Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 354 Choi Ji-ho's Desire to Marry

"Wanwan..."

Choi Jiho gently called her name, his voice hoarse, as he pressed his forehead against hers.

"I..."

Just then, footsteps and voices came from outside: "Young master? Have you gotten up? The lord has sent me to fetch you back to the manor."

The two separated as if waking from a dream. Choi Ji-ho closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and replied, "Okay, wait a moment."

Shi Wanxia hurriedly straightened her disheveled clothes and hair, not daring to look up at Cui Zhihao.

He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingertips lingering on her earlobe for a moment: "Don't be afraid, no one will know."

His tone was gentle, yet it stirred a strange bittersweet feeling in Shi Wanxia's heart.

Yes, no one will know—this inappropriate feeling, this morning's dream, will all become an unspoken secret between them.

Choi Ji-ho seemed to read her mind and suddenly grasped her hand: "Wanwan, look at me."

She mustered her courage and looked up, seeing a determined light shining in Choi Ji-ho's eyes: "I'm not the kind of person who dares to do something but doesn't dare to take responsibility."

"I will take responsibility for what happened earlier."

"Take responsibility?" Shi Wanxia was stunned. "Brother Cui, you don't have to..."

Choi Jiho reached out and broke off a peony from the vase by her bedside, then handed it to her.

The petals were still covered with night dew, glistening and translucent.

Choi Jiho's gaze fell on her slightly open neckline, where a patch of snow-white skin was faintly visible in the sunlight.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he quickly looked away, handing the peony in his hand to her.

"Wanwan, I'm offering this to you under my pretext. I'm not good with words, but I have so much to say to you..."

Shi Wanxia shyly accepted the pink peony from his hand. Brother Cui said he was quite romantic! He even knew to give her flowers.

But these flowers were planted by herself, and the more she thought about it, the more interesting she found Brother Cui to be.

Cui Zhihao did not answer immediately, but instead took out a brocade pouch from his sleeve and gently placed it in her hand.

The brocade pouch was heavy and had a slight chill to it.

"Open it and take a look."

His voice was lower than usual, with a hint of barely perceptible tension.

Shi Wanxia opened the brocade pouch with a puzzled look, and a warm and smooth jade pendant slid into her palm.

The jade pendant is carved with a pattern of twin lotus flowers, which gleams softly in the moonlight.

"This is..."

"The jade pendant passed down through the Cui family has always been given only to one's future wife."

Choi Jiho pulled her into his arms, and the distance between them suddenly shortened until she could smell his faint fragrance.

"Wanwan, I've loved you for so long."

Shi Wanxia's heart suddenly raced, and the jade pendant in her hand seemed to become scalding hot.

She looked up and met Choi Jiho's gaze. His usually cool eyes were now filled with tenderness, as if they were about to melt her.

"The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches; I wish to be united with you, Wanwan."

He recited softly, his voice incredibly gentle.

"Brother Cui..."

Shi Wanxia's voice trembled slightly.

She had never seen Choi Ji-ho like this before—the aloofness and detachment typical of a young master from a prominent family had vanished, replaced by undisguised deep affection.

Choi Jiho raised his hand and gently brushed his fingertips across her cheek, his movements as tender as if he were handling a fragile treasure.

"I know this isn't the best time, but I don't want to wait any longer."

"The task His Majesty has entrusted to me is indeed important, but I..."

"That's precisely why."

Shi Wanxia suddenly interrupted him, struggling to get up and create distance.

She gripped the jade pendant tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white.

“Brother Cui, we are currently carrying out an imperial decree, and I have only recently assumed the position of Minister of Works. How can I…”

Choi Jiho's eyes dimmed for a moment, but quickly returned to their gentle state.

He moved closer again, this time not allowing her to back down, and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I understand your concerns. But marriage and serving His Majesty are not mutually exclusive; on the contrary, the Cui family's influence might be of assistance to you."

Shi Wanxia lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her face.

How could she not want to agree? Countless nights, she secretly imagined spending the rest of her life with Choi Ji-ho.

But right now...

"Give me some more time."

She finally raised her head, her eyes shining with determination.

"We'll set a two-year timeframe. If Brother Cui's intentions remain unchanged, I will certainly not let you down in the late summer."

The sunlight inside the room swayed, casting long, overlapping shadows of the two people.

Choi Ji-ho gazed at her intently for a long time before letting out a soft sigh.

"it is good."

He let go of her hand. With those words from her, he would wait for her, not just two years, but twenty years.

He will marry no one but you in this lifetime!

"I will wait for you."

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on his handsome profile.

Shi Wanxia suddenly felt a pang of reluctance and reached out to grab his sleeve.

"Brother Cui..."

Choi Ji-ho got out of bed, dressed himself, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He raised his hand and stroked her cheek, his thumb gently caressing the corner of her lips.

Their breaths mingled, and the air was filled with the delicate fragrance of white plum blossoms.

Just as his lips were about to land, Shi Wanxia tilted her head slightly, and the kiss ultimately landed on her hair.

Choi Jiho did not force her, but simply kissed her forehead gently before pulling away.

“Keep the jade pendant,” he said softly, “consider it my promise.”

Shi Wanxia nodded, watching his departing figure.

In the sunlight, his tall figure gradually walked away and eventually disappeared at the end of the corridor.

She looked down at the jade pendant in her hand, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

After closing the door, Shi Wanxia leaned against the door panel and slowly slid down to sit on the ground.

She pressed the jade pendant against her chest, feeling the coolness it emanated from it.

A gust of wind blew past the window.

Peach blossoms fluttered down in the courtyard, mirroring her turbulent emotions.

She knew she had made the right choice—serving His Majesty was her primary duty.

But why does my heart ache so much? Choi Jiho's gentle eyes and deep voice.

And the line "There are trees on the mountain, but no branches on the trees" is etched into her heart like a brand.

Cui Zhihao and Cui Jiu left the Shi residence. As soon as they got into the carriage, Cui Zhihao's face was gloomy and his eyes were cold as he stared at Cui Jiu.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe, like the calm before a storm.

"Tell me! Is Father calling me back this time to arrange a blind date with Miss Lu again?"

Choi Ji-ho's voice was low and cold, with a hint of barely perceptible irritation.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned slightly white, and his eyes were full of resistance and disgust.

Cui Jiu didn't dare to answer, lowering his head and awkwardly placing his hands on his knees.

How could he not know the young master's feelings for Miss Shi?

Every time the young master mentioned the girl, the tenderness and love in his eyes, which he could not hide, moved him, an observer.

Moreover, he felt that Miss Shi was intelligent, kind-hearted, and quick-witted, a rare and wonderful girl, and that she and his young master were a perfect match, a match made in heaven!

However, Miss Shi's background was somewhat inferior, and the master and mistress disagreed, which was also due to their own considerations.

In this hierarchical society, family interests and social status often take precedence over personal feelings.

Cui Zhihao was furious, and the scene from yesterday kept replaying in his mind.

He shared a bed with Miss Shi, and at that moment, his heart felt completely filled. He had already made up his mind that he would marry no one but Miss Shi.

In his heart, Miss Shi was a unique existence, and no other woman could compare to her.

Family interests and class distinctions seem so insignificant in the face of love.

Since he has already left the family, he can disregard his parents' wishes.

“Cui Jiu, go back and tell the master and madam that I will make my own decisions about my marriage. My only wife in this life is Miss Shi, and I will never take a concubine.”

Choi Ji-ho spoke with a firm tone, his eyes revealing an undeniable determination.

Having said that, he directly lifted the carriage curtain and, ignoring Cui Jiu's obstruction, strode back to the Shi residence.