Are they in a hurry? Well... Since Yu Chi Cheng has come to propose marriage, how can they not be in a hurry to choose a son - in - law for the princess?
My brother thought for a while and said, "Could it be because Yu Chi Cheng proposed marriage that Father is forcing to choose a son - in - law for you so early? If so, does it mean Father rejected him? That's great! Haha!" My brother was overjoyed at this thought, but then he reacted. "No, what if Yu Chi Cheng is not willing to give up and decides to participate?" My brother's face turned ugly. Then, as if making a decision, he vowed to me, "Xi He, don't worry. Your brother will never let him succeed. If Father insists on finding a son - in - law for you in a month, I will surely help you choose carefully among the young masters of the noble families in Dayong."
Hearing this, I quickly pressed on his shoulders and said, "Brother, no need! Actually, I already have someone I like."
My brother was greatly shocked. "When did this happen? Who do you have a crush on?"
I thought that I would have to tell my brother about this sooner or later. To avoid any unnecessary trouble, it would be better to confess earlier.
"Actually... the person I like is Yu Chi Cheng."
Right after I said this, I could clearly feel my brother's body stiffen. Then, he spoke in an incredulous voice, "Yong Xi He, say that again."
Even if I said it again, the person I liked was still Yu Chi Cheng.
So I really said it again. After that, I could tell that my brother was not happy.
"Brother, don't be angry. Actually, he is really nice to me." I wanted to explain more.
Then my brother stood up from the chair and walked towards his left hall. "Xi He, don't follow me. Let me be alone for a while."
I sighed as I watched my brother's back. For him, this must be really hard to accept. Should I tell Mother and ask her to comfort him?
As soon as this thought came to me, I quickly ran to Qiwu Palace. Mother agreed and said she would comfort him in the afternoon.
On my way back from Qiwu Palace, when I passed by Huiyang Palace, Yu Chi Cheng jumped down from a tree in front of the gate and blocked my way.
I was startled. When I saw it was him, I said, "Brother Cheng, what were you doing on the tree just now?"
Yu Chi Cheng looked a bit unhappy. "I traveled a long way to see you. First, your father gave me a warning. Then your brother came to pick a fight. Finally, I met you, but your first words were so irrelevant. I'm really heart - broken."
Well, Mother once said that heart - breaks that can be spoken out are not that serious. So I secretly smiled.
When Yu Chi Cheng saw me smiling, his face became even more displeased. He complained, "Hey, you heartless little thing..."
Before he could finish his words, I grabbed his hand and ran towards Huiyang Palace.
"Hey? What are you doing?" Before he knew it, I had pulled him into the small courtyard of Huiyang Palace. I didn't answer. When he saw there was no one around, he grabbed me. I was pulled directly into his arms. I looked up at him like a little deer. Then he hugged me tightly. His deep voice came, "Little thing, where do you want to take me?"
I looked at him and smiled faintly. Then I obediently buried my head in his arms and said, "Brother Cheng, I miss you."
Only then did Yu Chi Cheng feel a bit happier.
I added, "So does Brother Cheng miss me?"
Yu Chi Cheng lowered his head and kissed my forehead. "What do you think?"
I looked innocent. "I don't know. I want to hear you say it."
Yu Chi Cheng whispered in my ear, "I miss you so much. I've been missing you every day in Beihan."
His words made my face flush and my heart race. His warm breath on my neck made me feel itchy all over. So I broke free from his embrace and asked, "Brother Cheng, are you willing to stay in Dayong for me?"
Hearing this, Yu Chi Cheng laughed and pointed at me. "Did you eavesdrop?"
I tilted my head up and said confidently, "I heard it openly. So what's your real thought, Brother Cheng?"
Yu Chi Cheng had no choice but to say, "Actually, since I went back two years ago, I've thought about this possibility. At first, I thought it was a bit absurd, but later I thought it might be the best way. When I thought about the problems I might encounter if I came to Dayong alone, I realized that if you were to marry into Beihan, you would be the one facing these problems. Suddenly, I thought it wouldn't be so bad if this person was me. But this is a major matter, and I still need to ask for Father's opinion."
After hearing his words, I was really touched. So I stepped forward and held his hand. "Brother Cheng, you're really good to me. I don't know how to repay you."
Yu Chi Cheng laughed. "Silly girl, I don't need your repayment. As long as you're happy, I'm willing to do anything."
Then I took the initiative to hug him. At this moment in Huiyang Palace, the sun was warm, and the birds were singing and the flowers were fragrant. We stayed together for a while, and soon it was afternoon.
In the afternoon, Mother really came to comfort my brother, and finally he had to accept the reality.
Time flew like water, and a month passed quickly.
When the news that Father was looking for a son - in - law for me spread in the imperial city, the whole city was in an uproar.
On the day of the son - in - law selection, the imperial city was extremely lively. Yu Chi Cheng had received a reply from his urgent letter to Beihan. He could now compete with other men without worry.
The son - in - law selection consisted of three rounds: a written test, a martial arts test, and a game of Go. The written test was to compare literary talents, and the martial arts test was, of course, to compare fighting skills. If someone could top both tests, they would directly enter the Go - playing round with the princess. The Go - playing round tested one's mental state and was one of the ways for the princess to judge a person. Therefore, winning or losing was not important. The princess herself could directly decide whether to agree to let the opponent be the son - in - law based on the progress of the game.
Simply put, I could let the person I liked win in the third round, but in the first and second rounds, it would depend entirely on strength. For Father, being both literate and martial was the most basic requirement for my future son - in - law.
The whole contest was held in Qionglin Garden in the palace. During the first round, I was extremely nervous. While waiting in the side hall of Qionglin Garden, I kept sending Shuifu out to inquire about the news. This caught Xi Yao's attention. Then Xi Yao silently brought in a plate of fruits and accompanied me. She also comforted me, saying that she was very optimistic about Brother Yu Chi.
The adjudicators for the written test were selected from the Imperial Academy, and the test papers were marked anonymously, so it was very fair.
After all the test papers were collected, the martial arts test began in an open area. In the martial arts test, the contestants fought in pairs. The winners advanced, and finally the champion was decided.
Unlike the invisible written test, the martial arts test was much more exciting. So there were a lot of people watching around the venue. I also quietly came out of the side hall and watched from a high place for a while. When I saw Yu Chi Cheng defeat his opponent with his clean and beautiful moves, I couldn't help cheering for him in my heart. Xi Yao beside me couldn't hold back any longer and ran down to watch directly. As the person involved, I still had to be a bit more reserved.
The result of the martial arts test was out right after the competition. Yu Chi Cheng won the championship. At this time, the result of the written test was also out. I couldn't help feeling a bit nervous, because if the champions of the written and martial arts tests were not the same person, there would be an additional test.