Chapter 46: If You Come to Marry Me, I Shall Marry You (4000 words)
Three days after Xiao Mo left Shiqiao Village.
The residence of the Qingshan County Magistrate.
Sun Siyuan, the Qingshan County Magistrate, strode towards the separate courtyard where Xiao Mo was residing.
"Xiao Mo." Sun Siyuan entered the courtyard, his face full of joy.
"Sun County Magistrate." Xiao Mo put down the book in his hand, stood up, and bowed to Sun Siyuan.
"The apprentice of Blacksmith Lei just came over and said that the item you wanted has been forged. Do you want to go pick it up now?" Sun Siyuan asked.
"Of course," Xiao Mo's eyes also flashed with a bright light, "I've troubled Sun County Magistrate a lot these past two days. The gold Sun County Magistrate lent me, I will definitely return it to you."
"Hahahaha, no rush, no rush, it's just a bit of gold," Sun County Magistrate said with a smile.
Two days ago, after Xiao Mo arrived in Qingshan City, he found Sun County Magistrate and expressed that he wanted to borrow some gold to forge an item.
Originally, Sun Siyuan was worrying about what to give Xiao Mo that would not seem vulgar yet could deepen their relationship.
After all, once Xiao Mo entered officialdom, he would see him less often.
However, after Xiao Mo passed the imperial examination, he was not short of money, and he seemed to be a person without desires.
Many gentry members had given him things, but he had not accepted any.
So Sun County Magistrate truly didn't know where to start.
Therefore, when Xiao Mo proactively sought his help, Sun County Magistrate almost laughed out loud.
Sun County Magistrate generously took out a gold ingot and introduced Xiao Mo to the best blacksmith in Qingshan County.
Xiao Mo gave the blacksmith the design drawing.
Because it was a small item and did not require any inlay, only a little engraving, it could be finished in two days.
So Xiao Mo wanted to stay in Qingshan County.
But how could Sun County Magistrate let Xiao Mostay in an inn?
He pulled Xiao Mo into his own residence, where he had been staying until now.
In fact, Sun County Magistrate wished Xiao Mo would never return that bit of gold.
That way, Xiao Mo would owe him a favor.
Sometimes, when both parties willingly owe each other something, their friendship deepens.
The only two regrets Sun County Magistrate had were:
Firstly, the item Xiao Mo wanted to forge was small, and not much gold was needed, so this favor couldn't be made any bigger.
Sun County Magistrate wanted to give the remaining gold to Xiao Mo, but Xiao Mo politely refused and would not accept it no matter what.
Secondly, Xiao Mo still showed no interest in his daughter.
Sun County Magistrate had tried every persuasion, letting Xiao Mo stay in his residence not only to deepen their relationship but also to allow his daughter to be seen more by Xiao Mo.
Sun County Magistrate was quite confident in his daughter's appearance.
Although Xiao Mo had rejected him last time, this time, the two could interact.
What if Xiao Mo thought, "This girl isn't bad," and changed his mind?
During meals, Xiao Mo and Young Miss Sun met several times.
When Xiao Mo was reading, Sun County Magistratedeliberately had his daughter deliver tea.
After these two days of interaction, the result was that Young Miss Sun was indeed somewhat smitten with Xiao Mo.
However, Xiao Mo never looked at Young Miss Sun more than once.
In fact, Young Miss Sun even asked her father to find a way for her to marry Xiao Mo.
But what method could Sun County Magistrate think of?
Sun County Magistrate had investigated.
Xiao Mo's beloved was likely that Bai Guniang from Shiqiao Village, not to mention her appearance.
That Bai Guniang had always taken care of Xiao Mo, weaving cloth and gathering herbs to earn silver for his studies.
If he truly used some means, not only would Xiao Moresent him, but if it got out, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
One could only say that Xiao Mo and his daughter were not destined.
An incense stick later, Xiao Mo and Sun County Magistrate arrived at the entrance of Blacksmith Lei's shop.
"County Magistrate, Mr. Xiao." Blacksmith Lei, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, quickly came out, bare-chested, and bowed to them in the manner of a scholar.
"Blacksmith Lei, is the item Mr. Xiao wanted ready?" Sun County Magistrate asked.
"Ready, ready, please wait a moment, two sirs."
Blacksmith Lei washed his hands in a water bucket, then dried them with a clean towel, before taking out a brocade box from a cabinet: "Please, two sirs, take a look."
"Thank you for your hard work, Blacksmith Lei." Xiao Mo took the brocade box with both hands and opened it.
A glittering golden object appeared before Xiao Moand Sun County Magistrate's eyes.
Sun County Magistrate leaned in to look and nodded, acknowledging that Blacksmith Lei's craftsmanship was indeed excellent.
Of course, Xiao Mo's design on the blueprint was also beautiful.
Blacksmith Lei looked at the future high-ranking official, the top scholar, and said nervously, "Mr. Xiao, are you satisfied?"
Xiao Mo nodded: "Satisfied."
Blacksmith Lei breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that Mr. Xiao is satisfied."
"Blacksmith Lei, you don't need to give change for your wages." Seeing Xiao Mo satisfied, Sun County Magistrate tossed Blacksmith Lei a small piece of silver.
Xiao Mo could afford the wages, but precisely because Xiao Mo could afford it, Sun County Magistrate paid quickly, afraid that Xiao Mo would pay first.
"Thank you, County Magistrate, thank you, Mr. Xiao." Blacksmith Lei quickly expressed his gratitude; this was nearly four times the usual wage.
"Xiao Mo, since the matter is settled, shall we go for a drink?" Sun County Magistrate invited.
Xiao Mo quickly bowed, his tone apologetic: "Thank you for your kindness, Sun County Magistrate, but I'm afraid I must return first."
"So urgent?" Sun County Magistrate asked in surprise.
"There is someone who has been waiting for me for a long time," Xiao Mo said, looking at the brocade box. "I don't want her to wait any longer."
"Sister, eat something."
"Sister is not hungry."
"But Sister, you haven't eaten for two or three days."
"It's fine, Sister, I can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, so I don't need to eat."
"Sister..." Xiao Qing sighed.
Ever since Xiao Da ge left, Sister seemed to have lost her soul, sitting in the courtyard every day, waiting for Xiao Da ge to return.
Last night, Sister heard some noise and excitedly ran out, thinking Xiao Da ge had returned, but it turned out to be weasels trying to steal the chickens in the yard.
Sister, in a fit of anger, threw all those weasels into the river.
"Xiao Mo, do you think he dislikes Sister now?" Bai Ruxue held her sister's small hand and asked nervously.
"Sister... Xiao Da ge doesn't look like he dislikes Sister at all, does he?" Xiao Qing said helplessly.
"Then why isn't Xiao Mo coming back? What if he went with another girl?"
"Oh, Sister," Xiao Qing felt a bit tired, "Xiao Da ge said he was going to forge something and would be back in a couple of days. Xiao Da ge should be back today."
"Oh, alright."
Bai Ruxue nodded, still looking at the small path outside the courtyard.
Even though Xiao Qing said so, Bai Ruxue's heart remained very anxious.
"Could it be that what I said that night scared Xiao Moaway?"
"What if Xiao Mo doesn't want to fulfill his promise anymore?"
"Or did Xiao Mo think Sun County Magistrate's daughter was indeed good, and went to Qingshan County to marry her?"
In Bai Ruxue's mind, all sorts of conjectures kept bubbling up uncontrollably.
The more she thought, the more worried Bai Ruxuebecame, and her beautiful peach blossom eyes gradually became covered with a thin layer of mist.
"Eh? Sister, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Xiao Qing was startled.
"Sister, don't cry..." Xiao Qing was at a loss, not knowing how to comfort her sister.
Just as Xiao Qing was flustered, she saw a figure appear not far down the path, walking step by step towards the courtyard.
When she clearly saw the man's figure and appearance, Xiao Qing's eyes suddenly lit up: "Sister! Xiao Da ge is back!"
"Eh?"
Bai Ruxue suddenly looked up and gazed out towards the courtyard.
When Xiao Mo saw Bai Ruxue looking at him with teary eyes, he thought something had happened and quickly quickened his pace.
"What's wrong? Has anything happened these past few days I've been away?" Xiao Mo asked the two sisters.
"Xiao Da ge, nothing happened. I told Sister you'd be back in two days, but Sister—"
Xiao Qing was halfway through her sentence when her wrist was tugged by her sister, so she could only swallow the rest of her words.
Xiao Mo's gaze fell upon Bai Ruxue standing before him.
The girl at this moment had her head bowed, her cheeks flushed, her eyes wet, and her curled eyelashes still held tears.
Xiao Mo roughly guessed what had happened.
It was likely that this girl suspected he had abandoned her and run away.
Or perhaps she suspected he went to Qingshan County to marry Sun County Magistrate's daughter.
"Xiao Qing, take this pot of wine to the village chief. It's a gift from Sun County Magistrate." Xiao Mohanded a small jar of wine to Xiao Qing.
"Okay, Xiao Da ge."
Xiao Qing took the wine, glanced at Xiao Da ge and her sister, then quickly ran out.
She knew Xiao Da ge wanted to be alone with her sister and wanted her to leave for a bit.
Xiao Qing had no objections.
Given her sister's current state, only Xiao Da ge could comfort her.
In the courtyard, only Xiao Mo and Bai Ruxueremained.
Bai Ruxue kept her small head bowed, her small hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes, her little red nose sniffing. Her pitiful appearance made one feel sorry for her, yet also found her somewhat endearing.
Xiao Mo smiled, reached out, and wiped away the tears from Bai Ruxue's eyes: "Don't cry, haven't I returned?"
Bai Ruxue still kept her small head bowed, not speaking.
"I brought back two strings of candied hawthorn. They're in my satchel. Do you want to eat candied hawthorn?"
Bai Ruxue still didn't answer, only gently biting her thin lips.
"Then do you want to eat osmanthus cake? Fang's osmanthus cake is quite good; I brought some too."
Bai Ruxue still didn't respond.
Xiao Mo felt a bit at a loss.
Indeed, the girl had just said those things to him two days ago, and he hadn't reacted at all, even running off for two or three days without returning home. This was indeed quite excessive.
And just as Xiao Mo was thinking about how to coax her.
Bai Ruxue extended her delicate small hand, her slender fingers gently tugging at Xiao Mo's clothes.
The summer breeze swept by, gently rustling the girl's skirt. The originally loose long dress clung to her body, outlining her graceful and winding curves.
A few strands of her hair gently swayed.
The wind carried the scent of forest grass and earth, as well as the girl's faint fragrance.
"Xiao Mo... I was wrong..."
The girl's voice was very soft, like a butterfly gently resting on a flower petal.
"What did you do wrong?" Xiao Mo didn't know why she was apologizing.
"I... I shouldn't have felt Life Qi towards you in my heart..."
Her voice carried a hint of a sob.
"I shouldn't have kept thinking about wanting your answer."
"And I shouldn't have secretly cursed you behind your back, saying you were a big stinker and that what you said before didn't count..."
"Xiao Mo..."
Bai Ruxue looked up, her beautiful peach blossom eyes glistening with tears, as if peach blossoms made of glazed glass were immersed in clear spring water.
"I will definitely be very obedient from now on."
"I won't throw tantrums anymore."
"I can just secretly like you in my heart."
"What you said before, I can pretend I didn't hear it."
"And I don't want you to marry me anymore."
"But Xiao Mo, please don't leave me again, okay?"
As the girl's voice fell, crystal tears slowly slid down her fair face, dropping unimpeded to the ground. The scattered droplets shimmered with the light of late summer, then fell into the soil, slowly seeping in.
Xiao Mo reached out and gently stroked her cheek, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes:
"Silly girl, you didn't do anything wrong, and I won't leave you. Besides, you're already very obedient, and furthermore..."
Xiao Mo smiled: "Who said what I said before doesn't count?"
"Eh?" Bai Ruxue was stunned.
"This time I went to Qingshan Town because I wanted to make something for you. This item takes two or three days to make, and it's quite a long trip to Qingshan City, so I just waited there. As soon as it was ready, I immediately rushed back to give it to you."
Xiao Mo took out the brocade box from his embrace, then held Bai Ruxue's small hand, opened her palm, and placed the brocade box into her palm: "Open it and see."
Bai Ruxue looked at the brocade box in her palm and ignorantly opened it.
A golden ring met the girl's eyes.
The ring was engraved with exquisite patterns.
Upon closer inspection, it somewhat resembled ziyang grass and qinglong flower.
"This ring..." Bai Ruxue stared blankly at Xiao Mo.
"In our hometown, there's a custom: if a man and woman have feelings for each other, the man will use a ring to propose to the woman. If the woman agrees, the man will place the ring on her right ring finger. There's a saying, 'An unknown person, whose heart already belongs.'
This time I went to Qingshan Town, it was to make this ring.
So...
Ru Xue, are you willing to wear this ring, are you willing to marry me?"
"I..."
Bai Ruxue looked at the ring, and tears once again streamed from the corners of her eyes.
"I'm not willing..."
The girl looked up and said.
"Hmm?"
"I'm not willing right now."
Bai Ruxue stared dazedly at the man in front of her.
"Chen Yi said that getting married is very troublesome; it requires banquets, guests, and all sorts of procedures.
But it's already late summer, and next March, you will have to go to the capital for the metropolitan examination.
You said when you were little that you wanted to be an official.
This is a crucial period for your exam preparation; how can I let you be distracted?"
"Next year..."
Bai Ruxue tightly clasped the ring to her chest.
"Next spring, when you return from the metropolitan examination.
You come to marry me.
And I shall marry you."