“You’ve already had His Majesty issue the edict for the marriage, and now you come asking us to bless it? You really are becoming more capable by the day!”
The Princess Yongping spoke with increasing anger, her brows tightly furrowed. “That Su Fu is merely the daughter of a fourth-rank minister in the Ministry of Revenue—how could she possibly marry into the General’s household!”
Xiao Junhe turned his gaze toward Xiao Yinghuai.
Seeing his son looking at him, Xiao Yinghuai avoided eye contact and cleared his throat.
“Ahem! Madam, although Su Fu’s status is admittedly modest, His Majesty has already issued the edict, and it cannot be changed. Besides, haven’t you always wished for your son to marry soon? Well, now he is willing to do so…”
The Princess Yongping shot Xiao Yinghuai a cold glance. Here was the General who commanded tens of thousands of troops on the battlefield, yet at this moment, he dared not utter another word, covering his mouth nervously.
Xiao Junhe’s eyes were resolute, showing not the slightest hint of hesitation. “Mother, though Su Fu is only the daughter of a Ministry official, she is unlike other women. Once you get to know her, I am certain your opinion of her will change.”
“A marriage is not something to be treated so lightly!” the Princess rebuked sharply. “Even if she has some special qualities, it is not enough to justify such recklessness on your part.”
A deep determination flashed in Xiao Junhe’s eyes. “My choice is not made on impulse. I have long held affection for her. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but Su Fu. I hope Mother will bless our union!”
The Princess’s expression shifted. “No wonder you told me before that you didn’t wish to marry—so it wasn’t that you didn’t want to… Has she bewitched you somehow, making you so insistent on marrying her?”
“Mother, no! This edict I obtained myself, asking His Majesty on my own. She had no knowledge of it.”
Seeing her son so steadfast and resolute, the Princess felt a complicated surge of emotion. She took a deep breath, attempting to soften her tone.
“Since you have taken it upon yourself to petition His Majesty for this marriage, what use is it if I now say I disapprove? If you truly like her and insist on marrying her, then I hope she will not disappoint your devotion.”
With that, the Princess rose, swishing her sleeves, and left. Xiao Yinghuai hurried to follow her, giving Xiao Junhe a reassuring wink as he passed by.
..
Lanxiang Pavilion.
Su Fu handed the letter she had written to Qiushuang. “Take this letter to the General’s residence and deliver it to the heir.”
“Understood, Miss!” Qiushuang replied.
Once Qiushuang left, Su Fu left the residence with Qiuxue.
Qiuxue asked curiously, “Miss, where are we going?”
“To the teahouse to wait for the heir.”
“Ah? Miss, so the letter you just had Qiushuang deliver was to see the heir?”
Qiuxue’s concern was evident. “Miss, what if… what if the heir doesn’t come?”
Ever since the marriage edict was issued, both maids, Qiushuang and Qiuxue, were overjoyed for Su Fu.
Her marrying the heir was far better than marrying Master Wu. From the heir’s words and actions, it was clear he was an upright and honorable man—and most importantly, he was the person their Miss liked!
“He will come!” Su Fu said confidently.
Though Su Fu admitted her desire to meet Xiao Junhe was impulsive, she did not want to wait. She wanted to tell him immediately that she was happy to receive the marriage edict and that she was willing to marry him!
Qiushuang approached the gates of the General’s residence and asked the young gate attendant, “Hello, may I ask if the heir is home? I am delivering a letter from my Miss.”
At that moment, Cangyu, who was about to leave, overheard. “You’re looking for the heir?”
Cangyu sized up the maid in the teal uniform standing at the gate. He assumed she was just another young lady sending a letter on behalf of her family, a common occurrence since the heir returned from the northern border.
“Go back and tell your Miss that our heir doesn’t accept letters casually. Do not send any more,” Cangyu said, walking past Qiushuang.
Qiushuang realized he must be someone close to the heir and quickly stopped him.
“Wait! My Miss is the daughter of Minister Su of the Ministry of Revenue.”
At the mention of “Su,” Cangyu paused mid-step and turned back uncertainly. “Miss Su sent you to deliver a letter?”
“Yes. My Miss said this letter is to be delivered to the heir.”
Hearing it was a letter from Miss Su, Cangyu hurried back to Qiushuang.
“I am the heir’s guard. Give me the letter, and I will deliver it to him.”
Cangyu brought the letter to Xiao Junhe, who was reading military texts in his study.
Smiling, he waved the letter in front of Xiao Junhe. “Master, another young lady has written you a letter. This one’s a bit different from the others. Shall we open it?”
Xiao Junhe swatted Cangyu’s hand away without looking up from his book. “Who told you to collect letters? Burn it.”
Cangyu felt regret as he held the envelope. “But this letter is from Miss Su. Since the Master won’t read it, I shall burn it.”
Xiao Junhe paused, his hand still on the book. “Wait! Did you say this letter is from Miss Su?”
His dark eyes fixed on Cangyu, silently demanding a clear answer.
“Yes, Master! I was about to leave the residence when I met the maid of Miss Su. She said Miss Su sent this letter for the Master, so I brought it to you immediately.”
Hearing it was from Miss Su, Xiao Junhe accepted the letter but hesitated to open it.
The marriage edict had just arrived, and now Su Fu had sent him a letter. He was afraid she might refuse…
Taking a deep breath as if to expel the restless energy in his chest, he tried to calm himself and steady his scattered thoughts.
His long fingers slowly opened the envelope.
Inside was a thin sheet of paper, written in delicate, flowing script. The handwriting was graceful and lively, like petals drifting in the wind—light, elegant, and gentle.
Yet the message itself was surprisingly brief, containing only a single sentence.
After reading it, Xiao Junhe immediately rose and headed out.
Cangyu hurried after him. “Master, where are you going?”
Xiao Junhe did not answer, striding forward.
He rode to the teahouse mentioned in Su Fu’s letter, dismounted, and hesitated briefly at the entrance before knocking gently and stepping inside.
Inside, Su Fu sat calmly at the tea table, quietly gazing out the window. Her thoughts seemed far away, and a faint sadness lingered in her eyes.