Cui Yunfeng clutched the brocade box in her arms tightly, her voice lowering a bit, "Consort Liang gave this to me, saying... it is my mother's relic."
The box was luxurious and exquisite. Cui Yunchu stared at it for a few breaths before looking away.
"You cannot completely trust Consort Liang's words. You must have a sense of propriety in your heart."
Affection might be real, but when faced with the current situation, avoiding harm and seeking an advantage was also real.
Cui Yunfeng nodded, "Don't worry, Big Sister. I know what I am doing."
The carriage stopped in front of the Cui residence. The two sisters entered the estate together. Nanny Li from Songhe Garden was already waiting at the floral archway.
"First Miss, Second Miss, Old Madam Cui invites you both to Songhe Garden."
Cui Yunfeng immediately grew nervous and grabbed the hem of Cui Yunchu's clothes, "Big Sister."
Cui Yunchu felt somewhat helpless, "When you promised them, did you not think about how you wouldn't dare face Grandmother?"
"..."
Cui Yunchu grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward Songhe Garden. "What's the use of cowering? Since you've made a decision, you must bear the consequences."
Consequences? Cui Yunfeng was not afraid of being scolded or punished. What she feared was the disappointed look in her grandmother's eyes and her father shaking his head and sighing.
In Songhe Garden.
Old Madam Cui was discussing something with a maid beside her, seemingly preparing the gifts for their visit to Tang Qingwan at the Eastern Palace the day after tomorrow.
Old Madam Cui glanced over the items prepared by the servants one by one, picking out the ones she was dissatisfied with and having them prepared anew.
Most were chosen according to Tang Qingwan's preferences.
The bead curtain was lifted, and the two sisters entered, one dragging the other. The joy on Old Madam Cui's face immediately faded significantly, and she waved her hand to dismiss the servants in the room.
Cui Yunchu did not say much. She directly pulled Cui Yunfeng in front of Old Madam Cui, let go of her hand, and found a seat to sit down.
Tossing about for half a day had truly exhausted her.
The gazes of Old Madam Cui, Nanny Li, and Cui Yunchu all landed on Cui Yunfeng, as if they were staring at a criminal.
Cui Yunfeng's face was flushed red. She lowered her head guiltily, barely managing to bow and call out to her grandmother, before turning to look at Cui Yunchu, as if hoping Cui Yunchu would speak up for her.
"Why are you looking at me? I spent half the day catching a cat, what could I know?"
"..." But she had clearly told her everything in detail on the way back.
Big Sister was angry that she had abandoned her for half a day. Cui Yunfeng's brows furrowed together.
She winked and made faces at Cui Yunchu.
At worst, I'll compensate you with a few sets of jewelry, but you can't just ignore me.
Cui Yunchu sat upright and lowered her head to drink tea. This time, she truly did not intend to interfere.
What kind of place was Prince An's estate? Calling it a dragon's pool and a tiger's den was no exaggeration. Since she had the courage and audacity to marry into it, facing her grandmother and father was nothing in comparison.
Old Madam Cui did not say a word from beginning to end. She simply stared quietly at Cui Yunfeng, which eventually made Cui Yunfeng unable to bear it.
"Grandmother," she dropped to her knees with a thud and confessed everything Consort Liang had told her.
After a long while, Old Madam Cui spoke, her voice slightly hoarse, "So, you agreed?"
Cui Yunfeng nodded slightly, "Grandmother, your granddaughter is unfilial. Please punish me."
Old Madam Cui did not reply, but continued to ask, "Have you ever thought about the consequences of doing this? What price you will have to pay?"
"The Cui family will absolutely not abandon your cousin for your sake. Without the support of the Cui family, whether it is Prince An or Consort Liang, you must think clearly about all the consequences you might have to bear."
Cui Yunfeng pressed her forehead to the ground, her voice choking with sobs, "Grandmother, your granddaughter... has thought it through clearly. In the future, whether he enters the Eastern Palace or falls into ruin and disaster, your granddaughter will accept it without any regrets."
Her life was very short, and she did not want to waste it on someone she did not like. Rather than living a long, depressed life, she would rather die a vigorous death with the one she loved.
The only thing was, she felt guilty toward the Cui family, her grandmother, and her father.
But her grandmother and father had her cousin and Big Sister. If Xiao Yi did not have her, Cui Yunfeng dared not imagine the consequences.
That would be a disaster for her, for the man she was marrying, and for the Cui family.
Old Madam Cui had heard Cui Yunfeng make such remarks more than once, and her heart was already calm. She slightly closed her eyes, "You truly are your father's daughter."
Equally stubborn and obstinate.
"Back then, no one in the family approved of him marrying your mother. Even the abbot of Anshan Temple said their horoscopes clashed, but your father insisted on forcing it. In the end, your mother passed away early. Yunfeng, everything in this world has a predestined fate. Forcing things usually ends in tragedy."
Clashing horoscopes?
Let alone Cui Yunfeng, even Cui Yunchu felt this was somewhat absurd.
But the outcome was a fact.
Cui Yunchu strongly agreed with Old Madam Cui's latter words. If it weren't so, how could she be here today?
Cui Yunfeng kept her head down in silence. Old Madam Cui rubbed the space between her brows, feeling very tired, "Never mind. Since you have already thought it through, there is no use in Grandmother saying more. Your father is already discussing the marriage arrangements with Top Scholar Zhou. You should go tell him early."
Tell Father? Cui Yunfeng's body trembled slightly, a look of difficulty on her face.
Old Madam Cui pretended not to see it. If she backed out because she was afraid of Qingyuan, that would be for the best.
But since things had come to this, even if it were a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, Cui Yunfeng had to brave it.
"Yes, your granddaughter will go find Father later."
Old Madam Cui nodded, "The Cui family will not do anything. If he wants to marry you, let him request an imperial edict himself. If he has the ability, let him make it so the Cui family has no choice but to agree."
Only in this way could they prevent the court officials from gossiping and protect Tang Qingwan.
Cui Yunfeng said, "Your granddaughter understands."
Old Madam Cui finally couldn't help but say, "Yunfeng, have you really thought this through? If you marry him, you and your cousin will be enemies."
"No," Cui Yunfeng said confidently. "Rest assured, Grandmother. I will only be his wife and will absolutely not get involved in the fight for the throne. Whatever the outcome, they will rely on their own abilities. Your granddaughter will absolutely not resent anyone."
Old Madam Cui sighed, seemingly aging several years in an instant, and waved her hand, "Alright, go find your father."
Cui Yunfeng kowtowed and left. Old Madam Cui leaned back in her chair, and Nanny Li hurriedly stepped forward to stroke her back.
Cui Yunchu also stepped forward to comfort her, "Why should Grandmother worry anymore? Since you nodded and let her go to the palace, it means you softened your heart and intended to fulfill her wish, doesn't it?"
Old Madam Cui smiled bitterly and gently held Cui Yunchu's hand, "Grandmother also doesn't know what is right and what is wrong, or which path is truly best for you two sisters."
"A lifetime is very long, and living a life of depression and frustration is also hard to endure. Grandmother hopes you both do well, so I dare not make decisions for your entire lives."
Cui Yunchu's eyes grew slightly moist, and she leaned into Old Madam Cui's embrace.
"We all know Grandmother's painstaking efforts. Just as you said, a lifetime is very long. Only the person involved can define what it means not to let this life down. You don't need to worry. Everyone has their own way of living. As long as there are no regrets, then this life has not been lived in vain."
