Chapter 36: Nothingness

Xu Hui looked at Song Yuning's happy expression, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly. He was very glad that he had found this suitable gift that could make his cousin so happy.

"Cousin Xu Hui, I really love this book. It must have cost you a lot of money, right? Tell me how much it cost, and I'll give it to you."

Song Yuning said to Xu Hui with a look of surprise, with joy shining in his eyes.

This book is of great significance to Song Yuning. With this book, the business of her embroidery shop and garment shop will surely be taken to a higher level.

Such a precious book must have cost a lot of money to find. Song Yuning really likes this book, but he doesn't want to owe Xu Hui such a big favor.

"What's the point of talking about money? I'm giving it to you, so you don't need to pay.

If you really feel like you owe me something, why not use the embroidery techniques in this book to make something for me?" Xu Hui said with a smile.

Song Yuning hesitated a little: "Isn't this a bit bad?"

A hint of disappointment flashed across Xu Hui's eyes, and he pursed his lips slightly, as if he had something else to say. Just as he was about to speak, Xu's voice suddenly came from behind them: "Hui'er, Yuning, why are you two here?"

They both turned around at the same time and saw Xu with a serious face.

Her face was gloomy, and she stared at the two men with displeasure, as if they had done something sinister. She was closely followed by a nanny and several maids, who walked towards them at a steady pace.

Song Yuning's heart tightened, and she clenched her fists involuntarily. However, she did not show too much panic.

Although she and Xu Hui were talking here, she did not deliberately avoid others. At this moment, her two maids Ningshuang and Yuejian were also following her.

The two of them were not giving or receiving anything privately, they were just talking.

Song Yuning took a deep breath to calm herself down, then bowed respectfully to Xu: "Greetings to mother." Her tone was gentle and polite, neither humble nor arrogant.

Xu frowned slightly and snorted in response. Her eyes fell on Song Yuning, revealing a hint of indifference and dissatisfaction.

Then, she turned her head, looked at Xu Hui with a smile, and asked softly, "Hui'er, what were you talking about just now?"

Xu Hui glanced at Song Yuning, who was looking down and saying nothing, and replied with a smile, "I came out for some fresh air and happened to run into my cousin Yuning. I've only seen her a few times since she came home, so I wanted to talk to her, so we chatted for a while nearby.

Aunt, it's getting late now. If there's nothing else, Hui'er will go back to the front yard first."

Xu nodded. She stood quietly, watching Xu Hui's gradually receding back. When he disappeared from her sight, she slowly turned around and cast her gaze back at Song Yuning.

Xu reached out and took the book from Song Yuning's hand, gently opened it and read a few pages, but found that it was just a book recording embroidery skills, and there was nothing inside, so she returned the book to Song Yuning.

However, she said with a hint of dissatisfaction: "Yu Ning, you are a well-behaved and sensible child, but there are some things that you cannot easily covet.

Xu Hui is the legitimate son of our Xu family. He is of an extremely noble status and it is absolutely impossible for him to marry a concubine's daughter. Do you understand what I mean?"

After saying that, Xu narrowed her eyes slightly, and her sharp gaze was fixed on Song Yuning's calm face, trying to capture any subtle changes or emotional fluctuations.

However, Song Yuning's face remained calm, as if he was not affected at all by Xu's words.

Song Yuning responded calmly, "Mother, you misunderstood. Mr. Xu and I didn't have much contact.

Maybe he was just curious about me, a newcomer.

However, it was indeed Yu Ning who was inconsiderate. He thought that after all, there were maids present, and with so many people around, there would be no misunderstanding even if they saw him.

"Yuning knows I was wrong and will never talk to other men in private again. Please forgive me this time, mother." After saying this, Song Yuning lowered his head.

Xu raised her eyebrows and looked at Song Yuning. Since she came back, Song Yuning always acted well-behaved and honest in front of outsiders. She never stood out, including her academic performance which was mediocre. She knew everything but was not proficient in any of them.

The old lady and Mrs. Xu have said more than once that Song Yuning might not be one of the Five Golden Flowers.

However, seeing that Song Yuning was so calm today and even refuted her with sharp words, it seemed that she and the old lady had misjudged her. This was not a simple matter.

"It's good that you know. You're not young anymore. You'll be thirteen after the New Year. As long as you're good and obedient, your mother will definitely find a good family for you in the future.

But the premise is that you have to be obedient. You don't have to see Xu Hui anymore, understand?" Xu said threateningly.

Song Yuning bowed again: "I remember everything mother said."

Only then did Xu wave her hand and let Song Yuning go back.

"Why is Madam guarding against you like a thief? It's obviously Mr. Xu who is always pestering you." Yue Jian said indignantly.

Song Yuning nodded Yue Jian and said, "You know, but Madam doesn't know. She has already said it straight out: Xu Hui will not marry a concubine's daughter as his principal wife."

Yue Jian pouted indignantly, "But it's not up to Madam to decide on this matter. In the end, it all depends on what the Xu family and Master Xu want, isn't it?"

Song Yuning didn't say anything, but Ning Shuang looked at Song Yuning's expression and nodded in agreement: "That's right, the marriage will ultimately depend on Master Xu himself.

Miss, don't be discouraged. If Mr. Xu really values ​​you, he will definitely overcome all difficulties and marry you."

Song Yuning didn't say anything. She was thinking about going back quickly to take a look at the embroidery techniques in this book. When she heard Ningshuang's words, she was a little amused and helpless for a moment.

She thought Xu Hui was a way out, but she also knew that marrying him was not an easy thing, so she did not have much hope that Xu Hui would marry her in the end.

If Xu Hui could really marry her, that would be the best. If not, she would not have any other ideas.

This is ancient times, where men would have three wives and four concubines. Song Yuning just wants to find a long-term meal ticket and have a few children. As for true love, forget it, it's hard to find in modern times, let alone in this damn place.

She never longed for these illusory things.

"I'm not angry. Besides, I think you're right. If he really likes me, he will definitely overcome all difficulties to welcome me into his family.

I've only met him a few times, and it's not to the point where I absolutely need him. So, from now on, no matter who's around, don't mention this matter again, understand?"