CHAPTER 429: CHAPTER 429: A HAPPY OCCASION (PART 1)

When one has walked the path between life and death, they achieve great enlightenment.

Nothing is more important than the present. One need not care about worldly views, but should hold onto what they desire and like, and live well.

Sun Zelan looked at her brother thoughtfully: "It definitely isn’t that simple. Don’t beat around the bush, tell me honestly, what exactly is going on with Shanxing?"

Sun Guangbai didn’t want to say, but could not resist his sister’s urging and questioning, and eventually spoke up.

"After father moved into the quarantine area, the task of preparing and distributing medicine fell on me, and I was so busy it seemed like the world was spinning. One day, I suddenly developed a high fever."

"At that time, I thought I had contracted the plague as well, and in despair, I locked myself in the tent, refusing to let anyone approach."

"Shanxing insisted on coming into the tent, caring for me tirelessly day and night."

During that time, he, while sick, believed he had a terminal illness and was especially vulnerable. He scolded Shanxing angrily, trying to drive her away.

Shanxing, tearful from the scolding, refused to leave: "You have a severe fever, someone needs to take care of your daily needs. I won’t leave."

"I’ve contracted the plague and will die eventually." He held back tears, pretending to be cold and unfeeling: "If you stay by my side, you’ll be infected too."

"Then I’ll die with you," Shanxing said without thinking: "So you won’t go alone to the Yellow Springs."

Such a simple sentence completely shattered his strong psychological defenses.

He covered his face with his sleeve and cried.

Shanxing cried too, and groped her way to his side, hugging him tightly and sobbing: "Let me stay with you! If you recover, we’ll live together. If you don’t, I’ll close my eyes with you."

His hands trembled as he embraced Shanxing and cried.

Fortunately, it was just a high fever, and after taking medicine for three days, he slowly recovered. In the following three months, he and Shanxing grew closer day by day.

Shanxing, simple-minded as she was, didn’t care about titles or status as long as she could be with the one she liked. He, as a grown man, had more thoughts and naturally wanted to marry openly and honorably.

Sun Zelan listened intently and asked eagerly: "Have you told father about this?"

Sun Guangbai coughed: "Not yet. I thought I’d tell you first. If father tries to obstruct it, you can help me persuade him."

Shanxing’s background indeed posed a problem. The Sun Family was a top apricot family in Da Liang, and Sun Guangbai, now a Standard Seventh Rank medical officer, had a promising future, and marrying a lady from a reputable family wouldn’t be difficult.

Sun Zelan thought for a moment and said: "You’d better tell father about this soon, instead of hiding it all the time. If father enforces the family’s rules, I’ll definitely plead for you."

Sun Guangbai finally relaxed and smiled broadly.

The siblings, reunited after a long separation, chatted until midnight before finally parting.

Sun Guangbai hummed a tune as he returned to his tent. As soon as he entered, a petite figure sprang at him, skillfully burrowing into his embrace.

Sun Guangbai felt warmth in his heart and hugged the figure tightly: "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

Shanxing whispered: "Did you tell the master?"

Sun Guangbai nodded.

Shanxing instantly tensed up: "What did the master say? Is she angry?"

"Don’t worry." Sun Guangbai smiled reassuringly: "My sister has agreed to speak for us in front of father. She also wants us to be together."

Shanxing breathed a sigh of relief, then said shyly: "Being a disciple taught by the master, it’s strange to become the master’s sister-in-law."

Indeed, it’s a bit strange. Sun Guangbai chuckled softly: "We’ll keep things separate. In private, you can still call her master."

Shanxing obediently agreed.

Sun Guangbai released his arms: "You should head back. It’s not appropriate for a man and woman to be alone together this late."

Shanxing was reluctant to leave, tugging on his sleeve and shaking it: "Once we’re married, will I be able to stay in your tent every day?"

Sun Guangbai blushed again.

With all his self-control, he stepped back two steps and said to Shanxing: "That’s something for the future. It’s late now, you should go back."

Shanxing left, reluctant and unwilling.

She usually slept in the same tent with Lin Huiniang. When she returned, her face flushed pink, Lin Huiniang immediately understood and asked with a low laugh: "Did you see Sun Junyi?"

Shanxing’s eyes brimmed with joy as she nodded vigorously: "Yes, he already told the master about us. In a few days, he’ll tell Doctor Sun."

"Master promised to help us."

Lin Huiniang looked at the delighted Shanxing, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted. She spoke softly: "Shanxing, I’m not trying to dampen your spirits. Have you thought about what you’ll do if Doctor Sun doesn’t agree?"

Shanxing looked at her with clear, bright eyes: "If Doctor Sun agrees, he can marry me. If Doctor Sun doesn’t agree, I won’t ask for a title, as long as I can be with him."

Lin Huiniang was at a loss for words for a moment, then smiled helplessly: "You’re thinking too simply. If Doctor Sun insists on disagreeing, Sun Junyi will have to marry another woman. Even if you want to stay with Sun Junyi without a title, it depends on whether his legal wife would be willing. If things get out of hand, you’ll end up losing."

Shanxing stubbornly replied with a childish naiveté: "No matter what, I just want to be with him. In the past, when he didn’t like me, I stayed afar. Now that he likes me, I need to stay by his side even more."

Lin Huiniang laughed: "Okay, okay, may all lovers end up together. I hope you can achieve a beautiful marriage soon."

Shanxing smiled sweetly.

That night, Shanxing slept soundly with sweet dreams. Lin Huiniang silently faced the wall, unable to sleep all night.

It was no wonder Lin Huiniang was filled with worry.

The gap between Shanxing and Sun Guangbai was simply too vast. The eight-year age difference was secondary. The key issues were family background and Shanxing’s past as part of a bandit gang... What family would not be particular about this when marrying a daughter-in-law?

Early the next morning, Shanxing got up full of energy to wash and then happily went to the kitchen to fetch breakfast for Sun Guangbai and his sister.

Lin Huiniang, uneasy, insisted on accompanying her.

Sun Zelan, as usual, praised Shanxing’s diligence with a smile, then led her off to assist in the Wounded Soldier Camp.

When it was time for lunch, Shanxing quietly brought her meal over to find Sun Guangbai.

Sun Zelan noticed and thought to herself that it would be best to talk to their father sooner rather than later. Otherwise, they might end up with nieces and nephews before the sister-in-law even enters the family.

...

On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, after a busy year, the subordinate officials finally had some leisure. The County Magistrates of the Fourteen Counties gradually came to pay their respects to the Commandery Princess, and the annual year-end banquet was about to begin.

Chen Jinyu hurried into the study and whispered a few words into Jiang Shaohua’s ear.

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Has Doctor Sun enforced the family rules again?"

Chen Jinyu looked sympathetic: "The cries of Sun Junyi can be heard from far away, it’s quite miserable."