After calming down, Fang Shubai convinced himself that Han Sheng had only said those words to provoke him.
There was no way Han Sheng would actually marry Ruan Qingli.
Even so, he was genuinely furious.
In his mind, although Ruan Qingli had temporarily left him, she was still his woman—someone who belonged to him alone.
Han Sheng’s actions were nothing less than a challenge to his bottom line.
Fine.
He would wait and see how long Han Sheng could keep up the act.
Besides, he firmly believed that Ruan Qingli would never marry Han Sheng.
Unless she was a fool.
The Fang family owned hundreds of acres of fertile farmland. The annual rent alone brought in over a hundred taels of silver, not to mention the income from their estate.
In all of Willow Town, he was the only one who had earned the title of scholar.
Their spacious two-courtyard residence was built entirely of brick and tile.
What did Han Sheng have?
Some rough soldier from who knew where, three run-down thatched cottages, and a meager monthly salary.
How could he possibly compare?
A poor constable without even an official rank.
As for himself…
He was destined to become a high-ranking official someday.
Hearing him smashing things inside, Madam Zhou came in to comfort her son.
“What are you so angry about? Has that little vixen really bewitched you? Your fourth sister and I were hiding nearby just now, and we heard everything that Han fellow said. Don’t worry—he’ll never really marry that woman. He’s just after her body.”
Madam Zhou’s words made Fang Shubai’s heart skip a beat.
If Ali really became intimate with another man…
Wouldn’t his own secret be impossible to hide?
No.
He had to bring her back as soon as possible.
Besides, his health seemed to be improving lately.
The reason he and Ali had drifted apart before was because they had never consummated their marriage.
Once he was fully capable again, he would have Ali bear him several children, and their life would naturally fall back into place.
Madam Zhou continued,
“Shubai, hurry and tidy yourself up. Change into a fresh set of clothes. Miss Lin will be coming over later. She’s been visiting every day lately. She claims she’s here to see your fourth sister, but I can tell she’s really here for you.”
The moment his mother brought up the subject, Fang Shubai grew irritated.
Lin Yutao wasn’t even close to Ruan Qingli’s beauty.
One was a lotus blooming above clear water.
The other was merely a wildflower by the roadside.
How could they possibly compare?
Sometimes Fang Shubai wondered how Ruan Qingli’s skin could be so flawless.
Even after being exposed to wind and sun, it remained fair with a healthy rosy glow, like the finest white jade.
Not a single pore could be seen.
After becoming accustomed to delicacies from the mountains and seas, how could he possibly settle for coarse peasant fare?
Besides…
Given his current condition, he didn’t dare test himself with anyone else.
“Mother, how many times have I told you? Stay out of my affairs.”
Madam Zhou patiently continued persuading him.
“Other matters I can leave alone, but how can I ignore your marriage? Our Fang family has only you to carry on the family line. I’m still waiting to hold a grandson.”
“You’ll have your grandson.”
“Just give me a little more time.”
“By next year, you’ll be holding one.”
At the neighboring Han residence…
After returning home, Ruan Qingli deliberately avoided Han Sheng.
She busied herself nonstop.
After finishing one chore, she immediately found another.
She wiped the same table over and over again as though there were endless work to be done.
During dinner, Han Sheng noticed she was eating only plain rice without touching any of the dishes.
He picked up some food and placed it in her bowl.
“Why aren’t you eating any vegetables?”
“I’m not hungry.”
Han Sheng smiled at her.
“So you’ll talk to me now? You’re not avoiding me anymore?”
Ruan Qingli’s face immediately turned bright red.
Han Sheng looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness.
“Ali, you still haven’t answered my question.”
“What question?”
“Will you marry me?”
Ruan Qingli gently bit her lip before setting down her bowl and chopsticks.
“Young Master Han… are you serious? I’ve been married before, and… I can’t have children.”
“Ali, none of that matters to me. After we’re married, I’ll take you to Youzhou City and find the best physician to treat you. And if you still can’t have children afterward, we’ll adopt some.”
“Young Master Han… do you truly mean that? But… will your family agree?”
“I’ve already fallen out with my family. I’m alone now. Ali, life with me may be difficult. Are you afraid?”
Ruan Qingli immediately shook her head.
She answered with complete conviction.
“I’m not afraid of hardship. Besides, I still have some savings now. In the future, I can work and help support our family.”
“I can take care of you.”
It was the first time any woman had ever said she would support him.
Han Sheng couldn’t help laughing.
“So… you’re saying yes?”
Ruan Qingli shyly nodded.
“Then let’s spend the next couple of days preparing and choose an auspicious date for our wedding.”
“All right.”
As if suddenly remembering something, Ruan Qingli stood up.
“Young Master Han, stand up.”
“Call me Ah Sheng.”
“All right… Ah Sheng, stand up.”
Although he had no idea what she intended to do, Han Sheng obediently rose to his feet.
Walking up to him, Ruan Qingli said,
“Since we’re getting married, we should make a couple of new outfits. Don’t move. I’ll take your measurements so I can buy fabric tomorrow.”
“Ali, you don’t have to work so hard. We can simply buy ready-made clothes.”
“But that would cost much more.”
“I’ll pay for them.”
“Where are you going to get the money?”
“I… I’ll borrow some from Su Mingyuan first. Since we’re getting married, I don’t want you to feel wronged.”
“There’s no need to spend so extravagantly. I’m marrying you because I want to build a life together. As long as you treat me well, I won’t feel deprived. We can slowly buy the things we need later. There’s no need to do everything at once.”
“All right.”
“We’ll do it your way.”
Ruan Qingli looked up at him and smiled.
The smile was gentle…
And filled with happiness.
“Don’t move around. If you keep moving, I won’t be able to measure properly.”
Han Sheng’s heartbeat quickened as she measured him.
Since she didn’t have a measuring tape, she used her hands instead.
Her fingers traced across his body, while her warm breath brushed against him.
It tickled.
And stirred other unfamiliar sensations as well.
“Han Sheng, bend down a little. You’re too tall. I can’t reach your shoulders.”
“Oh… all right.”
After measuring his shoulders, she moved on to his waist.
Han Sheng’s heart pounded even harder.
He vaguely heard her mutter,
“Such broad shoulders… but such a slim waist… and these long legs…”
Her voice was barely audible.
Even so, Han Sheng heard every word.
A small sense of pride swelled inside him.
Was Ali… secretly complimenting his figure?
When she finally finished, both of them seemed to let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Seeing Ruan Qingli’s rosy cheeks, Han Sheng found his thoughts beginning to wander.
For some reason, he suddenly remembered what had happened between them in the carriage.
Almost as if possessed, he wrapped an arm around Ruan Qingli’s waist.
Before she could react, he lowered his head and kissed her soft lips.
Ruan Qingli was completely stunned.
She had no idea what Han Sheng was doing.
Yet…
It felt strangely wonderful.
His lips were soft.
Pressed against hers, the sensation was unfamiliar, almost peculiar…
Yet she inexplicably liked it.
She had experienced something vaguely similar before…
But never this intensely.
She couldn’t even describe what she wanted.
She only knew her body felt both uncomfortable and comforted at the same time, as though fire and water were mingling together.
It was an incredibly strange feeling.
When Han Sheng realized Ruan Qingli wasn’t responding, he assumed he had overstepped.
He quickly let her go.
“I’m sorry, Ali… I couldn’t control myself.”
He expected her to scold him in anger.
Instead, she looked at him in confusion and asked,
“Han Sheng… why did you bite me?”