Prime Minister Cui sighed. "If the Cui or Tang families were to intervene now, it would only heighten the Emperor’s suspicion and resentment toward our houses."
Old Madam Cui lowered her eyes, a helpless sigh escaping her lips. "It is just that Qingwan is being wronged."
"As the eldest daughter of both families, Qingwan was destined to shoulder this responsibility from the moment she was born," Prime Minister Cui replied. "Hardships and grievances are inevitable. Zoutang and I can only do our best to ensure her safety."
Zoutang was the name of Grand Tutor Tang, the father of Tang Qingwan.
Old Madam Cui nodded slowly. "The die is cast. There is nothing else to be done."
Prime Minister Cui seemed to recall something suddenly, his brow furrowing as he asked, "Lately, is that girl Yunfeng still seeing Prince An frequently?"
"Yunchu interfered once a while back, so they haven't met for some time now," Old Madam Cui answered.
At the mention of Cui Yunchu, Prime Minister Cui’s frown deepened. "Qingwan has already married into the Imperial family. My Cui family cannot marry another daughter into that circle."
Neither the Emperor nor the Crown Prince would allow it.
The mention of the two granddaughters' marriage prospects gave Old Madam Cui a headache. The Cui family was prominent, but their current situation was like oil being poured onto a fire; one wrong move could lead to a bottomless abyss. Therefore, they had to be extremely cautious in selecting husbands for the girls.
"We didn't foresee today's political landscape back then. I fear Yunfeng might be unwilling if we abruptly force her to break ties with Prince An," Old Madam Cui sighed again.
The room fell into a brief silence. Prime Minister Cui’s brow remained knit, his naturally authoritative face clouding with the anxieties of a father.
"And what of Yunchu? What are your plans for her?" Old Madam Cui inquired.
Prime Minister Cui’s expression grew even darker. He leaned one hand on the desk and rubbed his temples. "What are Mother’s thoughts on the matter?"
"Yunchu is a good child at heart, but she was led astray by Concubine Zhou’s upbringing. Ultimately, the fault lies with you. Years ago..."
Old Madam Cui stopped herself abruptly mid-sentence. "In any case, you must be even more deliberate regarding Yunchu’s husband. Choose someone broad-minded. He doesn't need to be wealthy or powerful, but he must be someone capable of tolerance."
Prime Minister Cui had already considered this. However, men possessing such qualities were often mediocre. Those with real talent and ambition might be subservient to Cui Yunchu in the short term out of respect for the Cui family, but over time, resentment would fester and they would become enemies.
"I will give Yunchu’s matter more thought," Prime Minister Cui said.
Old Madam Cui nodded, her gaze lingering on him. The sharp, formidable middle-aged man before her was worlds apart from the youth who once harbored grand ambitions to make his mark on the world. He had achieved his goals, but did he regret the cost?
"Qingyuan, everything the Cui family does is for self-preservation. Do not... do not forget your original intention."
Prime Minister Cui’s eyes flickered slightly, but his face remained impassive. "A gentleman hides his light and bides his time. My edge is for the enemy, not for my family."
The sliver of worry in Old Madam Cui’s heart finally began to ease.
"Grandmother! Grandmother!" Cui Yunfeng’s voice suddenly drifted in from outside.
Nanny Li immediately stepped forward to lift the beaded curtain. Cui Yunfeng rushed in frantically, but seeing Prime Minister Cui sitting there, she instantly composed herself.
"Father."
"A young lady of the house, running and shouting in your grandmother’s courtyard—where is your sense of decorum?"
Cui Yunfeng lowered her head and waved her hand at the maid who followed her, signaling for her to leave.
But it was too late. Prime Minister Cui’s sharp eyes had already landed on the maid. "What are you holding in your arms?"
The maid’s face turned white with fear. Her lips trembled, but no words came out as she glanced nervously at Cui Yunfeng.
"It’s... it’s nothing, just a few leisure books," Cui Yunfeng said, looking back and blinking frantically at the maid.
Observing the silent exchange between mistress and servant, Prime Minister Cui became even more suspicious. "Nanny Li, bring me the items that girl is holding."
Nanny Li had no choice but to step forward, take the bundle from the little maid, and place it on the desk beside Prime Minister Cui.
He opened it to find a stack of books. Prime Minister Cui frowned. "Just a few books. What is there to hide?"
However, as Prime Minister Cui reached out to flip through the pages, Cui Yunfeng’s face turned deathly pale. With a thud, she dropped to her knees.
Prime Minister Cui’s face darkened with every page he turned, shifting from annoyance to a towering rage.
Crash!
Prime Minister Cui slammed a teacup onto the floor, his fingers trembling with fury. "You insolent girl! Where did you get such filth?"
Cui Yunfeng bit her lip hard and remained silent.
Nanny Li took two of the books to show Old Madam Cui. Initially thinking they were just some tawdry romance novels from a street peddler, Old Madam Cui’s face turned crimson with anger when she saw the contents. They were instructional manuals for courtesans on how to seduce clients in bed.
The illustrations and text were utterly scandalous.
Old Madam Cui glared at Cui Yunfeng, who was kneeling below. One didn't need to guess to know who the items belonged to.
Prime Minister Cui, naturally, was no fool. He roared, "Someone, go and fetch the Eldest Miss!"
"Father, those books are mine! They have nothing to do with Eldest Sister!" Cui Yunfeng cried out.
"Shut your mouth!" At Prime Minister Cui's outburst, Cui Yunfeng trembled like a withered leaf in the wind.
Old Madam Cui had always been the most protective of the two granddaughters, but now, she shook her head in utter disappointment and rose to leave in silence.
"Grandmother!" Cui Yunfeng called out sorrowfully, but Old Madam Cui did not look back.
In the Chu Garden.
Xing'er stood cowering in the middle of the room. Cui Yunchu sat on the soft couch, staring at her in silence.
"Miss, it is all my fault. I failed in my task. Please punish me," Xing'er sobbed.
Cui Yunchu lowered her gaze and sighed. She waved her hand listlessly. "Forget it."
What was done was done. She had already braced herself to be scolded and punished by her grandmother.
Nanny Zhang tried to comfort her from the side. "Miss, Old Madam Cui dotes on you. I'm sure she won't punish you too harshly. Don't worry."
After saying that, she kicked Xing'er. "And you! How could you be so careless? You can't even collect a package properly. What use are you?"
Xing'er curled into a ball, consumed by guilt and self-reproach.
"Now you claim Grandmother dotes on me?" Cui Yunchu glanced at Nanny Zhang, her eyes full of sarcasm.
Nanny Zhang lowered her head sheepishly.
"She is useless, but are you any better? How many times have I been ruined by your stupid ideas? Can you even count them on your ten fingers?"
Stung by Cui Yunchu’s words, Nanny Zhang became incredibly quiet, her restless heart settling back into place.
"Eldest Miss," Nanny Li’s voice called out from the courtyard. "The Prime Minister requests your presence at the Pine and Crane Pavilion."
Cui Yunchu’s weary face looked as if it had been slapped. She snapped to attention, springing up from the couch. "Who?"
"The Prime Minister."
"..." She immediately glared at Xing'er. "Didn't you say Cui Yunfeng went to complain to Grandmother?"
Xing'er’s face was also pale. "Nanny Li said the Pine and Crane Pavilion, which is Grandmother's place..."
"..."
That brainless Cui Yunfeng!
If she was beaten to death today, she wouldn't let that girl go even as a ghost.
Cui Yunchu stood up, her legs feeling weak. She could already feel the phantom pain of the punishment to come.
Nanny Zhang immediately stepped forward to support her. "Miss."
Cui Yunchu pointed a finger at Xing'er. "Kick her a few more times for me."
Had the heavens given her a second chance at life just to take it away so soon?
