Tang Zhuyun went to the kitchen to busy herself, while Yanran and Xiu'er watched the little ones who had come back from the snow, each one as red as a frostbite.
They were having a great time and didn't need anyone to keep them company.
Little Tangyuan has also been brought to the palace these past few days. With her immense strength, she has become the center of attention.
For example, right now, she's foolishly demonstrating how to crush walnuts with her bare hands to everyone.
She sculpted it with ease, leaving the others dumbfounded and filled with admiration.
Wuji: Now that we have a powerful backer, we need to cultivate a good relationship with him.
Wuxian: That's not scientific.
Wuji: I'd like to try it too.
Guagua: Come look! My sister is amazing!
Little Tangyuan grinned.
Therefore, Yanran had the time to whisper to Xiu'er.
What do you think of me and Cui Xiaoqiu?
Xiu'er: "Hehe, you and he were never meant to be, it was all because he forced it on."
Yanran: "What do you mean by that?"
"A match made in heaven, absolutely perfect." Xiu'er lied through her teeth.
Yanran said, "It's not that bad, but it's not a bad thing either. It's good for the two of us to be together."
"Why didn't you say before that you didn't want to get married?"
"Because marrying Cui Xiaoqiu is the same as before, nothing has changed," Yanran said.
Is she afraid of getting married?
What she fears most is marrying the wrong person!
Since it's Cui Xiaoqiu, he's one of us.
Well, that's fine too.
Xiu'er rolled her eyes at her. "I knew you couldn't escape his clutches. Alright, let me ask you, why do you only ask the Empress and not the Emperor's opinion?"
The emperor is very petty.
He might not even think highly of Cui Xiaoqiu.
Yanran asked in surprise, "Even Mother has agreed, has Father disagreed?"
Xiu'er was speechless.
She waited to see the Emperor's reaction when he found out about this.
A master of gossip, he entered the palace early the next morning.
"Your Majesty, what did the Emperor say?"
"What do you mean, how do you say it?"
"About Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu."
Tang Zhuyun: "Oh, you mean that? I don't know, I haven't mentioned it to him yet."
It's just dating, not marriage; besides, Emperor Wen already knew this beforehand.
Everything is proceeding as planned, nothing more to say.
Xiu'er: "... What about Yanran?"
"He left the palace early this morning; he must have gone to talk to Cui Xiaoqiu."
Yanran has a straightforward personality; once she makes a decision, she doesn't hesitate or try to manipulate others.
Xiu'er said, "Why couldn't you wait for me?"
She really wanted to see how excited Cui Xiaoqiu would be when she found out.
Sigh, pregnancy really makes things difficult.
I can't bear to see Linlin get married, nor can I bear to see Yanran fall in love.
When will the cargo be unloaded? I'm in a hurry.
As for Yanran, she first returned to the Prince's mansion, and then easily jumped over the wall.
As a result, just as he jumped down from the wall, he came face to face with Madam Cui, who had just come out of the house.
Yanran: "..."
I'm going to disappear on the spot right now, can you just pretend you didn't see me?
So embarrassing.
But Madam Cui said, "Princess, you heard that Xiaoqiu was drunk, so you came to see him specially. This child, really..."
Was Cui Xiaoqiu drunk?
No, Cui Xiaoqiu drinks alcohol?
However, Yanran wisely didn't say anything, but instead continued from Madam Cui's words, "Yes, I came to see him. Is he alright?"
"It's alright, it's alright. I'll go make him some porridge first. Please, go ahead."
After saying that, Madam Cui left in a hurry.
These past few days, with the encouragement of her old woman, she has finally come to her senses.
Although the princess was of high status, she was kind-hearted, good to her son, and sensible. Although she wasn't the virtuous and gentle daughter-in-law the old woman had in mind, she was much better than those troublemakers the old women talked about.
I've heard too many upsetting things lately, and I think princesses are even better now.
Look, the princess was so worried about her son's hangover that she practically jumped over the wall! If that's not concern, what is?
That's just how Madam Cui is; if she thinks someone is bad, then everything about them is bad; but if she thinks someone is good, then they are good to the point of being radiant.
Yanran rubbed her face and went inside, feeling embarrassed.
Cui Xiaoqiu was still asleep. There was the smell of incense in the room, but it was a pleasant cedar scent.
Yanran quickly realized that Cui Xiaoqiu must have vomited from drinking too much.
"You," Yanran sat down on the footstool, reaching out to touch Cui Xiaoqiu's long, curled eyelashes with her fingertips, "Why did you have to learn to drown your sorrows in alcohol? Are you worried that I won't agree to your request, or that if I do, you'll be in trouble?"
Look, those eyelashes are even longer than hers! Didn't you use sunscreen when you were in school?
"I'm worried you won't agree to my request." Cui Xiaoqiu slowly opened her eyes.
He didn't seem sleepy at all.
"You were pretending to be asleep! Cui Xiaoqiu, you've really made something of yourself!"
"I wasn't pretending to be asleep," Cui Xiaoqiu said. "I only woke up when you touched me."
Yanran: "When did I touch you?"
"Just now."
"Eyelashes count too?"
"Otherwise what? Isn't it mine?"
Yanran: "... You're right!"
"So, did you promise me?" Cui Xiaoqiu wanted to hold her hand, which was resting on the edge of the bed, but he didn't dare.
He needs to control himself.
Even if Yanran agrees to his proposal, he will still have to proceed cautiously and gradually in order to ensure a smooth transition from friendship to romance.
Any carelessness during this process could cause Yanran to change her mind.
Yanran said, "I agree. I agree, and my mother agrees too, hehe! When I grow up, I'll marry you!"
Cui Xiaoqiu was both surprised and delighted.
If he had known it would go this smoothly, should he have confessed his feelings sooner?
Living in constant fear for so long must have been a truly unpleasant experience.
"Can we continue as before?" Yanran asked.
"Okay. Do whatever makes you comfortable," Cui Xiaoqiu said. "Now that it's settled, I will never look at another woman again, nor will I be fickle. I will be with one person for life."
We shared the same bed in life, and the same grave in death.
Come on, say it with me.
Yanran replied, "I didn't ask you to make a promise. My mother said we're still young, and it's hard to say what will happen when we grow up. Anyway, let's just let nature take its course."
Cui Xiaoqiu nodded.
It's alright, he's achieved his goal, so we won't ask for anything more for now.
Eat your food one bite at a time, and walk your path one step at a time.
"Cui Xiaoqiu, can you do me a favor? Will you still help me like you used to?"
If you don't help, then it's not settled. It was so much better the way it was before.
Cui Xiaoqiu sat up. "Okay. I'll get dressed and wash up first."
If she stays in bed all the time, she'll just say she's too weak to keep going.
"Isn't my eldest brother getting married? As his only sister, it would be such a shame if I couldn't witness it! Besides, nobody from our family is going; it's like they're not taking it seriously at all, right?"
After going around in circles, I still want to go to Liaodong.
"I'll think of a way," Cui Xiaoqiu said.
"But my father and mother both disagree..."
"It's okay, I'll handle it."
Yanran her hands on her hips and laughed heartily, "I knew it! You'd definitely make it! This marriage is a perfect match!"