On August 8th, Zeng Rui-xiang and Shen-shi went to Qingyuan early to help with the preparations. Lin Kang-ping had invited Wang Tie-shan and his wife over to help for several days. In total, they set up fifteen tables, mainly for people from the village and close relatives of the Zeng family. The two uncles from the Shen family also came, as well as Qiu-yu. Originally, Lin Kang-ping hadn't planned on notifying Zi-qing's aunts, but Qiu-yu lived nearby and Zhou Yun-jiang happened to be working at Qingyuan, so she definitely knew about the date and had no reason not to attend. As for Xia-yu, they didn't notify her.

  Ziying didn't go, Shen said which reasonable woman would send herself to her husband's house before the wedding? Plus Lin Kangping also disagreed, he didn't want Ziying to show off in public. Ziying had no choice but to give up and muttered a few words, then focused on doing needlework at home. This time when Lin Kangping came back, he brought many fabrics for Ziying and said they would get married next spring. Ziying didn't know if her parents would agree, but preparing things early was always better than being busy and unprepared later. Also, she had to make not only her own clothes but also a full set for Lin Kangping.

  Zeng Ruixiang and Shen returned with big smiles on their faces, especially Shen, who said to Zi Qing: "I didn't expect your father to have such good taste, he's really good at choosing a son-in-law. Now I can finally rest assured. Kangping is not only smart and capable, but more importantly, he treats you well, is considerate of you, and worries that you'll miss your mother's family. Even when your father opposed it, he still went ahead and bought that broken land next door, renovated it nicely, and even named the new house and garden after you. I've never seen such a beautiful garden." Zi Qing smiled upon hearing this.

  On the ninth of August, Lin Kangping left in a hurry. Mr. Tong stayed behind, saying that he would wait until autumn when all the flowers, grass and trees in the garden had been transplanted, and during this time discuss with the carpenter the layout of each house, the style of furniture, doors and windows, etc. Later, he simply moved to Qingyuan to live, saying that there were people there who would take care of food and drink. They were all men and didn't feel constrained. Shen heard this and was naturally willing, but she did remind them to be more careful with the food on that side.

  On this day, Shen said she wanted to go to Anzhou. Firstly, to prepare some Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, and secondly, to conveniently take a look at Zi Ping and send some food over. Although Zeng Ruiqing was not doing things properly, Shen said it was one thing after another. Zi Ping was quite pitiful. Zi Qing curled her lips, she didn't have a good impression of this older cousin, when she first came, she even mocked Zi Qing for picking up her old clothes, from this matter, Zi Qing thought she wasn't a kind person. Zeng Rui Xiang accompanied Shen to go, Zi Yu was still young, and at the age where he loved to play. Shen took him along as well, leaving only Zi Qing alone to watch the house.

  Zi Qing had just returned home for a short while when the doorbell rang. She thought it was the Shens who had forgotten something, so she opened the door with a smile and said, "What did you forget again?" As she looked up, she found Wen San leaning against the door frame.

  After Wen San's inquiry about his family two years ago, the two hadn't met again. Wen San had shed a few points of youthful naivety and should be seventeen or eighteen by now. He wore a pale purple satin long shirt and a same-colored square scarf, and his figure had lengthened significantly. Gone was the warmth and kindness of his youth, but his eyebrows and eyes were still the same. Only his gaze was very deep, with a few points of the aloofness and detachment that was characteristic of young masters from noble families.

  Ziying was stunned for a moment, unsure of what to say. Wensan was the same, having thought about it for many years, every time he said let go, there was always some reluctance. This time both were going to get married separately, but Wensan still couldn't control himself and ran this trip. Looking at the slender girl in front of him with clear eyebrows and a charming smile, just thinking that this smile was something he would never have in his life, Wensan's eyes involuntarily dimmed a little.

  "I went to Qingyuan and saw him, he indeed took great care of you. He told me that your wish is to find a like-minded person, to grow old together without parting ways, you were certain I couldn't do it, so never considered me, now thinking back, it was actually my mistake all along, I misjudged you, a woman who at such a young age could change the family's circumstances so quickly, what material wealth can she not get? It's not that she can't have it, but rather she doesn't want to. And I, with a worldly heart, tried to guess your thoughts, I was greatly mistaken."

  "Wen San, thank you, thank you for finally understanding me." Zi Qing's eyes turned red.

  "I don't know if I'll regret it later, but at this moment, I do have some regrets. I know everything is too late. Qing'er, I also want to call you that one more time. These two words have been turning over in my heart thousands of times, and I'm afraid I won't have the chance to say them out loud again. Qing'er, if...my meaning is, if everything could start anew, would you be willing to wait for me? Wait for me to break free from all the constraints at home, take you on a journey around the world, and then find a quiet place to forget about past grievances? We can live our lives quietly. Don't worry, I promise you, there will only be one person by my side." Wen San's eyes full of hope made Zi Qing recall the past, when Wen San would often look at her with such a pitiful, dissatisfied gaze, as if complaining and hoping at the same time.

  At this moment, Zi Qing's heart was filled with shock. She had never thought that Wen San would be so deeply in love with her. She shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face. "No, Wen San, how can I face my family, face Kang Ping? How can I bear the consequences? You're also treating your parents, who gave birth to you and raised you, unfairly. I'm sorry, Wen San, but I won't choose that path. Because I know it will not only harm you and your family, but also me and mine. A marriage without parental blessing will never have true happiness. Living a lifetime of guilt and apology will wear away all the beautiful emotions and memories. What can support our inner hearts to stay together then?"

  "Look, I knew it would end up like this. You're absolutely right, a marriage without parental blessing will never truly be happy. A lifetime of living with guilt and apology towards our parents will wear away all the beautiful emotions and memories. What's left to hold onto in our hearts to keep us together? Haha, your words are music to my ears, you really are clever. How could anyone say you're just a village girl? These aren't the kind of words a village girl would say! You're not being humble at all! Qinger, don't try to persuade me anymore. The heart's infatuation will fade with time, if you've ever truly invested your emotions, do you think it's possible?"

  The last words of Wen San stopped Zi Qing, and she thought back to the past. She remembered Liu Cen's feelings for her, which made it easy for him to say goodbye and let go. It was because he didn't love her deeply enough that he could do so lightly. If he had loved her deeply, how could he have borne to let her go? Just like Lin Kangping, who always put himself first in everything, and when his emotions ran deep, he had no regrets or complaints. No matter what he did, he was content. At this moment, Zi Qing finally stopped entangling herself with the past and let go of Liu Cen. Perhaps her subconscious mind had already done so, but today, at this moment, she finally understood her own heart.

  Wen San saw Zi Qing remain silent, thinking he had made things difficult for her. He sighed and said: "I was just daydreaming, talking nonsense, I may not have the courage to do it. You know my family is not one that can easily give up on things. Don't worry, I've come to see you, but everything has already been arranged at home. I'll be returning to the capital for my wedding soon, and maybe we won't meet again after this. Zi Qing, I will keep my promise, once I'm married, I'll set Kang Ping free, so you can prepare for your own marriage in peace. Unfortunately, I won't get to see you in a wedding dress, but that's probably for the best. You go back now, I won't come in." Wen San finished speaking and turned to leave.

  "Wait, later on, Wen San, you must be good to yourself and be happy. If there's anything that needs help, I think Kang Ping will definitely do his best to assist. Everyone has their own path to take, it's all arranged by fate beforehand, and there will definitely be someone more suitable for you waiting for you. Please treat her well, because only by treating her well can you obtain happiness. Thank you for everything you've done for us. Goodbye, Wen San." Zi Qing almost shouted this out, while Wen San stood still with his back to her, listening until she finished speaking, then waved his hand behind him and left on horseback.

  Ziying returned home, feeling heartbroken for a long time. She didn't know why she felt this way, but it was all because of one word: fate. Who could understand? At that time, she had thought that selling the lantern would make Wen San Shao Ye look at her differently, and she wouldn't be stuck in the mud anymore. But if things had gone that way, she wouldn't have met Lin Kangping either. Thinking of Lin Kangping, Ziying's heart warmed up again. What else was there to worry about? She had already made her choice, and he was the one who would accompany her for the rest of her life.

  Thinking of this, Ziqing remembered that Wen San had promised Lin Kangping would be free soon, and her heart became happy again. At this time, Ziqing's thoughts had settled down, Wen San was a kind person, and she still hoped he could obtain happiness.

  Ziying planned to take advantage of the fact that no one was home to rush and make the wedding dress for Lin Kongping. By rights, this should have been prepared by the groom's family, but Lin Kongping was an orphan, and since their engagement, all his clothes, shoes, and socks had been taken care of by Ziying. She didn't want him to wear clothes made by some other woman, especially not the wedding dress. Ziying insisted on making it for him herself.

  Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Wang Tieshan's wife, Li, came over and brought sixty taels of silver. She gave it to Zi Qing, who took out five taels and handed them back to her, saying: "Take these five taels, use four taels to buy chicks, half and half, the mother hen will hatch little chickens when she's brooding. Leave one tael for you to spend during the festival, make some delicious food for the kids and get them a new set of clothes. Choose a capon from our chicken coop to kill for the festival."

  Li listened and nodded repeatedly as he left. Zi Qing opened the account book of the orange garden, the total investment in the orange garden was about 280 taels, now that 80 taels have been recovered, after deducting costs, there should be 50 taels left, it seems that raising chickens can make money. It will take at least until next spring for Zi Qing to transplant all the fruit seedlings in the orange garden, and it will take another two or three years for the fruit trees to grow. By next year, these things shouldn't require Zi Qing's attention anymore.