TSWRLM -Chapter 366 Love Surging and Everlasting

“I actually came today because…”

Xiao Yecheng wracked his brain for an excuse, but no sooner had he started than Xiao Qinghe interrupted him: “Brother, I’m already very tired today, but thinking that you might still be waiting for me, I specifically came to the garden to find you. You were just hiding from me, so now you’d better think carefully before speaking.”

Xiao Qinghe’s rare seriousness immediately made him nervous, and the words he had prepared suddenly felt burning on his tongue.

In this situation, he really could no longer hide the truth from the young mistress.

His hands tightened around his chopsticks. After a long pause, Xiao Yecheng finally spoke: “I… I have admired you, young mistress, for a long time, and I want to continue protecting you for the rest of my life. Since you are willing to consider remarrying, could you also consider me?”

Although Xiao Qinghe had called him “Brother” for over two years, in his heart she had always been the untouchable pearl of the Xiao family.

Finally… he had said it.

His heart pounded wildly, even more intensely than when he had rushed to Wengzhou, facing life and death multiple times.

The anxious waiting seemed to stretch time infinitely. He didn’t know how long passed before he finally heard Xiao Qinghe’s voice: “Alright.”

Her voice was soft and gentle. Those two words landed on Xiao Yecheng’s heart like a feather, and he felt every hair on his body stand on end.

He could hardly believe his own ears.

Had the young mistress just agreed to consider him as one of her potential choices?

Just as he was debating whether to confirm it again, Xiao Qinghe continued: “I can include Brother in my considerations, but you mustn’t stammer and hide things like this anymore. I don’t like having to guess someone else’s thoughts.”

This time her words were longer, and Xiao Yecheng finally knew he hadn’t misheard.

He couldn’t stop the smile creeping across his lips and quickly said, “Alright! From now on, I will always be honest with He’er, and there will be no more secrets!”

Xiao Yecheng couldn’t stop smiling.

Xiao Qinghe couldn’t help but recall what Quezhi had said earlier—that he was like a big wolfdog. She hadn’t thought much of it, but now it seemed… very fitting.

Having received Xiao Qinghe’s approval, Xiao Yecheng was overjoyed. He didn’t push further but quickly finished his meal and escorted her back to the inner courtyard.

Stopping outside the hanging flower gate, Xiao Yecheng cautiously said, “I… I have some gifts I’d like to give He’er. Could they be delivered tomorrow?”

He had no experience in courting a young lady. If Lanshu were here, he might have given him advice, but today, since Third Young Master Fu had brought Buddhist scriptures and prayer beads, he couldn’t be outdone.

Xiao Qinghe didn’t hesitate and nodded: “Alright.”

“Then He’er, rest early. I’ll head home too!”

Xiao Yecheng spoke lightly, turning to leave, afraid that if he got home late, the gifts he had prepared would somehow fly away.

Quezhi, watching, couldn’t help but pinch her forehead.

Other young masters lingered over their beloveds, wishing they could be with them even if their souls left their bodies. But General Xiao’s departure was just too straightforward.

Seeing how long Xiao Yecheng had adored their young mistress, Quezhi wanted to say something in his defense—but then noticed the young mistress herself smiling, her eyes curved with amusement.

Huh?

Had General Xiao accidentally struck the right chord and captured her heart?

Xiao Qinghe had no idea what Quezhi was thinking. She simply noticed that Xiao Yecheng’s steps were perfectly in sync with hers and couldn’t help but smile.

That night, Xiao Qinghe slept soundly, but Xiao Yecheng remained awake the entire night.

During the two years he had lived separately, he had secretly bought many things.

Some were the hairpins and jewelry Xiao Qinghe had seen while shopping with Chun Xi, some were fabrics or small trinkets she had casually mentioned.

He had given a small portion during her birthday and the New Year, but most remained in storage, hidden away like the love in his heart.

At home, he sifted through the storeroom until dawn, still feeling nothing was good enough, finally taking a wooden box from his own bedroom to send to the Xiao residence.

When the heavy wooden box was delivered, Xiao Qinghe had just woken and begun her morning grooming.

“I heard that General Xiao came early today to deliver a gift. This box is so heavy—I wonder what he put inside.”

Quezhi said as she placed the box on Xiao Qinghe’s dressing table. The others in the room, hearing this, all looked over curiously.

The wooden box looked somewhat old, made from ordinary wood with rough craftsmanship, but the surface was smooth from frequent use.

There was only a small copper lock, with the key now inserted.

Xiao Qinghe’s curiosity was piqued, and she opened the box.

The moment it opened, everyone in the room gasped. Quezhi couldn’t help but ask: “Is… is this Miss?”

Xiao Qinghe was also momentarily stunned.

Inside were several wooden carvings: lively little dogs and rabbits, chubby little pigs, and most strikingly, a young girl riding a horse.

The girl wore a long dress and rode gracefully, her skirt and black hair fluttering in the wind. Her features carried a smile, and she looked exactly like Xiao Qinghe in a bronze mirror, though slightly younger.

Beneath the horse stood a young boy, holding the reins and leading the girl forward.

He didn’t dare look at the girl on the horse but wore a smile on his face.

Xiao Qinghe had been intricately carved, but the boy was rougher, with blurred features and plain clothing—he looked like an ordinary Xiao family servant.

“I remember this outfit—it was made for Miss’s coming-of-age ceremony by the palace embroiderers at the request of Consort Xian. This bracelet was a gift from the eldest young master, and this pendant from Madam…”

Quezhi, who had always followed Xiao Qinghe closely, could list all her clothes and jewelry by heart.

She marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship of the carvings while explaining their origins.

Xiao Qinghe recalled some memories as well.

Her coming-of-age ceremony had been grand, with many guests congratulating her. Afterward, she had secretly slipped out with Wei Lingze and returned only after dark.

Although her household was strict and she had found excuses to send Quezhi and her nanny away, she couldn’t escape the eyes of those in the outer courtyard.

It was Xiao Yecheng who helped her get away from the Xiao family.

At the time, her heart and eyes were full of Wei Lingze, and she couldn’t remember whether she had thanked Xiao Yecheng—or even what he had said to her.

Had he congratulated her too?

What coming-of-age gift had he given her then?

After she went out, had her parents noticed? Had Xiao Yecheng been punished because of her?

Countless questions surged in her mind, and Xiao Qinghe couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the wooden carving of the young boy.

Quezhi asked curiously: “Miss, is this person leading the horse General Xiao? Why didn’t he carve himself to look better? I don’t remember him ever leading Miss’s horse before.”