After Niu Pan’er left, Si Xi hurried into Song Zhiyu’s room and saw his master sitting on the bed dazed, with ears pink, and couldn’t help but be surprised.
"Fourth Master, what did the Commandery Princess do to you? She must be too hasty!"
Song Zhiyu came to his senses and spat at him: "What do you mean ’did to me’? What nonsense are you spouting? Your mind is full of filth."
Si Xi looked skeptical: "Really? Then why are your ears so red?"
Song Zhiyu glared: "I’m just hot, hurry and open the window for me, or I’ll suffocate."
He even fanned himself as an excuse.
Si Xi pouted, muttering: "I can tell at a glance you’re embarrassed, don’t deny it; covering up is so obvious... Ah, I’ll go, I’ll go."
Song Zhiyu snorted, his hand touched something, and when he looked down, it was the box Niu Pan’er left behind, saying it was a gift for him, a token of their engagement.
He hesitated for a moment, picked it up, and opened it. Inside lay a bone jade hairpin polished extremely smooth, with no excessive decorations, only a cloud pattern carved at the head.
She said it was made from the femur of a tiger and could ward off evil spirits, something she made in her spare time.
Song Zhiyu clicked his tongue, pretending to disdain: "Prince Dingbei’s Mansion has all sorts of treasures, and to give me something, just a bone hairpin? And she says it touches my heart, bah, stingy."
Even though he said that, he got off the bed, used the hairpin to pin up his hair in front of the mirror, looked left and right, and his lips curved into a slight smile.
It seemed pretty good.
Song Ci pulled Niu Pan’er to sit on the Arhat bed, smiling broadly.
"Were you scared? That brat is such a weakling, he fell into the water while sightseeing, I’m embarrassed for him."
Niu Pan’er shook her head: "He hasn’t trained in martial arts, so his body isn’t that agile, which is normal, and losing footing is no big deal, don’t blame him too much, it was all an accident."
I was just afraid you might think it wasn’t an accident, think that he really despises this engagement, and upset, and here I was trying to speak some good words for him, how did it turn around ?
"Looks like you two had a good chat." Song Ci teasingly winked.
Niu Pan’er pursed her lips into a smile, feeling a bit shy, and then thought of something and formally said: "Grand Madam, this engagement was not my wish, becoming my husband means being destined to mediocrity, I know it wrongs Yu Lang, but I swear to you, I will treat him very, very well, please rest assured."
A posture of ’Give him to me, I won’t let him suffer grievances.’
Song Ci thought of those men who propose to their in-laws with such words, feeling a bit at a loss whether to laugh or cry, she pinched her hand and said: "Good child, what foolish words are these. Being your husband is a blessed result of that lad’s accumulated fortune from a previous life. If he dares say he’s wronged, I’d be the first not to spare him."
"Grand Madam doesn’t blame me for not being skilled in household duties?" Niu Pan’er said, "I can’t even make a bowl of soup, nor do any needlework."
"Why would I need your skills for household duties? Aren’t there servants for making soup and doing needlework? You just focus on being yourself, and in the future, if you and Fourth Lang love each other, live harmoniously, that will set my mind at ease." Song Ci patted her hand and said: "Pan’er, Fourth Lang is neither scholarly nor martial, being able to marry you is due to his good fate. This child has been spoiled by us, and is inexperienced, but his nature is pure and he knows right from wrong. In the future, if he’s not doing well, just come and complain to me, I’ll discipline him for you."
Niu Pan’er’s nose tingled with emotion, she nodded: "Okay."