Thinking of this, Cui Yunchu couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
Indeed, what emperor could tolerate such a prosperous and powerful maternal family? She feared that the very day he ascended the throne would be the day he decided to cast aside the ones who helped him, discarding the bow once the birds were hunted.
Tang Qingwan had the strength to contend with the Crown Prince.
As for Cui Yunfeng, that delicate little white flower, the only thing she could pin her hopes on was Prince An's affection—and who knew how long that would last?
Stuttering, weeping, and begging.
In an instant, Cui Yunchu understood her father and grandmother's decision.
"Yunfeng has a straightforward temperament. Counsel her well. Fortunately, she has a kind heart; even if it's just for Qingwan's sake, she will agree."
Cui Yunchu gave a slight nod.
Cui Yunfeng could be persuaded, but the one who would become completely unmanageable was Xiao Yi.
And the only one who could persuade Xiao Yi was Cui Yunfeng.
Just thinking about it gave Cui Yunchu a headache.
Was it possible to reject both the Crown Prince and Prince An, and have the Cui family themselves...
This thought only lasted for a fleeting moment before Cui Yunchu swiftly suppressed it.
It was not a time of chaos. To stir up war during peaceful years would leave a foul name for eternity. Moreover, even if they succeeded, other states and feudal lords could crusade against them under the name of punishing rebellious ministers and traitors. Surrounded by a pack of wolves, the odds of victory were exceedingly slim.
When she emerged from Songhe Garden, the evening sun was already sinking in the west. Cui Yunchu did not leave; instead, she waited under the eaves for Cui Yunfeng.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a figure in pink slowly dawdled over.
The glazed lamps beneath the corridor cast a dim glow. Cui Yunchu turned around and looked at the girl with red, swollen eyes.
The two sisters looked at each other. For a moment, neither spoke. A silent stillness spread between them, leaving only the gentle breeze and faint, muffled sobs.
"Eldest Sister, can you sleep with me tonight?"
Cui Yunfeng's eyes were as red as a rabbit's.
Cui Yunchu pursed her lips and reached out to Cui Yunfeng. The figure in pink immediately hurried forward, lowering her head to take her hand, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.
For the first time, Cui Yunchu felt the awareness and responsibility of being an elder sister.
"Let's go." She held Cui Yunfeng's hand tightly and returned with her to Feng Garden.
The maids fetched water, attended to the two girls as they bathed and changed, and then withdrew.
Cui Yunchu sat on Cui Yunfeng's bed, looking at the listless girl sitting before the vanity.
"How long are you going to keep crying?"
"Almost done," Cui Yunfeng sobbed.
"..." Cui Yunchu felt helpless.
She truly couldn't understand Cui Yunfeng's feelings for Prince An. In her eyes, men were just stepping stones for climbing higher—as long as they had power and handsome looks.
Prince An fit the bill perfectly, but being with him was a fatal danger.
Anything that could cost you your life, whether it was a person or an object, must be avoided at all costs.
Cui Yunfeng shed silent tears, growing increasingly heartbroken. She didn't look like she was anywhere close to being done crying.
"Eldest Sister, my heart truly aches."
Cui Yunchu looked at her eyes, swollen like peaches, and after a moment of silence, said, "Perhaps you should just cry a little longer."
"??" Wasn't she here to console her? Cui Yunfeng was a bit stunned, then she heard Cui Yunchu continue.
"Grandmother asked me to talk to you. She said that Father already has suitable candidates in mind. Once Cousin's marriage is settled, both you and I will be married off as soon as possible..."
They say a quick pain is better than a prolonged one. Since she was already crying, she might as well cry her heart out.
Since there was no hope anyway, it was better to just embrace despair completely.
Cui Yunfeng froze, staring unblinkingly at Cui Yunchu. Tears welled up, filling her eyes entirely, before large drops began to fall rapidly.
Cui Yunchu immediately felt a twinge of regret.
But she didn't know how to comfort people. She couldn't help but blame herself for speaking too bluntly, making it impossible for her sister to accept it all at once.
She stood up, walked over to the vanity, and gently embraced Cui Yunfeng.
"Eldest Sister."
"Mhm."
"My eyes are so blurry. I can barely see you," Cui Yunfeng said softly.
"Eldest Sister, how am I supposed to explain this to him?"
Cui Yunchu didn't know either, but a bitter entanglement was absolutely unavoidable. With Prince An's temperament, he would likely not let the matter rest easily. And whoever their father had chosen might not have the courage to stand against a prince.
Cui Yunchu remained silent, quietly listening to Cui Yunfeng ramble on.
"I can't bear to part with him, but I can't bear to let Cousin down even more."
It wasn't until the moon hung above the willow branches that Cui Yunfeng's emotions gradually settled. The two sisters lay in bed, staring up at the pink bed canopy.
Cui Yunchu asked, "Why is everything of yours pink?"
The person beside her didn't speak for a long while. Cui Yunchu thought she had fallen asleep. She glanced over slightly, only to see Cui Yunfeng looking conflicted, hesitating to speak.
Cui Yunchu simply turned on her side. "Just say whatever is on your mind. It's only the two of us here."
"Eldest Sister, could you go back to your own room to sleep?" Cui Yunfeng furrowed her brows. "I don't like other people sleeping in my pink bedding."
"..."
Cui Yunchu ended up staying in Feng Garden for three consecutive days.
Although Cui Yunfeng looked listless, her daily routine remained relatively normal, which finally allowed Old Madam Cui to completely set her mind at ease.
"Miss," Xing'er pushed open the door and walked in, holding an invitation in her hand.
Cui Yunchu was chatting idly with Cui Yunfeng. Hearing this, she cast a lazy glance over. Xing'er immediately curtsied and reported.
"It is from the young miss of the Chen family, inviting you over to their estate for tea."
Cui Yunchu frowned slightly.
Cui Yunfeng reached out, took the invitation, and opened it. "Didn't Grandmother say that the marriage discussions with the Chen family were called off? What does the Chen family mean by this?"
Chen Miaohe's intentions were undoubtedly the Chen family's intentions as well.
The day after the palace banquet, Chen Jiuhe had sent someone to deliver an invitation, wanting to invite Cui Yunchu to some poetry gathering, but Cui Yunchu had rejected it.
Cui Yunchu assumed that the Chen family would understand the Cui family's stance.
She hadn't expected to receive another invitation from Chen Miaohe just two days later.
"Eldest Sister, are you going?"
Cui Yunchu shook her head. However, outright refusing seemed a bit inappropriate, so she could only reply that she already had plans for tomorrow, politely declining.
"The Chen family is so enthusiastic. Could it be that the young master of the Chen family has taken a fancy to you, Eldest Sister?"
Cui Yunchu recalled her few encounters with Chen Jiuhe and frowned slightly. "Not exactly. He might be interested, but he also has his disdain."
Her looks might not be absolutely peerless in the capital, but there were very few who were more beautiful than her.
When Chen Jiuhe looked at her, there was awe and expectation in his eyes, but the underlying reservations were also undisguised.
Cui Yunfeng displeasedly tossed the invitation onto the table. "For Eldest Sister to even discuss marriage with him should be his blessing."
The two sisters fell silent for a moment. Xing'er stood where she was, hesitating and not leaving.
Cui Yunchu frowned and asked, "Is there something else?"
Xing'er glanced at Cui Yunfeng before saying awkwardly, "When this servant returned, I happened to run into someone from Prince An's estate. They asked me to pass a message to the Second Miss."
Cui Yunfeng's face instantly went pale, and she tightly clenched her palms.
Xing'er continued, "The messenger said that His Highness Prince An has had a poor appetite these past few days, perhaps affected by his injuries, and refuses to take his medicine. They wish to invite the Second Miss to visit Prince An's estate. Perhaps seeing the Second Miss will alleviate His Highness's symptoms."
The person delivering the message was somewhat tactful.
The so-called influence of his injuries was nothing but an empty excuse. Xiao Yi was simply using his injuries to play on Cui Yunfeng's guilt.
Cui Yunchu looked at Cui Yunfeng.
"Eldest Sister." Cui Yunfeng gripped her handkerchief tightly, her eyes instantly reddening. "That day on the flower boat, I promised him I would take care of his injuries."
Cui Yunchu sighed softly. There are hundreds of servants in Prince An's Manor. He will be perfectly fine with or without you. Besides, Grandmother and Father will never agree to let you go.
Cui Yunfeng lowered her head, her tears falling once again. Her heart aching for her, Cui Yunchu gently patted her back.
Big Sister, no matter how difficult it is, he always keeps the promises he makes to me. Yet, I am always breaking my word.
Her newly calmed emotions were stirred up once more. Cui Yunchu could only continue to stay by her side, talking about amusing things to distract her.
However, the people from Prince An's Manor were not so easily dismissed. The failure of their first attempt did not deter them; instead, they came to press the matter even more frequently in the following days.
For six consecutive days, the people from Prince An's Manor showed up without fail. From their initial tactfulness, they had now grown somewhat impatient. Perhaps sensing that something was amiss, the messenger refused to leave without seeing Cui Yunfeng.
Cui Yunchu had finally managed to coax a bit of spirit back into Cui Yunfeng, so hearing Xing'er's report instantly gave her a headache.
The messenger said that if he doesn't see the Second Miss today, he will kneel at the manor's gate and refuse to leave.
Someone from Prince An's Manor kneeling at the gates of the Cui residence—were they afraid that others wouldn't gossip and speculate?
Has this matter been reported to Grandmother?
Xing'er nodded. Old Madam Cui sent Nanny Li over, but the man was completely stubborn. He said he wouldn't listen to anyone else and would only speak to the Second Miss.
Cui Yunchu knew something like this would happen.
Yunfeng's repeated rejections and evasions would only anger Xiao Yi. The fact that he hadn't shown up in person meant he was probably already suppressing his temper to the absolute limit.
