Cui Yunchu quickly leaned her ear over as well. The three sisters put their heads together and whispered intimately among themselves.
After listening to Tang Qingwan's instructions, Cui Yunfeng's expression became rather strange. "Cousin, are you sure?"
Tang Qingwan nodded. "It would be inappropriate for me to do this, as it would be too easily traced back to me. Only if the people on Prince An and Consort Liang's side do it will it be perfectly justifiable and not arouse suspicion."
Cui Yunfeng nodded. "Alright then."
Cui Yunchu, however, stared unblinkingly at Tang Qingwan, her eyes shining brightly.
Tang Qingwan found it somewhat amusing. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You have always been smart. I am trying to guess your purpose for doing this so I can exercise my not-so-clever brain."
Tang Qingwan curved her lips into a smile.
Today, she was still a daughter of the Tang family. But after tomorrow, she would be the Crown Princess, forced to calculate every step and walk on thin ice.
"I am afraid we won't have this kind of joy anymore." Even seeing her sisters would only be an occasional luxury.
Cui Yunfeng put her arm around Tang Qingwan's shoulders. "It is alright. We will visit the Crown Prince's estate often to keep you company."
"Better not," Cui Yunchu suddenly interjected. When Cui Yunfeng looked at her, she explained, "Our cousin will be busy matching wits and courage with Liu Wanting. If we go, won't we just become living targets for Liu Wanting and cause more trouble for our cousin?"
She and Yunfeng would likely be no match for a vicious woman like Liu Wanting.
"Cousin," Cui Yunfeng asked, "what did our brother-in-law, the Crown Prince, have to say about her attempt to harm you?"
Tang Qingwan shook her head and said nothing.
At a critical juncture like this, it was impossible for him to do anything to Liu Wanting.
"Why should I demand an explanation from someone else? Why should I rely on others to avenge my own grievances?"
The Crown Prince had made too many promises. If Tang Qingwan pinned all her hopes on them, she feared she would perish shortly after entering his estate.
Cui Yunchu said, "You are so formidable, Cousin. If only I had half your cunning, how wonderful that would be."
Tang Qingwan gently rubbed Cui Yunchu's head. "Everyone is different. You have your own strengths, and in the future, you will meet someone who appreciates you."
That night, Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng did not leave the Tang residence. Instead, they both huddled in Tang Qingwan's courtyard. The three sisters lay on the same bed, chatting late into the night. It was only after the older maidservants urged them several times that they reluctantly went to sleep.
At the crow of the rooster, they were awakened again.
It was the same maidservant with the same voice. Cui Yunchu rolled over and mumbled incoherently, "Stop rushing us, we are already asleep."
Xing'er smiled awkwardly and nudged Cui Yunchu's body, which was tangled in the quilt. "Miss, it is not time to sleep; it is time to get up."
Cui Yunchu frowned. She had just fallen asleep!
While her brain was still trying to process this, the sudden crackle of firecrackers echoed in her ears, instantly driving away all her drowsiness.
Startled, she scrambled up and sat blankly on the bed.
Tang Qingwan was already sitting in front of the bronze mirror, getting her makeup done. Cui Yunfeng was sitting on the edge of the bed with her eyes closed while Yun'er helped her dress.
Cui Yunchu turned her head to look out the window lattice. It was pitch black outside; only the small areas illuminated by lanterns could be seen clearly.
Cui Yunchu's mind was still somewhat muddled. "How long did I sleep?"
Xing'er replied, "Two hours."
"."
Cui Yunchu slowly crawled to the edge of the bed and sat next to Cui Yunfeng, letting Xing'er attend to her dressing and washing.
The two sisters sat side by side, both with their eyes closed, looking incredibly exhausted. The sight made Tang Qingwan, who was sitting in front of the bronze mirror, curl her lips in amusement.
As the Crown Princess, her attire from the wedding dress to the headdress, accessories, and shoes was extremely elaborate. After Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng finished getting ready, they each sat on a small stool, resting their chins in their hands as they watched Tang Qingwan get dressed.
Layer after layer of clothing and intricate makeup made the two onlookers drowsy.
It wasn't until the sky was completely bright that the dressing was finally complete.
The hem of her skirt, embroidered with peonies in gold thread, trailed long on the ground. Paired with an exceptionally luxurious phoenix coronet, it perfectly highlighted the grace and nobility of the royal family.
It was something Cui Yunchu had once dreamed of, but now, as she brushed her hand over the embroidered peonies, she could not feel happy at all.
"Cousin, the dangers of being the Crown Princess far outweigh the wealth and glory. If you can't withstand it, run away immediately. Don't clash head-on with Liu Wanting. If things get too difficult, come home and find help, understand?"
Cui Yunfeng nodded with tears in her eyes. "Big Sister is right. Cousin, you must not force yourself to endure it alone. The Cui and Tang families do not rest on your shoulders alone. If you ever need my help or Big Sister's help, send word to us immediately. We will do our absolute best and never leave you isolated and helpless."
Tang Qingwan smiled gently. "I am your older sister. It is only right that I shoulder the heavy responsibilities of our family. But rest assured, if I need help, I will definitely look for you."
Her gaze shifted and landed on Cui Yunchu. "Actually, right now, there is one thing I would like Yunchu's help with."
Cui Yunchu sniffled. "Tell me."
Tang Qingwan's face turned somewhat solemn. "Right now, our Cui and Tang families are facing enemies on all sides in the royal court. Both the Liu family and the Shen family are glaring like tigers watching their prey, waiting for an opportunity to drag us down from our high position. Yunchu, you and Lord Shen have somewhat of a life-and-death bond. If there is a chance to resolve the enmity between our three families, it could reverse our current situation."
"..."
The misty tears in Cui Yunchu's eyes were forcefully held back, and she slowly pulled her hand out of Tang Qingwan's grasp.
"This matter... I... I am afraid I am not up to the task."
Tang Qingwan smiled and took her and Cui Yunfeng's hands back into her own. "Don't feel pressured. I was just mentioning it in passing. If there is an opportunity, just do your best. If there isn't, I won't force it."
"After I marry today, I will no longer be able to fulfill my filial duties to our grandmother. The two of you must be good and don't make her angry, understand?"
The sound of gongs and drums grew closer and closer. It seemed the wedding procession from the Crown Prince's estate had arrived.
Old Madam Cui entered the room, supported by servants, and saw the three sisters holding hands.
Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng nodded in unison. "Don't worry, Cousin. We will definitely take good care of Grandmother."
Old Madam Cui's eyes were slightly red. "Qingwan, it is getting late. It is time to head out."
Tang Qingwan murmured in agreement, withdrew her hands, and sat back steadily in her chair. The maids and older female servants hurriedly stepped forward in a flurry to touch up her makeup and cover her head with the bridal veil.
"Grandmother," Tang Qingwan reached out her hand. Old Madam Cui immediately stepped forward and grasped it. "Grandmother is here."
Tang Qingwan tightened her grip. After a long moment, she finally said, "You... must take care of your health."
"Sigh." Old Madam Cui held Tang Qingwan's hand with both of hers, tears streaming down her face. "You too. Don't push yourself too hard, and don't suffer in silence. Your father and your uncle are still strong and healthy. Don't be afraid of causing them trouble. Even if the sky falls, the Cui and Tang families will bear it together."
A teardrop slid down Tang Qingwan's delicate chin and fell onto her wedding dress. "Rest assured."
Among the three sisters, Tang Qingwan was the most calculating, which indeed put Old Madam Cui a bit more at ease.
Cui Yunchu watched her grandmother weeping, holding onto Tang Qingwan with a helpless and reluctant look, and slightly lowered her head.
Her cousin was doing this for the Cui and Tang families.
But as the eldest daughter of the Cui family, she had only ever acted for herself.
For the first time, she had a new perspective on her own selfishness. Or perhaps, the familial love she had experienced in this life made it impossible for her to remain comfortably selfish any longer.
Cui Yunchu's heart was a battlefield of conflicting emotions—guilt, unease, and inner turmoil filled her, refusing to dissipate.
It seemed as though she was a Cui first, and only then Yunchu, only then herself.
Yet, the temperament she had cultivated from childhood could not be discarded in a moment. Cui Yunchu stared at her embroidered shoes in a daze.
Beside her, Cui Yunfeng was sobbing uncontrollably.
A maid came to report that the Crown Prince had personally come to escort the bride, and his imperial carriage had arrived at the estate's gates.
Old Madam Cui urged, "Stop dawdling, there is still much to do later."
The Crown Prince had to take the Crown Princess to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay respects to the ancestors before returning to the Eastern Palace.
And the home-visiting ceremony seven days later would not be the Crown Princess returning home; instead, her maternal family would enter the palace.
Tang Qingwan nodded, expressing a hint of regret, "It's a pity my two brothers are not in the capital and cannot carry me out for my wedding."
The atmosphere grew somewhat stagnant for a moment.
Grand Tutor Tang's voice suddenly rang out, "It doesn't matter. It is the same if your father carries you."
Grand Tutor Tang, dressed in his first-rank court attire, strode in and stopped in front of Tang Qingwan. His dignified face held complex emotions, "Wearing your wedding dress, you bear quite a resemblance to your mother."
