On the day of the flower-viewing banquet at the Governor Mansion, the carriage bearing the emblem of Marquis Yangling Mansion was slowly moving on the road.
"Why did you bring it along too?" Cui Xuan looked at Xue Tuan cowering in the corner.
"I brought it out for so fresh air."
So that it wouldn’t constantly sulk in the study.
Cui Xuan smiled and did not ask further.
These past few days, her spirits had not been very good.
The Governor Mansion was very imposing. The parked carriages almost congested the road. The ladies coming to attend the banquet were nurous.
The carriage had to stop, waiting for the road ahead to clear before moving on.
Cui Xuan lifted the curtain of the carriage, glanced casually, and then let it fall.
"Every ti the Governor Mansion holds a banquet, there are always many attendees."
Had it not been for the three invitations from the Governor Mansion, she would not have co.
Apart from unavoidable social interactions, Cui Xuan did not wish to deal with these people who mostly said one thing to your face and another behind your back.
Thinking of the Governor’s wife’s character, she couldn’t help but shake her head.
"Ai has been ill these past few days, and your aunt is not at ease staying at ho to care for her."
Cui Yun spoke softly: "If Aunt does not co, isn’t your son here? At least Mama has soone to talk to."
These words were very comforting.
Both her sons were filial.
Cui Yun was not as steady as his elder brother, but when it ca to being considerate and thoughtful, Cui Bai was far from his equal.
The last ti her mother-in-law was painfully ill, Cui Yun attended by her bedside, not needing any outsider’s help.
The dicine he brewed by hand, the amount of water used, the timing of brewing, even the timing of administering dicine were all exactingly precise.
Thinking of Cui Bai, she deeply closed her eyes.
"Sons of your age are frequently getting betrothed."
"When your brother was your age, besides studying, he also had to practice martial arts and take care of you, who was always getting into trouble as a child."
Cui Yun: ...
Cui Yun chuckled lightly: "It was my fault that hindered my brother."
But even so, he wouldn’t give up Xue Tuan for him.
Having learned from Cui Bai’s situation, Cui Xuan had seen through all.
Marriage is for a lifeti, and when elders forcefully interfere, it mostly leads to unhappiness. She is an example of that.
She had tasted it personally, it was very bitter, and how could she want Cui Bai and Cui Yun to follow her old path.
She did not wish to trouble her eldest son, and naturally, she would not trouble her younger son.
"You are not yet of age to wear the ceremonial headdress, I do not wish to rush you. As long as you know what’s in your heart, just don’t wait until your twenties or thirties to figure it out."
Xue Tuan pricked up its ears.
She could understand Cui Xuan’s concerns.
After all, Cui Yun was ultimately not favored by Yan Mi!!!
It seems in this world, only a heavenly fairy could catch his eye.
Xue Tuan gazed longingly at Cui Yun.
Cui Yun’s gaze mostly lingered on her, seeing this, he couldn’t help but look intently over. Eyes eting round, full orbs.
Assuming she was hungry, he imdiately took out the prepared sheep milk, his fingertips lazily hooking.
"Co here."
"ow!"
No!
Cui Yun’s eyes carried the noble dignity of a son of a noble family, but also had the wilfulness typical of his age.
Seeing Xue Tuan being contrary again, he didn’t force her.
If even a cat is like this, one can imagine how much trouble it is to raise children.
The carriage finally stopped in front of the Governor Mansion.
Just as Cui Yun was about to carry Xue Tuan, she suddenly jumped up and clung to Cui Xuan’s hem. Stretching her little short legs, she made a hugging gesture.
Cui Xuan’s eyes softened with tenderness. She hugged her into her arms.
"The cat you are raising, not to ntion your brother, even Mama finds her delightful."
Cui Yun sneered.
"Winning favor?"
"I think it’s quite rebellious."
The banquet was set in the back garden, accompanied by silk and bamboo orchestral music, and the flowing water added a unique elegance. It was evident that the host had put in a lot of effort.
As soon as one entered, nurous Madams flocked around, their tongues as nimble as can be, discussing various topics.
"It’s been so ti since I’ve seen you, Madam. You look radiant today."
These were false words, for troubles at ho had evidently taken their toll on Cui Xuan Shi, leaving her quite haggard.
When the won gather, it’s nothing but a comparison of each other.
"Why hasn’t Eldest Young Master co today? He’s among the top young n in Shengjing, I wanted my Ke to take this opportunity to seek so academic advice."
Seeking academic advice was just a pretense; they actually wanted to see Cui Bai beco a laughingstock. Who wouldn’t want to step on him when given the chance?
Cui Xuan Shi rely smiled faintly in silence.
The calculations of these people remained hidden in their hearts, and eventually, they even praised the cat in Cui Xuan Shi’s arms.
"Madam’s cat is really well-kept."
Though they spoke these words, their gazes invariably and subtly shifted towards Cui Yun.
The Yan Family’s banquet would definitely not see the attendance of the Xie Family from Duke Fu’s Mansion. Thus, Marquis Yangling Mansion naturally beca the desired target.
The matter concerning Cui Bai not only shocked everyone but also inevitably led to ridicule. Yet strangely, this made them even more eager to curry favor.
Cui Xuan Shi, however, did not want to listen to them and found an excuse to join the table and sit down after handling them briefly.
The people who had just been flattering her changed their expression imdiately after she left.
"I don’t know why she acts so arrogantly every day? Her man works right before the Emperor, and though they are arguably colleagues, she still carries herself with so much pride."
Even before she was married, she attracted enmity.
After marriage, she continued to attract enmity.
"Enough, she belongs to Marquis Yangling Mansion. Naturally, she is different from us."
"So what? Does Marquis Yangling show her any attention? She is born well and married well, yet she fails to win people’s hearts, otherwise Marquis Yangling wouldn’t still be thinking about his past lover, would he?"
A lady in blue laughed lightly.
"Everyone says that Eldest Young Master Cui is exceptional, it’s funny that he even dared refuse a marriage granted by the Empress Dowager. Relying on the Holy Favour, is he not afraid that the whole Marquis Yangling Mansion will be implicated?"
Setting aside Princess You Ning for the mont, this was after all a grace from the Empress Dowager. Cui Bai is really too young, or else how could he afford to be so bold?
"Ms. Cui Wu, his forr wife, is indeed an unmatched beauty, no wonder Marquis Yangling can’t forget her. Still, she can’t compare to you and . It’s rather pitiful when you think about it."
At this mont, various things were being said.
These words were overheard by Ji Cong, who had been crouching nearby playing with mud for a long ti, unnoticed by the rest.
He might be foolish, but he had a good mory.
He rembered his mother telling his younger brother Ji Wang that Marquis Yangling was currently favored by the Holy Favor, and if he could beco friends with the son of the Cui Family, it couldn’t be better. He must not let the Crown Prince get ahead.
Ji Cong pondered for a mont in confusion.
"Cui Yun!"
He suddenly shouted loudly.
Cui Yun looked over and stood up, "Second Prince."
"Why are you still sitting there? Your mother has already been cursed worse than a dead person."
As these words ca out, everyone looked over, and the won who had been gossiping suddenly turned pale.
"There wasn’t..."
They lacked confidence.
Ji Cong said, "I said you did, so you did!"
"Such big people, yet so quick to deny their own words. Don’t you feel ashad?"
As he said this, he enthusiastically pointed his hand towards Cui Yun and said, "Really, it was these few people who said it. Their mouths are really too much."
As he spoke, he recited word for word everything he had just heard.
He didn’t care if he would ruin the Governor Mansion’s banquet, nor did he consider the inner panic and fear of the few Madams.
Watching everyone in shock, he felt very proud.
He liked the attention of being the center of attention.
Even while feeling self-satisfied, he did not forget his initial purpose.
"Hey, I’ve told you all this, now you have to keep your distance from the Crown Prince, understand?"
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