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"Hold on, Ruoning, slow down," said He Chensheng, wiping his mouth as he looked at the flushed face of the young lady from the Liu family.

Chensheng had always remembered Liu Ruoning.

There was a time when the Liu family and the He family got along well in court. Both families were from the Grand Tutor's mansion, so when the Liu family's master came from Jiangnan to Luo City for a cooperative business venture, he brought along his seven-year-old daughter to play in Luo City for a few years.

Back then, Yino was the only child in the He family who was close in age to Ruoning.

Ruoning, even though she came from a prestigious household in Jiangnan, loved playing with swords. Coincidentally, Yino was learning swordplay from his aunt at the time.

They soon became playmates.

Since Yino was a year older and better at swordsmanship, Ruoning would follow him around, calling him

big brother

all day. Later, when Xinyao taught Yino sword techniques, he would then teach them to Ruoning.

The two little kids would run between the He and Liu households, quite the little darlings.

With both children enjoying each other's company and the cooperation between the families going well, after a night of drinking at the Phoenix Pavilion, their fathers impulsively decided to arrange a child marriage between Yino and Ruoning.

At that time, Ruoning was quite fond of Yino. When her mother told her she'd be marrying into the He family, her eyes sparkled with joy. She wouldn't let Yino call her little sister anymore, insisting he call her his wife.

Yino refused, and Ruoning threw a tantrum, sitting on the ground and crying, clinging to Yino's leg.

He Chensheng had to scold Yino, who finally, with a shy face, went to coax Ruoning into calling him her husband.

But the next day, after Ruoning stopped crying, Yino was called into his aunt's room for another scolding.

Those were the days, though.

The two kids played together for a few more years.

But as their peers began cultivating, Yino's useless constitution became known, and Ruoning was discovered as a rare musical talent.

Gradually, the gap between their cultivation levels widened.

When Yino had just started refining qi, Ruoning was almost at the foundation establishment stage.

The vast difference in their abilities created a distance between the childhood friends.

As they grew up, and girls matured faster, Ruoning began to look down on Yino. She was a prodigy, outpacing him in cultivation and talent, yet she still called him big brother and acted like his little sidekick...

How could that be right?

So, she started taking charge.

Maybe influenced by Yino's aunt, Ruoning wanted to order him around, making him serve her tea, wash her feet, and give her massages...

But Yino wasn't the type to take this lying down.

He was already bullied by his aunt at home, and now his childhood playmate was getting bossy too?

Inevitably, they had a big argument.

But Ruoning wasn't the little crybaby anymore.

She decided to settle it with a duel.

If Yino lost, he'd have to call her big sister and serve her like he did his aunt, with strict rules in place.

He Chensheng thought it was too much, but to his surprise, Yino agreed.

He asked Ruoning what would happen if she lost.

Ruoning, full of pride, said he could do whatever he wanted.

So Yino said,

"If you lose, you have to announce in front of everyone, 'My dear husband, I was wrong. I'll keep your bed warm for life.'"

Ruoning was furious at his mocking tone, her face turning red as she stormed off back to the Liu house.

The next day, she showed up ready to fight, armed with the best sword and a few pills to boost her performance.

The duel was between two children from the Grand Tutor's mansion, and it attracted quite the crowd outside the He family's gate.

Ruoning confidently stepped onto the stage.

But within three moves, Yino had seen through all her tricks and sword techniques.

The funniest part was Yino didn't even bother to fight back with his sword. He dodged her attacks, then kicked her in the butt, sending her headfirst into a flowerpot below the stage.

He Chensheng remembered the chaos that followed, with people trying to pull Ruoning out of the pot, her face covered in dirt, mouth pouting, and eyes red with tears, glaring at Yino.

She seemed to expect him to comfort her, but Yino didn't say a word.

Ruoning burst into tears.

She was, after all, the pampered daughter of a high official, used to being called a genius.

She never did publicly call Yino my husband to fulfill their agreement.

After that, He Chensheng's most vivid memories were of Xinyao laughing hysterically, and Ruoning crying so hard she had to be coaxed home by her parents.

Since then, the story of Ruoning losing to Yino, despite her higher cultivation level, became infamous in Luo City.

Later, Ruoning stopped visiting Yino, locking herself in her room for days, crying. Yino tried to console her, but she wouldn't let him in, though she accepted the meals he brought.

Eventually, the cooperation between the He and Liu families ended, and Ruoning's family returned to Jiangnan.

Haha… Thinking back, it was all quite funny.

He Chensheng thought that after the Liu family sent someone to cancel the engagement, Ruoning would stay far away from Yino forever.

But now, ten years later, here she was, visiting the He family.

And even stranger:

"You said you look down on Yino, but you still want to honor the marriage contract?"

He Chensheng took a sip of tea, sat up, and scrutinized Ruoning's flushed face.

He'd been in politics for decades, but such a contradictory request was a first. Was there really a woman who wanted to marry a man she despised?

"Yes, Uncle!"

"We've already signed the contract. How can you just cancel it without my permission?"

The young girl stood up, looking at He Chensheng with utmost seriousness.

He Chensheng blinked, still not quite understanding.

"But it's already been canceled."

"I disagree!"

The girl lifted her chin, her pride reminiscent of her past challenge against Yino.

He Chensheng wiped his brow, "But your father already agreed."

"Well... then I'm here to reinstate the contract!"

"Ehh?"