I dress up as a poor noblewoman, and I bring my whole family home with my literary talent.

Chapter 101 About Marriage
The emperor has ordered that inspecting officials, who have been traveling a long way, do not need to enter the palace immediately to meet the emperor, but can return home to rest for a while.

The carriage of the Marquis of Wu'an Mansion was waiting outside the imperial city. Li looked at her long-lost son with tears in her eyes, "You have lost weight."

Xie Yanshu comforted her in a gentle voice, "Mother, I am here for inspection, not for fun, so it is normal to be a little thinner." He turned to look at his father, whose eyes were slightly red, and choked up, "Father, mother is in Chang'an, is everything okay?"

“Everything is fine… everything is fine…” The old marquis’ face was full of relief.

There were still hundreds of eyes watching, and Li put away her sad expression. The old marquis bowed to the Imperial Censor Zhang and Imperial Censor Liu behind him, "You two have worked hard on this trip north."

Xie Yanshu also turned around and bowed, "During this northern inspection, the two adults worked hard all night long. In just a few months, they sorted out the piles of state accounts and uncovered a large number of corruption accounts and old unjust cases. I will report the truth to your majesty and reward you according to your merits."

Censor Zhang and Censor Liu bowed in return, "How dare your subordinates say that it's hard work! We have made some gains on this mission, all thanks to the Imperial Sword bestowed by His Majesty, and the presence of the young Marquis. The corrupt officials in the north dare not act rashly, so your subordinates and others can easily find clues. The emperor is wise, and the young Marquis has worked hard."

Xie Yanshu smiled slightly and said politely, "You two are too kind. As long as you have a heart of loyalty to the emperor and love your country, you two adults will surely have a bright future."

Nearly a hundred people and nearly two hundred pairs of eyes on the street watched the carriage of Wu'an Marquis's Mansion leave. Xiangyuan is in the inner circle of the imperial city. Wu'an Marquis' Mansion came to pick up Young Marquis Xie with great fanfare because of his achievements in the northern inspection and to establish the prestige of Young Marquis Xie.

Behind the slowly departing carriage, countless envious and complex gazes were left behind.

"There really is always someone better than you."

Censor Zhang and Censor Liu walked side by side towards the waiting carriages of the two families, sighing in a low voice, "The young marquis has a distinguished family background and is valued by His Majesty. He has achieved success at a young age and has risen rapidly. You and I followed him out of the capital on business, saying that we were on a joint inspection tour. Haha, it's exhausting, and most of the time we are just doing the work for others."

Censor Liu said coldly, "You'll break your heart if you complain too much. Censor Zhang, tell him in person next time." After saying that, he got into the car and left.

With the sound of the axle turning gently, the crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed.

Hot water, towels and various warming supplies had already been prepared in the carriage of Wu'an Marquis Mansion.

Li handed a hand warmer to Xie Yanshu, but found chilblains hidden in his sleeves. She looked distressed and said, "My child, the north is bitterly cold, and you even got chilblains on your hands. You've suffered!"

At this moment, Xie Yanshu's mind and eyes were filled with the pretty figure he saw at the door of Song's house. He couldn't wait to ask her how she felt. He didn't care whether she got frostbite or not. "It's just frostbite. It will be fine after applying some ointment."

Li saw that he had calmed down after the long journey, and felt comforted. She also thought that if Xie Yanshu got married earlier, it would be easier for him to have someone who cared for him.

"Child, now that you return to Beijing, it's time to put your lifelong event on the agenda." Li said with a smile.

Xie Yanshu was still worried that he would not be able to find an opportunity to discuss it with his parents, but he did not expect Li to bring it up on her own initiative. He was delighted and said, "Yes, it is time to put it on the agenda!"

Li smiled and said, "On New Year's Eve, Yin Xian came to wish your father and me a happy new year. After the beginning of the new year, this girl should be seventeen."

Xie Yanshu's brows tightened, "Mother, the person I want to marry is not Sister Zhao."

The old couple stared at him solemnly.

The old marquis said, "You and Yinxian have been childhood sweethearts, and your two families know each other well. You are truly a good match."

Without waiting for Xie Yanshu to continue, Li changed the subject and said, "Let's go back home first. Yanshu must be tired from all the work. We can discuss the matter of getting married later." The carriage moved slowly along the bluestone road and stopped outside Xiang Garden. A group of servants greeted them at the door.

Xie Yanshu walked along the corridor and casually chatted with his parents about the family's situation in recent months, and then arrived at the main courtyard in the east.

Hot water had already been prepared in the house. The big wooden barrel had just been taken down from the stove and gurgled as water was poured into the barrel. In the closed inner room, Xie Yanshu was finally able to unload all his burdens and take a long-awaited hot bath comfortably and without any burden.

Her head of wet black hair was disheveled and she had her eyes closed, looking drowsy.

An hour later, Xie Yanshu changed into a brocade robe, put on a dark green crane cloak, tied a silk sash around his waist, and strode out of the door.

…………

Song Residence in the West of the City
Song Lingyi received an invitation from Li Hewei, inviting her to Cuiweiju for a chat. The invitation came suddenly, but it was also expected. She packed up simply, informed her father and mother, and went out.

Today is the fifth day of the first lunar month, and Cuiweiju's business is more prosperous than the previous two days.

After Song Lingyi entered the room, she was led directly by the servant to the private room on the second floor.

I originally thought that it was Xie Yanshu who delivered the note in the name of Li Hewei, but after entering the private room, I saw Li Hewei was also there.

The brother and sister were sitting by the window. When they heard the noise at the door, they all looked over.

Li He stood up with a smile on his face, walked forward and held Song Lingyi's hand, "Lingyi, you are finally here."

She winked at Song Lingyi playfully. "My cousin couldn't wait to ask me to invite you as soon as he returned to Beijing. You two haven't seen each other for several months. I'm sure there are a lot of private things that I can't hear. I'll leave first. This private room is opened in my name, so you can rest assured."

After saying this, Li Hewei wisely left the private room and ordered two maids to guard the door.

There were only two of them in the private room.

Song Lingyi held the veil in her hand, and then her long eyelashes moved like butterfly wings, and her soft voice revealed a hint of embarrassment: "Xie Yanshu, how are you?"

Xie Yanshu's calm gaze was fixed on her face. During the saddest days in the north, he would always think of this haunting face and the bet between them.

Song Lingyi felt a little uncomfortable under Xie Yanshu's silent gaze.

"Aren't you going to let me sit down?" She raised a charming smile.
Xie Yanshu finally came to his senses and extended his hand to invite her to sit down.

Song Lingyi's eyes fell on the chilblains on the back of his hands, and her brows slightly frowned. It was true that the north was extremely cold, but Xie Yanshu, a young marquis of high status, had chilblains on his hands. This inspection trip was definitely not an easy one.

Xie Yanshu intentionally let Song Lingyi see the frostbite on the back of his hand. He did it for no other reason than to make himself look pitiful in front of the girl he loved.

After several months of separation, they met again. Both of them felt a little awkward, but Xie Yanshu was thinking about the bet, so he didn't care about being shy. "Miss Song, have you thought it through?"

Song Lingyi was slightly startled, and inwardly she sighed at his straightforwardness. Then she lowered her head, thought for a moment, and said, "Xie Yanshu, I later thought back to the day when I agreed to the bet with you, and I was a little impulsive."