The Little Childhood Friend in a Female-Dominated World (ChatGPT Translated)

Who is in charge of the external affairs?

"You have already made your choice between marriage and career, and I have my own considerations. It is not possible for both to be solely determined by your thoughts."

"I will convince your father. You don't have to go to the academy anymore. Since you like wood carving, I won't stop you. You can openly learn it in the future. Just be obedient and marry when I arrange a marriage for you."

"You are not young anymore. Since you can hide your own opinions from us, you should also face the reality of disappointment and gains and losses."

"Xu Yu felt that these words were like fine needles, piercing into her heart. She began to regret her impulsive decision and didn't consider the high price she would have to pay for choosing wood carving, which she liked."

"After all, no one can tell you the price you have to bear for the decision you make. . ."

"Xu Yu didn't know how she walked out of the study. She only knew that when she came to her senses, she was already sitting in her own room, holding the nearly completed wooden cat in her hand."

"She had always known that there might be no hope between her and An Qingle, but there was always a trace of fantasy in her heart."

"Silently sitting by the table until late at night, Xu Yu finally picked up the small knife and carefully finished carving the wood."

"The next day, Sun Yao was worried when Xu Yu didn't come. After school, he ran to the Xu residence to find her."

"The young miss is not in the residence today."

Upon hearing the gatekeeper's words, Sun Yao's brows furrowed, thinking that Xu Xiang must have been extremely angry and locked Xu Yu in the manor.

Sun Yao thought for a moment and asked, "When will she come back?"

The gatekeeper shook her head, saying that Xu Xiang left in the morning with a wooden box and hadn't returned by noon. They didn't know when she would come back in the afternoon.

Sun Yao worried in his heart but couldn't find anyone, so he had to give up.

Xu Yu hadn't returned to the manor all day, and Wan Shi also became restless. She looked at her wife, who was calmly drinking tea, and worriedly said, "Could it be that Xiaoyu has left home and cut off ties with us?"

Xu Xiang shook his head, saying, "She wouldn't dare."

Wan Shi muttered, "That's not certain. She dared to learn wood carving behind our backs and secretly submit a blank exam paper. What else wouldn't she dare to do?" When Wan Shi heard these things from her wife last night, she couldn't believe that their usually honest Xu Yu would do such things.

But now, after accepting these facts, Wan Shi suddenly felt that there was nothing Xu Yu couldn't do.

"She's just feeling uncomfortable in her heart, that's why she didn't come back. It's absolutely impossible for her to cut off ties with us." Xu Xiang grabbed Wan Shi, who was pacing back and forth in front of him, and made her sit down and rest. "We both know Xiaoyu's personality. Even if she hides things from us, it's only because she's afraid of making us angry."

Wan Shi nodded in agreement, saying, "Xiaoyu is filial."

With a sigh, he asked Xu Xiang, "Are you really planning to arrange Xiaoyu's marriage? She's our only daughter. If she marries someone she doesn't truly love, she won't be happy in the future. Disharmony in the family will only cause us both to worry."

Deep down, Wan Shi still hoped that Xu Yu could participate in the imperial examination, even if it meant waiting for another three years. However, her daughter had firmly refused.

"As the Prime Minister, even if Xiaoyu spends her whole life doing nothing, I can still support her." Xu Xiang patted Wan Shi's hand and said, "But our daughter is not someone who will do nothing. In that case, it's better to teach her more things so that when she makes decisions in the future, she won't act impulsively and stubbornly."

Wan Shi agreed, saying, "You're right. If Xiaoyu marries someone she doesn't like, this won't feel like a home anymore."

Xu Xiang lifted the teacup, took a sip, and covered the smile at the corner of his mouth. He said, "Don't worry, this is just a lesson for her. The person she marries will definitely be someone she truly loves."

Wan Shi knew who her wife had in mind for Xu Yu, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Qing Le is not a suitable husband."

Xu Xiang replied, "I know what you're thinking. Let Qing Le handle the external affairs in the future, and as for the family, let Xiaoyu find time to accompany you for tea and conversation."

Upon hearing this, Wan Shi glanced at her sideways and scolded, "People always say that the wife should handle external affairs while the husband takes care of internal matters. How can you let a woman stay in the inner courtyard to talk to me? Do you think we haven't been laughed at enough?"

Xu Xiang lightly laughed and shook her head, "My dear husband," she sighed, "We live our lives for ourselves, why should we care about what others say?"

Thinking back to the past, Wan Shi also felt a bit nostalgic. She smiled softly and glanced at Xu Xiang with a hint of resentment and grievance, "It's not that I care, I just want to care for you."

Xu Xiang held Wan Shi's hand and smiled, "I know, I know you're doing all this for me. But our lives belong to us. Let's not care about what others think and just live our own lives behind closed doors."

"By marrying An Qingle, Little Fish can do what she wants, and the Xu family still has a place in the court. It's a win-win situation," Xu Xiang said, furrowing her brows.

Xu Yu has no intention of serving in the court, and Xu Xiang doesn't really want to force her either, but the situation in the court is not that simple.

Although the Emperor is still in good health, the Crown Princess and the Fifth Princess are secretly fighting for that highest position.

Coming from a humble background, the Xu family's foundation in the capital is not strong. If they make a wrong move, it will be difficult for the Xu family to retreat unscathed.

Marrying An Qingle and making him the husband of the Xu family is also a last resort. Just like the Lu family, their foundation is deep. Even if Lu Feng doesn't marry Xu Mu, she would never marry another son from a prestigious family that would make people jealous.

For An Qingle, who is determined to serve in the court and not be confined to the inner courtyard, Xu Yu is his best choice. Xu Xiang understands this clearly, and An Shangshu knows it too.

An Qingle, as a mere scholar, would find it difficult to establish himself in a court where women are dominant, even with the status of a top scholar. If he hopes to go further and contribute to the court, having only a mother who holds the position of a minister is not enough. He also needs the support of the Left Prime Minister.

The marriage between the two families can be seen as a union of interests.

The good thing is that the two children seem to have feelings for each other.

Xu Xiang thought to herself that the way Xu Yu looked at An Qingle was the same as when she looked at Wan Shi back then. This kind of affection cannot be mistaken.

Author's note: Mini drama.

Xu Xiaoyu: You noticed all of this?

An Xiaomao: . . . I said it's a misunderstanding, do you believe me?

Xu Xiang and An Shangshu: We don't believe it! Even if Xu Yu dies, we won't believe it.

Xu Yu and An Qingle: _(:зゝ∠)_

Spoiler alert, the next chapter features a sweet Mi Jian!

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Thanks for the century of reincarnation's landmine.

Thanks for the landmine from Qian Huangxiao.

Thanks to Beisheng girl for throwing a landmine in the column.

Mu Mu da~

Note: Unrevised