"Miss, this is from Prince Lin."
Chuntao, my maid, brought in a box.
I rubbed my forehead and told her to open it.
Inside were poems, each signed with my name. My headache worsened.
Everyone knew I hated reading. Why would I write poetry?
Sure enough, only the signatures were in my handwriting; none of the poems were mine.
I told Chuntao to burn them all.
She hesitated.
"What are you waiting for?"
Chuntao clutched the box. "Miss, are you sure?"
I nodded solemnly.
"From now on, don't accept anything from Prince Lin. Only deliver gifts from your future lord to my courtyard."
I made sure the maids knew: Prince Yan was to be called "Young Master."
Speak of the devil.
"Young Master is here!"
I hurriedly told Chuntao to hide the box.
"Ah Rui, you're here." I moved closer to him, wanting to be near.
He stiffened for a moment, then relaxed.
"Yun'er…" His voice was gentle.
"I'm here." I gazed at him, my heart full of joy.
This was my future husband—I couldn't get enough of him.
He seemed uneasy under my stare, his ears turning red. "Yun'er, I've come to propose."
I was thrilled, but remembered the rumors.
"Ah Rui, you're so good to me. But they say I always scold you—is that true?"
I tugged his sleeve, a little aggrieved.
His reaction wasn't what I expected. He didn't say yes or no.
He took my hand, sincere. "Yun'er, that's just playful bickering."
His fingers were long and strong.
This was the first time Jiang Rui took my hand.
My doubts melted away, replaced by sweetness.
I wanted him to try the cakes I made, so I pulled him to sit. Chuntao was making faces at me.
Crash!
Papers scattered on the floor.
My smile froze. I turned to see Chuntao's awkward expression.
Jiang Rui picked up a letter, smiling at me. "What's this?"
"Uh, this, um…"
I panicked, glancing at Chuntao for help.
"Accounting! I'm learning to read accounts."
"Mother says I should learn before marrying." My eyes darted, hoping he wouldn't see through me.
"Really?" Jiang Rui's fingers touched the seal.
I swallowed hard.
Of course not. I hated reading and could barely recognize characters, let alone accounts.
Suddenly, he put the letter down and picked up a cup of tea.
"Don't worry, Yun'er. After you marry, the palace matrons will teach you."
Relieved, I beamed. "Jiang Rui, you're wonderful."
He choked on his tea.
I reached out to pat his back, worried.
He instinctively flinched, but quickly let me.
"I'm fine."
Since we weren't married yet, it wasn't proper to spend too much time alone.
Reluctantly, I let him go.
That night, my father rushed back from Xuzhou to preside over the engagement. Unlike Mother, he didn't ask why I chose Prince Yan over Prince Lin. Instead, he patted my shoulder, smiling, "I always knew where your heart truly lay, my daughter