The two of them fussed and bickered for quite some time before Cui Yunfeng finally fell asleep. Cui Yunchu climbed out of bed as quietly as she could, opened the door, and stepped outside.
“Xing’er, it’s already so late. Why haven’t you gone to sleep?”
“Has Cui Yunli returned?”
“Apparently… not yet.”
Cui Yunchu gave a faint hum, went back into the room, closed the door, climbed into bed, and shut her eyes.
She disliked herself very much for always harboring expectations of others.
…
“Lord Prime Minister.” The steward hurried into the study.
Cui Qingyuan had neither reviewed official documents nor read a book. He merely leaned back in his chair, eyes open as he stared absently at some spot on the desk.
“What is it?” He raised his eyes slightly.
“Someone delivered these to the gatehouse.” The steward hurriedly handed over two items.
One was a bloodstained jade pendant. The other was a letter.
Cui Qingyuan shot to his feet, snatched up the jade pendant, and immediately opened the letter.
“Lord Prime Minister, what does it say?”
Cui Qingyuan’s gaze darkened. “Yunli has been taken. They want me to go and ransom him.”
“Is it for money? This old servant will make the preparations at once.”
“No need.” Cui Qingyuan waved a hand. “What they want is a life for a life.”
His life, in exchange for Yunli’s.
“How can that be?” The steward was horrified. “Lord Prime Minister, why not seek help from the Crown Prince and Prince An? And the eldest son-in-law—the Judicial Office under his command is the most capable of all.”
Cui Qingyuan sat back down in his chair and remained silent for a moment.
He had long sensed that the emperor would eventually move against him. He had taken every possible precaution in the capital, but he had never expected the emperor to target Yunli.
“His Majesty’s fear of me has reached the point where he will stop at nothing to eliminate me!”
“Prepare my change of clothes and ready the horses.”
The steward immediately stepped forward to serve him, saying as he did so, “This old servant will gather the men at once.”
Cui Qingyuan acknowledged him and spread his arms while the steward swiftly helped him dress. Then the steward suddenly hesitated.
“But, Lord Prime Minister, tomorrow is the day the eldest young lady leaves for her husband’s home.”
The Dowager Lady was unwell. If even Lord Prime Minister left, what would become of the eldest young lady? With so many guests present, wouldn’t it make the family look terribly shabby?
Besides, the eldest young lady and Lord Prime Minister already had a rift between them. After this incident, they would likely grow even more distant.
“Dawn is only three hours away.”
Cui Qingyuan was silent for several breaths before saying, “This is a matter of life and death. You stay at the residence and handle the wedding arrangements.”
Half an hour later, Cui Qingyuan left the Cui residence wearing a black cloak. The night was deep, and a neat line of soldiers stood outside the gates. At their head, Yu Feng sat high on horseback and cupped his fists in greeting.
“Lord Prime Minister, my master has heard about the matter concerning Young Master Cui. He specifically ordered me to go and rescue him. Rest assured, Lord Prime Minister. I will bring Young Master Cui back safe and sound.”
“They want my life. Only if I go personally can my son’s safety be guaranteed.”
Yu Feng frowned. “Tomorrow is Miss Cui’s most important day. This subordinate understands that you are anxious to save your son, but with us and the brothers from the Judicial Office there, we will certainly keep Young Master Cui safe.”
“Lord Prime Minister, it will take only a little over two hours. You can see Miss Cui off to her new home first. As for Young Master Cui’s safety, my master has said that the Shen residence can serve as a guarantee. He will certainly remain unharmed.”
“…”
Cui Yunchu tossed and turned for most of the night before finally falling asleep. She had barely dozed off when the beating of drums rang out. Xing’er then led more than a dozen maids into the room one after another, and every candle was lit, filling the room with a harsh brightness.
Cui Yunchu tugged the quilt over her head and kicked Cui Yunfeng beside her.
“You get up first. I’ll lie here a little longer.”
“Oh.” Still half-asleep, Cui Yunfeng sat up. When she saw the wedding clothes in the maids’ hands, she frowned and poked Cui Yunchu.
“You’re the one getting married, not me. What use is there in my getting up first?”
Cui Yunfeng lay back down and urged her, “Hurry up. If you miss the auspicious hour, it’ll hurt your marital harmony and your fortune.”
Cui Yunchu sat bolt upright.
Although this was her first marriage, she had already watched the ceremony twice before and knew the entire process by heart. She closed her eyes and drowsed while allowing Xing’er to direct the maids as they dressed and made her up.
The wedding clothes had been prepared by the Shen family. They fit as though they had been tailored to her measurements. The bright red silk was covered in glittering jewels, while golden thread shimmered brilliantly in the candlelight. The entire outfit was both luxurious and grand.
Cui Yunchu examined herself in the bronze mirror again and again. Suddenly, her sleeve was tugged. She turned her head and saw Cui Yunfeng pulling at one of the beads sewn onto it.
“What are you doing?” Her voice rose considerably, filled with alarm.
Cui Yunfeng said, “You pulled mine back then, too.”
Cui Yunchu covered her sleeve. “I wanted to pull your hair and kick you a few times.”
She looked utterly vicious. Cui Yunfeng pouted.
“Stingy.”
“Is this the first day I’ve been stingy?” Cui Yunchu retorted righteously.
For the rest of the dressing and makeup, she watched Cui Yunfeng as vigilantly as she would a thief.
The two sisters continued to bicker and play around. By the time Tang Qingwan arrived, the sky was already bright. She looked rather tired. After offering Cui Yunchu a few words of blessing, she sat to one side and smiled as she watched the sisters fool around.
As the morning progressed, the residence grew increasingly noisy and lively. Quite a few guests must have arrived in the front courtyard, waiting for the groom to come and escort the bride away. Nearby, the matchmaker’s auspicious phrases had been repeated so many times that everyone’s ears were practically numb.
For the first time, Cui Yunchu had become the center of attention—the one upon whom every eye was fixed.
Aside from the birthday banquet held with ulterior motives, this was probably the only time in the Cui household that she had ever been the focus of everyone’s attention.
“Miss, Miss!” Xing’er hurried into the room and reported to the smiling woman dressed in her wedding clothes, her face hidden behind a phoenix crown.
“All the guests have arrived…”
“Then have them shown to their seats.”
“But…” Xing’er swallowed and said anxiously, “Lord Prime Minister left the residence suddenly two hours ago.”
With the eldest young master absent and Lord Prime Minister gone as well, the guests included not only officials and their families but also members of the imperial household. How could the steward possibly take Lord Prime Minister’s place?
Cui Yunchu froze. “What do you mean, he left? Where is he?”
Xing’er lowered her head. “Apparently, the eldest young master was kidnapped by bandits, and Lord Prime Minister went to rescue him.”
“How could he have been kidnapped out of the blue?” Cui Yunfeng asked.
“This servant doesn’t know either.”
“Human life is at stake.” Cui Yunchu’s eyes were utterly still. She looked at herself in the bronze mirror and calmly instructed, “Have the steward lead the guests directly to their seats.”
Xing’er pressed her lips together and could only comply.
The guests had come to offer their congratulations as a matter of courtesy, yet there was no member of the household to receive them. What kind of arrangement was this?
At that moment, Cui Yunfeng was wholly consumed by worry for their father and elder brother, and she too seemed distracted.
Tang Qingwan rose and said, “I’ll go. You stay here and focus on your own preparations.”
Cui Yunchu smiled at her. “Thank you, Cousin.”
With that, she continued to look at herself in the bronze mirror.
The front courtyard must be in complete chaos, but as long as everything ended smoothly, that was enough.
After all, a human life was at stake. She hoped Cui Yunli would return safely.
“But, Miss,” Xing’er said, “with the eldest young master and Lord Prime Minister both away, who will carry you out of the residence?”
“I’ll walk out myself.” Cui Yunchu gave the end of her brow a light sweep.
