Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After we returned to the manor, Elder Sister’s anger had yet to fade.

“To think I corresponded with him for so many years and never saw that he was such an arrogant, self-important man. It infuriates me!”

When she finished, she patted her chest again, looking deeply relieved.

“Thank goodness you don’t like him. If you really married into his family, he might torment you for the rest of your life.”

My nose stung, and tears nearly fell.

If Elder Sister knew that in my previous life, Pei You had tormented me for ten years, how much would she blame herself?

When the news of my drowning reached her ears, how heartbroken must she have been?

I could not think about it anymore.

In this life, I would not marry Pei You.

Naturally, Elder Sister would not have to grieve either.

Elder Sister did not notice my distraction.

She went on by herself, “Suisui, tomorrow I’ll take you out for a spring outing and introduce you to another of my literary correspondents. He’s a thousand times better than Pei You.”

“His name is Pei Ying. He is Pei You’s elder brother, the Heir Apparent of Yongning Marquis Manor. He was gifted from a young age, famous throughout the capital, and people have always said his official career is bound to be smooth.”

“Although he is somewhat cold and proud, and dislikes fools, and I originally thought the two of you might not be suited… after thinking it over, our Suisui is so adorable that you are more than good enough for him.”

I froze.

Pei Ying-the man who had helped me out of trouble in the banquet hall.

In my previous life, he had indeed risen to a high position.

But just as Elder Sister said, he detested fools.

Every time the Old Madam of the Marquis Manor tried to arrange marriage meetings for him, he would always say mildly, “I do not like unintelligent women.”

The Old Madam would be so furious she flung her sleeves and slapped the table.

“What unintelligent women? Do you think every young lady is like your younger brother’s wife-”

Halfway through, the Old Madam realized I was present and forcibly swallowed the rest of her words.

I had probably grown used to being mocked.

I merely lowered my head obediently, without the slightest ripple in my heart.

Yet Pei Ying said, “Other young ladies are indeed not as inwardly talented as my sister-in-law.”

I abruptly raised my head. Pei Ying was smiling at me.

So no matter how cold and proud Pei Ying seemed in others’ eyes, in mine, he had always been gentle and courteous.

In character, he was indeed as Elder Sister said-better than Pei You by a thousand, ten thousand times.

It was just that Pei Ying had no intention of starting a family.

In my previous life, he still had not married by the time I fell into the water.

So Elder Sister’s plan to marry me to him was likely doomed to fail.

“Suisui, what do you think of him? Do you want to meet him?”

Looking at Elder Sister, who was asking me with such enthusiasm, I did not have the heart to dampen her spirits.

I leaned against her shoulder in attachment and smiled contentedly.

“I’ll listen to whatever Elder Sister says.”

It was mid-spring, and the garden fields were lush and green.

In my previous life, no matter how the Old Madam of the Marquis Manor coaxed or pleaded, Pei Ying had never once agreed to meet a woman for marriage.

Yet I had not expected Elder Sister to be able to persuade Pei Ying to come to an appointment today.

How miraculous!

I knitted my brows and pondered slowly.

So slowly that I stepped into a small pit, fell right into Pei Ying’s arms, and still stared at him in a daze.

Pei Ying caught me, then reached out and helped me stand straight.

His voice was pleasant, like jade striking jade, and he asked with concern, “Second Miss Ming, are you hurt?”

Only belatedly did a blush rise to my cheeks. I hurriedly thanked him.

“N-No. Thank you, Heir Apparent Pei.”

He chuckled softly.

“No need to thank me. Thanks to that fall of yours, this finally feels a little like a marriage meeting.”

My head snapped up.

My gaze met Pei Ying’s smiling eyes.

He made no attempt to hide the delight that seemed about to overflow from him.

Nor did he avoid my eyes.

He let me look him over.

And openly looked me over in return.

He was so direct that the blush which had only just faded from my face began rising again like clouds at dawn.

At a loss, I looked ahead toward Elder Sister, who was strolling hand in hand with my future brother-in-law.

I wanted to ask her for help with how to handle the situation before me.

But Elder Sister’s figure was blocked by a hateful large hand.

Pei Ying’s long, well-defined hand waved before my eyes.

He smiled and said, “I am the one meeting you for marriage. Don’t keep looking at your Elder Sister.”

But in his last life, he had shown no desire to take a wife.

I could not keep my thoughts in.

And since I could not seek help from Elder Sister, after a moment of hesitation, I pressed my lips together and asked, “Do you truly wish to marry?”

The moment the words left my mouth, I felt they were rather inexplicable.

After thinking it over, I added with a solemn expression, “Actually, I can read faces. I saw that in your previous life, you were unwilling to take a wife and lived freely and unrestrained all your days. That is why I asked.”

Pei Ying suddenly froze, and the faint curve of his lips abruptly flattened.

In a moment no one noticed, pain, tenderness, and the wild joy of regaining something lost flashed across his face.

In the blink of an eye, he slowly smiled again.

“Whether in a previous life or this one, if I was unwilling to marry, there could only be one reason: I failed to marry the woman I loved.”

Pei Ying stroked my head, his expression earnest.

“Suisui, I fell for you at first sight. I am willing to pledge my life to you, to take you as my wife, and protect you so you may live every year free of worry.”

“Would you be willing to marry me?”