Chapter 160: A Softening Heart

"Um... are the affairs in the palace keeping you busy and troubled?"

Seeing Gou Ye staring straight at her, Wanxiang instantly blushed.

Though deep down her heart had already belonged to Gou Ye, she was, after all, a young maiden. Even though the man before her was indeed the one she loved, that innate maidenly reserve still left her somewhat flustered.

"Well, everything is fine in the palace. The duties are quite leisurely, just a bit monotonous."

Hearing Wanxiang's question, Gou Ye smiled warmly and answered.

For the present Gou Ye, although he was a time-traveler who once ran a newspaper that earned him a living—not exactly wealthy, yet his status back then always made him feel somewhat unworthy of Wanxiang.

But things were different now.

He had passed the imperial examinations, participated in the palace examination, and become a genuine disciple of the Son of Heaven. Although he was currently serving as a palace compiler, he possessed absolute confidence that, relying on the modern methods and technologies he brought with him, he was fully capable of rising rapidly through the ranks.

All of this simply lacked an opportunity.

"It is good that it is leisurely. The palace is not like the world outside. Just take good care of yourself. Since the affairs in the palace are leisurely, you can use the time to learn some of the palace etiquette."

Hearing Gou Ye's minor complaint, Wanxiang smiled gently and advised him.

Wanxiang knew very well in her heart that, after all, Gou Ye came from an ordinary, commoner background. No matter how talented he was, he was inherently unfamiliar with the various etiquettes observed within the palace walls. Otherwise, with his brilliant talent, he certainly wouldn't have been appointed to such a humble position as a palace compiler.

Furthermore, she knew that given Gou Ye's temperament, he would never be content remaining a mere palace compiler. His official rank was bound to rise higher and higher in the future. If he didn't take the time to learn palace etiquette in advance, he would inevitably make a fool of himself later on.

"Oh? Learn some etiquette?"

Hearing Wanxiang's words, Gou Ye instinctively frowned. To be honest, he had been in office for several days now, but he had never considered this aspect at all.

Indeed, as Wanxiang had pointed out, being a time-traveler, his knowledge and way of thinking were quite distinct from those of most people living in this era. However, he was truly clueless about the intricate etiquettes of the imperial palace. Even if someone were to hand him the position of prime minister right this instant, he wouldn't even know what he was supposed to do!

And what kind of post was a palace compiler?

It could be said that almost all matters, large and small, within the palace walls could not escape the ears of the palace compiler!

"So that's how it is! That is truly how it is!"

Gou Ye was suddenly enlightened, and the look he cast at Wanxiang was filled with pleasant surprise.

"Wanxiang, you have truly awakened a dreamer with a single word!"

At this, Gou Ye beamed with joy and turned his gaze to the woman beside him.

He had to admit that the woman before him had provided him with a profound insight. Over the past few days in the palace, Gou Ye had been pondering why, after enduring countless hardships, he had only been rewarded with such a minor post as a palace compiler—a position devoid of real authority, where any ambition he wished to pursue was severely restricted.

Yet now, upon hearing Wanxiang's explanation, Gou Ye had finally achieved complete clarity.

As the saying goes, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it first exhausts their mind and will, strains their sinews and bones, starves their body, and deprives them of resources. Wasn't his current assignment as a palace compiler in the deep palace merely a form of tempering and training?

"Um, Young Master, you are now a disciple of the Son of Heaven, and since you hold the post of palace compiler, it shows that the Emperor intends to cultivate your talents. Surpassing others and achieving prominence in the future will be effortless. Therefore, I want to ask you... would you be willing to marry me..."

At this point, Wanxiang blushed furiously once more.

Although she had previously confessed her feelings to Gou Ye, back then she felt that the gap in their social standings was not particularly wide. But now Gou Ye had passed the imperial examinations and won the Emperor's favor; the roles had reversed, and she now felt unworthy of him. Thus, whether the man before her was truly willing to marry her remained an uncertainty.

"Rest assured, I will definitely support you in your service within the palace, and I will support your ideals as well. I will fulfill the duties of a wife, but... I only hope you will not look down upon me."

Wanxiang's face was flushed with shyness. To be honest, for an unmarried maiden like her, uttering such a confession required immense courage. Moreover, in this era, women were naturally reserved and shy; making such a bold declaration of love probably had very few precedents in the entire world.

"Wanxiang, I understand your feelings, but to be frank, I have no real certainty about my own future. I don't know whether I will truly achieve prominence or not. So if you decide to stay by my side right now, you will undoubtedly suffer hardships along with me."

Saying this, Gou Ye felt a pang of reluctance. Though deep in his heart he cherished Wanxiang deeply, as a man, holding such a minor official post as palace compiler meant he earned very little stipend. Coupled with the adage that accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger, he could not offer Wanxiang any grand riches or luxuries to enjoy. Following him right now truly meant enduring hardship.

"No, none of that matters to me. From the very first moment I laid eyes on you, Young Master, I have fancied you. In this lifetime, I will marry no one other than you..."

Saying this, Wanxiang instinctively lowered her head, her expression brimming with shyness.

In truth, along the journey here, she had already pondered this question thoroughly. But after much deliberation, she had resolutely decided to bravely walk side by side with Gou Ye.

She knew that if she simply gave up like this, she would surely regret it for the rest of her life. After all, Gou Ye was the only person she truly loved in the truest sense. If she could marry him, her heart would overflow with happiness.

"This..."

To be honest, hearing Wanxiang utter such words as "I will marry no one other than you," Gou Ye would be lying if he said he wasn't moved.

After pondering for a long time, Gou Ye finally nodded. "Well then, you may stay within the manor for the time being. I'm rarely at home during the day anyway; I only return at night."

"Mm, alright, I understand."

Hearing Gou Ye's words, Wanxiang smiled softly and nodded earnestly in agreement.