Cui Yunchu fell silent. The two sisters stood facing each other, exchanging glances, with only the faint sound of the wind lingering between them.
Cui Yunfeng's face was extremely pale, then turned ashen, and finally, settled into a deathly stillness.
After a long while, Cui Yunchu spoke softly, "I do not know, but that scholar died at the hands of the imperial guards."
Cui Yunfeng nodded. She looked as if her soul had been instantly stripped away, her eyes vacant and her expression filled with despair.
She walked past Cui Yunchu and headed toward her own courtyard.
"Eldest Sister, you don't need to accompany me. I can be alone."
...
That night, a gentle drizzle began to fall from the sky again. By midnight, the rain gradually grew heavier, enveloping the entire estate in wind and rain.
The two sisters leaned against the window frames, gazing at the scenery in the courtyard, each lost in her own thoughts.
Early the next morning, Xing'er came to report, "Miss, Second Miss changed into Yun'er's clothes early this morning and secretly slipped out of the manor."
Hearing this, Cui Yunchu showed little reaction. She merely nodded to indicate she understood.
She held that letter in her hand, having scratched her hair into a messy tangle.
Xing'er tactfully handed her a flower. Cui Yunchu began plucking its petals, "Go, don't go, go, don't go."
"Don't go." Cui Yunchu tossed away the final petal and let out another sigh.
"I should still go. After all, a human life is at stake."
Inside Prince An's Manor.
Eunuch Liu received the news and immediately came to the manor's entrance in person to welcome her. Upon seeing Cui Yunfeng, he hurriedly bowed and greeted her, "Second Miss, please come in quickly. His Highness is handling official affairs in the study. Please wait for a moment; His Highness will be here shortly."
Cui Yunfeng nodded and followed Eunuch Liu to wait in the main courtyard's reception hall.
Eunuch Liu ordered the servants to carefully attend to her with fruits and pastries, stealing several glances at Cui Yunfeng's attire.
She had sneaked out. The Emperor's edict granting the marriage had already been issued; could it be that Prime Minister Cui was still dissatisfied with this match?
Cui Yunfeng picked up a pastry from the table and fed it into her mouth in small bites. As if unaware of hunger or fullness, she would pick up another piece as soon as she finished one.
Her gaze was vacant, her eye rims were red, and her hands were even trembling slightly.
The sight made Eunuch Liu tremble with trepidation.
He personally slipped out and headed to the study to report.
In the study, Xiao Yi stood by the window with his hands behind his back, exuding an aura of dark ruthlessness.
For the first time, he did not rush to see her immediately.
Braving Xiao Yi's oppressive aura, Eunuch Liu spoke in a low voice, "Your Highness, Second Miss seems... a bit off."
Looking at Xiao Yi's pale knuckles, he relayed Cui Yunfeng's abnormal behavior in the hall to Xiao Yi.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi seemed unable to stand still any longer, turning and leaving the study.
Cui Yunfeng stared in the direction of the door, as if waiting for him to arrive, yet also as if afraid of his arrival.
Finally, that tall and slender figure slowly appeared in her line of sight, his face bearing the same gentle smile as always. "Yunfeng."
Cui Yunfeng's fingertips and the corners of her mouth were covered in pastry crumbs.
Whenever she was nervous or afraid, she would eat incessantly; Xiao Yi knew this well.
"If you wanted to see me, I could have gone to the Cui Manor to find you. Why did you come out wearing a maid's clothes? Did you sneak out?" Xiao Yi took a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of her mouth and her fingertips.
"Could it be that the chef's skills have improved again, for you to eat so much?"
His smile was the same as usual, showing nothing out of the ordinary.
Cui Yunfeng opened her arms and hugged his waist tightly.
Xiao Yi's body stiffened, a myriad of emotions flickering in his eyes as he waved his hand to dismiss everyone from the room.
Immediately after, he gently embraced Cui Yunfeng. "Yunfeng, in just ten days, it will be the day of our betrothal gift ceremony. Once the betrothal is complete, I will request an edict from Imperial Father for us to marry."
"Oh, right, I have had people prepare the betrothal gifts. Later, I will have someone bring the list for your review. If there is anything you are unsatisfied with, just mention it anytime. Or regarding the wedding ceremony—whatever you want, I will give it to you."
Listening to him, Cui Yunfeng tightened her arms around him even more.
"My father said that if I marry you, my name will be struck from the genealogy book, completely severing my ties with the Cui family."
She tilted her head up to look at Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi's gaze remained gentle and unchanged. "The current situation is such, and I understand my father-in-law's choice. It doesn't matter. When I rule the Nine Provinces, I will definitely let you return to the Cui family as the most honorable Empress in the world."
He cupped her face, his eyes full of sincerity.
"Xiao Yi, I have never doubted your sincerity towards me."
But in the imperial family, human hearts were complex.
"I told you before that the Cui family is more important than my own life, didn't I?"
Xiao Yi's smile froze for a moment, his fingertips turning slightly cold. "Of course."
Although he was smiling, his peach-blossom eyes were somewhat evasive.
"So, you remember everything I've said, right?"
"Naturally, I remember. Why bring this up so suddenly today?" Xiao Yi averted his gaze, pulling Cui Yunfeng into his arms. "I remember every single word you've said."
The man's heartbeat and warmth were still as strong and steady as ever, but as Cui Yunfeng leaned against him, she felt only an extreme, freezing cold.
"I value the Cui family, yet I also cannot bear to let you fight alone. I want to stay by your side; I can live and die with you because I love you, but I cannot let my family suffer any mishaps because of my decisions."
Xiao Yi's throat bobbed slightly, his thin lips pressed tightly together. His entire body was indescribably stiff, and the hands embracing Cui Yunfeng clenched and unclenched repeatedly. "Everything is fine, why are you bringing this up? Could it be that Grand Tutor Tang's matter has frightened you?"
Cui Yunfeng pushed him away, looking up at him without a word.
Xiao Yi gave a faint smile. "Rest assured, your father and Grand Tutor Tang have operated in the imperial court for years. They are not to be trifled with, and they won't lose their lives."
Cui Yunfeng said, "My uncle's disciple is being framed."
Xiao Yi nodded.
"Then why did you kill him?"
Xiao Yi's smile froze on his face. "What are you talking about? When did I kill him?"
Cui Yunfeng said, "Xiao Yi, I am asking you from the bottom of my heart, just this once: does this matter have anything to do with you?"
Cui Yunfeng stared at him intently. "I am only asking you this once. Think carefully before you answer me. As long as you say it, I will believe you."
In ten days, it would be the day of presenting the betrothal gifts. In just ten days, he would be able to marry her and bring her home.
"What are you saying? How could I possibly lay a hand on your relatives?"
