Even after she got back, Yanran felt like she was dreaming.
Helpless, Cui Xiaoqiu could only pull her into the yard and demonstrate it to her again personally.
Yanran took his hand and looked it over from left to right. "So the calluses on your hands aren't from holding a pen, but from practicing archery?"
This is because they take advantage of her not reading or writing, so she doesn't know where the calluses are when properly holding a pen.
She thought everyone was the same!
Developing calluses from holding a pen is even harder, so she always felt that Cui Xiaoqiu must be incredibly diligent, working even harder than practicing martial arts.
Unexpectedly, he had secretly learned martial arts!
"There are also calluses from holding a pen." Cui Xiaoqiu took the opportunity to grab Yanran's hand again.
His hands were warm and dry, long and fair, even more delicate than my own...
Yanran: "How do you take care of your hands?"
It doesn't make sense that someone who practices martial arts would have such delicate hands!
Cui Xiaoqiu joked, "Maybe she's just naturally beautiful."
Yanran: "..."
It took Yanran a full fifteen minutes to process this fact before she ran off, leaving Cui Xiaoqiu standing there bewildered in the wind.
Cui Xiaoqiu couldn't help but wonder, was Yanran angry?
Are you angry that he's been hiding this from you all this time?
But he didn't mean any harm; he was just... too engrossed in being taken care of by her.
He was sickly, which is why she paid more attention to him and took better care of him; otherwise, how would he have noticed him?
Yanran said, "No!"
She just wanted to tell everyone the news!
For example, Linlin!
"Big brother!" Yanran excitedly ran into Linlin's study, startling the fat cat, which scurried away and hid on the bed.
Linlin paused in her hand, and a black dot appeared on the paper.
He put down his pen and looked at Yanran.
Did you know that Cui Xiaoqiu can shoot arrows?
Linlin: "... I know."
"This isn't your average meeting!"
"Is it a second-class meeting?"
Yanran laughed heartily, "It's the kind of skill that's incredibly accurate, like hitting a willow leaf from a hundred paces!"
Linlin: "Then why didn't you have a match with him to see who's better?"
Yanran slapped her forehead. "How could I forget something so important? I'm leaving!"
Then she hurriedly headed out.
Linlin couldn't help but chuckle.
Yanran walked to the door, then realized what was happening, and turned back to look at Linlin while still holding onto the door. "Big brother, why aren't you surprised at all?"
Linlin Lin said expressionlessly, "I'm not one to show my emotions."
We can't exactly say that we've been pretending to be ignorant all along, just watching you walk right into his trap and never being able to get out.
"Oh." Yanran nodded.
It seems there's nothing wrong with it.
That's certainly true, brother.
"Oh, right, I also saw my sister-in-law today, but I was so shocked that I forgot to say hello."
Linlin:"..."
Yanran: "Big brother didn't lie to me."
She remained expressionless even when she heard who she liked, confirming her suspicions.
Next, Yanran made sure everyone in the Prince's mansion knew that Cui Xiaoqiu was a hidden master.
Cui Xiaoqiu was both amused and exasperated.
Yanran still felt there was more to say, "I have to go tell Yuanyang tomorrow."
Cui Xiaoqiu: "Go."
"Oh, right, I also need to write a letter to my mother!"
Cui Xiaoqiu: "..."
"Oh right, let's not talk about the distant ones yet, I haven't told you about Aunt Yingying and Qu Hua!"
Seeing that she was about to run out, Cui Xiaoqiu quickly stopped her. "Be humble, let's keep a low profile. We're family, and if you brag like this, people might feel uncomfortable."
Yanran then gave up.
"But no matter how I think about it, I feel like you're hiding it very well."
Cui Xiaoqiu: "No, it's just that my skills are not yet proficient, and I wouldn't dare to show off my limited abilities before an expert."
"Hehe, you're not quite as good as me."
Cui Xiaoqiu reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "You're the best."
Yanran looked up and inadvertently met his gaze, causing her to blush slightly.
Those eyes were focused on me, their clear brown pupils filled with doting affection.
Why was Cui Xiaoqiu looking at her like that? It made her feel quite embarrassed.
Yanran's heart pounded, and she suddenly understood what "a deer's heart pounding" meant.
"I," she said hastily, "I have to go back now. I made plans to hang out with my sister-in-law tomorrow, and you know, I have to tell her we can't go to the beach. Ugh, it's all my brother's fault. And Qu Hua, I haven't seen her in so long! Ah, isn't dinner time...?"
Good heavens, what kind of nonsense was she spouting!
Yanran felt like she was starting to understand.
But I'm still a bit clueless.
Forget it, why keep thinking about problems I can't figure out?
Before going to sleep, as she tossed and turned in bed, she thought, "Hmm, Cui Xiaoqiu is really great!"
The next day, Yanran went to see Lang Xuan again and told her that they could only go to the beach after they got married.
Lang Xuan blushed deeply. "I... I didn't want to go to the beach."
Yanran said seriously, "My older brother is so busy and tired every day. He finally wants to go to the beach to relax, so you have to go with him."
Lang Xuan immediately nodded. "Actually, I want to go too."
Yanran: If you want to go, that's easy!
Alright, this matter is resolved.
This sentence must be engraved in my heart and taken back with me.
Baoxuan was eating peanuts nearby, peeling them with a satisfying crunch, eating with such focus, like a little squirrel.
Seeing Lang Xuan looking over, she felt a little embarrassed and pushed the plate of roasted peanuts towards her, saying, "Ninth Miss, would you like some too?"
Lang Xuan smiled and said, "I don't want any. I'm just worried it won't be enough, so I'll get you another plate."
"Great! Thank you for your kind gift, Ninth Miss."
She absolutely loves roasted peanuts.
Jiang'er gave her a gentle push and said softly, "This isn't our own home."
Baoxuan's big eyes were full of confusion. "But, Ninth Miss isn't an outsider either."
We'll be family soon; if she's too polite, wouldn't she be treating Ninth Miss like an outsider?
Yanran laughed heartily, "Baoxuan is right, eat up, eat up!"
Children are happy as long as they have food.
She's happy as long as Cui Xiaoqiu is around, hehe.
Lately, whenever I think of him, I can't help but smile—such a wonderful person, thank goodness I was blind to have fallen for her, otherwise where could I find someone like him?
Lang Xuan was worried that Baoxuan might be thirsty, so she poured her a glass of water.
Baoxuan held the cup, her eyes crinkling with a smile, "Ninth Miss, you're so kind."
Lang Xuan was somewhat lost in thought.
She's not good.
In her past life, she was jealous of Baoxuan.
But in this life, things are finally different.
Yanran smiled and said, "Baoxuan, I've noticed that you really like your sister-in-law! You wouldn't be this bold in front of others."
Baoxuan is still quite shy and timid in front of most people.
"Because I like Ninth Sister," Baoxuan said. "She's timid, and I'm timid too, so I'm not so afraid."
Lang Xuan chuckled silently.
So, they're the same kind of people?
Simple, timid, and guileless...
"Ninth Miss must like me too. I'll get a red envelope when we get married in a few days," Baoxuan said happily. "And lots of peanuts to eat!"
Lang Xuan blushed upon hearing about the marriage.
Sigh, if she likes Baoxuan's innocent and carefree personality, how can she blame Yuwen Duo for liking her too?
"Princess," a guard's voice came from outside, "The Prince requests your return. Return immediately; it is urgent."