Cui Yunchu kept glancing toward the entrance, time and again. Old Madam Cui teased her, “The Shen residence is still some distance from the Cui residence. Don’t be so impatient.”
“Who’s impatient?” Cui Yunchu pouted. “Clearly, he’s the one who’s anxious. He couldn’t even wait until tomorrow to come.”
Having received the imperial decree, he had rushed straight over. She hadn’t even had time to make proper preparations.
Old Madam Cui smiled. “Today is an auspicious day for a union. Once today passes, you’ll have to wait another three to five days.”
“Then today it is.” Cui Yunchu grinned.
Old Madam Cui shot her a look and pretended to scold her. “Shameless.”
Cui Yunchu did not mind in the least. They had already slept together, after all. She had never been the sort of refined young lady who was restrained, proper, and concerned with etiquette.
The grandmother and granddaughter chatted happily together when the servants stationed at the gate came running in one after another to deliver reports.
Cui Yunchu grew increasingly restless. “Grandmother, I want to go take a look.”
Old Madam Cui refused. “It’s the day the betrothal gifts are being delivered, and countless people are watching. You must behave and just get through today.”
Cui Yunchu pouted again. “It’s not as though I’m going to elope with him.”
“That won’t do either. Everything must be done according to propriety.”
Cui Yunchu gave a quiet “Oh,” then suddenly asked, “Grandmother, what sort of dowry have you prepared for me?”
Old Madam Cui laughed at her. “All you think about all day is that little bit of money. I’m already more than halfway into the grave; what use would those things be to me? I’ve had the servants sort everything out. You’ll take it all with you.”
“What about Yunfeng and Qingwan?”
“They don’t need me to worry over them. What little I have would hardly amount to anything in their eyes.” Old Madam Cui took Cui Yunchu’s hand and earnestly advised her, “Yunchu, Grandmother hopes you’ll live a peaceful life, happy and carefree. It isn’t easy to meet someone who truly understands you. You must rein in your temper a little. Sincerity must be mutual.”
Cui Yunchu put on an extremely serious expression. “Grandmother, you can rest assured. So long as he doesn’t betray me, I’ll treat him well too.”
She felt sorry for him. He had even schemed against her son, yet Old Madam probably knew nothing about it.
Old Madam Cui said, “I never would have imagined that your fate would be tied to that Shen boy. The world is truly unpredictable.”
“Yunchu knows what you’re worried about, Grandmother. Don’t worry. The matters of the previous generation will never come between him and me. If he dares to let them, I’ll slap him.”
Old Madam Cui frowned. “I just told you to rein in your temper, and you’ve already forgotten.”
“Yunchu.” Old Madam Cui clasped her hand. “Although there are few people in the Shen household, you still must not let your guard down. Dowager Shen, she…”
Under Cui Yunchu’s clear, attentive gaze, Old Madam Cui remained silent for a long while, unable to finish what she meant to say.
“Grandmother, Dowager Shen is a very good person. She doesn’t look down on me and treats me extremely well.”
“Yes, she treats you well, and you must respect her in return. But the two of you are mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, after all. They say such women are natural enemies. It’s still best to keep some distance if you want to live in harmony.”
Cui Yunchu studied Old Madam Cui carefully. “Grandmother, why do I feel as though there’s more behind your words whenever you mention Dowager Shen?”
“Aren’t the two of you friends? Just the other day, she even asked about your health.”
Old Madam Cui gave a slight nod, a trace of remembrance in her eyes. “She and I could indeed be considered friends. Your grandmother once owed her a favor, and later repaid it. After that, we rarely kept in touch.”
“She has suffered a hard fate, but fortunately, she is decisive and dares to love and hate. Though this life of hers has been bitter, she should have no regrets.”
A servant entered to report that the Shen family had arrived at the residence and was now waiting in the reception hall.
Old Madam Cui gave Cui Yunchu a push. “All right, stop lingering here. Weren’t you impatient to see him? Go on.”
Cui Yunchu rose, but could not help asking, “Grandmother, when I marry, will you be well enough to watch me leave the family?”
Old Madam Cui smiled and nodded. “Of course. I’ve held on this long because I’ve been waiting for you to find a home.”
“Once I’m married, what about Cui Yunli?”
“Don’t worry about him. His father will make arrangements for him. You, Yunchu, are the only one I worry about most. Fortunately, you’ve done well.”
Cui Yunchu threw herself into Old Madam Cui’s arms and acted spoiled. “Grandmother, in the entire Cui residence, you’re the only person I truly care about.”
Old Madam Cui stroked her hair. “That’s good. So long as you don’t feel that you’re alone, that’s all that matters.”
“Yunchu, you are the finest girl there is. Don’t lack confidence. Don’t hesitate or look too far ahead, and don’t be afraid. Just be bold and move forward. You and Yunfeng and Qingwan are all the treasures Grandmother cherishes. You have never been alone.”
“Grandmother.” Cui Yunchu’s voice was slightly choked.
“Go now.” Old Madam Cui pushed her away once more.
Cui Yunchu’s eyes grew moist. She left, turning back three times with every step. “Grandmother, wait for me. I’ll come back for you in a little while.”
After Cui Yunchu left, Old Madam Cui could not stop herself from coughing softly. The elderly maid beside her hurriedly brought her tea and water, gently patting her back.
“Madam, should I fetch a physician to examine you?”
“Examine me for what? On such a joyous day, calling a physician would bring bad luck.” Old Madam Cui turned to look at Cui Yunchu’s departing figure.
Cui Yunchu made a special trip back to First Courtyard to dress up.
“Nanny Zhang, do you think this outfit looks good on me?”
“Miss…” Xing’er’s hand paused as she fixed Cui Yunchu’s hair, and the happiness on Cui Yunchu’s face stiffened as well.
“Go on. I haven’t forgotten that she’s gone. It’s just that today is my wedding day, so naturally I have to tell her about it.”
Xing’er thought to herself that the joy on her mistress’s face just now had been so genuine. After decades of habit, she had momentarily forgotten that Nanny Zhang had passed away.
“You look beautiful, Miss. Nanny Zhang always said you were the most beautiful girl in the entire capital.”
“Of course I am.” Cui Yunchu gave a smug little snort. “Otherwise, how could my high-minded father have fallen for my mother?”
In truth, she probably should not have hated Cui Qingyuan so much. One of her parents had been greedy for money, the other driven by lust. As a child born from their desires, it was understandable that she had never been loved.
“Xing’er, if I ever have a child, I’ll make Shen Xiabai give him everything he has.”
“Then why won’t you give him everything yourself, Miss?”
Cui Yunchu rested her chin in her hand. “I’ve never been a child loved by a mother, so I don’t know how to be a child’s mother. I’m afraid I wouldn’t do a good job.”
“Do you know? There was a time when I almost wanted to dig up my mother’s grave, just so she couldn’t rest in peace even in death.”
When her hatred had reached its deepest point, she had even wanted to send Cui Qingyuan to the grave as well.
“It’s an auspicious day, Miss. You mustn’t say things like that.”
…
The courtyard of the Cui residence was filled with large red boxes. Shen Xiabai wore a dark-red brocade robe, springlike delight evident in the corners of his brows and eyes. For the first time, he bowed respectfully to Cui Qingyuan.
“Father-in-law.”
Cui Qingyuan said, “…Rise.”
There was a fair amount of emotion and reluctance in his voice.
After all, whoever had been schemed against so many times would have found it difficult to remain calm.
As they spoke, Cui Yunchu entered the reception hall with the support of the servants, walking with graceful composure. Shen Xiabai had never before seen her looking so demure and elegant.
His gaze fell upon her, and he strode forward two steps, nearly knocking Cui Qingyuan beside him off balance.
“A Chu.” Her figure filled his eyes, and he could not look away.
Cui Yunchu tugged at his sleeve and scolded him in a low voice, “Who told you to send so many betrothal gifts?”
The courtyard was filled with glittering boxes and treasures. As Cui Yunchu took in the lavish display, all she felt was heartache.
“It’s only a betrothal ceremony. A token gesture would have been enough. We still have to live after this.”
“Though the betrothal gifts will come back to me as part of my dowry, if you send fewer, my family will have to make up the difference with my dowry. The old man is a prime minister, after all—we still need to keep up appearances.”
“Now that you’ve sent so much, who knows how much money you’ve saved that old man?”
