"Who's here?" Tang Zhuyun peeked out.
Mingzhu asked, "Could it be someone from the Xue Family?"
Old Madam Xue sent a message saying that she wanted to bring the women of her family to visit the child.
But considering the timeline, it doesn't seem that fast.
As they were talking, Yanran brought Jiaojiao in, her cheeks flushed, her eyes crinkling with laughter, her joy overflowing.
"Mother, Cui Xiaoqiu is here!"
Tang Zhuyun was stunned.
Has Cui Xiaoqiu come to the border town?
What is he doing here?
Ren Yingying: "Is it your childhood sweetheart from the capital?"
Seeing Yanran nod, Ren Yingying said to Tang Zhuyun, "Let's hug each other and cry. We've lived to such an old age, and not a single person has ever pursued us."
The aura of time-traveling women is all a lie!
Tang Zhuyun said, "Who said anything to you? I did!"
She has the Prince of Jin; having hair doesn't mean she's bald!
Ren Yingying: "I'm going to hug the Dog Meat and have a good cry!"
Even so, she didn't move her buttocks.
"What mission does Cui Xiaoqiu have here?" Tang Zhuyun asked the excited Yanran.
"A mission?" Yanran blinked her innocent big eyes. "I didn't ask."
She was just happy her friend was coming, so why ask so many questions?
We'll find out eventually anyway.
Tang Zhuyun: "... How did you know that?"
"He's come to our house," Yanran said. "He's gone to see Father King now."
Cui Xiaoqiu came to the Prince's Mansion?
Tang Zhuyun couldn't understand it.
"Perhaps they heard you had two younger brothers and came to give you gifts," Yanran said casually.
"It hasn't even been twenty days," Ren Yingying rolled her eyes, "And it takes this long just for a message to travel back and forth. How can a child travel day and night without stopping?"
That's unreliable.
"Who cares why he came?" Yanran said. "I'm just happy he came. Mother, may I invite him to Sanbao's house?"
She wanted to show Cui Xiaoqiu what it was like to have so many cows and horses, and then she would take him riding and lassoing them.
Cui Xiaoqiu is too weak and needs more practice!
Tang Zhuyun: "Shouldn't you ask Sanbao about this?"
"The Sanbao are definitely fine."
"Then you should ask Cui Xiaoqiu again. I think maybe Cui Xiaoqiu isn't so willing."
"Don't worry, I'd be happy to, as long as you let me out." Yanran said with a grin, "Alright, I just came to tell you this good news. Now I'm going to eavesdrop and see what he's doing here."
Yanran happily went out and rode away on Jiaojiao.
The people in the manor had become so used to treating her that they were no longer bothered by it.
Ren Yingying said sadly, "Everyone has a backup plan, but I don't."
Tang Zhuyun: "Be normal, you still have a dog."
She was thinking about something important.
Cui Xiaoqiu didn't arrive for no reason.
The Cui Family family, a prominent clan, has stood strong for over a century, always handling matters with meticulous care.
Why did the Cui Family send Cui Xiaoqiu?
Mingzhu observed Tang Zhuyun's expression thoughtfully.
Yanran hummed a little tune as she rode her tiger to the outer study, only to be stopped by the guards.
A young man of about seventeen or eighteen years old stood at the door, wearing a royal blue round-necked robe, with a gentle and humble demeanor.
Upon seeing Yanran arrive, he bowed slightly in greeting.
Yanran had just seen him accompany Cui Xiaoqiu, so she guessed that he was Cui Xiaoqiu's servant.
"Brother, why are you stopping me?" Yanran blinked her big eyes and said cutely to the guard, "Don't you recognize me?"
The guard said helplessly, "Young master, please stop teasing me. His Highness has ordered that no one is allowed to approach."
"I'm nobody, I'm Yanran. Shall I sneak over and listen?"
The young man couldn't help but chuckle.
The guard refused; his attempts to charm him were ineffective.
Yanran had no choice. "Then wait for Cui Xiaoqiu, then have Cui Ling come out and tell him not to leave. Tell him to go and let me know. I'm not with Mother Consort, I'm with Madam Song."
The guard agreed, and finally managed to coax the little tyrant away.
Yanran waved to the guards and the young man, then climbed onto Jiaojiao's back. "Let's go!"
Inside the room, Prince of Jin sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
The young boy, now tall and slender, with a straight back and an outstanding demeanor, looked at the Prince of Jin after speaking, his gaze sincere and fearless.
After calming down for a moment, the Prince of Jin said, "The matter of taking a master is not something I can decide; you must seek it yourself. As for what you said... if it turns out to be true in the future, then I will have to thank you."
Cui Xiaoqiu calmly replied, "Your Highness is too kind. My grandfather said that a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. In the future, if Your Highness needs anything, the Cui Family will do its utmost."
This is the most important reason why he came to the border town.
--Choose a side.
The Prince of Jin narrowed his eyes, his expression carrying a hint of authority. "When you left the capital, the subsequent events hadn't yet occurred. At that time, the Princess Consort hadn't given birth."
Therefore, Cui Xiaoqiu's words are suspicious.
The young boy calmly replied, "Before I came, none of this had happened. I persuaded my grandfather myself to come and seek out the Great Confucian Scholar Kong scholar Kong as my teacher."
The Prince of Jin said with a half-smile, "I'm afraid what you mean by 'acting according to circumstances' is..."
If the Prince of Jin is a possibility, then we should choose sides promptly; if the Prince of Jin is not a possibility, we can also draw a clear line, after all, he is just a child.
Cui Xiaoqiu said frankly, "Your Highness is right, but for you, the Cui Family is already quite fortunate."
It's practically like saying outright, "You don't have many helpers..."
"Later, on my way here," Cui Xiaoqiu said frankly, "I received a secret letter from my grandfather, so I came ahead of time to inform the Prince and also to express the Cui Family's stance."
The Prince of Jin said calmly, "I understand."
Talented people emerge in every generation, and this child from the Cui Family is no exception.
It must be admitted that these aristocratic families do have a rich history and tradition.
"Go find Great Confucian Scholar Kong first, we'll discuss the rest when the imperial edict arrives."
The implication is that they won't completely believe him; they'll have to wait and see.
Cui Xiaoqiu calmly replied, "To pay respects to the Master, one must first tidy oneself up and send a formal invitation in advance. Today, I wish to see Yanran."
The Prince of Jin waved his hand, signaling someone to take him away.
Cui Xiaoqiu bowed before stepping down.
The Prince of Jin summoned Linlin.
"Father, I heard that Cui Ling has arrived?"
Linlin wasn't oblivious to what was happening around him; he was well aware of what was going on in the manor.
The Prince of Prince of Jin, with a serious expression, explained Cui Xiaoqiu's purpose and then said, "Cui Ling says that your imperial grandfather has drafted an edict to bestow the name Yuwen Yu upon Wuji and to confer upon him the title of Prince of Cheng of the Second Rank."
Wuxian had nothing, even though the two brothers looked exactly alike.
Linlin was slightly taken aback.
His grandfather knew of his existence and showed him great affection.
But after his younger brother was born, he couldn't wait to show his favoritism towards him.
Moreover, he was just one of the younger brothers.
This kind of power politics is so familiar yet so repulsive.
But this explains why the Cui Family suddenly took sides ahead of time.
Because Elder Cui knows the Emperor too well.
The Emperor's actions clearly indicate his favor towards the Prince of Jin and his desire to interfere in the affairs of the next generation.
He knew Linlin was outstanding, and he knew the twins were exactly alike, yet he still favored one over the other.
He was instigating a fight among the three brothers, trying to choose the strongest one.
Imperial power struggles are cold-blooded and cruel.