Returning to the Cui Manor, Cui Yunchu had Tang Qingwan's people go back to report. The Crown Prince was no fool; he would likely seek out Tang Qingwan, so she needed to be mentally prepared.
Upon returning to Chu Courtyard, Xing'er hurriedly called for Nanny Zhang to fetch water and serve Cui Yunchu for her bath.
"Throw away the dress I wore today." Stepping barefoot into the bathtub, Cui Yunchu furrowed her brows, feeling as though she had been marinated in that foul stench.
Xing'er immediately went to dispose of it. Nanny Zhang stepped forward, taking a cloth to scrub Cui Yunchu's back. "What did you go out to do today, Miss?"
Half-closing her eyes, Cui Yunchu leaned against the tub. Her smooth, fair skin seemed to be coated in a layer of radiance under the glow of the setting sun.
She did not speak. Nanny Zhang pursed her lips, glanced at the returning Xing'er, and tactfully stepped aside.
The young miss used to rely on and trust her the most. Who knew what had suddenly happened recently. "Earlier, Old Madam sent Nanny Li over to look for you, Miss. Since you were out, Nanny Li left word asking you to make a trip to Songhe Courtyard upon your return."
Her eyelashes, moistened by the steam, fluttered slightly. Cui Yunchu opened her eyes. "Did she say what it was about?"
Could the Liu family have come knocking already? It shouldn't have been this fast.
Nanny Zhang shook her head and got up to fetch a fresh set of clothes from the wardrobe for Cui Yunchu.
Xing'er scattered flower petals into the tub and applied fragrant dew. With the sweet scent lingering at her nose, Cui Yunchu finally felt the nausea slowly dissipate.
"Miss, do you think the Liu family will take their complaint directly to the Emperor?" Xing'er was still somewhat worried.
Cui Yunchu cast a glance at her but remained silent. Xing'er immediately shut her mouth.
She wasn't worried about how the Liu family would react. After all, she was one of the victims too, wasn't she?
Cui Yunchu curled her lips into a faint smile. "How is the Second Miss feeling today?"
"She's already full of energy. I heard she spent half the day playing with Old Madam in Songhe Courtyard before Old Madam forced her to return to her own courtyard to rest."
Cui Yunchu nodded. Once she was properly dressed and ready, she took Xing'er and headed to Songhe Courtyard.
In Songhe Courtyard, Old Madam was discussing something with Nanny Li. Seeing Cui Yunchu enter, she immediately looked up.
"Grandmother," Cui Yunchu curtsied in greeting.
Old Madam Cui's gaze fell upon her dress. "You usually love bright and vibrant colors. Why are you dressed so plainly today? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
Cui Yunchu pressed a handkerchief to her lips and coughed softly a few times. "It's nothing serious. I just encountered some trouble during the day and had a bit of a fright. But enough of that. I heard Grandmother sent someone looking for me."
Lifting her skirt, she stepped forward and sat down beside Old Madam Cui.
Since Old Madam Cui managed the entire Cui Manor, she naturally knew that Cui Yunchu had gone out, and she was well aware that she had taken Tang Qingwan's people with her.
Seeing Cui Yunchu's delicate and frail appearance, a sharp glint flashed through her aged eyes. "Have you seen a doctor then? Your health is the most important thing. It wouldn't do for you to be badly frightened."
"You are right, Grandmother. I have already seen a doctor. Please don't worry."
Old Madam Cui nodded, patting her hand. "The Dragon Boat Festival is in a few days. Madam Chen sent a letter saying that the young miss of the Chen family felt an instant connection with you and wishes to invite you to go out together the day after tomorrow."
Around the Dragon Boat Festival, the main streets would feature various martial arts arenas and lion dances. Taverns and shops would be decorated with lanterns and festoons, selling off surplus goods at low prices to attract customers. It would be a very lively scene.
If Miss Chen wanted to invite her, she could have simply sent an invitation directly. Using Miss Chen was clearly just an excuse; the one who truly wanted her company was likely Young Master Chen.
"Things happened so suddenly that day. The arranged meeting between you and Young Master Chen didn't go as planned. Take advantage of the festivities this time to properly meet him. With Miss Chen accompanying you, it won't be considered improper."
Cui Yunchu smiled. "When have I ever been one to strictly follow the rules?"
She had even seduced her brother-in-law; when had she ever cared about such things?
"Times are different now," Old Madam Cui smiled and rubbed Cui Yunchu's head. "My Yunchu has grown up. Grandmother is very relieved and very happy."
Cui Yunchu took the opportunity to lean into Old Madam Cui's embrace. "In Grandmother's eyes, no matter how much Second Sister and I anger you, we are always your most precious pearls."
Old Madam Cui smiled, stroking her head. "You just have a sweet tongue. Madam Chen has written several times over the past few days, wanting to visit your second sister to express her apologies, but I rejected them all."
Cui Yunchu understood Old Madam Cui's meaning.
If they accepted the Chen family's visit, the relatives of the other girls who had been playing cards together would surely come as well. They would arrive in groups, bringing heavy gifts. Turning them away would be inappropriate, but keeping them would arouse the Emperor's greatest taboo.
By the next day, the censors might fabricate a charge of forming factions for personal gain. After all, those in the Censorate were the best at reading the Emperor's mood.
Among them were a few fearless individuals who kept their eyes fixed on The Cui and Tang clans, wanting to play the game of clearing the Emperor's side of evil advisors.
Old Madam Cui seemed to sigh. When she looked down at Cui Yunchu, a smile touched her lips again. "It's lonely at the top. At the peak of its power, our Cui family naturally attracts jealousy and covetousness from those who want to dismantle us and take a share of the spoils."
Cui Yunchu smiled, her face the picture of gentle harmlessness. "But no one other than the Cui family can afford to drink from our bowl."
The hand stroking her head paused, and Old Madam Cui gave a soft smile. "Yunchu is right. If only for the sake of you two sisters, we must fight for a future."
"Grandmother, since that is the case, do you still choose the Chen family for a marriage alliance?"
The Chen family had good character and family traditions. However, they had one fatal flaw: they lacked real power.
"Your father is in the imperial court, and Qingwan is in the royal family. You and Yunfeng shouldn't worry."
The fight that The Cui and Tang clans spoke of was not about coercing imperial power, but simply ensuring the survival of the thousands of lives within The Cui and Tang clans. If they truly married both daughters into powerful noble families for alliances, it would be an open declaration of war against the Emperor.
Actually, Cui Yunchu felt there was nothing wrong with tearing off all pretenses. Her father and uncle walked on thin ice in the court, and her cousin battled wits with a harem of beauties in the Eastern Palace. An open fallout was only a matter of time.
"The Chen family is a good household. They definitely won't mistreat you in the future. By marrying you there, Grandmother can rest easy."
What else could Cui Yunchu say? "I will leave everything to Grandmother's arrangements."
If she didn't agree, her grandmother might think she still harbored her previous delusions.
"Old Madam." A young maid lifted the bead curtain and hurried in. "Eldest Miss, Madam Liu has arrived."
So fast? Cui Yunchu raised an eyebrow.
Old Madam Cui's gaze turned slightly cold as she glanced at Cui Yunchu beside her.
Cui Yunchu gave an awkward smile. "Beat the young one, and the old one comes. I've brought trouble to you, Grandmother."
Old Madam Cui gave a soft harrumph and ordered someone to bring Madam Liu in.
"Never mind the old one; even if she were an old immortal, Grandmother wouldn't be afraid."
Meanwhile, upon hearing the news, Cui Yunfeng and Tang Qingwan both came to Songhe Courtyard. When Madam Liu entered and saw the room full of people, a sudden pang of apprehension struck her heart for no reason.
But on second thought, they were just a bunch of green girls. Her drooping, triangular eyes immediately sharpened again, blazing with aggressive momentum.
Greetings, Old Madam Cui. She gave a perfunctory curtsy, her smile not reaching her eyes.
Madam Liu, what wind brings you here? Old Madam Cui remained seated upright. Her imposing aura immediately overpowered Madam Liu, especially the faint gaze she cast upon her, which sent chills down Madam Liu's spine.
After all, she was a former general who had fought on the battlefield and held an imperial mandate. Even in the presence of the late Emperor and Empress, she was highly honored.
Perhaps power naturally commands respect.
Madam Liu's back unconsciously hunched a bit, her tone becoming a fraction more respectful. I am...
After uttering two words, Madam Liu suddenly remembered her purpose for coming today.
So what if the Cui family was prosperous? They were now a thorn in the Emperor's side. Her Liu family was the new nobility supported by the Emperor. She was not here today to bow and scrape.
Old Madam Cui, I came today for my disappointing daughter.
Her gaze swept over Cui Yunchu, Cui Yunfeng, and Tang Qingwan one by one, finally landing on Cui Yunchu, who sat in the foremost seat. I wonder what grudge or enmity my Wanting has with the Eldest Miss of the Cui family, to make the Eldest Miss act so viciously and humiliate my daughter.
Her gaze was icy, seemingly imbued with cold frost, but Cui Yunchu was not going to be frightened by her.
Madam Liu continued on her own, After returning home, my Wanting could not bear the humiliation. She became listless and immediately fell ill, refusing all medicine. How can I, as a mother, endure this? Even if the Cui family is powerful, I must come and demand an explanation.
After all, my Wanting is appreciated by the Empress. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, she is destined to go to the palace to pay her respects to the Empress. If she is frightened into a bad state, how will my Liu family explain this to the Empress?
She was really throwing around big names.
Cui Yunfeng was a straightforward person and said lightly, Madam Liu is worrying too much. After all, Miss Liu hasn't married into the Crown Prince's estate yet. The Empress won't care about such trivial matters. And even if she does enter later, as a concubine, she will be managed by the Crown Princess above her. There is even less need for the Empress to trouble herself personally.
A Crown Prince's side consort was, in the end, still a concubine, wasn't she?
The smile Madam Liu wore slightly faded, and her face darkened. Second Miss Cui hasn't even come of age yet. How can you speak of marriage matters so lightly?
Cui Yunfeng curled her lips. I'm speaking in my own home. You insisted on running over here to listen, Madam Liu, and now you blame it on me. What, if I don't speak in my own home, should I run to the hall of your Liu family to speak?
You—
Yunfeng, Tang Qingwan said lightly. How can you be so unruly?
Madam Liu sat upright, her ashen face softening slightly, but she disliked Tang Qingwan, her future daughter's strong rival, even more.
Miss Tang, Old Madam Cui is still here. Even if you are the eldest, it is absolutely not your place to reprimand a younger sister.
The phrase of giving an inch and taking a mile was used very appropriately by Madam Liu at this moment.
Madam Liu is also aware that my grandmother is still sitting here. Reprimanding the younger generation is certainly not the place of an outsider like you. Cui Yunchu was smiling, after all, she always loved to smile.
Only, the words she spoke were very piercing.
What my older cousin meant was that my second sister fell into the water at the Chen family's estate a few days ago, and her body hasn't fully recovered. She was just afraid that my sister would be angered by some random barking.
Random barking? Madam Liu stood up abruptly in anger, looking at Cui Yunchu, then turned her eyes to Cui Yunfeng and Tang Qingwan, and finally her gaze landed on Old Madam Cui, who had not spoken a word all along.
The three sisters sat there nonchalantly, seemingly not taking her to heart at all.
Old Madam Cui finally spoke up. She first cast a sidelong glance at the three sisters and scolded mildly, Always messing around, with no rules.
Then, there was nothing more.
How could Madam Liu endure this? She also understood now that her one mouth was no match for their three mouths, and she stopped dealing with them. Old Madam Cui, regarding this matter, please give me an explanation. Otherwise, even if I have to make a scene in front of the Empress, my Liu family will demand an answer.
Then Madam Liu can just go straight to the Empress. Why bother making an extra trip to my Cui manor? Old Madam Cui's words were even less polite.
It made Madam Liu lose face. Is Old Madam Cui determined to shield the Eldest Miss?
Old Madam Cui stared at Madam Liu, her brows sinking. That day when my youngest granddaughter fell into the water, there was no solid evidence, so my Cui family could only swallow that silent grievance. Today, with empty words, you insist on blaming my Yunchu. Do you really think my Cui family is easy to bully?
As for what happened at the Chen family's banquet, Madam Liu had heard Liu Wanting mention it after returning. Although she felt her daughter's actions were reckless, in the end, it wasn't her own daughter who suffered, so she didn't take it to heart.
The Old Madam also said that there was no solid evidence regarding Second Miss Cui. But regarding my Wanting, it happened in front of everyone's eyes. Everyone saw it. How can the Eldest Miss deny it?
