Cui Xiaoqiu gently patted her back; the cool scent emanating from him seemed to reassure Yanran somewhat.
"Let me see. If it's really necessary, I'll go back with you. Don't scare yourself."
Yanran found comfort in his words.
In her eyes, Cui Xiaoqiu was extremely smart and loyal.
With him there, things will stay stable.
For example, if others saw her like this, they would definitely say she was overthinking things and advise her not to leave.
But Cui Xiaoqiu first reassured her, telling her he would stay with her, and then they would consider other things.
"I need to find my father." Yanran steadied herself. "Do you know where my father is?"
Although she didn't say anything, her father and Cui Xiaoqiu were exchanging glances on the way to the capital, so something must be going on.
Since they didn't say anything, she didn't bother to ask.
Neither of them would harm her.
Cui Xiaoqiu said in a deep voice, "I know."
"Then take me to my father."
"No... it's not convenient. I'll go see the Prince tonight. Wait for my news."
"Where is my father?" Yanran asked suspiciously. "What do you mean by 'not convenient'?"
"A place where all sorts of people mingle," Cui Xiaoqiu said vaguely. "Just wait for my news."
"I don't think it's a problem. I often go to military camps. Let's go together."
She was really anxious.
Cui Xiaoqiu could only say, "Too many people will attract attention."
He couldn't very well say that the Prince of Jin was hiding in his Eighth Master's old house.
--This idea was actually suggested to the Prince of Jin by him.
The Prince of Jin's return to the capital must be kept secret.
What is the current public image of the Prince of Jin?
His acts of disobedience and cruelty are too numerous to list, but one more thing must be added—he loved his wife more than his own life.
The King of Prince of Jin's beloved wife was universally acknowledged to be unparalleled.
There are some men who never get close to women, almost making people question their sexual orientation; but once they find a lover, it's as if there's only one woman left in the world.
This kind of person is called the Prince of Jin.
Who would have thought that someone as virtuous as the Prince of Jin would hide in such a sordid place as a brothel?
Moreover, Chang Zhi's mistress, the madam, was dealing with the lowest of the low, selling goods to peddlers and laborers.
Yanran sighed, "Alright, I'll wait for your news."
Her heart was in turmoil until Cui Xiaoqiu returned.
"Does Madam wish for the young master to come over?" Cui Run's voice from next door was deliberately raised, reminding Cui Xiaoqiu. "I know, you go first, I will report back to the young master."
"Brother Run, you absolutely mustn't forget. I'm telling you, this matter is extremely important, and Madam is very concerned. If you forget, my backside will be in for a world of hurt."
Yanran raised an eyebrow. "Your mother is looking for you? You should go first."
Cui Xiaoqiu remained motionless, continuing to listen intently to the sounds around him.
He knew the family situation very well and vaguely guessed his mother's intentions.
Especially since her aunt's wife had sent someone to look for her not long after she entered the household... it was hard not to guess her intentions.
My mother is really confused.
Madam Cui always believed in the idea of strengthening family ties through marriage, so she preferred her cousin, who was half a year older than her, from her aunt's family.
The other party probably has some interest as well, but neither side has brought it up openly yet.
Two years ago, Cui Xiaoqiu left Beijing claiming illness, and her aunt began to have second thoughts.
This is easy to understand.
Why would a girl who's been pampered and raised like a precious gem marry a sickly man?
Sure enough, as soon as they heard he was back, his aunt's family sent someone over.
Most likely, they wanted to see how his health was.
But Mother didn't consider that if Aunt really cared so much, why didn't she come in person instead of sending an old woman?
Ultimately, she hadn't held out much hope for this marriage.
Although Cui Xiaoqiu could understand the other party's deep love for his daughter, it didn't mean he could tolerate being looked down upon like this.
However, the mother clearly didn't understand and was still eagerly wanting to go herself to prove to the other woman that she was in good health.
That's ridiculous.
Cui Run knew the general situation, so he calmly asked the visitor a few questions.
After the visitor left, he called out from behind the wall, "Young master, would you like to go over? If not, I'll go see the madam instead."
"I'm not going," Cui Xiaoqiu said decisively.
Yanran: "Why are you like this?"
Cui Xiaoqiu lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing her emotions, and said expressionlessly, "My mother wants to arrange a marriage for me."
"Oh? Really! Whose daughter is she? I'd like to go see her."
"Then go ahead and go see it," Cui Xiaoqiu somewhat defiantly.
Yanran: "Sigh, I'm not in the mood right now. You're even talking about marriage now... I feel like I'd be the one to press someone's bed against their will."
"Pressing the bed" is a custom where a young boy or girl is chosen to roll around on the newlyweds' bed during the wedding, symbolizing the wish for "having both a son and a daughter."
Cui Xiaoqiu called out to Cui Run, who was walking out, "Brother Run, tell Mother I'm not feeling well, don't let my illness affect her."
Yanran's eyes widened. "Aren't you lying? Your mother will worry."
Cui Xiaoqiu pressed his fist to his lips and coughed twice.
Yanran: "... Are you really sick? Then don't go and deliver the message for me. Just tell me the location, and I'll go myself."
Cui Xiaoqiu: "The illness isn't that serious."
"Let me feel it." Yanran raised her hand and touched his forehead. "It's not hot. But you should still be careful; a fever can be very dangerous. Jiang'er, go inside and take out all the medicine Mother gave me. We'll have the doctor check what to give you later."
Cui Xiaoqiu said, "It's not that serious. I'll have dinner with you first, and then I'll go see the Prince tonight."
Yanran felt sad again when she thought of Tang Zhuyun.
She barely ate any of the barbecue she had excitedly prepared.
Cui Xiaoqiu didn't try to persuade her, but silently added half a bowl of porridge to her bowl and watched her finish it.
Meanwhile, at the Cui Family, Madam Cui was talking to her servant when she heard Cui Run's report, and she was furious.
Her niece was someone she had watched grow up; she was impeccable in every way—beautiful, eloquent, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
She had mentioned it before, but each time her Zidu change the subject and tell her to talk to Old Master Cui.
If she dared to approach Old Master Cui, why would she bother with all this trouble?
She didn't dare mention it at all in front of Old Master Cui and Old Madam Cui.
Madam Cui thought that if her son was willing, then there was still a chance of success.
Today, her son even deliberately sent someone to report that he was unwell, clearly intending to break off any possibility of the marriage. How could she not be angry?
But no matter how angry she was, she had to hold it in and didn't dare show it on her face. She only said to the old woman, "Ling'er is such a filial child. Actually, she just coughed a few times because the servants didn't take good care of her the other night. It's nothing serious."
The old woman agreed, but she already had her own judgment.
Madam Cui invited the old woman to stay for dinner and offered her many gifts, but she politely declined.
After seeing the old woman off, Madam Cui stormed off to find Cui Xiaoqiu.
Cui Xiaoqiu lay on the bed, coughing weakly twice. "Mother, you've come."
Madam Cui was no longer angry.
"My son, what's wrong with you?"
Then she scolded the servants who were serving her, and felt sorry for her son, forgetting everything else.
Cui Xiaoqiu escaped unharmed.