Cui Yaoning stepped forward, her voice unconsciously tinged with playful sweetness. “Mother, what are you and Brother saying about me behind my back?”
Madam Wang lightly tapped her nose. “How would I dare speak ill of you, you little troublemaker? If I did, you’d burst into tears and I’d have to coax you.”
Cui Yaoning flushed. “Mother!”
Madam Wang looked at her in exaggerated surprise. “Oh? Our Yaoyao can actually be shy? It seems she truly has grown into a young lady.”
Feeling even more embarrassed, Cui Yaoning suspected her mother was teasing her on purpose. She turned to her elder brother and protested, “Brother, look at Mother, she’s bullying me again.”
Cui Zhan had just turned twenty and was not yet engaged. Like their father, Cui Yu, he was quiet and reserved by nature.
Only in front of his mother and younger sister did he show warmth.
Seeing his sister act so affectionately, Cui Zhan smiled faintly and said, “Mother, please stop teasing little sister.”
He was dressed in a dark blue embroidered round-collared robe. His features combined the finest traits of both parents, sharp brows, bright eyes, and a natural heroic bearing.
To Cui Yaoning, her brother was flawless in every way.
If not for the childhood fiancée who had eloped and broken their engagement, he would not still be unmarried.
But once the Spring Banquet began, she would likely gain a sister-in-law.
In her memories, she had met her future sister-in-law at a Spring Banquet, and only later had the woman been introduced to her brother.
Madam Wang was delighted to see her children so close. She pulled Cui Yaoning to sit beside her and asked gently, “Do you know that your grandmother has invited the son of the Zheng family from Xingyang to stay with us for a time?”
Cui Yaoning nodded. “Seventh Sister mentioned it earlier.”
Knowing the two girls rarely got along, Madam Wang found this surprising and inquired further.
Not wishing to elaborate, Cui Yaoning brushed past it and returned to the main point. “What is he like?”
Madam Wang smiled and patted her hand. “If your grandmother chose him for you, his character and appearance must be exceptional. She has very high standards, ordinary young men would never catch her eye.”
Cui Yaoning nodded without replying.
Though she had been granted a second chance at life, she no longer dreamed of mutual devotion between husband and wife. Still, she would never settle carelessly.
If she were to marry, it would be someone of impeccable character, refined appearance, and sincere affection toward her.
Cui Zhan felt his sister was still young and there was no urgent need to arrange her marriage. However, several young ladies in the household had reached marriageable age, if they delayed too long, the most promising candidates might be claimed by others.
“Grandmother entrusted this matter to me. I’ll inquire more carefully once I return.”
Rather than merely sending a letter, Old Madam Cui had arranged for her grandsons to visit relatives and personally invite the young man.
This time, Cui Zhan from the eldest branch and Cui Hao from the second branch were sent.
Cui Zhan took the responsibility seriously the moment the old lady finished speaking.
It was said that the men of the Zheng family of Xingyang had practiced martial arts for generations and came from a family of integrity. Even so, he felt that no one was worthy of his fairy-like younger sister.
If he discovered the slightest flaw, he would never allow her to marry into that family.
Cui Yaoning responded softly, “Mm.” Then she asked, “When will Brother depart?”
Cui Zhan gently patted her hair. “We’ll set out early tomorrow morning after breakfast.”
She frowned slightly, feeling the timing was rushed.
Seeing her expression, Cui Zhan guessed her thoughts and explained with a smile, “The journey from Xingyang here isn’t far, but we must first visit our maternal uncle in Hedong. A round trip will take about ten days, so we need to leave sooner.”
Since it was her grandmother’s decision, Cui Yaoning said nothing more and simply wished him a safe journey.
The next morning, Cui Yaoning rose early and went to the front hall. Most members of both branches of the family had already gathered to see her two elder brothers off.
Cui Yaoning greeted everyone one by one.
Madam Wei found it strange and was just about to say something sarcastic when Cui Xuan quickly tugged at her and said, “Mother.”
Madam Wei shot her a glare. “Why are you pulling me?”
“Are you planning to bully ninth sister again?” Cui Xuan looked at her with clear displeasure. “ninth sister is so well-behaved. It’s one thing if you, as her elder, don’t dote on her, but why do you keep targeting her?”
Madam Wei stared at her daughter in disbelief and reached out to touch her forehead.
Good heavens, had this silly girl been scolded into madness? How could she say such absurd things?
The moment the thought crossed her mind, she saw the stunned look on her daughter’s face and realized that she had spoken her thoughts aloud.
“Come here with me.” Madam Wei pulled her aside and asked sternly, “What’s wrong with you today? Don’t you usually love arguing with Jiuniang?”
Hearing this, Cui Xuan finally understood why her ninth sister had disliked her before.
So this was how they bullied her.
Her face flushed red. She stamped her foot angrily and declared, “From now on, Ninth Sister and I are best friends. You’re not allowed to bully her anymore!!!”
With that, she lifted her skirt and ran off.
When Madam Wei saw her daughter running to Cui Yaoning’s side, animatedly saying something that made Cui Yaoning’s eyes curve in laughter, she nearly exploded with anger.
Did this foolish girl not realize that with Jiuniang around, she would never secure a good marriage?
Clutching her chest, Madam Wei went off to rest, afraid she might truly collapse from fury if she watched any longer.
Cui Yaoning found it rather unusual not to hear her second aunt’s customary barbs for a change. She looked over and saw her reclining in a chair, eyes shut, as a maid gently kneaded her shoulders.
Had she not slept well?
Cui Xuan followed her gaze and proudly said, “I told my mother that we’re best friends now. She won’t make things difficult for you anymore.”
Cui Yaoning didn’t quite believe her second aunt would change so suddenly, but she said nothing. Smiling, she replied, “Thank you, Seventh Sister.”
Cui Xuan’s ears turned bright red, yet she said matter-of-factly, “I’m your elder sister.”
Cui Yaoning froze slightly.
Her true elder sister was ten years older and already the Crown Princess. She rarely returned to the Cui residence, so Cui Yaoning did not have a deep impression of her, nor did she truly understand what it meant to have an older sister.
In her previous life, she had thought someone gentle like Cui Xiuxiu resembled an elder sister.
But now, she felt that Cui Xuan was the one who truly seemed like one.
She was not naturally gentle, often sharp-tongued and sarcastic, yet at that moment, the word “sister” in Cui Yaoning’s heart suddenly felt vivid and real.
After a while, everyone had arrived. Old Madam Cui called her two grandsons over and carefully instructed them on what to watch out for during their journey.
Before they departed, Cui Yaoning handed each of her two elder brothers a safety talisman. She had obtained them while offering incense at the temple with her grandmother in the past. They were said to be very effective.
Cui Zhan smiled, patted her head, and solemnly tucked the charm into his robe.
Cui Hao, like his father Cui Li, was sweet talking. With a grin, he said, “Thank you, Ninth Sister. I’ll definitely bring you back something new and interesting from there.”
Cui Xuan leaned forward eagerly. “What about me? What about me?”
Cui Hao laughed. “Of course I’ll bring gifts for both of you. Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”
Only then was Cui Xuan satisfied.
Cui Yaoning watched them board the carriage and gradually disappeared into the distance. Only then did she withdraw her gaze and walk back inside with Cui Xuan.
As soon as they entered, Wanju, the head maid beside their grandmother, approached and said, “Seventh Miss, Ninth Miss, the Old Madam invites you.”