"What Cousin said is exactly right," Cui Yunchu nodded in agreement.
"But looking at Madam Liu's demeanor just now, I'm afraid she won't let this go easily," Cui Yunfeng said.
Cui Yunchu and Tang Qingwan both turned their eyes to look at Cui Yunfeng in unison, frowning simultaneously.
Old Madam Cui spoke wearily, "We will deal with whatever comes our way. Our Cui family fears nothing. Yunfeng, you have just recovered, so go back to your courtyard and rest first."
Cui Yunfeng stood up. "Grandmother is in such a hurry to send me away. Could it be that you have some good things to give to Big Sister and don't want me to see?"
Old Madam Cui chuckled lightly. Cui Yunchu said sarcastically, "I handled such a major matter, isn't it only right that I receive some rewards? For Second Sister to bicker with me over even this, you truly have no conscience."
"Big Sister, I didn't mean it like that," Cui Yunfeng immediately explained upon seeing that Cui Yunchu was truly displeased. "I was just saying it as a joke. How could you take it seriously?"
"Alright," Old Madam Cui said with an amused tone. "Your Big Sister is just teasing you, silly girl. Grandmother asked your Big Sister to stay because of the marriage with the Chen family. If you also want to get married, Grandmother will pick someone for you too."
Cui Yunfeng was slightly stunned. A moment later, as if recalling something, her face suddenly turned bright red, and then slightly pale as she looked at Old Madam Cui. "Grandmother, I don't want you to pick. I won't marry."
The smile on Old Madam Cui's face slightly froze.
Cui Yunfeng stood there, no longer moving to leave, just staring at Old Madam Cui, looking as if she were about to shed tears at any moment.
"Yunfeng, didn't Grandmother tell you to go back and get a good rest? What are you still standing there for?" Tang Qingwan stood up, went over, and took Cui Yunfeng's hand to lead her away.
Cui Yunfeng seemed to want to say something more, but Tang Qingwan did not give her the chance.
After the two left and the swaying bead curtains fell still again, Old Madam Cui let out a heavy sigh, her expression sorrowful. "Why are the marriages of our Cui family's daughters so fraught with difficulties?"
Tang Qingwan's engagement to the Crown Prince could absolutely not be called a good match. If possible, Old Madam Cui would rather she marry into an ordinary noble clan and be a dignified and respectable matriarch, rather than enter the imperial palace to endlessly fight with other women over imperial power.
Before this, Cui Yunchu's marriage had been a thorn in Old Madam Cui's heart.
Now, seeing that Cui Yunchu's matter was settled, the next in line was Cui Yunfeng. How could Old Madam Cui not be anxious?
She rubbed her forehead, deeply worried.
Cui Yunchu also did not know what to say to comfort her, so she simply sat quietly without speaking.
With Tang Qingwan as the Crown Princess, it was absolutely impossible for the Cui family to produce a Princess An as well.
Moreover, supporting the Crown Prince was the orthodox path. Supporting Prince An to covet the throne would be no different from being rebellious traitors.
"Yunchu, come sit by Grandmother's side."
Cui Yunchu stood up and obediently walked over to sit beside Old Madam Cui. She recounted the entire sequence of events that had occurred in the restaurant to Old Madam Cui without leaving anything out.
A long silence filled the hall, ultimately broken by another soft sigh from Old Madam Cui. "Prince An's feelings for Yunfeng are genuine. It is just a pity..."
He was a member of the royal family, and moreover, a man who refused to submit to anyone else.
"Grandmother, The Cui and Tang clans are putting all their efforts into supporting the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince now highly values the Liu family. Are Father and Uncle not worried that once success is achieved, they will be discarded?"
The current Emperor is wary of The Cui and Tang clans. Even if he passes the throne to the Crown Prince, as the meritorious officials who helped him ascend, The Cui and Tang clans will only become more prosperous than they are today. Would the Crown Prince not be wary, feeling like a fishbone is stuck in his throat?
When that time comes, how would their situation be any better than it is today? It would merely be delaying it for a few years. I am afraid what is meant to happen will still happen.
"Then we shall walk today's path all over again," Old Madam Cui's voice was very faint.
Cui Yunchu was startled.
A moment later, she suddenly realized the unspoken meaning behind Old Madam Cui's words.
With Tang Qingwan as Empress, if they were to support a new monarch, it would be the legitimate eldest son born of the Empress. The Crown Prince born to Tang Qingwan... With The Cui and Tang clans as maternal relatives... indeed, they could ensure another century of safety.
So, this had been Father and Uncle's plan all along.
But for maternal relatives to monopolize power would not look good in the history books. It might even ruin the century-old reputation of the Cui and Tang families.
But given the current situation, they could not afford to worry about so much.
Old Madam Cui picked up her teacup, took a gentle sip, and began to cough slightly. Cui Yunchu immediately rubbed her back to soothe her. "Has Grandmother's cough flared up again? Have you had a doctor come look at it?"
"It is an old ailment, it does not matter." Old Madam Cui patted the back of Cui Yunchu's hand and continued, "Although Prince An is deeply affectionate toward your sister, our Cui family cannot marry another daughter into the royal family. Supporting the legitimate Crown Prince will yield twice the result with half the effort compared to supporting him."
After all, if the Tang and Cui families wanted to remain stable and prosperous forever, they could only pin their hopes on the future royal Crown Prince having half of The Cui and Tang clans' blood flowing in his veins.
"Furthermore, Prince An's temperament is far less generous and gentle than the Crown Prince's," Cui Yunchu softly chimed in. "Grandmother is even more afraid that Second Sister is no match for him and will bring an even greater disaster upon The Cui and Tang clans."
Old Madam Cui nodded, tightly grasping Cui Yunchu's hand. "My Yunchu has finally grown up."
Her face was full of gratification. "It is not easy for you to see this clearly. Yunchu, you are the older sister. Grandmother is telling you all this in the hopes that you can stop the two of them, and along the way, persuade your sister."
Cui Yunchu pursed her lips. Thinking of the pain Cui Yunfeng suffered in her previous life when forced to marry into the Chen family, as well as Xiao Yi's madness, she wanted to sigh even more. One was incredibly stubborn, and the other was completely unhinged. How was she supposed to persuade them?
It must be known that in her previous life, the Chen family was nearly annihilated at Xiao Yi's hands. He even scaled the walls every night to force Yunfeng into secret trysts with him, to the point that Young Master Chen was so humiliated he nearly committed suicide.
Of course, this all happened right after Cui Yunfeng got married. Xiao Yi could not accept it at the time and went mad.
But later, she heard that Cui Yunfeng also threatened to commit suicide to live and die together with Young Master Chen, which finally made Prince An calm down for a while.
As for what happened after that, she died early and did not know.
"Granddaughter... will try her best," Cui Yunchu said with some difficulty.
Compared to trying to persuade them, Cui Yunchu was actually much more willing to act as Tang Qingwan's enforcer, helping her fight off that swarm of bees and butterflies.
She could treat it as a way to exercise her brain.
Facts had proven that while Cui Yunchu's brain might not be the sharpest, her glib tongue and acting skills were quite good, so she could still be of help.
By this time, Old Madam Cui was already exhausted, her back and waist aching. Nanny Li hurriedly stepped forward to massage her.
Cui Yunchu worriedly instructed, "Granddaughter knows that Grandmother worries about us, but you must pay more attention to your health. Only if you are well will there be someone to protect us, right?"
Old Madam Cui smiled and tapped the tip of Cui Yunchu's nose. "Rest assured, Grandmother won't die so easily. At the very least, I have to wait until all three of you sisters are married and settled down before I can be at peace."
"Why is Grandmother talking about dying? That's such bad luck," Cui Yunchu said, pouting in displeasure.
Old Madam Cui smiled again. "How can a person not die? If one lived forever without dying, wouldn't they be a monster?"
After saying this, Old Madam Cui composed her expression and explained all of the Chen family's background and history to Cui Yunchu in detail. After giving her a few final instructions, she could no longer sit up.
Nanny Li said with an aching heart, "Ever since the Second Miss fell into the water, the Old Madam has been so worried that she hasn't slept soundly for days. She has almost worried herself sick."
"Old Madam, now that the First Miss has finally vented the frustration on behalf of the Second Miss, you can finally get a peaceful night's sleep."
Old Madam Cui nodded. "My Yunchu is indeed formidable."
As for the matter of the Liu family complaining to the Empress during the Dragon Boat Festival, they would cross that bridge when they came to it.
Cui Yunchu felt embarrassed by the praise. The little she had done was really nothing; Tang Qingwan and Prince An deserved more credit than she did.
However, Old Madam Cui was very gratified. After all, compared to her past behavior, what she did this time was actually quite decent and proper.
Coming out of the Songhe Courtyard, Cui Yunchu kept her head slightly lowered, pondering Old Madam Cui's words, as well as the matters concerning Prince An and Cui Yunfeng. The more she thought about it, the more conflicted and annoyed she became.
None of the Cui family girls truly gave anyone peace of mind.
She felt that Yunfeng was even worse than she was.
One after another, what a constant mess they were. The fact that her grandmother could live such a long life was truly due to her strong constitution. If it had been her, she probably would have died of anxiety and worry a long time ago.
