Started as a thatched house and ended up as a female figure

The process of proposing marriage at Xu's house went smoothly without any problems.

Just as the Cheng family noticed the flirtation between Cheng Daping and Xu Zhinian, Xu Zhuocheng and his wife also noticed that Xu Zhinian had special feelings for Cheng Daping.

Cheng Daping was honest, down-to-earth and had a bright future. Both children were interested in each other and the two families knew each other well. Without much discussion, Xu Zhuocheng and his wife agreed to the marriage.

"Oh my, from now on, I'm going to call someone 'sister-in-law'~"

Cheng Wan leaned on Xu Zhinian's shoulder and blinked at him, his eyes and tone full of intimate teasing.

Xu Zhinian blushed and glared at Cheng Wan: "Don't talk nonsense, your brother and I haven't...got married yet."

At the end of his speech, Xu Zhinian's face turned as red as a ripe persimmon, and his voice was almost inaudible.

Cheng Wan hugged Xu Zhinian's arm, saying as if it was a matter of course: "It's only a matter of time. Anyway, I have decided that you are my sister-in-law!"

"Oh~ you, you keep your voice down!" Xu Zhinian quickly glanced at the door and was so embarrassed that she covered Cheng Wan's mouth with her hands.

Cheng Wan laughed out loud. She took Xu Zhinian's hand, her eyes full of smiles, and coaxed Xu Zhinian leisurely: "Okay, I was wrong, I won't say anything. Anyway, there will be plenty of opportunities to call you 'sister-in-law' in the future."

Xu Zhinian's cheeks flushed, but he nodded lightly and firmly.

Cheng Wan's heart softened, and she hugged Xu Zhinian's arm tightly, rubbing it back and forth.

She liked this girl so much.

God, please bless this girl to live a peaceful and harmonious life without illness or disaster.

"Ah Wan, when do you plan to return to Beijing?"

Xu Zhinian's voice made Cheng Wan pause in his action of "torturing" Xu Zhinian.

She raised her head and looked at Xu Zhinian. The soft smile in her eyes disappeared unconsciously: "The day after tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow?" Xu Zhinian's heart tightened and he instinctively grabbed Cheng Wan's hand.

Cheng Wan held Xu Zhinian's hand and said, "I will go back to the village tomorrow to say goodbye to my grandfather and the village chief, and then we will set off the day after tomorrow."

"me and you togather……"

"Niannian." Cheng Wan stood up straight, looked at Xu Zhinian seriously, and said calmly and solemnly, "I don't want to lie to you. This trip back to Beijing may not be smooth sailing. I have decided that I will go back to Beijing alone this time. Niannian, don't go to Beijing with me this time. If you want to go to Beijing, I will send someone to pick you up after I settle down again."

The blush on Xu Zhinian's face had completely disappeared. She didn't care whether or when she would go to the capital. Her heart was filled with worry about Cheng Wan: "Going back to the capital alone? What about grandma and the others? Aren't they going back to the capital? And what about General Gu? Your eldest brother? Aren't they accompanying you and protecting you?!"

"My eldest brother and Gu Yan will be in charge of escorting my grandmother and the others back to Beijing. They will go separately from me."

"How can you do it alone?" Xu Zhinian couldn't help but panic. "Why don't you let them stay in Liangzhou first? Your "Letter to the Enemies" is known to the world. If those people have any shame or know you a little, they won't choose to attack you. Let them stay in Liangzhou first, and then let General Gu and your elder brother accompany you back to Beijing. That's right!"

Xu Zhinian's eyes suddenly lit up: "You can also stay in Liangzhou first! The imperial examination will be in March next year, it's still early, you can sneak into Beijing after the New Year."

Cheng Wan looked at Xu Zhinian who was thinking about her wholeheartedly, and her heart was warm. Even her voice was filled with laughter. "What you said makes sense, but Nian Nian, I'm afraid those people don't have the patience to wait until then."

Xu Zhinian's face turned even paler.

She was extremely panicked. Seeing Cheng Wan could actually laugh, she patted Cheng Wan's arm in annoyance, her eyes reddened at the same time: "You're still laughing! This is so dangerous, I'm scared to death! You're still laughing!"

The smile on Cheng Wan's face immediately disappeared. She glanced at the corner of her mouth, suppressed the sourness that surged up from her nose, and said in a hoarse voice:

"Nian Nian, I am the 'bull's eye'.

Those people in Beijing who see me as a thorn in their side, their target is me.

I must give them the opportunity and place to attack me, otherwise they will be unable to restrain themselves and will likely cause a bloody storm in Shuoyang City.

By then, I will be the criminal here. Not only will the emperor not let me go, but I will not be able to forgive myself either."

"Ah Wan..." Xu Zhinian couldn't help but choke up: "You didn't provoke them, why...why are they just...just trying to pick on you!"

Cheng Wan twitched the corners of his mouth, but there was no smile in his eyes:

"In their eyes, my very existence is a sin.

Nian Nian, I can’t go with my grandma and them.

As long as we travel together as a family, no matter where we go, our entire team will become a target of attack by the enemy.

Swords and knives have no eyes, and arrows are merciless. Once a conflict occurs, in the chaos, no one can guarantee that they will not be affected.

It's like putting all your most precious treasures in one basket. Once the basket is overturned, the consequences will be disastrous.

If we go our separate ways, I will be the only basket, and all the arrows will be directed at me.

And you are well aware of my abilities. I am a small target and flexible, so it is easier for me to deal with it.

As for what you said about letting my grandmother and the others stay in Liangzhou first..."

Cheng Wan raised his eyebrows and chuckled, his smile was wanton and free:

"Nian Nian, in my situation, the closer my family is to the center of power, the safer it is. The capital is dangerous but it is also a refuge.

The capital city is directly controlled by the emperor, and the cost of killing nobles is extremely high.

In contrast, local "accidents" are more likely to conceal the truth and cause people to die in obscure circumstances. "

Xu Zhinian was pinned to the spot by Cheng Wan's words "You're safer when you're close to the center of power," and the color drained completely from his face.

She opened her mouth, wanting to persuade him again, wanting to say, "What if? What if they don't take action halfway? What if they really don't intend to embarrass you?"

But looking at Cheng Wan's eyes that were deep and clear, all the words of hope were stuck in his throat, turning into a heavy and choked sigh.

Finally, Xu Zhinian tightly grasped Cheng Wan's arm, his knuckles turning white from the force. His almond-shaped eyes, which always held a gentle smile, were now filled with unrelieved worry, and his voice was trembling and helpless with compromise that could not be concealed:

"Ah Wan, I understand..." Xu Zhinian sniffed, trying to suppress the tears that were welling up in her eyes, and her tone became unusually hurried and serious:

"Then you...then you must be careful!

Don't take it lightly! Keep your eyes and ears open while on the road!

Be careful when drinking water and eating! Be even more vigilant when staying in a hotel!

No, it’s best, best not to stay in a suspicious hotel!

At night, you must be alert even when you go to bed.

......"

Cheng Wan looked at Xu Zhinian, who was at a loss but forced himself to calm down and repeatedly reminded her, and her heart softened: "I've remembered everything. I promise you that I will be extra careful and write to you as soon as I arrive in the capital to let you know that I'm safe."

"A Wan..." Xu Zhinian looked at Cheng Wan with tears in his eyes. Suddenly, he couldn't hold back anymore and hugged Cheng Wan and burst into tears.

Cheng Wan patted Xu Zhinian's back gently, his voice gentle: "Now we are just preparing for the worst. Maybe the actual situation will be better than I expected. Besides, I have always been lucky. Believe me, I will be safe and sound."