Actually, Tang Qingwan’s true question lay elsewhere.
“Earlier at the Grand Princess’s manor, thank you for coming to my aid.”
She offered Cui Yunchu a smile that could almost be described as gentle.
“What aid? I merely repeated the words Grandmother taught me.” That look of vacant innocence returned to Cui Yunchu’s eyes as she leaned a bit closer to Tang Qingwan. “In that case, since I helped you by sheer luck, shouldn’t you be thanking me?”
“...” Cui Yunfeng grabbed Yunchu’s wrist and pulled her back, the brief flicker of pride she had felt for her sister vanishing into thin air.
Tang Qingwan’s expression remained calm. “How would you like me to thank you?”
“Cousin, don’t pay her any mind,” Cui Yunfeng interjected.
Cui Yunchu glanced at Cui Yunfeng, let out a small hmpf, and turned back to Tang Qingwan, her gaze landing on her cousin’s hair.
“The tourmaline and kingfisher feather jewelry set you’re wearing today is quite lovely. I like it very much.”
Tang Qingwan was taken aback.
“Cui Yunchu, that’s enough. Is your jewelry box even large enough to hold more?” Cui Yunfeng snapped.
“Then I’ll just buy a bigger one,” Cui Yunchu replied. If she could get it through her own merits, why shouldn’t she? It would serve as a dowry to ensure she lived comfortably for the rest of her life.
Tang Qingwan had expected an outrageous demand; she hadn’t expected this. “Very well, it’s yours.”
She agreed readily.
“As long as you don’t stir up trouble in the future, let Grandmother have some peace, and behave yourself, jewelry will not be an issue.”
Tang Qingwan spoke softly, but much later, she would look back on this day and regret her generosity.
“You must keep your word, Cousin.”
“Naturally.” Compared to the scandals of seducing the Crown Prince or Prince An, passing secret letters, and running wild all over the capital, a few pieces of jewelry were a small price to pay.
Tang Qingwan’s heavy, stifling mood lightened considerably thanks to Cui Yunchu’s peculiar behavior.
At the Cui Manor, in Songhe Garden.
Old Madam Cui’s gaze first fell upon Cui Yunchu. “Yunchu, did you cause any trouble today?”
“...” Cui Yunchu pursed her lips, and Old Madam Cui immediately broke into a smile. “That means you didn’t. Wait a moment; Grandmother will have a reward for you later.”
Cui Yunfeng was speechless.
Rewards came so easily to her sister. “Grandmother, on what grounds?”
Tang Qingwan sat quietly to the side, watching the sisters bicker without saying a word.
However, Old Madam Cui saw right through Tang Qingwan’s calm facade to the forced composure beneath. “Qingwan, what is it? Did something happen?”
Tang Qingwan’s mother was Old Madam Cui’s youngest daughter and a great favorite. Consequently, the Old Madam’s affection for Tang Qingwan was no less than what she felt for her own granddaughters, Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng.
Cui Yunfeng was blunt by nature; before Tang Qingwan could speak, she recounted everything that had transpired at the Grand Princess’s manor.
Old Madam Cui’s expression chilled instantly. She gave Nanny Li a look, and the nanny immediately ushered everyone out of the room.
“Qingwan, what is your take on this matter?” Old Madam Cui asked softly after taking a sip of tea.
Tang Qingwan’s gaze drifted toward Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng.
“It’s no matter,” the Old Madam said. “Your two younger sisters are no longer children. There are some things they ought to hear.”
Tang Qingwan nodded. “Ten years ago, the great families monopolized power, even to the point of overshadowing the throne, causing instability in the imperial court. The civil and military officials followed the lead of the Shen clan, the head of the great families.”
“At that time, the country lacked capable generals, but my father and uncle were loyal, upright, and exceptionally talented. They earned the Emperor’s favor. To secure the loyalty of his ministers, the marriage between the Crown Prince and me was arranged. Now, ten years later...”
“My father and uncle have reached the pinnacle of their careers. The Tang and Cui families possess both reputation and power, and our close ties inevitably draw the Emperor’s suspicion. He fears a repeat of the chaos caused by the previous great families.”
Old Madam Cui nodded repeatedly. “You are right. A tall tree catches the wind. Wherever our Cui and Tang families go, we are treated with awe and enjoy great honor, so it is only natural that we are met with suspicion.”
“However, there is one thing that the Cui and Tang families lack, and it is the most effective tool to keep us in check.”
“Military power,” Tang Qingwan replied. “Liu Wanting’s father is the Minister of War.”
Old Madam Cui nodded, her eyes full of pride as she looked at Tang Qingwan. “It is a blessing for the Cui and Tang families to have a daughter like you, Qingwan. Otherwise, I fear...”
Her gaze flickered to Cui Yunchu, and she held back the rest of her sentence, fearing she might discourage her.
“Therefore, this side consort is not just the Empress’s wish, but the Emperor’s as well. It cannot be changed.”
Tang Qingwan’s face turned slightly pale, but she quickly regained her composure and nodded. “Rest assured, Grandmother. I know what must be done.”
“Good child, you have been wronged,” Old Madam Cui said pityingly.
Tang Qingwan shook her head, her clear eyes flashing with a sharp light. “I am a daughter of the Tang and Cui clans, my status second only to the princesses. Even if Liu Wanting becomes a side consort, she need not dream of competing with me or shaking the foundation of the Tang and Cui families in the slightest.”
Her expression was cold, her aura sharp and powerful, reminiscent of Old Madam Cui in her younger years.
