Chapter 407: Are You Crazy?

Xiao Min popped a piece of candied fruit into her mouth and said unhurriedly, "Just say it, Chen’er. You know Mother loves you best. Anything I can grant, I will."

Su Chen took a deep breath and sat down in a lower-ranked seat. "Mother, I would like to ask you to go to a young lady’s family and propose marriage on my behalf."

Xiao Min’s languid air vanished instantly. She leaned forward, her eyes wide. "Which family’s young lady is it?"

Su Chen lowered his gaze. "Her family may be common farmers, but the young lady herself is virtuous and intelligent. I wish to marry her."

Xiao Min stared blankly for a moment. "Farmers? A farmer’s daughter?"

"Chen’er, you... are you out of your mind?"

Su Chen closed his eyes. "Mother, I know exactly what I’m saying. That young lady is both beautiful and talented—she is the wife I have always dreamed of. I’m begging you to grant my wish."

Xiao Min’s brow knitted together. "Chen’er, don’t be absurd. If you fancy a girl from a farming family, just take her as a concubine. How can you possibly marry a farmer’s daughter as your principal wife? People would laugh at us!"

Su Chen suddenly rose and knelt before Xiao Min, looking up at her. "Mother, in all the years I’ve been growing up, I have never once asked you for anything. This is my only wish. I hope you will grant it."

Xiao Min shook her head. "Chen’er, it’s not that I refuse to grant your wish. But to marry a farmer’s daughter? Wouldn’t that bring shame upon both the Su Family and the Xiao family? Even your father would never agree."

Su Chen, still kneeling, pressed his lips together. "Father will agree."

"I’ve already written him a letter."

"Please, Mother, agree to this and send someone to propose marriage at once."

Xiao Min frowned. "Even if you have written to your father, he wouldn’t be so foolish. In any case, the answer is no. I do not agree. If I accept a farmer’s daughter as my daughter-in-law, how could I ever show my face in public again!"

Su Chen had always known what kind of person his mother was.

’To put it nicely, she had been spoiled rotten since childhood, leaving her naive and infantile.’

’To put it bluntly, she was selfish and heartless.’

’He had known from a young age that Xiao Min cared only for herself. The affection she had for anyone else—even for him, her only son—was painfully limited.’

’Ever since he was born, she had tossed him to a wet nurse. On a normal week, he would only see her once every few days. If she was in a good mood, she might play with him for a bit. If she was in a bad mood, she’d have the nurse take him away without even a second glance.’

’Su Chen had a good memory, even from a young age, and he could still clearly recall events from when he was two or three. In all his memories, his mother had never once held him.’

’As he grew older, Su Chen came to understand: as long as he didn’t disrupt her life or impinge on her interests, she would of course "dote" on him.’

’But if her own interests were at stake? Then too bad—everyone else had to step aside.’

’Hadn’t she abandoned him without a second thought when they encountered refugees on their last journey? That was the best proof of all.’

Su Chen had only approached her because he couldn’t bear to wait for his father’s reply, thinking he might as well try to persuade his mother. Xiao Min’s answer was exactly what he had expected.

He couldn’t say he was particularly disappointed. He simply got up from the floor, gave a low bow, and walked out without another word.

Xiao Min, sitting in the seat of honor, turned to Chunying. "Chen’er... is he angry with me?"

Chunying quickly replied, "Of course not, Madam. The Young Master has always been so dutiful. How could he possibly be angry with you?"

Xiao Min pouted. "He is too angry. WAAAH—"

She let out a single sob before suddenly pulling the handkerchief from her face. "Oh, right. Which family’s girl has Chen’er taken a fancy to, anyway?"

None of the maids said a word.

Seeing she wasn’t getting an answer, Xiao Min didn’t press the matter. She took a few sips of tea and rose lazily to her feet. "The lotuses in the garden should have bloomed by now, shouldn’t they? Come, let’s go take a look."