Yunxi hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.
“You can’t do it! To tolerate evil is to court disaster!”
Su Xian finally revealed a relieved smile.
“Exactly!”
Yunxi also showed an embarrassed grin.
“You understand the reasoning now.”
“But putting it into practice will take courage.”
“To be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever refused your grandmother,” Su Xian said wistfully.
She had always had a gentle nature, constantly telling herself, “This is the last time, the very last time...”
And yet, she always ended up giving in again!
Today, she had finally spoken up and realized that refusing someone indeed required courage!
Su Xian patted Yunxi on the shoulder. “Alright, go back and rest for now.”
“A young maiden’s time before marriage is truly the most carefree.”
“Once you marry, you’ll have to serve your in-laws, look after the younger siblings, and manage the household’s daily affairs.”
“In short, there won’t be a moment of ease.”
“So, enjoy your freedom while you can!”
Hearing Su Xian’s words, Yunxi blinked.
“Aunt, why do women have to get married at all?”
“Why don’t men have to go to another family and do all these things?”
Su Xian was taken aback by Yunxi’s question.
She had never thought about why women had to marry.
She fell into deep reflection.
After a long pause, Su Xian lifted her head and looked at the nervous Yunxi.
“I remember, my grandmother once said,”
“That women are like grass in this world—unable to stand alone under the heavens.”
“And that men are like trees, so women must find a man to shelter them.”
Yunxi bit her lip.
“But the Princess once told me that her teacher said,”
“‘Leaning on a mountain, the mountain will crumble; leaning on a person, the person will run away. It’s most reliable to rely on yourself!’”
Su Xian paused, then smiled.
Because she had heard those same words from Xu Jinxin before.
Su Xian nodded, encouraging Yunxi.
“If you want to rely on yourself, you’ll have to become very strong!”
“So strong that no storm will ever frighten you.”
Yunxi looked thoughtful.
Su Xian patted her shoulder again. “Go back and think it over.”
Yunxi nodded, bowed to Su Xian, and left.
Just as she reached the doorway, she saw Xiao Yi outside.
Flushing, Yunxi bowed to him.
Xiao Yi nodded, and Yunxi hurried away.
Xiao Yi entered the room. Su Xian heard the sound of his wheelchair and looked up.
“The Prince, you’re back?”
She stood up to welcome him.
A faint smile curled at the corners of Xiao Yi’s lips. He had overheard his wife’s words from outside the door.
Her worldview was catching up with his—and that was a very good thing.
“Hmm. Finished my business outside and came home.”
“By the way, I brought you this.” Xiao Yi took a small casket from his robes.
“What is it?” Curious, Su Xian took it and opened it.
“Oh! How adorable!” she exclaimed.
Inside the casket were two chubby clay dolls.
The two little figures leaned their heads together, beaming up at her.
Su Xian carefully lifted them out, unable to set them down.
Xiao Yi smiled and took a sip of his tea.
“Thank you, The Prince. I love them!” Su Xian remembered to express her gratitude only then.
“I passed by them on the way and thought they were cute, so I bought them,” Xiao Yi explained casually.
His eyes then fell on the fabric nearby. “Are you making clothes again?”
“Let the maids handle it—it could strain your eyes.”
Su Xian hesitated, then decided to be honest.
“Mother picked out this fabric and asked me to make her a garment.”
Xiao Yi said nothing more about her mother’s family.
When he had first chosen Su Xian, it was because her gentle nature always reminded him of his late mother, the Empress Dowager.
Though she was soft in character, she gave him a sense of peace.
As for her family background, he had never given it a second thought.
Xiao Yi believed that a real man need not rely on others.
As long as he had ability, he could build a home that sheltered his wife from wind and rain.
In the past, he had protected her well, keeping her innocent.
But in recent years, she had suffered much by his side—and had suddenly matured.
Looking at Su Xian, guilt flickered in Xiao Yi’s eyes.
He set down his teacup and took her hand.
“I’m sorry. Over the years, you’ve endured so much hardship because of me.”
Startled by his sudden confession, Su Xian grabbed his hand.
“The Prince, what’s wrong?”
Xiao Yi gently patted her hand.
“What you said to your niece earlier—I heard it all from outside.”
Su Xian’s face flushed as red as a cloth.
She lowered her head in embarrassment. “The Prince, I was just speaking nonsense. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Xiao Yi reached out, lifted her chin, and made her meet his eyes.
“What you said was very good.”
“But as my Princess, you don’t need to become strong.”
“Just stand behind me, so that when I grow tired, I have a place to lean.”
“I failed you in the past, and I apologize.”
“I will spend every day of the rest of my life making it up to you.”
Hearing this, Su Xian’s face deepened to a shade that seemed to drip.
“The Prince…” She shyly looked down.
Xiao Yi also seemed a little uneasy. He let go of her hand, picked up his teacup, and took a large gulp.
“I still have matters to attend to in the study.”
With that, he pushed his wheelchair and quickly left the room.
Before Su Xian could gather her thoughts, he was already gone.
Her heart felt as sweet as honey.
If Yunxi were here, she might have told her: this is exactly why women marry.
To have a husband who loves and cherishes you, a few chattering children—that is happiness.
Thinking of children, Su Xian suddenly remembered Duoduo.
That child—why hadn’t she come back from the palace? Could it be that she didn’t miss her at all?
Su Xian missed Duoduo!
She let out a melancholy sigh.
The palace was hardly as comfortable and free as home. What if Duoduo offended some noble there? The lightest punishment would be forced kneeling; the worst—beheading!
Recalling a nightmare she had two days ago, Su Xian’s unease grew.
Could The Prince’s unexpected confession mean something had happened to Duoduo?
The more she thought, the more panicked she became.
“Lianxin,” she called out, “go find Yunxiao and tell him I have something to ask him.”
Lianxin acknowledged and hurried out.
Meanwhile, Yunxiao had pushed Xiao Yi to the study. As he turned, Xiao Yi dismissed him with a gesture.
Yunxiao understood—The Prince wanted to be alone.
It had become a habit: The Prince would spend long stretches of time in solitude lately, refusing any servants inside and demanding they keep their distance.
Yunxiao dared not question it. He withdrew and closed the door.
Just as he turned around, he saw Lianxin standing behind him.
“Yunxiao, The Princess requests your presence.”
