Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 164 Our Marquis Is Very Capable

Chapter 164: Chapter 164 Our Marquis Is Very Capable

The following day, early in the morning.

Main Courtyard.

After her meal, Dowager Cui inquired in detail about Cui Rong’s studies. Cui Rong, with her sweet words, managed to charm Dowager Cui into holding her on her lap.

She lowered her head and playfully tweaked Cui Rong’s nose: "You little tyrant, why haven’t you been causing trouble these past few days?"

Cui Rong pouted: "I’ve always been the most well-behaved little girl."

"Hmm," Dowager Cui’s face crinkled with the gentlest of gifts from time, as she seriously responded.

Then, she asked.

"But how did you end up fighting Young Master Wei last time? If not for your second uncle telling us, the whole family might have remained unaware."

Cui Rong stiffened.

"Young Master Wei has always been so indulgent toward you, and even wanted to cover for you after the incident. The Wei Family didn’t come to demand an explanation, but you still owe your great-grandmother a proper account."

Cui Rong remained stiff.

She cautiously glanced at Qiao Si.

Qiao Si, on the other hand, had put away her smile: "Mama didn’t even know about this."

Cui Rong got off Dowager Cui’s lap, feeling increasingly resentful towards Shen Hua, who had snitched on her.

"Great-grandmother should be blaming that one in the East Courtyard."

"It’s all her meddling!"

As she spoke, she revisited the incident from the day before. The little dumpling stamped her foot, full of deep resentment.

"It was her fault, with the heavy rain yesterday, my second uncle didn’t care about me."

She clutched at her chest: "My heart is truly broken."

"How has your second uncle usually treated you? Great-grandmother doesn’t buy it."

"It’s true, it’s true!"

Dowager Cui looked at Qiao Si with a puzzled expression.

Qiao Si quickly stood up: "Grandmother shouldn’t listen to her nonsense."

With that, she scolded lightly: "When did your second uncle ever neglect you? Wasn’t it Yingwu who brought you home yesterday? Is that not true?"

Cui Rong, feeling wronged, went to hug Dowager Cui’s arm: "Great-grandmother, did you hear that?"

"Second Uncle! He’s changed his heart!"

This remark almost made Cui Xuan, who was drinking tea nearby, choke.

She scolded Cui Rong with a glare.

Then, she respectfully said to Dowager Cui: "It won’t be long before my nephew from my maternal family gets married. Will my mother-in-law also go?"

Dowager Cui thought for a moment before speaking: "I’m getting on in years; I’d rather not go. Since you are his maternal aunt and he is your only legitimate nephew, it wouldn’t matter if you go a few days earlier and rest at your maternal home. Our mansion’s affairs aren’t that complicated; you can just take Ah Si and Rong with you."

Cui Xuan had a clear understanding of the situation.

She spoke softly: "Does mother-in-law still remember Miss Shen from the East Courtyard? I will take her with us."

Dowager Cui remembered there was such a person. She had been absorbed in watching the opera that day and had almost forgotten the person’s appearance.

"She is your cousin and also a relative of the Xuan Family; she should naturally go with you."

Cui Xuan laughed softly.

"Yun came to my courtyard last night just to discuss this matter."

Cui Yun was born to her, and that evening it was pouring rain. He could have sent someone to relay the message, but he came personally.

At that time, Cui Xuan was having her evening meal. She told Nanny Fang to prepare an extra set of dishes and utensils, but Cui Yun said,

"Your son has eaten already."

In just a moment, he added with his usual unruffled tone,

"I had it in the East Courtyard."

Cui Yun was always particular about etiquette. Over the years, he had been extremely proper and wouldn’t even casually chat with the girls of the house, let alone dine alone with them.

This was not something he would do, especially not bringing it up to her directly.

Cui Xuan understood what Cui Yun implied.

She asked.

——So, about the incident at the First-tier Sky Restaurant that day...

Before she could finish speaking, Cui Yun said in a gentle voice.

——It was her.

Cui Yun also said.

——My son has come here specifically to inform Mama that the restaurant matter was indeed performed for the Imperial Family to see, but it is not just rumors.

He acknowledged it squarely and outright.

Madam Cui was actually delighted all night because of it. Since Cui Yun had already sent the signal, it was critical to keep it from outsiders, but there was no need to keep it from Dowager Cui anymore.

Before Dowager Cui could ask further, she smiled faintly.

"That Miss Shen is not my cousin."

Madam Cui said warmly yet not without irony: "Our Marquis has great skills indeed; if he says she’s my cousin, how could I deny it?"

Dowager Cui was silent.

Dowager Cui continued to be silent.

Who knows how long it passed before she composed herself to reach for the tea on the table. Her hands were slightly trembling.

Cui Rong, seeing that no one was paying attention to her, shuffled towards the door step by step and then ran off.

And from this day forward, many who came to inquire were sent away by Qiao Si’s words: "Indeed, it is true. When the banquet is held in the future, we will certainly send happiness invitations to your mansion."

And with that, the pressure was successfully transferred to Duke Fu’s Mansion.

The Duchess looked haggard, holding several portraits of girls in her hands.

"This is the third Miss from Duke Wen’s Mansion. Mama has seen her before, though she may be a bit delicate, she does not lack propriety. Her elder sister is the one engaged to Princely Heir Xuan Chen of Yongchang Marquis Mansion."

Xie Xun glanced casually: "Then let it be her."

The Duchess took out another portrait.

"This is the daughter from Imperial Censor Shu’s Mansion. Although somewhat dull, she is kind-hearted and sincere."

Xie Xun continued to look casually: "She’ll do as well."

Seeing that she was about to take out another portrait, Xie Xun chuckled: "Mama, you don’t intend for your son to marry all these women, do you?"

The Duchess slammed the stack of portraits onto the table.

"Can you take this more to heart?"

"The whole family is worried sick, and yet you are so laid back, unaffected even by major crises."

"This is about choosing a wife; it has to be someone you are satisfied with. She is the one to share your life with you, not just someone Mama thinks is suitable to become a wife in the Xie Family."

The Duchess tried to calm herself.

"The troops will be entering Shengjing tomorrow, and you must go to have an audience with the Emperor to discuss merits and rewards. If you don’t seize the moment today, how will you escape disaster when the official family inquires about your marriage?"

As long as Xie Xun made a decision, no matter how rushed the time, she had enough ability to settle the matter today.

The Duchess sighed deeply, seemingly struck by a thought, her expression somewhat vacant: "In fact, in Shengjing, the one who truly suits being a bride in temperament and character is the Miss from the Yan Family, but..."

Xie Xun frowned.

The Duke Mansion and the Governor Mansion had past grievances.

"Ever since that incident, the two mansions have had no dealings. How did that girl catch your eye?"

"Her parents are despicable and shameless, but Miss Yan was raised by the old Dowager, without a hint of bad habits."

"Mama has spent a lifetime judging people; I still have this ability. It’s just that our families are sworn enemies. If she were a girl from any other family, I would have already visited to propose marriage on your behalf."

Wasn’t the old Dowager a formidable figure in her youth, and wouldn’t a girl raised by her be exceptional?

But what can be done?

The Xie Family and the Yan Family cannot be joined in marriage in this lifetime.

Whenever the Yan Family is mentioned, the Duchess’s expression darkened; she still clearly remembers the time when the Xie Family was draped in white mourning cloth, crying filled the air.

Duke Fu couldn’t bear the shock and fainted on the spot, despite being a stable person.

The Duchess’s eyes were shadowed.

Upon seeing this, Xie Xun stood up and pressed the Duchess to sit.

"You should relax; the Emperor won’t bring up the matter of the Princess tomorrow. And even if he does, your son will find a strategy to make the Emperor give up the idea."