Chapter 10
The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels lightened Cui Lanyin’s mood considerably.
Aiye couldn’t stop running her hands over the fabrics. "It’s been ages since I’ve seen palace-made material this fine. The designs Madam picked suit these perfectly—I’ll start sewing them for you as soon as we’re home."
Aunt Gao had been thoughtful indeed. Among the four bolts of fabric—one pomegranate-red brocade, one lilac damask, one dark amber damask, and one plain stone-blue silk—there was something suitable for every member of the household.
"Have Elder Sister’s clothes made and sent to her first."
"With Zhichun and the others helping, we’ll have a set for each person done in no time. Besides, won’t you need to pay respects at Prince Wei’s residence soon?"
Cui Lanyin couldn’t help but laugh. "It wouldn’t do to show up looking shabby after all the gifts we’ve received. My honorary uncle would certainly raise an eyebrow."
"Exactly! Elders love nothing more than seeing their generosity genuinely appreciated," Aiye said cheerfully.
Suddenly, Cui Lanyin froze, clutching the pouch of gold ingots. Something felt off.
That day in the teahouse, Prince Wei had first asked if she was "truly short on silver." Only after she admitted she was did he toss out that "wait for it" remark.
For Prince Wei to speak up at all was rare. So beyond Empress Dowager Chen’s favor, her subsequent promises and rewards couldn’t have been accidental.
Prince Wei had anticipated exactly how her palace visit would unfold—and casually arranged two additional benefits for her afterward.
He’d predicted her reactions and Empress Dowager Chen’s responses in advance. What kind of mind could calculate like that?
The more she thought about it, the more certain she became. Cui Lanyin felt profoundly grateful she’d never tried to deceive Prince Wei from the start.
They soon arrived home to unusual bustle—Lady Chang, Lady Luo, Cui Lanting, and Lady Ding had all come.
When Aiye and Geng Shun’s wife carried in the four fabric bolts, everyone crowded around to admire them.
"Who’d have thought Empress Dowager Chen would keep you so long? Why would she reward you with these?" Lady Chang asked. "Even Empress Dowager Li rarely gives lavish gifts since the court moved south. Times are hard even in the palace."
Without Prince Wei’s public acknowledgment, claiming him as honorary uncle wasn’t wise. But since Empress Dowager Chen had promised support, that banner could be raised.
"She said I’d cheered her today," Cui Lanyin replied smoothly, producing the gold pouch from her sleeve and placing it on the kang table.
Lady Ding snatched it up first. "This must be ten taels! Shouldn’t gifts from the Dowager be enshrined?"
"No need. Her Majesty told me to treat them as pocket money," Cui Lanyin said airily.
"No wonder you’ve always been elders’ favorite—your late grandmother doted on you most," Lady Chang said, pulling Cui Lanyin beside her. "Do share how you pleased the Dowager. Let Lanting learn too, in case she gets to visit someday through your connections. Don’t worry—any gifts would go to you. I just want her to secure a good marriage."
"Mother!" Cui Lanting covered her ears, mortified.
Lady Chang realized she’d spoken too bluntly. But compared to Cui Lanyin—who managed her own betrothal and now visited the palace alone—Cui Lanting’s girlish shyness seemed childish. "A woman’s entire life hinges on marriage. There’s no shame discussing it properly among family."
The interruption spared Cui Lanyin from responding further.
She and Cui Lanting got along well enough—closer than with Tan Lian or their Jiang cousins, but no deeper bond existed. The rest depended on the second branch’s actions.
Cui Lanyin smiled at Lady Chang. "Aunt, please tell Uncle: Brother Jian isn’t cut out for archery. Starting tomorrow, Brother Su will take his place."
Lady Chang’s eyes darted uncomfortably. "Jian’s still young, but Su has studied for years. Switching to martial training now—can he adjust?"
"He must. Since books don’t suit him, that brute strength shouldn’t go to waste. Military discipline might curb his troublemaking too—I dread the day he picks a fight with the wrong family. We’ve no army connections to send him far, Aunt. Don’t coddle him—spare some pity for me, living in constant worry."
"No wonder the Dowager favors you. You make even hard truths sound pleasant!" Lady Chang laughed, pointing at her.
With the Meng marriage declined but Empress Dowager Chen’s patronage secured, Lady Chang relented. "Your elder cousin must pursue a military career eventually. As the firstborn, your uncle hoped Su would establish our scholarly line—one branch martial, one civil, to rebuild the Cui family. Who knew he’d take after your uncle’s poor scholarship? He’s been agonizing over changing Su’s academy. Since you suggest it, I’ll tell him. Watch—he’ll be apologizing to your grandfather in the ancestral hall tonight."
"Brother Su’s failures aren’t Uncle’s fault. Comfort him—he’s done his best." She added, "No need to withdraw from the academy. Have Jian attend instead."
As the youngest and least remarkable grandson, Cui Jian lagged years behind Cui Fu, Cui Ran (who’d passed the county exams), and soon-to-test Cui Yu and Cui Zhong. Lady Chang agreed readily.
Cui Lanyin indicated the lilac damask. "I’ll have Aiye make a vest for Lanting later."
Since moving to Yingcheng, the two branches had agreed to separate finances beyond the fifty-tael monthly stipend for the boys’ education. Neither side had offered help when the other struggled—until now. With four fabric bolts, the main branch could barely outfit everyone, yet Cui Lanyin offered Cui Lanting a vest. Such thoughtfulness.
Lady Chang wanted to ask more about the palace but, noticing Cui Lanyin’s fatigue, took her leave with the others.
When Cui Su and Cui Jian returned, learning they’d swapped roles, Cui Su whooped, spinning his younger brother before bowing to Cui Lanyin. "Second Sister, I’ll earn a noble title to champion you!"
"I’ll surpass him first!" Cui Jian boasted.
Cui Sheng, ever the instigator, grinned. "Shall we make it a wager?"
"Father, I’ve tasks for you," Cui Lanyin interjected. "Could you devise two tea snacks—light but flavorful?"
"When needed?"
"Sooner the better."
"Consider it done within two days."
"Nothing’s impossible for you." She massaged his shoulders until he beamed.
"That new incense recipe you wanted—I’ll prepare it along with the snacks."
"Father, where's the fine bow you promised me?" "And my brush." Cui Jian and Cui Su also gathered around, demanding what was owed to them.
"Everyone will get theirs, but let's attend to your second sister first."
Lady Tan had given birth to Cui Sheng prematurely, and as he was Cui Xin's only heir, she raised him with utmost care, indulging his every whim. By the time she realized he had no talent for either scholarly pursuits or martial arts—today dabbling in alchemy, tomorrow stargazing, and soon after developing a passion for brush-making, dedicating himself only to obscure and eccentric hobbies—Cui Sheng's temperament was already set in stone, impossible to change.
What could be done at this point? Lady Tan had no choice but to accept it, letting go of her earlier resentment over relinquishing the family title. She arranged for Cui Sheng to marry Lady Jiang, the daughter of a minor official. Since her son couldn’t uphold the family’s prestige and had to rely on the second branch of the family, she knew full well that Cui Su’s natural strength made him perfect for a military career. Yet, fearing he might overshadow Cui Chang, the second branch pressured him into scholarly studies instead, while allowing Cui Jian to accompany Cui Chang in practicing archery and horsemanship.
To outsiders—even to members of the second branch—Cui Sheng, who idled at home, living off the support of his mother, wife’s dowry, and the second branch, seemed pitiable. But Lady Jiang and the four children of the main household didn’t see it that way. To them, the ever-responsive, hands-on Third Master Cui, who would learn to make anything they desired, was nothing short of perfect.
When Cui Lanyin fell ill and lost her appetite, Cui Sheng scoured ancient texts for recipes and pastry methods, teaching himself to cook—only to discover an unexpectedly remarkable talent for culinary arts.
Take now, for instance. Before paying respects to her uncle, Cui Lanyin only needed to mention what delicacies she wished to bring along, and her father would take care of the rest. All she had to do was carry the food box on the day of her visit.
After attending Empress Dowager Chen’s birthday banquet, Cui Lanyin concluded that even the imperial chefs’ skills paled in comparison to Third Master Cui’s culinary prowess.
The two pastries she took to Prince Wei’s residence as gifts were, of course, prepared by Third Master Cui himself.
This was the kind of father he was—one who doted on his wife, adored his children, and was as comfortable in the study as he was in the kitchen.
