720 Feelings
She believed that if Sun Baoshan really liked her, he would come and propose marriage. If he didn’t, she would have misjudged him. A sincere love was never true just because he said it was. He needed to prove it. If he couldn’t prove it now, how could he endure the test of the countless years in the future?
Although Chu Li lived in the back residence, she was not a woman who would lose her judgment just by listening to others.
Her fate with Sun Baoshan came from a coincidence a few years ago. Sun Baoshan found her and sincerely apologized to her before the two of them met. In the past few years, they had exchanged letters and gradually got to know each other.
She liked Sun Baoshan and was willing to marry him. However, if Sun Baoshan was unwilling to propose marriage, she would never say it.
As a woman, she adhered to her duty and stopped being polite. She was brave, but that first step had to be taken by Sun Baoshan because she had her parents, brothers, and sister-in-law behind her. She could not do anything that would damage her family’s reputation.
“Young Master Sun, it’s getting late. I’m leaving first.”
Chu Li glanced at Sun Baoshan and bowed politely before turning to leave.
She knew that Sun Baoshan was watching her.
Chu Li did not turn around until she completely disappeared from Sun Baoshan’s sight.
Sun Baoshan stopped on the spot for a while. He chased after Chu Li and escorted her out from afar. He only relaxed when he saw Chu Li and the maidservant leave safely.
After Sun Baoshan left for a while, Su Xiaolu, Chen Shi, and Chen Xing came out. The three of them tacitly did not discuss this matter and went home together.
Thinking of Sun Baoshan, he was going to be 19 years old after the new year. It was time for him to get married.
Su Xiaolu did not pay much attention to this matter.
After New Year’s day, the new year began.
On the first day of the new year, the two sisters-in-law were going home to visit their families. Eldest Brother and Second Brother accompanied them.
Su Shiyu was also brought along.
After discussing with Chen Hu, Su Sanlang decided to gather for dinner.
Su Xiaolu accompanied Chen Shi to practice his swordsmanship. She seemed to see her past self, who had once practiced martial arts, in Chen Shi. She would not stop until she was exhausted. She had taught Chen Shi. She was his sister and Master.
Madam Qian and Madam Zhao were chatting casually. Daniu and Erniu were pregnant. Now that Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu were gathered in Furongzhou, Madam Qian had the intention to go to Furongzhou and accompany her two daughters to give birth before coming back.
They had already done their best with the imperial dishes. They had participated in the palace banquet this year. The final outcome was already set.
They could also relax a little. Madam Qian wanted to go to Furongzhou to accompany her two daughters.
Of course, Madam Zhao supported her. She told Madam Qian not to worry and to leave Chen Shi and Chen Xing to her.
The two of them chatted and laughed. Su Xiaolu felt that they were especially gentle. Madam Qian and Madam Zhao had similar personalities. More importantly, they understood each other’s emotions.
Gui You and Old Wu were drinking and playing chess in the house. Occasionally, they could hear Old Wu shouting that he wanted to repent.
Su Xiaolu felt at peace. She realized that this was the meaning of the word ‘home’.
In the afternoon, there was a knock on the door.
Su Xiaolu flew over to open the door. After the door opened, Su Xiaoling and Zhou Heng smiled at her with their children in their arms.
Su Xiaolu was overjoyed. “Sis is back.”
Su Xiaolu turned to Madam Zhao and shouted, “Mother, Sister and Brother-in-law are back. There’s also Xiaowei and Xiaoxuan.”
Su Xiaoling and Zhou Heng came back to visit their relatives, making their ‘home’ very perfect.
Hearing Su Xiaolu’s shout, Madam Zhao and Madam Qian came out together. Su Sanlang and Chen Hu also came later.
Madam Zhao looked at Su Xiaoling’s family of four and instantly teared up. She smiled with tears in her eyes. “Quick, come in.”
“Sanmei—Heng.”
Su Xiaoling and Zhou Heng brought the children back. This was too surprising for Madam Zhao. This was the first time Su Xiaoling had come to visit her family after she got married, just like ordinary people.
Madam Zhao had not seen Zhou Wei and Zhou Xuan since they were born. A few months had passed. The red and ugly children back then had already grown up to be lively. Their skin was fair and tender, and their big clear eyes looked at people as if they could speak.
Zhou Heng greeted them respectfully. “Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, it’s my fault for not bringing Xiaoling back to visit you often.”
Su Sanlang sighed, but shook his head and said nothing.
Madam Zhao wiped her tears and said, “Come in and sit. Let me take a good look at you.”
They couldn’t blame Zhou Heng, but as parents, they missed Su Xiaoling, so they couldn’t lie to themselves about the blame in their hearts.
They knew etiquette, but they couldn’t control the deep longing in their hearts.
“Xiaowei, Xiaoxuan, do you remember Auntie?”
Su Xiaoling leaned in front of the two little girls. In the unfamiliar environment, Zhou Wei was especially quiet, but Zhou Xuan looked around, curious about new people and things.
Zhou Xuan was not afraid of strangers. After a while, she reached out for a hug.
Su Xiaolu hugged her.
Madam Zhao carried Zhou Wei over and coaxed her softly. Zhou Wei clenched her fists and pursed her lips. She did not cry, but she did not relax either.
With the arrival of Su Xiaoling and Zhou Heng’s family, it became lively. They talked about the past and many things. Even if they had to talk about it every year, they would never get tired of it.
Su Xiaolu was especially happy. She prayed in her heart that they could meet like this every year.
Dinner was early. No matter how reluctant they were, Su Xiaoling and Zhou Heng had to return to the palace.
Su Xiaolu sent them off.
The carriage was by the street. Seeing them get into the carriage, Su Xiaoling lifted the curtain and said gently to Su Xiaolu, “Xiaolu, go back.”
Su Xiaolu nodded. She watched the carriage leave before returning home.
When it was dark, Su Chong and Lin Yaoyao returned with the children. Su Hua and Sun Baoqian had yet to return. Not long after Su Chong and the others returned, a manservant from the Sun residence came to pass a message that Su Hua and Sun Baoqian were going to stay at the Sun residence tonight.
They were reporting to their family.
After Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao found out, they were relieved.
Su Xiaolu recalled what happened last night and was puzzled for a moment. However, she could not go to the Sun residence to eavesdrop. After washing up, she returned to her room to sleep.
—-
At this moment, in the Sun residence, Sun Baoshan had already told his parents, sister, and brother-in-law the whole story. He had also expressed his intention. He wanted to marry Chu Li.
Sun Ziqian and Madam Lian were silent.
Sun Bocheng sighed and said, “Baoshan, Grandpa and your parents aren’t trying to stop you. It’s just that the difference between us and the Chu family is too great. Chu Leizhen is a fourth-grade general. His only daughter definitely can’t be married off at a low price. If this was three generations ago, our Sun family was also a military family. After accumulating merits for several generations, our Sun family and the Chu family were also compatible then.”
Unfortunately, the Sun family was declining and had few children. Now, they had long distanced themselves from the powerful courtiers and only engaged in the business world.
Some of the favors the Sun family had once made were almost used up when they supported Su Hua.