◎The Prince Who Made Her Climb Walls◎
Chapter Five
Once the first morning greeting was done, the second came more easily. Cui Lanyin felt much more at ease and returned home in high spirits.
As soon as the carriage entered the eastern gate, the gatekeeper came forward to report, "Second Miss, the elder cousin has arrived."
Since Lady Jiang’s relatives were all in the north, the only "elder cousin" the servants could be referring to was Tan Shao.
"Hmm." Cui Lanyin frowned slightly. When the carriage stopped, Aiye stepped down first to hold up an umbrella, while Sangzhi helped Cui Lanyin alight.
The residence was small, and the main branch rarely entertained guests. The front had three halls—the central one served as the reception area, the eastern one was where Cui Lanyin managed household affairs, and the western one was reserved for Cui Su and Cui Jian’s studies. Third Master Cui had to make do with two small rooms in the southwest corner of the southern wall as his study.
Behind the front hall stood a cluster of bamboo, with a narrow stream winding beside it, separating the two inner courtyards where the family lived. The first courtyard housed Third Master Cui and his wife in the main rooms, while Cui Su and Cui Jian occupied the eastern and western wings. The rear courtyard was Cui Lanyin’s own quarters.
The bamboo-lined path and the small plot behind Cui Lanyin’s courtyard where Lady Jiang tended to flowers and plants were the closest things they had to a garden.
If the family’s fortunes didn’t improve, once she married, the rear courtyard would have to be prepared for Cui Su and Cui Jian’s future weddings—a clear sign of the Cui family’s decline laid bare for all to see.
In scholarly and official families, a daughter’s boudoir was traditionally preserved as it was—both for her visits home and to remind her that she always had a place in her family, a source of security.
As soon as she rounded the screen wall, she spotted a tall figure waiting by the bamboo grove, with Cui Su and Cui Jian seemingly trying to persuade him of something.
"You were just ill—why go out in the rain again?" Tan Shao brushed past the two brothers and approached her with the same concern as always.
"Cousin Tan, greetings." Cui Lanyin stepped forward and curtsied. "A walk helps me feel better."
Meeting her younger brothers’ helpless expressions, she decided it was best to clear things up now and gave them a slight nod.
Understanding that she had something to say to Tan Shao, Cui Su and Cui Jian retreated to the eastern corridor to wait.
Cui Lanyin led Tan Shao to the pavilion beside the bamboo grove and smiled faintly. "I haven’t yet congratulated you on your engagement. When I saw her at the palace, Miss Seven of the Yao Family proved to be virtuous and graceful—a perfect match for you."
"Is that truly what you think?" Tan Shao’s eyes held a trace of hurt. "I haven’t agreed. My mother is just being stubborn for now. I’ll convince her. Once I pass the provincial and metropolitan exams—"
"A mother-in-law and daughter-in-law must live together daily. Aunt Xian has always planned everything for your sake—in marriage, you should let her have her way."
"So I should sacrifice my own happiness? Not for a day or two, but for a lifetime. I don’t want—" Tan Shao looked at her pleadingly. "If you wanted to, you could win my mother over. You could—"
"I can’t!" Cui Lanyin’s gaze was firm. "Life is full of disappointments—mine even more so. With our family’s situation and my illness likely lifelong, adding more unhappiness would make living truly joyless."
"Couldn’t my affection make up for it?"
"If you can’t stay in the inner quarters at all times, don’t say such things. You should leave now." Having said her piece, Cui Lanyin turned and walked out of the pavilion.
"I won’t agree to the Yao family’s proposal." Tan Shao chased after her, blocking her path. "And you—don’t agree to the Meng family’s match. Wait for me… I’ll seek an official post outside the capital…"
The Tan family had high hopes for Tan Shao. If he passed the imperial exams but skipped the Hanlin Academy to seek an external appointment, the Tan family would see her as nothing but a curse—even Uncle Tan Shixian might come to resent her.
And that was assuming Tan Shao cleared the provincial and metropolitan exams without setbacks—no easy feat. The Jiangnan region had always been teeming with talented scholars. In Yingcheng alone, several shared Tan Shao’s reputation—who among them dared claim they’d pass both exams in one go?
Failing once meant waiting another three years. By then, she’d be twenty-one…
"Cousin Tan, the rain must have chilled your tongue. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that." Suddenly, Cui Lanyin felt her cold-heartedness served her well. She stepped around him, her expression icy. "Don’t come here before your wedding. Even if you do, I won’t see you. I’ve said all I need to—don’t make this harder for me."
Aiye quickly raised the umbrella to shield Cui Lanyin, while Sangzhi stayed behind to block Tan Shao from following.
Knowing Cui Lanyin’s decisive nature once she made up her mind, Tan Shao realized further insistence would only push her away.
From the corridor, Cui Su and Cui Jian hurried over and half-pushed, half-dragged the pale-faced Tan Shao, still standing dazed in the rain, onto the Tan family’s carriage.
Because of this incident, when lunch was served, Zhichun and Zhiqiu—who should have been waiting at the table—took out handkerchiefs and busied themselves wiping surfaces before slipping out.
The unavoidable family of four ate in silence, their mouths locked shut.
Cui Lanyin nearly sighed aloud. Was she really that domineering?
"I know you couldn’t refuse out of politeness, but don’t allow it next time."
The four nodded repeatedly. Lady Jiang ventured cautiously, "I’ve already told the gatekeeper—if he comes again, say no one’s home."
Cui Su added, "We won’t visit their house until he’s engaged."
Cui Jian chimed in, "Even if they come looking for us, we won’t meet them."
Third Master Cui stroked his beard and concluded, "With our family united, we can overcome anything."
What nonsense. Cui Lanyin rubbed her temples. There was no reasoning with such naivety. How could she ever step back?
The next day, Geng Dayou returned with news: The Emperor had ordered four elder princes—Prince Kang, Prince Wei, Prince An, and Prince Duan—to observe affairs in the ministries and attend court sessions. Prince Kang was assigned to the Ministry of Revenue, Prince Wei to the Ministry of War, Prince An to the Ministry of Rites, and Prince Duan to the Ministry of Personnel.
The court was abuzz with speculation—since the Ministry of Personnel was the most critical of the six, this move hinted at the Emperor preparing to name Prince Duan as Crown Prince.
But the Emperor’s decision to send Prince Wei to the Ministry of War was unexpected. Now, everyone reevaluated Prince Wei’s standing—apparently, in the Emperor’s eyes, he ranked above Prince Kang and Prince An.
Cui Lanyin cared little about Prince Duan’s potential ascension, but Prince Wei’s newfound favor meant she, as his nominal niece, could benefit from his influence. Though she couldn’t imagine how the perpetually drowsy Prince Wei would manage ministry affairs.
No sooner had Geng Dayou left than Granny Sun came to announce Zhang Gui’s arrival.
Cui Lanyin quickly summoned him in.
No wonder she was tense—she had recently taken over a teahouse at the Dongshuiguan docks. Shops there rarely became available, but thanks to Zhang Gui’s connection with a minor official, she’d secured it before others could.
The shop was prime real estate, costing a steep two hundred taels with no room for bargaining. Renovations, furnishings, and bribes added another hundred-plus taels, totaling over three hundred taels.
With only five hundred taels to her name, spending three hundred left her vulnerable if a major expense arose. If this venture failed, she’d be heartbroken.
As soon as Zhang Gui entered, she asked, "Is there trouble with the shop?"
"Something odd happened. I came to ask for your guidance."
"Go on."
"Starting a few days ago, we’ve had more customers—dockworkers, boatmen, even supervisors from the canal gangs.
At first, I thought it was just a coincidence that day, but it’s been like this for several days now. I’m puzzled."
I wanted to inquire further but hesitated, fearing involvement with the canal gang might bring trouble.
As it turned out, I didn’t need to seek anyone out—they came to me instead. This morning, a steward approached me, saying that after tasting several of our pastries, they found the flavor exceptional, and our prices were fair. So, he asked if we could prepare some light midday meals for them, promising that if the food suited their tastes, they’d send plenty of customers our way.
“Miss, should we take on this business?”
Cui Lanyin had always been bold. Even when Tan Shao was still around, she’d been nicknamed “Cui the Fearless”—once she set her mind to something, there was nothing she wouldn’t dare.
With money tight, this was a godsend. Without a second thought, Cui Lanyin replied, “Take it. Discuss the menu with Sangzhi and trial it over the next couple of days. We’ll go over the details when I return.”
“Ah, I knew you’d agree! I’ll go find Sangzhi right away.” Zhang Gui scurried off cheerfully toward the back.
In the outer study of Prince Wei’s residence, Qinglin held a few slips of paper with messages and softly reported to the prince, who sat cross-legged on the divan in deep meditation.
“Third Madam Yao and Fifth Madam Yao have arrived with several young ladies, bringing delicacies from their hometown in Suzhou for Your Highness to sample. They asked if you might spare a moment to receive their greetings.”
Prince Wei remained seated with his eyes closed, tracing two fingers lightly over his leg.
This again? Qinglin inwardly groaned. Previously, he could rely on his sharp hearing to interpret the prince’s finger taps without looking. But now, with the prince sketching gestures directly on his leg, he’d have to keep his eyes peeled as well as his ears sharp.
Yet what could he do with such a master? Resigned, he had no choice but to adapt.
“Understood. I’ll have the chief steward attend to them.” He opened the door and relayed the instructions to a young eunuch waiting in the corridor.
Returning, Qinglin carefully placed the message slips on the low table beside the divan. “All the details on the Meng family are here.”
Noting Prince Wei’s two-fingered gesture, he responded, “I’ll have someone deliver them to Miss Cui’s residence at once.”
But then the prince curled a single finger and traced three lines. No? Qinglin frowned in confusion. “Should I deliver them personally?”
At Prince Wei’s single confirming tap, Qinglin exhaled in relief. “Then I’ll go now—” But he froze when the prince traced three lines again.
First yes, then no—what exactly did this mean? It was maddening!
Scratching the back of his head, Qinglin ventured, “Should I… hand them directly to Miss Cui?”
“Mm.” Finally, a clear answer.
Qinglin couldn’t help but wonder—why was Prince Wei so meticulous about Miss Cui’s affairs while ignoring the Yao family’s ladies? Was it because he’d enjoyed her pastries?
Hesitantly, he protested, “Your Highness, how can I, a mere servant, request an audience with a young lady of the inner household?”
“Climb the wall.”
Qinglin’s eyes bulged. Had he misheard? But Prince Wei’s half-lidded gaze confirmed it—those words had indeed come from his lips.
Prince Wei, who always conducted himself with utmost propriety, was now ordering his subordinate to scale a wall to deliver a message to a young lady in her private quarters! Qinglin understood the need for discretion, but there were countless ways to avoid attention—why resort to such a sneaky method?
Had the prince grown weary from too many discussions at the Ministry of War? It had been days—why hadn’t he shaken off this mood yet?
But when the prince commanded, his servant had no choice but to obey. Steeling himself, Qinglin set off without another word.
