Translator: CinderTL
"Miss Cui, please have a seat."
Xu Sanyan gently tugged at her sleeve with his fingers, signaling for her to sit on the chair beside him.
The gesture was rather impolite, but Cui Wanying didn't resist and obediently sat down. She was well aware of the purpose of her visit—to establish a good relationship with the young man before her.
This young man was a figure far beyond her reach. If she could pique his interest, her life would become much easier.
The head of the Cui Family stroked his beard and chuckled, his eyes filled with shrewdness. "From what I can see, the two of you are a match made in heaven. Young Master Xu, why not stay at the Cui Family for a few days and have a good chat with Wanying about life?"
The Cui Family head had already considered the situation. It was impossible to have Xu Sanyan marry into the Cui Family, so the next best option was to have Cui Wanying marry him as a concubine.
With her beauty and grace, surpassing that ugly Yang Qiyuan would be a piece of cake.
Once Wanying had his ear, Xu Sanyan would surely lean towards the Cui Family.
As for Wanying's opinion, it didn't matter. She wasn't his daughter, and even if she were, so what? Marrying Xu Sanyan wouldn't be a disgrace.
The Cui Family head's plans were well-laid, but Xu Sanyan wasn't biting. In his heart, neither Yang Qiyuan nor Cui Wanying mattered.
What mattered were the precious medicine and the cultivator behind Prince Rui!
Xu Sanyan smiled at Cui Wanying and slowly shook his head. "Thank you for your kind offer, Family Head, but I'm afraid it's not appropriate. My wedding is approaching, and it's best not to stir up any trouble."
A glint of something unreadable flashed in the Cui Family head's eyes as he smiled apologetically. "You're right, Young Master Xu. I was inconsiderate."
Cui Wanying's eyes dimmed, but she forced a smile. "Please do visit the Cui Family often in the future, Young Master Xu."
Xu Sanyan tilted his head. In the future? That could wait.
"Alright, I won't disturb you all any longer. Farewell." Xu Sanyan placed a stack of silver notes on the table, picked up the wooden box, and turned to leave.
The three of them stood up to see him off.
Once he was gone, the Cui Family head glanced at Cui Wanying and praised her in a calm tone. "You did well. You may leave now."
Cui Wanying bowed to the two of them and slowly retreated.
Yang Qizhu whispered, "Xu Sanyan is much smarter than we imagined."
"Hehe, anyone who can break through to the Celestial Being Realm can't be a fool. But it doesn't matter. Once he sees your sister, that thorn will be firmly planted in his heart." The Cui Family head chuckled with satisfaction.
Everything is about comparison. When Cui Wanying and Yang Qiyuan stand side by side, the stark contrast will be glaringly obvious.
Yang Qizhu thought about it and agreed. Her sister's appearance was indeed rather unimpressive.
Meanwhile, in a young lady's boudoir, Cui Wanying sat on the edge of her bed, her face filled with melancholy as she stared at the extinguished candle on the table.
"Dad... I miss you so much..."
There was a time when her father was still alive, and she was the pearl in his palm. Anyone who saw her would treat her with respect.
But after her father's death, her status plummeted. The beauty she once took pride in became the source of her pain.
Forced by her family to learn various arts—chess, calligraphy, painting, flute playing...
Her daily schedule was packed with no free time. Even a maid was brought in to teach her the tricks of serving men.
On the surface, she was still the young lady of the Cui Family, but in reality, she was just a tool, her status even lower than the family's steward.
Knock, knock, knock—
A sudden knock on the door startled her. She quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve, adjusted her emotions, and put on the practiced smile she had perfected over countless times.
Creak—
The door opened, and Cui Wanying was surprised. "Second Young Master, what brings you here?"
Outside was Cui Jie, the second young master of the Cui Family and her nominal cousin, but she could only address him as Second Young Master.
Cui Jie's face was cold as he strode into the room without a word.
Cui Wanying closed the door behind him and personally poured a cup of tea. "Second Young Master, do you have any instructions for Wanying?"
Cui Jie forced a smile. "Little sister, there's no need to be so formal. When did we become so distant?"
Cui Wanying sighed inwardly. Do you not remember how you usually treat me?
But she didn't dare say that. Instead, she affectionately called out, "Second Brother."
Cui Jie smiled. "You know about the family's arrangements for you, right?"
Cui Wanying stood there awkwardly, not daring to sit. "Yes, the Family Head wants me to serve Young Master Xu."
"Exactly. You're still a young lady of the Cui Family. Are you willing to be arranged like this?" Cui Jie provoked.
Cui Wanying felt bitter. What could she do even if she wasn't willing? The words that came out of her mouth were still pleasing. "The family has raised me for many years. It's time to repay their kindness."
"Hehe..."
Cui Jie let out a cold laugh, his heart filled with resentment, still brooding over the earlier events. "Very well. Second Brother has a task for you."
"Second Brother, please speak."
Cui Jie took out a small paper package from his pocket and gently placed it on the table. "Find an opportunity to pour this into Xu Sanyan's tea."
Cui Wanying's face turned pale. She knew exactly what this meant. If Xu Sanyan died, she would surely meet the same fate!
The shock made her voice tremble uncontrollably. "Second... Second Brother, this is absolutely unacceptable. If something happens to Young Master Xu, forget about me, the Cui Family will surely face Prince Rui's wrath."
Xu Sanyan was about to become Prince Rui's son-in-law. If he were poisoned at such a critical moment, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Cui Jie's eyes turned cold. "What? Does Second Brother's word no longer carry weight?"
All he wanted now was to kill Xu Sanyan. Jealousy and hatred filled his heart. If he couldn't do it openly, he would resort to underhanded methods!
As for the consequences, hmph, the Cui Family wasn't a small clan. Prince Rui wouldn't completely sever ties with them over a dead Xu Sanyan.
Cui Wanying's heart was in turmoil. She couldn't afford to offend Xu Sanyan, nor could she offend Cui Jie. Now she was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Cui Jie spoke calmly, "Even if you don't think about yourself, you should consider your elderly mother. If this succeeds, I'll send you and your mother to another city to start a new life."
"If it fails... hmph!" Cui Jie's tone was icy, the threat clear.
Cui Wanying's beautiful face was filled with conflict and bitterness. The sense of injustice consumed her heart. At this moment, she just wanted to kick Cui Jie out of the room without a care.
But she didn't dare. Her mother was still in the Cui Family. If she offended the Second Young Master, the consequences would be unbearable.
"This matter is between you and me. If Father finds out, hehe..."
Cui Jie's lips curled into a cruel smile. He stood up, patted her shoulder, and left without giving her a chance to refuse.
Cui Wanying stared blankly at the paper package on the table, a wave of helplessness washing over her. Her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground. She didn't understand why her life was so painful.
"Dad... I miss you so much..."
Two streams of tears soaked her makeup. If it weren't for her elderly mother, she might have already followed her father to the grave.
(End of the Chapter)
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