After lunch, the palace maids served desserts.

A pot of refreshing sweet and sour plum soup, a plate of chilled fresh durian flesh, a plate of golden and crispy durian pastry, a plate of cute durian glutinous rice balls, in addition, some washed cherries, dates, plums, and peeled honey pomelo, served on a crystal plate, crystal clear and full of fruity fragrance.

After trying durian stewed chicken, Xu Wenchan and others were no longer so resistant to durian and tried several durian dishes one by one.

"Sister-in-law, this durian glutinous rice ball is delicious. The skin is icy and cool, and it feels soft, chewy and sticky in the mouth. It has a light milky aroma, and the durian filling inside is fragrant, rich and smooth. It's so good!" The Sixth Princess took a few bites of it, and there was some white powdered sugar on the corners of her mouth.

"If you like, take some back later. I made a lot anyway." Tao Ti picked up a piece of frozen durian flesh. She liked to eat fresh flesh. The frozen durian was like cheese and ice cream, more delicate, sweet, cool, refreshing and delicious.

After having some snacks, everyone went back to the house to play. The afternoon was quiet and leisurely.

As the sun was setting, Xu Wenchan and Tao Tichang were thinking that in two months, when the weather got colder, they could go to Mount Lishan to enjoy the hot springs. Then they saw Linglong slowly walk in and bowed, saying, "Crown Princess, the wife of the Marquis of Dingbei has sent someone to ask Miss Xu to return home."

Tao Ti glanced out the window and saw that it was indeed getting late. "A Chan, you should go back first. Don't keep your mother waiting for too long."

In the past, Xu Wenchan would have been reluctant to leave, but today she was thinking about the outcome of her mother's conversation with the princess, so she stood up and said crisply, "I'll leave first, and I'll come to play with you next time."

Tao Ti stood up to see her off and packed a large plate of durian pastry and durian glutinous rice balls for her to take home.

Not long after Xu Wenchan left, the fifth prince and the sixth princess also said goodbye and left.

Tao Ti lazily lay back on the beauty couch, eating durian, reading a storybook, and enjoying her time alone.

A gorgeous carriage with a jewel-top and green curtains drove steadily out of the majestic palace wall.

The nine-hole gold-carved copper incense burner in the car was burning the finest incense, but Xu Wenchan thought the smell was a bit strong, so he opened the car window to get some fresh air.

Looking at the solemn and calm face of the wife of Marquis Dingbei, she hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking, "Mother, why do you have such a scary expression? Did you have an unpleasant chat with the princess?"

The wife of Marquis Dingbei sat upright, holding a handkerchief in her hand, and said lightly, "Your seventh brother and the Lord of Qinghe County are not suitable."

Xu Wenchan was startled and said in surprise, "How can it be inappropriate! Qinghe is so gentle, and Seventh Brother likes her so much, and the Qinghe County Lord is also interested in Seventh Brother..."

The wife of Marquis Dingbei had a worried look on her face and did not respond.

In fact, she also liked the Qinghe County Lord very much. The little girl was of noble birth, gentle and refined. The most rare thing was that her dull-headed son finally came to his senses and liked her very much.

Today she went to see the eldest princess with the intention of bringing the two children together.

Unexpectedly, the mayor of Qinghe County would have her menstrual period today. The princess obviously didn't want to hide it from her, so she asked Doctor Yu to tell her about Qinghe's physical condition in person.

After Doctor Yu left, the princess came straight to the point and said that she didn't want Qinghe to have children.

Alas, the county lord is good in everything, but why is he so frail? It's such a sin.

The wife of Marquis Dingbei sighed softly and closed her eyes tiredly.

The mother and daughter returned to the Marquis' Mansion in silence all the way.

Dingbei Marquis Mansion, Qingfeng Courtyard.

The long-servant rushed to the study room in a hurry, "Seventh Young Master, the mistress and the eldest daughter have returned from the palace."

Xu Guangji sat in front of the yellow pear wood desk for almost a whole day. Although he held a book in his hands, his mind was in a mess and he didn't concentrate on reading at all.

After hearing the report from his attendant, he immediately put down his book and stood up. "You're back?"

The long-servant ran out of breath and said, "Yes, I came to tell you the news just as the carriage arrived at the door."

Xu Guangji praised him, walked out of the study, and went straight to the marquis's courtyard.

At the other end, the wife of Marquis Dingbei sat diagonally on a Huanghuali armchair with a dragon pattern, holding a cup of Biluochun in her hand. Behind her stood a little maid massaging her shoulders, and in front of her knelt a man with lowered eyebrows and hammered his legs.

Xu Wenchan sat on one side, lowering his head in great confusion.

Seeing how mother is like this, does she not agree with Seventh Brother and Qinghe being together? How sad would Seventh Brother be if he knew about this!

When she read storybooks in the past, she thought those elders who tried to separate the male and female protagonists were really hateful. She never thought that one day, her own mother would become such a hateful person.

Before she left, she had promised Brother Qi that she would definitely bring back good news. But now... Oh, how would she tell Brother Qi later?

Xu Wenchan was just feeling worried when at this moment he heard the voices of maids greeting outside the door, calling out "Seventh Young Master".

Xu Wenchan was stunned for a moment, first glanced at his mother, and then looked towards the door.

The stone-blue curtain was opened, and Xu Guangji, wearing a jade-colored brocade robe, walked in two steps at a time, "Mother, Ah Chan."

Seeing him so uneasy, Lady Dingbei frowned and sat up straight, "Why are you so anxious? You have sweat on your forehead. Sit down and take a rest."

The maids understood and began to pass handkerchiefs and pour tea.

Xu Guangji wiped the sweat off his face with a handkerchief and did not drink the tea. He looked at his mother, whose face was difficult to read, with his dark eyes, and then at his sister, who lowered her head and dared not look him in the eye. He had a vague expectation in his heart, and his eyes suddenly darkened.

He didn't want to say anything roundabout. He wanted to know the result, so he asked directly, "Mother, how was your conversation with the princess today? Is she willing to marry the county lady to me?"

The wife of Marquis Dingbei's eyes flickered slightly, and with a stern face she dismissed all the maids in the room.

The house soon became quiet. It was almost dusk and there was no light in the house, so the light was very dim.

Mrs. Dingbei knew that what was supposed to happen would happen. She took a deep breath and looked at Xu Guangji steadily, "I don't agree with this marriage."

Xu Guangji was startled, but soon understood what was meant. The eldest princess probably had no objection to marrying Qinghe to her, the problem was with his mother.

"Mother, why is this? Qinghe is extremely good in both family background and personality, and my son loves her..."

"Marriage is not that simple!" The Marquis's wife interrupted him, pinched her fingers, and stared at her handsome son intently with complicated feelings.

She felt like God was really playing a joke on her. After so much effort, there was some progress in the marriages of her children, but -

She liked the eldest princess's son but not her daughter.

The eldest princess took a fancy to her son but not her daughter.

It's true that it's hard to have everything in this world.

Xu Guangji is a stubborn person. He finally finds the person he likes, so how can he give up just like that?

He frowned and asked Madam Hou, "Mother, why is this happening?"

The Marquis' wife couldn't stand his nagging any more. She was a little irritated. She hardened her heart and said in a low voice, "The eldest princess said that the Qinghe County Master is weak and can't have children. She doesn't allow her son-in-law to have other concubines, nor does she want to have some illegitimate children to trouble the county master. She just wants to find a man who treats the county master wholeheartedly and is loyal to her..."

When the princess said this, the marquis's wife felt that the princess was too overbearing and domineering!

It's fine if you can't have a daughter, but why don't you allow a man to take a concubine? Isn't this forcing people to have no children?

Mrs. Hou was a mother. How could she bear to let her son be childless all his life and die without even a descendant to support him?

Seeing Xu Guangji remained silent, Madam Hou lowered her voice and advised him earnestly, "There are many beautiful women in the world. Don't worry, your mother will continue to look for you and will definitely find a good wife for you..."

Xu Guangji clenched his hands on his knees into fists, raised his head, and said with a firm look, "Mother, I will not marry anyone else, I only want to marry the county lord."

The Marquis’ wife choked.

After a while, she caught her breath and stared at him, "Didn't you hear what I just said?"

Xu Guangji just kept repeating loudly, "My son wants to marry the county lord."

The Marquis's head was throbbing with pain. "The eldest princess said that in order to prevent the county lord's husband from changing his mind after marriage, she would give him a bowl of heir-destroying soup. After drinking this bowl of soup, the man would lose his fertility. Even so, you still want to marry the county lord?"

Xu Guangji nodded, "Marry."

Mrs. Hou was so angry that her hands were shaking. She picked up the teacup on the table and wanted to smash it, but she didn't want to hurt her son, so she just smashed it on the ground in front of Xu Guangji.

With a loud "bang", the cups broke into pieces.

The Marquis's wife tightly grasped the armrest of the chair, her voice trembling, "The eldest princess's requirements are so harsh, and you still want to marry the county lord. Are you crazy? Our family is not a poor family. Apart from the Qinghe County Lord, there is no lady in Chang'an City that we can't marry? Why are you so stubborn? It really, really makes me angry!"

Seeing that Madam Hou was about to collapse from anger, Xu Wenchan hurried over to calm her down. After she had recovered her breath, he whispered, "Mother, actually... actually... my seventh brother and I already knew about the county lord's health condition."

The Marquis’s wife’s expression froze.

Xu Wenchan was a little unsure, but still wanted to speak up for his seventh brother, "Seventh brother really likes the Lord of Qinghe County."

Xu Guangji stood up, strode to the front of the Marquis, and knelt straight down. "Mother, I know you are thinking about me. But, I don't want to live with a wife who has no feelings for me day and night... If I want to marry, I want to marry the one I like. You and father have a deep relationship, and the six brothers and sisters-in-law are also harmonious. Our family has no habit of taking concubines... I have never thought about taking concubines or maids.

As for offspring, you and your father have seven sons and one daughter. Apart from me, the children of your six brothers and the future children of Ah Chan are all the bloodline of our Xu family. There is no such thing as cutting off the lineage."

His spine was straight, and there was a piece of broken teacup shards under his knee, piercing into his flesh, but he didn't seem to feel any pain.

Xu Wenchan felt extremely distressed when he saw his seventh brother like this, let alone his mother, the wife of Marquis Dingbei.

She looked at her stubborn son with mixed feelings.

The mother and son were in a stalemate, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Seeing this, Xu Wenchan gritted his teeth and knelt down in front of the Marquis' wife, "Mother, please let my seventh brother and Qinghe be together. At worst, they can adopt a child and raise him in the future. See if the six brothers are willing to give a nephew to my seventh brother as an adopted son. If they are not willing... well, then I will give birth to one in the future and give it to my seventh brother as a son!"

These words may sound a bit childish, but the thoughtfulness is touching.

These two children have always been the most worrying and distressing thing for Lady Hou.

Now seeing them all kneeling in front of her, she seemed to be the evil one, and her eyes were filled with soreness.

After pondering for a long time, she felt tired, raised her hand and rubbed her brows, and sighed softly, "Forget it, forget it."

Xu Guangji and Xu Wenchan raised their heads at the same time and looked at her intently.

The Marquis's wife glared at them angrily, "I have given birth to two debt collectors! I am afraid of you, why don't you hurry up!"

They were both stunned.

Xu Wenchan reacted with a look of joy on his face. He quickly stood up and threw himself into Madam Hou's arms, saying coquettishly, "I knew that mother loves us the most. Mother is the best!"

Xu Guangji did not stand up immediately, but kowtowed to Madam Hou firmly, "I am an unfilial son and I have caused my mother to worry."

The Marquis's eyes were moistened, and she suppressed her tears, turned her head and snorted, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. I don't care about you anymore. As long as you don't regret it, it's fine."

Xu Guangji stood up, and there were faint bloodstains on the knees of his robe.

His voice was deep and firm, "No regrets."