Cui Yunchu returned from the prison and went to Pine Crane Garden. At that time, Prime Minister Cui was discussing with Old Madam Cui the matter of Cui Yunli’s return to the capital.
The political situation at court was tense, and securing a position in the imperial administration at such a time was extremely difficult.
But if they were to find him a post with no real power, all the effort spent to bring him back would be wasted, and he would even become an unnecessary target.
Cui Yunchu sat quietly to the side, listening.
She hadn’t arranged for Cui Yunli’s return for the sake of a family reunion, but for the Cui family’s political position.
“Cousin Qingwan says she has her eye on a post in the Ministry of War,” Cui Yunchu said abruptly, drawing the attention of both Prime Minister Cui and Old Madam Cui.
Old Madam Cui nodded. “The Ministry of War indeed holds real authority, but His Majesty will never entrust it to our Cui family.”
Prime Minister Cui nodded as well. “The Ministry of Personnel holds annual selection exams. If one has outstanding talent and qualifications, they could rely on their own ability to pass the examination and enter.”
Old Madam Cui frowned. “Even if they participate in the selection, it may prove useless. The Ministry of Personnel will only follow the Emperor’s will.”
All under heaven belong to the Emperor. Even if one’s talent and qualifications were exceptional, they could not overcome the Emperor’s wariness of the Cui surname.
Even the concept of fairness was beyond their reach.
Hearing this, Cui Yunchu raised an eyebrow slightly.
Old Man Cui had spent years navigating the court; surely he had connections in the Ministry of Personnel?
But she didn’t dare say it directly. Instead, she spoke in a roundabout way: “What about Brother-in-law Crown Prince? Can’t he influence the Ministry of Personnel?”
Old Madam Cui looked at Prime Minister Cui, who said in a low voice, “The Crown Prince has been making frequent moves recently, which has already displeased His Majesty greatly. If he becomes involved in this, the next upheaval at court could be the deposing of the heir apparent.”
The Emperor was wary of the Cui and Tang families and would not allow the consort clan to monopolize power. The Crown Prince’s actions had already stirred the Emperor’s desire to depose him.
Then there’s still Prince An, Cui Yunchu thought but did not say aloud.
That man’s mind was far from ordinary. Such a favorable matter should be handed to him.
But… Cui Yunfeng was no longer a member of the Cui family, and Prime Minister Cui would certainly not seek help from Shen Xiabai.
…
In fact, Yunfeng was doing well this way—far better than Cousin Qingwan. Perhaps that was why Prime Minister Cui had severed ties with her.
“There’s no rush for now,” Old Madam Cui said. “Once the Ministry of Personnel appoints the chief examiner for this year’s selection, we’ll discuss further.”
Then came the matters of what needed to be prepared in the mansion for Cui Yunli’s return.
Repairing the courtyard, selecting servants, gold, silver, and jade articles—Old Madam Cui considered everything thoroughly.
Cui Yunchu listened absentmindedly.
When the discussions were nearly finished, she yawned sleepily, took her leave, and returned to her residence, First Garden.
Prime Minister Cui said, “Now that Qingwan… Yunfeng are both married, and she is older than Yunfeng, it’s not proper for her to remain unsettled.”
Old Madam Cui looked at him. “Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?”
Prime Minister Cui frowned. “Mother has been slow in choosing a husband for her. I think Top Scholar Zhou from before was quite good. If we act quickly, we can betroth her and marry her off.”
“…“
Old Madam Cui’s face darkened. “She is your daughter, not an object to be tossed around as you please.”
Prime Minister Cui said, “That’s not what I meant. Lord Zhou has good character and appearance. Otherwise, I would never have considered betrothing Yunfeng to him.”
“So,” Old Madam Cui said coldly, “you mean you were even willing to give Yunfeng to him, and now offering the same to Yunchu is not an insult to her—rather, she should thank you for your kind intention and gratefully accept this gift from above?”
“…“
Prime Minister Cui was left speechless by his mother’s words. “Mother, that’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?” Old Madam Cui glanced sideways at him. “I think you believe that since he could match Yunfeng, he is more than good enough for Yunchu.”
Prime Minister Cui fell silent, because he indeed thought so. “Yunchu…”
“Let me tell you,” Old Madam Cui slammed her hand on the table, “my Yunchu is also excellent. She is no worse than Qingwan or Yunfeng. As long as she is unwilling, no one will force her, and I will not allow her marriage to be treated lightly.”
Old Madam Cui snorted coldly.
“If you dare act recklessly, I’ll urge Yunchu to poison that so-called Top Scholar, and you can forget about being prime minister as well.”
“…“
“I only said it in passing,” Prime Minister Cui said helplessly.
He never expected Old Madam Cui to react this way. “Mother, perhaps you should rest and focus on copying scriptures.”
She was starting to sound almost as stubborn as that girl.
Old Madam Cui snorted again. “And that younger generation member from the Shen family—you best pay proper attention to him.”
…
Cui Yunchu returned to First Garden and began rummaging through the room recklessly.
“Young miss, what are you looking for? Can your servant help?” asked Xing’er.
Cui Yunchu shook her head. “Where is Nanny Zhang? Nanny Zhang…”
“This old servant is here.” Nanny Zhang hurried in, raising her voice. “Young miss is looking for me?”
“Where are all those letters I wrote to Prince An and the Crown Prince that were never sent?”
Nanny Zhang opened a wardrobe and pulled out a chest, setting it on the floor and opening it.
When the chest opened, a clatter sounded as many envelopes spilled out.
Cui Yunchu stared blankly at the pile of letters that wouldn’t fit.
“These… were all written by me?”
Nanny Zhang shook her head. “Only a small portion. The rest—only the names on them were written by you.”
It had been so long, and she had done so many messy things that Cui Yunchu could hardly remember.
“A small portion? What do you mean?”
Nanny Zhang bent down, picked up the envelopes, and stuffed them back inside. “You forgot, young miss. Back then, you sent letters to the Crown Prince and Prince An every day. Finding it troublesome, you had some scholar outside write a portion for you.”
“…” That really was careless.
Cui Yunchu sat on the floor and opened three or five letters in a row—only to find they all contained the same content.
“What is this supposed to mean?”
Nanny Zhang leaned in to look, frowning. “That scholar must have cheated you, young miss. If I ever run into him again, I’ll skin him alive.”
Cui Yunchu looked at the content on the pages, and her reaction went far beyond shock.
She had thought her own earlier writings were lewd, but the content in these letters was utterly disgusting and nauseating.
Utterly insane.
Wasn’t this equivalent to inviting humiliation upon herself?
So, the letters in Shen Xiabai’s hands were all like this?
“Since we paid someone to write them, why are so many left unsent?”
Nanny Zhang explained, “At that time, Cousin Qingwan was watching you closely and constantly causing trouble, so we had to hold off.”
Then the later incident happened, and this chest of letters was put aside.
Cui Yunchu stared blankly at the words.
She recognized every single character, but put together, they made her want to die.
“Who found that scholar?”
“It was this old servant,” Nanny Zhang said.
Cui Yunchu let out a laugh. “You know something? I kind of want to strangle you.”
“…“
Two more days passed. The atmosphere at court remained tense. The Gu family, joined by some court officials, knelt outside the imperial study and petitioned, demanding that Shen Xiabai be sentenced to execution.
The Emperor sat with a dark expression, pacing back and forth in the study.
The dignified Empress Dowager said coldly, “The sole nephew from my maternal family has died so inexplicably. If Your Majesty does not give me—and thus the Gu family—an explanation, then from now on in Great Liang, where will your uncle have a place to stand?”
