Softly

He was the top candidate in the palace examination in the seventh year of Yan Chu, and that year, Jiang Yan was seven years old.

The first time the sweet, soft-spoken little Yan Chu saw the sixteen-year-old top candidate, she learned what it meant for a gentleman to be as lovely as jade and peerless in the world.

Unfortunately, this gentleman was rather aloof.

But the cool and distant Lord Shen would gently comfort the little girl and help her solve little problems, too.

It was only later that the little girl stopped calling him Brother Shen, and Lord Shen felt a little lost.

At long last, the little girl grew up. Lord Shen knelt before her with solemn dignity: "I, your humble servant Shen Yan, kneel and ask for the princess's hand in marriage."