Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 106: Better to Speak Less and Read More.

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Better to Speak Less and Read More.

"Has Madam rested yet?"

Nanny Cheng asked worriedly.

Yicui quietly withdrew. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, with Shen Hua’s angry words from a short while ago still ringing in her ears.

— Don’t stop me! Otherwise, I’ll scratch you!

They all tried their best to persuade her with kind words, but Shen Hua simply wouldn’t listen to a word.

Until Cui Yun stepped in.

— You’re tired, go back and rest.

— I’m not tired.

Cui Yun was adamant.

— You are tired.

— Am I tired...?

The girl’s tone became uncertain.

"She rested, and after drinking some hangover tea, she went to sleep."

Nanny Cheng was relieved upon hearing this: "The Marquis instructed before leaving that although the fruit wine tastes sweet, it has a strong aftereffect, which shows Madam’s tolerance for alcohol isn’t bad at all."

A usual girl would probably be drunk for three days and nights, and the strong smell of alcohol would gradually dissipate.

More than not bad.

Madam’s tolerance for alcohol was secretly cultivated over these past few years.

Yicui once asked.

— Madam, can alcohol truly relieve sorrow?

— It can’t.

Yicui still remembered the words Shen Hua said.

— It’s just getting drunk, then I can sleep more peacefully.

Yicui hid the complexity in her eyes and smiled, remaining silent.

"Madam is drunk, she can’t be left alone, Ningzhu, you go in and tend to her."

She had helped Shen Hua with her bath, and her clothes got wet due to Shen Hua’s lack of cooperation, so she needed to change them.

"Yes."

Ningzhu hurriedly entered the room.

She tiptoed to close the door, and with small steps, moved towards the inner chamber. Just as she moved past the screen, she went to the hooks to lower the bed curtains.

The girl on the couch had a face red as rouge, charmingly beautiful, and her sleeping pose could indeed be described as exceptionally tranquil.

After completing these tasks, Ningzhu found the nearest chair, sat down, and held a book chosen specifically for her by Shen Hua, a beginner’s guide to embroidery.

Unseen by anyone, a dazzling yet eerie red light emanated from the Vajra Bodhi Bracelet on the girl’s wrist under the beddings, lingering for a long time.

Shen Hua’s body felt light and airy.

A distant, vague voice was audible, and while not very clear, Shen Hua, in her drunken daze, unconsciously drifted towards the source of the sound.

Then, the sky brightly lit up.

Marquis Yangling Mansion.

"This is Yu, the daughter of the manager from Madam’s village estate. Seeing her diligent work, the old servant kept her in mind, suggesting she could serve the Second Young Master in the future."

Old woman Wang had a gold bracelet on her wrist and was dressed decently. While she asked Yu to greet Cui Xuan, she spoke further.

"The Second Young Master’s courtyard has only Qing and Ji Xin, how can they manage all the work?"

Cui Xuan’s expression did not look too pleased.

Old woman Wang belonged to the late Madam, but Cui Xuan had not expected that Wang would dare to insert people into Cui Yun’s household.

How could a servant dare to do so?

It was none other than the Wu Family’s doing.

The late Madam’s maternal niece, Miss Wu, visited often to check in, all for Yun, right?

If she agreed, wouldn’t it mean that all of Cui Yun’s actions would be thoroughly controlled by the Wu Family?

Cui Xuan held back her temper.

"You have indeed taken great pains, but Yun has always had his own opinions, and the people in his courtyard are selected by himself. I have also sent servants over before, but all were rejected."

She spoke with a smile, yet there was a subtle hint of criticism: "He says only those selected by himself, knowing their backgrounds and origins, can he feel assured. Ji Xin also stayed because she is clever and well-behaved, thanks to her brother Ji Qing’s good fortune."

Old woman Wang’s face darkened, looking even more spiteful.

"Madam is our elder, and relying on this, perhaps the old servant’s attitude is too presumptuous. Our Madam left us early, having a rough life with no children left behind, but after all, she was the Marquis’ original wife, whereas Second Madam, you came later."

Cui Xuan’s hand tightened beneath her sleeve.

Though these words are harsh to hear, the principle of what comes first does apply.

She couldn’t deny it.

"The young masters in the mansion are very filial, visiting our Madam’s ancestral tablet to offer incense every festive season, I suppose this is the love of a mother and son."

"Yu previously served the Second Young Master, consider it as our Madam’s affection for the son."

Nanny Wang asked, "Why does Second Madam not respond?"

"You are the birth mother, are you really afraid that our Madam will compete with you for people?"

This cap really is a big one.

Cui Xuan is not afraid of tarnishing her reputation, a single old woman cannot stir any trouble, but behind her is the Wu Family, and the Marquis’s heart is still with his first wife; she has to be wary.

She was the legitimate daughter of the Yongchang Marquis Mansion, and had never quarreled with anyone before her marriage. Back then, there was a huge argument between the Dowager Yongchang and the Uncle Yong Chang because of her marriage affairs.

— How could you betroth your daughter to Cui Yang? Have you lost your mind!

— Cui Yang is a responsible man, how is he not a good match?

— Yes, the people in the Marquis Yangling Mansion are simple, but he has lost his first wife! If he continues to think of the past, your daughter will be the one suffering.

Cui Xuan never thought that Mama’s words would come true.

In marital relations, Cui Yang was very demanding, Cui Xuan once couldn’t bear it, yet she endured the embarrassment to accommodate him.

Later, only after having Cui Yun did she realize belatedly that Cui Yang was good to her, but it was respect, not love.

Just like what she overheard outside the study that day.

— Cui Yang, for a military general like you to discuss poetry and literature with Sister-in-Law so elegantly, it must be hard on you.

— She likes it.

— She likes it so you started reading books? I didn’t know besides military tactics, you could be so diligent. Or is it that apart from these topics, you have nothing else to talk about with Sister-in-Law?

Nothing else to talk about.

Indeed, Cui Yang was always taciturn in his presence.

Both Cui Bai and Cui Yun were destined for official careers, they couldn’t afford to have any blemish.

Cui Xuan looked up and said to the Maid beside Nanny Wang, "Come forward."

The Maid approached respectfully and bowed to Cui Xuan.

"Madam."

"She does have a decent appearance."

Cui Xuan could only let the matter slide.

"Given that, how could I possibly interfere and not send her over."

Nanny Wang finally showed a smile.

"I knew Second Madam you are not an unreasonable person."

After Nanny Wang left satisfied, Cui Xuan sighed deeply.

She said to the old woman serving by her side.

"Send a message to Ji Xin, tell her to be careful, don’t let that Maid get close to the young master, and find a reason to dismiss her later."

Just then, a serving Maid came forward: "Madam, the Marquis has sent a message that he will return to the mansion tonight and rest."

Cui Xuan was even more annoyed.

She was not in the mood to tend to Cui Yang.

"Why does he need to inform me if he’s coming back?"

"Inform the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes, I am feeling unwell, it wouldn’t be proper to show such illness in front of the Marquis."

Cui Xuan dropped these words and went back to lie down in her inner chamber. She slept for two hours, and it was already dark when she woke up.

When she woke up, there was someone sitting in front of the bed.

Cui Xuan was startled.

"Marquis."

Cui Yang looked at her, his tone gentle, "I heard from the servants that you were unwell, so I called for the Medical Staff. After checking your pulse, he said you were not ill."

"Did you intentionally avoid seeing me?"

Cui Xuan burst out: "Yes."

As night fell, the stars dotted the sky, creating a desolate atmosphere. Cui Yang left for the study without another word.

Why is she angry with him again?

Could it be the last time he didn’t match her couplet well?

Cui Yang murmured to himself with a headache, "I guess I should speak less and read more."