The main hall of the Mu Estate had never felt so crowded, yet the mountain of bridal gifts filling the courtyard outside seemed to occupy the thoughts of everyone present.

Even from within the hall, glimpses of lacquered chests, carved jade ornaments, and embroidered fabrics could be seen through the open doors. Servants moved carefully between them, unsure whether they should admire the gifts or fear them.

After all, those gifts belonged to House Liang, and House Liang was not a family people took lightly.

Seated at the center of the hall, Mu Qing kept his gaze lowered to the tea resting before him, pretending to study the ripples on its surface. It was a futile effort. No amount of concentration could distract him from the fact that you were sitting only a short distance away.

Nor could it distract him from the fact that your mother sat beside you, carrying herself with the same confidence and authority for which House Liang was known. More importantly, it could not distract him from the purpose of today's visit.

A marriage proposal directed at him.

The thought still felt absurd.

Across the empire, the daughters of House Liang were famous for many things. Their wealth was certainly one of them, but their tempers were another entirely. Stories about the women of your family traveled almost as quickly as merchant caravans. Some stories were exaggerated; others, unfortunately for those involved, were not.

Your grandmother had once publicly humiliated a provincial governor who attempted to cheat one of her merchants. Your mother had built an entire trade route after several officials insisted it would fail. Your sisters possessed personalities strong enough to frighten ambitious noblemen into reconsidering their life choices.

And somehow, despite growing up surrounded by such formidable women, you had earned the reputation of being the fiercest among them.

Many noble families privately referred to you as a future headache for whichever unfortunate man eventually married you. Most people assumed that man would be a general: someone broad-shouldered, battle-tested, and fearless enough to survive both warfare and marriage.

No one expected you to choose a young nobleman who spent his mornings reading poetry and his afternoons tending flowering trees.

Least of all Mu Qing.

"I must admit," his father finally said, breaking the silence with remarkable composure, "this comes as something of a surprise."

Mu Qing wished, not for the first time that day, that he possessed the ability to disappear. Unfortunately, disappearing became considerably more difficult when the subject of discussion was your future marriage.

And even more difficult when every time he accidentally looked in your direction, he became painfully aware that you had chosen him. Not one of the countless ambitious young lords competing for influence within the capital. But him.

For reasons he still could not fully understand, the realization sent warmth creeping into his face once more.

His brother noticed immediately. "He's blushing again." His mother promptly elbowed him, the resulting glare from Mu Qing should have been intimidating, it was not.

And judging by the amusement lingering in your eyes, you might have been enjoying it too.