TRBDM -Chapter 207 A Joyful Reunion

“Madam Hou is right—Wanrou’s opinion matters the most.” Jiang Yuelin respected Xie Wanrou more than anyone else.

Hearing his words, Wei Zhaorong couldn’t help but smile. She said, “Someone, go fetch Rou’er.”

Jiang Yuelin hadn’t seen Xie Wanrou for several days. Now that they were about to meet, he suddenly felt a bit nervous.

Wei Zhaorong noticed his reaction and observed him carefully.

For the Vice Minister of the Dali Court to display such a youthful, fluttering nervousness was truly rare.

Before long, Xie Wanrou arrived.

The delicate white silk of her dress shimmered with every step, radiating light and color. Xie Wanrou seemed like a celestial fairy descending to the mortal world, leaving Jiang Yuelin utterly mesmerized.

Today, she had abandoned her usual gentle and understated style, appearing luxurious and dazzling—truly eye-catching.

And, as if by tacit agreement, the two of them were wearing outfits in the same color.

“Master Jiang,” Xie Wanrou greeted, her smile serene, her eyes softly resting on Jiang Yuelin.

He had lost a little weight over the past days.

Her gaze dropped to the left arm hanging in front of his chest. Concerned, she asked somewhat anxiously, “Does your arm still hurt?”

Jiang Yuelin shook his head.

“No, it doesn’t.”

“That’s good.”

They looked at each other, feelings quietly flowing between them, until Xie Wanrou could no longer bear it and hurriedly lowered her head.

“Rou’er, come sit,” Wei Zhaorong beckoned her.

Xie Wanrou lowered her gaze and took a seat.

“Rou’er, today Master Jiang came to the Marquis Residence to ask for your hand in marriage. I want to ask you—are you willing?”

Xie Wanrou lifted her head sharply, eyes wide with disbelief. She had never expected Jiang Yuelin to come to propose.

He had come to fulfill his promise.

Her heart felt as if an invisible hand gently squeezed it—ache and swelling mingled with a sweet warmth that gradually filled her entire body.

Suddenly, she understood why her mother had specially prepared new clothes for her and even purchased a set of jewelry.

Her mother had known in advance.

Jiang Yuelin placed his hands on his knees, appearing relaxed, though sweat had already formed in his palms.

He hadn’t been this nervous even when facing the explosion in the secret chamber.

His heart pounded, and no matter how he adjusted, his breathing refused to return to its usual calm.

“I am willing.”

The soft three words made Jiang Yuelin feel as though the entire world had been absolved.

If Xie Wanrou hadn’t agreed, he really might have leapt up in excitement.

“Wanrou,” he said, his usually steady voice trembling slightly, “thank you for agreeing to marry me.”

A blush rose to Xie Wanrou’s cheeks. She repeated softly, “I am willing.”

Wei Zhaorong looked on, completely satisfied, and said with a smile, “Since Rou’er has agreed, in three days we will send her marriage documents to the Jiang Residence. The remaining formalities will follow custom.”

With his proposal successful, Jiang Yuelin finally relaxed.

He stood and respectfully bowed to Wei Zhaorong.

“Thank you, Madam Hou. In three days, everyone at the Jiang Residence will await your news.”

Wei Zhaorong smiled and nodded.

“Master Jiang, let’s have lunch together.”

Jiang Yuelin was eager to accept. “It would be my honor to trouble Madam Hou.”

Thanks to Jiang Yuelin’s arrival, the entire Marquis Residence soon gathered joyfully in the Anhe Courtyard.

From time to time, Xie Chuan’s deep laughter rang out: “Hahaha, big sister, I’m truly happy for you!”

When Xie Chuan was happy, he often became exuberantly overexcited. Clasping Jiang Yuelin’s shoulder, he began calling him “brother-in-law” repeatedly.

Jiang Yuelin disliked being overly close to others but didn’t mind Xie Chuan’s actions—he simply tolerated them.

Elsewhere, Dou Shuxin and Dou Shuyao flanked Xie Wanrou, one on each side.

“Big sister, congratulations!”

Dou Shuyao had always cared for Xie Wanrou. Seeing her find happiness, she was genuinely glad for her.

Meanwhile, Dou Shuxin hid a twinge of envy deep in her heart.

Finding someone whose heart and eyes are entirely devoted to you—such a thing is incredibly rare.

What made her most envious was the love flowing between their gazes.

At that moment, a solitary figure flashed through his mind:

Zhao Jingheng.

Dou Shuxin quickly adjusted her mood and joined in offering blessings to Xie Wanrou.

“Thank you, Shuyao. Thank you, Shuxin.”

Xie Wanrou felt as if in a dream; only now did it truly feel real.

She had already gone through a marriage once, yet her heart still fluttered like a young bride—it was almost improper.

Dou Shuyao knew she was shy, so she stopped teasing her and turned to greet Xie Chuan and Jiang Yuelin.

Since correcting his ways, Xie Chuan had become quite presentable in receiving guests.

After all, having been influenced by the family upbringing, one could now see a trace of the old marquis’ bearing in him.

Although Wei Zhaorong appeared to chat with others, she was quietly observing Xie Chuan and Jiang Yuelin.

Jiang Yuelin had come not as the Deputy Minister of the Court of Justice, but as the legitimate son of the Jiang family. He behaved modestly, no longer the radiant, unapproachable figure he once was.

At that moment, a servant came to announce that lunch was ready.

The group proceeded to the dining hall and sat down together.

Xie Wanrou was seated beside Jiang Yuelin, their closeness causing their white robes to brush lightly against each other from time to time.

Dou Shuyao stifled a laugh and nudged Dou Shuxin’s arm. “Look, our eldest sister and Jiang Yuelin are both wearing moon-white robes today—a perfect match made by heaven and earth.”

Dou Shuxin wholeheartedly agreed.

It was so pleasing to the eye that she couldn’t help stealing a few extra glances.

Meanwhile, Xie Wanrou was serving Jiang Yuelin some dishes.

“Master Jiang, try this dish.”

Jiang Yuelin tasted it and smiled faintly. “Delicious.”

He was a picky eater, and the dish wasn’t exactly to his liking—but because it was Xie Wanrou who served it, it became a culinary delight.

In this harmonious and wonderful moment, everyone smiled.

Dou Shuyao thought of Xie Lan: “Too bad our third brother is at school. If he knew, he’d be the happiest.”

Xie Chuan comforted him, “Third brother is preparing for the imperial exams. Bringing honor to our marquis’ house—he can skip a meal, but not a day of study.”

“My husband is right. I was only speaking casually.”

These days, Xie Chuan had come to understand things.

Since the second branch of the marquis’ house had moved out, they no longer had ties with the main residence.

Their mother was devoted to glorifying the family name. Xie Chuan knew he himself was incapable of achieving that and could only hope to entrust it to Xie Lan.

Xie Lan was smart and hardworking, and Mr. Dong had praised him openly and secretly many times.

Thus, Xie Chuan firmly believed that Xie Lan would succeed in the exams, and eventually, naturally, enter the palace as an official. Perhaps even attaining a higher rank than Xie Sheng.

He understood his own position: to live the rest of his life without worry, he had to rely on the marquis’ household.

If the marquis’ house thrived, he thrived. If Dou Shuyao thrived, his future son would too.

As for his eldest sister’s marriage, it was in his hands; Xie Lan need not concern himself.

He would make sure the matter was handled perfectly.

After lunch, Jiang Yuelin did not linger.

Affairs at the Court of Justice were pressing, and he still had cases to review that afternoon.

The members of the marquis’ house accompanied him outside.

Jiang Yuelin mounted his horse and, before leaving, leaned down to whisper into Xie Wanrou’s ear, who was nearest him: “Next time we meet, don’t call me Master Jiang.”

Xie Wanrou instinctively asked, “Then what should I call you?”

“Call me Yuelin.”