The night air is cool and refreshing, moonlight fills the window. A pot of turbid wine, I stand at the pavilion and gaze out.

  Tonight, Qin Miaos mood is exceptionally good. Just now, the servant reported that the beautiful young man met at Yue Man Lou today was actually... When people encounter happy events, their spirits are refreshed, and it turns out to be himself!

  She raises her head and downs the half-bottle of beauty intoxication. The elegant young master, beauty intoxication, such a beautiful day and scenery, if only I could share this drink with him, that would be the true pleasure of human life...

  Jade Dew sat elegantly on the low stool, while autumn cicadas chirped repeatedly. The young lady from their own household was still sprawled out at the window, drinking wine. If the ancestors were to see her being so unrestrained, they would probably scold her again. However... looking at the young ladys demeanor, she somehow felt a bit elegant and refined.

  Uh... dashing? Romantic? Doesnt seem like a good word to describe a woman...

  "Miss, dont drink anymore, what if the old lady sees..." Better remind her, she never remembers for long.

  Qin Miao was already slightly drunk, her dazed eyes slowly turned around, the corners of her mouth curled up into a beautiful arc: "Im so happy today! Hmm...go get me another jug!"

  Oh no, miss, if I drink more, my butt will be in trouble again. Cant you sympathize with the difficulties of being a servant?

  "Oh dear, my good Jade, go get it! The old ancestor has gone to bed early and cant punish you!" Every time you make this stinky face at me, who do you think is the master?

  No sooner had he finished speaking than a considerable commotion arose from outside.

  Its ruined... Qin Miao suddenly jumped down from the windowsill, hastily tidying up her skirt and quickly rolling the wine bottle that was lying on the floor under the bed. Just as she stood up straight, Old Lady Qin had already entered with the nanny.

  "Ancestor... why are you coming over so late!" Qin Miao took a small step forward, charmingly welcoming Qin Lao Tai Tai to her side, affectionately linking arms with her and helping her sit stably on the soft couch.

  Mrs. Qin glanced at her sideways, somewhat angrily saying: "Drinking again?"

  "Uh... burp..." Just as she was about to come up with an excuse, Qin Miao let out a not-too-big-not-too-small belch, immediately covering her mouth, her eyes darting back and forth.

  "Oh my, youre going to meet people soon, and yet you still..." Old Lady Qin was searching for words to describe her granddaughters bright red face.

  Hmmm... not sloppy? It seems wrong, Qin Miao is dressed neatly, her hair bun is perfectly in place, a pair of beautiful eyes shining brightly, without boasting, Ive never seen such an adorable and lively little girl.

  "Still so unruly!" Yes, thats right, unruly.

  Qin Miaoshu leaned comfortably on her grandmothers shoulder, lazily saying: "Grandma, dont be angry, Annuan only had a small sip. Really just a small sip." Her slender fingers compared in front of Qin Lao Tai Tai, playfully winking: "Just this small cup!"

  "Alright... youre framing me again..." He reached out and pinched Qin Miaos nose, then patted his hand to signal her to sit properly. "I have something important to discuss with you."

  As soon as she heard that the old lady was not going to pursue her for stealing a drink, she immediately moved over and sat down in front of the old lady with her embroidery stool.

  "You little scamp!" The old lady poked Qin Miaos forehead, shaking her head in exasperation. This child was truly spoiled, with a talent for joking and teasing that had been honed to perfection, but when it came to learning the rules of being a proper young woman, she was completely clueless.

  "An Nuan, on a cloudy day, follow me to the Wei Yuan Hou Fu to see Old Lady Xie. Remember... etiquette!" The old lady sternly reminded Qin Miao. "Zi Xuan, later you will stay behind to attend to Miss, no need to come here with me." Qin Miaos maid was still a bit too young and inexperienced, after all, the most important thing this time in the capital was An Nuans marriage, it was always better to be cautious.

  "Zixuan sister, Im troubling you to make me look prettier. Yeah... the very pretty kind." Qin Miao playfully winked at Zixuan with sparkling eyes. Her small face was rosy and had a delicate, translucent complexion like it was covered in rouge.

  Zi Xuan bowed to the old lady and then looked at Miss Qins powdered, slightly drunken face, and quickly supported her in washing up in the clean room.

  Qin Miao was messed around by Zi Xuan for an entire night, being searched from head to toe, not even sparing the gaps between her toes. She felt that Zi Xuan was making a big fuss over nothing, couldnt they just show their faces and be done with it?

  "Just listen to me, its definitely not wrong. Girls families still need to take care of their bodies more, as for those accounts and business, let the old men worry about them." Zixuan is a traditional one, her greatest wish since childhood has been to get married to her cousin who she grew up with when she comes of age, have a chubby baby, and live a simple life with a loving husband and child.

  "Youre not young anymore, in a year or two, old lady will have to arrange your marriage. At that time, youll still be thinking about those business matters? Marrying a good husband and taking care of him and the children is the right thing to do." Zi Xuan said softly while combing her hair. The old lady had assigned her to serve the young mistress, also hoping that she would calm down and think more about her own future.

  "Good sister, if I were to take good care of my husband... cough, cough... I mean, after getting married..." Qin Miao didnt know how to describe her current emotions, and every time she mentioned the word "husband", the face of that handsome young man would pop up in her mind, making her feel extremely embarrassed.

  "If I take good care of my husband in the future, will he also take good care of me?"

  "Thats natural. Not to mention, look at the young master and mistress, arent they always mutually protective and harmonious? Zixuan finished combing her hair, picked up rosewater, and carefully patted it onto Qinmiaos delicate face."

  Qin Miao closed her eyes and thought about the words Zi Xuan had just said, feeling a warmth in her heart. She would be able to see him on the next cloudy day, and she must have a good talk with him then; but she didnt know if he still remembered her.

  After receiving the letter, it was already late at night. Qin Miao lay quietly in bed, but she wasnt sleepy yet. She secretly took out the embroidered sachet from under her pillow and gently stroked the patterns on it.

  White horse, fluttering banner, he once said he wanted to be a majestic general, with golden armor and iron horse, galloping on the battlefield. I dont know if this wish was fulfilled...

  The next day, Qin Miao got up early and asked Zi Xuan to help her tidy up. It was only then that she heard that the old ancestor had fallen ill. It turned out that the recent days of rushing around, combined with the unfamiliar environment, had triggered the old ladys coughing fit again.

  As the saying goes, illness comes like a mountain and leaves like pulling silk. It took a whole half month for the old lady to recover slightly. As a result, Qin Miaos fate with Xies family was also delayed by more than half a month.

  In the East City Weiyuan Marquiss estate, Xie Yun sat in a small courtyard with a gloomy expression.

  Xie Wei happened to discuss with him whether he could accompany her to Fahua Temple outside the city. As soon as they entered, they saw their own brother drinking wine alone, looking rather despondent.

  "Brother, whats going on? How did you end up drinking?" Xie Wei didnt like alcohol and although he would attend social gatherings with his colleagues, he had never been seen drinking alone before. This was the first time Xie Wei saw him like this.

  Xie Xuans eyelids were a bit heavy, looking at his sister sitting anxiously in front of him, and he forced a smile: "Nothing, just idle."

  "Brother, youre not someone who drinks for no reason, dont fool me." Xie Wei knew him best, their parents had passed away early, and they had grown up relying on each other since childhood, but she had never seen him so hesitant and indecisive before.

  "Could it be... because of that Qinxiang again?" Xie Wei ventured a guess, carefully observing the changes in Xie Yans eyes.

  Xie Yun remained silent for a long time, only drinking wine in big gulps, his clothes were completely soaked but he didnt care at all.

  Xie Wei shook her head. If things continued like this, which noble lady in the capital would still be willing to marry her brother? How ridiculous!