The next morning.

The Yu siblings were discussing with Song Xi how to find out the details of Aunt Wu's concubine, when a servant suddenly reported the visit of He Yu, the Minister of War.

He Yu came to visit in person this time to thank them for their treatment and care for his father He Lao. Bianliang was far away from Beijing, and he also wanted to take this opportunity to inquire about his father's current situation when he returned home.

Several like-minded friends, new and old, got together. Although they were just chatting and exchanging greetings, they had a great time chatting, the atmosphere was harmonious, and they all left a good impression on each other.

It was rare to make a new friend in the capital. The Yu siblings happened to inquire with him about the situation in the court and obtain some information that was difficult for ordinary people to know in order to learn more about the Zhou Dynasty.

He Yu naturally told everything he knew. After all, many things were not top secrets. Even if he didn't tell them, the Hou family could find out with a little more effort.

After lunch, He Yu said goodbye and returned home, and everyone in the Hou Mansion also returned to their respective rooms to rest.

Song Xi supported Song's mother and walked to the main courtyard. Just as he was about to turn around and return to the study, Song's mother called out to him and planned to talk to him about major life events.

"When do you plan to get engaged to Yalan? You two are eighteen and sixteen, and you are at the age where you should get married and have children. If you delay any longer, this wonderful youth will be wasted."

Mother Song went straight to the point and wanted her son to give her an accurate answer today.

Since they have brought the girl into the house, if they don't give a proper explanation, they will ruin each other's reputation. She and her mother-in-law have a deep affection for the Yu siblings. Of course, they hope that their son and Yu Yalan can get married as soon as possible. Qin Se and

Ming.

"Mom... you are too impatient. I have not yet obtained Yalan's consent, so how dare I decide to get married at will?"

Song Xi touched his nose uncomfortably, and his handsome face showed a shy blush.

If possible, he would also like to marry his sweetheart back home immediately and live a happy life full of love and affection.

But we just promised to be close friends not long ago, how could we immediately talk about marriage?

Song's mother glared at her son who didn't know how to deal with it, and felt a bit anxious and worried in her heart.

"Then why don't you propose marriage quickly? Delaying it for too long will be detrimental to the girl's family's reputation! Their hometown is too far away from here, and they will have to worry about making arrangements for the marriage. If we don't prepare early, we don't know how many twists and turns and obstacles we will have to deal with by then.

stagnation."

When Song Xi thought of Yu Yalan's hometown, which she never returned to, she couldn't help but feel pain and tension in her heart.

Lowering his eyes to hide the sudden sadness and sadness, he could only reply perfunctorily: "I know..."

Seeing that he didn't take it seriously, Song's mother quickly expressed her worries.

"You have to get this done before New Year's Eve! Princess Yongning has reached the marriageable age. The Emperor may marry her to you at this New Year's Banquet. After all, there are only a few unmarried men with suitable status. We can do it as soon as the imperial edict is issued.

There is no room for maneuver!”

Princess Yongning is the only daughter of Concubine He. She has been arrogant and vicious since she was a child. She has killed countless people with her own hands. She is infamous in the capital and is a scandal.

If Song Xi is accused of being married to this giant Buddha, the house in the Hou Mansion will definitely be restless and in panic all day long. Even Ding Bei Hou's forces will passively belong to the eldest prince's faction, and will be driven and suppressed from then on, unable to resist.

"Moreover... you should also be wary of what He Yu just mentioned when he came to visit. There are many dignitaries in the capital who covet high-yielding grains and agricultural products. If they learn that Yalan and you are not engaged, they will say

Maybe they will find ways to get her in, those royal family members are very capable, who knows when they will fall into their trap?"

Mother Song frowned and added a few more words. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that the situation was imminent. She hoped that her son would listen to the advice and not regret it until it was too late to recover.

"They dare!"

Song Xi was so frightened by her mother's worries that she jumped up and paced back and forth in the yard in a panic, fearing that those horrifying ideas might actually happen one day.

He couldn't imagine a life without Yu Yalan! He couldn't tolerate other people plotting to blaspheme her beauty!

The mother's worries are justified. No matter how powerful the Hou family is, it is impossible to directly compete with the royal family. Yu Yalan's talents have already been revealed to the public, and the coveted dignitaries will definitely wait for the opportunity.

He can't give those shameless people a chance to sneak in!

Song Xi even forgot to say hello, and walked towards Yu Yalan's yard with a lot of thoughts, planning to immediately discuss how to deal with it with her sweetheart.

Song's mother watched Song Xi leave with a gloomy look, secretly praying that the marriage could be settled smoothly to avoid future twists and turns and lifelong regrets.

On the other side, the anxious man used his Qinggong skills and rushed to the door of the guest house in a short time.

The moment he was about to enter the courtyard, Song Xi suddenly felt a little timid. Then he turned around and wandered to the garden of the inner courtyard with random thoughts.

Will Yalan blame him for going back on his word and taking advantage of others' danger? Will she be disappointed and resentful of him, so that she distances herself from him and treats him like a stranger?

After hesitating for more than half an hour, Song Xi decided to muster up the courage to propose an engagement. Whether it was to prevent a conspiracy or to get his wish, he must take this critical step resolutely.

No matter what the outcome, his determination to protect the other party will not waver!

Song Xi made an appointment with Yu Yalan in the flower hall.

After the screen retreated, he talked about his recent worries.

First, he calmly analyzed the current pros and cons, telling the girl about the hidden dangers that the marriage might be manipulated by the powerful, and then brought up He Yu's feedback and talked about the complexity of the situation in the capital.

Seeing the girl frowning in deep thought with a solemn look on her face, Song Xi quietly adjusted her breathing, slowly knelt down on one knee to her, held the family heirloom jade pendant she carried with her in her hands that were slightly trembling due to nervousness, and spoke nervously but sincerely.

understand your own thoughts.

"Yalan, are you willing to get engaged to me? Although it is despicable to take advantage of others' danger, I sincerely want to tide over the difficulties with you, even if...even if it is just to pretend to be engaged, first overcome the current crisis, and then...if

If you don't want to marry me, then we can cancel the marriage and everything can be arranged as you wish."

Yu Yalan was startled by his sudden proposal, but then her heart beat like a drum, her face was stained with clouds, and she looked at the other party stupidly, not knowing how to answer.

Song Xi saw that she was ashamed, but did not refuse directly. She suddenly felt a little hope in her heart, and immediately carefully held the pair of white catkins, looked at her with burning eyes, and asked in a soft voice: "Is it okay?

"

Perhaps she was seduced by this hot and sincere sincerity, or perhaps she couldn't suppress her desire to grow old with him. Yu Yalan slightly opened her soft lips and softly said her answer: "Okay...
Chapter completed!