The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

After ten days of travel, the carriage finally entered the territory of Gusu County.

When the carriage curtain was gently lifted again from the outside, Qi Yunsi jumped out and reached out to help her sister: "Sister, we've arrived!"

Qi Yunli reached out and took his hand. The wound on her chest had not fully healed. She explained to Asi that they needed to stage a fake death to lower the guard of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion.

Qi Yunsi didn't think much about it, nor did she know how deep the wound was.

The two siblings stood at the street corner, and could see the Suzhou County Government Office not far away, with its gray tiled eaves and vermilion gate, as street vendors called out as they walked by.

It may not have the grandeur of the capital, but it's just as charming and down-to-earth, offering a sense of warmth and comfort when you're away from home.

"I'll find you an inn nearby to rest first. You must be tired from the journey." Shen Junshan led the horse forward.

Qi Yunsi whispered, "Sister, is this the man you've chosen, my future brother-in-law?"

Brother-in-law?

Qi Yunli smiled faintly, "Children shouldn't talk nonsense. You can only call me that after I get married."

The implication is that they admit it.

Qi Yunsi was very happy, knowing that her brother-in-law would be there to protect her sister from now on.

Walking slowly through the streets and alleys, the carriage ahead soon stopped at an inn.

"The Yingjiang Inn next to the county government office is quiet and convenient, so let's stay here." Shen Junshan handed the reins of the two horses to the innkeeper.

After booking two rooms and seeing the Qi siblings upstairs, Shen Junshan carried their luggage.

"I'll go to the county office to hand over the official seal first. The appointment document has already been sent to the prefectural office. I have to go there. I'll come back to find you after I've settled things over there."

Qi Yunli was grateful for his meticulous arrangements and thanked him repeatedly.

"There's no need for such formalities between us." Shen Junshan lowered his eyes, left a large amount of loose silver before departing.

"Sister, why are we in such a hurry to leave the capital?" Qi Yunsi asked.

He was startled when he received Tingyue's message. She had just gone to the West City to look for a private school not long ago. Why had she changed her mind?

Qi Yunli lay on the bed, the wound on her chest soothed considerably by a warm towel.

She looked out the window at the sky, which was a deep, clear blue.

"A powerful figure in the capital took a fancy to my sister and wanted me to be his concubine. I didn't want to put the Marquis of Dingyuan's family in a difficult position, so I had no choice but to accept. Fortunately, they changed their minds, but I was afraid that such a thing would happen again in the future, so I had no choice but to leave without saying goodbye."

Qi Yunsi frowned. "My sister has never told me about these things."

Qi Yunli was holding a towel, intending to change it, but upon hearing this, she paused and looked up at her younger brother.

The younger brother's unhappiness was obvious in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth were pursed into a straight line.

"What's wrong? You're studying at a private school, so I can't possibly tell you everything right away."

"Then why didn't you say anything when I got back to the manor, and you didn't say anything along the way!" Qi Yunsi raised her voice slightly, but then quickly lowered it again for fear of disturbing her sister's wound.

"To put it bluntly, my sister still thinks I'm too young, and she doesn't consult me ​​about anything."

As he spoke, his eyes began to redden.

"Asi..." Qi Yunli felt a pang of guilt.

She thought she was protecting her younger brother, keeping him in the dark, but for him, it was truly a helpless situation.

"I can't prove to you that I've grown up." Qi Yunsi poured a cup of tea and respectfully placed it in front of Qi Yunli. "Drink some water. I also need to take care of my sister these next few days."

Qi Yunli tried to refuse, but her brother's eyes were incredibly firm, so she didn't say anything more.

"The best way to reassure me about my studies is to not hide anything from me. Otherwise, I'll be worried every day, how can I study?" Qi Yunsi said after calming down.

"Um……"

"Okay, sister has agreed, you can't go back on your word," Qi Yunsi said happily.

A new broom sweeps clean, but Shen Junshan's attempt to ignite his fire failed.

He was so busy that he would leave early and return late, and he would only come to the inn every two or three days.

That day, after finishing his official business at the county government, Shen Junshan hurriedly arrived under cover of night.

"Junshan, after much consideration, I think we should get married as soon as possible."

Shen Junshan looked up in shock. The woman in the room was tidying her clothes, and the candlelight was beside her cheek.

"Yes, a woman's marriage should not be rushed; it requires time to prepare. I don't want you to marry me hastily." Shen Junshan's ears turned red.

He was willing, he was extremely willing.

Ah Li is beautiful, considerate, intelligent, and generous. It's incredibly lucky for a woman like her to marry him.

"The longer we wait, the more things can change. Although Wei Jun is busy, it's still easy for him to find someone to investigate our whereabouts." Qi Yunli slowly sat down.

Shen Junshan nodded and sat down as well.

Ah Li's hand was on the table. Shen Junshan wanted to take her hand, but he refrained.

A gentleman like him won't be in a hurry. After they go through the wedding ceremony, he can rightfully take her hand.

"I know this move is hasty and has wronged you, but now, if we get married, I can more rightfully protect you and Asi," Shen Junshan said sincerely.

"Don't worry, I promise you that I will never make you suffer in the slightest after we get married. I won't do anything you don't want me to do."

I believe you.

Qi Yunli was filled with gratitude.

She knew very well that she was truly moved and grateful to Shen Junshan.

The series of events that followed at Cibei Temple was a test for Shen Junshan by Wei Jun, and also a test for Shen Junshan by Wei Jun.

Fortunately, Shen Junshan did not covet the prosperity of the capital and kept his promise to her.

"It is our blessing to have your care. There is still a long way to go, and we have many days ahead of us." Qi Yunli smiled happily.

Shen Junshan sensed the politeness in her words and felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

But he soon laughed too.

Ah Li is already willing to marry him, so why is he still agonizing over whether he loves her or not, or how deep his love is? It's all meaningless.

The best proof of trust is that a woman is willing to elope with him.

"I will make all the necessary preparations the day after tomorrow. Ah Li, wait for me. I will bring you back in a grand sedan chair carried by eight men."

……

The day after tomorrow, Suzhou was bathed in clear skies and bright sunshine. The road from the county government office to the inn was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and red lanterns filled the road all night long.

Qi Yunli wore a bright red wedding dress, simple in style, but with lotus patterns embroidered by herself.

The bright red color made her skin look even whiter than snow.

"Sister, you look so beautiful today." Qi Yunsi's eyes welled up with tears.

"Silly boy, why are you crying? It's the best decision for your sister to leave the capital and marry Young Master Shen on her wedding day." Qi Yunli smiled faintly at the bronze mirror.

The woman in the mirror had relaxed eyebrows and eyes, completely unlike her usual gloomy self.

Another residence next to the county government office was already packed with guests.

Shen Junshan had a large red silk flower on his chest.

"Ah Li, since I have no living parents, I invited other relatives from the clan to be my witnesses."

Qi Yunli gently placed her hand in his palm; it felt warm and strong.

He doesn't wield immense power, but he gives people a sense of security and stability.

"Bowing to Heaven and Earth—"

The two stood side by side, the sunlight from outside falling on them.

The guests whispered among themselves, all extremely curious about the bride's appearance beneath the veil.

The emcee was about to say his second sentence.

The gate to the outer courtyard was kicked open, and more than a dozen men in black rushed in.

They had curved swords at their waists.

"Miss Qi, please come back to the capital with us!"

Shen Junshan suddenly stepped in front of Qi Yunli, "Today is my wedding banquet. In front of everyone, how dare you try to steal her away?"

"Miss Qi! Please come back to the capital with us! The marriage cannot take place today!" the guards said in unison.

The voices of a dozen or so people had a powerful, chilling quality that sent shivers down one's spine.

The red veil on Qi Yunli's head was lifted by the wind, and the guests were surprised by the bride's face.

"What will you do if I don't go back?" she asked coldly.

"The prince said he would come in person, take up his sword, and kill the person who stole you."