By the time Cui Yunchu muttered her way to the garden, the wedding ceremony had already concluded, and the Crown Princess had been escorted back to the bridal chamber.
She turned right around to leave, but Cui Yunfeng, who was standing beside her, hurriedly grabbed her arm. "Where are you going now?"
Cui Yunchu curled her lip. "Where else? What's the point of going in? To offer up my head to kowtow to people?"
The Emperor, the Empress, and the Eldest Princess were all present. How many times would she have to kneel, and how many times would she have to bow her head to the ground? And perhaps, after all that kowtowing, she would still have to endure some passive-aggressive, veiled sarcastic remarks.
She wasn't crazy.
Cui Yunfeng said, "You have a point. Her Majesty the Empress just sent her personal maid to check on Liu Wanting. It shows how much they value the Liu family."
Cui Yunchu asked a young palace maid to lead the way and headed straight to the Crown Prince's main courtyard to find Tang Qingwan.
The main courtyard of the Crown Prince's estate was exceptionally lively at the moment. Red silk draped almost the entire courtyard, and even the trees were tied with red flowers. It was a world of difference compared to the desolation in Liu Wanting's courtyard.
Cui Yunfeng sighed. "The Crown Prince still has our cousin in his heart."
Cui Yunchu scoffed. "Would you want this kind of 'goodness'? Let Prince An marry eight or ten women, but treat you 'unusually'... and then have others say he treats you differently, that he treats you the best, and that he has you in his heart?"
Cui Yunfeng shuddered at the mere thought, her face darkening slightly. "The Crown Prince is the heir apparent."
As the heir apparent, it was naturally impossible for him to marry only one woman. If he ascended the throne as Emperor in the future, he would need to take in many concubines to balance the dynamics of the court and the inner palace.
Cui Yunchu replied, "By that logic, Prince An needs the support of the ministers even more than the Crown Prince. He should marry a few more."
She cast a sideways glance at Cui Yunfeng. "You'd better be careful. Just because he isn't marrying others now doesn't mean he won't in the future. Once you actually marry him and can't run away, he might just start taking them in."
Cui Yunfeng was left stunned by Cui Yunchu's analysis.
"If he dares, I'll die right in front of him."
Cui Yunchu laughed. "You dying isn't him dying. At most, he'll buy a coffin to show you."
"Eldest Sister," Cui Yunfeng's eyes reddened at Cui Yunchu's words. "Why do you always pour cold water on me?"
Cui Yunchu spread her hands helplessly. "He's already said all the sweet words. If I don't pour some cold water on you, wouldn't you become so burning with passion that you'd elope with him?"
"..."
Cui Yunchu made a lot of sense. After seeing Xiao Yi and being doted on and pampered by him, her fluttering maiden heart had become even more restless. But after hearing Cui Yunchu's words...
Sigh, her heart inexplicably settled down, and her mind even began to picture the scenes Cui Yunchu had described.
Cui Yunfeng suddenly felt that even looking at Xiao Yi was a bit displeasing.
"Eldest Sister, your mind is as complex as a honeycomb."
When she asked her to seek Xiao Yi's help earlier, she didn't have this attitude. Not much time had passed, yet she changed her tune so quickly.
"If Brother Yi knew you were speaking ill of him behind his back like this, he'd definitely shove that paper packet down your throat."
Cui Yunchu gave Cui Yunfeng a sideways glance. "If he shoves it down my throat and I die, you can collect my corpse."
Cui Yunfeng, "..."
"I'm just joking. If he dares to harm you, I'll be the first to not let him off. I'd perish together with him if I have to."
After saying that, she seemed to suddenly realize something. "Didn't you say that paper packet wasn't lethal, and would only cause a stomachache?"
"Ah," Cui Yunchu responded vaguely, stepping up the stairs.
The dowry maids Tang Qingwan had brought were guarding the door. They bowed to her in unison. "Eldest Miss Cui."
Cui Yunchu nodded, but Cui Yunfeng grabbed her arm. "Eldest Sister, don't go. Tell me clearly, will eating what's in that paper packet kill someone or not?"
Cui Yunchu was speechless. She poked Cui Yunfeng hard on the forehead. "Cui Yunfeng, where is your brain?"
Poisoning Liu Wanting to death on the wedding day—was she afraid the Emperor wouldn't find an excuse to punish the Tang and Cui families?
Cui Yunchu stepped into the room. Tang Qingwan, covered with a red bridal veil, was sitting on the bed scattered with auspicious fruits.
Layer upon layer of sheer curtains hung around, and red candles flickered back and forth. Everywhere one looked was a vibrant red; the Crown Prince's estate had decorated the bridal chamber very festively.
But for some reason, Cui Yunchu didn't feel the slightest bit of joy or happiness. She only felt a faint sense of trepidation and heaviness.
"Yunchu, Yunfeng, is that you?"
Cui Yunchu curled her lips into a smile. "Yes, the banquet is about to end. We'll be leaving soon, so we came to see you."
Tang Qingwan wanted to lift her veil, but was stopped by an older female servant nearby. "Crown Princess, it is only auspicious if His Highness the Crown Prince lifts the veil."
Cui Yunchu also hurriedly said, "Why lift the veil? You married the Crown Prince and will be the mother of the nation in the future. We can't have any bad luck. The three of us grew up sleeping in the same bed. We all know what each other looks like, what's there to see?"
The corners of Tang Qingwan's lips curved up slightly beneath the veil. "Auspicious or inauspicious, it's all nonsense."
"It's passed down from our ancestors, so naturally, there's a reason for it." Cui Yunchu pressed Tang Qingwan's hand down, pulled up a small stool, and sat beside her.
"Are you very tired today?"
Tang Qingwan's nose stung with emotion, and she shook her head. "I'm alright."
Cui Yunchu said, "That's good. It won't delay tonight's consummation."
"..." Tang Qingwan raised her hand and gave her a light smack. "An unmarried girl, spouting such nonsense."
Cui Yunchu laughed.
Tang Qingwan asked, "Yunfeng, why haven't I heard you speak?"
Cui Yunfeng replied listlessly, "Eldest Sister is talking. I don't dare to speak."
Cui Yunchu's sharp tongue launched indiscriminate attacks. She wasn't her match, so staying silent was her best defense.
Tang Qingwan laughed.
"Yunchu, you are the older sister. Don't always bully Yunfeng. The three of us sisters must be of one mind and work together to protect our family."
Cui Yunchu agreed in a muffled voice, "Cousin, the matter you entrusted to me has been taken care of."
"Mm," Tang Qingwan replied.
Cui Yunchu frowned. "Cousin, today is your wedding night. Why exactly are you doing this?"
Tang Qingwan remained silent for a long moment. She waved her hand to dismiss the servants in the room before saying calmly, "I made repeated concessions before. Now, the guilt he has accumulated over these past few days should be put to use. It's just missing this final strike."
Cui Yunfeng asked, "Do you need us to do anything else?"
Tang Qingwan shook her head. "No need. You've already helped me immensely by doing what I asked."
Silence spread among the three sisters.
Cui Yunfeng suddenly said in a subdued voice, "We left home together this morning, but Cousin has to stay here."
There was still Liu Wanting in the backyard. Cui Yunfeng couldn't feel at ease leaving Tang Qingwan in this den of trouble to battle wits and courage with the Liu family.
Outside the window, it was lively and festive, but inside the room, the atmosphere was unusually heavy. The three sisters sat together, none of them speaking, simply keeping each other company in silence.
Time ticked by. The banquet was ending, and the Crown Prince would be returning soon.
A palace maid came in to report, and only then did Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng stand up to leave.
With red eyes, Cui Yunfeng reminded her over and over again, "Cousin, if you are bullied, just come home. Prioritize your own safety before doing anything. If things get too difficult, send a letter. Eldest Sister and I will come. Eldest Sister is the best at dealing with Liu Wanting."
Cui Yunchu, standing to the side, "..."
Heavy footsteps echoed outside the window. Cui Yunchu grabbed Cui Yunfeng and quickly pulled her away.
In the courtyard, Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng curtsied to the Crown Prince and offered their congratulations.
The Crown Prince's face was brimming with joy, so much so that even Cui Yunchu looked rather pleasing to his eyes today. I shall have someone escort you two sisters back to your estate.
We would not dare trouble Your Highness, Cui Yunfeng replied. Our carriage is waiting just outside. My sister and I will take our leave now.
With that, she grabbed Cui Yunchu's hand and hurried away.
Cui Yunchu rolled her eyes. Why are you walking so fast? Are you afraid I will stay behind to be his concubine?
...
Listening to the commotion outside, Tang Qingwan immediately sat up straight.
Soon after, there was the sound of a man stepping into the room, followed by the servants paying their respects.
A pair of boots embroidered with dark dragon motifs came to a stop in front of her. The scent of alcohol washed over her. Tang Qingwan's voice was gentle, Your Highness has been drinking.
The Crown Prince murmured in response, Qingwan, do not call me Your Highness. I do not like the sound of it.
Your Highness, Your servant—such terms were simply too distant for the two of them.
He bent down, gently took the hands resting in her lap, and brought them to his lips. His voice was low and tender, We have finally seen this day come.
Outside the window, lanterns hung high in the night. The festive bustle had not entirely faded away; servants were still hurrying back and forth, though they moved with light steps, terrified of disturbing the couple.
Tang Qingwan lifted her head, causing her bridal veil to slip slightly and reveal her delicate, fair chin.
The Crown Prince's gaze lingered on the corner of her lips as he leaned in...
Your Highness, an older maidservant's voice suddenly called out from outside the door. It is getting late. The Secondary Consort is also waiting for you to lift her veil.
