Candied Coptis, Sharing Bittersweet Together

Lin Chuyi frustratedly tugged at her hair. Why on earth had she agreed to keep that scoundrel's secret back then? Now she had no grounds left to advise September.

What would happen if September took a liking to that bastard?

Lin Jiuyue stamped her feet in embarrassment and said, "Elder sister, stop guessing blindly. I really didn't mean it that way."

Unassured, Lin Chuyi pressed her with several more questions before finally letting her go.

While the two sisters were talking, two more rounds had already passed, and it was now the fourth young lady's turn to pose a riddle.

The person who stepped forward was yet another young woman Lin Chuyi recognized—the bashful noble miss, Lin Zishan.

Stepping out of the line, Lin Zishan said shyly, "Candid coptis chinensis, please."

Her voice was extremely sweet. Even though she wore a veil, it stirred the hearts of many men in the crowd.

The challenger who stepped out from the male side was a stranger. Though his features were quite ordinary, an aura of scholarly elegance radiated from his entire being, giving off a very comfortable feeling.

Instead of answering the riddle, the man asked, "I am Lu Yao. May I ask if this riddle reflects what is in the young lady's heart, or if it is merely a test?"

A faint blush crept across Lin Zishan's pretty face. Beneath her veil, she nervously bit her lower lip. How had Big Brother Lu Yao come here as well?

Noticing that Lin Zishan seemed somewhat startled, Lin Chuyi couldn't help shouting out, "Miss Lin, happiness must be seized with your own hands!"

Lin Chuyi's voice was so loud that many people heard her remark. Instantly, curious and gossipy gazes shifted toward the two figures on the high platform.

Lin Zishan's ears turned completely red; she had never encountered such a grand and public spectacle before.

"Don't be afraid. Tell me, was the riddle just now truly what your heart desires?"

Lu Yao's gentle voice allowed Lin Zishan to relax quite a bit. Feeling a sense of inner conflict, she nonetheless nodded firmly.

Seeing the lovely woman before him finally nod, Lu Yao's eyes and brows crinkled with smiles, making his ordinary face appear suddenly handsome.

"Zishan, I have already persuaded my father to break off my engagement with Miss Mo. Whether you believe it or not, in this lifetime, I will marry only you, and I will treat only you well."

Lin Zishan lowered her head even further. She had thought Big Brother Lu Yao hadn't recognized her.

"But... your family's business..."

Lu Yao took another step forward, closing the distance to just a single meter, close enough to finally hold the fair maiden who haunted his dreams. "Didn't you just say 'candid coptis chinensis'? Could it be that Zishan is unwilling to share both blessings and hardships with me?"

The two rhetorical questions left Lin Zishan utterly bashful. She stole a glance upward at the man who had broken her heart with love, only to plunge straight into a pair of tender eyes.

Caught red-handed, Lin Zishan reflexively wanted to pull away in embarrassment, but Lu Yao was quick-witted and caught her hand. "Zishan, you still haven't answered me. Are you willing or not?"

"Accept him!"

Before Lin Zishan could speak, Lin Chuyi lost all restraint. Excitedly, she climbed onto her chair and shouted at the top of her lungs.

She had finally figured it out. These two had obviously known each other for a long time, and perhaps they had even been in love for ages. Then, because the man was betrothed, they had been forced apart. The heartbroken young woman had run off to participate in the Flora Festival, while the man had gone through untold hardships to break off his engagement and chased her all the way here.

How touching! And most importantly of all—he would only marry one woman!

Mo Yu gazed thoughtfully at the young woman who was far more excited than the people directly involved, a profound and enigmatic smile playing across his handsome face.

"Oh heavens!" Lin Qiyue covered her face.

Right at that moment, she desperately wanted to rush over, pull that wild girl down, and give her a beating. Didn't she realize what kind of place this was, with so many people watching? How on earth was she ever going to get married in the future?

As for Big Brother Mo, she had long since stopped entertaining any thoughts about him. Someone as outstanding as him would never take a fancy to someone like Yi'er.

Deep inside, Lin Qiyue felt endless worry regarding Lin Chuyi's future prospects.

Old Master Lin Zhixiang's face also flushed crimson, and he almost failed to remain seated. That rascal of a girl really had no regard for her image whatsoever.