Feng Qingyi quietly returned to sit down beside Qin Yuchuan.
As soon as she sat down, Feng Qingyi noticed a lavishly dressed concubine sitting above her, staring at her.
Feng Qingyi met her gaze briefly, and the other woman quickly looked away.
After the celebratory banquet ended, Qin Yuchuan held Feng Qingyi's hand as they walked out of Heyin Hall. He smelled faintly of alcohol, and his face was slightly flushed.
"Are you sure you're not drunk?"
Qin Yuchuan's deep voice responded, "I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk!"
Feng Qingyi inexplicably detected a hint of pride in his tone.
"Alright, you can drink a thousand cups, you're the most impressive. But now we need to hurry back," Feng Qingyi quickened her pace.
Qin Yuchuan suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Qingqing, let me carry you back."
"...I can walk by myself!" Was he really not drunk? She was starting to have her doubts!
Qin Yuchuan seemed not to have heard Feng Qingyi's words and scooped her up in his arms.
Feng Qingyi glanced at the crowd around them. "Put me down quickly, I can walk on my own."
"No," Qin Yuchuan carried Feng Qingyi towards the palace gates, walking quite steadily. Feng Qingyi relaxed a little.
Although it was late at night, the palace lanterns were still lit, and Feng Qingyi could feel the gazes of people around them.
Finally out of the palace, Feng Qingyi discovered that her carriage was surrounded by onlookers.
A group of people gathered around, seemingly trying to figure out what kind of contraption it was.
Feng Qingyi pinched Qin Yuchuan. "Put me down quickly, there are a lot of people standing around our carriage."
"Let them be. They'll leave soon enough. Let's wait here for a bit," Qin Yuchuan set Feng Qingyi down.
Xu Linghe appeared out of nowhere. "Qingyi, that's your carriage, right? How did you manage to bring it here?"
"...I accidentally came along with the carriage," Feng Qingyi explained.
Xu Linghe: "Oh, I see. I thought you brought it on purpose!"
"Have you been to the Peng Lai Residence lately?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Xu Linghe patted her shoulder, "Don't worry! With me there, the business at Peng Lai Residence is definitely booming."
"My father is waiting for me, I have to go back with him. Remember to come visit me when you have time."
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Alright, you should hurry along then!"
The two of them only got into the carriage after the crowd at the palace gates had dispersed.
"Let's go straight back to the villa!" Since the person and carriage could come together, surely they could go back together.
Qin Yuchuan nodded, "Alright."
However, when they arrived at the villa, they realized something was wrong. While they had returned, the carriage showed no intention of following.
After several attempts to bring the carriage back, they had no choice but to drive it back to the General's Mansion.
Due to the high threshold at the entrance of the mansion, to get the carriage inside, everyone in the household had to come out in the middle of the night. It took a herculean effort to finally lift the carriage inside.
After all this trouble, it was already midnight, so the two of them decided to stay at the General's Mansion for the night.
"Ayu, what do you think is going on with that carriage?" Feng Qingyi asked, resting her head on Qin Yuchuan's arm.
Qin Yuchuan thought for a moment, "Perhaps because the carriage is from the mysterious shop and didn't come here because of us, we can't take it back."
"That makes sense. It was the same with Xuanyuan Yan last time. We'll have to wait for Guang'an to return to sort out this carriage situation."
"Get some rest now. When you're on break this week, I'll take you to see him. He seems to have something to tell us."
...
In Shengjing, at the Wenyuan Pavilion.
Qian Jue was chatting idly with some friends when someone suddenly appeared behind him.
"Qian Jue, someone's looking for you!"
Qian Jue turned around to see Qin Yuchuan. "Not spending time with your girlfriend today? What brings you here?"
Qin Yuchuan said, "I have a favor to ask today."
After exchanging a few words with his friends, Qian Jue dragged Qin Yuchuan away.
"Alright, tell me. What exactly do you want?"
Qin Yuchuan thought for a moment, "I want to marry her."
"If you want to marry her, go tell her yourself. Why are you coming to me?" Qian Jue said, somewhat exasperated.
Qin Yuchuan: "She said she wants flowers and a diamond ring."
Qian Jue: "...If you want flowers and a diamond ring, go buy them yourself! You're asking me as if I can conjure them out of thin air."
"I wanted to ask what else is needed for a proposal besides these things?" Qin Yuchuan asked.
Qian Jue: "Considering all the food she's bought for me, I'll reluctantly explain it to you. Girls from her world place a lot of importance on ceremony."
"Most proposals involve roses, a candlelit dinner, and then you present the ring and propose to her. That's generally how it goes."
Qin Yuchuan: "Is that all?"
"Think about what else she likes and prepare accordingly. Winning with quantity is also an option," Qian Jue advised.
Qin Yuchuan: "Thank you for your help today. I'll take my leave now."
Watching Qin Yuchuan's hastily departing figure, Qian Jue sighed, feeling like he was just being used as a tool.
That Guang'an fellow initially tasked him with protecting the girl, and now he's helping Qin Yuchuan settle in that world, solving various problems.
He's not only playing bodyguard but also butler, and without pay. What was in it for him?
After returning to the General's Mansion, Qin Yuchuan began preparing for the proposal.
Yan Chi and Yan Yang looked at the list of items Qin Yuchuan had given them to procure, feeling somewhat bewildered.
"General, it's already late spring. The plum blossoms and peach blossoms on your list have long since withered. Perhaps you should choose different flowers," Yan Yang suggested.
Qin Yuchuan: "If they've withered, don't you know to find someone to make artificial flowers?"
"...Wouldn't artificial flowers be a bit inappropriate? You're finally giving Miss Qingyi flowers, if they're fake, wouldn't that seem insincere?" Yan Yang shared his opinion.
Qin Yuchuan found his reasoning quite logical. "Do you have any suggestions?"
Yan Yang: "Why don't you ask Miss Qingyi what flowers she likes? That way, we can cater to her preferences and won't need to prepare so many miscellaneous flowers."
Qin Yuchuan looked at the begonias blooming beautifully in the courtyard. "She likes begonias."
Yan Yang: "There are ready-made ones right here in the courtyard, General. You can just gather a bouquet and give it to Miss Qingyi. She'll surely love it."
Qin Yuchuan thought this was a good idea. "Then we don't need to prepare the extra flowers listed. As for the other items that need to be prepared, get everything today."
Yan Chi looked at the five pages of items. "General, can't we have a few more days?"
"No, everything must be bought today," Qin Yuchuan said expressionlessly.
Yan Chi and Yan Yang exchanged a glance. "Understood, we'll get right on it!"
