"I won't consider it," Cui Run said bluntly. "I'm also my father's only son. There's no reason to give away one's only son, and I can't bear the shame."
Who in this world is a fool?
If he really did that, who wouldn't say that Cui Run was an opportunist?
Cui Xiaoqiu said, "But at least, someone is making the decisions about your marriage."
Cui Run's face instantly turned ashen.
Mingzhu...
The pain in his heart that he dared not speak of.
The temptation was simply too great for him.
However, it only took Cui Run a moment to calm down.
He said, "It's too late."
"Until the dust settles, anything can change," Cui Xiaoqiu said. "If I were you, I'd give it a try."
Cui Run shook his head, a bitter expression on his face.
"No, don't bother Mingzhu. She won't go back to an old flame."
You only get one chance.
He gave up, how could he possibly have the face to go back to her?
Moreover, based on his understanding of his mother, even if he were adopted out, he would still find it difficult to escape her control.
This was his fate, and he accepted it.
I wonder how Mingzhu and Wu Zhenhai are doing now...
I hope she is happy.
He deserves to be lonely for the rest of his life.
"You should consider that. After all, becoming a direct descendant of the Cui Family will be very beneficial to you in the future."
Cui Run simply shook his head.
Cui Xiaoqiu said meaningfully, "Brother Run, have you ever thought that control has no end? Yesterday she separated you and Mingzhu, and you thought it was the worst-case scenario, but today she forced you to betray your father and be adopted by someone else... What about tomorrow? It's endless."
Only by breaking free from the Lady Gao can he minimize her control over Cui Run's future.
"Brother Run, all these years of hard study haven't been for you to be controlled by a woman. That woman is your mother, yet she manipulates your life under the guise of loving you."
"If it were me, I would never accept it."
"Brother Run, you only have one lifetime."
Cui Run gritted his teeth and gripped the edge of the basin tightly with both hands, his fingertips turning white from the force.
He knew that everything Cui Xiaoqiu said was true.
"I'll go get some water first," he said, his face pale.
Cui Xiaoqiu hummed in agreement, went inside to pack her things, and prepared to go out with Yanran.
When Cui Run returned with the water, he saw Cui Run pull a purse from under the mattress and tie it around his waist. He simply couldn't bear to look at it.
He knew what was in that purse.
Cui Xiaoqiu has been wearing it for almost half a year now...
"I think..." Cui Run said, "Sixth Young Master, shouldn't you consider going to Liaodong?"
He discovered that ever since his failure in the autumn imperial examination, Cui Xiaoqiu had completely given up on himself.
He stopped going to the Imperial Academy and didn't try to find another way out; he just spent all his time with Yanran.
In the past, he thought that after his defeat, Cui Xiaoqiu would either work hard to prepare for another battle in three years, or find another way to follow Prince Ming and make a name for himself.
And the result? It was simply too unencouraging.
Cui Xiaoqiu said, "I'm not going. I've protected her for so many years, would I give up now?"
Yanran will be thirteen after the New Year, and her birthday in March will mark her twelfth birthday, an age when it's easy to meet someone who sparks your interest.
Cui Xiaoqiu didn't want all her efforts to be in vain.
"But..."
"Brother Run, there are no 'buts'. I know what's more important. I know you're thinking, what if it ruins my future? Well, let me tell you, if it does, it does. At worst, I can just be a good son-in-law."
"This—" Cui Run was speechless.
"Brother Run, everyone has their own ambitions," Cui Xiaoqiu said calmly. "My ambition is her, nothing more."
You have your own path, and I respect and wish you well.
I have my own path, and I will persevere and work hard.
However, having been together for many years, the two would always remind each other.
Whether or not to listen is a personal choice.
My heart belongs to her.
So frank and direct.
Cui Run felt a jolt throughout his body, as if he had been nailed to the spot, and remained motionless for a long time.
If only back then...
There are no "what ifs".
Cui Xiaoqiu tidied herself up and prepared to leave. She glanced at Cui Run and said, "Actually Brother Run, you don't need to regret it. What's done is done. Our situations are different, and I have more options than you. In the end, you can only rely on yourself. That's why I advised you to carefully consider the adoption. Your future is in your own hands."
After saying that, he waved his hand and left, leaving Cui Run in the room in a daze.
Before Cui Xiaoqiu had even stepped out of the hanging flower gate, she happened to run into Third Madam Cui seeing off her sister-in-law from her maternal family. She bowed and greeted her, then stood beside Third Madam Cui to see the guest off as well.
After the guests left, he said softly, "Third Aunt, I've done what I promised you. Don't forget my request after it's done."
Third Madam Cui covered her mouth and chuckled, "Don't worry, even if it doesn't work out, I'll still appreciate it; besides, I'd love to bask in the glory of marrying a princess!"
Cui Xiaoqiu cupped his hands in a smile, nodded, and took his leave.
Yanran was already waiting outside. "Cui Xiaoqiu, hurry up! I'm starving. Huh? Why did you bring an umbrella?"
"I'm afraid it'll rain," Cui Xiaoqiu laughed. "When the sun comes out, it'll provide shade. Let's go."
"What kind of grown man uses an umbrella to shield himself from the sun!" Yanran rolled her eyes. "Let's go, let's go get something to eat! Let's buy a couple of steamed buns to fill our stomachs first, and then we'll go to the Great Xiangguo Temple area to eat something delicious."
More than half an hour later, Yanran sat in front of a bustling roadside stall, with pan-fried buns, donkey meat sandwiches, and eight-treasure porridge in front of her, enjoying her meal immensely.
"Brew skewers! Bring me twenty skewers of lamb! Cui Xiaoqiu, you need to eat some meat! Look how skinny you are!"
Cui Xiaoqiu, biting into a donkey meat sandwich, smiled broadly, "Okay, I'll eat more."
"Have you heard? The Emperor punished the censors with a rod again the other day."
"Who hasn't heard? How could His Majesty... strike a censor? How are censors supposed to offer advice in the future?"
"Isn't it all because of the Empress? The Empress has monopolized the Emperor for so many years."
"But do you think the Empress has something special about her? Otherwise, how could she have the Emperor so captivated?"
"Maybe she's a fox spirit reincarnated!"
"Bullshit!" Yanran grabbed a plate and smashed it over, smearing the pan-fried buns all over the face of the rude person.
"Who are you?!" The man, enraged by his loss, stood up and pointed at Yanran, yelling, "You're just asking for trouble! Have you even asked who I am...?"
Yanran splashed another bowl of hot porridge over.
"You little slut!" The man dodged a little this time, but was still quite embarrassed. He rolled up his sleeves and came over.
Yanran kicked the stool over, grabbed the golden bow from the table, skillfully nocked an arrow, and aimed at the man's face.
The man immediately stopped, startled.
He was afraid of dying.
However, he was even more afraid of the girl wielding a golden bow.
Besides Princess Yongle, who else could it be!
"Princess, spare me!" The man knelt down with a thud.