Chapter 395 The Robust Imperial Husband 6 (2/2)

Ling Siran was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and then a gentle expression slowly appeared in his eyes, which always carried a hint of timidity, when he mentioned his loved ones.

This time, he finally dared to meet Zi Xi's gaze for a moment, though he still quickly looked away, and his voice had a more genuine warmth than before.

This was beyond her expectations.

It is truly rare for a general to have such thoughts in this era.

In her understanding of the world, especially for men from aristocratic families, marriage was not a matter of personal choice.

They are nothing more than pawns for family interests or ladders to climb up to the powerful.

But he, the legitimate son of the general's family, his mother only wished for his happiness and peace.

This general's mansion was quite different from what she had imagined.

The man in front of her was far more innocent than she had imagined.

"Ling Siran, you are not afraid of rumors, not afraid of a bad reputation, and not worried about your family's entanglement... then why did you marry me, this uneducated, dissolute, and spoiled eldest princess?"

Zi Xi stared at his lowered ears, which were flushed with a suspicious blush, and pressed him for an explanation in an almost inquisitive tone.

She deliberately made fun of herself, her gaze fixed on him, not missing any subtle changes in his face.

"Then why... did you agree to this marriage?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Ling Siran remained silent, his long eyelashes casting a small shadow under his eyes, as if he were struggling and hesitating.

Zi Xi waited patiently, and the fanning motion stopped at some point.

"It's because...that day in the husband-selection hall..."

Finally, as if he had made up his mind, Ling Siran took a very light breath and then murmured in a voice so low it was almost a whisper.

Immediately, his ears turned bright red at a visible speed, and the redness even spread to his neck.

He seemed extremely uncomfortable saying such things, his voice filled with obvious embarrassment.

"...When I was at my most embarrassed and ashamed, it was...it was you who came out of the predicament."

Ling Siran paused, as if recalling that scene.

He didn't look up after he finished speaking, but his tense shoulders seemed to relax slightly, as if he had finally unloaded a heavy burden.

Zi Xi was stunned.

She had imagined countless possibilities, but she never expected it to be such a simple, almost unadorned reason.

It was simply because, when he was being bullied and helpless, she casually helped him out of his predicament.

Such a small, insignificant act of kindness, perhaps even just a fleeting one, was so precious and deeply remembered by him.

It even became the reason he agreed to the marriage proposal.

Looking at Ling Siran's ears and neck, which were flushed with shyness, and at the pure and sincere nature that he revealed at this moment, which was completely opposite to his tough-guy appearance, I could see that he was completely unguarded.

Zi Xi stared at him for a long time.

Then, she suddenly laughed.

It wasn't the usual roguish, nonchalant, or teasing smile, but rather a smile with slightly upturned lips, curved eyebrows, and a hint of softness.

That smile was like moonlight breaking through the clouds, clear and bright.

"So that's how it is."

Zi Xi said in a low voice, her voice carrying a hint of pleasure.

With a snap, the sandalwood fan unfolded neatly once more. She glanced one last time at Ling Siran, who was still looking down with his ears burning red, then turned and left without saying anything more.

Ling Siran only breathed a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, when that crimson hue had completely disappeared from sight.

He looked up, gazing in the direction she had gone, her last smile, so different from any he had ever seen before, echoing repeatedly in his mind.

It is real, and as dazzling as the bright moon.

Ling Siran stood still, motionless for a long time.