Cui Yunfeng immediately knew that this person was likely the husband her father had chosen for her.
She had no mood to raise her eyes to look at the man's appearance, only standing up to return the greeting alongside Cui Yunchu.
Zhou Yuanmo's gaze swept over Cui Yunfeng, then immediately lowered. Upon closer inspection, one could notice the slightly reddened tips of his ears.
It seemed Prime Minister Cui had already made things clear to him.
Cui Yunchu knew in her heart that this was all arranged by their father and grandmother to let the two of them meet. If she didn't leave now, it would be quite tactless of her.
"Yunfeng, you lead Lord Zhou to Grandmother's courtyard to pay his respects. I still have some matters to arrange, so I'll make a trip to the kitchen."
"Eldest Sister," Cui Yunfeng frowned deeply.
Cui Yunchu didn't reply, turning and quickly leaving the area.
Zhou Yuanmo was an outside male; without Grandmother's permission, how could a maidservant privately bring him into the inner courtyard?
It appeared that Grandmother and Father were very satisfied with this person.
Counting the days, there was less than half a month left until her older female cousin's wedding, so it was no wonder her father was so anxious.
Cui Yunchu first took a stroll around the kitchen in the front courtyard. After ensuring there were no issues with the banquet, she prepared to leave.
The kitchen's location was quite remote compared to the banquet area, so generally, no one should be around. Unfortunately, there just had to be a despicable person lying in wait.
"Eldest Miss Cui," a greasy voice suddenly rang out as someone jumped out from a bluestone path not far from Cui Yunchu.
"I knew the Eldest Miss wouldn't be able to resist running to the front courtyard today." And the remote kitchen was the best route.
Cui Yunchu looked at the short, monkey-faced man before her, her disgust unhidden. "Why are you here?"
"Naturally, to wait for Eldest Miss Cui. I wasn't originally invited to today's banquet, but thinking it had been a few days since I last saw the Eldest Miss, I followed a friend here to visit you."
Cui Yunchu was so disgusted by his blatant, calculating gaze that the ends of her hair practically stood on end. "Since you are here as a guest, then stay quietly in the banquet hall. This is the Cui Residence; do not wander about and offend the female family members."
Young Master Wang smiled dismissively at her words. "On the day of my wedding, I thought Eldest Miss Cui would come to offer a dowry gift."
"What, could it be that Madam Zhao is jealous and offended Eldest Miss Cui? Just tell me, and I'll go back and teach her a lesson to vent your anger."
"..." Cui Yunchu considered herself thick-skinned and annoying, but compared to the man in front of her, she truly couldn't match a ten-thousandth of his gall.
"No," she shook her head slightly. "I just didn't want to see a toad like you. It has nothing to do with Miss Zhao."
Young Master Wang's expression remained unchanged. "I knew it, Madam Zhao must have said something to wrong Eldest Miss Cui. Don't be angry..."
He slowly walked toward Cui Yunchu.
"Bastard, can't you understand human speech?" Xing'er cursed angrily.
"A beauty is indeed different; even the maid raised by her side has such a temper."
"Eldest Miss Cui, ever since my marriage, whenever I close my eyes, I always think of your shy yet angry appearance. It tortures me so much that I can hardly sleep or eat."
Cui Yunchu was so disgusted she almost threw up.
How on earth did the Zhao family's daughter endure sharing a bed with him, and how did she even communicate with him?
He completely couldn't understand human speech.
"Xing'er, go call for people. Today I will absolutely break his dog legs."
Just as Xing'er turned her head, Young Master Wang's teasing voice rang out. "Eldest Miss should think clearly. This is the Cui Residence. Unless you tipped me off early on, how could I be waiting here?"
"Moreover, who in the capital doesn't know about you seducing your brother-in-law and the Prince of An? And who doesn't know that you, Eldest Miss Cui, have always liked to hook up with the men of your sisters and friends? Tell me, will others believe you more, or believe me more?"
Xing'er abruptly stopped in her tracks, looking at Cui Yunchu with red eyes.
Her young lady's reputation was ruined by this very bastard.
"Eldest Miss, I am, after all, a married man now. Having a secret rendezvous with a married man won't sound good if word gets out. Aren't you going to be a Crown Princess or a Princess Consort anymore? And if Madam Zhao comes knocking on your door, how will you explain yourself?"
"Even if you don't care about your own reputation, you must consider the reputations of your other sisters."
"But I must say, when the Eldest Miss gets angry, even your voice is so melodious and moving. If you are willing, I'll divorce Madam Zhao immediately and marry you, how about that? My family elders would certainly be more than happy too."
Although she was a concubine-born daughter, she was still a daughter of the Cui family.
In his entire life, he had never seen such a stunningly beautiful girl; Cui Yunchu was the first.
"Xing'er, go," Cui Yunchu said through gritted teeth, her cold gaze wishing she could flay Young Master Wang alive.
"Can the Eldest Miss truly bear to treat me like this? Or is it because I married Madam Zhao that you hold a grudge in your heart? Go ahead and hit me or scold me, I will endure it all, alright?"
He spread his arms and lunged toward Cui Yunchu.
This place was closest to the front courtyard, so Cui Yunchu couldn't yell or scream. If it attracted guests, even if she was in the right, the woman would ultimately be the one to suffer the loss.
Furthermore, given her reputation, some people with preconceived notions would inevitably fabricate more ugly rumors.
Her older female cousin was soon to marry into the Eastern Palace, and as for Yunfeng, today was the day of her matchmaking meeting. Even if Cui Yunchu couldn't help, she couldn't become a burden to them and a drag on the Cui family like in her previous life.
Xing'er ran off to find people. Cui Yunchu looked at Young Master Wang's greedy and ugly face, rolled up her sleeves, pulled out her hairpin, and prepared to fight him.
"Like hell I'd spare you! Threatening me? Do you think I'm easily frightened? If I don't teach you a lesson today, you'll really think I'm a pushover."
