"Grandmother," Cui Yunfeng, having been pushed aside, stood there all alone, looking at Old Madam Cui with tearful eyes.
"Do you also think that Yunfeng did something wrong?"
Old Madam Cui looked at the little girl's tear-stained face. Ultimately unable to bear it, she raised her hand and beckoned Cui Yunfeng to come closer.
Nanny Li handed Cui Yunfeng a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
"Why are you crying? Was what Grandmother said wrong?"
Cui Yunfeng pursed her lips and lowered her head without a word.
"Yunchu was indeed in the wrong in this matter, and the punishment she is facing now is what she deserves."
Cui Yunfeng looked up at Old Madam Cui. "But there are priorities. She has already fainted; how can she stay in the ancestral hall?"
"But wasn't your original intention in coming here to complain to ensure she gets punished?"
Cui Yunfeng choked up. "I..."
Old Madam Cui sighed. "Yunfeng, have you figured out why your father punished you yesterday?"
Cui Yunfeng remained silent.
"Do you still think he is biased? Then let Grandmother ask you: if the mistakes Yunchu makes in the future are more than just trivial matters of the inner chambers, will you also place righteousness above family loyalty like you did yesterday and hand your own sister over to the authorities?"
Cui Yunfeng's eyes widened slightly, but after just a moment, she shook her head. "Yunfeng would not do that."
A hint of a smile finally appeared on Old Madam Cui's tense face. "Children of noble families are all taught to be upright, honest, and strictly impartial. But not our Cui family. Our Cui family does not play that game of placing righteousness above family or being ruthlessly impartial."
"No amount of right and wrong, or justice, can outweigh your sibling bond, because many things in this world inherently have no absolute right or wrong. But first and foremost, Yunchu is your sister."
Listening to Old Madam Cui's fallacious reasoning, Cui Yunfeng was absolutely dumbfounded.
"Yunfeng, a tall tree catches the wind. The Cui family is not what it used to be. You and your sister must stand united and support each other. Your familial bond must always come before all justice, right, and wrong."
To gain a foothold in the treacherous imperial city, merely following the rules was not enough. The children of the Cui family had to be twisted together like a single rope, incredibly tough, in order to withstand the future storms.
"Grandmother, is it true that just because she is my sister, right and wrong don't matter?"
Old Madam Cui replied, "You can choose not to join her, but you must never be the one to expose her."
Protecting their own—this was the family tradition of the Cui clan!!
Cui Yunfeng stared blankly at Old Madam Cui's kind face, speechless for a long time.
Cui Yunchu was her sister, so regardless of right or wrong, she had to stand by her sister's side at the first opportunity and face outsiders together.
Just like how her father and grandmother unconditionally protected her.
"Yunfeng understands. Grandmother, is something major about to happen to our Cui family?"
Old Madam Cui's expression paused for a moment before she shook her head slightly. "The Cui family still has me and your father. Yunfeng, you just need to be happy and carefree."
Cui Yunfeng nodded, but a small seed had been planted in her heart. For the first time, she felt anxiety for her family.
Recalling Prime Minister Cui's words from last night, Old Madam Cui looked at Cui Yunfeng's small face. She wanted to say something, but ultimately the words did not leave her lips.
"Why are you still standing there in a daze? Hurry up and go to the ancestral hall to visit your eldest sister."
Cui Yunfeng immediately stood up. "Grandmother, please lend Nanny Li to me. Father's men are guarding outside, and Yunfeng is worried she won't be able to bring Sister out."
Old Madam Cui waved her hand, and Nanny Li left with Cui Yunfeng.
Shortly after they left, someone reported, "The young Miss cousin is here."
Tang Qingwan entered the room, first curtsied in greeting, and then walked behind Old Madam Cui, gently massaging her temples.
"Maternal Grandmother didn't rest well all night, did you?"
Old Madam Cui closed her eyes and gave a soft hum. "Those two sisters act like fighting cocks the moment they see each other. I only hope that this time they can both learn their lesson and improve a bit."
Tang Qingwan smiled. "Yunfeng has a kind heart; with Maternal Grandmother's guidance, she will certainly understand. But as for Yunchu, I'm afraid it will be somewhat difficult to set her straight."
Old Madam Cui opened her eyes, grasped Tang Qingwan's hand, and pulled her to the front. "Maternal Grandmother knows that you have repeatedly tolerated her and haven't stooped to her level."
Tang Qingwan lowered her head and smiled faintly. "She is my younger sister; it is only proper."
Old Madam Cui patted her hand. "You've been wronged. That child Yunchu, sigh..."
"Maternal Grandmother is getting old. I hope, Qingwan, for the sake of the Cui family, you will be a bit more tolerant of her in the future. I ask for nothing else, only that she can live a safe and peaceful life."
Old Madam Cui was afraid that once she closed her eyes for good, Cui Yunchu's temperament would make her life very difficult.
In truth, she was also afraid that Tang Qingwan would no longer show any mercy.
After all, they were both children she had watched grow up. Old Madam Cui was very clear that Tang Qingwan had no affection for Cui Yunchu whatsoever, and could even be said to despise her.
Tang Qingwan's expression paused slightly. She raised her eyes to look at Old Madam Cui. "Grandmother, eldest cousin is no longer young. Why not choose a husband for her? That way, you can also set your mind at ease."
Nowadays, dealing with Liu Wanting alone was enough for Tang Qingwan to handle. She no longer had the mental energy to deal with Cui Yunchu as well.
It would be better to settle things once and for all and save herself the aggravation.
