Li Shiyue lowered her eyes and followed beside Xu Lingzi, remaining silent since entering the room.
Xu Lingqing looked at Xu Lingzi, and the two sisters assumed that she had been influenced by Princess Chunhui's words.
"Princess Chunhui is the Emperor's only daughter, so she is naturally favored. That's just how she treats everyone; you don't need to take it to heart."
Xu Lingqing smiled slightly, her gaze earnest: "Actually, anyone who has inquired even a little will know that Grandmother and Old Madam Li have arranged a marriage for you and the young man from the Xu family."
"Grandmother has never been close to the third and fourth brothers, and the fourth brother is such a bad person. The best match for this marriage is undoubtedly the second, fifth, and seventh brothers. Even if you, cousin, are not interested in any of the brothers, what's wrong with Grandmother agreeing to arrange a marriage for you with the second brother?"
"Don't take what outsiders say to heart. For example, Princess Chunhui said that you are living in the Xu family, but to be honest, who in the Xu family doesn't treat your cousin as family? She's not one of our family, so why should she interfere in our affairs?"
Xu Lingqing covered her mouth and laughed, "Actually, I have a selfish motive. I really like my cousin. If she could become my sister-in-law, I would be more than willing."
Li Shiyue's cheeks flushed even more. This was the first time she had openly spoken about the marriage since she entered the manor.
But Xu Lingqing spoke seriously, yet with a hint of teasing. She blushed and tugged at Xu Lingqing's sleeve, saying, "Don't talk nonsense."
Xu Lingzi chimed in, "Fifth Brother is good, but Second Brother and Seventh Brother aren't bad either. Jiaojiao really doesn't have any ideas."
"Besides, it's true that Second Brother is the heir, but the Xu family doesn't need to accumulate power and wealth. Even if Jiaojiao is interested, if Second Brother is willing, Grandmother will definitely grant her wish."
"You're getting more and more ridiculous. I'm not talking to you anymore." Li Shiyue knew they were joking and trying to make her happy, but she was still incredibly embarrassed to listen to them.
She hurried towards the back courtyard, and Xu Lingzi burst out laughing, watching Li Shiyue's figure: "Still so easily teased, Jiaojiao likes to run away when she's shy."
Xu Lingzi looked serious and turned her head: "I'm not joking, I really like my cousin to be my sister-in-law."
Xu Lingzi's smile faded, and her bright phoenix eyes were now full of seriousness: "I also like Jiaojiao. Does that mean I can let Jiaojiao become my sister-in-law or brother's wife?"
“Ninth Sister, it’s fine for the sisters to joke about this in private, but if it gets out, it will damage Jiaojiao’s reputation. It’s true that the marriage was arranged by Grandmother, but Jiaojiao didn’t agree, so we can’t make the decision for her.”
Xu Lingqing smiled slightly: "Then I'll put in a good word for Fifth Brother with my cousin. It won't get out."
Besides, she wasn't wrong. Her good-for-nothing fourth brother had already been sent to the military camp in the western suburbs, and his future was uncertain. How could her grandmother, who doted on her cousin, marry her off to the third wife?
As for the second branch of the family, the third brother, Xu Yunyang, is indeed the most suitable in terms of age. However, he belongs to the West Courtyard, and it's not certain that Grandmother is particularly close to the West Courtyard. If Grandmother truly favored the third brother, there would have been signs of a change in the household long ago, instead of waiting until now.
Xu Lingzi didn't speak, but she saw the three young men who came in afterward, and she didn't know how much they had heard.
She gave Xu Lingqing a deep look. This younger sister was four years younger than her and loved reading. She wondered if her shrewdness was a good thing or a bad thing.
The three young women disappeared into the inner courtyard, leaving the three young men standing there looking at each other, with only Xu Yunci remaining calm.
Xu Yunyao was a straightforward man. He listened to the whole thing from beginning to end. At this moment, his bronze skin was flushed, and he looked at a loss. He said angrily, "Ninth Sister is really something. She says whatever comes to mind."
Xu Yunxu, the seventh son, had a gentle expression, but was also somewhat embarrassed. He looked at his two elder brothers without saying a word.
Xu Yunci said as usual, "I'm going to Shousong Hall."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yunci strode towards the back courtyard, leaving the two brothers looking around.
·
Li Shiyue felt embarrassed by their words. She had never thought about getting married in this life, let alone having any feelings for these cousins other than Xu Yunyang.
But Princess Chunhui's appearance today made her suddenly realize the reality: she is now engaged to a young man from the Xu family, but Old Madam Xu has not yet decided which one.
Xu Lingqing's words suddenly made her feel flustered. Shousong Hall was right in front of her, but her heart was pounding. She stood on the pebble path with Chunling, but did not move forward.
She was also holding the things she had chosen for Madam Xu; the wooden box was exquisite, and it was carved with the most common auspicious patterns.
The carvings were clear and distinct, but her heart was in turmoil.
The sun shines exceptionally brightly after the heavy snow, hanging high in the sky, still radiating its light and heat even though it is enveloped by the cold wind.
The snow that had piled up at my feet in the morning was now neatly spread between the pebbles. Each pebble gleamed exceptionally brightly under the blazing sun.
Footsteps came from behind. Chunling hesitated, then gestured for Li Shiyue to look behind her.
Li Shiyue turned around and saw Xu Yunci standing a few steps away from her with his hands behind his back and his expression as usual.
His gaze was deep, his expression calm, like a still lake that could not be disturbed by a ripple: "How did I end up here?"
Li Shiyue couldn't tell her true feelings, so she only said, "We've been walking too fast, let's rest for a bit."
But then Xu Yunci chuckled softly, and Li Shiyue's cheeks flushed even redder. His laughter seemed to suggest that this excuse wasn't very clever.
Xu Yunci didn't expose her, perhaps because his little cousin didn't know that people's eyes turn down when they lie. And just now, when Li Shiyue spoke, her eyes were down, and she didn't dare to look at him, which clearly showed that she was guilty.
If it's not lying, then what is it?
Xu Yunci's gaze softened unconsciously, a faint smile still lingering on his lips as he stood there with his hands behind his back, wearing a long robe.
Li Shiyue suddenly understood why Princess Chunhui liked Xu Yunci so much; such appearance and temperament probably attracted more than just Princess Chunhui.
Without a word, only the gentle breeze brushed past my ears, blowing the downy hair on my neck and tickling my cheeks.
Li Shiyue lowered her eyes. She admired and envied Princess Chunhui's personality, saying whatever came to mind, because she had the resources to back her up.
She has someone who loves her and someone who spoils her. Even if she acts recklessly and causes trouble, there will always be someone to clean up the mess for her.
"You don't need to take Princess Chunhui's words to heart."
Xu Yunci's tone was gentle, as calm and powerful as he was, inexplicably soothing Li Shiyue's flustered heart.
He watched as Li Shiyue raised her eyes, her almond-shaped eyes clear and bright, the envy in them still lingering.
Xu Yunci stepped forward and said that, in the end, Princess Chunhui's words were unpleasant, and the whole thing started because of him. His little cousin had been wronged because of him.
“An outsider has no right to interfere in the Xu family’s affairs. You are a member of the Xu family, and outsiders cannot speak against you. I will seek justice for you in this matter.”
"As for the princess and I, there is no deep affection between us; it is merely wishful thinking on my part. Some things are best left unsaid. Just listen to them and don't take them to heart. Live your peaceful life and don't let others disturb your peace of mind."
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