Old Madam Cui smiled; naturally, she hoped it would happen as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications.
"That young man speaks and acts with reason and propriety. He is quite a good catch."
Cui Yunfeng did not argue further, silently acquiescing.
The banquet in the front courtyard ended after lunch.
Old Madam Cui sent someone to invite Prime Minister Cui over to discuss the marriage between Cui Yunfeng and Zhou Yuanmo, but the messenger returned saying that Prime Minister Cui had a guest in his study and could not get away.
Since all the banquet guests had already left, Old Madam Cui asked, "What guest?"
"It is Lord Shen, who oversees the Department of Punishments."
Hearing this, Old Madam Cui frowned. After a moment of silence, she nodded and simply said she understood.
Sitting below, Cui Yunchu was also somewhat surprised. Shen Xiabai was in her father's study.
What political matters could he possibly have to discuss with her father?
While she was pondering, Nanny Li walked in from outside. After curtsying, she asked, "Eldest Miss, The Wang fellow is still locked in the woodshed. How should he be dealt with?"
When Zhou Yuanmo was present earlier, Old Madam Cui had only heard Nanny Li mention it briefly and hadn't had the time to ask for details. Only now did she bring it up again.
Xing'er, being articulate, recounted exactly what had happened in the front courtyard to Old Madam Cui without missing a single word.
Old Madam Cui's face immediately turned livid with anger. "Utterly outrageous! To dare humiliate our Cui family's daughter like this!"
She had never imagined that her granddaughter's ruined reputation was the result of such malicious framing.
Cui Yunfeng was equally shocked to hear it. "How can there be such a shameless person in this world? Grandmother, you absolutely must not let him off. Eldest Sister has suffered such a great injustice; we must make that bastard pay dearly."
Remembering the slanderous rumors circulating outside and her own past sarcastic remarks, she felt incredibly guilty.
"Eldest Sister, I'm sorry."
Cui Yunchu patted the back of her hand. "It's fine, as long as you don't curse me to die next time."
Cui Yunfeng pressed her red lips into a thin line, knowing she was referring to the incident at the lake pavilion earlier today.
It was Xiao Yi's fault too. How could he use her eldest sister as an excuse like that? Wasn't that practically cursing someone?
"Yunchu, how do you intend to handle this matter?" Old Madam Cui inquired.
Cui Yunchu stood up and gave a slight curtsy before replying, "Grandmother, because of that scoundrel, my reputation has been damaged. I have been ridiculed and criticized by many noble ladies. I want to take this opportunity to clear my name so that others will no longer gossip about or look down upon the daughters of the Cui family."
Old Madam Cui nodded in agreement. "Since you already have a plan in mind, you may handle this matter as you see fit. If you need anything, just instruct Nanny Li."
Cui Yunchu agreed.
Reputation was very important, and she was going to reclaim hers piece by piece.
When she left Songhe Garden, she brought Nanny Li along with her.
"Nanny Li, I'll leave the written confession to you. Make sure he writes it in great detail."
Nanny Li nodded, her expression troubled. "Miss, if this matter is publicized, it still won't be good for your reputation, will it? Besides, without any witnesses, will others believe it?"
"Do I even have a reputation left?" Cui Yunchu blinked. "Just do as I instructed. We have a witness."
She stepped toward Chu Garden, her voice trailing back, "Once everything is done, send him to the Department of Punishments."
Shen Xiabai, what a perfect witness.
Nanny Li acted swiftly.
Cui Yunchu was a bit tired today, but someone insisted on not letting her rest. "Eldest Miss, Young Madam Wang is here and wishes to see you."
For a moment, Cui Yunchu couldn't quite process the name.
Xing'er clarified, "It's Miss Zhao, who has already married that scoundrel from the Wang family."
Oh, it was her. She certainly came quickly.
"Whatever she has to say, let her say it at the Department of Punishments."
"I told her that, but Young Madam Wang refuses to leave. She insists on seeing you."
Cui Yunchu remained silent for a few breaths before reluctantly dragging herself up from the soft couch.
Miss Zhao was an incredibly gentle person, and one of the very few noble ladies in the capital who didn't despise her and was willing to befriend her.
Back then, when she didn't join the others in ostracizing her and even spoke up for her, Cui Yunchu had been very grateful.
Cui Yunchu admitted that she herself wasn't a good person; she was dramatic and coveted power and wealth, but she had never harbored any ill intentions toward Miss Zhao.
Later, when the incident with the Wang son happened, everyone pointed fingers and cursed her behind her back. Cui Yunchu had been furious, but none of it hurt as much as losing Zhao Yujie as a friend.
She had tried to explain multiple times.
Zhao Yujie hadn't made things difficult for her; she had simply remained silent.
Cui Yunchu didn't blame her. She even thought that such a truly gentle person shouldn't have ended up marrying that bastard from the Wang family.
Xing'er led a young woman dressed as a married lady into the room, snapping Cui Yunchu out of her thoughts.
In just over a month, the person before her looked like a withered flower ravaged by snow and storm. Her eyes were dull, her complexion sallow, and a deep melancholy lingered between her brows.
"Madam Wang," Cui Yunchu greeted, her voice flat.
Zhao Yujie's eyelids fluttered. She curtsied in return. "Eldest Miss Cui."
After a long silence in the room, Cui Yunchu asked Xing'er to serve tea.
A good while passed before Zhao Yujie finally spoke in a low voice, "My husband's servant has already informed me of what happened today. My mother-in-law asked me to come and plead with you, hoping that the Eldest Miss would be magnanimous and let my husband off this once."
Cui Yunchu knew Zhao Yujie had come to plead for mercy.
When Cui Yunchu didn't reply, Zhao Yujie quickly added, "Yunchu, please, for the sake of our past friendship, help me just this once. After this incident, he will definitely never dare to provoke you again."
Cui Yunchu suddenly raised her eyes, staring at Zhao Yujie's sorrowful face, her voice turning hoarse. "So, you actually knew everything back then. You knew exactly what kind of trash your husband is, didn't you?"
Zhao Yujie bit her lip hard, remaining silent for a long time.
Cui Yunchu froze. After a while, a soft scoff escaped her lips. "It turns out I was the only fool. I actually felt guilty toward you, and was even grateful that you didn't attack me or kick me when I was down."
Could there be anyone more foolish than her in this world?
"No." Zhao Yujie shook her head repeatedly. "I didn't know then. I just thought..."
She said with difficulty, "Given your looks, your family background, and your pride, it was impossible that you would seduce him or even find him appealing."
"Then why didn't you explain it back then?" Why did she just watch as thousands of people pointed fingers at her?
Zhao Yujie shook her head.
Cui Yunchu stared at her for a long time, suddenly feeling very stupid.
That man was the fiancé she had to marry, and what did Cui Yunchu count for?
Thinking about it now, Zhao Yujie had always been like this. She always kept herself out of trouble. When others bullied or mocked Cui Yunchu, she didn't participate.
Just like when the Wang son framed her later, she chose to act as if it had nothing to do with her.
And she had foolishly taken that as kindness.
"My sincerity is truly cheap."
