Song Dynasty Dreams: Marrying Zhao Pan’er at the beginning

Chapter 52 Comparing People Only Leads to Frustration

She tricked me into leaving the room just to change clothes. She could have just asked me to turn around. It’s not like I would peek!

If it was just taking off an outer layer, Zhao Pan’er would have let Gao You stay.

But changing her inner garments in front of him? Zhao Pan’er still wasn’t comfortable with that.

“Gao Lang, you’ve worked hard!”

Zhao Pan’er used her enchanting charm, speaking in a soft, sweet voice.

Gao You, who had been slightly dissatisfied, instantly lost all his complaints and obediently lay down on the big bed.

While he was away, Zhao Pan’er had replaced their old bed. The previous one was far too small. Besides, the weather was getting hotter, and their clothing thinner.

Squeezing together in such a small space… who knew if she could resist certain thoughts?

“Dear wife!”

Gao You turned to look at the dazed Zhao Pan’er.

“Any plans for Yinzhi?”

“Let’s take it one step at a time!”

Zhao Pan’er sighed and blew out the candle.

Since Zhao Pan’er didn’t have a good solution, Gao You decided to carry out his own plan.

_______

At noon, during lunch, Gao You casually asked Song Yinzhi, “Where’s Zhou She?”

“Brother-in-law, do you need something from Zhou She?”

Song Yinzhi looked at him in surprise.

Gao You shrugged.

“I want to watch a performance at the temple fair.”

“You’re inviting Zhou She to the temple fair?”

Song Yinzhi was thrilled.

Gao You never paid attention to outsiders, but now he was inviting Zhou She out. Didn’t that mean he had accepted Zhou She? If her brother-in-law accepted him, wouldn’t that mean her sister would too?

Song Yinzhi looked at Zhao Pan’er expectantly. Zhao Pan’er was also stunned—she couldn’t understand why Gao You was even acknowledging Zhou She!

“I’ll go find Zhou Lang!”

Song Yinzhi eagerly rushed out the door.

Zhao Pan’er quickly instructed Yinping, “Keep an eye on her!”

“Understood!”

Yinping nodded and swiftly followed after Song Yinzhi. Xiao Lingdang looked at Gao You, puzzled.

“Brother-in-law, why would you invite a scoundrel like Zhou She?”

Gao You simply smiled and gave no explanation.

______

About an hour later, Zhou She arrived at Zhao’s Teahouse, accompanied by Song Yinzhi. Looking at the gently falling rain outside the teahouse, Zhou She was visibly awed. Before, he had avoided coming here out of fear of Zhao Pan’er. But now that he had seen it, he realized the rumors were true—this place was indeed exceptionally elegant.

“Brother-in-law!”

Song Yinzhi quickly ran up to Gao You.

“Zhou Lang is here! When are we going to the temple fair?”

“There’s a temple fair every few days. Why are you so excited?”

Sun Sanniang teased.

Of course, Song Yinzhi wouldn’t explain that she was excited because it meant Zhou She was finally being accepted. Gao You turned to Zhao Pan’er.

“My dear wife?”

“Shall we go?”

Zhao Pan’er put down her book and followed Gao You out. She also wanted to observe Zhou She up close—to see what kind of person he truly was.

______

At the temple fair, the sheer enthusiasm of the Song Dynasty people for temple fairs left Gao You stunned. The entire street was packed with people!

“They’re selling sugar figures over there!”

Xiao Lingdang excitedly pointed at a vendor.

“Can I go buy one?”

Zhao Pan’er didn’t stop her, so Xiao Lingdang ran off eagerly.

“Come take a look at the finest rhino horn products!”

“Freshly made steamed buns—big and delicious, come try them!”

“Gold and silver jewelry! Buy something for your lady?”

The shouts of vendors filled the air. Gao You and his group walked forward like ordinary fairgoers, blending into the crowd.

“There’s a pipa stall over there!”

Song Yinzhi quickly crossed the street to check it out. Gao You and the others followed closely behind.

After browsing for a while, Song Yinzhi didn’t find any high-quality instruments.

“Let’s go.”

Just as she was about to move forward, she suddenly noticed something—No matter where they stopped, Gao You always positioned himself to shield Zhao Pan’er!

Even while walking, whenever they crossed a street, Gao You would instinctively move to her outer side, using his body to protect her from any potential hazards.

“There are lacquerware stalls over there!”

Song Yinzhi deliberately ran across the street.

Zhou She frowned in impatience. Zhao Pan’er and the others, however, followed along.

Sure enough!

When they reached the stall, Gao You once again positioned himself beside Zhao Pan’er. Seeing this constant, subconscious protection made Song Yinzhi feel incredibly envious.

She had a man too—Yet he was completely useless!

Zhao Pan’er, who had been silently enjoying this sense of security, also noticed Gao You’s actions. Her heart warmed with sweetness.

“Zhou Lang!”

Song Yinzhi suddenly turned to Zhou She, who was looking bored.

“If I marry you, will you protect me?”

“Of course!”

Zhou She immediately assured her.

“I’d give my life to protect you!”

“No matter what danger you face, I will always stand by your side!”

Song Yinzhi was somewhat satisfied with this answer.

She then gestured towards the crowd.

“There are so many people here!”

“Do you think we might be in danger?”

Zhou She chuckled.

“This is a county town. What danger could there be?”

“There’s a cosmetics stall over there. Want to take a look?”

“I remember you wanted to pick out a new rouge.”

As the number one pipa player in Jiangnan, Song Yinzhi would never use cheap roadside cosmetics. But still, she appreciated the gesture—it was a way for him to show his care.

If she hadn’t seen how attentive and considerate Gao You was, she might have been happy that Zhou She remembered her interest in rouge.

But when comparisons were made, Zhou She seemed more and more disappointing!