“.”
Cui Qingyuan remained silent for quite some time. Shen Xiabai sat lazily in his chair, his eyes filled with unconcern.
Cui Qingyuan said, “Lord Shen, you are truly impressive.”
He had been poisoned, and after waking from a deep sleep, the man had already been pressed to death.
Shen Xiabai could tell that the compliment was insincere, but he still nodded and said, “Thank you for the praise, Prime Minister Cui.”
“…”
A man with skin this thick was a rarity in a century.
Cui Qingyuan asked, “What do you intend to do next?”
“What do you mean?”
Cui Qingyuan frowned. “You spend every day in Yunchu’s courtyard. Surely you do not intend to marry her?”
Shen Xiabai said, “A Chu said we wouldn’t marry. We’d simply become secret lovers, and if we had a child in the future, I could bring the child back to the Shen family and raise it in the name of an adopted son.”
“Cough, cough, cough—”
Cui Qingyuan clutched his chest and coughed until his face turned bright red. With his sickly appearance, he looked as if he might pass out from anger at any moment.
“Take care, Prime Minister Cui. Don’t try to pin anything on me.” Shen Xiabai said this without moving an inch. “It would be troublesome if, after I came all this way, your condition worsened again—or if you died of anger. I would have a hard time explaining myself to A Chu.”
“…”
Cui Qingyuan’s chest rose and fell violently several times before he gave a cold snort.
Was it really because Shen Xiabai would have trouble explaining himself? In his opinion, it was more likely that the man was trying to claim credit.
“Yunchu is still an unmarried young lady. If you truly care for her, then give her an answer as soon as possible. Do not let people criticize her in the future. Her reputation has been poor since childhood, and she is rather sensitive.”
A cold edge seeped into Shen Xiabai’s smile. “I thought Prime Minister Cui knew nothing at all. It seems you know everything, yet chose to turn a blind eye.”
Had A Chu not been criticized enough throughout her life? If not for that, why would she have become so difficult to approach?
Cui Qingyuan said, “It is precisely because I know that I am advising you. If you cannot give her a future, then stop entangling yourself with her.”
Shen Xiabai said nothing. He merely met Cui Qingyuan’s gaze, without the slightest hint of retreat in his eyes.
Cui Qingyuan said, “I may be old, but I have spent many years in the imperial court. Though my removal would not be easy, I am still capable of taking everyone down with me.”
Shen Xiabai was silent for a moment before suddenly laughing.
A father who cared nothing for A Chu’s happiness and had only his legitimate daughter in his heart was now telling him that, for A Chu’s sake, he was willing to perish alongside him. How absurd.
“Would Prime Minister Cui truly be willing? Princess An is pregnant. Would you be willing to see her lose your protection, all so that you could bring ruin upon yourself for A Chu?”
Something shifted in Cui Qingyuan’s eyes. He pressed his lips tightly together and said nothing.
Shen Xiabai lowered his eyes and smiled. “I can.”
“So the person who should be threatened is not me, but you, Prime Minister Cui. A Chu still has to remain in the Prime Minister’s Residence for some time. I hope she stays safe and sound. Otherwise, no one will have peaceful days ahead.”
With that, he rose to his feet and kicked the chair he had been sitting in. His arrogance was utterly outrageous.
Cui Qingyuan’s expression turned extremely ugly.
In front of him, Shen Xiabai displayed not the slightest regard for etiquette.
“You still haven’t told me what you intend to do about Yunchu.”
Standing with his back to the light, Shen Xiabai tilted his head and looked at Cui Qingyuan. “What does Prime Minister Cui think I should do?”
Cui Qingyuan was silent for several breaths before saying, “When His Majesty seized the throne all those years ago, the late emperor did not particularly favor him. If the late emperor had not been bedridden for so long and then died suddenly, he would not have ascended the throne so easily.”
It was only afterward, with the wholehearted support of the Tang and Cui families, that he had managed to secure his position.
Shen Xiabai narrowed his eyes and stared at him. Then he suddenly said, “I am also curious. After spending so many years in the imperial court, what is your trump card, Prime Minister Cui?”
Cui Qingyuan said, “Treat Yunchu well. I do not wish to use it against you one day.”
Shen Xiabai sneered. “Crying crocodile tears for a dead rat.”
With that, he swept back his robe and strode away.
The Prime Minister’s trusted aide and steward immediately hurried forward. They rubbed Cui Qingyuan’s back and brought him tea and water, helping him recover. They were terrified that the Prime Minister might be unable to catch his breath and die of anger.
It took Cui Qingyuan quite some time to calm down.
The steward said, “Prime Minister, forgive this old servant for speaking out of turn, but you and Lord Shen have always been at odds in the court. Can it really work to marry Eldest Miss Cui to him?”
Cui Qingyuan set down his teacup and said indifferently, “We have no deep-seated grudge between us. Yunchu marrying him would be quite good.”
“Oh, right. Have there been any more messages from Prince An’s residence? How is Yunfeng?”
The steward cautiously glanced around. After confirming that no one was nearby, he bent slightly and whispered, “They say Second Young Miss has been vomiting badly and has no appetite. Prince An himself sent word that he wishes to meet with you.”
Cui Qingyuan’s expression shifted slightly. He gave a faint acknowledgment but said nothing more.
After leaving Cui Qingyuan’s study, Shen Xiabai stood by the doorway for a while.
He turned around and gazed at the room where Cui Qingyuan was, his eyes filled with countless emotions, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.
“Master, what is wrong?” Yu Feng asked.
Shen Xiabai remained silent for a moment before saying, “Do not let A Chu know about what happened today—or anything that was discussed between Cui Qingyuan and me.”
Yu Feng nodded. “Yes. This subordinate will never mention it in front of Eldest Miss Cui.”
Shen Xiabai began walking toward Chuyuan. By now, the steward had already taken control of the path, so he almost never encountered anyone. Even when he did, they usually kept their heads lowered and pretended to be deaf and dumb.
“Wait.”
Footsteps suddenly sounded behind him. Shen Xiabai stopped and turned around, only to see an older woman hurrying toward him.
“You are Lord Shen, correct?”
Shen Xiabai narrowed his eyes and looked the woman up and down before nodding. “That is correct.”
Nanny Li studied the man before her without making it obvious and said, “Old Madam wishes to see you.”
“Please lead the way.”
Shen Xiabai mentally gathered all of Cui Yunchu’s opinions regarding Old Madam Cui.
When he arrived at Songhe Garden, the curtain had already been lifted. Old Madam Cui was seated in the place of honor, smiling warmly as she looked at him.
“This should be the first time you and I have met, Lord Shen.”
Shen Xiabai cupped his hands and bowed. “This junior pays his respects to Old Madam.”
Old Madam Cui waved her hand. “We will be family from now on. There is no need to stand on ceremony. Sit.”
Winter was bitterly cold, yet a fluffy cushion had already been placed on the seat to Old Madam Cui’s right, and the tea was steaming hot.
Shen Xiabai swept his eyes over it before sitting down and taking a sip of tea.
“How is the tea?”
Shen Xiabai nodded. “It has a rich, lingering fragrance. It is excellent.”
Old Madam Cui beamed. “This is my favorite tea. No one else gets to drink it when they visit.”
She first asked about Dowager Shen’s health, and Shen Xiabai answered every question. He displayed a rather proper awareness of his duties as a junior family member—a stark contrast to the way he had kicked chairs and smashed teacups in Cui Qingyuan’s residence.
When Old Madam Cui coughed, he immediately expressed his concern. “This junior knows of a physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau who is highly skilled at treating chronic illnesses. Perhaps I could bring him to examine you another day.”
“There is no need. It is an old ailment. A few coughs and it will pass.” Old Madam Cui waved her hand. “When people grow old, they are prone to all sorts of strange illnesses. I have not left Songhe Garden once this winter, apart from when that girl Yunchu comes to keep me company every few days.”
And whenever she left, she would still try to wheedle something out of her.
At the mention of Cui Yunchu, Old Madam Cui’s eyes filled with warmth. “No matter what Cui Qingyuan may have said, you needn’t take it to heart. Yunchu is not at all the sort of person outsiders make her out to be. She is a very, very good child, and deeply filial. She certainly won’t treat your mother poorly in the future.”
“As long as the two of you truly love one another, so long as I am alive, I can give you my blessing and make the decision for you.”
Shen Xiabai rose and bowed once more, clasping his hands. “This junior thanks you, Old Madam.”
Old Madam Cui nodded, then continued, “Yunchu may seem unruly, but in truth, she has the kindest heart. If you show her even a little kindness, she’ll repay you tenfold.”
Nanny Li handed Old Madam Cui a cup of tea to soothe her throat, then gently patted her back. “Take your time, Old Madam. Lord Shen is right here.”
Old Madam Cui smiled before continuing. “As for what happened back then…”
She sighed. “Those were matters belonging to the previous generation. They have nothing to do with A Chu.”
Shen Xiabai nodded. “I understand. I have never held it against her.”
Old Madam Cui nodded. “Yunchu has told me how you have treated her. What I mean to say is this: if you truly can treat Yunchu without the slightest resentment, then I give you both my blessing. But if you cannot…”
“Then it would be best for each of you to go your separate ways. Yunchu may be unruly, but she is not the one I worry about. I worry about you.”
“…”
Old Madam Cui had spoken to him with complete sincerity.
Old Madam Cui continued, “After all, you have your mother above you and a nephew below you, and the Shen family has few heirs.”
If Yunchu ended up wiping out his entire clan, she truly would have to answer to her own conscience.
“…” Shen Xiabai was momentarily rendered speechless.
Old Madam Cui had entertained him with the utmost consideration—treating him no worse than she would any honored guest. When Shen Xiabai left Songhe Garden, Nanny Li herself escorted him all the way to the gate.
