Madam Cui reached out to pull on Cui Xiaoqiu's robe, but grasped nothing, and felt a pang of disappointment.
No, my son must go and confess his sins.
Madam Cui straightened up, intending to get up and go inside to explain herself.
Nanny Zhang said meaningfully, "Madam, the old lady is in a bad mood right now. Don't make her even angrier."
Upon hearing her mother-in-law's name, Madam Cui deflated like a punctured balloon, her shoulders slumping in dejection.
Nanny Zhang shook her head silently.
That lady is such a fool.
What she did—who in their right mind could have done those things?
But she looked completely innocent, no wonder the old lady was angry.
However, she wouldn't offend Madam Cui.
Because of Madam Cui, and also Cui Ling.
As darkness fell, Nanny Zhang brought over a soft cushion and said softly, "Madam, please use this cushion; it will make you more comfortable."
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Madam Cui nervously grabbed Nanny Zhang's sleeve. "Go inside and listen carefully, don't let the old lady take her anger out on the sixth young master."
Nanny Zhang hummed in agreement, but made no move.
Madam Cui became increasingly panicked.
Nanny Zhang said calmly, "Don't worry, no one is more favored by the Old Madam than the Sixth Young Master."
These words miraculously calmed Madam Cui.
She strained her ears to listen, but heard nothing, and her face fell.
At this moment, Cui Xiaoqiu was kneeling in front of Old Madam Cui.
Old Madam Cui looked sharply at her most beloved grandson.
Why are you kneeling?
Cui Xiaoqiu said in a low voice, "Grandmother, I was the one who kept the person, so I should be punished. Besides, it's unreasonable for a son to stand by and watch his mother be punished. I am willing to accept punishment for my mother's mistakes as well."
Old Madam Cui sneered, "Although I am old, I am not senile. Cui Ling, don't you know why your mother was punished today? Wasn't it you who pushed her step by step into this situation?"
Cui Xiaoqiu kowtowed deeply. "This grandson is willing to accept the punishment."
He did not argue, which was tantamount to admitting his grandmother's words.
From the very beginning, he never expected to be able to hide it from his grandmother.
He used his grandmother to oppose his mother, which was unfilial, and he acknowledged this sin.
--As long as he gets what he wants.
Old Madam Cui had expected him to explain, but she hadn't anticipated his sincere apology. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
That's enough.
This is his own grandson, and the autumn imperial examination is just around the corner, so why should he be affected?
"Go back first," Old Madam Cui. "You should continue your studies. As for those two maids, I need someone to help me, so consider it a token of your respect for this old woman."
"Yes, I will follow Grandmother's teachings in everything," Cui Xiaoqiu said, "But Mother..."
"Let her stay!" Old Madam Cui's face was still very unpleasant. "But she's had enough of the punishment. I won't make things difficult for her anymore, I'll just give her a few words of reprimand, don't worry."
Thank you, Grandmother.
The grandfather and grandson had already gotten to the point in just a few words.
The unspoken parts are understood implicitly.
Cui Xiaoqiu deeply respected her grandmother because her grandmother was truly intelligent.
It's a pity about his mother... But it's probably for the best, because it would be too tiring for him to keep playing mind games with someone like his grandmother.
Even if it can't solve everything once and for all, it saves me a lot of trouble.
Cui Xiaoqiu had just stood up and hadn't even left when Old Madam Cui called out, "Let her in!"
Nanny Zhang helped Madam Cui in.
Madam Cui looked at her son, who seemed to have escaped punishment or scolding, and breathed a sigh of relief. Her legs went weak, and she was about to kneel down.
The old lady said calmly, "No need. Cui Ling, go back to your studies. I have something to say to your mother."
"Yes." Cui Xiaoqiu shook hands with Madam Cui before leaving.
He had just stepped outside when he heard the sound of porcelain breaking inside.
--Grandma, it's time to start having a serious talk with Mother.
He continued walking calmly outside without stopping.
Back in his room, the servants had already brought back the food.
Seeing Cui Xiaoqiu Cui Run, "Brother Run, you should go eat too, then go back to your room and read. I don't need anyone to wait on me tonight."
He picked up the steamed bun and took a slow, deliberate bite.
Cui Run didn't leave; he served him his meal.
"You don't just want to serve me meals, you have something to say, right?" Cui Xiaoqiu said.
Cui Run bit his lip and finally spoke, "Sixth Young Master, don't you think this matter is too... too cold-hearted towards Madam? Madam must be feeling terrible today..."
He felt very frightened.
Because although Madam Cui might be confused, her heart for Cui Xiaoqiu was burning with passion.
"Brother Run, Mother is only feeling unwell temporarily; have you ever considered that everything she's done might make me suffer for the rest of my life?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Run was struck dumb.
Today's Cui Xiaoqiu is no different from his past self.
But he compromised and resigned himself to his fate.
Because he knew he couldn't fight against his mother.
So, will he forever lose the right to stay by Mingzhu's side?
Everyone thought he didn't love her deeply, which is why he could pull away so easily.
But only he knew how much deep love he had buried in his heart, a love that had long since turned to sorrow.
In countless sleepless nights, he told himself that this was his fate, and he had no better choice.
However, Cui Xiaoqiu's words today were like two hard slaps, directly waking him up.
It turns out, it wasn't that he loved deeply, it was just that he wasn't worthy.
Cui Run, oh Cui Run, it turns out you're unworthy, you're too weak.
"Some things are better dealt with quickly than dragged out," Cui Xiaoqiu said. "If I want something, I can handle it."
He knew that his mother might never be able to get along with Yanran.
That's alright, he'll just separate the two of them.
He would never give his mother the chance to slap Yanran.
What happened today is just the beginning.
But no matter what he faces in the future, he will find a way to solve it.
"Brother Run," Cui Xiaoqiu said softly, looking at the distraught Cui Run, "Don't dwell on the past, think about the autumn examination. You lost it long ago. Only the autumn examination is the future you can hold onto."
Cui Run didn't know how she got out of Cui Xiaoqiu's yard.
After eating, Cui Xiaoqiu read for a while, and then went to Madam Cui's place.
He didn't go in; he only asked the maid at the door.
Hearing that his mother had already started applying compresses to his legs inside, he didn't go in but went straight back to his room to continue reading.
At midnight, there was a gentle knock on the door.
Nanny Zhang said softly, "Sixth Young Master, this old servant has come to bring you a bowl of sweet soup."
"Come in."
Nanny Zhang brought in the sweet soup. Looking at the handsome young man reading under the lamplight, she felt a sense of awe. She gently put down the soup and stood respectfully to the side, waiting.
Cui Xiaoqiu didn't keep her waiting long and asked, "What did Grandmother say?"
Nanny Zhang said respectfully, "The old lady said that we can't tarnish the Sixth Young Master's reputation. You were just sick, so she sent two maids to take care of you for two days. Now we're bringing you back to the main courtyard."
"Then what?"
Nanny Zhang felt even more awe and said, "The old lady said that the Third Master's side is empty, so she had the two women change their names and go to serve him."
Madam Cui never imagined that the concubine she gave to her son would be nominally registered with the old lady and then become her enemy.
The Cui Family is a respectable family; they would never do something as despicable as father and son sharing the same woman.
So, those two maids were really just there to take care of Cui Xiaoqiu.
The matter is closed, the dust has settled.
(I had a cold and slept all day today, and only managed to get up to write this tonight. Please wait for me.)