Cui Xuan’s eyes widened at once. “Don’t you like talented men?”
Although Cui Yaoning claimed she only treated Pei Yu as a playmate, Cui Xuan didn’t believe a single word. Who would treat an ordinary playmate that well? Besides, ninth sister had never been known for her good temper.
The moment the words left her mouth, Cui Xuan realized what she had said.
No, ninth sister had probably said that earlier only to keep Grandmother from suspecting what she’d said yesterday. And now she herself had brought it up again, wasn’t she just embarrassing her?
Their relationship had only just improved. If it deteriorate again over something like this, she would be furious.
Cui Xuan’s thoughts spun rapidly as she tried to find a way to smooth things over. But her gaze accidentally fell on Cui Yaoning.
She had already risen from the old lady’s lap and was now sitting opposite her, still lazy as a boneless cat, her snow-white chin slightly raised. “What’s so great about talented man? Since ancient times, most of the heartless and fickle men have been scholars. A young general is far more straightforward and spirited.”
For a moment, Cui Xuan forgot her anxiety and laughed. “You make it sound as if Pei Yu betrayed you or made you angry.”
Though she said it teasingly, she didn’t take it seriously. How could Pei Yu possibly dare to disrespect the legitimate daughter of the Cui family?
Cui Yaoning picked up a soft pastry and took a bite, replying casually, “Perhaps. I had a dream about it the other day.”
Cui Xuan thought the dream must have felt very real, otherwise ninth sister wouldn’t have taken her anger out on Pei Yu. It seemed even the friendship of childhood playmates had been ruined by that dream.
Though she disliked Pei Yu, she couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him at this moment.
Still, it was his own misfortune to have crossed paths with the spoiled and temperamental Chu Yaoning.
Served him right.
If he was drawn to ninth sister beauty, he would have to endure her unpredictable moods.
Muttering these complaints inwardly, Cui Xuan’s competitive spirit flared up. Gathering her courage, she asked the old lady, “Grandmother, who do you think is better, me or ninth sister?”
Old Madam Cui smiled gently. “As long as someone is sincere toward you, whether he is a scholar or a military man, why must you two sisters compete over who is better?”
Feeling slightly dismissed, Cui Xuan assumed her grandmother was siding with her ninth sister and quickly added, “I like martial arts too.”
Ol Madam Cui shot her a look, lowered her head to sip her tea, and began seriously considering what kind of husbands would suit the two girls.
There was no shortage of talented young men in Luoyang, yet none seemed worthy of her precious granddaughters.
The women of the Cui family of Qinghe were exceptional in both appearance and character. If they had not already been destined for high positions, they could easily have become princesses.
Qiniang was proud, always striving to be first, and somewhat mischievous. A military general would suit her well, someone who could accompany her on horseback rides and hunting trips.
Jiuniang, on the other hand, was frail and delicate. In Old Madam Cui’s view, it would be best to find her a top scholar, someone who could compose poetry with her and admire flowers together.
In the end, however, it would depend on the girls’ own wishes.
Old Madam Cui shook herself out of her thoughts and instructed the servants to bring in the meal.
She disliked extravagance, so for lunch she had the kitchen prepare five dishes and one soup, along with pastries brought from Chang’an.
The final dish served was sour bamboo shoot and chicken skin soup. The bamboo shoots were freshly sprouted from the mountains, dug out from beneath the snow that very morning. Sliced into thin strips and boiled in the hot broth, they turned crisp and tender, with an exceptionally delicious flavor.
Cui Yaoning found it delightful and helped herself to an extra bowl.
Old Madam Cui smiled. “If you like it, come again tomorrow. I’ll have the kitchen prepare it for you. The bamboo shoots are at their most tender right now.”
The weather was cold, and the masters of the household had little appetite for heavy meats. Fresh vegetables, however, were scarce at this time of year.
Old Madam Cui had managed the household for many years. Naturally, the meals prepared for her quarters were the most abundant and the freshest, and whatever remained would be distributed among the other courtyards.
Although Cui Yaoning was favored, when it came to food and provisions, she still could not compare to the old lady.
Cui Yaoning readily agreed to come again the next day.
Cui Xuan also insisted on joining. Though Old Madam Cui felt a slight headache coming on, she still nodded in agreement. Fortunately, the two sisters no longer quarreled when they met, so letting them spend time together was no harm.
After the meal, Old Madam Cui grew drowsy and instructed several maids to help her back to her inner chamber to rest. Seeing this, Cui Yaoning and Cui Xuan also took their leave with their attendants.
Cui Yaoning had the habit of taking an afternoon nap. After strolling for a short while to aid digestion, she prepared to return to her own courtyard.
Cui Xuan had only just begun enjoying her company and found everything novel and exciting. She had intended to follow her, but upon hearing that Cui Yaoning was going to nap, she stopped and asked her to send word once she woke up.
Cui Yaoning agreed, and Cui Xuan left contentedly.
Xingyu smiled and said, “I used to think Seventh Miss was domineering, always trying to take everything from our Miss. But after seeing her today, I realize she’s still just a child at heart.”
Tao Shuang nodded in strong agreement.
Seventh Miss loved to provoke the young ladies, yet she could never win an argument and would become so angry. And then, as though she had learned nothing, she would come back again the next time.
It was rather amusing when one thought about it.
At the mention of this, Tao Shuang thought of Sixth Miss.
Xingyu had once warned her that Sixth Miss was far from as innocent as she seemed, and that arranging for Young Master Pei to meet their Miss had not been out of goodwill.
The more Tao Shuang thought about it, the more she resented Sixth Miss, just as deeply as she had once liked her.
Truly, she had been raised by a concubine. All the kindness their Miss had shown her had been wasted. Tao Shuang wanted to see how well Sixth Miss could fare without their Miss’s protection.
A few peach blossoms peeked out from the corridor. Against the white snow, they appeared exceptionally fresh and delicate.
Cui Yaoning lowered her head and gently inhaled their faint fragrance, recalling Cui Xuan from her previous life.
In her memories, Cui Xuan had always loved to compete. As they were both legitimate daughters, she constantly wanted to rival her in everything. She had not been gentle-tempered either. Over time, although Cui Yaoning restrained herself from arguing too much out of respect for their grandmother, she still did not hold a favorable impression of her.
A few years later, Cui Xuan married, she herself married not long after. For nearly ten years thereafter, they had little contact except during occasional visits to their natal home.
Looking back now, all she felt was a trace of regret.
“Let’s go.”
Cui Yaoning gathered her thoughts and led the two maids back to her courtyard.
The snow that had fallen the day before had already been swept away by the older servants, leaving only damp traces on the ground. After entering her room, Baoqin closed the window, took down an apricot-colored nightgown from the clothes rack, and asked, “Miss, would you like to change now?”
Cui Yaoning nodded. After changing, she sat before the dressing table while Xingyu removed the pearl hairpins from her hair. Reflected in the mirror was a charming, radiant face, already strikingly beautiful without a trace of makeup.
Xingyu glanced only briefly before lowering her gaze to continue loosening her hair. Tao Shuang, however, was mesmerized. Baoqin gave her a gentle nudge, and she finally came back to her senses with an embarrassed smile.
Even the maids who attended their young lady every day were still dazzled by her beauty, wondering which fortunate man would one day marry her.
Cui Yaoning didn’t think much of it. After quickly washing her face, she reclined against the bed and picked up a storybook to read.
Baoqin lowered the bed curtains and quietly withdrew.
Propping herself on one arm, Cui Yaoning read for a while. Soon drowsiness overtook her. She yawned, closed her eyes, and drifted toward sleep.
Just as she was about to fully fall asleep, a sudden commotion broke out outside.