"Of course there are other possibilities, but I don't want to think about it anymore." Yuan Yi looked through the open door at Doudou laughing outside. "Right now, all I can think about is her illness. We'll investigate what happened back then slowly. If I can find my biological child, I will definitely make it up to him..."
Her heart was torn apart and bleeding, and now she was resorting to an almost escapist approach.
But what else could she do?
She has to work incredibly hard to survive and refuse to give in to fate.
She breathed a sigh of relief, fearing she would never be able to pull herself together again.
Tang Zhuyun said, "If you need anything, just let me know."
"I won't stand on ceremony with Your Majesty. I'll repay Your Majesty's kindness for the rest of my life," Yuan Yi said with a hearty laugh.
In the evening, Linlin and Cui Xiaoqiu returned together in a horse-drawn carriage.
Yanran, who was sitting on the threshold polishing her golden bow while chewing on a blade of grass, stood up upon seeing this and said happily, "Cui Xiaoqiu, guess what I just remembered?"
Cui Xiaoqiu laughed and said, "I'm stupid, I can't guess. Please enlighten me, Princess."
Yanran glared at him. "If you call me 'Princess' again, I'll break off all ties with you!"
This person is clearly doing this on purpose to provoke her.
Linlin glanced at them, but didn't linger. She smiled and went inside first.
"I just remembered, it'll be too cold if it rains or winds in autumn," Yanran said. "But bringing firewood will produce a lot of smoke, and you might not even know how to start a fire! It's better to bring more charcoal in; we can warm ourselves by the fire and also cook in a pot."
Cui Xiaoqiu was both amused and exasperated.
While others were frantically writing answers on their exams, he was oblivious to everyone else, happily eating hot pot, the aroma wafting for miles around.
Are you trying to make the other candidates drool, or the examiner drool?
That's how Yanran came up with the idea.
Yanran, however, thought her idea was brilliant. She looked up at him with a pleading expression, as if seeking praise.
Cui Xiaoqiu nodded, and against his conscience, said, "Excellent! Wonderful!"
"It's a pity my elder brother isn't participating, otherwise he could have used his skills too," Yanran said. "But it's for the best, it saves me from having to hope that he's the top scholar and you're the top scholar at the same time, which is too difficult."
Cui Xiaoqiu laughed and said, "I'm not that good."
Even if that's what I think, I wouldn't be that arrogant.
"Is Brother Run going to participate too?" Yanran glanced at Cui Run behind him.
Cui Run bowed and said, "Yes."
"Then I'll have someone prepare one for you later."
It's a waste of her talent to give such a brilliant idea to only one person.
Cui Run quickly replied, "I don't need it..."
"Take it if you want it, don't be shy."
Cui Run could only accept it, but in his heart he was afraid that he would be letting Yanran down.
As long as he hasn't gone mad, the incident of him eating hot pot in the exam room will absolutely not happen.
After talking for a while, Yanran said, "Alright, you should go back to see your grandmother and mother; they must be worried."
Anyway, she's already shown off enough. Now she needs to go back and think about what kind of stove would be lighter and more convenient.
Cui Xiaoqiu waited until Cui Run entered the palace before leading her to the inner courtyard.
Although Cui Run had always been very tactful in his interactions with others, Cui Xiaoqiu still casually reminded him, "If my mother asks, don't say I've met Yanran."
Madam Cui had always disapproved of his getting close to Yanran, and a few days ago she even directly warned him.
Although Cui Xiaoqiu didn't take it to heart, she didn't want to make herself uncomfortable because of it.
Cui Run quickly replied, "I know."
Cui Xiaoqiu went to her grandmother's place first.
His grandmother had always liked him, and she talked to him for a long time, encouraging him to do well in the next exam and bring honor to the family; but she also said that he was still young, and it would be good to treat it as a learning experience.
At this age, being able to play is already extremely commendable.
After finishing their business, Old Madam Cui added, "Your mother said she wasn't feeling well today, so I won't keep you for dinner. Go and see her."
"Yes." Cui Xiaoqiu stood up, bowed, and took her leave.
After he left, Old Madam Cui frowned and said, "What's wrong with her now? She's always faking illness. Is this all she can do to control her son? I don't regret many things I've done in my life. My biggest regret is..."
"Grandmother," Nanny Zhang interrupted her, smiling, "The soup is getting cold."
Old Madam Cui realized she had misspoke. After all, no matter how bad Madam Cui, she was still her own niece. It was one thing to scold her a few times in private, but she couldn't let her lose face in front of so many servants, so she didn't say anything more.
This daughter-in-law may be a bit muddle-headed, but she's also someone you can see through at a glance.
That was the only way Old Madam Cui could console herself.
Meanwhile, Cui Xiaoqiu went to visit the "sick" Madam Cui.
Madam Cui lay on the bed, a damp towel draped over her forehead, and said weakly, "Ling'er, you're here. Did you have a hard day studying? I personally made you ginseng chicken soup. Someone, go and fetch the soup..."
Cui Xiaoqiu had gotten used to her mother's "drama".
These words have already conveyed a great deal.
I'm sick, but I'm still going to make you chicken soup despite my illness.
You're disobeying me, how can you face me?
It wasn't that he was being petty, but rather that his past experiences had taught him that if he didn't speak respectfully enough, his mother would immediately start crying and berating him.
Thinking back on the past few days, he went to the academy every day, leaving early and returning late. After coming back, he would just go to his room to read, and it seemed that he hadn't upset her.
But his mother must have put on such a show to suppress him in some way.
Cui Xiaoqiu waited Jingjing.
Sure enough, just as he swallowed a mouthful of chicken soup, he heard Madam Cui say, "Ling'er, you're already thirteen, and you still don't have anyone to serve you. I'm really worried..."
"Brother Run has done his best." Cui Xiaoqiu put down his spoon and said calmly.
"Isn't the chicken soup delicious? Have some more."
Chicken soup is delicious, but it's rather expensive.
Cui Xiaoqiu said calmly, "I've already eaten at the academy, so I'm not hungry. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. You should get some rest."
"Wait," Madam Cui called out to him, "You can't do without maids. Brother Run is a man after all, not attentive enough. I've prepared two maids for you; take them home with you."
There was absolutely no intention to discuss it in their words.
Cui Run was stunned.
What kind of operation is this?
While wealthy families do indeed prepare concubines for their sons, isn't thirteen years old a bit too early?
And what time is this? This is right before Cui Xiaoqiu is about to go to the exam hall!
Is Madam Cui so afraid that her son will pass the imperial examination that she's desperately trying to sabotage his chances?
Cui Run was completely baffled and deeply shocked.
He became nervous.
Because no one understood Cui Xiaoqiu's stubborn nature better than him.
He was genuinely terrified; Cui Xiaoqiu even flipped the table in a flash...
But Cui Xiaoqiu did not.
He didn't even raise an eyebrow, simply gave a faint "hmm," and then turned and left.
When Cui Run saw Madam Cui, he seemed to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
It turns out that Madam Cui knew she might be criticized for her words, but why did she still do it?