SC Chapter51

Shen Guan took the hastily prepared betrothal gifts. The one who felt the most joy was Old Zhou, who kept saying his household would no longer face hardship. Shen Guan had been sick for a while and his mood was low, so the sudden proposal left him startled. He nestled in Xiao Ning’s arms, meticulously recalling the dazed days of this period.

Xiao Ning touched the back of his hand to Shen Guan’s forehead, pulled the quilt snug around him, beckoned Xiao Yuan and Niannian over, and silently pushed the two children toward Shen Guan.

“Call him Father.”

Xiao Yuan’s eyes turned red as he called out cautiously. Niannian was still ignorant and followed his older brother, calling out “Father” in a baby voice.

All of Shen Guan’s tangled thoughts faded at once and his heart softened completely. His beloved stood before him and his children were also right beside him, and he felt he needed nothing else.

When Old Zhou saw this scene, he immediately commissioned someone to choose an auspicious date for the two to hold the wedding. Xiao Ning also took the opportunity to lease the house next to the cake stall, preparing to tear it down and rebuild it to connect the two. In the future, Xiao Yuan and Niannian wouldn’t have to always be squeezed into one warm room anymore.

Shen Guan’s body had not yet fully recovered, so he only watched Xiao Ning busy himself while he rested and played with Niannian at home. When the construction of the house next door began, a tailor came to measure Shen Guan’s waist.

“We must make a wedding gown.” Xiao Ning said.

Shen Guan’s eyes darkened as he remembered the wedding they never got to have that year. Then Xiao Ning suddenly wrapped an arm around his waist and drew him into his embrace.

“Don’t think about the past.” Xiao Ning whispered in his ear.

There was a faint shine in Shen Guan’s eyes, and after a long moment, the bitterness in his heart eased. He gave a soft, sweet smile and murmured, “Young Master…”

“Are you still calling me that?”

Shen Guan thought for a moment and changed his address: “Ah Ning?”

Xiao Ning chuckled softly, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Fujun[mfn]Hubby or husband[/mfn] is also acceptable.”

The sixth day of the next month was chosen for the wedding. A few days early, the tailor shop’s apprentice delivered the attire. Xiao Ning had Shen Guan try it on and told him to return it for adjustments if it didn’t fit. The wedding gown was simple in style, yet made from the finest brocade, smooth as flowing water. Its bright red color highlighted Shen Guan’s pale skin, making his dark eyebrows and eyes strikingly beautiful. However, the waist of this flattering wedding gown was a few inches too narrow.

“Wasn’t it measured based on the size then? It seems I’ve gained quite a bit of weight these days,” Shen Guan tugged at the fabric around his waist and said with a smile.

Xiao Ning reached out to pinch his chin, lifted it, and carefully examined him for a long time, saying, “Still too thin.”

Shen Guan caught his hand and pressed it to his waist: “It grew right here.”

Xiao Ning encircled Shen Guan’s waist and squeezed it, seeming to confirm that he had indeed gained a little flesh compared to before.

“Send it back for alteration.”

Shen Guan stopped him, only saying, “No need to bother, it’s fine even if it’s snug.” As he spoke, he tightened the sash by a few more inches. It fit after all, his slender waist and long legs made it hard to tell whether the clothes flattered the person or the person flattered the clothes. Xiao Ning personally draped the outer robe over him. The flowing light of the soft red wide sleeves was truly beautiful.

“In a couple of days, I’ll send some dowry cakes and candies to the neighbors. We won’t have a big banquet, we will only invite Old Zhou to drink at our house.” Xiao Ning carefully smoothed out a wrinkle for Shen Guan. Although his tone was calm, tenderness still seeped into his eyes.

Hearing him say this, Shen Guan felt an unexpected shyness. His unconscious small actions caught Xiao Ning’s eye, prompting Xiao Ning to pull him into his arms and whisper against his earlobe, “Our children are already this big, what are you still being shy about?”

Shen Guan coughed softly, while his face turned completely red.

The sixth day came quickly. Their wedding was held without fanfare, yet not hidden, and they neatly bowed three times to Heaven and Earth. Niannian gnawed on a cake stamped with the character for ‘joy,’ while Xiao Yuan pulled him to run around busily. After Xiao Ning and Shen Guan completed the ritual, Old Zhou was already by the side, holding an opened jar of wine and pouring a full cup.

“I truly thank you for all these years.” Xiao Ning sincerely raised his wine cup to toast Old Zhou, and Shen Guan did the same, joining him for a drink.

Old Zhou laughed heartily while saying happily, “I’ll be at peace if the two of you can live a good life. Xiao Yuan is talented at studying, his schoolwork is so good. Niannian is still young, but when he’s a little older, don’t forget your promise to me, I want to take him as my last disciple.”

Shen Guan nodded and said, “Of course.”

Old Zhou raised his wine cup again, clinking it with Shen Guan’s as he teased, “Wouldn’t it be even better to have a daughter while you’re still young?”

Shen Guan smiled and lifted his wine cup to drink, but Xiao Ning stopped him, took the cup, and drank it all in one gulp.

“No more children. There’s no need to suffer that ordeal.” Xiao Ning set down the bowl and then whispered to Shen Guan, “You’ve just recovered from a serious illness, don’t be greedy with alcohol.”

Shen Guan just wet his lips with the wine, while the remaining jars went entirely to Old Zhou and Xiao Ning. When the wine jars were empty, Old Zhou was still not satisfied and insisted on going home to dig up two jars of aged wine buried underground to continue drinking.

Shen Guan couldn’t stop him and could only watch him stagger out the door to retrieve the wine.

In just a moment, he heard a slow knocking sound again. Shen Guan got up and asked through the door, “You’re back so quickly?”

He pulled the door open. The night wind dissipated the scent of wine filling the room. Shen Guan’s red sleeves fluttered in the wind, his clothes rippling, and the calm vanished from his eyes. Outside the door stood a person in white with a black cloak, silent and solemn.

“Guan’er.” Jiang Lingxin was composed and calm, making it impossible to discern his emotions. He only heard him say, “Your master has personally come to ask for a cup of wine.”