CHAPTER 534: CHAPTER 523: DON’T WAIT FOR A DISTANT FUTURE, CHERISH THE PRESENT

Ink strokes outlining the misty rain. Silky and velvety, the rain gently falls, and the courtyard reflects the layout of Jiangnan Water Town.

Qiao Si sipped half a bowl of bird’s nest soup, standing by the window sill. Cui Bai was behind her, half-embracing her.

"Tomorrow we shall pay a visit to your father."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Si couldn’t help but laugh: "Should I ask my younger uncle to shield me from the drinks this time?"

Every time they visit, Mr. Qiao insists on pouring drinks. Cui Bai’s tolerance for alcohol isn’t great. Cui Yun doesn’t like drinking, but he can really hold his liquor.

"Him?"

Cui Bai said, "He has other business to attend to."

Qiao Si gently acknowledged without asking further; she knew Cui Bai had his reasons for whatever he did.

Just as the Cui family trusts him, so does the Xuan Family.

Qiao Si’s delicate fingers traced Cui Bai’s face.

Perhaps it was because he had been on the battlefield for so long, his demeanor had undergone significant changes. He was still him, but became more decisive and even harsh in his dealings.

Today’s events were indeed unexpected.

Yet before Qiao Si, Cui Yun was still the young man who cleverly went to the Qiao family, won over Daddy, and awkwardly lingered before her to secure their marriage.

She said, "In recent days, I’ve been plagued by nightmares."

This reached Cui Xuan’s ears, prompting considerations of obtaining a peace charm from Sanqing Temple.

"Always dreaming of ominous events, dreaming of an accident befalling you, seeing people crying."

"Now that my young man has returned, I am still extremely anxious."

She always felt he before her was surreal.

"It’s my fault."

I’m sorry for her.

This girl, whom he cherished in the palm of his hand, yet had her keep a lifetime of widowhood.

He saw how Qiao Si tirelessly embraced the crying Cui Rong, who had run back to the mansion, comforting her in her arms.

—"Your Daddy... is no longer with us, but he loved Rong the most."

—"Like Mama loves you?"

—"No, he would love you even more than Mama."

He saw the loneliness that cloaked Qiao Si. With the light on in the room, she folded a gold ingot in her hands.

—"In a few days, it will be your death anniversary."

—"Young man, Rong is five years old now. The little princess from Marquis Yangling Mansion is spoiled but understands right from wrong; she’s doing well."

—"But as for me, ... I’m not doing well."

Cui Bai’s eyes were complex, filled with relief, dread, and a deep debt of love, creating an expression Qiao Si couldn’t interpret.

Was it a mercy bestowed by the Heavenly Dao?

Or was it the long wait and patient endurance offered by Qiao Si?

He was about to say more, but Qiao Si stood on tiptoe, planting a tender, awkward kiss on his right cheek.

"What does this mean?" he was taken aback.

She responded with a gentle, low laugh.

"I think of my lord as the full moon, its bright light unseen, fulfilling my wishes."

Cui Bai’s eyes softened. He leaned down tenderly to kiss her. Then, very restrainedly, he captured her lips.

Deeper into the kiss.

Still not enough.

Since his return, the two had not shown any affectionate gestures.

Last time, he was still in Shengjing.

Counting from their marriage, the two have only been together for three months.

Qiao Si momentarily stiffened and felt uncomfortable, even subconsciously pulling away.

"There’s plenty of time ahead."

Sensing her intention, Cui Bai just smiled warmly.

"Ah Si,"

He rubbed his nose against hers. Cui Bai closed the window to keep the rain out and pressed her closer.

"You and I are legitimately husband and wife."

"Forget about the long days ahead, and cherish the present."

————

Xuan Chen and Earl Yong Chang, Xuan, went on a trip together.

They particularly concealed their tracks.

Xuan E was anxious since they left, pacing back and forth in the room.

"What is this! What does this mean! It’s like grabbing someone’s face entirely! Fortunately, Bai intervened, otherwise, our Xuan Family would have suffered this silent loss. Bah!"

With each step she took, she spat out another curse.

"Who is this, I thought it was a mad stray dog on the road!"

It really isn’t her belittling.

Apart from being born, how does the Crown Prince compare to her Brother Chen?

Cui Xuan sat in the chair, quietly listening to her scold, Xuan E was anxious but did not think as much.

This is not merely satisfying the Crown Prince with a marriage.

This is oppression from the Imperial Family.

It is said to be towards the Yongchang Marquis Mansion, but is it not also towards the Marquis Yangling Mansion?

When father and son returned, it was two hours later, and the sky was about to slant.

"Where is Brother Chen?"

"He went to Bai’s place."

"How so?"

On Xuan’s stern face, a trace of a smile finally appeared.

"Duke Wen is impatient, he has already discussed and settled with me. Only things are done simply, it has to be tough on Miss Wen."

It is indeed tough.

Other girls get married in glory, yet Wen Family’s daughter has to hurry into the flower sedan chair.

Xuan Chen’s heart was uneasy. When he went to find Cui Bai, it seemed like the latter had guessed he would come. One could even say he was specifically waiting for him.

"Cousin."

Cui Bai: "Come, sit."

While saying so, he instructed Qiong Kong: "Go, call over the Second Young Master."

While saying so, Cui Bai turned his head to look at Xuan Chen: "Feel free to ask any questions."

Xuan Chen: "I have not heard a bit of news about this matter. Cousin, you are far away in Chi City, the journey is long. How did you come to know of this?"

He pursed his lips. Clearly, as soon as the words fell, he felt there was no need to know the answer.

The process is not important. The result is what matters.

"Cousin, when you mentioned the Crown Prince earlier, you paused for a moment, and I felt something was wrong. Have you... hidden anything else?"

Just at this moment, Cui Yun lazily sauntered in, looking like he just woke up, his eyes sleepy. He looked increasingly listless.

Seeing everyone had arrived, he did not hide it: "That day, the official family will issue two imperial edicts."

"One to betroth the Wen Family’s daughter to the Crown Prince as the Crown Princess Consort, and the other is yours."

"The daughter of Prince Guo."

Xuan Chen’s face suddenly turned white.

Cui Yun lifted his eyelids.

"I remember her."

"At the previous palace banquet, she kept staring at you constantly. If I had known she harbored such wicked thoughts, I should have taken care of her when no one was around."

Cui Bai gave him a glance, a helpless expression pressing on his temples.

He hadn’t thought that he’d still need to worry about this younger brother after returning.

"In this world, it’s no longer clear what’s black or white. But you have to uphold the family honor, you still need to discern clearly."

"There are some things, I only dare to say to you. Your sister-in-law is timid, I am afraid to scare her."

Cui Bai with a hoarse voice: "Actually, I won’t be able to come back this time."

This one sentence, not only Xuan Chen but even Cui Yun sat up straight.

"Ah Chen, after my death, you dare not risk the lives of the entire family, you can only be forced to marry the daughter of Prince Guo."

By then the Cui family will have deaths and injuries, Cui Yun poisoned, life hanging by a thread; the burden on Xuan Chen will be even heavier.

Xuan Chen’s voice trembled.

"And then?"

"You won’t want to hear it."

Xuan Chen word by word said: "I should know."

And then?

The Imperial Family sent a nanny who was responsible for watching the corners.

The old woman and servants who came as dowry with the daughter of Prince Guo, they were all very shrewd.

No matter what happens afterward, but this bedroom must be harmonized.

A disgrace?

A disgrace.

But it is also fate and timing.

He is Xuan Chen, and also a son of the Xuan Family. He cannot live for himself.

Cui Bai stared steadily at him: "If I say, I have a daughter. How would you treat her?"

Xuan Chen inadvertently knocked over the Jade Cup on the coffee table.