CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 465: HOLDING HANDS (PART 2)

It felt like a current surged in from the fingertips, instantly spreading throughout the body.

Cui Du’s mind went blank, just staring dazedly at Jiang Shaohua.

Actually, this was not the first time the two had shaken hands. Jiang Shaohua always held capable officials in high regard, shaking hands while holding an arm was nothing new.

But he knew that this time, it was different.

At this moment, she was just an ordinary girl, gently holding the hand of the boy she liked.

Jiang Shaohua’s cheeks seemed to have a light layer of blush, looking carefully there was a rare shyness: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You’re so beautiful, I just want to keep looking at you." Cui Du’s mind had turned to mush, and what he said was the honest truth: "When I fell from the sky and landed in front of you, when I opened my eyes, you were the first person I saw. At that moment, I wondered how there could be such a lovely girl in the world!"

"Over the years, we’ve met quite often, yet haven’t had many chances to be alone. Seizing an opportunity to look at you like this, I can’t even bear to blink."

All love at first sight begins with attraction.

It’s not necessarily the most beautiful or handsome person, but the one that best fits your eyes.

Speaking of looks, it’s easy to find two or three more handsome than Cui Du. For example, Qiao Sanlang from the Fan Yang Lu Family, who is truly stunning. Then there’s Wang Jin and Zheng Chen, both outstanding among thousands. Strangely, however, she finds Cui Du most pleasing to the eye.

"I think you’re good-looking too." Jiang Shaohua chuckled softly.

Cui Du’s face turned even redder, his black eyes shining brightly, and with courage, he reversed his grip on her hand.

The usually strong Jiang Shaohua suddenly lost all her strength, just like an ordinary girl, her fingertips tingling, her heart gently trembling as she was led by the hand of her beloved.

Cui Du stood there for a long time, grinning foolishly.

The night breeze brushed gently, lifting strands of hair by Jiang Shaohua’s ear. Cui Du reluctantly let go of her hand, awkwardly using his left hand to tuck her hair back.

Hidden away, Qin Hu rolled his eyes and turned his body away. Meng Sanbao and the others had long turned their backs.

However, what followed wasn’t overly romantic.

Cui Du was still a naive young man, and Jiang Shaohua wasn’t in too much of a hurry to be intimate in public. The two of them just held hands, strolling leisurely.

Nothing needed to be said, listening to the chirping of cicadas and frogs, feeling the cool night breeze, with the person she would spend a lifetime with by her side. This scene was already the most beautiful picture.

After walking around the field manor, it was already midnight.

Cui Du found it hard to part but softly said, "It’s very late, the Commandery Princess should return to rest."

Jiang Shaohua responded with a hum, seeing Cui Du’s reluctant expression, she couldn’t help but laugh: "I’ll stay a few more days at the field manor before returning to the Prince Mansion."

Cui Du’s eyes lit up, and his smile grew, as he boldly asked, "When does the Commandery Princess plan to invite a groom into the household?"

Jiang Shaohua: "..."

Faced with such eager eyes and a direct question, Jiang Shaohua was slightly overwhelmed. She coughed lightly and said, "I haven’t thought it through yet. I’ll discuss it with Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng when I return to the mansion."

To bring a husband into the household wasn’t just her affair, but a significant event for the Nanyang Prince Mansion. She did not care how Lu Xuan felt but needed to consult with Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng.

Cui Du immediately came up with a plan: "I’ll go back to the Prince Mansion with the Commandery Princess. This way, it will be more convenient if Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng have any questions."

Jiang Shaohua, finding it difficult to withstand his enthusiastic urgency, cleared her throat and said, "No need to rush. We are both young, waiting two or three more years to marry isn’t a problem."

Cui Du nodded in agreement: "The Commandery Princess is right; it’s best to marry after eighteen. Where I come from, one isn’t considered an adult until eighteen. Of course, if the Commandery Princess wants to do it earlier, I can also..."

"There’s no rush to marry," Jiang Shaohua said with a slight warmth on her face.

"Then let’s get engaged first!" Cui Du earnestly and warmly insisted on having a formal status: "Having an official status would make it easier for me to be with the Commandery Princess more often, and it would also deter those with ulterior motives."

All his words boiled down to that last point.

In the past few months, the Xue Family, Lu Family, and Qinghe Cui Family have not given up, occasionally sending letters, subtly hinting at marriage and entering the family.

Never mind that Cui Du was busy all day at the field manor, such matters could not escape him. Every time he heard such news, he would stew for several days.

Now, finally having the confidence to ask for a formal status, his attitude was naturally proactive.

Jiang Shaohua thought for a moment and said, "An engagement is no problem. This matter must be discussed with the Boling Cui Family, so don’t be in a rush."

Cui Du was overjoyed: "No rush, no rush, I’ll wait for the Commandery Princess’s good news."

Jiang Shaohua just smiled softly.

Under the moonlight, she was even more beautiful, with a bit more dreamy wonder than in the day.

Cui Du’s heart raced like a drum, wanting very much to lean in for a kiss. However, recalling the many trusted aides hidden around, whose piercing gazes were focused on them, his courage dissipated into thin air. He only moved his fingers slightly, gently scratching her palm.

Jiang Shaohua blushed, giving him a reproachful glance.

...

Cui Du, as if drunk, walked back to his room with a light and floating gait.

His elder cousin Cui Wang had been waiting in the room; seeing Cui Du’s light steps and silly smile, he found it amusing: "What’s the matter? Is there some good news?"

Cui Du was so joyful he could burst, unable to contain himself, laughing and saying, "Indeed, there’s great news. The Commandery Princess said she would discuss the engagement with the Cui Family when she returned to the Prince Mansion."

Cui Wang, as if stung by a wasp, suddenly jumped up: "Are you serious?"

"Of course it’s true." Cui Du proudly straightened his chest: "This was personally said by the Commandery Princess."

Cui Wang grinned from ear to ear, giving Cui Du a strong hug: "This is indeed wonderful news! This is fantastic!"

Nanyang County is very powerful, and the Nanyang County Princess is well-known. The Boling Cui Family has already decided to invest in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, and Cui Du becoming the Princess’s husband-in-residence is the best return for the Boling Cui Family.

"I’ll write to grandfather and father immediately," Cui Wang said delightedly, "to have them prepare the betrothal gifts at once."

Cui Du was taken aback: "The Commandery Princess said a husband-in-residence doesn’t need a betrothal gift. If there is a gift, it would be from the Nanyang Prince Mansion to the Boling Cui Family."

Being a husband-in-residence is the reverse of marrying a bride.

Cui Wang chuckled: "Oh, look at me, I was so happy I forgot myself, I forgot about this." He paused, then said with a soft laugh, "Even if we can’t provide betrothal gifts, we can surely prepare a ’dowry.’ You don’t need to worry about this, leave it to me."

Cui Du, now Elder Changning, and soon to be the husband-in-residence of the Commandery Princess, must be the most valued descendant of the Boling Cui Family. In matters of marriage, the family should provide money, people, and effort.

If they provide nothing, where will they get the face to reap benefits in the future?

Having lived in Da Liang for more than five years, Cui Du now understood the ropes and, upon hearing this, laughed: "Then I’ll trouble you, cousin."