clouds, ethereal and elated.
Returning to the prince's mansion, he immediately packed his luggage and set off for the border.
Under the warm winter sun, the silhouette of the young man on horseback gradually receded, becoming a mottled speck of light before disappearing at the end of the long street.
Atop the teahouse, Qi Huan patted Song You'an's shoulder: "You'an, it's time for us to go home."
*
Time flew like an arrow, and the months passed like a shuttle. In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year again.
The Song Mansion was decorated with lanterns and festive ornaments. Servants bustled about, busy preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner.
This year, thanks to the income from the restaurant and milk tea shop, the Song family celebrated the New Year in particular abundance.
After the evening meal, Qi Huan accompanied Elder Madam Song and Old Lady Song in a game of mahjong, while Song You'an gently played with Little Nian'en in her arms.
While the Song Mansion was filled with joy and harmony, the imperial palace was tense, like a drawn bow ready to snap at any moment.
