Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Huangfu Ling's boudoir was now filled with a dazzling array of gorgeous dresses. Zhang Jingwei stood in the middle of the pile, patiently selecting for her.

He picked up a pale pink gauze dress, examined it carefully, and said, "This dress is quite beautiful, but the material is a little thin." Huangfu Ling, standing beside him, responded in a sweet voice, "It's okay. I'm not afraid of the cold. If my husband likes it, I'll wear it on our wedding day, okay?"

Zhang Jingwei quickly shook his head and said softly: "So what if I like it? The key is that you have to really like it. After all, this is the most important moment in your life, so you should naturally choose a dress that suits you best." After hearing this, Huangfu Ling's heart was filled with sweetness and touching.

At this moment, Huangfu Ling suddenly remembered and asked, "What about your wedding dress, my husband? Don't you need to try it on?" Zhang Jingwei smiled faintly and replied confidently, "No, I've entrusted this matter to Mu Tou. He even came to measure my dimensions this morning. With his craftsmanship and character, I'm sure he won't let me down." After saying this, he thought to himself: That's a lot of money! A full 20,000 taels of silver, it would be more than enough even if he asked the gods to help.

Huangfu Ling nodded slightly and suggested, "If that's the case, shouldn't we also have Jiu'er take my measurements? That way, I can choose the right material for the right fit." Zhang Jingwei readily agreed, "Well, that's a great idea. Let's keep that little girl busy for a bit, so she doesn't bother us all the time."

……

At midday, sunlight filtered through thin clouds, casting a faint golden glow on the snow. Zhang Jingwei, who had just finished lunch and was supposed to be heading to his military base as planned, stood quietly in the small pavilion in the courtyard, leisurely admiring the dancing snowflakes. Qian Ming, cautiously following behind him, silently watched.

Zhang Jingwei turned around, frowning slightly, and asked impatiently, "Why do you always follow me like this?"

Qian Ming quickly stepped forward and replied with an apologetic smile, "I was worried you'd mischievously lick the railings like you did yesterday. So, I've specially prepared some hot water. If you do get it on yourself, I can help you deal with it right away."

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but laugh. Thinking of his previous ridiculous behavior, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face. He coughed lightly and then changed the subject, asking, "Did you explain everything to your family when you went home for the holiday yesterday?"

Qian Ming nodded quickly and replied, "My wife already knows about this. She wants to move the whole family to Gaoyang with me. After all, the money you have given me in the past two months is enough for us to buy a more spacious house in Gaoyang."

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly in approval, then asked with concern, "You have children at home, right? It's really hard for you to support a family."

Qian Ming's expression straightened, and he said firmly, "I am willing to follow the young master, and there is absolutely no difficulty in doing so."

Zhang Jingwei was deeply moved when he heard this. He patted Qian Ming on the shoulder and said with a smile, "In that case, when I get married, I will definitely invite my sister-in-law to join me for the wedding. When we arrive in Gaoyang to take up our posts, I will definitely find a good school for my nephew."

Qian Ming's eyes were red with excitement, and he immediately bowed his hands in thanks, saying, "Master, I am extremely grateful for your kindness." He wanted to kneel down, but Zhang Jingwei had made it a rule that no one was allowed to kneel before him. Bowing, bowing, and clasping fists were all acceptable, but kneeling was not allowed. His exact words were, "Kneeling all the time is like visiting a grave. It's unlucky!"

At this time, Huangfu Ling learned that Zhang Jingwei did not go to the military camp, so he hurried to meet Zhang Jingwei.

Today is the first day of the new year, and she is going to the temple to pray again. Today's plain outfit looks particularly beautiful. It is a moon-white fox fur cloak, the fur color is as pure as snow, and the cloak is embroidered with elegant plum blossom patterns with gold thread.

Beneath the cape lay a long, floor-length pale blue brocade dress. The delicately embroidered snowflake pattern on the skirt complemented the plum blossom pattern on the cape. The needlework was exquisite, and the snowflakes were of varying shapes, yet arranged in a staggered pattern.

She simply wore a white jade hairpin on her head. The hairpin was warm and white, and a round pearl was inlaid on the top, which perfectly highlighted her dignity and elegance.

She was wearing a pair of blue velvet boots with delicate cloud patterns embroidered on the uppers. She might have walked a little too fast, as the boots looked wet.

Zhang Jingwei looked at the charmingly smiling Huangfu Ling and couldn't help but admire her sincerely, "Sister Ling's clothes are always so beautiful when she goes to the temple. I can't take my eyes off them."

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Ling blinked coquettishly, raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a playful smile, and said softly: "Of course, I dressed up specially so that mother can see that her precious daughter is as bright and beautiful as she is!" After that, another burst of silver bell-like laughter rang out.

Zhang Jingwei smiled and nodded, then changed the subject and asked curiously, "Since you're already prepared, why did you suddenly think of coming to find me?"

Huangfu Ling nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes brimming with affection as she looked at Zhang Jingwei. She softly explained, "Brother Qi, you and I are about to get married. I was wondering if you should come with me to visit Uncle Zhang before we get married."

Zhang Jingwei was deeply moved after hearing this. A complex expression flashed across his eyes as he sighed with emotion, "Ah, Sister Ling is truly kind-hearted and considerate. My father is a criminal, yet it's remarkable that you still enshrine his spirit tablet in the temple."

Huangfu Ling shook her head slightly and responded firmly, "Brother Qi, please don't say that, but he is also my relative and my father-in-law. As his daughter-in-law, I should fulfill my filial duty."

Zhang Jingwei gazed at Huangfu Ling's sincere and gentle face, slowly reached out his hand and gently stroked her cheek, saying with emotion: "Sister Ling, I am really pleased that you are so understanding. You are really sensible and well-behaved. What more could a husband ask for in a wife like this?"

Huangfu Ling's face flushed, and she lowered her head shyly, fiddling with the corners of her clothes with her hands, and said softly, "Brother Qi, you only know how to tease me~ So are you going or not~"

Zhang Jingwei quickly responded, "Go, of course we have to go! I hope that the spirits of my father and mother-in-law in heaven can protect and bless us both, and may we grow old together."

Snowflakes fluttered down, leaving the sky and the earth a blanket of white. Zhang Jingwei gently took Huangfu Ling's hand, and the two walked side by side in the snow. Seeing this, Qian Ming hurriedly raised his umbrella high, trying to shield Zhang Jingwei from the falling snow. However, just as the umbrella was about to cover Zhang Jingwei's head, he gently pushed it away.

Zhang Jingwei smiled and said, "No need to hold an umbrella, just let the snow fall on my head." Before he finished speaking, he reached out and took off his hat, letting the cold snowflakes fall on the tips of his hair.

Huangfu Ling beside him couldn't help but say with some concern: "If your hair gets wet by the snow, you'll get a headache."

Zhang Jingwei smiled nonchalantly and replied, "It's okay, my short hair dries quickly." After that, he tilted his head back slightly, fully feeling the coolness brought by the falling snowflakes.

At this time, Qian Ming couldn't help but persuade him again: "Master, you should put on your hat. If others see you going to the temple like this, I'm afraid you will attract a lot of gossip."

Zhang Jingwei ignored Qian Ming's advice. Suddenly, as if inspired, he looked up at the falling snow in the sky and slowly chanted a line of poetry: "If we were showered by the snow together this morning, we would grow old together in this life."

Upon hearing this poem, Huangfu Ling's eyes lit up instantly, and her heart was filled with excitement. She looked at Zhang Jingwei in disbelief, muttering to herself, "This... this... this is a poem written for me!"

Zhang Jingwei's face showed a trace of embarrassment that was hard to conceal. He scratched his head, lowered his head slightly to avoid Huangfu Ling's expectant gaze, and said hesitantly, "Oh, don't... don't look at me with such expectant eyes. The rest... I really don't remember the rest!"

After hearing this, Huangfu Ling smiled slightly, with understanding and tolerance in her eyes. She whispered, "It's okay, even if it's just this one sentence, I'm already very satisfied!" After that, she sighed softly, as if she still had some regrets in her heart, but more of it was gratitude and a hint of admiration for Zhang Jingwei's ability to recite the poem.