In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

Zhou Xuan'an closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "How did Mother handle things yesterday?"

"My mother increased the dowry by twenty loads, forcing Zhang to agree, and the wedding date is set for the 28th of this month," Xie Yige said. "But Zhang is preventing me from visiting my sister-in-law, using the excuse that she caught a cold. I'm worried..."

She looked up, her gaze resolute: "The day after tomorrow is the wedding day. You will visit your sister-in-law under the pretext of delivering betrothal gifts and discussing details. Find an opportunity to see her. In any case, make sure she is safe and sound first."

Zhou Xuan'an nodded solemnly: "Alright. Yi Ge, we owe you a lot this time. Your brother and sister-in-law... thank you."

"By the way, is your cold any better?"

Xie Yige shook her head, "My cold is completely cured, you don't need to worry."

Zhou Xuan'an carefully examined her complexion: "Are you really all better? You had such a high fever that day..."

"Really," Xie Yige replied, then her expression turned serious as she stared into his eyes. "Zhou Xuan'an, let me remind you. Sister Wanrou is my closest friend, and also the sister-in-law I've always considered. If anything happens to her this time—"

She said, word by word, "I won't let you get away with this."

Looking at her childish face, which was trying to appear stern, Zhou Xuan'an felt a pang of sadness. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

"Don't worry." His voice was deep, carrying an undeniable promise, "This time, no one can hurt her."

The carriage came to a stop in front of the Zhou residence.

Inside the gate, a bustling noise filled the air. Servants and women carried brocade boxes and trunks, moving about like a woven tapestry, with red silk piled high in the courtyard. Xie Wanqing stood under the eaves, holding a list of gifts, personally checking off the betrothal gifts.

"Be careful with this white jade Guanyin statue; wrap it in soft silk."

"Place those gilded mandarin duck ewers carefully, so they don't get bumped or knocked."

Her voice was clear and bright, and she gave a decisive command, but her brows showed obvious signs of fatigue.

Zhou Xuan'an quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to his mother: "Your son is grateful that Mother personally protected Wanrou, and that you have troubled Mother."

Xie Wanqing turned around, a look of heartache flashing in her eyes, and softened her tone: "Don't talk nonsense. Wanrou married you, so she is also my child. It's only right to support my child."

She paused, her expression turning cold: "Besides, your mother-in-law, Zhang... is truly a scoundrel."

Xie Yige stood beside her brother, looking at the courtyard adorned with red silk and brocade, and said softly, "Mother, the betrothal ceremony is the day after tomorrow, and my brother will go in person. If he can see my sister-in-law, we can feel at ease."

Xie Wanqing nodded: "I've made all the arrangements. Xuan'an, remember, once you're inside the Xie residence, be courteous, but be firm in your attitude. If Zhang tries to refuse again, just say—"

"Then say, 'If we don't see my fiancée, we'll take the betrothal gifts back and discuss it another day,'" Zhou Xuan'an interjected, his eyes calm. "Mother, I understand."

Back in the embroidered chamber of the west wing, Xie Yige finally felt somewhat tired.

She sat down by the window, and Yu Chun brought her some warm jujube tea. Holding the teacup, her gaze fell on the pear tree outside the window, its white blossoms edged with a faint gold in the setting sun.

Suddenly, I remembered the azure figure I had glimpsed from afar at the entrance of the academy today.

Her brother came out in a hurry, but she was preoccupied with her sister-in-law's affairs. It wasn't until she got into the carriage that she belatedly remembered him.

I recalled his unusually pale face today.

I felt inexplicably annoyed. Annoyed that my brother had appeared so suddenly, and annoyed that I hadn't even had a chance to look at him or say a word to him.

She lowered her eyes, her fingertips tracing the warm rim of the cup.

"Dudu," she whispered in her heart.

"Master!" the system responded immediately, "You were looking for me?"

"Do you know... how Cui Yutang is doing now?"

Dudu paused for a moment, then her voice softened: "This... I can only sense general emotional fluctuations, not the specifics. Besides, my energy is low right now, so my sensing range is limited..."

How is he feeling right now?

"Hmm...it doesn't seem good," Dudu said hesitantly. "It feels a bit heavy and dull, like a cloudy day before it rains."

Xie Yige's heart tightened slightly.

She put down her teacup, rose, and walked to her dressing table. A delicate face was reflected in the bronze mirror, her eyes revealing an unconcealable worry.

She had to find a way to see him.

Two days later, the betrothal ceremony was held.

The Zhou family's betrothal gift procession stretched from the gate of their mansion down the entire street. Eighty-eight red-lacquered gift chests, tied with large red silk flowers, were steadily carried by strong young servants. At the front were pairs of live geese, fine wine, and tea cakes, while behind were silks, satins, gold, silver, jade, land deeds, and shops, weighing down the carrying poles slightly.

Zhou Xuan'an rode a tall horse, dressed in a brand-new indigo brocade robe, his expression solemn. The procession, accompanied by music and fanfare, headed towards the Xie residence.

The crowds along the way were so dense that it was impossible to move, and the buzzing of voices was incessant.

"Eighty-eight loads carried! Donglin City hasn't seen anything like that in years!"

"Has the Zhou family really pulled out all the stops?"

"Second daughter of the Xie family, you are truly blessed..."

The news swept through the city like a whirlwind, and naturally reached Donglin Academy as well.

During the afternoon break, the students gathered under the corridor, and the conversation revolved around this marriage.

"Brother Xuan'an, you've really given us a grand send-off. Eighty-eight bearers! Even the wedding of a noble lady in the capital wouldn't be this extravagant!"

"They've even moved up the wedding date; it'll be on the 28th of this month. They're really eager to get married."

"The second daughter of the Xie family must be a celestial being..."

The murmurs and chatter drifted on the spring breeze into the open windows of the dormitory.

Cui Yutang sat at his desk, writing his policy essay for the day, but every word he spoke clearly penetrated his ears, and the ink dripping from his brush stained the entire desk.

"Brother Yutang?" A classmate peeked in. "Aren't you going to the corridor for tea? Everyone's talking about Brother Xuan'an's happy news."

"No," he heard himself say, his voice calm and even. "I still have some schoolwork to do."

The classmate walked away with a smile.

The dormitory fell silent again. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a bright patch of light near his hand, and dust motes danced in the light.

He remained in that position for a long time without moving.

As the sun began to set and dusk approached, he slowly rose, gathered his books, and left the academy.

By the time we returned to the villa, it was already dark.

Bao Yu came forward and said, "Master, dinner is ready."

"No need." Cui Yutang walked straight into the study. "I'm a little tired and want some peace and quiet. There's no need to keep watch."

Bao Yu hesitated, "Master, your face..."

"It's alright."

The study door closed gently.

Cui Yutang walked to the window and opened it. A cool night breeze rushed in, stirring the hem of his sky-blue robe. The pear tree in the courtyard stood quietly in the moonlight, its blossoms in full bloom, trembling gently in the breeze.

Like that day in the alley, when she tiptoed up to kiss my trembling eyelashes.

His heart clenched suddenly, and a sharp pain struck him unexpectedly. He leaned against the window frame, bent over, and a metallic taste rose in his throat.

With a "pfft," it came out.

My vision blurred in waves.

He staggered to the bedside and collapsed, fully clothed. His body was terribly cold, as if his limbs were immersed in ice water, and his consciousness gradually faded.

What remained in my mind was the endless procession of betrothal gifts, adorned with red silk ribbons, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

At the end of the procession, there was that light green figure who was about to put on her wedding dress.