CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

A family of three strolled through some important places in the manor and then went back to rest. The manor was too large, and if they toured it all, Xiao Li would be exhausted.

Thinking that there were important plans for tonight, Qin Xiao wouldn’t allow Xiao Li to get tired...

That afternoon, just after five o’clock, the Qin Family’s dinner was served. After dinner, Xiao Li still wanted to play with little Mianmian, but Mianmian was taken away by Qin’s mother, saying they needed to rest well since they would be busy tomorrow.

As soon as little Mianmian was taken away, Qin Xiao also pulled Xiao Li to go to bed.

It was only seven in the evening then. Sleeping this early, was it even serious?

But Qin Xiao directly said they had to get up early in the morning, so Xiao Li obediently went to bed with him.

She ended up being woken at three in the morning, told that Qin’s mother called her to go to Tingfeng Pavilion.

Xiao Li was a bit groggy when she first woke up. She looked around and didn’t see Qin Xiao, so she asked the servant, "Where is Second Master?"

The servant smiled and said, "Second Master has already gone to work."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li quickly got up, washed up a bit, and followed the person to Tingfeng Pavilion.

Tingfeng Pavilion was the tallest building in the manor, standing five stories high...

The first four floors were the Piano Room, Tea Room, Library, and Treasure Pavilion, while the fifth floor was the Observation Pavilion, where one could see the entire scenery of the manor...

By the time Xiao Li arrived at Tingfeng Pavilion, Qin’s mother was already waiting outside. When Qin’s mother saw her coming, she took her into the Piano Room on the first floor. As soon as she entered, she saw a servant holding something, waiting...

Qin’s mother smiled and said, "This is an outfit prepared for you; go and try it on..."

Xiao Li took the clothes, bewildered, and went to the fitting room in the Piano Room to change.

When Xiao Li came out dressed, Qin’s mother nodded approvingly.

It was a white qipao embroidered with purple balloon flowers, looking both elegant and noble on Xiao Li...

Qin’s mother said, "This outfit suits you; Ah Xiao designed it well."

Surprised, Xiao Li said, "Mom, this outfit was designed by Uncle?"

Qin’s mother nodded, "Yes, from start to finish, he designed it. If there’s anything else you want to know, you can ask him when you go up to the fifth floor later..."

As Qin’s mother spoke, she picked up a jade hairpin and pinned up Xiao Li’s loose long hair...

Xiao Li smiled and said, "Is Uncle upstairs?"

Qin’s mother smiled, "You’ll know when you go up and look."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li happily headed towards the stairs, and as soon as she stepped on the stairs, small lights beside the wall lit up.

Xiao Li looked at the wall, where hung a hand-drawn picture of her and Qin Xiao in the Xiao Family garden. Beside it, it read: "At first sight, you were just a cute little girl, leaving a trace in my heart..."

Xiao Li continued upwards to another half-floor wooden staircase and saw the second picture, depicting a classroom scene where Xiao Li’s mom was chatting on the phone, while Qin Xiao sneakily watched and listened...

The accompanying text read: "Your charming smile, your bright eyes entered my heart, leaving me no choice but to welcome you in..."

Looking at that picture, Xiao Li could imagine the scene at the time, laughing delightfully with her hand over her mouth...

With laughter, Xiao Li ascended to the second floor, heading to the stairs to the third floor, where there was a long picture depicting Qin Xiao frequently sneaking to meet Xiao Li at school, in the campus, at the food street, and by the lakeside dam...

Xiao Li looked at the picture, searching for the words within, finally finding them in the corner: "You’ve made me sick, going crazy, doing all sorts of foolish things, yet I still find it as sweet as honey to endure."

Upon seeing this, Xiao Li’s eyes were already a bit misty.

Her facial expressions became a bit complex at this moment, clearly smiling, yet with tears glistening in her eyes...

Xiao Li continued to look upwards, seeing them in the Xiao Family living room having their first meal, also the moment they settled their marriage arrangement...

In the picture, Xiao Li was angrily standing by the dining table while Xiao’s father and Qin Xiao sat there...

Xiao Li looked at the words beside the picture: "At that moment, you were furious, waving your arms, while my entire heart rejoiced so much it didn’t know how to beat properly..."

Xiao Li thought of how she had just learned in her past life that Xiao’s father had arranged for her marriage and had angrily cursed, even though she typically didn’t curse, she had said many unpleasant things to Qin Xiao that day.

Being scolded yet still happy, truly he was a fool.

Xiao Li continued upwards and saw the scene of them outside her room on their wedding day, with Qin Xiao writing, "I was prepared to chase after my wife, but you directly turned the start into the end."

"Happiness came too fast, I felt it was somewhat unreal..."

Farther up was a scene outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, where Xiao Li smiled holding a red book to Qin Xiao, and then a morning scene after their first night together, embracing as they slept, with the last picture being the wedding photo taken just two days ago at the ancestral home.

As Xiao Li stepped onto the fifth floor, she saw the wedding photo.

Reaching the fifth floor, Xiao Li did not see Qin Xiao but saw a table with dragon-phoenix candles lit upon it.

Walking several steps to the table, she saw two large red envelopes on it, with "To My Beloved Xiao Li" written on them.

Picking up the first one, she opened it to find it was a marriage contract, the contract adorned with a dragon and phoenix design for prosperity.

Opening the contract, it listed the names and birthdates of Xiao Li and Qin Xiao, along with their hometowns, ancestry, matchmakers, and wedding officials.

At the end, it even noted the wedding date, which was today.

Shocked, Xiao Li thought, what does it mean? The wedding is today?

Confused, Xiao Li picked up the second envelope which held the engagement contract, similarly designed in red with dragons and phoenixes.

Opening the engagement contract, before reading the contents, she first noticed a red piece of paper inserted within.

Written on the red paper: "Nini, will you sign this marriage contract with me, love and cherish each other from this day forth, grow old together, and if there is a next life, remain together for all eternity?"

After reading the red paper’s content, Xiao Li then looked at the engagement contract, which read: "The union of two families, the agreement at one hall, eternal good fortune, perfect match and acclaim."

"Seeing today’s peach blossoms burning bright, a home happy and harmonious, wishing for many descendants in the coming years, prosperity and flourishing."

"By the pledge of lifelong devotion, inscribed upon red slips, let the alliance of red leaves, be clearly recorded in the mandarin duck registry."

"This is the evidence."

The vibrant red paper and dark ink, each word full of promises, each line a witness to happiness.

After reading the two marriage contracts, Xiao Li was already in tears, when Qin Xiao slowly ascended the stairs, holding pen and ink...

Hearing the sound of wooden steps, Xiao Li turned to see Qin Xiao approaching in a black suit, left hand holding the ink, right hand a brush...

Qin Xiao set down the ink palette adorned with wisteria flowers, gently placed the brush aside, raised his hand, and softly wiped away her tears, saying tenderly, "On this long journey of life, are you willing to paint with me, turning ink into pictures, words into books?"