Xiu'er muttered, "Why would I give you a jade pendant out of the blue? Let me see, this jade pendant isn't even as good as mine!"
It was a jade pendant carved in the shape of a lotus seedpod. The carving was very good, but the quality of the jade was really just average.
Jade is best when it is translucent, but this piece of jade has a somewhat rough texture.
The lotus pods were made so thick and heavy that you probably couldn't see through them even if you held them up to the light.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Of course, everything Song Jingyang gave you was of good quality. Children wear jade, and they'll break a piece every few days, so there's no need to waste good things."
Xiu'er glanced at the priceless purple jade ruyi at Yanran's waist, pursed her lips, and remained silent.
"I don't know why he gave me this, and he even told me to wear it carefully," Yanran said.
Tang Zhuyun asked calmly, "Didn't you go to see him? What did he say?"
Yanran said, "I didn't go to see him. He was injured because of me, how could I possibly go? I just secretly asked his maid to come out and inquire about his condition. But then..."
A hint of regret appeared on her face. "Madam Cui, it seems you won't let Cui Xiaoqiu play with me anymore."
This seems to make sense.
However, Tang Zhuyun still felt sorry for Yanran.
Everyone loves their own child, that's perfectly normal.
As she was thinking about how to comfort Yanran, she heard the latter say, "If you don't want to play, then don't. I really messed things up for Cui Xiaoqiu this time; he'll need a long time to recover. I asked the maid to apologize to him for me, and this is what he sent me."
What's the meaning?
Xiu'er's eyes darted around. "'The lotus seed is bitter in its heart,' he must be saying that he can't bear to part with you, but there's nothing he can do, the adults in his family are just unreasonable."
Tang Zhuyun: Well, that's alright, it comforted Yanran somewhat.
Yanran replied, "It's not that the Cui Family is unreasonable; I really dragged them into this. Forget it, what does it matter? He told me to keep it, so I'll keep it, lest he have designs on it later."
Anyway, it doesn't look like something expensive.
"Mother, this isn't expensive, you can accept it." Yanran confirmed with Tang Zhuyun again.
Tang Zhuyun nodded.
She taught Yanran not to accept expensive gifts from strangers, Yanran always remembered that.
"Give it to me, I'll make you a knot to wear for a few days," Xiu'er said.
Yanran handed her the lotus seedpod jade pendant.
Xiu'er asked again, "Then what will happen in the future? Will you still go to play with Cui Xiaoqiu?"
"Let's not go," Yanran said with a hint of sadness. "He needs a long time to recover from his injury, and then he should go to school like my brother."
Tang Zhuyun comforted her, "After a while, this matter will fade away."
"He's already given me things, so his mother and grandmother definitely don't want him to play with me anymore." Yanran was quite philosophical about it. "It's okay, I'll have younger siblings in the future, and I won't have time to visit him all the time."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Your younger brother and sister are still with your father.
Yanran whispered again, "Mother, they have too many children."
Tang Zhuyun: "?"
"If he doesn't strive for improvement, he'll have nowhere to go in the future."
Tang Zhuyun was somewhat shocked; she hadn't expected Yanran to think of this.
Although Yanran spoke with an air of magnanimity, Tang Zhuyun knew she must be upset. She patted Yanran's hand and said, "Once we find out who the assassin is and catch the culprit, I'll take you to apologize to the Cui Family."
"It's not just because of the assassin," Yanran said, "His grandmother was unhappy when she saw me."
Tang Zhuyun frowned. "Why?"
"I don't know. Cui Xiaoqiu originally said she would go back and ask, but now, she probably can't. It's okay, as long as he's alright."
At the same time, Old Madam Cui was also talking to Madam Cui.
"... I never wanted Ling'er to associate with that girl again, and now that Ling'er is injured, I'll keep Ling'er from going out."
Madam Cui nodded in agreement.
Her son suffered an undeserved misfortune, and she is still furious.
Old Madam Cui glanced at her. "Why don't you ask me why?"
Madam Cui hurriedly said, "Isn't it because Ling'er was injured? The Prince of Jin's Residence has too many blood feuds and too many enemies; we can't get involved."
Old Madam Cui's Buddhist prayer beads flew swiftly between her fingers as she comforted herself, thinking that she wasn't the eldest daughter-in-law and wouldn't be in charge of managing the household affairs in the future, so it was fine to be a little confused.
Suppressing her displeasure, she said, "Whatever the reason, just remember to keep an eye on Ling'er. If all else fails, send him to your parents' home for a year or two."
Madam Cui hesitated for a moment, then quickly agreed, though she was reluctant to send her son away.
Old Madam Cui saw right through her thoughts and, too lazy to explain, waved her hand and said, "Go back and take care of Ling'er. If you need anything, just come and ask me."
Madam Cui thanked her and took her leave.
Old Madam Cui sighed, feeling utterly unable to muster the energy to talk about it, so there were some things she was too lazy to discuss with her.
The real reason she didn't want Cui Ling to associate with Yanran was that Yanran looked far too much like that person...
There had been rumors that the Prince of Jin was that woman's son.
Because the Prince of Jin's Residence and the Cui Family had no connection, Old Madam Cui didn't think much of it.
Now it seems the rumors were indeed not unfounded.
Old Madam Cui had met Xiao Wu before and had never liked the latter's manners; now that she heard that Xiao Wu might be returning, she was even more displeased and feared getting involved with her.
That woman has too much of a hard life; she brings bad luck to everyone, so it's best to stay away from her.
While it might seem like being on good terms with her would be beneficial right now, who knows what the final outcome will be?
It's better to forgo such benefits.
The Cui Family has stood the test of time for a century because of its prudence and its successful descendants, not because of any attempt to curry favor.
Old Madam Cui recited the Heart Sutra several times before her mind gradually calmed down.
Madam Cui stayed by her son's side, her eyes constantly red.
Cui Ling said, "Mother, you should go back and rest. I'm not in pain anymore."
Looking at her sensible son, Madam Cui felt both gratified and heartbroken, and decided that no matter what happened, she would not send her son away.
This son has suffered countless misfortunes since birth, yet he is also exceptionally intelligent. Even the old master said that his intelligence is almost supernatural, which is why he has endured so many hardships.
Not only was he intelligent, but he was also very considerate. Among her children, Madam Cui favored this youngest son the most.
She patted her son's head and said, "Mother will stay with you, you can sleep a little longer."
Cui Ling smiled and said, "Okay, I'll take a nap. Dad will be back soon."
Madam Cui said, "I'll leave after you fall asleep."
Cui Ling obediently closed her eyes.
After he "fell asleep," Madam Cui instructed people to take good care of him before returning home to prepare to welcome her husband.
Cui Ling opened her eyes, dismissed the servants, leaving only her maid Mujin —the one who had gone to deliver the lotus-shaped jade pendant to Yanran.
Mujin respectfully replied, "This servant has delivered the jade pendant to Miss Yanran as you instructed."
"What did she say?" Cui Ling's face was pale, but her eyes were clear.
She accepted it; please take good care of yourself and recover properly.
"Anything else?"
Mujin's face immediately showed a troubled expression.
there is none left.
Cui Ling said calmly, "I understand, you may leave."
Yanran was clever and perceptive, and probably guessed what her grandmother and mother meant.
I guess I won't be able to see her for the time being.
But it's fine if she accepts the things.
This was the most precious thing he could give her.
Mujin didn't leave immediately, but whispered, "Young Master, if the Old Master finds out that Miss Yanran also has a jade pendant exactly like yours, won't he misunderstand and think that you gave her the real one?"
Cui Ling stroked the jade pendant in her hand; it was exactly the same as the one Yanran had just received, making it difficult to tell the difference.
He said, "I'll explain. You can go now."
Mujin then withdrew.