While Cui Xiaoxin was lost in thought and Yan Xiangma was pointing out the flowers in the courtyard with the air of a little flower-growing expert, her mother's voice came from outside as she spoke with someone.
"Xiaoxin likes peace and quiet. There are so many houses in the front courtyard, yet she insisted on taking the most secluded one. What young girl doesn't like lively places crowded with people? I'm truly afraid that if she stays here too long, she'll develop an isolated, withdrawn personality—"
"I like peace and quiet too," said an even younger voice. Even from far away, it gave off a cold, brash feeling. It was as if she had not put the slightest emotion into those words.
Cui Xiaoxin could not help laughing inwardly. The Lu family had sent their most arrogant girl, and the one worst at speaking, to visit her. What profound meaning were they trying to express?
Clearly, Mother still was not used to dealing with a girl of this temperament.
After a moment of silence, she answered with an extremely exaggerated laugh. "Hahaha, I never thought young people these days would all like peace and quiet. You're truly different from how we were when we were young—it's good that Xiaoxin is back now. The two of you are about the same age, and you're both going to study at Xifeng. You should visit one another more often, so neither of you has to be alone without a companion."
"I have many friends," said Lu Qiji.
"—"
"But I'd still be very happy to be friends with Sister Xiaoxin," Lu Qiji added.
Cui Xiaoxin's mother truly could not stand this way of speaking—cold and stiff, with every sentence sounding like a blade suddenly drawn from its sheath.
As a noble of Tiandu,