47: Dad...I miss you so much

"Please have a seat, Miss Cui."

Xu Sanyan gently tugged her sleeve, motioning for her to sit on a nearby chair.

This gesture was quite impolite, but Cui Wanying didn't resist and obediently sat down. She clearly knew the purpose of her visit: to build a good relationship with the young man before her.

This young man was a figure far beyond her reach. As long as she could pique his interest, her future days would be much easier.

The Head of the Cui Family stroked his beard and chuckled, his eyes full of shrewdness, "In this old man's opinion, you two are truly a match made in heaven. Young Master Xu, why not stay at the Cui Family for a few days? You could have a good chat about life with Cui Wanying."

The Head of the Cui Family pondered. Having Xu Sanyan marry into the Cui Family was impossible, so he could only settle for the next best thing: having Cui Wanying become Xu Sanyan's concubine.

With her figure and beauty, wouldn't it be easy to overshadow that ugly monster, Yang Qiyuan?

Then, Cui Wanying could whisper sweet nothings into his ear, and Xu Sanyan would surely favor the Cui Family.

As for Cui Wanying's opinion, that wasn't important. She wasn't his own daughter, and even if she were, what of it?

Marrying Xu Sanyan wouldn't be a disgrace to her.

The Head of the Cui Family's calculations were clear, but Xu Sanyan didn't take the bait. In his mind, neither Yang Qiyuan nor Cui Wanying mattered.

The precious medicine and the immortal cultivator behind Prince Rui were what truly mattered!

Xu Sanyan looked at Cui Wanying with a smile and slowly shook his head, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Head of the Family, but I'm afraid it might be inappropriate. My wedding is imminent, and it's truly not suitable to stir up more trouble."

A subtle glint flashed in the Head of the Cui Family's eyes. He smiled and apologized, "Young Master Xu is right. It was this old man's oversight."

Cui Wanying's eyes darkened, but she forced a smile and said, "I hope Young Master Xu will visit the Cui Mansion often for a chat in the future."

Xu Sanyan turned his head. In the future?

He would think about that later.

"Alright, I won't disturb you any further. Farewell." Xu Sanyan put down the silver notes, picked up the wooden box on the table, and turned to leave.

The three of them stood up to see him off.

Once he had gone far, the Head of the Cui Family glanced at Cui Wanying and praised her in a flat tone, "Well done. You may go now."

Cui Wanying bowed to the two of them and slowly withdrew.

Yang Qizhu whispered, "This Xu Sanyan is much smarter than we imagined."

"Heh heh, how could anyone who can achieve a Breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm be a fool? But it doesn't matter. As long as he sees your sister, that thorn will be stuck in his heart," the Head of the Cui Family said with a smug smile.

Everything is about comparison. When Cui Wanying and Yang Qiyuan stand together, the strong and clear disparity will be very obvious.

Yang Qizhu also thought so. Her sister's appearance was indeed a bit unpresentable.

Meanwhile, in a young lady's boudoir, Cui Wanying sat on the edge of the bed with a melancholic expression, staring blankly at the extinguished candle wax on the candlestick.

"Father... I miss you so much..."

Once upon a time, when her father was still alive, she was the apple of his eye, and everyone who saw her would show her three parts of respect.

But ever since her father's death, her status had plummeted, and the beauty she once prided herself on became the source of her pain.

The Family forced her to learn various arts: chess, calligraphy, painting, playing the flute...

Her daily schedule was packed, with no free time, and there was even an old nanny in the house specifically to teach her the secrets of serving men.

On the surface, she was still a Young Miss of the Cui Family, but in reality, she was just a tool, her status even lower than the Family's housekeeper.

Knock, knock, knock—

A sudden knock on the door startled her. She quickly wiped away her tears with her sleeve, tried to adjust her emotions, and put on the smile she had practiced countless times.

Creak—

The door opened, and Cui Wanying said in surprise, "Second Young Master, why have you come?"

Outside the door was Cui Jie, the Second Young Master of the Cui Mansion, who was her nominal cousin, but she could only address him as Second Young Master.

Cui Jie's face was cold as he walked straight into the room without a word.

Cui Wanying turned around, closed the door, and personally poured a cup of tea for him, "Second Young Master, do you have something to instruct Cui Wanying?"

Cui Jie forced a smile, "Little sister, there's no need to be so distant. When did you and I, as siblings, become so estranged?"

Cui Wanying sighed inwardly upon hearing this. Don't you know how you usually treat me?

But she didn't dare to say it, so she could only affectionately call out, "Second Brother."

Cui Jie smiled, "You know about the Family's arrangements for you, right?"

Cui Wanying stood there stiffly, not daring to sit down, "I know. The Head of the Family wants this little girl to serve Young Master Xu."

"That's right. You are a Young Miss of the Cui Family, after all. Are you willing to be arranged so casually?" Cui Jie provoked.

Cui Wanying felt bitter in her heart. What could she do if she wasn't willing? The words on the tip of her tongue turned into agreeable ones, "The Family has raised me for many years; it's time to repay their kindness."

"Heh heh..."

Cui Jie let out a cold laugh, feeling very resentful and still bothered by what had just happened, "That's good then. Second Brother has something he needs you to do."

"Second Brother, please tell me."

Cui Jie pulled a paper packet from his embrace and gently placed it on the table, "Find an opportunity to pour this packet of things into Xu Sanyan's tea."

Cui Wanying's face changed drastically. She, of course, knew what this meant. If Xu Sanyan died, she would absolutely not escape death!

The immense fright made her voice tremble uncontrollably, "Se-Second Brother, this must not happen! If something happens to Young Master Xu, never mind what happens to this little girl, the Cui Family will surely face Prince Rui's thunderous wrath."

Xu Sanyan was about to become Prince Rui's son-in-law. To have him poisoned to death by her at such a critical moment, the consequences were obvious even without thinking.

Cui Jie's eyes suddenly turned cold, "What? My words don't carry weight anymore?"

He only wanted to kill Xu Sanyan now. Jealousy and resentment filled his heart. Since he couldn't do it openly, he would use underhanded methods!

As for the consequences, hmph, the Cui Family was not a small household. Prince Rui wouldn't completely fall out with them just for one Xu Sanyan, especially a dead Xu Sanyan.

Cui Wanying's heart fluttered. She couldn't afford to offend Xu Sanyan, and she couldn't afford to offend Cui Jie either. Now she was caught in the middle, in a difficult position.

Cui Jie spoke indifferently, "Even if you don't consider 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 doesn't... Hmph!" Cui Jie's tone was cold, the threat within it unspoken but clear.

Cui Wanying's beautiful face was filled with entanglement and bitterness. The feeling of being wronged consumed her. At this moment, she just wanted to ignore everything and drive Cui Jie out of the room.

But she didn't dare. Her mother was still in the Cui Family. If she offended the Second Young Master, she absolutely could not bear the consequences.

"This matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. If Father and the others find out, heh heh..."

A cruel smile played on Cui Jie's lips. He stood up, patted her shoulder, and left, not giving her a chance to refuse.

Cui Wanying stared blankly at the paper packet on the table. A wave of powerlessness swept over her, and her body went limp, collapsing to the ground. She didn't understand why her life was so painful.

"Father... I miss you so much..."

Two lines of clear tears soaked the makeup on her face. If not for her concern for her elderly mother at home, she would probably have followed her father long ago.