Chapter 46: If You Come to Marry Me, I Will Marry You (4,000 words)

The third day after Xiao Mo left Shiqiao Village.

The residence of the Magistrate of Qingshan County.

Sun Siyuan, the Magistrate of Qingshan County, strode purposefully toward the courtyard where Xiao Mo was staying.

"Xiao Mo." Sun Siyuan entered the courtyard, his face beaming with joy.

"Lord Sun." Xiao Mo set down the book in his hands, stood up, and bowed to Sun Siyuan.

"Blacksmith Lei's apprentice just came by. He said the item you requested has been finished. Are you going to collect it now?" Sun Siyuan asked.

"Naturally," a spark of brightness flashed in Xiao Mo's eyes. "I have caused you much trouble these past two days, Lord Sun. Regarding the gold I borrowed, I will certainly repay you."

"Hahaha, no rush, no rush. It is merely a bit of gold," Magistrate Sun said with a laugh.

Two days ago, after arriving in Qingshan City, Xiao Mo had sought out Magistrate Sun, expressing his desire to borrow some gold to forge something.

Originally, Sun Siyuan had been worrying about what to give Xiao Mo—something that wouldn't seem cliché yet would deepen their bond. After all, once Xiao Mo entered officialdom, their meetings would become infrequent.

However, having passed the provincial examinations, Xiao Mo was not short of money, and he appeared to be a man devoid of worldly desires. Many wealthy landlords had offered him gifts, but he had refused them all. Thus, Magistrate Sun truly didn't know where to start.

Therefore, when Xiao Mo took the initiative to ask for a favor, Magistrate Sun had nearly burst into laughter.

Magistrate Sun had very generously provided a gold ingot and introduced Xiao Mo to the best blacksmith in Qingshan County. Xiao Mo then provided the blacksmith with a blueprint.

Since it was a small object that required no gemstone setting—only some intricate carvings—it could be completed within two days. Consequently, Xiao Mo wanted to stay in Qingshan County.

But how could Magistrate Sun allow Xiao Mo to stay in an inn? He had brought Xiao Mo to stay in his own residence, where he remained until now.

In truth, Magistrate Sun wished Xiao Mo would never repay that bit of gold. That way, Xiao Mo would always owe him a favor. Sometimes, when both parties willingly owe each other something, the friendship grows deeper.

There were only two things that left Magistrate Sun feeling regretful.

First, the item Xiao Mo was forging was a small object that required very little gold, meaning the favor could not be made any larger. Magistrate Sun had wanted to give the remaining gold to Xiao Mo, but Xiao Mo had politely declined, refusing to accept it no matter what.

Second, Xiao Mo still showed no interest in his daughter.

Magistrate Sun had gone to great lengths to have Xiao Mo stay at his residence, not just to deepen their friendship, but to allow his daughter to cross paths with Xiao Mo more frequently. Magistrate Sun was quite confident in his daughter's beauty. Although Xiao Mo had declined him last time, this time, they could at least interact. What if Xiao Mo thought, "This girl is quite nice," and changed his mind?

During meals, Xiao Mo and Miss Sun had met several times. When Xiao Mo was reading, Magistrate Sun would deliberately send his daughter to serve tea. Through these two days of contact, the result was that Miss Sun had truly developed feelings for Xiao Mo.

Yet, Xiao Mo never spared her a second glance.

Miss Sun had even asked her father to find a way for her to marry Xiao Mo. But what kind of way could Magistrate Sun find? It wasn't as if he hadn't investigated.

Xiao Mo's sweetheart was likely that Miss Bai from Shiqiao Village. Setting aside her looks, that Miss Bai had always looked after Xiao Mo, weaving cloth and gathering herbs to trade for silver so he could study. If he used any underhanded tactics, not only would Xiao Mo resent him, but if word got out, his reputation would be ruined. He could only conclude that Xiao Mo and his daughter were not destined to be.

An incense stick's time later, Xiao Mo and Magistrate Sun arrived at the entrance of Blacksmith Lei's shop.

"Magistrate, Mr. Xiao." Blacksmith Lei, a man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, emerged shirtless and hurriedly bowed to them, mimicking the mannerisms of a scholar.

"Blacksmith Lei, is the item Mr. Xiao requested ready?" Magistrate Sun asked.

"It is, it is. Please wait a moment, my lords."

Blacksmith Lei washed his hands in a bucket, dried them with a clean towel, and then retrieved a brocade box from a cabinet. "Please, have a look."

"Thank you for your hard work, Blacksmith Lei." Xiao Mo took the box with both hands and opened it.

A glittering golden object appeared before the eyes of Xiao Mo and Magistrate Sun.

Magistrate Sun leaned in to look and couldn't help but nod; Blacksmith Lei's craftsmanship was indeed excellent. Of course, it was also due to the beauty of Xiao Mo's design.

Looking at this *Jieyuan*—the top scholar—and future high official, Blacksmith Lei asked nervously, "Is Mr. Xiao satisfied?"

Xiao Mo nodded. "I am satisfied."

Blacksmith Lei breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as you are satisfied, Mr. Xiao."

"Blacksmith Lei, no need for change for your wages." Seeing Xiao Mo's satisfaction, Magistrate Sun tossed a small piece of silver to the blacksmith.

Xiao Mo could afford the wages, but precisely because he could, Magistrate Sun acted quickly to pay, fearing Xiao Mo might pay first.

"Thank you, Magistrate, thank you, Mr. Xiao!" Blacksmith Lei thanked them profusely; it was nearly four times the usual wage.

"Xiao Mo, since the matter is settled, shall we go for a drink?" Magistrate Sun invited.

Xiao Mo hurriedly bowed, his tone tinged with apology. "I am honored by your kindness, Lord Sun, but I am afraid I must head back first."

"In such a hurry?" Magistrate Sun asked in surprise.

"There is someone who has been waiting for me for a long time." Xiao Mo looked at the brocade box. "I do not wish to make her wait any longer."

***

"Sister, please eat something..."

"I am not hungry."

"But Sister, you haven't eaten for two or three days..."

"It is fine. I can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth; I do not need to eat."

"Sister..." Xiao Qing sighed.

Ever since Big Brother Xiao left, it was as if her sister had lost her soul. Every day, she sat in the courtyard waiting for him to return. Last night, hearing some movement, she had run out happily, thinking Big Brother Xiao had returned, only to find a weasel trying to steal the chickens. In a fit of rage, Sister had thrown all the weasels into the river.

"Xiao Qing, do you think Xiao Mo has grown to dislike Sister?" Bai Ruxue asked nervously, clutching her sister's small hand.

"Sister... Big Brother Xiao doesn't look like he dislikes you at all," Xiao Qing said helplessly.

"Then why hasn't he come back? Has he gone away with another woman?"

"Oh, Sister..." Xiao Qing felt exhausted. "Big Brother Xiao said he went to forge something and would be back in a couple of days. He should be returning today."

"Oh..."

Bai Ruxue nodded, her eyes still fixed on the small path outside the courtyard. Despite Xiao Qing's words, her heart remained incredibly anxious.

*Was it what I said that night? Did I scare him?* *Does he no longer want to fulfill his promise?* *Or does he think Magistrate Sun's daughter is truly wonderful and has gone to Qingshan County to marry her?*

Various speculations raced through Bai Ruxue's mind. The more she thought, the more worried she became, and a thin veil of mist began to cloud her beautiful peach-blossom eyes.

"Eh? Sister, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Xiao Qing was startled.

"Sister, don't cry..." Xiao Qing was at a loss, not knowing how to comfort her.

Just as Xiao Qing was panicking, she saw a figure appear in the distance on the path, walking step by step toward the courtyard. When she recognized the man's silhouette and features, Xiao Qing's eyes lit up instantly. "Sister! Big Brother Xiao is back!"

"Eh?"

Bai Ruxue snapped her head up and looked toward the courtyard entrance.

When Xiao Mo saw Bai Ruxue looking at him with tearful eyes, he thought something had happened and hurried his pace.

"What happened? Did something occur while I was away?" Xiao Mo asked the two sisters.

"Big Brother Xiao, nothing happened. I told Sister you would be back in two days, but Sister..."

Halfway through, Xiao Qing was pulled by her sister's wrist, forcing her to swallow the rest of her sentence.

Xiao Mo's gaze fell upon Bai Ruxue.

The girl stood with her head lowered, her cheeks flushed, her eyes wet, and teardrops clinging to her curved eyelashes.

Xiao Mo could roughly guess what was wrong. She likely suspected he had abandoned her to run away, or perhaps she thought he had gone to Qingshan County to marry Magistrate Sun's daughter.

"Xiao Qing, take this jar of wine to the Village Chief. It was a gift from Lord Sun." Xiao Mo handed a small jar of wine to Xiao Qing.

"Okay, Big Brother Xiao."

Xiao Qing took the wine, glanced at her brother and sister, and hurried out. She knew Xiao Mo wanted to be alone with her sister and wanted her to leave for a while. She had no objections; in her sister's current state, only Big Brother Xiao could soothe her.

In the courtyard, only Xiao Mo and Bai Ruxue remained.

Bai Ruxue kept her head down, her small hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes. Her small, red nose twitched, and her pitiful appearance was both heartbreaking and somewhat endearing.

Xiao Mo smiled and reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Don't cry. I am back, am I not?"

Bai Ruxue kept her head down and remained silent.

"I brought two sticks of candied haws in my bundle. Do you want some?"

Still no answer, she only bit her thin lip gently.

"Then how about osmanthus cake? The ones from Fang's shop are quite good; I brought some too."

Still no response.

Xiao Mo felt somewhat helpless. It was true—the girl had said such things to him just two days ago, and he had reacted with nothing, leaving for two or three days without coming home. It was indeed quite excessive.

Just as Xiao Mo was wondering how to coax her, Bai Ruxue reached out her delicate hand, her slender fingers gently tugging at the corner of his clothes.

A summer breeze brushed past, lightly fluttering the hem of her skirt. The originally loose long dress clung to her body, outlining her graceful, winding curves. A few strands of her hair drifted in the wind. The air carried the scent of forest grass, earth, and the faint, clean fragrance of the girl.

"Xiao Mo... I was wrong."

Her voice was very soft, like a butterfly landing gently on a petal.

"What did you do wrong?" Xiao Mo did not understand why she was apologizing.

"I... I shouldn't have been angry with you in my heart..." Her voice trembled with a hint of a sob. "I shouldn't have kept demanding an answer. And I certainly shouldn't have been secretly cursing you behind your back, calling you a 'big stinky egg' and saying my previous words didn't count..."

"Xiao Mo."

Bai Ruxue lifted her head. Her beautiful peach-blossom eyes were brimming with crystalline tears, looking like peach blossoms made of glass submerged in clear spring water.

"I will be very obedient from now on... I won't throw little tantrums anymore... I can just secretly like you in my heart... I can pretend I never heard what you said before. I won't ask you to marry me anymore. But Xiao Mo, please don't leave me again, okay?"

As her voice fell, crystalline tears slid slowly from her fair cheeks, dripping onto the ground without hindrance. The splashing droplets caught the late summer light before soaking into the soil.

Xiao Mo reached out, gently stroking her cheek and wiping away the tears. "Silly girl, you did nothing wrong. I will never leave you. Besides, you are already very obedient. And..."

Xiao Mo smiled. "Who said my previous words didn't count?"

"Eh?" Bai Ruxue was stunned.

"I went to Qingshan Town this time because I wanted to make something for you. It takes two or three days to finish, and since Qingshan City is quite a long journey, I decided to wait there. Once it was done, I rushed straight back to you."

Xiao Mo took the brocade box from his robes, took Bai Ruxue's small hand, and opened her palm, placing the box in her hand. "Open it and see."

Bai Ruxue looked at the box in her palm and opened it blankly.

A golden ring met her eyes. The ring was engraved with exquisite patterns. Upon closer inspection, the patterns resembled Ziyang Grass and Qinglong Flowers.

"This ring..." Bai Ruxue stared blankly at Xiao Mo.

"In my hometown, there is a custom: if a man and a woman have feelings for each other, the man will use a ring to propose. If the woman agrees, the man places the ring on the ring finger of her right hand. There is a saying: 'The nameless one's heart already belongs to another.' This trip to Qingshan Town was specifically to make this ring. So... Ruxue, are you willing to wear this ring? Are you willing to marry me?"

"I..."

Looking at the ring, tears once again fell from the corners of her eyes.

"I am not willing," the girl said, lifting her head.

"Hmm?"

"I am not willing *right now*."

Bai Ruxue gazed infatuatedly at the man before her.

"Auntie Chen said that marriage is very troublesome. You need to hold banquets, invite guests, and go through all sorts of procedures. And it is already late summer; by next March, you will be going to the capital for the metropolitan examinations. You said when you were little that you wanted to be an official. This is a critical time for your studies; how can I allow you to be distracted?"

"Next year..."

Bai Ruxue hugged the ring tightly to her chest.

"Next year in spring, when you return from your examinations... come and marry me. Then, I will marry you."