An Jing laughed, "I always keep my word, it’s just that I’m afraid when the time comes, you officials won’t keep yours."
Zhou, Zhao, Qian, and Sun, upon hearing An Jing’s words, immediately exclaimed in unison, "A gentleman’s promise is worth more than his weight in gold!"
Only then did An Jing look towards Official Liu and Li Jifan, "Official Liu, Official Li, if you don’t speak up, does this mean you’re betting or not?"
Official Liu immediately feigned a helpless expression, let out a light sigh, "Lord An, you are ruining your own future, I have nothing more to say, excuse me."
As he said this, Official Liu turned to leave, and as he walked, he kept shaking his head and sighing in resignation, as if An Jing truly was on the path to self-destruction.
In reality, Official Liu was secretly thrilled. When An Jing resigns after the cucumber seedlings die, he won’t have to deal with a female official hovering before his eyes, always irritating him—how could he not be happy?
An Jing didn’t care whether Official Liu was truly a good person or not, her gaze just shifted from him back to Li Jifan, "Official Li, Official Liu won’t bet and has left, what about you? Will you bet or not, can you give a decisive answer?"
Li Jifan looked at An Jing with a complex expression before bowing to her, "Lord An, do take care of yourself."
Having said this, Li Jifan also turned and left. It was clear he would not bet on this matter with An Jing.
An Jing didn’t mind and simply turned her head to ask Zhou, Zhao, Qian, and Sun, "Do you gentlemen have any other business here?"
"Humph!" The four officials brushed off their sleeves and left. They had said all that was needed, the bets were made, there was no reason for them to stay any longer.
Once the onlookers had dispersed, An Jing continued grafting while speaking to Xiao Changyi, "I’m so passionate, and they’re already pouring cold water on me... My husband, you’re always the best, supporting me in everything I do."
Xiao Changyi was grafting as well, but he spoke indifferently, "Don’t compare me to those insignificant people."
An Jing immediately beamed with laughter, replying repeatedly, "Yes, yes, all insignificant people, I won’t compare you with them anymore, I know how good you are to me even without comparisons."
As she spoke, An Jing leaned in and affectionately rubbed her forehead against Xiao Changyi’s.
Feeling the rub, the corners of Xiao Changyi’s mouth curled up ever so slightly.
"My husband, I’m serious," An Jing suddenly became earnest, "if these cucumber seedlings really don’t survive, if the grafting fails, I truly will resign."
"If it’s a success, I might as well continue serving as an official, helping Chengyu and my foster father with some tasks. They don’t fear you despite your merit overshadowing them, they trust you the most, treat you so well... Since I have the capability, there’s no harm in doing some things for them."
"My husband?" An Jing suddenly called out, then fell silent.
Xiao Changyi stopped his grafting, looking up at her puzzled, "Mmm?"
Only then did An Jing smile, "They are also our family."
Xiao Changyi’s lips quivered slightly, then he smiled, his cold eyes melting with tenderness as he nodded lightly, "Mmm."
Even though there was no blood relation, Emperor of Xiyun and Su Chengyu had always been his family in his heart.
He was aware of the kindness that Su Chengyu and Emperor of Xiyun had shown him; although he’d never spoken of it, he would protect them and help them guard the land of Xiyun.
And she was his wife, one with him. Su Chengyu and Emperor of Xiyun were his family without blood ties, so naturally, they were her family as well.