Chapter 664: Chapter 471: Little Crybaby, Beautiful and Charming, the Rugged Man Pampers His Wife and Teases Her 21
If it were before, they naturally wouldn’t believe such nonsense, but ever since Cuihua’s plan to marry Ji Xiaoyuan was shattered, her parents noticed some changes in their daughter, making her thoughts somewhat unfathomable.
In the past, although Cuihua was sensitive and suspicious, she never had any extra thoughts, so her parents were half-believing and half-doubting of Su Zhiruan’s words.
Su Zhiruan smiled indifferently, "Just ask her and you’ll know."
Cuihua’s parents looked at each other in dismay.
*
"I don’t want to!!"
With her chest heaving, Cuihua looked at her parents incredulously, then softened her voice and repeated.
"Dad, Mom, is it her who asked you to persuade me?"
Cuihua’s mother was heartbroken. She wanted to step forward to hold Cuihua’s hand, but was cautiously avoided by her, which made Cuihua’s mother feel an unknown sense of disappointment rising in her heart.
The daughter they raised from childhood was now actually going to impersonate a Princess for the sake of wealth and fame. If discovered, it would be a crime punishable by death for the entire family. They did not dare to think, nor could they believe it was true. For a moment, the atmosphere among the three was at a stalemate.
"Dear, you are young and ignorant. How could the royal family fail to recognize the real Your Royal Highness? A single misstep, and our whole family will be punished. This is a matter of life and death."
"Your father is right, quickly return this identity. By then, your father and I will take you to a remote place where no one can find us. Once the nobles forget, we’ll return and find you a husband, living a harmonious life together."
Cuihua’s eyes flickered, showing a hesitant expression.
But her thoughts shifted quickly, within just a breath, as she caught sight of her own hand.
Her family never lacked clothes or food, nor let her suffer from cold or hunger. Although she was a girl, she wasn’t ignored like other girls in the village, nor bullied by brothers. To be fair, these were already enough.
She also helped with work at home, but her parents cherished her too much to let her suffer or tire. Thus, her hands were much fairer than those of other girls who worked.
But now, after merely a few days of impersonating the Princess, gifts of rare objects and skin-nourishing ointments from the county magistrate and wealthy people had made her hands fair and tender, with a white jade bracelet on her wrist. Even her nails were painted and trimmed beautifully by the maid.
These are just superficial perks. Cuihua’s breathing quickened at the thought. If she reached the royal capital and married a noble, she could enjoy endless riches, delicacies, and be served by attendants, living in ultimate luxury forever.
"Perhaps you have sought out the wrong person," Cuihua seemed to have made her decision. Stroking her nails, her eyes turned cold and her tone grew harsh, "I am not the Princess you seek."
Seeing her firmly set on this path, Cuihua’s mother staggered, nearly falling to the ground. She looked at Cuihua in disbelief, her throat seemingly ready to utter something, but in the end, seeing her husband’s expression with closed eyes, she swallowed her words, supporting herself on her arms to kneel, "——Forgive us, Your Highness, we worried as commoners for our daughter and disturbed you."
Cuihua’s father sighed deeply, eyes flashing with sorrow. Seeing this, he too knelt on the ground, "We will leave now... wishing Your Highness a life of happiness and smooth sailing."
Cuihua flicked her sleeves and turned away without looking back at them.
Cuihua’s parents already understood her decision, knowing that further persuasion would not change her mind. If they aroused suspicion of Cuihua’s identity from the people in the residence, the entire family would have no escape, even with wings to fly away.
The two left as if they had aged a decade, supporting each other as they walked toward the door.
Cuihua watched their departing figures, however sour her heart felt, she forced herself to harden her heart.
She stroked her nails, thinking of the person who should have belonged to this identity.
Su Zhiruan, she had unparalleled beauty, a superior status, and since birth, she had been in the Royal Family. What more could she want from life?!!
And she, without a pleasant name, without a prominent family background, even her sole wish to marry Ji Xiaoyuan, could not be fulfilled in the end.