It was starting to grow even livelier in the central square with the continuous arrivals of foreign dignitaries. In a few days, the congregation would officially start.

But the Mao siblings knew almost every stall owner in this place. So wherever they went, they received preferential treatment, almost as if they were aristocrats.

"Dear heavens! Do you know what I've been through?"

Hong Chun refrained from speaking about Mao Zhen's complaints. It wasn't like she needed to.

The girl would pour her heart out even without prodding. "I could only eat vegetarian meals, can't wear pretty dresses, and fancy shoes. In the morning, I have to write Buddhist scriptures and in the afternoon, I have to stitch, paint and play the guqin!1"

Hong Chun discovered that she was considered to be lucky to have Fong momo. At least, she was still served good food despite the indirect mockery she was hearing about her embroidery.

"Did you stay at a nunnery?" She cocked her head to the side, teasing her friend.

The girl scowled at her and Mao Zhu chuckled from behind them.

"Those are basic things you should learn, Zhen-zhen. You should thank Aunt for teaching someone as troublesome as you." He added oil to the fire.

"Gege! I'm complaining because I want you to sympathize with me. Not push me down!"

The older brother patted her head to appease her but it wasn't enough.

"It's not like A'Chun knows this stuff." She huffed and puffed in a soft voice. "When she marries over, you'll also suffer."

Mao Zhu's eyes widened and he couldn't help but cough.

Hong Chun raised a brow, "Mao Zhen... your mouth is getting uncontrollable these days."

Judging from the dangerous tone, Mao Zhen knew it wasn't good to provoke her friend. She avoided the faint gaze directed at her as goosebumps ran down her spine.

Stupid! She thought to herself while laughing in an awkward way.

In a timely manner, Mao Zhu rescued his sister although he was unaware of the underlying currents. "Alright, let's just go buy the things you want."

Mao Zhen's eyes lit up and she forgot the protests in her heart. Even though the young miss received a generous amount of allowance from their parents, shrewdness still ran in her bones.

If she could get things for free, why not take advantage?

Hong Chun shook her head and her eyes met with her unannounced fiancé's.

His pupils dilated and something seemed to catch his attention elsewhere. She found it strange that he seemed to be more like a maiden these days.

Her doubts grew with what he did next.

He tried to be subtle, but it was almost like he didn't want to be under her gaze. He walked faster and got ahead of her to follow his sister.

Instead of being bothered, Hong Chun was curious. But didn't put the matter to her heart.

Whatever it was, there was no way to know unless he wanted to tell. So worrying wasn't worth her time.

They went strolling, shopping, and eating like average young misses and masters.

Although the Mao wasn't a family of nobles, their years of riches could let their children live close to the lives of aristocrats.

Mao Zhen kept pointing here and there. In truth, her expenditure was comparable to a true xiaojie of the capital. Well, when it came to income, their Hong family couldn't hold a candle against these tycoons.

The society of Han evolved from the strict four classes to a more breathable division. Although the gap between the rich and the poor was still glaring, the merchants weren't considered to be the lowest anymore.

In fact, the richest and biggest merchant could be considered second to the nobles. It was true there was still discrimination but one couldn't deny the power of businessmen when it came to connections and networking.

The Emperor might own all the roads they used for trade but the people who maintained these roads were none other than the merchants. Because of them, the aristocrats could enjoy exotic goods from different places on the continent.

Thus, it wasn't odd for Mao Zhu to bring a couple of personal guards while shopping.

When Mao Zhen felt tired of running to and fro, they chose to rest at a cafe.

Sat by the window, Hong Chun was quietly sipping tea. She'd been feeling a pair of eyes scrutinizing her ever since they left the Hong fu. Now that she had this chance, she wanted to see the culprit.

The young lady was casually listening to Mao Zhen's stories when her eyes caught one of the guards looking in her direction.

Judging from the figure beneath the casual armor, he must be younger than Mao Zhu.

But he wasn't the least bit bothered that he was caught staring at his master's fiancé. As calm as he could, he lowered his gaze and tipped his head in a slight bow.

It was as though it was normal for him.

Interesting, Hong Chun thought but didn't let her eyes linger on him. If the lad was good at playing pretend, then she could be considered better.

But she wouldn't forget the light in his eyes.

Opposite her, Mao Zhu was also watching his unannounced fiancé.

Feeling the atmosphere, his sister said, "Err... This young lady needs to go relieve herself!"

Mao Zhen's voice was too enthusiastic for someone who wants to go to the loo. Before they knew it, she was gone.

After a long stretch of silence, Mao Zhu cleared his throat but didn't speak.

"Zhu-ge, I feel like you have something to tell me?"

The young man looked at her unflinching eyes. Before he could evade her, she held the tip of his sleeves. He regretted resting his hand on the table.

Hong Chun's light grasp trapped him. Judging from her full attention, he knew she wouldn't let him get away. So he used his free hand to take something from his chest.

It was a thin box made from wooden material that was as white as snow. A yellow tassel kept it together, nestling whatever it was inside the box.

"A little gift." Mao Zhu said with a straight face, hiding the loud thumps of his heart.

Hong Chun reached for it and under his gaze, unfastened the tassel.

Apprehensive, the young man watched every detail of her face as she opened the dainty little case. There was an instant flash of recognition in her eyes as she studied the thing in her hand.

It was a translucent hairpin with just the right curves to keep her tresses together.

Sitting on the edge was a narcissus flower, carefully crafted. Exquisite was the make of the petals as they felt cool and textured under her fingertips.

"Blossoms that make the moon less white." Hong Chun articulated a quote from a famous poet of this world.

"You know I'm ignorant of the way of words. But when I saw this, I was reminded of you." He looked down at his calloused hands. "So no matter the price, I had to get it."

The lady smiled gently, without a hint of embarrassment. "Zhu ge, I remember there's a story of the previous dynasty's top craftsman. The last emperor wanted to show his filial piety to his mother and ordered the artist to make a set of accessories for her in celebration of the New Year."

Her eyes implored him to look at her. "Scholars sang of the beauty of the finished set and it was often mentioned how the Empress Dowager was fond of narcissus."

The tip of Mao Zhu's ears turned red. Once again, he failed to estimate Hong Chun's knowledge. He didn't want to be a wastrel in her eyes but upon seeing this piece, he couldn't help but get it for her.

"Yes... this is the hairpin included in that set. I hope you like it...?" He was unsure, his confidence always waning in front of her.

Mao Zhu heard her giggle. "My my, I'm amazed by this tyrant. This probably costs a huge amount of tales or is it gold? Will we still have something to eat once we wed?"

He imagined all kinds of scenarios but never would he dare to think that this lady would be so shameless to say this.

The whole café once again heard a maiden's sweet laughter. Hong Chun couldn't get over Mao Zhu's embarrassed face.

The lieutenant colonel was dazed while looking at her.

Her cheeks were rosy from laughing. She freed her hair from her bun and fixed the delicate hairpin on her head. Her actions were smooth, charming the man even more so.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this memory would be ingrained in his heart forever. The day he was utterly captivated.

It turned out Hong Ting's thoughts about his sister were right. Hong Chun was enchanting in her own right.

She wasn't sophisticated and refined. But her sassy mouth and strange point of view mesmerized those who would come close to her.

Mao Zhu became even more determined.

Once the Hong couple went home, he wouldn't waste time. He would push for marriage the soonest he could.