Chapter 985: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 985: Noticing Something Strange – County Princess Fuyun Has Arrived (2)
During the most difficult days of his life, he had a little companion by his side. For him, that must have been an enormous comfort. Perhaps that young girl back then had played with him, slowly bringing joy into his life; perhaps she had cried with him, making him feel less alone; perhaps she had laughed with him, helping him forget his loneliness… Growing up together in innocence—even if it wasn't love, it would still be a touching bond of affection.
Xiao Qi's feelings for the girl named Fangcao likely went beyond affection developed over time. There must have been a layer of familial warmth mixed in. Emotions like that are the most resilient. How could they be so easily dismissed just because of a few disapproving words from his mother?
Unlike Old Madam Cui, Cui Qingrou used to visit the estate where Cui Ping’an lived before her separation. At the time, she had seen Fangcao several times and had a certain understanding of the girl’s character and conduct. She thought Fangcao was a simple and kindhearted girl, so she didn’t strongly object to her getting close to her nephew.
However, the disparity between their statuses was simply too great. It was acceptable for Fangcao to become a concubine, but it would be inappropriate for her to be the main wife—especially for families like theirs. A wife’s background being lower wasn't a big issue, but she at least needed to be educated, well-mannered, capable of handling social occasions, and able to uphold the family's reputation in public.
Fangcao had grown up in the countryside. Though she had learned some reading and writing with Xiao Qi, she was far from meeting the Cui family's standards. Her personality was also too simple and straightforward, making her ill-suited for life in a large, complex household. Even if she truly married Xiao Qi, she might not be happy. A life like that, dragged on long enough, would exhaust anyone.
After hearing what Mo Yan said, Old Madam Cui shed tears again. She held her grandson’s still slightly warm hand and muttered, “Child, just for the sake of one girl, you've done this to yourself? If you feel wronged, come at your grandmother with it—why torment your own body like this? Are you trying to force your grandmother to agree to let you marry that girl? If you like her so much, but you don’t wake up, how am I supposed to give you my blessing?”
Her words didn’t just move Cui Qingrou to tears, covering her mouth as she cried, but also struck a chord in Mo Yan. Regardless of whether Old Madam Cui had pressured Cui Ping’an or not, her intentions had always been good. Her feelings for her grandson were pure and unwavering.
Perhaps, in response to her words, Cui Ping’an—who had been in a deep sleep—slightly fluttered his eyelids, as if he was about to wake up.
Mo Yan noticed the change first and quickly leaned in, calling out, “Cui Ping’an! If you’re a man, if there are still people in this world you care about, if you truly like that girl Fangcao—then fight for it! Get better quickly! If you keep running away, you’ll never have another chance to be with her!”
Old Madam Cui and Cui Qingrou were immediately on edge, watching him closely. However, after just a slight flutter of his eyelids, Cui Ping’an fell still again. The three of them stared at him for a long time, but he still didn’t wake up.
Mo Yan was a little disappointed and said to the equally crestfallen mother and daughter, “Just go along with his thoughts and keep talking to him. He should be able to hear you. Once he sorts things out, he might wake up.”
The two women nodded repeatedly. They understood this was the only thing they could do for now—there were no other options.
Mo Yan then took Cui Ping’an’s pulse again. Finding it much steadier than before, she felt slightly more at ease. Right now, all they could do was wait for him to wake up. Only by uncovering the source of the pain tormenting his heart could they help him work through it and move on. If he didn’t wake and the fever kept returning, she would truly have no solution.
Still worried about Cui Ping’an, and seeing that it was still early, Mo Yan didn’t refuse the Cui family’s invitation to stay. She followed one of the household servants to a side room to rest and also lifted the barrier she had placed on Xue Tuanzi.
(End of chapter)
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