The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

"Qingyan, your hairpin is quite unique?" The old lady noticed a hairpin on Luo Qingyan's head that looked neither like silver nor gold.

"It was given to me by Miss Cui." Luo Qingyan pulled out the hairpin and straightened the flower shape at the head of the hairpin. "Madam, it is actually a dagger, which can be used for self-defense."

The old lady leaned back in surprise, then smiled and said, "Hui'er gave you something; it seems she likes you quite a bit."

Luo Qingyan and Cui Hui got along so well, which was something she hadn't expected.

"Miss Cui must like me. She really enjoys the food at Kangning Pavilion," Luo Qingyan said with a smile. She put away the dagger, coiled it into a hairpin, and put it back into her hair bun. "Madam, Miss Cui is skilled at making weapons. I've seen that she has many improved weapons, including this hairpin. It's a real pity that we have no way to ask her for help."

"You're still feeling sorry for her? A young woman should just get married properly. I'm not saying anything to her, but waiting for her to hit a wall so she'll know to turn back on her own."

The old lady's expression turned serious.

Cui Hui is intelligent and magnanimous, a qualified matriarch, but unfortunately, she puts all her energy into martial arts.

Luo Qingyan wanted to see if the old lady would help Cui Hui find a way, but there was no hope at all.

"Madam, please eat. I believe Miss Cui will understand." Luo Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief; she had no power to displease the old lady.

"Tell me, what does Hui'er like to eat at Kangning Pavilion?" The old lady's expression remained serious.

Luo Qingyan explained in detail: "Young lady, you also gave me a few suggestions to improve the dishes. I made some changes and found that the taste is indeed much better than before."

"Hui'er, do you eat Kangning Pavilion food every day?" the old lady asked.

Luo Qingyan smiled and nodded, thinking that the old lady must be happy, and that Cui Hui might be able to accept Pei Shiyuan in time.

She and this future mistress got along well, and she thought she wouldn't make things difficult for her in the future. She spoke with great enthusiasm, but she didn't notice that the old lady's face gradually darkened.

Luo Qingyan's voice stopped abruptly.

"Hui'er and you get along really well." The old lady emphasized the words "really well."

Luo Qingyan thought it sounded strange, and after a pause, she realized that it did seem to be true!

Cui Hui was so focused on discussing the dishes with her that she didn't pay any attention to Pei Shiyuan, and even felt that Pei Shiyuan didn't exist.

That's it! She went too far with Cui Hui.

"Madam, I will try my best to let the young master and Miss Cui have more contact in the future." Luo Qingyan forced an awkward smile. She would do her best, but these two people were like two oxen struggling in opposite directions, and she couldn't pull them back no matter what.

If she doesn't get involved in Cui Hui and Pei Shiyuan's affairs, the old lady will think she's being jealous and envious. If the marriage doesn't work out, she'll blame her for not being able to keep Pei Shiyuan.

It's a dilemma.

She has no choice but to accept this hot potato and try her best to bring them together!

"Hmm." The old lady picked up her teacup and nodded. If it weren't for Luo Qingyan's sincere attitude, she would have suspected that Luo Qingyan was deliberately keeping Cui Hui from contacting Yuan'er.

After the two finished their meal, Luo Qingyan massaged the old lady's shoulders, a skill she had learned at the clinic.

"Qingyan, your technique is good, it feels quite comfortable." The old lady closed her eyes to rest. Luo Qingyan is likable, and Hui'er likes her too, which is a good thing. It's just that she can't stay with Luo Qingyan all the time; she needs to spend more time with Yuan'er.

The atmosphere inside was relaxed and comfortable.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a dark object broke through the window and fell in, landing in front of the old lady and Luo Qingyan. The old lady was so startled that she stood up abruptly.

Luo Qingyan quickly stepped in front of the old lady.

"Hui'er?" The old lady stared in surprise.

She asked Granny Zheng to tell Cui Hui to go to Kangning Pavilion, where Luo Qingyan was not present, so that she could be alone with Pei Shiyuan.

"Aunt," Cui Hui said, clutching her stomach as she stood up, her eyes filled with anger, "You didn't go to Kangning Pavilion?"

Granny Zheng spoke ambiguously, revealing that she was trying to trick her into going to Kangning Pavilion. As soon as she entered, she saw Pei Shiyuan sitting in a wheelchair with his back to her.

"Found a job?" Pei Shiyuan turned around, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"What business is it of yours whether I can find a job or not?" Cui Hui said angrily, the hilt of her sword creaking in her hand. If Pei Shiyuan weren't sick, she would definitely fight him.

"Ha. Who would even look at your pathetic skills?" Pei Shiyuan sneered.

"You say her kung fu is no good?" Cui Hui's blood boiled with rage. "Cousin, it's been so many years! In this state, can you even withstand my attacks?"

Pei Shiyuan smiled dismissively and stepped over, which Cui Hui saw as utter mockery.

Without a word, Cui Hui drew her sword, aiming it directly at Pei Shiyuan's brow.

The two started fighting.

After several rounds, Cui Hui was struck in the abdomen and was in unbearable pain. She had no choice but to admit defeat and forced herself to go find the old lady.

She had to make things clear to her aunt and tell her to stop trying to match her up with Pei Shiyuan.

"I had something to do and couldn't go," the old lady said with a laugh. "Hui'er, how did you get hurt?"

"I sparred with Pei Shiyuan and got a little injured, but I'm fine." Cui Hui was still unconvinced. Over the years, she had practiced diligently without slacking off, yet she couldn't beat Pei Shiyuan, who had been ill for a long time.

"Yuan'er hurt you?" The old lady's eyes flashed with surprise. There was no romantic relationship between them, and they were still cousins. How could Yuan'er hurt someone? "I'll ask him later how he could hurt you."

"If you're not as skilled as others, you should accept it instead of coming here to complain." Pei Shiyuan's cold voice came along with the sound of his wheelchair rolling.

He deliberately provoked Cui Hui to force her to take action. Unexpectedly, Cui Hui's attacks were full of viciousness and ruthlessness, showing that she had improved a lot in the years since he last saw her.

He saw people heading towards the Duke's mansion. Luo Qingyan was still there; what if they were to harm her?

Cui Hui often seeks out Luo Qingyan to discuss food, perhaps with ulterior motives.

Luo Qingyan is such a fool. She always talks about how good Cui Hui is, but she doesn't even realize she's been sold out.

Cui Hui raised her eyes, turned around, and stared at Pei Shiyuan with murderous intent in her eyes: "I didn't complain."

At the same time, a sword was already at Pei Shiyuan's neck.

"Aunt, I've come to make things clear to you. I didn't come to the capital to get married."

Cui Hui's eyes were bloodshot, a sight that was frightening.

"Alright, alright, Hui'er, quickly put the sword down." The old lady hurriedly said. She knew that Cui Hui was good at martial arts, but she always said that her martial arts were not good and that she had no talent for practice, just to persuade her to get married.

As a result, the girl became more determined with each setback. The more people told her she couldn't do it, the more she insisted on practicing until she succeeded.

His martial arts skills improved more and more.

Cui Hui sheathed her sword: "Now that I have made myself clear, Aunt, please do not mention the marriage again. Farewell."

"Hui'er, don't go, you're injured." The old lady wanted Cui Hui to stay and recover.

Cui Hui simply waved her hand and left resolutely.

This injury is nothing to her.

"Yuan'er, where exactly did you hurt Hui'er?" The old lady turned to Pei Shiyuan and questioned him again.

Unlike Cui Rou, who was spoiled and domineering, Cui Hui was upright and honest, which made the old lady feel sorry for her.

"Don't worry, Mother, I didn't hurt her in any vital areas. She just needs to rest at home."

Having just sparred with Cui Hui, he felt that she was a rare martial arts talent, but being a woman made it difficult for her to realize her ambitions.

"Cui Hui doesn't want to get married, and I don't want to marry her either. Mother, please don't mention marriage again. Right now, getting her treated is the priority."

The old lady looked at the red mark left by Cui Huijian's sword on Pei Shiyuan's neck.