Xuanyuan Xi suddenly remembered something, "The Grand Master of Guanyuan Temple is quite skilled. Qin Yuchuan, if you have time, you should pay him a visit. Perhaps you could learn something from him."
"I understand. I will go if I have time," Qin Yuchuan replied.
After lunch, Qin Yuchuan returned to his courtyard. Compared to his days in the military, his current life was too relaxed.
He must be prepared and take precautions, as some things needed to be arranged in advance.
On the other hand, Feng Qingyi, who had attended a guqin lesson in the morning, felt exhausted.
Learning the ancient guqin was truly difficult. The female teacher who taught her was quite fierce. Couldn't they assign a charming and graceful teacher like the one for martial arts?
She wanted to complain, but there was no way. How tiring!
When Feng Qingyi arrived at the classroom, she found all her classmates staring at her. What was happening now?
Shen Hanyue waved at Feng Qingyi, who hurried over.
"What's going on with them? Why are they looking at me like that?"
Shen Hanyue shook her head, "I don't know either. Maybe they're envious and jealous."
Feng Qingyi sighed helplessly. She took her textbook from Shen Hanyue's desk. Class was about to start, so she should focus on studying.
Her study life was back on track. Feng Qingyi's schedule was tightly packed. The guqin lesson was scheduled after lunch, and the martial arts class after dinner. Every day was fulfilling, so fulfilling that she had no time to think about anything else.
At Jin Zun Tower, the premier restaurant in Shengjing City, Qin Yuchuan and his friends were chatting idly in a private room.
"Yuchuan, what are your plans this time?" Shangguan Yi asked.
Shangguan Yi, Chu Sixing, and Xu Liyan were friends Qin Yuchuan had known since childhood at the academy. The four of them had been close since young, and their bond remained strong despite not seeing each other for a long time.
Shangguan Yi came from a wealthy merchant family and enjoyed indulging in pleasure.
Xu Liyan was from the nobility, graceful and humble, treating others with warmth and gaining a good reputation in Shengjing City.
Chu Sixing's ability to stick around these men was solely due to his talent for socializing. He was lively, fond of lively gatherings, and a chatterbox.
Qin Yuchuan raised his teacup, "What plans could I have? I'll just take it one step at a time."
"That doesn't sound like you," Xu Liyan spoke.
Qin Yuchuan took a sip of tea, "For now, that's all I can do."
"In my opinion, you shouldn't have come back. You should have stayed in the desert, where the emperor's reach is limited, and you could do as you pleased," Shangguan Yi remarked casually.
Qin Yuchuan replied, "His Majesty decreed for me to return to the capital. How could I disobey?"
Xu Liyan said, "Be careful of walls with ears. Let's not discuss unpleasant matters today. I heard from my mother that the princess is planning to arrange a marriage for you. Are you interested in anyone?"
Qin Yuchuan shook his head slightly, "I have declined. His Majesty is wary of me. How could he allow me to marry a noble lady? Moreover, I already have someone in mind."
"Someone you fancy? The clothes and jewelry you bought last time were for her, weren't they?" Chu Sixing suddenly spoke up.
Qin Yuchuan did not deny it, for he had indeed gifted them to her.
Shangguan Yi grew curious, "Whose family is this woman Yuchuan fancies?"
"She is not from Shengjing." In fact, she was not even from this world.
Shangguan Yi said, "Then she must be someone you met in the desert. You should bring her back with you sometime for us to meet."
Qin Yuchuan hesitated for a moment, "I fancy her, but she is unaware of it. Is there a way for me to express my feelings to her?"
The three men were stunned, having never expected Qin Yuchuan to be in an unrequited love.
As the renowned playboy of Shengjing, Shangguan Yi considered himself quite experienced in such matters.
"It's simple. If you like someone, give her gifts – gold, silver, pearls, silk, and satin. She'll understand your intentions!"
Qin Yuchuan was familiar with Shangguan Yi's ways and knew that over the years, he had won the hearts of many women with wealth and gifts.
But his little girl was not like those women. Comparing her to them would be an insult.
"She doesn't care for gold, silver, pearls, or silk and satin."
Shangguan Yi asked in disbelief, "How could that be? Then what does she like?"
"I don't know." If he knew, would he be seeking their advice?
Xu Liyan pondered for a moment, "If Yuchuan doesn't know, then ask her. Gifts should match her interests."
Chu Sixing chimed in, "I agree with Liyan. What Shangguan said only works for courtesans or vain women. Noblewomen these days don't lack for money."
"Are there no other ways besides gifts?" Surely, there must be other methods.
Shangguan Yi said, "There is another way. You can directly take her as your wife, and then cultivate feelings. Once you have her, it's only a matter of time before you win her heart."
Qin Yuchuan felt that discussing this with them was a waste of time. He would be better off reading some romantic novels.
"You all continue. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
Watching Qin Yuchuan leave, Shangguan Yi asked, "What's with him? Was there anything wrong with what I said?"
Chu Sixing shook his head, "It didn't seem like it. Perhaps he plans to send someone to propose marriage? But it's quite a distance from Shengjing to the desert."
Xu Liyan stood up, "He's not going to propose. He just thinks Shangguan's suggestion wasn't appropriate. Let's gather again another day. I'll also take my leave."
Qin Yuchuan sensed someone following him and slowed his pace.
Xu Liyan walked beside him, "It's rare for you to be troubled by matters of the heart."
"I'm not a god," Qin Yuchuan said.
Xu Liyan chuckled lightly, "You've changed a lot over the years. Whether that change is good or bad, others have no right to comment. But you should be clear about it yourself."
"If you truly care for someone, and that person is worthy of your affection, then all you need is sincerity. You don't need wealth or benefits to accompany it."
"After all, you know that although Shangguan is a philanderer, he is the coldest among us. His women are only after his wealth, but I doubt the one you admire is like that."
Qin Yuchuan said, "Thank you."
"You've just returned to Shengjing, and many eyes are watching you. Be cautious in all matters. If you need anything, you can come to me."
"Very well." Qin Yuchuan did not refuse Xu Liyan's goodwill, but whether he would seek him out later remained to be seen.
After parting with Xu Liyan, Qin Yuchuan saw a street vendor selling sugar figurines.
"This rabbit, let me have one."
The elderly sugar figurine vendor handed a rabbit figurine to Qin Yuchuan, "Take it carefully, young sir."
After paying, Qin Yuchuan looked at the rabbit sugar figurine in his hand and decided to send it to Feng Qingyi.
These past few days, she had been replying slowly to the messages he sent her, and he wanted to see her a little.
