The couple looked like they knew it all along.
Ms. Cui has a round face. Because of her fair skin, beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and good maintenance, she looks no more than thirty despite being nearly forty.
Her smile was particularly endearing. She took Xue Qianyu's hand, her face beaming, and said, "Yu'er, didn't you say before that your marriage would be decided by your parents? Your father and I have discussed it and we'd like to arrange a marriage with your cousin. Your cousin Yuhua, who was just sitting next to me. She's from your third uncle's family, the one who used to chase after you and Lu Erlang when you were little."
At this point, Madam Cui paused, carefully observing her son's expression. She inwardly scolded herself for her loose tongue, knowing full well that Yu'er had a good relationship with that poor child, and yet she still brought it up. Wasn't this just hurting Yu'er's feelings?
Xue Qianyu glanced at Cui Shi: "Mother, she's chasing after Lu Er, not me."
From her expression, Cui couldn't tell if her son was angry or not. However, after hearing him mention it, and thinking that he should accept the fact that the child was gone, she sighed and said, "Yuhua is a good child. You just like to compete with Lu Erlang. She clearly cares about you, her cousin."
Xue Huai was getting impatient. He had drunk a bit too much that day and was feeling sleepy, so he said, "So, do you want it or not? Just say so! What's with all this nonsense? I'm getting sleepy!"
Xue Qianyu glanced at his father with a complicated expression: "No, Father, you should go back and rest!"
Xue Huai smacked his lips, yawned, and left, calling out to Cui Shi as he reached the door.
Madam Cui turned her head and glared at Xue Huai: "You go back first, I want to talk to Yu'er for a while!"
Xue Huai: "You said he should choose for himself, but you also want to persuade him. What are you trying to do?"
Xue Huai muttered to himself as he left.
Cui looked embarrassed.
Xue Qianyu looked at Cui Shi without changing his expression.
Madam Cui smiled helplessly: "Yu'er, you must have been very tired these past few years?"
Xue Qianyu was taken aback.
Madam Cui sighed, "Don't blame your father. He's been spoiled since he was little. Although we shouldn't speak ill of our deceased elders, I still want to say that your grandparents spoiled your father too much. They all thought your eldest uncle would inherit the title, but when your eldest uncle's family got into trouble, your father, this spoiled child, took the fall. Yu'er, you must be very tired by the Emperor's side! My heart aches for you, but there's nothing I can do for you!"
Seeing that Xue Qianyu still didn't speak, but his expression softened, Cui continued, "Yu'er, I can't make decisions for you in other matters, but I can make decisions for you in matters of marriage. Tell me, do you have someone you like? If you do, I won't arrange a marriage for you."
Xue Qianyu pictured Gu Nian in his mind, pursed his lips, and shook his head, saying, "No."
Cui asked suspiciously, "If not, why have you changed your attitude? Didn't you used to ask your parents to keep an eye on things for you?"
Xue Qianyu said, "Mother, I am sixteen this year, and I want to wait two more years. A man doesn't need to get married too early. Mother, please don't rush to arrange things for me, lest you delay the girl's marriage."
Cui frowned, wanting to say something, but seeing Xue Qianyu's cold face, she ultimately didn't speak.
Her son has been opinionated since he was a child. Now that he's grown up and is by the Emperor's side, he's even more remarkable. Oh well, as long as her son is happy, she can let him do whatever he wants.
Seeing Cui Shi's worried yet hesitant expression, Xue Qianyu got up and took out a box from his luggage, handing it to her: "Mother, this is a gift from the Empress Dowager, which she bought in Qingzhou. Besides the shampoo and conditioner set you used before, there's also a perfume, which is said to smell wonderful with just a little bit. This is for washing your face, this is for applying face cream, and this is for hair care..."
As expected, Cui was attracted, her sorrow disappeared, and she happily went back to her room with the set.
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