Happy Spring Every Year

As Jiang Xun finished speaking, the hall fell into dead silence.

Although Shen Zhengsheng had already guessed Jiang Xun's intention, he naturally felt mixed emotions when he saw that the other party wanted to marry the treasure of his family, so he looked solemn.

Ji Wan wanted to keep calm, but she was so shocked that she turned her head to look at her husband with her eyes wide open, and she was at a loss for a moment.

Shen Jiaheng's jaw dropped when he heard Jiang Xun say that he admired Shen Jiasui.

What? What did he hear?

Lord Jiang came today to ask for something, and it was for his sister!

But wait!

Lord Jiang, would you like to recall what he said that day in the Imperial College?

He said a lot of things eagerly, but Lord Jiang didn't blush, didn't breathe, and didn't feel any waves in his heart. He replied to him with one sentence -

"Today, I will just pretend that you didn't say a word."

But not long after that, Lord Jiang came to propose marriage?

Shen Jiaheng's first reaction was disbelief.

Although he once wanted to bring his sister and Lord Jiang together, his sister was not interested and Lord Jiang was also indifferent. Why did Lord Jiang suddenly change his mind today?

Shen Jiaheng had great respect for Jiang Xun, but when it came to his own sister, even though he knew it was very rude, he still went past his parents without permission, frowned, and stood up to ask:

"Master Jiang, are you sincere? But that was not how you responded to me that day in the Imperial College."

Jiang Xun turned to look at Shen Jiaheng, a smile on his face, and said softly, "Master Shen, did I deny it that day?"

Shen Jiaheng was stunned at first, then thought about it carefully, it seemed... not, but...

At this time, Jiang Xun's expression straightened and he said seriously, "At that time, I was timid and felt that I was not worthy of Miss Shen. I didn't dare to have any delusions, so I could only avoid talking about it."

"Then why now——"

Shen Jiaheng was choked when he said this.

Because he suddenly remembered the day of the welcoming banquet at the arena, when his sister greeted Lord Jiang with an unconcerned look.

On second thought, he recalled his sister's shy look two days ago.

Shen Jiaheng: ???

OK OK.

It turns out that they are so unworthy of each other, but they have known each other for a long time and have played him around!

Thinking of this, Shen Jiaheng almost cried in anger.

He had already said on the first day of the new year that Lord Jiang would come to visit, but his sister still refused to "confess and get leniency" to him.

Woo woo woo, he is not my sister’s favorite brother anymore!

Shen Jiaheng was quietly "broken" aside, and at this time Jiang Xun went to see the Shen couple again.

At this time, Shen Jiasui was sitting at a low table by the window in the side room, and heard everything Jiang Xun said.

But what was more evident on her face was confusion.

The winter sun shines quietly through the thin window paper, filling the surroundings with soft, golden warm light, but it appears hazy and quiet because of the obstruction of the window paper.

Father, mother, brother Heng, and the entire general's family were all there, and Lord Jiang, Tian Shangyue, whom she had led as her savior and now her lover, was proposing to her just across the wall.

So happy.

This made Shen Jiasui feel panicked, worried that he was still in a dream.

She touched her cheeks and found that she had shed tears without knowing when. Her heart felt sore and swollen, but also felt very complete.

"Husband, this—"

Ji Wan's voice finally rang out, but it was hesitant.

On the carriage returning home from the welcoming banquet that day, she did notice something strange about Suisui, as if he had a lover.

Could that person be Jiang Xun?

But why didn't Suisui tell her and her husband?

All three members of the Shen family had this question. Even Jiang Xun could see that Shen Jiasui had never mentioned himself to his family.

In the side room, Shen Jiasui lowered his eyes.

That is a feeling of unease that only those who have been reborn, those who have died once, can experience firsthand.

She always looks bright and strong, but she also has lingering worries.

At the moment when things were not settled, she could never be sure whether luck and happiness would really favor her this time.

She wasn't sure if Jiang Xun would really come.

Now, Jiang Xun gave her the answer.

Shen Zhengsheng didn't answer, but suddenly said seriously, "Madam, could you please let me have a private chat with Lord Jiang?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Wan stood up without hesitation.

She knew that everyone in their family was the same when it came to loving Suisui.

Shen Jiaheng reluctantly followed Ji Wan away, leaving the main hall to Shen Zhengsheng and Jiang Xun.

Shen Jiasui was secretly worried at this time, not knowing what his father wanted to say.

In the main hall, Shen Zhengsheng looked at Jiang Xun carefully.

He had seen this rising star in the court many times, but he had never imagined that one day he would become his son-in-law.

"Master Jiang."

"I'm in a state of panic, General Shen, please just call me by my name."

"I hear His Majesty often calls you to straighten your ways?"

"Yes, this is the name the teacher gave me."

There was silence in the hall for a moment. When Shen Zhengsheng's voice rose again, the words he said were extremely abrupt.

"Let me ask you, if someone could imitate your handwriting perfectly and sent you a letter to frame you, what would you do?"

Jiang Xun was stunned at first, but soon shook his head, "No solution."

Shen Zhengsheng's face lit up with interest when he heard this, and he said with a smile, "I'd like to hear more about it."

Jiang Xun said in a gentle voice, "Since he can imitate it so perfectly, he must be someone very close to you, or perhaps someone who was once yours."

"If you try to fight back against the handwriting, there's no solution."

"Because each person's writing habits are formed over the years, there are rules for the horizontal and vertical lines. If you change midway, it would be too deliberate and would be inferior."

"Furthermore, proving the authenticity of handwriting ultimately comes down to self-evidence, which is not only difficult but also extremely easy to be overturned. In the end, you might even be led by the nose."

"but--"

"Since General Shen asked this question, he must have been prepared. So, there's no need to dwell on the so-called handwriting. The correct answer is to start directly with the 'person'."

"I'd like to make a bold guess. Could it be that the person General Shen is talking about is... Gu Xizhi?"

When Shen Zhengsheng heard this, he looked up at Jiang Xun and nodded directly.

"Two months ago, Sui Sui went to the Jokhang Temple. I'm sure you remember that."

Jiang Xun nodded, and Shen Zhengsheng continued, "At that time, Madam thought Sui Sui had fallen in love with you. This time she was going to see your mother, and she was worried, so she took me with her quietly."

"That day, Sui Sui also encountered Lu Yunzheng and Gu Xizhi at the Jokhang Temple. Gu Xizhi, angry with Lu Yunzheng, mistakenly entered the Zunrong Treasure Temple."

Jiang Xun's eyes moved slightly when he heard this.

Shen Zhengsheng said quietly, "There were so many distinguished people in the temple that day. I think it must have been a great opportunity for Gu Xizhi."

Jiang Xun couldn't help but look nostalgic when he heard this, but Shen Zhengsheng waved his hand again at this time.

"Master Jiang, the reason I mentioned this today is to tell you that the Shen family is also in danger."

"If my Shen family is destined to face a disaster, which could result in serious damage at best and the entire family being overthrown at worst, then Lord Jiang will still insist on proposing marriage to Sui Sui?"

Jiang Xun suddenly came back to his senses after hearing this, his expression remained unchanged, and he nodded without hesitation.

"General Shen, I dare not hide anything from you. I have heard a little about this matter since I was 18 years old... from Miss Shen. This is one of the reasons why I dare to come here and propose marriage."

"I served in the court with General Shen, so I'm sure General Shen is well aware of my situation."

"If I hadn't known that the Shen family was in the same predicament, and even...had a common enemy, I would never have dared to indulge my selfish desires and rashly drag Miss Shen into danger."

Shen Zhengsheng looked up and looked at the young man standing in the hall.

Compared to his awe-inspiring and upright demeanor in the court, today he was extremely humble, yet not overly flattering. He was so sincere and cautious, and full of sincerity.

Thinking of this, Shen Zhengsheng couldn't help but sigh slightly.

Just now, Master Jiang was about to shout "Sui Sui", right? He actually got to the point of shouting "Sui Sui"!

Shen Zhengsheng couldn't help but glance at the side room and sighed even more deeply.

Even Jiang Xun, who was as calm as he could be, felt his heart in his throat after Shen Zhengsheng sighed twice.

He thought for a moment, then bowed and took the initiative to explain, "General Shen, my current situation is not completely passive. For Miss Shen, I will be more cautious in the future."

"If the general is worried about my family affairs, then my parents had their reasons for what they did at the welcoming banquet. I can explain."

"Also, I have already started to buy a house. As long as Miss Shen is happy, it doesn't matter where she wants to live."

"younger generation--"

Shen Zhengsheng glanced at Jiang Xun with a bit of surprise.

This was also the first time he saw this colleague who was eloquent and invincible in the court, looking at a loss.

He raised his hand to stop Jiang Xun from speaking any further.

Jiang Xun slowly stopped talking, his heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and his throat became dry.

In fact, he was so worried that he couldn't sleep all night last night.

All kinds of worries were swirling in his mind, and he had already imagined countless possibilities.

The worst thing is to be rejected outright.

If it really comes to this, he can only shamelessly visit a few more times.

Jiang Xun was just about to get his heart in a knot when he suddenly heard Shen Zhengsheng slow down his tone and said in a gentle voice:

"Master Jiang, Yu Suisui, you are truly not a good husband. It's not that you are a bad person, but your situation is too difficult. You can't give Suisui a stable and smooth life."

"But as a father, I can't bear to let Sui Sui have even the slightest disappointment or regret."

"I know you came here today because you must have gotten Sui Sui's approval. Since you are the one Sui Sui loves, there is no reason for me to stop you two from being together."

As soon as these words came out, Jiang Xun felt his heartbeat instantly become stronger. After the uneasiness faded away, every beat seemed like cheering.

What followed was an incomparable honor and gratitude.

Shen Zhengsheng saw Jiang Xun's happy expression at this moment, and couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth.

No matter how steady you are, you are still young after all.

But he quickly straightened his expression and said solemnly and seriously, "Master Jiang, there are always mysteries in the world that are difficult to explain. I will tell you some things in the years to come."

"I, Shen Zhengsheng, can allow you to marry Sui Sui today, but I have one request."

"If one day——"

"If one day my Shen family is truly destroyed, please, no matter what, be sure to protect us for years to come."

"She is a stubborn yet kind-hearted child. Even after enduring hardships and indifference, she never changes her original kindness."

“If one day, nothing can be changed, then I hope that at least the endings of each year will be different.”

"Xiu Zhi, can you do it?"

In the side room, when Shen Jiasui heard this, he felt a pang of pain in his heart, yet was filled with tenderness, and could not help but burst into tears.

Daddy...

Jiang Xun was deeply touched when he heard this. Under Shen Zhengsheng's gaze, he nodded firmly and sincerely.

But what he said was: "General Shen, there are indeed many mysterious and inexplicable things in this world. I think this time, fate is on our side."

"And Miss Shen, please do not worry, General Shen. Miss Shen is more important to Xiuzhi than life itself, and is as important as faith."

The voice is sonorous and comes from the heart.

Shen Zhengsheng looked at the eagerness and determination in Jiang Xun's eyes, and a big stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.

This young man is honest and sincere, and he must be the person in this world who is most compatible with Sui Sui.

He raised his only remaining arm, gently patted Jiang Xun's shoulder, and said softly:

"Let's stay at the Shen Mansion and have lunch today."

"When you return, remember to ask the best matchmaker to come and formally propose marriage. My family cannot afford to be wronged every year."

Jiang Xun's whole body trembled, and when he looked up at Shen Zhengsheng, his heartbeat seemed to stop.

Shen Zhengsheng finally showed a genuine smile at this moment. He suddenly pushed Jiang Xun forward, then raised his hand and pointed at the quiet side room.

Jiang Xun had not yet recovered from the previous words, because he had thought of countless things last night and did not dare to hope that anything would be accomplished today.

He looked up in a daze and saw Shen Zhengsheng pointing at the side room with a smile. A guess slowly emerged in his mind.

Could it be...

As soon as he thought of it, Jiang Xun felt a sudden surge of heat rushing to his head.

Seeing Jiang Xun's dazed look, Shen Zhengsheng remembered how green and embarrassed he was when he went to the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion to propose marriage. He couldn't help but laugh and sigh.

"Go."

Shen Zhengsheng said this silently, then turned and walked out.

Jiang Xun had never thought that he could be so lucky and happy, as if the air around him was sweet.

He took a long, deep breath and walked towards the side room.

The moment I lifted the moon-white curtain, the figure I had been thinking about day and night was sitting by the window.

The winter sun shone on her, shining like broken gold.

She seemed to hear a sound, and slowly looked up. When she looked at him, her eyes were filled with light and tears.

Jiang Xun's heart trembled, and he walked over eagerly. Then he squatted down so gently and half-knelt beside Shen Jiasui.

This time, he was finally bathed in the warm glow with her.

"Sui Sui."

Jiang Xun called softly and looked up at her.

Shen Jiasui pursed his lips slightly, almost unable to hold back his tears, and said in a trembling voice:

"Master Jiang."

"You really came looking for me."