After I died, the scumbag prince cried down the city wall

Chapter 283 Escaping from the World

Xiuzhu's voice became low and bitter, as if the nights of the past were being replayed in her mind.

Cui Rongrong's tone became softer, but also more steady: "The "Female Rules" says that women need to be gentle, respectful, tolerant and virtuous. Our foundation is more difficult than that of men. In this world, women must learn more patience and sacrifice."

She silently thought in her heart that her father was an exception. It was because her mother condescended to marry him that her father vowed never to marry again.

In the years that followed, the home was filled with the warmth of loving father and filial son, and harmonious relationship between husband and wife. The two children grew up healthily surrounded by love, and it seemed that all the beauty in the world was just like this.

However, three years after my mother's death, my father broke his promise and married another woman.

"This is not fair!"

Xie Xiuzhu's indignation was evident in her words, and she was filled with resentment and confusion.

Cui Rongrong smiled faintly, revealing a calmness and acceptance beyond her age. "I often ask myself this question, why? But things are unpredictable, and many things are beyond human control. I am powerless to fight against the rules of this world, and I don't have the ambition to change the world. I just hope to make myself feel more comfortable within a limited scope."

Xiuzhu shook her head, looking confused, "I really don't understand."

"You naturally don't understand. Just like when I was young, I also fantasized about having a pure love and being with someone until old age."

Cui Rongrong's words concealed the tenderness and sorrow of the past. Although she had a smile on her lips, her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

The hardships of life made her learn too many things she didn't want to learn. She walked on the brink of life and death many times. Those innocent thoughts had long been washed away by the years.

In this world, it is already difficult to settle down and make a living, so how can we dare to ask for pure emotions?

“Only when you are content can you be happy. Otherwise, happiness will always be just an illusion.”

Cui Rongrong said softly.

Xiuzhu raised her head stubbornly, "I don't care, I just want to marry the man who loves me wholeheartedly, and he can never take a concubine!"

Cui Rong smiled without saying a word, gently stroked Xiuzhu's cheek, her eyes full of care and understanding.

After returning to Xie's house, Cui Rongrong personally led Zhao Yuaner to Songhe Garden and instructed the servants to properly accommodate her.

When Cuizhu first saw Zhao Yuaner, her eyes were full of surprise. She pulled Cui Rongrong's arm, eager to ask about her origins.

"She is the daughter of the Zhao family, and the candidate personally chosen by Madam Zhao to be the eldest young master's concubine."

Cui Rongrong answered lightly.

"Isn't this... too hasty?"

After all, the eldest young master's wedding is not even a month old, so this arrangement is somewhat surprising.

"I will find a suitable opportunity to explain it to him."

Cui Rong already had a plan in mind.

Afterwards, she changed into a proper outfit and went to Qingshui Garden to report to the eldest lady on the preparations for the banquet.

After all, it was the first time for her to undertake such an important task independently, so the eldest lady was inevitably worried and specifically told her to report back immediately after finishing the task.

After arriving at Qingshui Garden, facing the scrutiny and questioning of the eldest lady, Cui Rong was neither humble nor arrogant, and frankly told her arrangements.

After hearing this, the eldest lady's expression revealed disbelief: "You actually brought the Zhao family's daughter home?"

"Yes, the Zhao and Xie families have a close relationship, and the elders' opinions should not be underestimated. Moreover, the eldest young master currently has no concubines, which is indeed unusual in the eyes of others. I will accept this young lady first to stop the outsiders from talking. As for whether to take a concubine in the future, it is up to him to decide and choose someone he truly loves."

Cui Rongrong's answer was flawless, showing extraordinary maturity and thoughtfulness.

The eldest lady looked at Cui Rong in front of her and couldn't help feeling a little dazed. She recalled her own ignorance and impulsiveness when she was young, and couldn't help but sigh that her niece was much smarter and more insightful than she was back then.

In Songhe Garden, Song Yanyi, who had just returned from outside, took off his formal clothes, changed into comfortable casual clothes, and asked casually, "Where is the young lady?"

The maid beside her quickly replied: "The young lady has gone to report the matter to the eldest lady."

He said nothing more, just nodded slightly and walked towards the study with firm steps.

The study in the waterside pavilion that he once favored was his retreat from the world, with its green tiles, white walls, and clear water surrounding it, and a hint of a scholar's pride in its tranquility.

However, married life was trivial and warm, and the remoteness of the study became an inconvenience that could not be ignored. He gradually placed his heart and soul in the small and elegant study next to the bedroom, which was closer to life and seemed to be able to better touch the warmth of reality.

Recently, affairs in the court have eased a little, and his usually tense nerves finally found a moment of relaxation. A long-lost desire to create quietly sprouted in his heart.

He wanted to pick up his brush and paint a picture of the majestic mountains and rivers. His thoughts drifted with his imagination, and his pen was about to sketch out a magnificent picture of thousands of mountains and rivers, shrouded in clouds and mist.

However, at the moment he picked up the pen, a warm picture involuntarily emerged in his mind - it was her, her slightly pouting mouth when she whispered in her dream, like the softest petals in spring, touching the most tender part of his heart.

The corners of his mouth rose unconsciously, and he gave up his original idea. Instead, he used a softer and more delicate brushstroke. With just a few strokes, he sketched out the outline of a beautiful woman taking a nap at her desk. The picture seemed to overflow with tranquility and beauty from the paper, and every stroke contained his deep attachment to her.

Just as he was immersed in his own world of art, there was a soft but slightly rapid knocking sound outside the study door, followed by tiny and urgent footsteps.

He did not look up, thinking that it was the usually clever and well-behaved maid who came to serve tea, and was ready to smile faintly to express his gratitude.

"Sir, the tea is here."

This voice, however, was particularly delicate, carrying a kind of charm that was different from that of ordinary servants.

He frowned slightly. The maids in Songhe Garden always behaved properly and never acted so pretentiously.

A hint of doubt flashed through his mind, and he slowly raised his head. What he saw was a strange woman standing in front of the door. She was wearing gorgeous clothes instead of servant's clothes, which made her look out of place.

"who are you?"

His expression involuntarily darkened, and his eyes revealed a hint of severity.

Several thoughts flashed through his mind quickly. He guessed that this might be some "surprise" arranged by his mother for him. He secretly decided to ask his personal maid Cuizhu about it later.

Zhao Yuaner in front of him had a face full of shyness and spring, like a flower bud about to bloom, looking forward to the caress of the sun.

However, feeling his aura suddenly become solemn, the joy and anticipation I felt when we first met seemed to be doused with a bucket of cold water. I suddenly felt nervous and my words changed from frivolous to restrained.

"I...I am..."

Her voice dropped and she seemed a little overwhelmed.