Luo Cuiwei was never a delicate flower in a warm pavilion; she was like a wild strawberry that could bear fruit even in barren mountains.
It would be good if someone could protect and pamper her; but if not, as long as she stands tall and grounded, she can still live a life full of blossoms and abundant fruit.
There was no girl more suitable for him than her.
Yun Lie's eyes burned, and he chuckled softly, "You've got one thing wrong."
"Um?"
The charming and feisty girl tilted her head, smiling as she looked into his eyes and into his heart, waiting for him to continue.
“It’s not that only girls like Luo Cuiwei can stand shoulder to shoulder with me,” he said with a smile, pressing his forehead against hers, his breath hot against her fair cheek. “It’s that only Luo Cuiwei, ‘this’ girl.”
The world is vast, and everyone will encounter many people in their lifetime.
But only you, with a leisurely approach, then settled in my heart.
34. Chapter Thirty-Four
The matter was sudden, and Yun Lie could only stay in the capital for no more than five days. During this time, he not only had to make many preparations for Linchuan, but also had to take care of things with Luo Cuiwei. There was really no time to delay any longer.
Having received such reassurance from Luo Cuiwei, Yun Lie felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. He suppressed his deep reluctance and turned back to the capital.
Luo Cuiwei was right earlier; only her fiery and capable nature could keep her calm and composed in such a hasty and chaotic situation.
She didn't even need Yun Lie to explain or instruct her much; she knew almost immediately what to do.
If it were any other girl, she would probably be so anxious and frustrated that she would break down in tears at this point.
The next day, as soon as it was light, Luo Cuiwei went to inform the officials under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department, then borrowed a horse from the post station and set off on her own.
After Luo Cuizhen got up, she learned that her elder sister had already gone home. She was so frightened that she squatted down with her head in her hands, crying and murmuring.
"My sister is so angry, she doesn't want me anymore..."
****
On the 29th day of the second month of the 42nd year of Xianlong, it is auspicious for sacrifices, prayers, fasting, and betrothal.
Luo Cuiwei arrived at her doorstep at 9:00 AM.
She deftly dismounted, instructed the gatekeeper to return the horse to the Shaofu's office in the capital, and then hurriedly entered her home.
As soon as she stepped into the covered walkway, she saw Luo Shouxing, the steward of the Luo family mansion, and Xiahou Ling coming out side by side. Luo Cuiwei then beckoned the two of them over.
She spoke rapidly, like beans popping out of a bottle, yet her words were clear, logical, and decisive.
"Uncle Shouxing, immediately send someone to invite my aunt back. Tell her I have something extremely urgent that I need her help with. Oh, and please make sure she comes dressed in her finest attire."
The "little aunt" that Luo Cuiwei mentioned was Luo Huai's younger sister, Luo Bibo, a famous woodblock engraver in the capital.
After Luo Bibo married her husband, she built a separate house. That house was only about five miles away from the Luo family mansion, and it would take no more than half an hour to travel there by fast horse, so it wasn't far.
The marriage proposal should have been handled by either the head of the family, Luo Huai, or the matriarch, Zhuo Yu. However, Luo Cuiwei did not want to disturb her father's retirement and knew that Zhuo Yu was indecisive and lacked a clear sense of direction. To avoid chaos and trouble, she decided to ask her aunt to come back and oversee the proceedings.
“A-Ling, go and tell Mother and Luo Fengming to dress up immediately; tell them not to be surprised by anything that happens today, and not to ask any questions. I will explain everything to them after I’m done with this.”
"Oh, by the way, if Luo Cuizhen comes back later, send her back to her own courtyard. Let her do whatever she wants today, just don't let her come out. I don't have time to deal with her yet."
Although Luo Shouxing and Xiahou Ling did not know what had happened, seeing her solemn expression, they did not ask any questions and immediately agreed, and went to carry out her instructions without delay.
Afterwards, Luo Cuiwei returned to her courtyard and called several maids to help her quickly wash, change clothes, and put on makeup.
After tidying herself up, she hurriedly went to the main courtyard to see her father and briefly explained the situation.
She wasn't worried at all that her father would object.
After all, the reason why Luo Cuiwei has the personality she has now is because she was spoiled by Luo Huai without any limits since she was a child.
Sure enough, after hearing her finish speaking, Luo Huai just smiled and asked, "Have you thought it through?"
“I’ve thought it through,” Luo Cuiwei stood up straight and nodded emphatically. “Since I’m getting married, if I were to temporarily assume the position of head of the family again, some of my uncles, aunts, and elders in the clan would probably be unhappy and jump up and down. Father, do you think it’s better to entrust it to Luo Fengming or to my Aunt Bibo? Of course, I will still do what I’m supposed to do.”
Luo Fengming is inexperienced and not yet capable of handling things independently; Luo Bibo has disliked getting involved in family business since childhood, and she would not refuse to take responsibility in this extraordinary time, but it would be difficult for her to sort things out immediately under such circumstances.
Therefore, no matter who is temporarily appointed by the head of the family, Luo Cuiwei cannot immediately relinquish her position.
Luo Huai frowned as he looked at his beloved daughter, his pale, sickly face revealing a deep and unfathomable expression: "That's not what I'm asking you about."
“If it weren’t for the sudden and drastic change in my father’s life, I remember you said that you wanted me to live a carefree and unrestrained life.”
Luo Cui smiled and squinted her eyes, her shallow dimples seemingly swirling on her cheeks. "But you also taught me that there is no such thing as carefree indulgence without any responsibility in this world. Even when getting married, I know what a daughter of the Luo family should do at this time, and I will never shirk my responsibilities."
"It's not him either," Luo Huai said quietly. "Have you thought it through? Is it him?"
He still remembered that when he handed her the family head's token amidst the chaos, she looked apprehensive, yet still stood tall and said, "Father, rest assured, I will do my best to protect as much as I can."
The little girl he once sheltered under his wing has struggled on her own for four years. Although she hasn't achieved anything outstanding, everything she has preserved far exceeds his initial expectations. Now, in the eyes of outsiders, she is a respectable business owner.
Today she came before him, beaming with joy, and said, "Father, I have fallen in love with a fine young man. Since he cannot come to our house, I will have to marry him instead."
As a father, Luo Huai felt both proud and disappointed; he couldn't quite describe the feeling.
"I've made up my mind, it's him." Luo Cuiwei grasped her father's hand and gently shook it.
"Fine, if you like it, then marry him; if you don't like it in the future, then come back," Luo Huai patted her head and smiled, "No matter who has the family head's order, you are still Luo Huai's daughter."