Cui Yunfeng volunteered to stay with Cui Yunchu. After all, when she herself was sick, her eldest sister had stayed by her side every step of the way.
Old Madam Cui agreed. Once only she and Prime Minister Cui, mother and son, were left in the room, her face turned cold again. Pointing at Prime Minister Cui, she said coldly, You, come with me to the ancestral hall.
Prime Minister Cui was speechless.
It was near dawn and the sky was still very dark, but seeing his elderly mother's brisk figure walking away, Prime Minister Cui could only quickly follow.
The ancestral hall was very quiet, especially against the backdrop of the predawn sky, making it exceptionally desolate and eerie.
Prime Minister Cui stood behind Old Madam Cui.
Old Madam Cui faced the ancestors, her voice low and chilling. Kneel down.
Prime Minister Cui was shocked for a moment.
Old Madam Cui turned her head, her face stern. What, now that you are the esteemed Prime Minister, can this old woman no longer command you?
Mother, Prime Minister Cui said helplessly, bending his knees and kneeling before the ancestral tablets.
Old Madam Cui was furious, her finger almost poking Prime Minister Cui's forehead. Tell me, tell the ancestors of the Cui family, just what earth-shattering matter could make you completely ignore your own daughter's life and death?
Old Madam Cui's eyes were full of disappointment. If it were Yunfeng who was in trouble today, would you still act like this? Your father passed away early, is this how I raised you?
Prime Minister Cui lowered his head slightly to explain, Mother, your son was truly in the imperial study, entangled in government affairs and unable to get away.
Old Madam Cui sneered. Entangled in government affairs, what is the purpose of your dedication? The common people and the world?
Let me tell you, nothing is more important than my descendants. Sacrificing Qingwan was for the Cui and Tang clans, hundreds of lives, so I allowed it.
As for Yunchu and Yunfeng, I absolutely will not allow any more mishaps. As the Prime Minister, if you cannot even protect your own children, why be the Prime Minister at all? You might as well retire and return to farming.
The Prime Minister, who was under one person and above ten thousand in the imperial court, was now kneeling on the ground being scolded like a child who had made a huge mistake.
I knelt in the main hall of Anshan Temple, begging the gods and the ancestors of the Cui family to protect Yunchu, willing even to trade the rest of my lifespan...
Mother, Prime Minister Cui frowned deeply.
Old Madam Cui continued, Fortunately, heaven has eyes and let Yunchu return alive. Let me tell you, back then with her concubine mother, no one forced you, let alone held your head down to have Yunchu.
Since you did it, you must take responsibility, take responsibility for Yunchu. If you didn't like her mother, what were you doing earlier? Even if Yunfeng's mother is resentful, she should only resent you, not others.
Prime Minister Cui bowed his head deeply. His resolute profile flickered in the dim candlelight, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
If it weren't for you insisting on keeping their mother and child back then, Yunchu wouldn't have grown up to be like this. Her surname is Cui, she is my descendant, and even you are not allowed to neglect or trample on her in the slightest.
Old Madam Cui became more and more agitated, her breathing quickening. Two consecutive days of burning anxiety and kneeling to kowtow made her vision darken in waves, leaving her unable to stand steady.
Mother! Prime Minister Cui was startled and immediately stepped forward to support Old Madam Cui.
Your son has followed mother's teachings and tried to treat Yunchu equally all these years. Why must you be so agitated? What if you ruin your health from anger?
His affection for Cui Yunchu was indeed not as deep as for Cui Yunfeng, but out of guilt, he would still mostly favor Cui Yunchu in various trivial matters.
Old Madam Cui shook off his hand. Just kneel here for me. Until dawn breaks, you are not allowed to get up.
Mother, your son is, after all, the head of the family now, Prime Minister Cui said with a helpless look.
Fine then, you go. I will kneel for you.
I will kneel, I will kneel, your son will kneel. Prime Minister Cui lifted his robe and knelt before the tablets.
Only then was Old Madam Cui supported by Nanny Li to return to her courtyard.
Perhaps due to anxiety and anger, or perhaps because of two days of fear and worry, Old Madam Cui fell ill that very day, and it was more serious than ever before.
Cui Yunfeng ran between the two sides, and within a few days, she had lost a lot of weight.
Grandmother, Eldest Sister is almost fully recovered now, so please don't worry anymore. Cui Yunfeng held the medicinal broth in her hands, feeding it into Old Madam Cui's mouth.
Old Madam Cui nodded, tenderly stroking Cui Yunfeng's noticeably sharper chin. Good child, you have suffered these past few days.
Your granddaughter is not tired. In three days, it will be Cousin's wedding. You must get well soon so you can attend the ceremony.
Old Madam Cui nodded. I definitely have to go. It's just that I am getting old, and my body is increasingly not what it used to be.
Or perhaps, Qingwan's mother has been thinking of me. I always say I'll go accompany her, but I always break my promise and lie to her. I wonder if she is lonely and sad all by herself.
Grandmother. Cui Yunfeng lowered her eyes, filled with tears. Aunt definitely wants Grandmother to live a long life. And Cousin, you haven't seen her have children yet, how could you be at ease?
She always felt that her grandmother's illness this time was more severe than before, not a physical illness, but an illness of the heart.
Don't worry, before you and Yunchu are settled, Grandmother won't die.
At the mention of marriage, Cui Yunfeng lowered her head even more. After feeding all the medicine, she handed the bowl to Nanny Li beside her and sat in silence.
Yunfeng, that Lord Zhou, what do you really think of him?
Cui Yunfeng opened her mouth, and the tears welling up in her eyes fell down in drops. Grandmother, I... I don't like him.
Her nose was very red, and her eyes were filled with pain as she threw herself into Old Madam Cui's arms. Grandmother, Xiao Yi is truly very good to me. That day when Eldest Sister fell off the cliff, he did his absolute best. Your granddaughter guarantees that he will definitely not do anything to harm the Tang and Cui families.
Grandmother. She raised a pair of tear-blurred eyes. I won't compete with Cousin. If he loses, whether it means widowhood or death, I am willing. Please just grant your granddaughter's wish this once, alright?
Her voice choked with sobs, and her wronged, pitiful appearance almost broke Old Madam Cui's heart.
Cui Yunfeng had listened to Old Madam Cui's grand principles. For the sake of the family and her cousin, she was willing to obey the family's arrangements, but the longer time passed, the more her heart ached.
Especially when Xiao Yi treated her well.
She didn't want to cause Xiao Yi pain, even having thoughts of death.
Yunfeng, Old Madam Cui pulled her into an embrace, her old eyes blurring.
Grandmother, your granddaughter has tried hard to be obedient, but my heart hurts so much.
Old Madam Cui stroked her back gently, stroke by stroke, without saying a word.
Nanny Li stepped forward and softly reminded, Second Miss, the Old Madam is lacking energy and should rest.
Only then did Cui Yunfeng wipe away her tears, stand up to curtsy, and withdraw.
After she left, Old Madam Cui coughed heavily a few times. Nanny Li was startled and immediately stepped forward to pat her back.
Old Madam, please don't be anxious. Second Miss is just emotional for the moment. Once she is married, she won't be like this anymore.
Old Madam Cui shook her head, her tone a bit rushed. Look at how emaciated she is now. If this continues, who knows if she will even have the life to make it to that day.
Nanny Li sighed.
These three young ladies truly broke the Old Madam's heart with worry.
"The more it is so, the more you must take care of your health to watch over the three young ladies."
Old Madam Cui covered her mouth with a handkerchief and leaned back wearily. "Nanny Li, tell me, which is harder to endure: a fleeting moment of joy, or a lifetime of melancholy?"
Both were paths of life, but which one was truly the best for them?
"I believe it is the former," Nanny Li said hesitantly. "Isn't the young cousin a cautionary tale?"
Knowing full well what lay ahead, she had still forged onward without hesitation, for the sake of the family, and for her private romance with the Crown Prince.
It wasn't that the Old Madam hadn't tried to talk her out of it.
Old Madam Cui sighed at her words, her gaze turning somewhat unfocused. "You are right. But I simply cannot bear it."
