A Proposal

On Zhao Ruxi's birthday, Zhao Jingtai rushed over from Gusu, bringing gifts prepared by the old lady and Zhao Yuanxun to celebrate Zhao Ruxi's birthday.

When Zhao Ruxi first met Zhao Jingtai, he was a short, chubby boy, but now he has grown taller and slimmer, becoming a handsome young man.

Zhao Jingtai offered Zhao Ruxi a cup of tea instead of wine, saying, "I came here because my grandmother asked me to pass on a message to my sister. She said that if she could see my sister get engaged this year and get married next year, she would have no regrets in her life."

Zhao Ruxi: "..."

Being pressured to get married at a birthday party—that's a bittersweet experience.

Lady Zhu glanced at Zhao Ruxi: "My wish is the same as your grandmother's."

Zhao Ruxi downed her plum juice in one gulp with a bold gesture and said expressionlessly, "Okay, I understand."

After dinner, Zhao Ruxi returned to her courtyard and went inside to practice calligraphy when she bumped into a man's arms.

Zhao Ruxi did not react excessively.

Even with her agile skills, she still couldn't escape the other person's embrace. The only explanation is that the owner of the embrace was Xiao Lingyan, who had also taken the Agility Pill.

What's more, the embrace and the scent were so familiar.

"You came to celebrate my birthday?" She looked up and asked with a smile.

Xiao Lingyan first gave her a deep kiss to ease his longing, then replied, "Mmm."

Zhao Ruxi didn't need to worry about whether Matron Yuan and the others would barge in. Wang Tong would notify Qingfeng in his own way from outside, and Qingfeng would stand guard in front of the house and send away any servants who happened to come by.

Zhao Ruxi pushed Xiao Lingyan sit down and extended her jade-like hand to him. "A birthday present."

Xiao Lingyan patted his chest. "Here it is."

It was summer, and people were dressed in light clothing. Xiao Lingyan was wearing silk, so it was easy to tell whether he had anything in his chest pocket.

Zhao Ruxi looked at his flat chest suspiciously, then looked up at Xiao Lingyan.

"I am the gift, I'm giving myself to you directly," Xiao Lingyan.

Zhao Ruxi: "..." I suspect you want to make a sexual advance, and I have solid evidence.

Zhao Ruxi casually twisted her waist, staring threateningly into his eyes. "Tell me, have you ever touched a woman and tasted flesh?" Otherwise, how could your mind be filled with such filthy thoughts?

Xiao Lingyan grinned and raised his hand, saying, "I swear, I was a virgin in both my past and present lives. Why don't you verify it?"

Zhao Ruxi: "..."

Looking into Xiao Lingyan's serious eyes, she took a step back. "So, did you read some erotic novels and come here to make dirty jokes?" As she spoke, she stared at him with a deathly gaze.

She still remembered that when she first met Zhao Jingli, the boy was reading erotica, and the mischievous Zhao Jingtai snatched it from her and read it aloud.

"How could a model socialist youth like me, who refuses corruption and will never be tainted, watch that kind of stuff? I just missed my wife." Xiao Lingyan stepped forward, planted a kiss on her neck, and said in a hoarse voice, "Wife, did you miss me?"

Zhao Ruxi stiffened, her eyes filled with increasing suspicion.

Not to mention that her body is still young and not fully developed, Xiao Lingyan would not joke about this matter out of consideration for the reputation of women in ancient times.

He kept teasing her about this all day, and she kept feeling that something was off about him.

She pushed Xiao Lingyan away forcefully, staring into his eyes, her gaze turning cold. "Xiao Lingyan, what have you done? Take this opportunity to confess honestly. Confess and you'll be treated leniently; resist and you'll be punished severely. If I find out you're lying, you're dead."

Xiao Lingyan out in protest, "Really, no. I just missed you. Besides, there's something else important in my life."

As he spoke, he took out a small, exquisite wooden box, about half the size of his palm, from his sleeve. He opened it, revealing a ring inside. The ring was made of gold and set with a ruby.

"I had this ring made by a craftsman. It's a bit old-fashioned, but the gold represents my heart, which is more precious than gold, and the ruby symbolizes that our future together will be prosperous and thriving."

He held up the small box, knelt on one knee, and asked, "Xiaoxi, will you marry me?"

Zhao Ruxi was stunned.

When she wrote to Xiao Lingyan and told him what Wu Zong had said, she knew they had to get engaged. But she never expected Xiao Lingyan to propose to her in this way.

So that's what he meant when he said he was giving himself to her as a birthday present!

She gazed at Xiao Lingyan's handsome face, her heart churning with emotion.

In modern times, she also longed for the feeling of mutual love and hoped that one day she would wear a ring and walk down the aisle. But no one could ever enter her heart, and she was unwilling to settle, so she prepared herself to grow old alone.

Unexpectedly, after transmigrating to ancient times, she found the person she wanted to spend her life with, and they were about to spend their lives together.

She slowly extended her hand and whispered, "I do."

Xiao Lingyan took out a ring, put it on her hand, and kissed it. "Xiaoxi, I will dedicate my whole life to you, be loyal to you, never change my heart, protect you, treat you well, and remain faithful until death do us part."

Zhao Ruxi pulled him up and gave him a kiss. Xiao Lingyan responded passionately.

The two didn't separate for a while. Zhao Ruxi held out her palm. "Where's the other ring? You've got me wrapped up, and I'll get you wrapped up too."

Xiao Lingyan took out an identical small box from another sleeve pocket, opened it, and revealed a large ring of the same style. Zhao Ruxi took it out and put it on his finger.

She looked at him earnestly and said, "I will dedicate my entire life to you, remaining loyal forever, until death do us part. Of course, that's on the condition that you feel the same way."

Xiao Lingyan gazed at her, his Adam's apple bobbing, and said softly, "Okay."

The two embraced for a while before sitting down.

Zhao Ruxi poured him a cup of tea and pushed some snacks in front of him. "What are your plans for the future?"

"I proposed, and you said yes. You're my wife now, and that will never change. But what happens next needs to be discussed carefully," Xiao Lingyan. "Once we're engaged, you'll be at the mercy of the schemes of other factions and put in danger. Xiaoxi, I really can't risk your life."

Zhao Ruxi had already anticipated what she would face after the engagement.

She shook her head and said, "Since I've decided to marry you, I have to bear all the negative consequences of changing my identity. There's no way to avoid it or solve it. Don't worry, they wouldn't dare to kill me, and I'm not completely helpless. The danger I face isn't as great as you imagine."

Xiao Lingyan held Zhao Ruxi's hand, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "I miss the modern world."

In modern times, they can fall in love if they want, and get married if they want. As long as they are mutually in love, they don't need to consider any other factors, and there is no danger.