"Your mother treats you very well."
"Nonsense, that goes without saying," Yanran said. "But don't try to compete with me."
"Um?"
Cui Xiaoqiu couldn't help but wonder, was Yanran going to say that she wasn't her biological daughter, and that he was?
But Yanran replied, "My mother is the best in the world. If you insist on comparing yourself to me, you're just asking for trouble."
Cui Xiaoqiu: "..."
"Sigh, if it were anything else, I'd share some with you. But Mother, I really can't share with you."
"Actually, it's possible..."
"Huh? You want to recognize my mother as your godmother?"
Cui Xiaoqiu: "..."
Yanran said, "That seems like a good idea. Here's what we'll do: when my mother arrives, I'll sound her out. Maybe there'll be a chance. My mother really likes you. She always praises you... If it works out, I'll have to call you 'brother'!"
Although Cui Xiaoqiu is two years older than her, she has been used to the current form of address for many years.
"No need, I'm not in the mood for that," Cui Xiaoqiu said, both amused and exasperated.
He was simply troubled by his marriage plans.
Actually, no.
As for marriage, he can find a way to resolve it if he wants to.
What bothers him is that his mother is not clear-headed.
"Oh," Yanran said, "Then you should go back and talk to your mother properly. Actually, I think your mother listens to you quite a bit."
Madam Cui was a typical woman confined to the inner quarters of her home.
She devoted herself to serving her mother-in-law, supporting her husband and raising her son. As her son grew up, her dependence on him gradually increased.
She probably still thinks that after years of being a daughter-in-law, she'll finally become a mother-in-law and enjoy the blessings of being a daughter-in-law.
But she's incredibly good to her own son.
Cui Xiaoqiu didn't want to talk about these unpleasant things anymore, so she smiled and nodded.
--The goal is clear. No matter how difficult the road is, there is no reason to give up halfway or retreat in the face of battle.
"My mother is very good to me, but she always wants me to be even closer to her family through marriage."
Yanran said, "... Anyway, that would definitely not work in our family. My mother said it would be bad to give birth to a mentally challenged child."
Cui Xiaoqiu muttered, "Even if a genius were born, I wouldn't agree."
Isn't your cousin pretty?
"I haven't looked closely; I've only seen her two or three times in total."
"We're not that close yet," Yanran said.
She was too embarrassed to say that having too many relatives was a good thing, since she couldn't possibly recognize them all.
"Of course not. Besides you, I don't know any other women," Cui Xiaoqiu said.
However, some things are best left unsaid.
He couldn't be too direct, otherwise Yanran might not be able to accept it.
He tactfully changed the subject, saying, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort should be arriving in the capital soon, shouldn't she?"
"Soon." Yanran cheered. "We'll be able to spend the New Year together in the capital this year. It's just a pity that my younger brothers are still stuck in the border town."
The Lunar New Year is also Linlin's birthday.
And this was her tenth birthday.
Although not as important as turning twenty, it is still a watershed moment from childhood to adolescence, and is very important.
Yanran then remembered the gift she had prepared and chuckled, "Brother will be so surprised!"
Cui Xiaoqiu: "Are you sure it wasn't just fright?"
"I'm sure, my brother isn't that timid."
"Then we'll wait and see."
At the same time, Cui Xiaoqiu was secretly rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
--It's time to curry favor with the Princess!
As for the prince, well... let him be.
Whoever is in charge must grasp the main contradiction.
Cui Xiaoqiu then reminded Yanran not to forget to tell Prince of Jin about being schemed against.
"No need to say anything," Yanran said casually. "They definitely can't find my father now. I've told my maternal grandfather and uncle, and they'll take it to heart."
"Hmm? Where did the prince go?"
"Of course! When he heard my mother was coming, how could he sit still? Of course he went to greet her."
Cui Xiaoqiu smiled and nodded, "That's true."
A loving and harmonious relationship between parents is a happiness that many children yearn for but can never attain.
Including him.
Growing up in such an environment, Yanran possesses a passionate quality that is both alluring and inviting.
"Don't dwell on things that make you unhappy," Yanran said. "Actually, I have a dirty trick... it's a bit too dirty... but if all else fails, you can use it..."
She had been considering it carefully for a while now.
However, considering their childhood friendship, they decided to tell each other anyway.
"Hmm? Tell me about it."
Cui Xiaoqiu's hands unconsciously gripped the hand warmer tightly beneath her wide sleeves.
Could it be that Yanran wants to use him as a shield?
That would be... wonderful.
"Then you can just say you're gay, hehe," Yanran said. "It can drag on for a few years. That way, when you meet the woman you love, even if she comes from a poor family, your mother will definitely be eager to welcome her into the mansion like a savior!"
Cui Xiaoqiu: "..."
Do you think it's okay?
"No," Cui Xiaoqiu said.
"Why not?" Yanran said, feeling that her idea was brilliant and that she wouldn't usually tell just anyone.
In fact, the reason she was able to think of this was entirely because of Qu Hua.
Qu Hua said that Qu Nian always adhered to the concept of "establishing a career before starting a family", which made Princess Consort Min very anxious and even suspected that he was gay.
Qu Nian was unaware of his mother's suspicions. When his mother tested him, he foolishly "matched" her, thus confirming his mother's reputation for homosexuality.
Qu Hua also said that she played a part in stirring things up.
For this reason, Prince of Min and his wife were much more lenient with their daughter.
There are some things I'll pretend I don't know. Anyway, when it comes to having an heir, I'll have to rely on my daughter.
Qu Hua spoke of this with great pride.
Cui Xiaoqiu lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the tenderness in them.
He said, "I hope the woman I like will marry a man of integrity and good reputation, not a man with a tarnished reputation."
He hoped that one day he could become her glory.
With her father and brothers' achievements as role models, he knew it would be extremely difficult.
But for her, what does it matter if it's like Kuafu the sun?
Despite his young age, beneath his reputation as a child prodigy is an extremely rebellious heart.
He had no interest in things like bringing glory to the family or having a century-old legacy.
He was truly in poor health as a child. Lying on the veranda, looking at the carved pillars eroded by time and the moss growing in the corners of the walls, he felt like a dying old man, quietly waiting to die in a mansion rife with decay.
No one knew how terrifying his thoughts were, but that's truly what he thought.
He was quiet and reserved, obedient and well-behaved, day after day, and even began to ponder the purpose of life.
Then, he heard a lively commotion coming from next door.
That was a ray of light that illuminated his life.
He was born precocious, and he probably used up all his luck on meeting her.
"Cui Xiaoqiu, how can you be so kind!" Yanran said, resting her chin on her hand. "This good stuff shouldn't go to outsiders. I need to think carefully about which good friend I should introduce to you."