Old Madam Cui held Song Chuyi’s hand, and without minding that Yu Shi was also present, looked into Song Chuyi’s eyes and sighed deeply. “You know the purpose of your cousin’s trip to Yangquan, don’t you?”
She knew this granddaughter of hers was even more clever and perceptive than she had imagined. She certainly knew—knew Cui Hualuan’s intentions, and knew the Cui family’s thoughts about Cui Hualuan’s future prospects.
Song Chuyi indeed nodded her head. As for what Cui Hualuan had said to her when they met before, she didn’t bring it up. This concerned a young lady’s reputation. If Cui Hualuan didn’t end up with the Crown Prince as she wished in the future, having such things spread would become a laughingstock and a vulnerability. Although she knew everyone here was close family, she still had no intention of speaking of it. After all, even though those seated here were all relatives, someone as proud as Cui Hualuan probably wouldn’t want others to know she had such a side to her.
Yu Shi didn’t want to listen further. These two—one her niece, one her nephew’s daughter—both were dear to her heart. Although she knew Song Chuyi didn’t like Second Young Master Ye, and felt that Song Chuyi was naturally suited for that position, she also knew that Madam Cui had always wanted to place Cui Hualuan in that position.
She smiled and tried to change the subject. “Huaying isn’t as bold as her cousin. Now that the day is drawing closer, she’s becoming more frightened. These past few days she’s been so worried she can barely eat, as if the other family were going to devour her.” As she spoke, thinking of her daughter’s recent anxiety, her heart truly felt troubled and pained. “After she marries, she can’t be allowed to continue like this. She’ll have to manage the household there and serve as the clan matriarch. It’s just these few days—I’m being more lenient with her.”
For any young lady who must leave her natal home for an unfamiliar place where she knows no one, where even her husband is someone she doesn’t truly understand—if she claimed to feel no panic at all, that would be a lie. Back when she herself had loved Shen Qingrang so deeply, on the night before her wedding she too had been so nervous she couldn’t sit or lie still. What came to her mind first wasn’t Shen Qingrang’s thoughtful attentions or the happy life after marriage, but rather her mother, whose face had already grown blurred in her memory. Song Chuyi thought for a moment and comforted Yu Shi. “Aunt needn’t worry. Cousin Huaying is the most prudent person there is—she’ll surely live well.” For parents, all they hoped for was their children’s wellbeing.
Yu Shi’s eyes grew slightly moist. She didn’t know why she suddenly felt somewhat wronged—probably because when her daughter married, her husband couldn’t go to see her off, couldn’t hold their daughter as she boarded the bridal sedan at home. She forcibly suppressed that touch of bitterness in her heart and smiled. “Yes, may your auspicious words come true. Your cousin has been talking about you—it’s been so long since she’s seen you. When you have time, go over to our place and visit her, keep her company and talk with her. You’re the same age, so whatever needs to be said can be said more easily.”
Xie Shi happened to come in to discuss with Old Madam Cui the additional dowry for Cui Huaying on her wedding day. Hearing Yu Shi say this, she smiled. “Your aunt is quite right. Huaqing and Huayao are both looking forward to your return as well.”
When Xie Shi said this, although her face bore a smile, her eyes involuntarily revealed a trace of difficulty and weariness. Her sister-in-law had just come to find her, asking her to help find ways to bring Xie Qinghui and Xie Qingzi before the Crown Prince more often to show themselves—her intentions were as obvious as Sima Zhao’s ambitions, clear to all. Her face burned with embarrassment—who didn’t know that the Cui clan itself had plans to send a daughter into the palace? With such a good opportunity, how could they not prioritize their own family?
She had watched how the Cui family raised Cui Hualuan from childhood. Madam Cui had put such effort into it, and this time had deliberately arranged for Song Chuyi to bring Cui Hualuan into the capital together—clearly plotting to strengthen ties with His Highness the Crown Prince. Although she was a daughter of the Xie family, she was now a wife of the Cui family. If she really turned her elbow outward and listened to her sister-in-law’s words, how could she face people in the Cui family afterward?
Since this was about matters concerning Cui Huaying, Yu Shi didn’t feel it proper to keep listening. She smiled and found an excuse to leave, while respectfully taking her leave from Old Madam Cui. “I’ll come back again later this evening.”
Song Chuyi also stood up and followed her out. Yu Shi took her hand, and after walking some distance, ultimately couldn’t hold back. She patted her hand and said, “Your eldest cousin has always been someone with high aspirations.”
This statement came out of nowhere, but Song Chuyi knew what she meant—it had been a while since they returned from Yangquan. With Cui Hualuan’s smooth and tactful nature, if she had been willing, she wouldn’t have let anyone detect her displeasure.
But from the time Cui Hualuan returned until now, she had never appeared before Old Madam Cui together with her. A few days ago, it was heard that Cui Hualuan had also gone to Second Master Cui to ask him to inquire about the Qi-Nourishing Pills, but Cui Hualuan hadn’t said a word to her about it. Yesterday when Second Master Cui brought the Qi-Nourishing Pills and Cui Hualuan heard she was there, she didn’t come over.
This was because she felt her own words and heart didn’t match. Song Chuyi smiled bitterly. When she had told her cousin that she didn’t know how things would turn out in the future, she had been sincere. Many matters truly couldn’t develop according to her wishes.
Song Chuyi sighed softly and squeezed Yu Shi’s hand. “Aunt, I understand.”
“You’ve always been prudent—I know that.” Yu Shi held her hand as they walked together. “But there are still those words we told you before we came to Jinzhong. Whatever path you take in the future is your own affair. Once you’ve chosen it, others can’t walk it for you. Once you’ve chosen, you mustn’t regret it. You don’t owe the Cui family anything. Your aunt can see that His Highness treats you extremely well—compared to Second Young Master Ye, His Highness is indeed more suitable for you. Since His Highness is interested, if you also like him, you needn’t worry about anything else. The road is already so difficult to walk—you must at least have someone who shares your heart to walk it together, so you won’t feel there’s no hope left for your days ahead.”
Song Chuyi stared with wide eyes in shock, feeling her heart suddenly skip a beat. She opened her eyes wide to look at Yu Shi, her usually clear and transparent eyes showing confusion without any concealment.
Yu Shi’s heart ached a little at her gaze. Children without mothers always suffered losses in matters of the heart. She could tell at a glance that Song Chuyi probably hadn’t yet realized that her relationship with the Crown Prince had grown far too close, and that the Crown Prince’s treatment of her was far too unusual.
She sighed, looking at Song Chuyi with genuine distress. If Old Madam Song were here now, she would have stepped forward long ago to enlighten her. She deliberated over and over, and finally still gently took her hand. “Silly child, His Highness nearly lost his life to save you. If that still doesn’t mean he’s fond of you, then what do you think would count as fondness?”