Chapter 222: Chapter 222: It Only Matters When I Marry Her and Make Her Mine
Old Madam Chong was very concerned about her reputation, hurrying away under the protection of the old woman with a red face.
On their way back, the old woman, pale as paper, said: "It seems that the Xuan Family is unwilling to let this matter rest. Madam, this—"
"Don’t speak such disheartening words."
Old Madam Chong’s breathing was rapid, but she managed to stay calm. Sadly, despite her cleverness and eloquence, she had been unable to get a word in earlier and was instead rendered speechless by the two juniors.
It was truly infuriating.
She said shrewdly.
"It’s good that the Xuan Family knows, lest we continue to dodge this matter in the future."
"Their resentment is inevitable. Marquis Cui spoke clearly enough; this requires a statement from the Chong Family in response."
"Even if the Xuan Family is aggressive, as long as my son stabilizes his unreliable daughter-in-law and finds a way to coax her back, what is there to worry about?"
Her words were not without reason. The old woman quickly nodded in agreement.
Over the years, Old Madam Chong has subtly established rules for Xuan Ai and caged her within the confines of being a proper wife.
Hadn’t it always been this way? It was time to reap the rewards.
As Old Madam Chong said this, her heart finally steadied completely.
Old woman: "However, Lady Song is currently in the hands of the Xuan Family, I’m afraid—"
She didn’t even finish her sentence before Old Madam Chong abruptly cut her off with a sharp rebuke.
"Why bring her up again! I always knew she was a calamity."
"Had I known she would bring disaster to the entire family, I would never have turned a blind eye and left her in the family, considering the difficulties my son faces when dealing with the Yue Family."
The Xuan Family has only this daughter, yet she herself has only this son.
Old Madam Chong was initially more delighted than angry when she learned of Lady Song’s pregnancy, but now, mentioning her only evoked intense disgust.
"Who cares about her now? What is she worth! The real issue is appeasing the anger of everyone in the Xuan Family."
"However, there’s no need to worry too much. As long as Bing’er adopts the right attitude and admits his mistake, he’ll suffer a bit of grievance, and let the Xuan Family vent their anger. Their annoyance is just a show to support Xuan Ai. Once Bing’er lowers his stance, this matter will mostly pass."
Old Madam Chong scoffed.
She didn’t believe that the Xuan Family could cause further trouble with this incident.
In the end, Xuan Ai would still have to obediently return to the Chong Family.
But the self-proclaimed clever Old Madam Chong didn’t know. Cui Yun was best at controlling hearts, and her current thoughts were already anticipated by him.
As Cui Yun and Xuan Chen walked back, Shen Hua and Cui Rong slipped away quickly.
Xuan Chen’s face was stern, itching with irritation, but he didn’t forget to casually glance at Cui Yun.
"The wallet that Miss Shen gave you, why did you return it?"
Thinking of the character ’Ying’ on the wallet, Cui Yun’s jaw tightened, and he said indifferently, "It’s inappropriate."
"Indeed, it’s not proper in name or in principle."
As he spoke, Xuan Chen said teasingly, "Actually, you could have just hidden it. Why so rigid? Not many people know about it anyway, wouldn’t they have kept it from you?"
Cui Yun ignored him.
Xuan Chen had no choice but to say again, "After this matter is over, why not ask your aunt to propose marriage?"
"No rush."
"You were so decisive at the Ministry of Justice, why are you delaying when it comes to marriage now?"
Cui Yun glanced over.
He had returned the wallet, and definitely would not tell Xuan Chen that he and Shen Hua had already vowed to each other for life.
"Her father has passed away, she must observe three years of mourning."
Xuan Chen understood.
Although he is a cousin and usually less steady than Cui Yun, now that he was married, he ought to take responsibility as an elder brother and remind Cui Yun.
"Since it’s like this, as long as you’re aware. She is now in the Marquis Mansion, three years is a long time with many variables, since you have decided, under no circumstances should you let the girl be delayed in the end."
Cui Yun responded nonchalantly.
Seeing this, Xuan Chen couldn’t help but smile.
He still remembered, back in the day, he would often go and stay at Marquis Yangling Mansion.
That day, Cui Bai was there, and he drew the sword that never left his side out of its sheath, very much in the role of an elder brother.
"You two have been learning martial arts for some time now, come and spar with me."
Xuan Chen spit out the wild grass in his mouth: "I’ll go first."
Cui Yun lazily leaned back in the Imperial Concubine Chair, merely lifting his eyelids upon hearing the words.
"It’s not even something good, who would compete with you for it?"
Cui Bai said to Xuan Chen, "Give you a three-move head start?"
"Don’t, whether I give you the advantage or not, it’s a loss either way. Cousin, you must save some face for me."
Although Xuan Chen said this, he took the opportunity when Cui Bai was distracted to launch a sneak attack with his sword.
Cui Bai, on the other hand, deftly bent down and with a slight exertion of force, easily deflected the incoming sword.
During the exchange, he intentionally eased up to let Xuan Chen, so his sword moves were gentle and not sharp. As the movements of the two stirred the withered leaves, they fluttered all around in the air.
After sizing up Xuan Chen’s skills, the sharp, gleaming blade suddenly stopped an inch away from Xuan Chen’s neck without warning.
"You’ve improved since last time."
Xuan Chen smiled, "I think so too. Last time at the Wen Family, the delicate little girl who couldn’t even lift a sword made fun of me, I had to regain some face."
Cui Yun suddenly chuckled as he pinched a delicate dessert from the tea table, consuming them one by one with finesse.
"Laughing at what? It’s your turn now." Xuan Chen walked over and swiftly took a piece.
Immediately, his eyebrows furrowed, and he quickly followed with a cup of tea, "Don’t you find it cloyingly sweet? Wen Yiran doesn’t even have a sweet tooth like you."
"The eighth time."
Cui Yun straightened himself up slightly.
"What?"
Cui Yun: "Today you’ve mentioned the little girl from the Wen Family eight times."
He glanced at the hourglass: "The current time is still early, at the previous rate, you could mention her eight more times."
"You’re not tired of it, but I’m already fed up hearing it."
"If you want to see her so much, why not just climb over the wall of Duke Wen’s Mansion?"
Xuan Chen: ...
Cui Bai laughed unexpectedly: "It seems our Ah Chen has taken an interest in a girl."
Xuan Chen flatly denied, "No, it’s just that she’s particularly annoying, that’s why I mentioned her."
Cui Yun, sparing no feelings, exposed him, "I usually get annoyed by those few from the West Garden, but how come I don’t mention them? Admiring a girl isn’t something to be ashamed of, what do you say, cousin?"
Xuan Chen’s ears turned red, but he was not willing to show weakness.
"By your words, it seems if one day you fancy a girl, you’d probably wish to declare it to the whole world, wouldn’t you?"
"That would not happen."
Cui Yun raised an eyebrow.
"What point is there in declaring to the world?"
He said.
"It’s only meaningful if I marry her and bring her into my home."
At that moment, Xuan Chen couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Cui Bai also laughed at the time.
"Seeing how our younger brother has grown up like this, he will surely attract many girls’ affection in the future."
Cui Yun continued consuming his dessert.
"I won’t boast about other things, but in this aspect, I outdo my father."
"What is it?"
The young man smiled, "More of a gentleman than him."
At least, he wouldn’t marry Mama while still longing for his deceased wife.
Xuan Chen stayed quiet for a moment, then asked him, "So what kind of little girl do you like?"
Cui Yun nonchalantly replied, "Haven’t thought about it."
Yet, he glanced at Cui Bai.
"The sister-in-law that brother will end up marrying will definitely be the best. I’ll just pick one that matches her temperament."
Though at that time, Cui Yun was only ten years old.
Well!
Shen Hua and Qiao Si are really worlds apart.