Cui Changxiao merely suggested something offhandedly, not expecting the other party to take it so seriously—what, they wanted him to help pick out gifts?
He wasn’t quite sure what "helper" meant, but it should mean helping choose some suitable gifts.
Is the older Madam of the Prime Minister’s Mansion always this straightforward? Isn’t this their first formal meeting?
Though feeling somewhat confused inside, Cui Changxiao, raised with proper etiquette, couldn’t refuse and agreed with a smile. As he chatted with Song Ci, he also asked what gifts to send.
What was initially meant as polite small talk ended with a surprising twist for Cui Changxiao.
"Did the older Madam of the Song family actually see those foreigners before? To know what they look like?"
Cui Changxiao was quite astonished, as he had just mentioned that there were some people in the East Sea area with unusual appearances, eyes of various colors, eagle noses, and golden hair, looking quite strange.
But Song Ci somehow knew what those foreigners looked like and even referred to them as ’Westerners.’
Song Ci wasn’t bothered and laughed while boasting, "Look, I’ve got one foot in the grave; whom haven’t I seen? During the times of war, I saw many strange people and things."
If Prime Minister Song were here, he might have cursed at her, accusing her of lying—when had she ever seen Westerners?
Cui Changxiao hurriedly clasped his hands in respect, "I apologize, Madam; you are truly well-traveled and learned."
"Well-traveled, perhaps not; I pick up things here and there, but how could that compare to your carefree journeys around the world?" Song Ci sighed enviously.
Sob sob, she also wished to be young, have drinks while discussing the world, and ride horses in the earthly realm.
However, reality did not allow for it.
Cui Changxiao jested, "Doesn’t the Madam think I’m lacking in real learning?"
Elders usually believed that attaining an official rank and bringing glory to the ancestors was important rather than wasting one’s extensive talents like him.
"I heard that you topped the list in the exams back in the day. If that’s lacking in learning, wouldn’t I be completely illiterate? Loving the freedom of idle clouds and wild cranes is just a personal ambition. Besides, traveling vast lands isn’t a bad thing. What you see, hear, and experience is your own life. How could hearsay or merely reading compare?"
Song Ci chuckled, "Only what you witness yourself is more convincing, right? A wide heart reveals the world. By seeing every flower, tree, and plant, the more experience you gain, the more land and mountains will manifest in your mind and between your eyebrows."
Cui Changxiao’s heart swelled, his eyes shining brightly.
"What a heart filled with landscapes and mountains revealed in your eyebrows, Madam, I am truly educated."
Somehow, several scholars had gathered on the floor of the painting and calligraphy room. Having listened to Song Ci’s words, they all bowed toward her in salute.
Song Ci slightly turned her head, saw a few scholars wearing matching robes, and thought for a moment, adding, "Hey, hey, don’t flatter me too much. I’m not teaching you; I’m just rambling. The Cui boy is from a prominent family, has wealth, and can wander without worries. For those from poor families without much money, it’s best to stick to reading and gaining achievements. But, of course, don’t become bookworms and try to reach too far. If you can’t travel far, then observe closely around you. Don’t casually wander like him and then say I taught you; I won’t bear that blame."
Cui Changxiao twitched his mouth slightly. The admiration he just felt was misplaced after all!
Meanwhile, Nanny Gong, noticing Song Ci’s peculiarity, knitted her brows. She noticed the young girl beside Song Ruqi looking anxious as she approached. After listening to her report, Nanny Gong walked up to Song Ci and whispered, "Madam, it seems there’s a dispute among the young ladies."