Cui Qingluo naturally knew that he could not tell the truth, otherwise his mother might forcefully arrange the marriage for him immediately.
So, he said:
"Mother, I want to see more. Besides, I also want to accompany you for two more years."
The Cui family matriarch knew that her son was arrogant and had never shown a good face to any young lady.
However, her son had the capital for it!
Looking at Cui Qingluo's bright appearance, she still agreed with his words.
Seeing that his goal was achieved, Cui Qingluo immediately acted spoiled and ingratiated himself with his mother.
Cui Tong watched the interaction between his younger brother and mother, a flicker of envy in his eyes.
From childhood to adulthood, his younger brother had always known how to please their mother, while he had never been so close to their mother.
After chatting with Cui Qingluo for a while, the Cui family matriarch remembered her other son. Her tone lost its previous intimacy, and she spoke with the authority of the "head of the family":
"Tong'er, what about you?"
Cui Tong lowered his head and said:
"Mother, please decide."
The Cui family matriarch pondered for a moment and then said:
"The competition between the five major families has always seen our Cui family in a relatively neutral position, so you can choose one from the other four families that you like the most."
Cui Tong opened his mouth, but was interrupted by his mother:
"Alright, you are my son after all, and marriage is not a trifling matter. You have seen the young ladies from the aristocratic families at the competition. You choose one from them, and give me your answer in a few days."
Cui Tong lowered his head and said:
"Yes."
...
After Cui Qingluo and Cui Tong came out, Cui Qingluo admonished:
"Brother, are you willing to marry someone you have no feelings for?"
Cui Tong said, "Tong'er, you are saying such things again."
Cui Qingluo: "Brother, these young ladies from aristocratic families know nothing about love. We should find someone we like ourselves."
Cui Tong sighed, looking at the fallen leaves on the ground sadly:
"Most women in Da Yue are like this, why do you insist? Moreover, how can we, who are in a prominent family, find someone from the common folk?"
Cui Qingluo frowned and said: "Brother, I see you are just greedy for wealth. I'm leaving. If our opinions don't match, there's no need for further discussion!"
With that, he turned and left.
Cui Tong, being soft-natured, could not argue with his own younger brother. He could only sigh heavily again after the other left.
...
Qiu Manor.
Nian Jiaojiao had intended to leave immediately, her thoughts already flying back to Qingzhou. However, Qiu Shu asked her to wait another two days for the rewards from the Qiu family patriarch.
But two days later, she was summoned to the study by the Qiu family patriarch again.
"Qiu Yu, you girl are blessed," said the Qiu family patriarch.
Nian Jiaojiao was completely bewildered.
At this moment, she heard the Qiu family patriarch continue:
"The Cui family patriarch sent a letter today, saying she is willing to betroth her son Cui Tong to you. What do you think?"
The Qiu family patriarch smiled, waiting for Nian Jiaojiao to agree, never considering the possibility of rejection.
After all, who would refuse a prestigious young master offered on a silver platter?
......Happy Divider......
Xu Yuchuan
Profile: The third son of Scholar Xu in Shanshui Town. His father was born into a concubine, thus he is a son born of a concubine. His father is a member of the Black Lotus sect, who had been lurking in the Xu family for many years. After the "東西" was obtained, Xu Yuchuan's mother was silenced by the Black Lotus sect members. Xu Yuchuan himself was fed pills by his father from a young age to conceal his appearance.
Age: 18
Portrait: Delicate and slender, a gentle scholar (for now)
Likes: Serving his wife, playing the zither (new)
Personality: Gentle and considerate, adheres to rules and propriety, does not change his mind easily on what he has decided.
Xu Yuchuan's Theater
In the early morning, upon waking, Yuchuan turned to look at the empty space beside him.
Ah, another day without his wife.
After tidying up, he went to the dining room and found only Xingyun.
"Where are they?" Yuchuan asked.
"They left early this morning."
Xingyun said while handing him breakfast.
"Thank you." Yuchuan nodded politely.
With only two people at the dining table, the house felt even more desolate...
After the meal, Yuchuan began sweeping the floor, watering the flowers, as usual... Once everything was done, he returned to his room and placed the zither on the table.
His wife had been gone for so long, all for his cultivation methods. He could not let her down.
He felt that he was getting closer and closer to fully comprehending the "true intent."
So, he closed his eyes and began to play the zither.
"Zheng zheng zheng—"
Xingyun heard the music and also gathered around, sitting quietly to listen.
At this moment, Yuchuan's zither music gradually revealed his longing for his wife, and Xingyun's expression began to change.
Xingyun: I miss my wife so much, I want to cry....
As his fingers moved, Yuchuan became completely immersed. If there were any zither cultivators present, they would surely exclaim:
Enlightenment!
His thoughts began to sketch his wife's face, and soon, Nian Jiaojiao appeared vividly in his mind.
Xingyun's expression began to turn surprised.
Has my wife returned?
The zither music under Yuchuan's hands became incredibly soothing, even revealing affection, as if recounting the moments they spent together.
Xingyun's expression began to show yearning.
Then, the zither music began to accelerate, and Yuchuan's breathing became rapid.
It was about his nights with his wife.
Xingyun suddenly stood up and began to undress.
Yuchuan, who was in a state of "enlightenment," did not notice this change at all.
Thus, a "strange" scene unfolded in the room—Yuchuan played the zither, Xingyun moaned, and for a moment, they seemed to harmonize perfectly, as if it were a duet.
"Zheng—"
"Mmm~~~~"
"Zheng zheng—"
"Mmm hmm~"
"Zheng zheng zheng zheng zheng"
"Mmm mmm oh mmm mmm"
Finally, with a "Zheng" sound, the zither music stopped, and Yuchuan gradually emerged from his enlightenment.
He had completely grasped the true meaning of the zither!
Yuchuan was overjoyed.
However, he soon felt something at his legs. He looked down and saw Xingyun, naked and pale.
Yuchuan: !!!
His mouth twitched, and after a long silence, he called out, "Xingyun? Xingyun!"
Xingyun's eyes gradually focused, coming out of their haze.
"What, what happened?"
When Xingyun realized that he was not covered by any clothes, he quickly backed away and found clothes to cover himself.
"Brother Yuchuan, what did you do to me?"
Yuchuan did not answer immediately because he smelled a strange scent in the air, which felt inexplicably familiar.
He looked down and saw a sticky patch on the hem of his trousers near his legs.
Yuchuan: !!!
At this moment, Xingyun looked like a battered little man, sitting on the floor with a wronged expression, his eyes filled with accusations towards Yuchuan.
Just then, the three men who had gone out returned. When they saw the situation in the room, they were all stunned.
Xuan Yi: Yuchuan, what did you do to my third brother?
Nan Qing: Interesting, what good show did I miss?
Tong Ziyao: My wife has been gone for so long, have they finally become perverted?