Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 978 Stirring into Evil (3)

Chapter 978: Chapter 978 Stirring into Evil (3)

However, he didn’t know that in addition to the matter he was thinking of, his grandmother was also willing to yield to his wishes and no longer force him to do anything. Therefore, the conflict between the grandson and her, even after his running away from home this time, still couldn’t be resolved.

Old Lady Cui ordered a servant to move a chair in front and asked Cui Pingan to sit in front of her, tenderly inquiring how her grandson had fared at the Mo Family over the past month, her slightly emaciated hand holding onto her grandson’s and never letting go.

Fearing that his grandmother would be distressed, Cui Pingan wisely omitted mentioning his daily chores of splitting firewood and carrying water, only saying that the people at the Mo Family had been kind to him, he had been eating and sleeping well every day, and even receiving medicinal treatment for his health. All in all, his days had passed very well, without suffering or humiliation.

Old Lady Cui could see that her grandson’s body was indeed much stronger than before, and his complexion had changed to a healthier color, not the worrisome pallor from before. Yet, the thick calluses on his hands told her that her grandson had endured much hardship over the last month.

But since Cui Pingan was unwilling to speak of it, Old Lady Cui didn’t ask, and the two of them chatted harmoniously for a while, with the conversation gradually shifting to someone Cui Pingan was unwilling to hear about.

"... When you ran away from home, your uncle by marriage was desperately worried and commanded all the servants in the house to go out and search for you. Had you not later sent a letter back home to reassure us of your safety, your uncle by marriage was considering sending your cousin down south to look for you himself. Your cousin sister was also very concerned about you, constantly coming over to inquire about your news. Only when she heard that you were safe and sound would she be reassured enough to return home."

As Old Lady Cui spoke, she observed her grandson’s expression, seeing him frowning and staying silent, she knew that he was still resistant inside and was unsure how to continue.

The uncle sure was worried about Xiaoqi’s safety and sent people to search everywhere, but this does not come out of concern for a nephew and grandnephew, but rather for a future grandson-in-law. As for the cousin, she had only sent people to make inquiries, likely not so willing to have this marriage arrangement, accepting Xiaoqi as her cousin only under the pressure of parental authority and the words of matchmakers.

With her grandson’s frail health, his status as a concubine’s son, and having a legitimate mother like Princess Fuyun, although her brother loved his grandson, he probably had reservations too. But she had no other choice and could only shamelessly ask for her niece to be brought over as his bride. The real reason Xiaoqi ran away from home, she dared not tell her family, or else the marriage arrangement would completely fall through.

After remaining silent for a long time, Cui Pingan suddenly stood up and knelt down before Old Lady Cui, "Grandmother, I am aware of the kindness my maternal grandfather and cousin sister have shown me. I do not wish to marry my cousin sister. Firstly, I already have a girl I like, and I cannot abandon her. Secondly, I cannot bear to deceive my maternal grandfather and cousin sister. She is a good girl, and if she marries me, I am bound to let her down. When that time comes, not only will maternal grandfather and cousin sister hate me, but they might also resent you, Grandmother. The relationship between the two families can no longer be maintained, and this outcome is not what I wish to see. You don’t wish to see it either, do you, Grandmother?"

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Cui, infuriated, once again struck her grandson several times, "If you know there will be such consequences, why can’t you withdraw your feelings and treat your cousin sister well? If you truly can’t let go, I give you permission to bring that Fangcao to Jing City, but you must marry your cousin sister."

Cui Pingan gave a bitter smile, his face revealing a world-weariness that belied his age, but his tone was more resolute than ever before, "Grandmother, my heart is only one, once given to Fangcao, it can’t be given to anyone else! You may not like Fangcao, Grandmother, and I can remain unmarried, but I will not marry my cousin sister. Grandmother, I am not threatening you; I just don’t want to make the same mistake again."

In his past life, he had been foolish. He heeded his grandmother’s advice, brought Fangcao to his side, and married his cousin sister, thinking he could satisfy both. However, Fangcao ran away from home on the very day he married his cousin sister.