With the wedding approaching, Cui Yunfeng barely set foot outside her chambers, let alone left the inner courtyard. Cui Yunchu went to see her twice, only to find she wasn't embroidering her bridal veil but studying "The Art of War."
She looked like she was cramming for the imperial exams, burning the midnight oil. Cui Yunchu teased her, "Brains come from the womb—who ever grew one later in life?"
Cui Yunfeng looked up from her book and shot back, "You did, didn't you?"
"…I am not." Cui Yunchu pouted. She was actually quite clever; she'd just been taught wrong as a child.
She sat down beside her, pulling the book from her hands. "Cramming at the last minute won't help. What you need to learn isn't strategy—it's how to win Prince An's heart and make him do your bidding."
Cui Yunfeng snatched the book back. "So I can obey openly while plotting in secret?"
"…"
That question… was truly unsolvable. With Xiao Yi's wit, even her cousin would fall short.
Cui Yunchu watched her friend's fierce dedication and said, "I think you'd be better off being your old carefree, scatterbrained self. At least you'd survive unharmed."
Struggling against Prince An without truly understanding him—who knew if he'd get fed up one day and stab her in the back?
Being a fool, a fool cradled in Prince An's palm, wasn't so bad.
Cui Yunfeng shot Cui Yunchu a sideways glare.
"Don't worry. If I can't beat him, I'll make you my secondary consort and get you to help."
"I'll poison the two of you together," Cui Yunchu said.
Then the sisters huddled together, laughing joyfully.
These past days, today was the happiest for Cui Yunfeng. "Elder sister, you're so wonderful—someone will truly love you."
Cui Yunchu's eyes flickered. "Really? If you were a man, would you love me?"
Cui Yunfeng pretended to think, then shook her head. "No. My brains can't match yours, and my wealth can't satisfy you. I'd be afraid you'd poison me."
Cui Yunchu lightly tapped her on the back. They leaned over the desk, laughing heartily.
In the silence, Cui Yunchu suddenly asked, "Yunfeng, what do you think love is? To what extent must it go for it to count as loving you?"
"I don't know."
It wasn't like drinking water or eating pastries—it couldn't be measured.
Cui Yunchu lifted her lips into a faint smile. "I think it should be life itself."
The kind where someone would give their life for you.
…
At Pine Crane Garden, Old Madam Cui was stunned for a long moment after hearing Cui Yunchu's words.
"You say you want to get married?"
Cui Yunchu nodded confidently. "Yes."
"…"
Old Madam Cui turned to Nanny Li, steadied her startled heart, picked up her teacup and took a sip before asking, "Has Yunchu taken a fancy to someone?"
"No." She sat upright, her answer matter-of-fact.
"Then who will you marry?"
"That's why I came to Grandmother."
"…" Old Madam Cui fell silent.
The reason she'd delayed arranging her marriage was that finding a husband for her was exceptionally difficult.
Rich, powerful, and clever enough to match wits with Yunchu and avoid being poisoned.
But in reality, those with everything were rare in the capital. Those capable didn't fancy Yunchu, and those without lacked money and influence.
Others feared being cuckolded; some even shook their heads at the mere mention of Yunchu's name.
"Yunchu, why the sudden rush to marry?"
"Little sister Cui Yunfeng is about to wed, while I, her elder sister, still remain unmarried. Won't I be a laughingstock?"
Old Madam Cui found this reasonable. "But marriage is a major life event. You can't be rash. Let your grandmother keep selecting for you."
"You've been selecting since Cousin's wedding. Months have passed with no word. If we delay further, will you have your granddaughter be an old maid in the mansion?"
"…"
She was quite eager.
Nanny Li said, "Eldest Young Lady, even if the old lady were a matchmaker, she'd need time."
Old Madam Cui deliberated. "Yunchu, marriage is about matching families. What are your requirements? Tell me, and I'll see if there's a suitable match."
"Immense wealth, overwhelming power, a gentle temperament, no fighting back when hit, no retorting when scolded, able to control my father, and fight off the lackeys."
"…"
So much for "matching families."
How did she manage to link those first eight words with "gentle temperament, no fighting back when hit, no retorting when scolded"?
What man with such capabilities could also possess the fine quality of being a pushover?
"Elder sister, I actually have a suitable candidate who fits your requirements perfectly." Cui Yunfeng's voice came from outside.
"Who?"
"The Vice Minister of Personnel, the Empress Dowager's brother, Lord Gu. His family has deep roots. Infinite wealth is no problem. Though his power isn't unparalleled, no faction would dare provoke him lightly. He's fifty now, moves and speaks slowly, and can certainly handle chasing chickens and dogs."
Cui Yunfeng sat down beside Old Madam Cui, her brows slightly raised.
Cui Yunchu shot her a glance. "So I outlive him and inherit the Gu family estate?"
"…" Old Madam Cui seemed choked by her tea. "Don't talk nonsense."
That Lord Gu was almost old enough to be her grandfather.
One dared to suggest it; the other dared to run with it.
Cui Yunchu stroked her chin. "Grandmother, I recall Lord Gu is a widower, isn't he? His first wife passed from illness years ago?"
Cui Yunfeng's eyes widened. "I said that casually—you're not seriously considering him?"
"Isn't it a good idea?" Cui Yunchu arched an eyebrow. "I'd become a mother without bearing a child. When the old man kicks the bucket, I'll drive out his children and concubines, inherit the Gu estate, and live alone in a grand mansion with countless servants and piles of gold and jade. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
It would be the ultimate blessing in life.
"…"
"…"
Old Madam Cui and Cui Yunfeng gave Cui Yunchu identical sideways looks at her beaming face.
Old Madam Cui said, "Yunchu, your grandmother is old and blurry-eyed. Perhaps you should choose your own spouse. As long as you're mutually fond, your grandmother and father have no objections."
Cui Yunfeng mercilessly exposed her. "Grandmother, you're afraid that elder sister will kill her husband and seize his wealth, and that his family will come demanding a reckoning."
"…" A flicker of embarrassment crossed Old Madam Cui's face.
It was like poison—once it passed through your hands, you'd be stained. She was too old to withstand an inquisition. She didn't want to die a bad death at the end.
"I'm afraid the parents will dig me up and whip my corpse to vent their anger," Old Madam Cui said.
But if they were mutually fond, her granddaughter's beauty blinding the man—whether he lived or died was none of her concern. Even if they came to her, it would be useless. If a man couldn't see clearly, whom could he blame?
Cui Yunfeng burst into laughter, and even Nanny Li couldn't help but chuckle.
Cui Yunchu glared at them, deeply displeased.
Who were they mocking?!
Given the freedom to decide her own marriage, Cui Yunchu held supreme authority in the Cui household.
"Grandmother, spread the word: I am seeking a husband."
"…" Old Madam Cui felt that the word "silence" could be plastered on her forehead for the day.
"Yun Chu, letting go or not doesn't change anything."
After all, she was never the kind of noble lady with a flawless reputation, the one praised for both virtue and talent—no one would be queuing at her doorstep, let alone flocking to her like moths to a flame.
