Perhaps because Cui Hualuan’s attitude had been too cold, even Cui Huaqing and Cui Huayao had been affected. Since her return, they had only come to see her once, their expressions revealing embarrassment they couldn’t quite hide. Under these circumstances, that Cui Huaying would specifically invite her to stay the night before the wedding showed she truly regarded her as a sister. Song Chuyi’s lips curved up as she nodded. “Since Cousin Huaying has said so, I naturally dare not refuse such kindness.”

Cui Huayi knew that Song Chuyi understood everything in her heart, so she said no more. She herself was still just a child, much more childish than her sister. If not for being forced these past days to learn household management because her sister was getting married, she still wouldn’t understand many of the intricacies involved. Now that Song Chuyi could see things clearly herself, that was naturally for the best.

She chatted idly with Song Chuyi for a while before smiling and rising to take her leave. “I’ve stolen this free moment to run over here. Speaking of which, Eldest Sister just returned from Yangquan as well, and I haven’t seen her yet. I might as well go look in on her.”

When she arrived, Cui Hualuan was practicing calligraphy. Seeing her come, she first smiled, then had someone take the brush to wash it before cleaning her hands to receive Cui Huayi. Looking at Cui Hualuan’s copybook, she couldn’t help but praise. “Elder Sister’s handwriting truly gets better and better.”

Cui Hualuan’s calligraphy was indeed excellent. From childhood she had studied under Madam Qin and had practiced a fine hand. Hearing this, she didn’t demur, but instead turned the question around. “How do you have time to come over? Yesterday when I came by, your side was still extremely lively. It was almost evening and people still hadn’t dispersed.”

Yu Shi’s natal family had specifically sent people to deliver dowry gifts and additional dowry items to Cui Huaying. Yu Shi’s sister-in-law had even come in person to serve as the woman of complete fortune to see off the bride. Yesterday, Cui Huaying’s side had been bustling all day.

“In two days Sister will be getting married. We need to settle who will be the sisters staying with her the night before.” Cui Huayi lifted her head to look into Cui Hualuan’s eyes, neither dodging nor avoiding. “I came to invite Xiaoyi.”

The smile on Cui Hualuan’s face clearly cooled. She lowered her head and toyed with the cup in her hands for quite a while before responding with an “Oh.” “I see. I forgot—you’ve always gotten along well in the capital.”

Her attitude became obviously cold and distant. Cui Huayi couldn’t help but sigh, taking her hand and looking at her. “Elder Sister, we’re family…”

Cui Hualuan had a fire raging chaotically in her heart. She couldn’t clearly say where this anger that vexed her came from, but she just felt uncomfortable all over. She coldly withdrew her hand, lowered her eyes, and spoke in a flat, inflectionless tone. “I know you all like her. I also know she’s quite remarkable in the capital. Since Fourth Sister has chosen her to stay the night before the wedding, she naturally has her reasons.”

Cui Huayi couldn’t say more. She felt herself clumsy with words—if she continued, she would probably only add to Cui Hualuan’s anger. She could only press her lips together and look at Little Nanny Xu with difficulty before saying softly, “Sister also asked me to invite Elder Sister…”

Cui Huaying wanted to be a peacemaker, but Cui Hualuan had no intention of accepting this favor. She shook her head, refusing quite decisively. “I’m not accustomed to sleeping with strangers.”

Having reached this point in the conversation, Cui Huayi couldn’t possibly continue. She rose somewhat awkwardly to take her leave. As soon as she left, she couldn’t help but sigh. Supporting her, Yuxin was also somewhat puzzled. “I’ve never seen the Eldest Miss refuse to give someone face like this before…”

But Cousin Miss had always been the most amiable person. Even when she fell ill on the boat, she had arranged everything properly and taken excellent care of Madam and the two young ladies. Yuxin couldn’t help but take Song Chuyi’s side, sighing softly. “For Eldest Miss to act this way truly seems rather small-minded.”

This wasn’t like Cui Hualuan’s usual style. Cui Huayi couldn’t figure it out. She smiled bitterly and shook her head. When she returned and told her sister about it, she couldn’t help shaking her head and sighing. “Elder Sister seems like she’s become a different person. Although Mother has kept it from me and told me not to inquire around, I can still guess some clues. To speak of it, it’s all trouble caused by His Highness the Crown Prince. But no matter how capable a person is, they can’t force another person to like them, can they? Even if His Highness the Crown Prince likes Xiaoyi, what does that have to do with Xiaoyi?”

Little Nanny Xu was saying the same thing to Cui Hualuan. She sat beside Cui Hualuan, watching until Cui Hualuan couldn’t help but turn her head away. Setting her face sternly, she said, “The Young Lady has truly lost all grace.”

She looked at Cui Hualuan, who was lowering her head and playing with her jade pendant tassels. For the first time, her expression turned severe. She turned and ordered Danzhu, “Go fetch Madam Qin.”

She had been by Cui Hualuan’s side since the day she was born—serving as her wet nurse, serving as her steward nanny. Her bond with Cui Hualuan was extraordinary. Now as she looked at Cui Hualuan, her eyes revealed deep disappointment. “Where do you still look like a young lady of a great family?”

Cui Hualuan’s head shot up. Looking at Little Nanny Xu with tears brimming in her eyes, she said, “Then where does Song Number Six look like a young lady of a great family? Which great family’s young lady would be like her, going wherever she wants, showing her face in public whenever she wishes, and even associating with men without any avoidance?”

Little Nanny Xu fell silent. No matter how close she was to Cui Hualuan, she was still just a servant. She had already spoken reason to Cui Hualuan before. If Cui Hualuan wouldn’t listen, she had no other recourse but to summon someone with the qualifications to control Cui Hualuan.

By the time Madam Qin arrived, Cui Hualuan was already crying uncontrollably. She had never lost control like this before. She had always held herself to the highest standards, not permitting herself the slightest lapse in composure. Yet now she was crying so sorrowfully.

She frowned slightly and ordered Danzhu and Danqing to redo her appearance. After hearing Little Nanny Xu explain the situation from beginning to end, she ordered that only Danzhu remain to serve, then coldly took a seat across from Cui Hualuan.

“The way you look right now is simply ugly beyond measure.” Madam Qin looked at her, her gaze sharp and her words merciless. “You didn’t study the ordinary women’s precepts and women’s rules that other women learn. You too, like your brothers, heard the words of the sages and followed teachers who imparted knowledge and resolved doubts. But you’ve truly failed everything you’ve learned all these years…”

Madam Qin’s words were like a sharp blade piercing Cui Hualuan’s heart. Her face turned pale. She suddenly looked up at Madam Qin, unable to say a single word.

“Why do you detest Sixth Miss Song?” Madam Qin laughed coldly, her gaze fixed tightly on her. “Just because she’s close with His Highness the Crown Prince? But it takes two hands to clap. Why don’t you blame His Highness the Crown Prince? Why do you instead feel that Sixth Miss Song doesn’t seem like someone from a great family? I once told you that women and men are fundamentally no different. But you’ve been taught by me all these years—why is it that as soon as something happens, you still push the responsibility onto others?”