Xu Henian nervously tightened his grip on his clothes.
There seemed to be a tense string of uneasiness tugging at his heart.
For a poor scholar like him, Su Wan's words were truly an irresistible temptation.
People from humble backgrounds like him, even if they were fortunate enough to attain the title of top scholar in the future, might end up as minor local officials throughout their lives without the support of influential people in the court.
Xu Henian pursed his lips, as if making a firm decision in his heart.
Summoning up his courage, he looked up and met Su Wan's eyes.
He said firmly, "Thank you, Miss Su, for your kind regard, but I already have someone in my heart."
"Oh? Can your beloved help you with your future official career?" Su Wan asked with a smile.
Xu Henian shook his head, but his tone remained steadfast. "Although she can't assist me in my official career, I'm pursuing fame and fortune just to marry her."
At the thought of Xie Qinghuan, a gentle look appeared in Xu Henian's eyes.
If he hadn't met Xie Qinghuan, he might have just stayed in Qinzhou as a teacher.
After hearing this, Su Wan clapped her hands and said with a smile, "Mr. Xu is truly a passionate lover."
Seeing this, Xu Henian let out a sigh of relief.
He scratched his head with a simple and honest smile. "Miss Su, you're overpraising me."
Unexpectedly, the next second, Su Wan's eyes sharpened, and she instantly wiped the smile off her face.
She said coldly, "However, are you sure you want to reject me for her?"
Su Wan's sudden change made Xu Henian's heart skip a beat.
Nevertheless, he still nodded firmly.
Su Wan curled her lips into a faint smile. "Since that's the case, I'll ask my father to revoke your qualification for the spring imperial examination."
Hearing this, Xu Henian clenched his fists.
He stared at Su Wan with hatred in his eyes, which were bloodshot.
Even though he was filled with resentment, he could do nothing.
That was the harsh reality. For those nobles, crushing him was as easy as crushing an ant!
Xu Henian's face showed anger. He tried his best to suppress his rage, and his eyes were filled with coldness.
"Now, are you still determined to reject me?" Su Wan continued to ask.
Xu Henian sneered. "If I can't take the exam next year, I'll take it the year after. If I can't then, I'll wait until the year after that. One day, I will surely attain the title and marry her."
His eyes were shining with a light that defied power, and every word he said was full of strength.
"I thought you were going to say you'd elope with her."
"I know I'm not good enough for her, but I'm willing to become a better person for her.
So I will never let her down. One day, I will surely marry her in a grand wedding with red decorations all the way and an eight - sedan chair!"
Su Wan didn't expect that a domineering young lady like Xie Qinghuan could actually meet a man who truly treated her well.
Looking at Xu Henian's determined face, Su Wan raised her eyebrows and smiled.
"Come out. The show is over."
Just as Xu Henian was full of confusion, Ruan Jiu and the others pushed open the door and walked in.
Xie Qinghuan was deeply touched by Xu Henian's words.
At this moment, disregarding propriety and shame, she rushed towards Xu Henian.
She buried her head in Xu Henian's arms. Her nose felt sour, and she burst into tears. "Henian, thank you for choosing me so firmly."
Seeing Xie Qinghuan crying, Xu Henian was at a loss. He gently stroked her back, but he was still full of confusion and asked, "What... what's going on?"
Xie Qinghuan looked up, sniffed, and told him the whole story.
Only then did Xu Henian suddenly understand that it was all a test for him.
However, he still had some concerns in his heart.
"Huan'er, what about the marriage your mother has arranged for you?" Xu Henian frowned tightly, his face full of worry.
Xie Qinghuan looked at Xu Henian sincerely and said, "Henian, since you treat me so well, if my mother insists on marrying me to the wealthy merchant Wang, I'll abandon everything! If I can't be with you, I don't care about being the second young lady of the Xie family!"
After hearing this, Xu Henian was deeply touched.
But even so, his tightly - knit eyebrows didn't relax at all.
After thinking for a while, Xu Henian shook his head. "Huan'er, you can't do this. Only with the three matchmaker's letters and six betrothal gifts can a woman be a proper wife. I can't let you be with me without a proper name!"
Ruan Jiu didn't expect Xu Henian to say such a thing. She thought more highly of him.
Xie Qinghuan's eyes dimmed, and then she looked at Ruan Jiu and said, "Ruan Jiu, didn't you say you'd help me?"
Ruan Jiu raised her eyebrows and joked, "Why are you still so high - handed when asking someone for help?"
After hearing this, Xie Qinghuan immediately fell silent.
Her cheeks were puffed up, and she didn't dare to say another word.
Ruan Jiu slightly raised the corners of her eyebrows, looking quite proud.
Since childhood, Ruan Jiu had liked to see Xie Qinghuan being deflated.
Seeing this, Xu Henian knew that they still had to rely on Ruan Jiu for help.
So he let go of Xie Qinghuan.
He respectfully bowed his hands to Ruan Jiu and said earnestly, "If you can help us, I'll be extremely grateful. I'll follow your orders in the future!"
Ruan Jiu waved her hand with a smile. "It's okay. It's just a small matter."
After hearing this, a glimmer of light immediately appeared in Xie Qinghuan's eyes.
Just as Xie Qinghuan was about to thank her, a sly look appeared in Ruan Jiu's eyes.
A meaningful smile appeared on her lips, and she said, "However, Miss Xie will have to be wronged a little for the time being."
Xie Qinghuan twitched the corners of her mouth.
Why did she have a bad feeling in her heart?
After leaving the Mingxiang Pavilion, Su Wan chased after Jiang Jibai and left.
Only Ruan Jiu and Xie Jingchu were left.
After walking for a long time, Ruan Jiu stopped and exclaimed, "Fourth Master, this is not the way back to the mansion."
"I know."
Xie Jingchu's gentle voice came.
What did he mean?
An inexplicable sense of nervousness welled up in her heart.
Ruan Jiu lowered her head and watched her fingers intertwine uneasily.
Xie Jingchu curled his lips. "Today is the Qixi Festival. I have a gift for you."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu immediately looked up and met Xie Jingchu's eyes.
Xie Jingchu's eyes were very bright, like black gemstones washed by a clear spring.
They were clear, moist, and captivating.
Ruan Jiu's breath caught in her throat. Her heart was pounding like a wild deer, disturbing her peace of mind.
She quickly averted her eyes, and her cheeks were burning hot.
"I... I don't have a gift for you..." Ruan Jiu murmured softly, her eyes wandering around in a panic.
Xie Jingchu watched as she gently bit her rosy lips, her eyes blinking constantly, and her long eyelashes fluttering like a fan.
Her shy appearance was really adorable.
Xie Jingchu leaned forward.
Ruan Jiu was so scared that she took a half - step back.
A smile appeared in Xie Jingchu's eyes, and he approached again.
He reached out his hand and gently tucked the loose hair behind Ruan Jiu's ear, then rubbed her earlobe.
She trembled all over, and her mind was in a complete mess.
Xie Jingchu seemed not to realize how intimate their postures were. His warm palm clasped the back of her neck and pulled her closer.
His deep and magnetic voice, along with his warm breath, scattered into her ears.
"My gift, I already have it."