After saying this, Cheng Ying flicked her cloak and said, "Xiaoqiu, let's go."
Xiaoqiu immediately stepped forward to support her.
"Stop!" Changsun Tai roared angrily. "Who was it that said they would always be my daughter? Who was it that said they would never disobey their parents' orders!"
Cheng Ying paused, then retorted, "But may I ask, do you consider me your daughter?"
Changsun Tai was speechless. Cheng Ying half-turned her head and said, "To you, father, only a daughter married to the Crown Prince is your good daughter. But I am different. Even if one day you decide to kill me for someone else's sake, before I die, I will still call you mother and father."
Her words left Changsun Tai and Fan Shi blushing with shame. Changsun Tai lowered his head and fell silent, while Fan Shi covered her face with a handkerchief and wept loudly, "My dear, mother has wronged you, mother can't bear to part with you..."
Though she spoke of regret, deep down, she still hoped Cheng Ying would follow what they wanted. Cheng Ying smiled bitterly, ignored them, turned around, and walked away briskly.
Back at the Wu, Cheng Ying pretended nothing had happened and ate dinner with Cui Yi, read a book, and then went to bed.
When Xiaoqiu blew out the lamp and closed the door behind her, plunging the room into darkness and silence, the words Changsun Tai had spoken in the afternoon echoed in Cheng Ying's ears—your parents raised you for fifteen years, Lingfang is still your own sister! In the end, you're more concerned about a man you serve!
Lying on the bed, Cheng Ying stared blankly at the twin lotus pattern on the canopy.
Initially, she had married into the Wu to protect her parents and sister. But when her parents asked her to terminate the pregnancy to maintain the Changsun family's loyalty to the Crown Prince, she refused outright. If she had followed her original intention, everything she did was for her family, so why had she said things like "always considering the Prince's interests"?
In her heart, her parents and sister were the most important, followed by herself, and then possibly Cui Yi.
But at that moment, Cheng Ying felt her parents were selfish, willing to murder Cui Yi's unborn child just to protect themselves, and they did so with such an air of self-righteousness.
Could it be that she had unknowingly placed him above her parents and vengeance?
No, Cheng Ying immediately rejected that conclusion. She simply didn't want to lose another child because of Cui Jie. It had nothing to do with Cui Yi. Cui Yi was indeed kind to her and a man worth entrusting her life to, but he could only come second. Her parents and sister remained the most important.
That was right; it made sense. As long as it was for them...
Lost in thought until late at night, Cheng Ying finally succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep deeply.
Changsun Tai and Fan Shi never mentioned getting rid of the child again, nor did they visit her. Cheng Ying didn't mind; she had prepared herself for being abandoned and fighting alone since the moment she stepped out of her family's threshold. Their neglect and estrangement were understandable under the pressure they faced.
However, Xiaoqiu, as the witness, couldn't suppress her indignation. While sewing baby clothes, she often muttered complaints about how unreasonable Lord and Lady Changsun were. One day, these comments were overheard by Baili Zan, who came to pay respects. Baili Zan, being perceptive, quickly understood the situation. After Cheng Ying dismissed Xiaoqiu, he tactfully asked, "Does Lord Changsun dislike having a grandchild at this time?"
Cheng Ying smiled helplessly. "Nothing escapes your notice, sir."
Baili Zan sat down on a stone bench opposite her and said with a smile, "Since there's no news from the Eastern Palace, it's natural for Lord Changsun to be anxious. Among five fingers, there are bound to be differences. Your parents might favor the Crown Princess a bit, but it can't be helped. You shouldn't take it too much to heart."
Cheng Ying replied, "It doesn't bother me much. It's just that Xiaoqiu can't keep her temper. Fortunately, she knows her limits and won't gossip to the Prince, or I'd be even more troubled."
Baili Zan nodded. "Xiaoqiu speaks her mind and stands up for you."
Since Fan Shi's visit, Xiao Tousu had been forbidden from entering the main courtyard. When Baili Zan placed it outside, it would poke its head in pitifully, retreat, then poke its head in again. Cheng Ying couldn't help laughing. "She actually understands human speech. If told not to come in, she really won't."
"Even animals have feelings. If you treat them well, they'll listen to you. If you consider them part of yourself, they'll naturally understand your intentions," Baili Zan said, gently gesturing for Xiao Tousu to leave. Seeing no treats or petting today, Xiao Tousu hung its head and left.
"Yes, Buddhism says all beings have spirituality," Cheng Ying agreed. "The golden crow also understands people. It greets me whenever it sees me."
Speaking of the golden crow, it returned. From the direction of the rear gate of the Wu王府, there was a neighing sound, and Cui Yi's loud voice commanded the servants, "Tell the kitchen to prepare some big dishes and tidy up Rongjin Garden. Zhongxing, you go ahead and entertain the guests. I'll be there shortly."
Their voices were clear enough for Cheng Ying and Baili Zan in the main courtyard to hear. Baili Zan wondered aloud, "Has the Prince brought guests home?"
Cheng Ying was equally surprised. Cui Yi usually looked down on everyone and had never entertained anyone at home. What wind was blowing today?
Soon, Cui Yi strode into the yard. Seeing Baili Zan sitting at the stone table, he was momentarily taken aback, then generously waved his hand. "Wenyu, join us too. I'm in high spirits today, let's drink together!"
Baili Zan was honored and hurriedly stood up to thank him. Cheng Ying put down her needlework and asked with a smile, "Why are you so happy today, Prince? Any good news?"
Cui Yi's eyes sparkled with excitement. He untied his chin strap, threw his helmet to a maid, and said, "That Yang guy you mentioned turned out to be quite skilled. We sparred, and I accidentally lost."
Cheng Ying laughed despite herself. "You're so happy after losing. If you had won, would you throw a feast for the whole mansion?"
After some thought, she added, "Mr. Yang hasn't come to the mansion. How did you meet him?"
Cui Yi entered to change his clothes, and Baili Zan took his leave. Cheng Ying followed him inside, watched the maidservants help him change into casual wear, and then stepped forward to re-tie his hair and hat.
"At first, I didn't know he was the person you mentioned. This afternoon, Zhongxing went to train new recruits in Huozi Camp. He noticed a recruit holding his spear differently from others," Cui Yi adjusted his collar and looked at Cheng Ying through the mirror. "He corrected him several times, but the recruit didn't change. So, he scolded him a bit."
Cheng Ying chuckled and continued, "Turns out it was his family's traditional spear technique, habitual and unchangeable."
Cui Yi laughed and nodded. "Right. Zhongxing asked him to demonstrate a few moves. After performing a set of Yang Family Spear techniques, Zhongxing was utterly impressed."
Cheng Ying laughed heartily, almost able to picture Cao Qian's shocked expression. It was hilarious.
Once she stopped laughing, Cui Yi wrapped his arm around her waist, nuzzled against her abdomen, and pulled her onto his lap. "When will the baby come out?"
"It's still early. Not even four months yet," Cheng Ying found his impatience amusing and patted his head. "At least wait until next June. You're still like a kid yourself, thinking of being a father."
Cui Yi frowned. "Nonsense. Next year, I'll be twenty-five. In ordinary families, I'd already have three or four kids by now."
Cheng Ying laughed. "It's your own fault for not marrying and having children earlier. Otherwise, you'd have three or four kids now."
Cui Yi tilted her head toward him, their foreheads touching. They could see each other's reflections in their eyes.
His voice was low and magnetic as he murmured, "Before, I thought if I got married and had children, not all of them would be likable. Better not to have them at all than to have them and dislike them."
Cheng Ying smiled. "And now?"
"Now..." Cui Yi gazed unwaveringly at her. "As long as they're yours, I'll love them."