Chapter 44 Disobedience: I have the right to choose who will share my fate and honor...

Upon hearing this, Madam Cui's eyes suddenly lit up. She said with relief, "Changjun, I am very happy that you have come to your senses."

Yan Ning began his formal education at the age of three, and at the age of eight, he became famous for his casually composed "Ode to Leisurely Gathering at the Pavilion" at a gathering of aristocratic families.

Over the years, his every move has served as a model for gentlemen from distinguished families.

She was proud of her son's success. Such a child was destined to hold a position of power, not only as the head of the Yan family, but also to occupy a pivotal position in the imperial court, so as not to waste the family's upbringing and the talent bestowed upon him by heaven.

However, this man was stubborn and had his own ideas. He was unwilling to use the family's power to benefit himself and gain fame and fortune. Over the years, the family had talked to him about it several times, but he refused. He would rather be a carefree and leisurely person than give in. His marriage to the Li family was also a result of coercion...

Hearing him say this now, she was happy no matter what the reason was for changing his mind.

She said, "Don't blame your mother. She's only doing this for your own good. Your two brothers have ulterior motives; their eyes are always on the position of family head. They've married women from high-ranking families and have the support of their wives' clans. And your father is like that... If you continue..."

"I know."

Yan Ning had memorized these words thoroughly.

Despite its seemingly glamorous appearance, the Yan family was actually riddled with problems inside.

Each one was taught to uphold filial piety and brotherly love, to value etiquette, and to be a gentleman, without having selfish thoughts or desires.

In reality, everyone has their own hidden thoughts.

Within the vast Yan family, countless people coveted the position of family head, especially his two elder brothers, whose ambitions were blatantly obvious.

Unlike the Li family, their family's relationship was not so close that it seemed unreal, and they were constantly scheming against each other.

Hearing him say that, Cui relented and said, "Your sister is still young. It's okay if she waits a few more years. There's no rush."

She spoke of Yan Sheng's affairs, but only touched upon them briefly, without going into detail, before turning to Cui Wan.

The person said, "Wan'er has been in Jiankang for more than half a year now. So much has happened during this time, and you two haven't had much time to cultivate your relationship. Why not take advantage of this opportunity before you go to the capital..."

Yan Ning frowned slightly, his expression not good. He interrupted Cui Shi in his usual calm tone.

"I will arrange for someone to take care of my cousin and will not treat her coldly. As for the rest, I have made it clear to her. I will also tell Mother again that I have no intention of divorcing my wife and remarrying. Mother, please do not have such thoughts anymore, otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives takes advantage of you, it will only make things more difficult..."

“Mother,” Yan Ning called softly, “I respect you and value you, but since the family exchanged my marriage for military power, then now… the decision should be in my hands. I have the right to choose who should stand by my side and share my glory and disgrace as my wife!”

After saying this, he turned and left without waiting for Cui to say anything.

-

After the person left, Cui slumped onto the prayer mat, unconsciously wondering if she had really made a mistake.

This marriage was not Yan Ning's wish at first. Since he could refuse the clan's arrangement and the court's summons, it was actually the same for a marriage.

With imperial power waning and powerful families consolidating their authority, the eldest son of a top-tier family like him was the center of attention. Even though he refused the marriage proposal, the emperor dared not do anything to him.

It's just that exchanging marriage for benefits has always been an open secret, and no one has ever questioned it.

When Emperor Xuan's imperial edict came down, he wanted to refuse, but they forced him to accept it. Their original plan was for Li Zhao to pass away, for Li Yang to leave the Yan family, or for Yan Ning to divorce his wife and remarry, following the ancestral rules of marriage alliances between aristocratic families.

Although this child has his own ideas, he has always been filial and gentle. Besides, that Liyang is spoiled and absurd. Apart from her face, she is inferior to the noble ladies around her in every way. What feelings could she possibly develop?

But now things are gradually slipping out of their control.

Seeing her son and daughter so alike, so vehemently opposed to the marriage she had arranged for them, even threatening to kill themselves, she couldn't help but doubt her own abilities.

"aunt."

As she was lost in thought, she saw Cui Wan, dressed in a crimson silk robe, gracefully walk in from the outer room. When she saw Cui sitting on the ground so ungracefully, she frowned slightly, but then quickly changed to a concerned expression.

"What's wrong, Aunt?" Cui Wan helped her up and asked with concern.

Madam Cui did not answer. She kept her eyes and ears down and did not say anything more. She simply asked her maid, Zhuxiang, to put a bowl of soup on the table and said with a gentle smile, "I noticed that my aunt has not been in good spirits lately, so I specially learned from the kitchen to make some medicinal dishes. They are for nourishing blood and qi. Please try them."

Madam Cui glanced at the plain white porcelain soup bowl, which was still steaming and filled with a fragrant aroma that was refreshing and delightful.

"You're such a good girl," she said with relief.

Cui Wan smiled, picked up a small bowl from the side, scooped out some water, blew on it, and handed it to Cui Shi, saying, "Then Aunt, please give me some face and have a taste?"

"good."

Madam Cui did not refuse. She took it, covered it with her sleeve, and slowly ate a small bite. She exclaimed in surprise, "There are green plums in this?"

Cui Wan said, "Yes, I heard from my father that when my aunt was still unmarried, her favorite thing was this green plum. You said you liked its taste, which is not like other fruits that have a single taste. It has both sour and sweet flavors, making the taste more complex. Just like a person's life, there are always sour, sweet, bitter and spicy flavors. However, there are no fresh green plums at this time of year, so I could only find some dried fruit to put in. If it doesn't taste good, I hope my aunt won't be offended."

"No, I don't blame you."

Madam Cui put down her bowl, took Wan'er's hand and held it in her palm, patting it gently. "Wan'er, you're so kind. You've really suffered these past few days."

This is the kind of daughter-in-law she idealizes: obedient and sensible, handling matters with a good balance, dignified and generous, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and capable of being both elegant in the living room and skilled in the kitchen, not a vulgar woman who is illiterate, shouts and makes all sorts of outrageous and absurd remarks all day long, and is neither sensible nor able to serve her mother-in-law and husband!

Her two children have always been very well-behaved, and she is very proud of them.

The reason people are like this now is simply because Li's influence in the Yan family has become too strong in the past two years, and they have been misled by Li!

She did it for their own good, and one day they will understand her good intentions!

Having come to terms with these things, Cui's expression improved considerably. She grasped Cui Wan's hand and said earnestly, "Your third brother is kind-hearted. Now that the late emperor has just passed away, Li was, after all, his wife. People always have to consider things. But a person only has two hands, so it's inevitable that there will be things he can't take care of. Please be more understanding and don't hold it against him."

Cui Wan obediently replied, "Awan knows."

Madam Cui continued, “He is going to the capital to take up an official post. With Madam Li not here, he will have no one to take care of him. Why don’t you, Awan, help your aunt out and go together? You two siblings can also take this time to cultivate your relationship. Your third brother is a man of great loyalty and affection. Once you have feelings for each other, everything will be easier.”

"Yes, Awan understands."

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Author's Note: This is just a short transitional chapter; we're about to move on to the next chapter, opening a new map. The next update is tentatively scheduled for Thursday night at 11 PM. Thank you to everyone who has added this to their favorites and read this far! [Heart emoji]