The last rays of sunset filtered through the latticed window, dust motes floating in the half-light, as if even the sound of the wind had gone still.
Cui Yunchu could clearly hear her own heartbeat.
She could not say what she felt inside—some emotion seemed to be gathering, and she wished he would say something now, even just a few questions.
Or a bland, useless phrase like "I've wronged you."
Cui Qingyuan finally turned his head. Those eyes, always so sharp and fierce, settled on her. His gaze was deep, dark—Cui Yunchu could not read what lay beneath.
Only a few breaths passed before he looked away, lifted his step, and left the study.
It was as if ice-cold water from the depths of winter had been poured over Cui Yunchu. All the strength in her body was drained in an instant. She let out two "heh heh" sounds that were half laugh, half sob, her legs too weak to move.
She crouched down, wrapped her arms around herself, and did not move for a long time.
"Cui Qingyuan, you damned bastard."
But in the end, she had gambled correctly—gambled that the man carried some shred of conscience and guilt, and through that, she could escape punishment.
To be involved in a secret affair with a man was enough, among the officials of the capital, to have her skinned alive—and she was merely an unfavored concubine's daughter, at that.
Xing'er rushed in frantically, saw Cui Yunchu crouched on the ground with a face full of tears, and threw herself over. "Miss, are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Cui Yunchu laughed and cried at the same time. "Not a single hair on my head is missing—I even nearly infuriated that old man to death. Heh heh..."
It was not until he was in the carriage that Cui Qingyuan's hand began to tremble slightly. He strove to restrain himself, so that on the surface he appeared no different from usual.
The journey was silent. The carriage entered the palace, and the driver had to call out several times before Cui Qingyuan slowly came back to his senses. The attendant beside him looked worried. "Prime Minister, are you feeling unwell?"
Entering the palace in such a state would hardly be appropriate.
Cui Qingyuan closed his eyes heavily, said nothing, got out of the carriage on his own, and walked alone toward the palace.
In the Emperor's study, he was led in by the head eunuch and knelt in salute.
"Your Majesty summons me to court at this hour—is there some urgent matter?"
"Ah, Minister Cui is here." The Emperor seemed to be in good spirits. "Come, come—Minister Shen has set up a chess puzzle for me, and I've been racking my brains over it. Minister Shen said you have great skill in the art of Go, so I've specially summoned you to discuss a solution together."
The Emperor waved his sleeve, his gaze fixed on the chessboard before him, clearly engrossed.
Cui Qingyuan's gaze deepened. Without being obvious about it, he lifted his eyes to the man seated opposite the Emperor.
The man wore a white brocade robe, sitting upright with a tall, spare frame, his bone structure sharp and smooth.
Lately, this man seemed to have developed a particular fondness for white—every time they met, he wore the same sort of attire. Being fellow court officials, Cui Qingyuan knew Shen Xiabai's methods very well.
White on him—Cui Qingyuan could only think it looked like a mask of righteousness.
Just then, Shen Xiabai also turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting Cui Qingyuan's. The two stared at each other.
"Prime Minister Cui." He gave a slight nod, as if greeting him—a rarity indeed.
"What are you standing there for, gaping? Come quickly," the Emperor urged. "The two of us must work together to find a solution—we cannot lose to a young man like Xiabai."
"Yes." Cui Qingyuan concealed the emotions beneath his eyes and went to stand behind the Emperor.
The chess game lasted until dawn.
Day and night turned over, and the Emperor was still reluctant to stop. Cui Qingyuan stood through it all—the entire night.
To be honest, his skill at chess was hardly impressive—only middling at best. Whenever the Emperor asked for his opinion, the answers he gave never quite satisfied His Majesty, and over the course of the evening, he endured no small amount of disdain.
Cui Qingyuan's legs had long since gone numb and stiff from standing, and his eyelids were constantly fighting to close.
The two men playing chess, however, were in high spirits.
Every time he grew drowsy and was on the verge of dozing off, a voice would ring out, "For the next move, Prime Minister Cui, what do you think is the right play?"
"..."
Prime Minister Cui could only force himself to stay alert and look at the chessboard.
The Emperor found him useless. In the dead of night, he had originally planned to let him go, but was stopped by a single sentence from Shen Xiabai.
"It's getting late, and in a little while, it will be time for the morning court. Having Prime Minister Cui return home now would only be a hassle—why not simply wait until after the morning court ends before he leaves?"
The Emperor agreed, and the two of them reached a consensus with mutual ease.
Cui Qingyuan stood there, bolt upright, for the entire night.
Finally, the door to the imperial study was pushed open, and the head eunuch reported cautiously, "Your Majesty, the hour has come—it is time for the morning court."
At that moment, the chess game was only just resolved. The Emperor finally rose to his feet. Though he had stayed up all night, he was in excellent spirits. "What a thoroughly enjoyable evening! Minister Shen, should such a difficult puzzle arise again in the future, be sure to come find me."
"Yes." Shen Xiabai clasped his hands in acknowledgment.
The Emperor ordered attendants to escort the two men to the side hall to change clothes before proceeding directly to court.
In the side hall, palace maids had long been waiting to assist them with changing and washing. The two men shared the hall, separated only by a folding screen standing on the floor.
The two of them walked out together. Shen Xiabai halted his steps, looking at Prime Minister Cui, who was also looking at him.
"Minister Shen truly went to great lengths tonight," Prime Minister Cui said, his words laden with implication, eyes narrowed.
Shen Xiabai only gave a faint smile. "Prime Minister Cui is, after all, getting on in years. After a single night, you already look so worn out. The court, in the end, belongs to the young."
Cui Qingyuan let out a cold snort and took a step to leave.
Shen Xiabai suddenly spoke up, "A new tavern has just opened in the city. I hear the food is quite good. After the morning court, would Prime Minister Cui be interested in sampling it together?"
His voice was very cold. Prime Minister Cui furrowed his brow at the words. "No need—after all, this old minister is aged and must hurry back to rest as soon as possible."
"And what if... Lord Zhou happens to be there as well?" Shen Xiabai's voice was low and icy—a naked threat.
Cui Qingyuan turned to stare at him, his gaze equally sharp. The two faced off in silence.
The bell for the morning court rang out once more, shattering the frozen atmosphere in the hall. The two stepped forward together and proceeded to court.
The enmity between the Shen and Cui families was well known throughout the court. Seeing the two enter together now, more than a few people cast extra glances their way.
Prince An's eyes were full of mockery. "Has Minister Shen moved his residence, that he now walks the same path as Prime Minister Cui?"
Shen Xiabai shot him a sidelong glance. "Does Your Highness Prince An wish to know?"
Prince An nodded. The Crown Prince had somehow drifted over as well. Shen Xiabai swept his gaze over the two of them and said coolly, "Ten thousand taels each, and whatever Your Highnesses wish to know, this minister will tell you."
"..."
"."
The two flanked Shen Xiabai between them, frowning at his words.
The Crown Prince said, "I do declare, Minister Shen is increasingly taking after Cousin Yunchu's way of doing things."
Prince An turned and headed back to his own position, muttering as he went, "As the sages say—near vermilion, one turns red; near ink, one turns black."
The Crown Prince didn't move. "He won't give it, but I will. Minister Shen, do tell—it'll make for a good story to share with Qingwan later."
Shen Xiabai extended his hand.
The Crown Prince was speechless. "I am the rightful heir to the throne. Do you really think I'd short you that one thousand taels of silver?"
"Your Highness may not be short, but I am."
After all, one thousand taels was enough to buy him a kiss.
The Crown Prince, in a brisk manner, unfastened the jade pendant from his waist and placed it in Shen Xiabai's palm. "Once the morning court is over, go to the Crown Prince's residence and collect the sum."
