With those words, the two finally quieted down.
Feng Jin’s gaze swept over them before she finally spoke with a faint tone, "Lu Shi, marriage is no trifling matter. Do you know how greatly your words today would affect Cai Qing if they were to spread? Have you truly thought this through when doing such things?"
It wasn’t that she was preventing Cai Qing from marrying, but this woman had a difficult life from birth, especially in an era where men were revered and women looked down upon.
Lu Shi’s grand proposal, if heard by others, would become a topic of gossip. If Lu Shi were to treat Cai Qing poorly afterward, she would face public condemnation. This matter was not trivial, and they all needed to think carefully before making a decision.
"Young Madam, I have long since thought it through. I will treat Cai Qing well in this life, and I will protect her with my life. I will never let her suffer even the slightest injustice."
Lu Shi said earnestly, his tone unusually firm. He had decided that Cai Qing was his wife, and that was for life, never to change.
"Cai Qing, what are your thoughts?"
Cai Qing's opinion was the most important. If she was unwilling, Feng Jin would absolutely not agree, no matter how long Lu Shi knelt there.
"I... I..."
Cai Qing was also hesitant. She glanced at Lu Shi, then quickly turned her head away, lowering her gaze and remaining silent for a long time.
This silence made Lu Shi anxious to the point of desperation, his heart pounding continuously, fearing that Cai Qing would not agree.
After a full盏茶’s time, Cai Qing slowly raised her head, looked at Lu Shi, and finally turned to Feng Jin, saying in a solemn tone, "Young Madam, I... I am willing..."
The last three words were spoken so softly that if her hearing weren't exceptional, it would be difficult to hear Cai Qing clearly.
This faint sound, like a fly’s buzz, made Lu Shi frantic. He thought for a moment that Cai Qing disagreed or hadn't said anything at all, and he impatiently pressed, "What did you just say? Are you willing to marry me?"
Being questioned so indiscreetly by Lu Shi in front of everyone, Cai Qing’s small face turned completely red. She wished she could find a hole to crawl into and never come out.
"You... you really are a simpleton!"
Cai Qing said with frustration, hitting Lu Shi directly and pushing him away before running out.
"No, you... you haven't finished speaking yet!"
Lu Shi, not having received a clear answer, rushed after Cai Qing, still asking, "What is this? After all that, you still haven't made it clear whether you're willing or not."
Lu Shi angrily stomped his foot heavily, his face filled with unwillingness as he sighed mournfully.
"Cai Qing is absolutely right; he truly is a complete simpleton!"
Feng Jin chided him. After all, he was a martial artist. Hadn't he heard what Cai Qing just said?
"I... I..." Lu Shi opened his mouth slightly, but swallowed the words that were about to come out. He didn't know what to say first.
"Simpleton, you're so stupid it's unbelievable!" After saying this, Feng Jin turned to leave. Lu Shi, however, rushed forward and stopped her, asking the question that had been bothering him for a long time.
"Young Madam, what... what did Cai Qing just say?"
He desperately wanted to know what Cai Qing had said, so he would know how to proceed.
Feng Jin rolled her eyes and looked at Lu Shi contemptuously. Had he truly not heard a single word, or was Lu Shi too foolish to understand what was happening?
"Cai Qing said... said she is willing, willing to marry you."
Not wanting to trouble Lu Shi any further, Feng Jin, in her mercy, let him off the hook.
Otherwise, with Lu Shi's brain, he probably wouldn't figure out what was going on even if he broke his head. It was her kindness that helped Lu Shi.
"Really!"
Lu Shi exclaimed instinctively, stunned, not daring to believe what his ears had heard.
This was simply a surprise. Now that Cai Qing had agreed, he needed to hurry up and prepare for the wedding.
"Look at your foolish expression. If you keep smiling like that, your mouth will stretch all the way to your ears."
Unable to bear looking at Lu Shi’s silly demeanor any longer, Feng Jin reminded him with clear disdain. Was it really necessary to be so happy just because he was about to get married?
Lu Shi sheepishly scratched the back of his head. It was his first time getting married, so being excited was understandable. This was all normal.
"Young Madam, now that Cai Qing has agreed, when do you think is the most suitable time for our wedding?"
Feng Jin’s hands, which were arranging the candlestick, paused. She turned to Lu Shi behind her and said with slight confusion, "The matter of your marriage is something you two should discuss and decide. What use is it to ask me?"
Her opinion could not represent their opinions. Marriage was their own affair. If such an important matter had to be handled by others, what else could Lu Shi accomplish?
"It's my first time too, and I have no experience. Moreover, Cai Qing and I are both orphans. For our wedding, we will need Young Madam and Young General to officiate."
He had been an orphan since childhood with no surviving relatives or elders. For such a significant event as marriage, only the Young General and Young Madam could witness it.
Feng Jin rolled her eyes. It was his first time, but listening to Lu Shi, it seemed he was planning to learn from experience, and perhaps even have a second marriage.
"Everyone gets married for the first time. What you're saying is very awkward."
Lu Shi then realized that he was nervous again and didn't know how to speak.
"Young Madam, I misspoke. Please don't hold it against me. Be magnanimous and teach me what I need to prepare."
In the entire room, besides him, only the Young Madam and Chu Qing were present.
Chu Qing was just a young girl and wouldn't understand these matters. Naturally, he could only ask Feng Jin.
"First, go prepare the betrothal gifts. You have to formally propose before the maiden can enter your bridal sedan chair and your home!"
"Okay, I'll go prepare them now. Young Madam, do you need anything else?"