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The snow-white floor-length dress was adorned with transparent crystals, tightly cinched at the waist, accentuating her delicate figure. The hem of the dress was woven with intricate silver and gold threads into circles of vine-like lace, and a light veil gently covered her, revealing glimpses of her stunningly beautiful face, while the smile at the corners of her lips was unmistakable.
Shangguan Shaoyi nodded in satisfaction. "This style was specially designed by a Parisian designer for Mo Su, tailored just for her. It fits perfectly." She blushed at his praise, lowering her gaze. The corners of her lips formed a gentle smile as she turned around in front of the mirror, her eyes as clear as water.
"Shaoyi, thank you. I really like it."
"No need to mention it." Shangguan Shaoyi held her in his arms; she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing against his heart, feeling the hard-earned happiness. She whispered softly, "Actually, it doesn't have to be so grand; it's just an engagement."
"It must be grand; anything concerning you is a big deal." His arms tightened around her a bit more, enveloping her in softness and filling his heart with tranquility.
"In just a week, the engagement ceremony will take place. You should rest well these days." Shangguan Shaoyi raised an eyebrow and gently kissed her forehead. Her rose-colored lips lifted slightly as she nodded, pushing him away a little, the blush still lingering on her face. "I’ll go change."
His pitch-black eyes overflowed with warmth and tenderness as he released her. "Hurry up; after you change, I'll take you out for dinner. How about French cuisine?"
"Okay." Her eyes brightened a little more as she turned and went back to the room. After changing into her usual qipao, she came out. Xiao Jing happened to be bringing dinner over and, seeing them dressed up like that, realized they were going out to eat. Just as he was about to take the dinner back, Cheng Mo Su called out, "Xiao Jing, I forgot to tell you not to prepare lunch."
"It's fine; I can just put it back."
"That would be such a waste." Cheng Mo Su glanced at the confused Shangguan Shaoyi and smiled lightly. "Shaoyi, Deputy Officer Shen is still waiting outside. Since we’re going out to eat anyway, let Deputy Officer Shen and Xiao Jing enjoy this dinner together." Shangguan Shaoyi paused for a moment before recalling that Shen Mingliang had mentioned not long ago that he found Xiao Jing charming and unique. It seemed he had an interest in Xiao Jing; she had momentarily forgotten while Mo Su remembered.
Xiao Jing blushed deeply and playfully protested, "Miss Cheng, why are you making jokes about me?"
Cheng Mo Su stifled a laugh while Shangguan Shaoyi smirked. "Xiao Jing, go on; Deputy Officer Shen is still waiting in the dining room. We won't pressure you; just get to know him a bit. If you're not interested in him, we won't bring it up again." Xiao Jing pouted slightly at their smiling faces and lowered her brows in agreement before leaving.
"Consort Shangguan, you remember everything so clearly; I see I won’t have to worry about family matters anymore," Shangguan Shaoyi teased as he embraced her.
Her face flushed slightly as she reached out to punch him playfully. "Who is Consort Shangguan? Don't say such things." Despite saying this, there was still an undeniable smile on the corners of her lips.
The sun hung high in the sky, and the leaves danced gently in the breeze.
Under the tree stood a woman dressed in a silk long dress, her eyes like stars, resting her arms on her head and smiling charmingly.
"Yating." A gentle call came from behind her. She turned her gaze, and her beautiful eyes sparkled slightly. The smile on her lips became even more pronounced, making all the beautiful scenery behind her fade in comparison. She waved her hand, lively yet graceful. "Dad!"
A middle-aged man approached her with steady steps, his physique strong and exuding a natural military presence. He stood before her, serious and unsmiling. "Are you admiring the flowers again?"
Jiang Yating casually glanced at the surrounding flowers and smiled brightly. "It's not really admiring flowers; I'm just taking a look. Did you come to find me for something, Dad?"
The man nodded and patted her shoulder. "Some issues have arisen recently, so we are temporarily halting our campaign against the northern warlords. We will continue our advance northward once everything settles down. I shouldn't have mentioned this to you, but it’s necessary."
Jiang Yating had never been involved in such matters before, and hearing her father mention it made her feel somewhat anxious as she awaited further explanation. Her father, Jiang Shaohao, the commander-in-chief of the Southern Government, observed his daughter's expression and finally said, "It's quite simple. The situation in the northeast with Shangguan Lin and Ruan Yu from the Northwest is becoming increasingly intense, especially with Shangguan Lin pushing southward. I'm worried they might join forces against me, so I plan to arrange a marriage with one of them to deal with the other."
Jiang Yating was taken aback for a moment and then scoffed lightly. "Dad, are you discussing an engagement with me?" She said softly, "Actually, if you provide them with enough benefits, they could also lean towards you without needing to marry."
"No, neither of these two is easy to handle," Jiang Shaohao replied. "They are both unwilling to be subordinate; only by becoming family can I better control them."
"But Dad, you just said they aren't easy to deal with. Aren't you afraid that once they become your sons-in-law, they could use that opportunity to control you?" Jiang Yating rolled her eyes and asked.
"You make a good point, but compared to me, they still lack experience," Jiang Shaohao said. "Shangguan Lin and Ruan Yu are too young and arrogant due to their early successes. Although Shangguan Lin has experienced a coup, he still has good fortune on his side. Lin Hongyao is cunning but lacks intelligence; he is naturally no match for Shangguan Lin." Jiang Shaohao squinted his eyes and continued, "I'm different; you know your father's capabilities well enough."
Jiang Yating's charming countenance bore a hint of a smile. "I understand, then let Dad decide. After all, both Ruan Yu and Shangguan Lin are talented young men; it doesn't matter to me whom I marry."
"That's my good daughter," Jiang Shanghao said, patting her shoulder with great satisfaction. "I've chosen between these two, and I've finally decided on Shangguan Lin."
"Oh?" Jiang Yating felt a ripple of excitement in her heart. She had seen a photo of Shangguan Lin in the newspaper—his sharp eyebrows and cold gaze were indeed impressive. Jiang Shanghao immediately noticed the eagerness in his daughter's heart. He cleared his throat and said sternly, "Yating, after you get married, you need to keep Shangguan Lin in check, understand?"
Jiang Yating smiled and looked at her father. "Dad, are you still worried about me? You've told me the story of Consort Yong since I was little; I remember it clearly. Back then, Zheng Li Gong secretly sent Ji Zhong's son-in-law Yong Jiu to kill Ji Zhong. When Consort Yong found out, she asked her mother, 'Which is more important, my husband or my father?' Her mother replied, 'Any man can become a woman's husband, but a father is unique; how can they be compared?' To me, it's the same principle."
Jiang Shanghao nodded in satisfaction. "No wonder you're my daughter; you understand reason and can distinguish right from wrong."
"You're overpraising me, Dad." Jiang Yating's cherry lips lifted slightly. "If that day really comes, I will learn from Consort Yong and won't dare to hide anything from you. I'm not like that Cheng Mosu, who severed ties with her family for a man; such unwise actions only lead to her being looked down upon by the Shangguan family."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "But it seems that Shangguan Lin really likes her; they've even issued a marriage contract. Dad, do you have any way to break them apart?"
Jiang Shanghao finally revealed a smile. "I didn't have any good ideas at first, but after discussing it with your mom, she came up with a suggestion that I think is feasible."
"What is it?"
Jiang Shanghao's smile widened, his narrow eyes gleaming with layers of cunning light as he grinned to reveal a row of neat teeth. "You just wait and see!"
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