Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

As Qi Tongzhi and his companions stepped out of the gate of the Marquis' Mansion, Song Jinbai walked in.

When Shen Songhe saw her son coming back, he went straight to Ji Nuan. Her usually wise and majestic face actually showed a look of grievance. She hurriedly asked Mother Wu and others to leave together, and tactfully made room for her two little daughters.

When Song Jinbai saw that there was no one around, he immediately complained to Ji Nuan in a wronged tone: "Nuan'er, someone is trying to take advantage of me."

Ji Nuan found it both funny and distressing to think that he, the prince of Xuanwei Marquis and a fourth-rank official of the imperial court, was forced by a little woman to the point that he dared not return home after leaving his post.

She gently lifted his chin with her finger and teased, "Tsk, you really have a face that attracts little girls."

"Yeah, otherwise how could I attract you." Song Jinbai took her fingers in his hand, feeling a little uncomfortable. He said dissatisfiedly, "Someone has taken a fancy to me, and you are so indifferent?"

Song Shisi had just gone to report that Shen Mingzhu had been found, and he hadn't had time to listen to the details before rushing home. Therefore, he didn't know that Ji Nuan had not only helped find the person, but also had the authority to send Shen Mingzhu away.

Ji Nuan didn't explain specifically, she just chuckled, "You attracted the peach blossom, so you have to deal with it yourself."

Seeing that Ji Nuan showed no signs of anger or jealousy, Song Jinbai felt a surge of frustration in his heart, and even began to doubt whether Ji Nuan really cared about him.

"You are my fiancée, aren't you worried that someone else will snatch me away?" he asked angrily.

"If it can be snatched away, it's not mine." Seeing that his face had really changed, Ji Nuan immediately changed her tone and coaxed him, "Okay, okay, I've already driven away the bad woman who wanted to snatch you away. Besides, I believe in you." Ji Nuan kissed his chin and said, "A good man will be like you, upholding male virtues and making women feel at ease when he goes out. Only a scumbag will make a woman lose her image and fight with others. Lord Song, you have to keep it up."

Song Jinbai was like a child who had been given candy. He immediately smiled and said, "Nuan'er, did you really drive away the bad woman? Don't worry, I will definitely keep my distance from women other than you and will never let them get close to me."

"Well, this is the real good man in my heart." Ji Nuan gently tapped his chest with her bent fingers. "Little girls should learn to protect themselves, and young men should also protect themselves and not let others take advantage of them."

Song Jinbai held her slender waist tightly, his forehead against hers, and asked in a low voice: "Since I performed so well, should I be rewarded?"

"What reward? You want a reward like this? I'm afraid you'll become proud." Ji Nuan tried to step back, but couldn't break free from Song Jinbai's embrace.

"You helped me drive away the bad woman, so I'll give you a reward, okay?" As he said that, he lowered his head to capture Ji Nuan's red lips.

The door was open, and Ji Nuan turned her head away, fearing that a passing servant might see her. Song Jinbai's thin lips landed on her neck, and the sudden touch made Ji Nuan shiver, an itch spreading from her neck. She shrank her neck and let out a silly laugh.

"You're still laughing!" Song Jinbai's heart softened like a puddle of water because of her laughter. He gently hugged the person in his arms, turned around and sat on the chair together, "Since you don't want the reward, then I will punish you by hiding from me and not letting me kiss you just now." As soon as he finished speaking, he held the back of her head firmly and pressed her against him.

When they let go again, Ji Nuan panted and leaned limply against Song Jinbai's arms. Her peach blossom eyes were full of water. She glared at him unhappily and said, "Song Jinbai, I've used up all my kisses for today."

In Song Jinbai's eyes, the delicate person in his arms was complaining that he had kissed her too fiercely and wanted to temporarily cancel his benefits.

He smiled dotingly and gently stroked her hair. His face was gentle and easy-going, but what came out of his mouth was: "Then I'll use it now." After that, he ignored Ji Nuan's wide eyes, leaned down again, and kissed her deeply.

~~~~~

After Ji Nuan's special recommendation at the flower viewing banquet, and the reputation of Ji's family's pastries, Ji's family's mooncake gift boxes were sold out during the two days of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Ji Shan and his wife made a lot of money and were very happy.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Ji Nuan took Zhong Heming's pulse again and confirmed that he had fully recovered and was in good health. Master Zhong was extremely grateful and insisted on paying Ji Nuan 100 taels as a consultation fee. Ji Nuan could not refuse and had to accept it respectfully.

After the medical fee issue was settled, Ji Nuan asked Master Zhong about his future plans. She suggested that if Master Zhong had no important matters to worry about, he could stay and serve as the Ji family's martial arts master.

The Ji family was weak, and to rapidly revitalize the family, they had to continuously cultivate talent and strengthen their strength. Master Zhong, a former disciple of the Xiushan School, possessed superb swordsmanship and was renowned in the martial arts world. While perhaps inferior to perverted masters like Xiaoyao Jian, his martial arts and teaching abilities were not to be underestimated.

All the apprentices taught by Master Zhong are masters among masters.

Most of the apprentices stayed at the Ji family, so Master Zhong could only teach his son when he returned. Furthermore, during his time recuperating at the Ji family, Zhong Heming had gotten along particularly well with Ji Chuan, learning a lot about business from him. After all, he had neglected martial arts for so many years that he wouldn't be able to achieve much if he tried again. Master Zhong was happy for him to find another way out and learn business from Ji Chuan. Thus, both father and son eventually stayed at the Ji family.

Xiaoyao Jian disappeared for several days without any news, which made Ji Nuan feel a little worried. Just as her thoughts were in a state of confusion, someone delivered a note with a brief sentence written on it: "The dowry has been prepared for you, see you later." The signature was Xiaoyao Jian.

Ji Nuan felt relieved, but then she was overwhelmed by a sense of loss, blaming Xiaoyao Jian for leaving without saying goodbye. She finally remembered how she and Xiaoyao Jian met through fighting, and a urge for revenge arose.

"A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years." But when it comes to revenge, Ji Nuan knows no bounds. She had already prepared the most vicious and most suitable poison for Xiao Ji's cousins, but for various reasons, it hadn't been delivered in time.

Now, there are still two months until the wedding. Ji Nuan secretly calculated that a round trip to the capital, plus a "big gift" for Xiao Jitang and Xiao Shuyue, would only take about ten days, which is more than enough time.

Ji Nuan did what she thought. That evening, she told her parents that she wanted to go out and collect herbs. They were quite confident in their daughter's current abilities and readily agreed after a few simple instructions.

- ??(?????) I'll try my best to add another chapter. A good review wouldn't be too much to ask for! Thanks to Xuanying Baoer for the two "love generators"! Muah!