Xiaofu Ji had been in the capital for over a month in the blink of an eye.

　　Ningshang, who missed him day and night at home, bid farewell to Ji’s mother and came to the capital to look for Xiaofu Ji. Ji’s mother, worried that her son would be left alone in the capital with no one to take care of him, agreed with Ningshang’s idea and instructed her to take good care of Xiaofu Ji. Upon hearing of Ningshang’s arrival, Xiaofu Ji was overjoyed and went out of the city with Qin An to welcome her.

　　During this month, Xiaofu Ji had also been missing of Ningshang day and night.

　　Every time the night fell silent, he would recall her graceful figure, white gauze, and the bits and pieces of their time in Qi County. Xiaofu Ji, thinking of her being all alone and afraid of her loneliness, had praised her many times in front of his mother. Before he left, he specifically instructed his mother to treat her well and left the best maidservant in the house to take care of her.

　　Despite this, Xiaofu Ji still couldn’t help worrying about her, fearing that she would be deceived by others and that she would be lonely without him around.

　　This time, upon hearing of Ningshang’s arrival, Ji was extremely excited. He vacated the best room for her and went out of the city early in the morning with Qin An to welcome her.

　　The two, who hadn’t seen each other for a month, were anxious to meet. As soon as they saw each other, they hugged and exchanged greetings, completely forgetting about Qin An, who tactfully left. Xiaofu Ji, seeing Ningshang, was very happy. He took her to taste the most delicious food in the capital, showed her the most beautiful scenery, and bought her a large number of jewelry, clothes, and her favorite food.

　　Ningshang and Xiaofu Ji settled down in the capital. Ji continued to care for and love Ningshang as he had before. The only difference was that he spent less time with her now.

　　Xiaofu Ji would get up early every day to attend court and then deal with government affairs, which were extremely busy. Ji, who loved socializing, would occasionally go out with Hua Rong and others to drink and have fun, returning very late. Most of his friends were sons of high-ranking officials in the capital, and few were from humble backgrounds like him.

　　Sometimes, he had thought about bringing Ningshang along, but she was somewhat shy and seemed not quite comfortable interacting with these wealthy young masters.

　　Moreover, although she and Xiaofu Ji were engaged, they were not yet married. It would be damaging to her reputation for an unmarried girl to be so openly associated with a man!

　　After all, it would attract gossip and criticism if an unmarried girl traveled such a long distance to live with a man.

　　Taking these factors into consideration, Ji did not want others to point fingers at Ningshang. Therefore, he did not bring her along when he went out to have fun, but instead instructed Qin An to take good care of her on his behalf.

　　After returning home in the evening, Xiaofu Ji would always go to his study to read for a while first. This had been his habit for many years. He needed to seize every moment to study hard and enrich his knowledge.

　　Ningshang would always quietly stay by his side, watching him read and study, making tea and grinding ink for him. Although they did not speak much, as long as they were together, there was always such a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

　　After arriving in the capital, Xiaofu Ji found that the factional struggles in the court were severe, and it was really not easy to do good for the people.

　　In Qi County, he was the county magistrate and could at least do some good for the native citizens. But now, he could not make decisions on his own.

　　In the capital, Ji held a relatively low position, only a sixth-rank official, which did not attract much attention from others.

　　However, the Censorate had the function of investigating, impeaching officials, and rectifying discipline, so the officials were somewhat apprehensive about him.

　　Although the officials in the capital appeared harmonious on the surface, their relationships were extremely complicated behind the scenes. Xiaofu Ji, from a humble background and serving as a censor, had to yield in many situations even though he knew better. Ji was smooth and calm, keeping a poker face on the surface, trying to get along well with all the officials, maintaining neutrality, and not getting involved in the court struggles. He had to be very cautious in his daily socializing.

　　“Shuang, thank you. It’s so nice to have you around! Every time you are by my side, I feel so relieved,” Xiaofu Ji said affectionately, suddenly holding Ningshang’s hand as they exchanged a warm glance one night while Ningshang was, as usual, adding tea for Ji.

　　“Xiaofu, if you feel tired, let’s go back to Qi County! I miss... I miss there so much,” Ningshang said gently, looking at him.

　　“No, no matter how hard or tiring it is, I must stay. Only by staying can I have more opportunities. Shuang, do you know? I really hope, hope that everyone in the world can be like us, no longer suffering from poverty and hunger, no longer separated from their loved ones, everyone living in peace and harmony, with families together, enjoying a happy life. Shuang, you need to support me, okay?”

　　“Mm,” Ningshang nodded. She was not good at speaking. For such a long time, she had been used to supporting him silently from behind, in Qi County and now. She loved him, and as long as it was his decision, she would support him with all her might.

　　They spent a period of time together in a warm and sweet manner.

　　One day, Sisi was bored at home and pestered Hua Rong to go find Xiaofu Ji. So, Sisi and Hua Rong came to Ji’s residence. Ningshang prepared a sumptuous meal for them.

　　“Xiaofu, who is she?” Sisi asked curiously, looking at Ningshang.

　　“She is my... my sister,” Xiaofu Ji wanted to say she was his fiancée, but immediately thought that Sisi was a straightforward person. If she spread the outside that they were living together, it would damage Ningshang’s reputation, so he quickly changed his words and said she was his sister.

　　“She... is really beautiful!” Sisi said enviously, looking at Ningshang, seeming a bit skeptical, but soon she no longer paid attention to this matter. Sisi, Hua Rong, Ji Xiaofu, Ningshang, Qin An, and others went to the suburbs to play together. They rode horses, took walks, watched the sunrise, and had a great time, and the whole day passed in this way.

　　“Xiaofu, can you... in the future...” Ningshang wanted to say something but stopped. That night, as usual, Xiaofu Ji and Ningshang were reading books in the study when Ningshang suddenly said this.

　　“Shuang, what’s the matter?” Ji asked in confusion.

　　“Nothing,” Ningshang replied.

　　“Shuang, what’s the matter? Who bullied you? What exactly happened? Shuang tell me, okay?” Xiaofu Ji saw that Ningshang was not right and was extremely anxious, asking in a pleading tone.

　　“Can you not see Sisi anymore in the future?” Ningshang said in a low voice, tears streaming down her face as she threw herself into Ji’s arms.

　　Seeing her tears, Xiaofu Ji felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife.

　　All along, Ji had regarded her as a little girl, thinking only of how to treat her well, buying her the best clothes and jewelry, preparing her favorite gifts, taking her to the most fun places to play, and eating the most delicious food, etc.

　　He spoiled and loved her, never letting her suffer any sore, but he overlooked her inner feelings.

　　Lately, he had been so busy that he hardly had time to accompany her. The time he spent with her was less than the time he spent with his good friend Hua Rong.

　　Ningshang was not good at speaking, and Xiaofu Ji did not realize that he had ignored her thoughts.

　　Seeing her tears, Xiaofu Ji was filled with regret. He was most afraid that Ningshang would be hurt, but he never thought that the one who truly hurt her was himself.

　　Ji suddenly remembered Ningshang’s discomfort during their group outing today.

　　Sisi was not one to mind minor details. During playtime, she often grabbed Ji’s arm. Sisi had a carefree and bold personality, treating Hua Rong and the other brothers in the same manner. Over time, everyone grew as close to her as siblings, and no one paid much attention to these actions. Ji didn’t think much of it at the time and didn’t refuse her. Ningshang saw this and was quite upset, but considering everyone’s feelings, she endured her discomfort and didn’t make a scene.

　　“Shuang, listen to me. I only have a sibling-like affection for Sisi. There’s no other meaning to it. Don’t overthink it.”

　　“Then do you also only have sibling-like feelings for me?” Ningshang pressed.

　　“How could that be? You’re my fiancée!” Xiaofu Ji replied.

　　Ningshang didn’t speak. Her eyes were filled with melancholy and doubt. Xiaofu Ji suddenly remembered that earlier, when Sisi had asked about Ningshang, he had said she was his sister. She must have taken offense to that.

　　“Shuang, Sisi is very straightforward. If she were to tell others that we live together, it wouldn’t be good for your reputation. I can’t have people gossiping about you, which is why I told them you’re my sister,” Xiaofu Ji explained.

　　“Okay!” Ningshang didn’t say anything more, clearly dissatisfied with his explanation.

　　“Shuang, you have to trust me. The only person I love is you. Sisi is so bold and boyish. I treat her purely as a sibling, or perhaps more like a brotherly bond. I’ll be more mindful in the future,” Xiaofu Ji continued to explain.

　　“Do you really only have sibling-like feelings for her? Don’t you like her at all? What if...” Ningshang didn’t finish her sentence. She had wanted to ask what Ji would do if Sisi liked him, but she didn’t want to entertain that thought. She clung tightly to Xiaofu Ji, reminiscing about their time together.

　　It had been almost a year since they first met.

　　In the past year, they had been very happy and had never argued. Xiaofu Ji loved Ningshang so much that he would never let her feel the slightest grievance. Ningshang trusted Xiaofu Ji so deeply that she never questioned any of his decisions. This was the first time Ningshang had ever doubted him. She clung to him like a wounded kitten, afraid that he might leave her if she wasn’t careful.

　　“Xiaofu, I’m so scared... so scared...” Ningshang hesitated for a moment before speaking in a hesitant and soft voice.

　　“Shuang, let’s get married!” Xiaofu Ji interrupted her, speaking hastily. Seeing her like this, he had already guessed what she was thinking. It wasn’t just that Ningshang didn’t want to entertain such thoughts; Ji didn’t want to either.

　　“Get married? When?” Ningshang asked eagerly.

　　“I’m currently serving in the capital, far from home, and I can’t take care of our family back there. Shuang, I’ve been thinking for a while now. Let’s buy a house in the capital and bring our parents and family here to live. Then we’ll get married.”

　　“Mm.” Ningshang nodded happily.

　　Xiaofu Ji soothed Ningshang’s emotions, held her tightly, and watched her fall asleep.

　　He always waited until Ningshang was asleep before returning to his own room to rest. This had been his habit for the past year.

　　He loved her so much that every night, he would quietly watch her lie down, tuck her in, and only then would he go back to his room.

　　Sometimes, he would gently kiss her cheek. Only when Ningshang was happy would Ji Xiaofu feel joy.

　　He understood her thoughts, her helplessness, and her unease. The initial decision to delay their marriage was for her, and now the decision to get married soon was also for her.

　　In front of Ningshang, Ji was always so mature and considerate.