Petty Uncle!

The courtyard was deep and secluded, with jacaranda trees laden with blossoms that covered the branches like a sky-high canopy. Cluster upon cluster, they looked lush and vibrant, like a beautiful painting personally rendered by the Imperial Preceptor.

A young girl in a white dress sat beneath the blue-flowered tree, with a pot of clear tea and an ancient scroll. She was spending her leisurely and beautiful holiday time.

Chronicles of Tiandu was a series of events that occurred in Tiandu, the capital of the Xifeng Empire, written by the renowned historian Mr. Sima Qian. It included political changes, economic development, anecdotes of extraordinary people, and even introductions to some ancient traditions—such as Wang Ermazi's scissors, Li Xiaodong's blacksmith shop, the potent liquor that could fell a man in three bowls, and the braised pork from Pinxiang Tower.

Because of its wide variety and mixed content, it was extremely popular. Some people read it for its novelty, others for its strangeness. Some treated it as a foodie's travelogue and a gastronomic map, while others delved deeply into its strategies and the hidden meanings of success and failure.

Cui Xiaoxin, however, paid no mind to these aspects. She simply read, purely read. For a reader, not having to pursue the past or contemplate the future, but simply enjoying the meaning conveyed or the stories told between the lines, was the most relaxing and pleasant thing.

"Xiaoxin, have some fruit." Her aunt, Cui Xinci, dressed in an lotus-white qipao, walked over with a basin of fruit.

Though originally from the northern lands, she had fallen in love with the clothing style of Southern Jiangsu. She particularly adored qipaos, and they possessed a unique charm and beauty when worn by her.

"Thank you, Aunt," Cui Xiaoxin said, rising to greet her.

"Sit down. Sit down," Cui Xinci chided in a sweet voice. "Xiaoxin, it's just the two of us, aunt and niece, in the backyard, and no one else can see. Besides, even if they could, so what? Furthermore, we are both women of the Cui family, and we share the same bloodline. We are truly family—why are you always so formal with your aunt? It makes us seem distant, and I don't like it."

Cui Xiaoxin chuckled softly and replied, "Alright then, from now on, if Auntie brings me food or drinks, I won't ask any questions or even get up to greet you. I'll just take it and eat, take it and drink. I'll treat you like an old servant."

"If you were to do that, I'd be even happier. Yan Xiangma treats me that way, and I don't even consider him my godson?" Cui Xinci, with a graceful air, sat down opposite Cui Xiaoxin and said, "Xiaoxin, are you reading again?"

"Chronicles of Tiandu," Cui Xiaoxin replied, placing the book on the table. "I'm learning about the customs and traditions of Tiandu. I've been away for several years, and I feel a bit unfamiliar with the city. But thinking about it carefully, even when I was in Tiandu before, how much did I truly know about the city? I always thought I lived in this city, always thought I could visit anywhere at any time, but the things that are most within reach are often the ones we least bother to truly understand or experience. Honestly, I know nothing about it."

Cui Xinci's expression turned sorrowful. "Xiaoxin, in a few more days, you'll be returning to Tiandu. Your aunt truly hates to see you go. If it were possible, I'd really want to keep you here in Southern Jiangsu, here with your aunt. Tiandu may be vast, and the Cui family may be numerous, but life here is ultimately more relaxed and carefree. That place is like a giant vortex, constantly swallowing so many people every day. Your aunt is afraid you'll be swept up in it too—"

"Aunt—" Cui Xiaoxin tightly grasped Cui Xinci's jade-like, tender white hand. "I also want to stay in Southern Jiangsu, I want to stay by Aunt's side. These past few years living in Southern Jiangsu have been the happiest and most carefree days of my life. But, you know Tiandu better than I do, and you know the Cui family better than I do—can I really stay?"

"Alas, being born into a wealthy family means there are always various responsibilities to bear. This time, your aunt cannot accompany you to the capital, so you must take good care of yourself. Yesterday, your uncle-in-law mentioned letting Xiangma accompany you to the capital this time, asking your elder brother to help arrange a position for him, saying that him idling around Jiangnan City all day is not a proper path—your temperament is good, quiet and steady, you don't stir up trouble. But Xiangma is another matter, he's a headache. Who knows what kind of mess he'll stir up if he goes to Tiandu?"

Cui Xiaoxin patted her aunt's hand. "Aunt, a man should have aspirations. Uncle-in-law is doing this out of hope for his son's success. If he's not sent out to be honed, and always stays by your side, protected and cared for by you, how can he shoulder great responsibilities? Wasn't Uncle-in-law himself a general who fought on the battlefield back then? Only then did he receive the empire's important task and lead the main position in Jiangnan City?"

"Besides, cousin is not a foolish person. I deeply admire his wit and courage. With the care of the Cui and Yan families in Tiandu, and Jiangnan City being a prosperous region and the empire's treasury, the son of the Jiangnan City Lord already has a significant background. I don't think anyone can bully him? Think about it carefully, he's the one who bullies others, when has he ever been bullied?"

"A child travels a thousand miles, and the mother worries. I just can't put my mind at ease."

"If you're truly worried, then wait until the Spring Festival and go back to visit. You haven't been back to Tiandu in years, have you?"

"Yes. Then it's settled. I'll go back to Tiandu for the festival this year. Regardless of whether Uncle Yan agrees or not, I'm going back—" Cui Xinci said with a determined expression.

"Alright. I'll be waiting for you in Tiandu, Aunt," Cui Xiaoxin said with a smile.

"Oh, right, where did Xiangma go? I haven't seen him around the house at all today?"

"I haven't seen him either. He went out early this morning, saying he was going to visit friends."

"He wouldn't have gone to find that Li Mu Yang again, would he? I'm so curious, what's so great about that Li Mu Yang? The other day, you were so infatuated with him, you went to report to him every day. Now that you're back to normal, your cousin isn't. What does that kid even look like? Isn't he rumored to be incredibly ugly?"

Cui Xiaoxin's lips curved slightly, revealing a charming arc.

"Incredibly ugly is an exaggeration. It's just that he had a serious illness when he was young, so his skin is a bit dark. But in terms of looks—he's quite normal."

"Is that so? Then he's not good enough for our Xiaoxin," Cui Xinci said with a half-smile. "I think Song Yu Shu is much better. I heard about his good reputation when he was still young, and after I came to Southern Jiangsu with your uncle-in-law, I often heard news about him. He's become even more outstanding."

The smile on Cui Xiaoxin's face gradually faded. "Aunt, these matters—I'm afraid no one will care about my wishes, will they?"

"You don't want to?"

"I'd rather someone ask me a question like 'Do you accept?'"

"Xiaoxin—" Cui Xinci squeezed Cui Xiaoxin's hand tightly. "You know our family situation. However, if you truly don't want it, you must speak up. No matter what, your aunt will support you."

"My persistence, and Aunt's support—will they change destiny?"

"——"

Perhaps feeling the topic was too heavy, Cui Xinci smiled and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. It's still early anyway. And you still have to go to university, which will take several more years. Our Xiaoxin is so outstanding, she'll surely find a good match."

Cui Xiaoxin chuckled silently. In reality, her aunt would feel guilty saying such things herself, wouldn't she? Wasn't she also outstanding back then? And the silver-spear youth she loved, hadn't he also entrusted his true feelings to her? Yet, in the end, hadn't she married the current Jiangnan City Lord, Yan Bolai?

The best outcome was to accept fate. Just like her aunt now, wasn't she living happily and contentedly?

Seeing Cui Xiaoxin's smile, Cui Xinci knew she had seen through her thoughts. In front of this young girl, Cui Xinci suddenly felt a bit flustered.

"You should continue reading. Aunt won't disturb you anymore," Cui Xinci said, getting up and heading towards the front yard.

Cui Xiaoxin tilted her head back, looking at the sea of blue flowers above, and said with deep regret, "Tiandu doesn't have jacarandas. It's a shame I can't take them with me."

"If Miss likes them, I'll have someone dig up a few to take back," Ning Xin Hai walked over from the corner of the wall, as if he had been waiting there all along.

"I heard that the sweet oranges from the south don't taste sweet in the north. If these jacarandas are transplanted to the north, I'm afraid they won't bloom as beautifully, right? Since you love flowers, why trouble them like this?"

A breeze blew, scattering the fallen blossoms.

Cui Xiaoxin extended her palm, and a tiny petal landed precisely in it.

Many of these small blue spirits had fallen onto her hair and clothes. Their faint, elegant fragrance seemed to whisper their reluctance to part with this pure young girl.

"Uncle Ning, coming at this time, has something happened outside again?"

"Miss hasn't gone out these past few days, but she sent me to secretly protect the student surnamed Li. A few days ago, everything was fine. Ever since the crow attack incident, Li Mu Yang has been studying behind closed doors every day, and I've rarely seen him go out."

Cui Xiaoxin had traveled to Southern Jiangsu to study, and Ning Xin Hai was the only skilled guard by her side. He was also the only person she could completely trust.

She had not left her residence these past few days precisely because she wanted to send Ning Xin Hai to Li Mu Yang's side to protect him secretly. After all, the crow incident was merely a prelude. No one knew what subsequent events might unfold.

If there were another crow attack, or even more powerful killers, could Li Mu Yang still pass safely? Could Li Mu Yang's family be protected?

Cui Xiaoxin had to consider such questions.

"I didn't expect an accident to happen today. A group of thugs entered Luo Qi's, Li Mu Yang's mother's, pastry shop, demanding this month's management fees. Such things happen frequently, so I didn't pay too much attention."

"Later, Li Mu Yang rushed over and went into a berserk state, unleashing a massacre inside the pastry shop. It was only then that I realized something was wrong—someone might have deliberately set a trap for Li Mu Yang, right?"

Cui Xiaoxin's expression turned grim. After a moment of thought, she understood the truth of the matter and said with a cold smile, "My uncle-in-law is truly stingy."