Cui’s mother hurried after him, followed closely by the three Cui brothers…
Everyone arrived at the front hall.
Sure enough, a solemn-looking eunuch stood before the entrance, holding an imperial edict.
When Cui Yeping saw him, he immediately set his granddaughter down and knelt before the eunuch, who held the bright-yellow edict aloft.
The rest of the Cui family, who had rushed over behind him, knelt down as well.
Cui Yeping glanced back and saw that everyone in the household had arrived. He then said to the eunuch, “This subject, together with his family, awaits His Majesty’s gracious decree.”
The eunuch nodded, solemnly unfolded the bright-yellow edict, and proclaimed in his sharp voice:
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Cui Yeping, Secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, has always cared for the people, conducted himself with upright virtue, and demonstrated outstanding talent and discernment. Having passed the palace examination and earned the title of Presented Scholar… We hereby specially promote you to Assistant Director of the Ministry of Revenue and bestow upon you an imperial commendation for your wife… Respect this!”
“The decree has been read. Lord Cui, why have you not yet stepped forward to receive it?” the eunuch called sharply.
Cui Yeping braced himself and rose to his feet, his hands trembling as he accepted the imperial edict.
When he saw the four magnificent characters woven in multicolored silk across the orange-yellow document—“Imperial Commendation from Heaven”—he felt as though he were dreaming.
He had dreamed countless dreams, but never one so wonderful as this.
Eunuch: “Congratulations, Lord Cui. Officials promoted to the fifth rank are usually appointed directly, but it is rare for His Majesty to issue the decree personally. With such honor, Lord Cui’s future is sure to be boundless, and your official career will proceed smoothly!”
Cui Yeping clutched the edict, his face flushed with excitement. “I must thank you for making this journey in person. But may I ask why His Majesty suddenly promoted this humble official?”
The eunuch smiled. “Lord Cui, you jest. You have served as an official for twenty years and passed the palace examination at only twenty-one. If you had had someone supporting you, you would have risen to prominence long ago. Now that Lady Cui has entered the palace, Lord Cui, your opportunity has finally arrived.”
Cui Yeping’s eyes flew open. “Lady Cui?”
The eunuch continued pleasantly, “Indeed, Lady Cui! Just moments ago, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager personally issued a decree conferring upon Lady Cui the title of Consort Cui!”
The worry that had been weighing on Cui Yeping’s heart finally vanished. He was so excited that he nearly felt like running two laps around the residence.
Heaven was truly watching over the Cui family!
His daughter was safe and sound—and had even been promoted to the rank of a first-rank consort!
He had also benefited from his daughter’s good fortune, rising two ranks at once to become Assistant Director of the Ministry of Revenue!
Cui Yeping was not the only one too excited for words. The other members of the Cui family were all delirious with joy, feeling as though a huge gold ingot had fallen from the heavens straight into their household.
Their little sister was not only safe, but had also been promoted. Their father had benefited from her favor as well, with His Majesty personally issuing a decree to raise him to the fifth rank as Assistant Director of the Ministry of Revenue!
Cui Huaihao immediately slipped some money into the eunuch’s hand, telling him to use it for tea.
The eunuch weighed the purse in his hand and nodded in satisfaction. “The Cui family’s blessings have only just begun. I shall take my leave and return to the palace to report.”
The members of the Cui family saw the eunuch out.
Once the doors were closed, Cui Huaiyi swept Rongyao into his arms. “Sweet Yaoyao, what wonderful news! Your mother really is all right!”
Cui’s mother, Zhang Yingmei, held out her hands nearby in case of an accident. “Don’t get so carried away that you drop Yaoyao.”
Cui Huaiyi said, “Mother, I’m simply too happy! A moment ago, I was still afraid that Little Sister might be punished in the palace. Now not only has Father been promoted, but Little Sister has even become Consort Cui! As her elder brother, I’m truly overjoyed!”
Cui Huaihao’s face was filled with undisguised delight. “We must prepare a feast and celebrate properly later.”
Cui Huaiji hesitated before speaking. “I simply don’t understand what happened. His Majesty not only rewarded Little Sister but also promoted Father. His Majesty is no foolish ruler. No matter how much he favors a consort, he should not go this far. It almost seems as though he intends to…”
Cui Huaiyi set Rongyao down and asked curiously, “Intends to do what?”
Cui Huaiji glanced at his family, his voice growing solemn. “Make amends.”
“Now that Big Brother puts it that way, it really does seem so,” Cui Huaihao said. “But I wonder what His Majesty intends to make amends to our family for.” After speaking, he regretfully slapped his forehead. “I should have given that eunuch more money and asked him carefully!”
Cui Huaiyi said, “Why dwell on it? Whatever the reason, it’s good news. We can write to Little Sister in a few days and ask her.”
Cui Huaihao nodded. “That’s all we can do.”
“I know!” The shortest of them all, Yaoyao rose onto her tiptoes, raised her little hand, and spoke in a clear voice.
The three Cui brothers, along with Cui Yeping and his wife, all looked down at Little Yao-Yao and instinctively asked, “What’s the reason?”
Rongyao said, “Because the Emperor is Yaoyao’s papa. He lost Mama for such a long time, so of course he has to make it up to her.”
Everyone fell silent.
Cui Huaiyi burst out laughing. “That’s right, that’s right. The Emperor is Yaoyao’s papa.”
Cui Huaiji picked Rongyao up and nodded, indulgently tapping the tip of her little nose. “It’s fine to say things like that at home, but be sure never to say them outside.”
Rongyao: “…”
Not a single person in the Cui family took Rongyao’s words seriously. They were all too busy celebrating Cui Yeping’s promotion to Assistant Director of the Ministry of Revenue and the young lady’s elevation to the rank of first-rank consort.
Cui Huaihao specifically ordered one of the servants to purchase the finest wine from Hundred Fragrance Pavilion, then instructed the kitchen to prepare a lavish spread.
The entire Cui residence was bustling with excitement, as lively as it was during the New Year.
Rongyao sat in the main room, watching her energetic uncles—the eldest, second, and third—come and go; her spirited maternal grandfather; her exuberant maternal grandmother and three aunts-in-law, who were directing the servants as they arranged the dishes; and her several older male cousins, who sat beside her and saved all the best pastries for her.
The eleven-year-old eldest cousin said, “Little Sister, eat more. When Auntie left, I promised her that I would give you the very best of everything and fatten you up until you were fair and plump. If Auntie comes back and sees that you’ve lost weight, she’ll punish me!”
The nine-year-old second cousin said, “Little Yaoyao, why don’t you have to study? You’re free every day, while the rest of us have to study from morning till night. Little Yaoyao, you’re the cleverest of all. Do you have any way to stop Mother and Father from forcing me to study?”
The seven-year-old third cousin secretly stuffed a pastry into his mouth. “Yaoyao, you’re amazing. You eat so many pastries and still haven’t gotten any cavities. I got a cavity, so Mother won’t let me eat many pastries anymore.”
Rongyao: “…”
Each of her three cousins had his own troubles, and they gathered around her, chattering away. Yet Rongyao did not find them noisy in the least.
She solemnly told her eldest cousin that they could all share the pastries. She told her second cousin that she had already read all the books he had studied. She told her third cousin that if he wanted to eat pastries every day, he had to clean his teeth every morning before getting out of bed and carefully clean them again before going to sleep each night.
The eldest cousin said, “Little Sister, you’re so kind. Father was right—Little Sister loves us most of all and is willing to share all the best things with us.”
The second cousin said, “That’s amazing! No wonder you don’t have to study or practice your writing. You already read everything we have! From now on, I’ll work hard and surpass you as soon as possible.”
The third cousin said, “Little Yaoyao must be right. If I want to eat pastries every day, I’ll make sure to clean my teeth properly from now on!”
Her three cousins each had their own troubles, and Rongyao naturally had things she couldn’t figure out as well.
She rested her chin in her hands and stared out the door, looking bewildered.
Something wasn’t right. Her mother had been made a consort, and her maternal grandfather had been promoted. That should mean the Emperor had learned the truth from all those years ago. But why hadn’t her mother come to take her away?
Was it because the wicked Emperor didn’t like her?
