Chapter 684: A Midnight Meeting
Hua Zhi greatly appreciated Wu Yong's sincerity. After all, he had never seen Shaoyao with her nearly restored face—his heartfelt words were spoken based solely on her disfigured appearance. For a man to love someone completely disregarding their outward appearance—such affection was far more genuine than ordinary admiration.
Even though Gu Yanxi was reluctant to let Shaoyao marry far away, he had to admit that no one would likely care for her more attentively than Wu Yong. Thus, he refrained from expressing any opinion, merely saying, "Ignore all external factors. Just consider whether you're willing or not."
Shaoyao rubbed against Hua Hua without saying a word.
Wu Yong had limited time in the capital. After several days without any news, he grew anxious. Unwilling to visit the Hua family again, he went to the former Heir Apparent Residence, now the Regent's Mansion, to intercept Gu Yanxi. Though he was coveting Gu Yanxi's sister, they still had some friendship between them, didn't they? Wouldn't it be more reassuring to leave it to him?
But Gu Yanxi simply refused to see him. How could someone Wu Yong didn't want to meet possibly be intercepted? With his departure from the capital imminent, Wu Yong grew so anxious he couldn't sleep. Pacing in the courtyard late at night, he thought that if all else failed, he would go plead with the Emperor tomorrow. With no major battles likely in the future, he could spend half the year in the capital and half at Yinshan Pass. That way, Shaoyao could live with her maternal family for six months. Surely that would move her—it was the last bargaining chip he had left...
"Who's there?Wu Yong cautiously looked toward the courtyard wall, where a figure stood—he hadn't noticed when they arrived. Judging by the silhouette...
Wu Yong's heart stirred, and he immediately stepped closer for a better look, only to be disappointed—it wasn't who he thought. Shaoyao wasn't this beautiful.
"Miss, have you come to the wrong place?"
The person he thought wasn't Shaoyao—but was indeed Shaoyao—leapt down lightly. Without a word, she circled Wu Yong a few times.
Frowning, Wu Yong was about to return to his room when a sudden thought struck him. Could this be... the Regent's honey trap? Was she here to test him?
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. Spirits lifting, Wu Yong walked even faster, entered his room, and slammed the door shut.
"Please leave, miss. It's the middle of the night—let's not give people cause for gossip."
Shaoyao: "......"
Unhurried, she casually sat down in the courtyard, lost in her thoughts.
Her decision had long been made. It wasn't that she needed Wu Yong to prove his sincerity in some grand gesture—she just felt somewhat unwilling, even resentful. She thought that if Wu Yong hadn't proposed this, she could have continued clinging to Hua Hua and Yan Ge, pretending marriage had nothing to do with her.
Yinshan Pass—even riding at full speed, it would take ten days to get there. How could it compare to the convenience of the capital?
But in the capital... not to mention all those spineless military officers, given her status, she couldn't marry beneath her. Yan Ge had already reached the highest official position, with influential maternal relatives like the Duke of An. After marrying Hua Hua, he became related to the Hua family too. For her to marry into any other family wouldn't be appropriate. Little Six might not overthink it now, but he might in the future.
Wu Yong was the most suitable choice.
"Come out."
Wu Yong, who had been peeking through the door crack, froze at the voice. This was... this was...
He flung the door open, stepped over the threshold, but hesitated to approach, afraid a huge trap awaited him.
"So stupid." Shaoyao rolled her eyes, drew the long whip from her waist, and attacked Wu Yong.Familiar moves, familiar style—Wu Yong dodged awkwardly, yet his face broke into a wide grin. It was truly Shaoyao!
"Your face has healed?"
Shaoyao retracted her whip and glanced at him sideways.
Wu Yong grinned foolishly as he moved closer. "It feels a bit unfamiliar."
"Want me to add a couple more cuts?"
"No, no, no! It looks good like this, really good."
Shaoyao snorted. "The war just ended. Why aren’t you staying at your Yinshan Pass? What are you doing in the capital?"
"To propose marriage," Wu Yong declared loudly and without hesitation. "Shaoyao, I adore you. Please say yes."
Even though Shaoyao lacked that particular sensitivity, his shameless words flushed her cheeks. She turned her back to fiddle with her whip. "Just because you adore me, I have to agree?"
"I know Yinshan Pass is a bit remote, but there aren’t so many rules there. My parents are gone—you’ll be in charge as soon as you arrive, and no one will trouble you. When the weather is nice, we can ride horses on the grasslands beyond the pass. You can do whatever you want there. If you miss home, we’ll return to the capital. I’ll go ask the Emperor tomorrow—we can live half the year in the capital and half guarding the pass. After all, everyone at Yinshan Pass was promoted by my Wu family, so I’m not worried about anyone scheming behind my back."
Shaoyao pursed her lips. This was exactly why Wu Yong was the most suitable—at least he was foolish enough and couldn’t beat her in a fight.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Wu Yong circled around to face her and reasoned earnestly, "You know, there’s no one left in my rear courtyard. I’ve also promised the Eldest Miss that there won’t be anyone else. Shaoyao, I will treat you well."
Shaoyao looked up at the man baring his heart to her. "Can I come back anytime I want?"
"Of course. I’ll come back with you."
Shaoyao studied him intently for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, I’ll marry you."
"!!!" Having just glimpsed hope, Wu Yong was utterly stunned by this enormous surprise. Shaoyao’s unconventional ways truly manifested in every aspect!
"I’ll go propose right now!" Afraid she might change her mind, Wu Yong snapped back to reality and made to change his clothes.
Shaoyao couldn’t help but laugh. "Try proposing at this hour."
Wu Yong halted, suddenly realizing his blunder and feeling too embarrassed to know what to do.
So foolish. Shaoyao snorted, flicked her whip, and used the momentum to leap onto the courtyard wall. Just as she was about to jump down, she heard him call out from behind and turned back.
Wu Yong rushed over, looking up at her. "You won’t change your mind, right?"
"No." Shaoyao replied curtly and left without a backward glance. She didn’t understand romance, but she could see this man had sincerity—and that was enough.
Wu Yong jumped for joy, over and over. What did one need to prepare for a proposal? Right, a matchmaker—that was easy to find. Given his rapport with Old Master Hua, he’d surely be willing to help… Wait, that wouldn’t work. Shaoyao and the Hua family were practically one. You couldn’t ask the bride’s side to provide a matchmaker. What else? Right, he needed to request the Emperor to bestow the marriage, and the Betrothal Gifts…
Wu Yong stayed up all night, and the next day, full of energy, he went to the palace. The Emperor took one look at him and knew Shaoyao must have relented. He had expected her to yield—that girl had a boundless heart but a clear mind. As one of his own, she deserved his protection.Before he could voice his admonishments, Wu Yong proposed staying in the capital for six months each year. With difficulty, he swallowed the words that had already reached his lips and instead asked, "With you absent for half a year, will there be no issues at Yinshan Pass?"
"I can make two trips to the capital each year, three months at a time. There will be no problems," Wu Yong replied. After a pause, he added, "Your Majesty could also appoint a deputy general to guard the pass."
The Emperor shook his head. "The Founding Emperor left a decree that Yinshan Pass shall be guarded by the Wu family for generations. I will not extend my reach there. If you are confident this arrangement will work, I grant my approval."
"I thank Your Majesty for this grace."
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