11th Birthday
"Because you are one in a million."
Cui Mansion.
Several servants were chatting quietly while cutting branches.
"Is the Second Young Master going to the banquet again today?"
"Yeah, it took me several hours to dress up."
"It seems to be someone important's birthday."
"It is said that she is the Sixth Princess."
Cui Huaifeng, who happened to pass by, was stunned.
He didn't even know that today was her birthday. Besides, their Cui family had never had close contacts with the princesses and princes, so how did they suddenly get in touch?
Cui Huaifeng was in a state of confusion and unknowingly walked to the door of Cui Mansion.
On the steps, his mother and stepfather were instructing his younger brother on the trivial matters of going to the Princess's Mansion.
Normally, when they passed by, he and they pretended not to see each other, but today, for some reason, Cui Huaifeng's pace suddenly slowed down.
Zhuang Pingyao held his son's arms, looked him up and down, then smiled sideways at Cui Yuqin. "Hmm, this outfit is really nice. He's worthy of being our son."
Cui Yuqin nodded in agreement, a smile on her face. "Yes, our Yu'er has grown up and become a handsome young man."
Cui Yuqin then said sternly, "Yu'er, be careful with your words and actions when you go there. You represent our Cui family."
Cui Huaiyu nodded, "Mother, don't worry, Yu'er knows."
The family lived in harmony, except for Cui Huaifeng who was standing at the bottom of the stairs, who was an outsider.
Cui Yuqin was about to say something when she caught a glimpse of Cui Huaifeng out of the corner of her eye.
Generally, when there is a banquet, the names of these two people will be on the invitations, but everyone knows that the eldest son of the Cui family will not go, so sometimes Cui Huaifeng's name is not even on the invitation.
It was the same this time. Even though the Sixth Princess's Mansion had sent the invitation early, with Ye Guifan acting as the middleman and even deliberately putting Cui Huaifeng's name in front, they still habitually forgot Cui Huaifeng's existence.
Cui Yuqin looked at her eldest son and fell into deep thought. She weighed the pros and cons and decided that it would be best to be cautious about the Sixth Princess' invitation.
"Huaifeng." Cui Yuqin suddenly called Cui Huaifeng, and Cui Huaiyu and Zhuang Pingyao beside her also looked at Cui Huaifeng.
"Mother." Cui Huaifeng lowered his eyes.
Cui Yuqin said in a kind tone, "Let's go to the Sixth Princess's residence with your brother now."
Cui Huaifeng thought about how he had rejected her a few days ago and didn't know how to face her, so he declined politely: "My son is not feeling well, so I won't go."
Cui Yuqin looked at Cui Huaifeng deeply and frowned. What she hated most was someone resisting her in front of others.
Besides, it would be fine if he didn't go on weekdays, but today he had to go. Cui Yuqin had been in the officialdom for a long time and didn't get angry or argue. She knew his temper and had her own way of dealing with him.
Cui Yuqin threatened lightly with a caring tone, "Go ahead. Just think of it as a way to relax and broaden your horizons at the Princess's Mansion. When you and Yu'er come back, go to the backyard to find the housekeeper. I remember there are some of your father's old clothes in the warehouse."
Cui Huaifeng clenched his sleeves, "...Yes."
Cui Huaiyu glanced at Cui Huaifeng with dissatisfaction, then looked at his father. Zhuang Pingyao was still smiling, but there was no smile in his eyes. He gently patted Cui Huaiyu's hand to comfort him.
Cui Huaiyu got on the carriage prepared by the mansion first, and Cui Huaifeng followed in. Cui Huaifeng, his younger brother, had disliked him since childhood, and he was the same way.
On the way to the Princess's Mansion, the two people sitting in the car were silent all the way.
Half an hour later, the two arrived at the Princess's residence. When they got off the carriage, they found Jiang Yan and his attendants waiting at the entrance. Cui Huaiyu felt flattered, while Cui Huaifeng was somewhat bewildered.
Jiang Yan hadn't seen Cui Huaifeng for a long time, and she was a little excited. It was worth it that she had received the news and came out earlier. She took a few steps forward and saw the man next to Cui Huaifeng. She knew at a glance that this man was probably Cui Jia Erlang's younger brother, so she didn't move forward and said politely, "You are here."
"Ah, yes, thank you for the invitation, Your Highness the Sixth Prince." Cui Huaiyu spoke first, and with a sharp eye, he handed the gift to the servant in charge who was waiting on the side.
"It's nothing. I'm very happy that you can come." Jiang Yan smiled politely at Cui Huaiyu, but her eyes were always on Cui Huaifeng.
Cui Huaifeng knew that Jiang Yan was looking at him, so he pretended not to know and fixed his gaze on the brightly lit gate of the mansion, not meeting her gaze.
Faced with his refusal, Jiang Yan had no choice but to turn around and smile at Cui Huaiyu, "The two of you please come into the mansion with me."
"Okay." Cui Huaiyu responded reservedly.
On the way to the main hall, Jiang Yan casually chatted with some polite words. Cui Huaiyu did not expect that Jiang Yan, as a princess, was not arrogant and treated others in a friendly manner. He was secretly delighted.
After entering the main hall, Cui Huaiyu glanced at everyone present calmly. There were only two men, him and Cui Huaifeng. He couldn't help feeling a little elated.
His nominal brother lived a secluded life, had few friends, and had never had any contact with the Sixth Princess. He was simply here because of his influence. Furthermore, he had heard that the Sixth Princess was chaste and rarely interacted with men. Yet, just now, the Sixth Princess had treated him with unusual warmth, even going so far as to personally greet him. Her attitude and intentions were clear.
Jiang Yan didn't think too much about it and arranged for everyone to take their seats. Since all the people who came were close friends, the overall seating arrangement was not very particular.
At the banquet, guests chatted and laughed, even the food was tinged with joy. Only Cui Huaifeng sat upright, as if he was isolated from the world.
Jiang Yan couldn't describe what emotion he was feeling. It wasn't pity, nor was it doubt. He just couldn't take his eyes off it.
Cui Huaifeng noticed something and turned his head inadvertently, and the two of them looked at each other.
The man who had been calm and composed finally showed his weakness and hurriedly looked away.
Jiang Yan inexplicably found him very cute and couldn't help but chuckle.
Noticing her smile, Cui Huaifeng put down the cup embarrassedly.
Cui Huaiyu, who was sitting next to Cui Huaifeng, thought Jiang Yan was looking at her, and shyly tucked her hair behind her ears.
Cui Huaifeng was completely unaware of this, and Jiang Yan's fiery gaze made him nervous. He thought for a moment, then stood up and left the banquet, thinking of going out for some fresh air.
Seeing this, Jiang Yan hurriedly patted Ye Guifan's shoulder beside her. Ye Guifan understood and nodded, and helped her greet other friends.
After Jiang Yan left the table for a short while, he originally wanted to catch up with Cui Huaifeng directly, but then he wanted to confirm it again, so he went to look for Zhu Jin first after he went out.
Cui Huaiyu, who witnessed the whole process, went out with them.
He caught up with the two of them and looked around, but there was no Jiang Yan, only Cui Huaifeng.
Cui Huaiyu couldn't help laughing. His brother usually acted aloof and didn't interact with others. He thought he was so arrogant that he was eager to meet the Sixth Princess. But in the end, the Sixth Princess didn't take him seriously.
He had disliked him since childhood, but now that he was older and calmer, he used to just ignore him. But today, feeling proud, he couldn't help but sarcastically say, "If you're so noble, then be so noble forever. Why, now that you're in the Princess's mansion, you don't pretend anymore?"
Cui Huaifeng was displeased when he heard this, but he didn't want to get entangled. He didn't even look at him and turned around to go back.
Irritated by Cui Huaifeng's attitude, he sarcastically said, "Are you really that eager to climb the social ladder? It's a pity that the Sixth Prince doesn't like you either. If you have this idea, why don't you..."
"Not as good as what?" Jiang Yan suddenly appeared behind the two of them and said coldly.
Cui Huaiyu felt a chill on his back. Jiang Yan walked towards Cui Huaifeng without even looking at him and stood beside him. Cui Huaifeng's eyes were filled with her heroic figure, but when he closed his eyes, his mind became clear again.
"Sixth Prince..." Cui Huaiyu was extremely panicked.
Jiang Yan's face was cold and his tone was unfriendly. He didn't give him a chance to explain and said bluntly: "Your brother is indeed noble. After all, he is a gentleman."
What about you, hypocrite?
Cui Huaiyu understood the implication of Jiang Yan's words and looked a little embarrassed.
Jiang Yan then added, sneering, "I don't think it's your brother who's trying to climb the social ladder, it's you. However, I don't think anyone would like a man who's so cunning and scheming."
Jiang Yan's words were so unpleasant that Cui Huaiyu's face turned completely pale. He had been used to being pampered and flattered since he was a child, and had rarely been treated like this. But the person in front of him was the princess, so he dared not say a word. He suppressed his anger and left angrily without looking back.
Jiang Yan didn't care at all. Instead, he looked at Cui Huaifeng, his tone softening as he asked worriedly, "Does he often speak rudely to you like this?"
Cui Huaifeng didn't want to talk about it any further, so he just said, "Occasionally, but I'm used to it."
When he was young he would get angry, but now he doesn’t care so much.
The simple phrase "I'm used to it" contained so much untold sadness and helplessness that Jiang Yan felt heartbroken. Hearing that his father died early and his mother favored a concubine, he wondered how hard his life had been over the years.
Jiang Yan said solemnly: "From now on, as long as I am here, I will not let anyone bully you."
Cui Huaifeng felt a tightness in his throat for some reason.
He admitted that he was greedy for her tenderness and passion. No one had ever cared about him so much, and no one had ever gone to great lengths to please him and make him feel valued.
Jiang Yan sighed inwardly, not knowing how to start. He must have been in a bad mood after being interrupted by Cui Huaiyu. However, if he missed this opportunity, he didn't know how long it would take to see him again.
Jiang Yan hesitated for a moment, but still asked without holding out hope: "Master Cui, if you have nothing to do, could you accompany me for a walk by the lake?"
If it was someone else, he would never agree, but if it was her, he was willing to give it a try.
"Okay." Cui Huaifeng said softly and firmly.
"……What?"
Jiang Yan thought she had misheard until Cui Huaifeng asked her again, "Aren't you leaving?"
Jiang Yan hurriedly and joyfully extended his hand, "Please."
————
Because she had specifically instructed that no one should disturb their peace along the way, not even servants were seen.
The two passed the garden and arrived at the lake. Cui Huaifeng was quite surprised when he saw the scenery in the lake.
At this time, the moonlight was bright and the night clouds were thin, and everything became clear under the moonlight.
The night-stained lake was practically filled with bright yellow lotus lanterns, their reflections like the Milky Way plucked from the heavens and hidden within. Orange stained the deep black waves, shimmering like a gorgeous yet ethereal celestial realm.
Jiang Yan walked to the shore, took out the long pole that had been prepared long ago, skillfully picked up the most unique lamp in the lake, squatted down and reached out to grab it.
"This is..." Cui Huaifeng couldn't help but ask her.
Jiang Yan stood up straight and smiled. "I heard you like lotus flowers, but unfortunately they all withered by the end of autumn. I don't go out often, so it's hard for me to see you. I don't know if I can see you again when the lotus flowers bloom again. So I asked someone to clean the pond in advance and fill it with lotus lanterns."
"And this lamp is for you."
Jiang Yan handed the lotus lantern to Cui Huaifeng, his brows softened, and he said seriously:
"Because you are one in a million."
Cui Huaifeng took it carefully, and after a while, he said carefully, "Thank you."
Jiang Yan explained embarrassedly, "That's what I thought, but unfortunately the lake can't hold all of them. There are actually only a few thousand."
Cui Huaifeng's eyes were incredibly gentle, "Nothing, I like it very much."
She had given him her unique lantern, yet he himself had come empty-handed. Cui Huaifeng pondered for a moment and then suggested, "I only found out it was your birthday before I came, so I didn't prepare a special gift. If Your Highness doesn't mind, I'll write a calligraphy for you."
【Author’s words】
No prizes for guessing, guess what play I will write in the next chapter, no, the plot.
The diameter of the river lantern is about 20cm.
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