359 I Donst Like I (2/2)

Ning Que felt himself getting smaller when he heard the Great River Kingdom being mentioned. His anger drained away, and he said tried to convince her warmly, ”But we are in Chang'an City.”

Sangsang said, ”Even if we were in Chang'an, I will be 16 next year and can get married.”

Ning Que was startled and he said furiously, ”You are tanned and skinny, and have been a handmaiden for over a decade. Which son of an official would marry you?”

Sangsang fixed her gaze at him and said, ”I am the daughter of a first-class Grand Secretary, and am a friend of the Princess. I am a disciple of the Great Divine Priest of Light, and Mr. Second of the Academy likes me. I have a few hundred thousand tales to my name. Why would anyone be unwilling to marry me?”

Ning Que shook in anger and said, ”It's fine if you didn't mention about that money, but I am even angrier now that you've mentioned it. You actually split the notes. Do you really want to split this household?!”

Sangsang reminded him, ”We are discussing my marriage.”

Ning Que waved his hand and said forcefully, ”You're not allowed to get married!”

All were silent in the study of the Scholar's Mansion when he said that. The Zengs' expressions were complicated while Sangsang only looked at Ning Que quietly. Ning Que put down his hand slightly awkwardly.

...

...

Ning Que looked at her eyes and realized that Sangsang had grown up. She was no longer that child who blabbered nonsense beside him. There was no going back now that she had grown up. The child had become a girl, and then into a young lady, and would become a young woman. It was a process that cannot be undone. She had to start considering things that would happen when she grew up, no matter whether they brought her joy or grief.

Girls had to get married when they grew up.

Could he watch on helplessly when Sangsang marries someone else?

No matter whether she was the skinny little girl or the youthful young lady; or whether she had become naggy and bloated after marriage, or if she sat in a bamboo chair with silver hair.

He could not watch her marry someone else as long as she was Sangsang.

He would not allow her to marry, so why should she watch him marry someone else?

Ning Que lowered his head and felt at a loss. He was a little flustered, somewhat awkward, and seemed to have understood something.

He understood how Sangsang had felt when she left their home at dawn.

He understood his own feelings.

However, just understanding wasn't sufficient.

Ning Que recalled the words he had heard last evening, and his body stiffened.

He bowed deeply and respectfully to the Zengs, and asked them to allow Sangsang and him to speak alone. The couple looked at each other, sighed and left the study.

”I cannot lie to you. I do like her.”

Ning Que looked at Sangsang whose head was still lowered. He continued, ”You do not have to ask me, and I know what you want to ask. I did also like it when I peaked at the older sisters bathing, and I also said that I liked Dewdrop and Luxue at the House of Red Sleeves. But... she is different. I really like her.”

Sangsang looked down at her feet silently.

Ning Que continued, ”And I've also asked you, and you said that she was good.”

Sangsang lifted her head and said, ”She is indeed very good.”

Ning Que said, ”But you do not like it.”

Sangsang replied, ”She is very good, but it doesn't mean that I have to like it.”

Ning Que asked, ”Why do you not like it?”

Sangsang looked at him and said seriously, ”I don't like that you like someone else.”

It was silent in the study for a long while.

Ning Que said in a low voice, ”But I already told her that I liked her.”

Like many times in the past, he would get suggestions and answers or even moral support from Sangsang in the face of really difficult decisions. However, he had forgotten that the problem involved Sangsang this time.

Sangsang's little face remained emotionless. There was no anger or tears. She looked at him placidly and said, ”I am hungry, and I want to go to bed. You'd better leave.”

She was hungry, so she wanted to go to bed. There was no logic in her statement.

Ning Que looked at her and said, ”I can't sleep when you're not home.”

Sangsang did not say anything.

Ning Que said, ”Who's going to cook me noodles when I get hungry?”

Sangsang did not say anything.

Ning Que suddenly asked, ”Shall I cook you noodles?”

Sangsang still did not say anything.

After a long silence, Ning Que said, ”I shall go calm down a little. I will come to pick you up tomorrow.”

After which, he turned and left the study.

Sangsang went to the door of the study and looked at Ning Que who was walking towards the flowerbeds. She said, ”The eggs are in the rice vat in the kitchen. Use less oil when you fry it.”