The stone lion in front of the Qiu Mansion opened its mouth wide, seemingly mocking Zhao Minglang’s hesitation.

He recalled old third mocking him and couldn’t help but smile.

Indeed, what is he afraid of?

He wasn’t afraid during the examination, nor had he ever flinched in front of the emperor during the palace tests, so why would he be afraid to meet the girl he liked?

After all, he was still a newly appointed Champion Scholar!

For the third time, he straightened his attire, his fingertips touching the warm jade pendant in his sleeve— a tradition of the Zhao family.

Each child born would wear a jade pendant.

Upon reaching adulthood, men and women would use it as a token of engagement.

Originally, he intended to wait until his mother arrived in the Capital before proposing marriage, but recent events and people had annoyed him to no end.

Old third was right; as a single man in the Capital, he was like a fat piece of meat.

The former emperor’s princess had to observe mourning and couldn’t catch him, but many relatives, powerful ministers were all eyeing him.

Which family doesn’t have a legitimate daughter, concubine daughter or adopted girl?

If they fancy you, it’s considered a blessing.

If you refuse, it’s seen as you unwilling to join their faction.

What good is being the new Champion Scholar?

Newcomers aren’t necessarily more influential than those who’ve been around longer.

He hasn’t even entered the officialdom but is already being ostracized, facing endless obstacles.

Thus, some things couldn’t wait.

At the moment the door knocker sounded, Qiu Yan stood under the corridor, still wearing the silk flower he bought for her at the flower market this morning. Her embroidery of twin lotuses on the hoop was one stitch away from completion, but the thread suddenly fell in the wind, and Qiu Yan tried to catch it but came up empty-handed.

Seeing the thread and letting out a bitter smile.

Once again, she grasped for something and found it empty!

Indeed, he’s the Champion Scholar, so dazzling, why would he notice an older girl like her?

He said he had a girl he admired.

Is he accompanying her, strolling the streets, watching lanterns, buying books, buying rouge?

Is he with her, tasting tea, composing poetry, painting?...

How envious she is of that girl!

"Miss, miss."

The maid Lan’er hurriedly ran over.

"What’s the matter?"

Already not in a great mood, Qiu Yan frowned at the maid’s lack of manners.

"Miss, Mr. Zhao has arrived at the mansion."

Mr. Zhang, Mr. Wang, Mr. Li... what would they have to do with her?

They just wanted to become followers of her father.

"Miss, it’s Mr. Zhao, the Champion Scholar Mr. Zhao!"

Lan’er excitedly exclaimed.

What?

"Champion Scholar Mr. Zhao, the second brother of Miss Xiao’s husband, the one who treated your sprained foot with medicine Mr. Zhao."

Though young, Lan’er wasn’t foolish.

She understood her mistress’s thoughts.

Him?

Qiu Yan’s heart skipped a beat.

"Is he visiting my father?"

"No, the master is out visiting friends," said Lan’er. "He is visiting the mistress, and insists on seeing you."

"Wants to see me?"

Once again, Qiu Yan’s heart began to uncontrollably race.

Why on earth would he want to see her?

"Indeed, he’s speaking with the mistress right now, and as soon as I heard, I rushed to inform you, miss, hurry, hurry, let me help you get dressed."

"Miss, wear this outfit, it’s more beautiful."

"Miss, wear this hairpin."

"Miss, use this perfume bottle."

"Miss..."

A few maids fussed around Qiu Yan.

Normally, Qiu Yan would never cooperate.

But today was an exception.

They say scholars are willing to die for appreciative confidantes, and women primp for admirers.

No matter what, she wanted to look beautiful for him.

To stand dazzlingly before him just once.

After all, their first meeting had been quite embarrassing.

If time could rewind, she’d want to return to the moment they met, to bow gracefully and softly say, "Greetings, Mr."

But now...

Alas, seeing him is always better than not meeting at all.

Heaven knows, her heart had long fallen for him.

Even knowing he had a favorite girl, she was still foolishly unable to forget him.

Just as she finished dressing, Ling’er, the mother’s top maid, came to invite her.

"Miss, I think Mr. Zhao is surely here to propose to you."

Although the mistress originally sent a small maid to fetch her, Ling’er sensed something was amiss and rushed over herself, determined to remind her miss.

"What are you talking about, who proposes like this?"

Though the mention of proposal brought a little joy to Qiu Yan’s heart, she recalled that during the banquet at Xia Mansion, he had clearly said he had the girl he admired, so how could it be her?

Moreover, there’s truly no logic in a self-made proposal.

"Miss, the Zhao Mansion currently has no elders, and Mr. Zhao personally proposing might be more sincere."

"You, don’t talk nonsense."

Qiu Yan felt both embarrassed and annoyed with a hint of expectation and anxiousness as she walked into the hall to see her mother speaking with him.

"Yan’er greets mother."

Qiu Yan gracefully approached and bowed.

"You child..." Mrs. Qiu almost choked on her tea.

When had she seen her daughter behave so formally?

Ladylike to the point where it felt slightly unfamiliar.

"This is the Champion Scholar, Mr. Zhao Minglang."

"Qiu Yan greets Mr. Zhao."

"My respects, Miss Qiu"

Zhao Minglang quickly stood up, sidestepped her bow, and cupped his hands in salute, their eyes meeting, his gaze deep.

Qiu Yan nearly forgot how to breathe, her face flushed as she looked away.

"Mr. Zhao, I have something to attend to; please excuse me."

It’s said that mothers-in-law become fonder of their sons-in-law the more they see them.

Mrs. Qiu felt the same upon seeing Zhao Minglang.

What’s unexpected is that her silly daughter has such good fortune.

The Champion Scholar coming for a visit and proposal, she found it somewhat surprising.

Even more surprising was his straightforwardness about his intentions.

He admired her daughter and, because his family elders hadn’t arrived in the Capital yet, he came personally to propose to speak for himself.

Mrs. Qiu sensed his sincerity but respected her daughter’s wishes, agreeing to let him see Yan’er.

Just seeing her daughter’s attire, it was clear... this silly girl had finally found her spring.

The daughter she held dear finally found a good husband, Mrs. Qiu joked and tried to suppress a smile hidden behind the hall.

"Miss Qiu, I don’t speak well."

The girl he admired was right in front of him. Zhao Minglang gathered the courage to present a jade pendant: "I want to give this to you."

"What?"

Where did the habit of giving gifts come from suddenly?

"Without merit, one does not accept gifts, Mr. Zhao, what do you mean?"

"I admire Miss Qiu, and I wish to marry you legitimately, rest assured, it will be one pair for life, I will never take concubines or maids."

"You..." Qiu Yan’s face blushed, not prepared for such a situation.

"Miss Qiu, what do you think?"

"You..." Qiu Yan was both angry and amused: "I will listen to my mother’s decision."

After saying that, she turned and fled.

However, she held that jade pendant tightly in her hand.

Originally thought lost, suddenly it was entrusted to her hands, how could she bear to let it go?