Zuo Anning plucked up the courage and said, "Mr. Tan, they all say that family scandals should not be made public. In fact, this incident has no impact on your marriage."
"But I am extremely stubborn inside. I was prepared to be alone, but Mr. Tan, you broke in."
"Holy orders cannot be violated. Since the marriage is a foregone conclusion, there are some things I don't want to hide from Mr. Tan."
"My parents... Mr. Tan, I will tell you everything."
Zuo Anning held the coffee table in front of her and told everything about what she had seen and heard since she could remember, the unfortunate marriage of her parents, the endless quarrels and complaints, and even Li Xusheng.
"Mr. Tan, I don't want to repeat the misfortune of my parents, and I don't want you to be a gentleman like Mr. Tan and fall into the quagmire of misfortune."
"I am very happy to be favored by Mr. Tan. However, my father was also obsessed with my mother back then, but people's hearts can easily change."
"Mr. Tan, I'm just saying this because if you and I don't get along in the future, or if you have your heart set on leaving, I hope you can tell me clearly that you and I can be frank and separate..."
At this point, Zuo Anning's voice also dropped.
She felt sour in her heart, full of uneasiness and confusion about this marriage.
Tan Hanchi stood on the other side of the screen, frowning as he heard this, and his heart was full of distress and pity.
He has always firmly believed that the words and deeds of his parents are extremely important.
Xu had seen so many misfortunes of Duke Yan and his wife since she was a child, and Miss Zuo couldn't believe that she could have happiness and perfection.
"Miss Zuo."
Tan Hanchi spoke warmly and cautiously.
"Thank you for being so open and willing to say these things to me."
Seeing Zuo Anning wiping away tears on the other side, his heart tightened slightly and he hurriedly continued:
"Miss Zuo is the daughter-in-law of Duke Yan's family. She has a distinguished status. Do you think you dislike me for being a commoner?"
"Of course not!"
Zuo Anning responded quickly. She never judged anyone based on their background.
Tan Hanchi's lips raised slightly when he heard this.
"Miss Zuo, people can't decide their own origins, nor can they choose their parents, but we can decide for ourselves how to go in the future."
"I am just a poor boy. It can be said that I have gone through a lot of hardships before I can stand in front of Miss Zuo today."
"I have never been happy with others before, and I never thought that I would get married. These thoughts only came to me after meeting Miss Zuo."
"I highly admire Brother Qiao's family's rules. As long as you are of one mind in your life, that's enough."
"Miss Zuo, I know you are uneasy, but can you try with me? Don't hold on to the idea that we will get along one day, but firmly believe that we can live happily together."
Tan Hanchi said it sincerely, and even stepped forward and stood in front of the screen.
"Miss Zuo, you are a wonderful girl, it's what I should be worried about."
"In my heart, you deserve all the best things, and I will work hard to give it to you in the future."
He put his hand on the screen and got close to the slightly trembling figure.
When Zuo Anning heard such a gentle voice and such soothing words, she couldn't help but burst into tears.
Really?
Can she also have such a good husband and live a happy life?
At this moment, Zuo Anning couldn't help but think of Hanyaxian's words of comfort to her a few days ago.
"Ning'er, I know what you are afraid of, but don't be afraid to move forward because of past misfortunes."
"You are such a good girl, don't be afraid. Sometimes if you look up, maybe the turning point has already appeared in front of you?"
Thinking of this, Zuo Anning looked up blankly, and happened to see Tan Hanchi's palm covering the screen, with an extremely clear outline.
At this moment, her heart was beating violently.
The several encounters with Mr. Tan left a deep impression on her. In fact, she had already known...
"Miss Zuo?"
Seeing that Zuo Anning was silent for a long time, Tan Hanchi called out uneasily.
Zuo Anning's heart was shocked, and she suddenly felt great courage. She stepped forward and raised her hand to place it on the broad palm.
Through a thin screen, two hands gently touched one place.
"Mr. Tan, thank you for what you said today. I think, if that person is you..."
——I'd like to try it with you.
After making up her mind, the shyness and long-suppressed joy took over her heart so tightly that she was too embarrassed to say the next few words.
Tan Hanchi was stunned at first, then his eyes filled with joy, and he couldn't help but slightly close his palms.
This is Miss Zuo's best response.
As long as she is willing to take this step, he will do the rest.
It's about love, it's about etiquette.
Until Tan Hanchi left, the two never walked past the screen to see each other.
However, unlike the anxiety he felt when he walked into the attic, Tan Hanchi's steps were brisk when he left.
Butler Xi was not waiting outside, so Tan Hanchi walked back along the way he came. As soon as he turned a corner, a hand suddenly stretched out from behind and grabbed him.
Tan Hanchi's heart skipped a beat, thinking that there was a bad person in Duke Yan's mansion, and immediately thought of Zuo Aning's safety in the attic.
"Brother Tan, this is the only way to be proud of the spring breeze."
A familiar voice sounded behind him, and Tan Hanchi's nervous mind suddenly relaxed, and he couldn't help but say:
"Brother Qiao, why are you so elusive?"
Tan Hanchi turned his head and saw Qiao Diyi's handsome face.
Next to him stood a smiling Qiao Tianjing.
"Brother Tan, congratulations!"
Qiao Diyi casually put his arms around Tan Hanchi's shoulders and smiled narrowly.
Tan Hanchi's face turned slightly red, and he felt a little embarrassed.
Qiao Tianjing gave him a rather strange look and said with a smile: "Brother Tan, are you satisfied with the candidates my mother has put your attention on?"
Tan Hanchi nodded sincerely, "Thank you very much, Brother Qiao, for your beautiful family."
When Qiao Tianjing heard this, he quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I just said casually, Brother Tan, you asked for this marriage yourself."
"Come on, let's have a drink. My dad is here too. He just wants to talk to you about something important, Brother Tan."
When Qiao Diyi heard about drinking, he immediately grinned, "It's thanks to Brother Tan that I owe you today. I haven't had a drink in a long time!"
"Let's go! Everything has been cleared. We came here secretly. It's very safe. Brother Tan, we won't go back until we get drunk today!"
On the table, we drank for three rounds.
Qiao Diyi, a heartless person, didn't dare to get drunk, because he and Brother Tan finally got together today, but they wanted to discuss the trip south.
Qiao Tianjing seriously told all the matters concerning the southward journey, including his speculations.
"Brother Tan, this is the situation."
Qiao Zhongguo nodded, took over the conversation and continued:
"The second prince is probably going to use a bitter trick, so I will definitely be guilty of dereliction of duty for not protecting him well."
"The Holy Emperor favored the second prince, Xu Hui was furious, so..."
When Qiao Zhongguo said this, he suddenly raised his head and drank a glass of wine. Then, as if he had made a lot of determination, he said solemnly:
"So, I am determined to take this opportunity and retreat bravely!"
