Chapter Eighty
They heard that the emperor had sent rewards, but the procession had gone straight to the rear residence. No one had come out to summon the men of the Cui family to receive the gifts and offer their thanks.
The Heir of Prince Jing reminded them, “The women of the household probably haven’t had much experience with this. The gifts from the Grand Empress Dowager and the empress may be received by the women, but anything from His Majesty must be received by the head of the family together with the younger men, who must offer their thanks for his grace. Hurry over.”
Cui Mian immediately grew anxious and hurriedly summoned the male members of both branches of the family to the rear.
This was the first time the emperor had bestowed gifts on a subject’s household since ascending the throne, and everyone was eager to see what he had sent.
In all the years since the founding of Great Ying, there had been five emperors in total. The current one was by far the most unconventional. He appeared indifferent to everything, and even after ascending the throne, no one had seen any real change in him. He did not even seek out women. Aside from holding court in the central hall of Benyuan Palace, he ate, slept, and rested in the western wing of the same palace, leaving the rest of the vast imperial residence empty.
He seemed to have none of the seven emotions or six desires, conducting himself less like an emperor than an otherworldly ascetic. They had assumed he would never bother with such worldly customs, yet now he had actually sent gifts to a subject’s family.
Everyone was quite curious to see what he would bestow.
The Heir of Prince Jing could not restrain himself. “All the men of the Cui family have gone over. The female guests should have withdrawn into the hall. It shouldn’t hurt to go and take a look.”
He rose and followed them.
Seeing this, Minister Gu called out to Fourth Master Yao and Fifth Master Yao. “You are family relatives. There’s no need for you to avoid them. Why aren’t you going?”
Several people began muttering, “Why hasn’t His Majesty sent anything to the Yao family? The emperor’s maternal aunt, Fourth Madam Yao, isn’t she in Yingcheng?”
Fourth Master Yao and Fifth Master Yao were already feeling awkward. Now they were even more embarrassed. If they did not go, it would look as though they harbored some ulterior motive. Thus, the two of them had no choice but to accompany Minister Gu.
With those few men leading the way—and with respectable ranks and distinguished families—many others who had some status rose and followed them.
Luo Hong, Commander of the Left Yulin Guard, relied on being Cui Su’s superior and said to Dong Cheng and Meng Huaizong, “Shall we go take a look as well?”
Dong Cheng remained seated. “I’ll pass.”
Meng Huaizong, however, rose and went with Luo Hong.
As they passed Yian Palace, they thought of how the entire former imperial residence had been placed at Second Miss Cui’s disposal. Though she had no official title, she already enjoyed the treatment of a princess. The thought left them all sighing inwardly.
When they reached the entrance to the courtyard of Yifang Palace, they saw the men of the Cui family entering while the female guests had withdrawn into the hall. The newcomers followed them inside but did not go any farther, stopping in the front half of the courtyard.
So many people had arrived in a great, noisy crowd that Buyan immediately understood what was going on.
He went forward with a smile and saluted Cui Sheng. “Lord Cui, there’s no need to trouble yourself. His Majesty said that Second Miss may receive the gift. She need not offer him any formal greeting, so how could he make her receive a gift and trouble herself over it?”
As he spoke, he waved for several eunuchs to bring forward the imperial gift. It was very simple—there was only one item. That was the emperor’s style.
Fourth Master Yao and Fifth Master Yao felt somewhat better. They decided that the emperor simply did not care much about such formalities. Perhaps he had heard that Grand Empress Dowager Chen and Empress Xu had both sent gifts, and only then remembered to send something himself. He had probably chosen whatever came to hand.
Buyan stepped forward and opened the brocade box.
A brilliant golden light flashed. Inside was a golden bowl carved with a design of peonies symbolizing wealth and honor.
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
The emperor’s single gift was worth more than all the others combined. It was not something that the gifts from Grand Empress Dowager Chen and Empress Xu could compare with.
By sending a golden bowl carved with peonies of wealth and honor, the emperor was effectively promising to preserve the Cui family’s prosperity for generations. Who could ask for such a thing? Even though the late emperor had valued the Li family so highly, he had never bestowed a golden bowl on them.
Because of Second Miss Cui alone, the senior branch of the Cui family no longer needed to concern itself with anything. They did not need to seek connections or cultivate favors. All they had to do was display their abilities honestly, and the future that belonged to them would never pass them by.
Everyone looked on with envy and burning jealousy. When they looked at the members of the Yao family again, their eyes could not help but hold a trace of sympathy. In the Great Ying Dynasty, it was unprecedented for the emperor’s maternal family to be inferior to a distant, out-of-the-way niece.
Cui Lanyin quietly let out a breath of relief. Fortunately, it was only a golden bowl. She had truly feared that the emperor would, as he had on the day she left the palace, send her a whole assortment of outrageous gifts without the slightest restraint.
Although the emperor had given his instructions, Cui Mian did not dare take them too literally. Ignoring Cui Lanyin, he summoned all the men and women of the family and pushed Cui Sheng to the front. The entire family stood together, bowed, and cried out “Long live the emperor” three times as they thanked His Majesty for his gracious gift and accepted the golden bowl.
That was the proper conduct of a subject.
Cui Lanyin had wanted to go over as well, but Buyan held her back, preventing her from doing so.
Yet now she had been singled out in front of so many people. With her guilty conscience, she had to stand there stiffly, forcing herself to keep her composure.
She began to feel resentful toward the emperor. Why had he insisted on making such a conspicuous display?
Cui Lanyin looked at Buyan, hoping he would say something to smooth things over for her.
Buyan misunderstood her. He thought that since the banquet had not yet begun, Cui Lanyin was annoyed that they had arrived too early.
He smiled ingratiatingly. “I came to attend Second Miss during the meal. Once everything here is over, we can go back. His Majesty would never force Second Miss to stay.”
He would have been better off not mentioning the emperor. Cui Lanyin gave a cold little snort. “So without you following me around, I’d have nothing to eat or drink?”
Buyan knew that she could not vent her anger on the emperor, so he had become the one to take the punishment in his place.
He also felt that the emperor had been too impatient. Second Miss would have returned on her own that afternoon, yet His Majesty had made it look as though he had sent someone to drag her back. No wonder she was in such a foul mood.
He continued smiling apologetically. “His Majesty said that if Second Miss wishes to come out and enjoy herself, she may do so whenever she likes. It’s just that he has no one to arrange his meals when you aren’t there, so he can neither eat nor drink properly these days. He only hopes that when you come out, you won’t stay away for too long.”
When Buyan finally touched on the real point—that the emperor valued her because she arranged his meals—Cui Lanyin’s expression eased somewhat. She informed Cui Sheng, Cui Mian, and Cui Fang of the situation, then supported Lady Jiang as they went into Yifang Palace.
The female guests inside and the male guests outside all wore complicated expressions. They had long heard that the emperor doted on Second Miss Cui, but had assumed the stories were exaggerated. Only after witnessing it today did they realize that the truth had actually been understated.
So it was Second Miss Cui who arranged all the emperor’s food. Even the personal eunuch at the emperor’s side, someone everyone wished to curry favor with, served Second Miss Cui as though he were serving the emperor himself, doing his utmost to discern His Majesty’s wishes and please her.
When Buyan showed signs of staying behind, Qi An and Leping prepared to leave, but Cui Lanyin persuaded them to stay.
At Yian Palace, she had arranged a separate seat for Qi An and Leping. Cui Su still had to entertain his superior and colleagues, so Cui Lanyin called Cui Jian over to keep them company.
Qi An was more composed, but Leping was plainly very unsettled.
Lady Jiang and Lady Chang led the female guests to Zhuli Lodge. Accompanied by the rustling of the bamboo forest in the breeze, they took their seats.
Most of the ingredients for the feast had come from the imperial kitchens, while cooks from the Yunlai Restaurant had been summoned to prepare the dishes. After tasting each one, Princess Yongjia repeatedly praised them. “Even the imperial banquets cannot compare. The next time I hold a feast at my residence, you must send these cooks to me as well.”
“Just let me know in advance, Your Highness,” Cui Lanyin replied.
Once the tables had been cleared, the unmarried young ladies and gentlemen were free to go deeper into Zhuli Lodge, where they could play games and chat in the flower hall.
Thinking that Cui Lanyin intended to look over potential marriage matches, Princess Yongjia and Li Yijin rose to take their leave.
Since Cui Lanyin had been seated with Princess Yongjia, Li Yijin, Princess Consort An, the Heir Princess Jing, and Princess Tong’an, the others, judging their own status insufficient, did not dare come over and disturb them.
During the banquet, Cui Lanyin noticed the several young ladies from the Yao family and Tan Lian stealing glances in her direction every now and then. If she went to the Bamboo Studio, those girls would definitely come over to pester her.
Ever since the trip to Tianfu Temple, she had lost all interest in socializing with the Yao daughters. She felt they were simply not on the same wavelength, and now that she got along so well with Princess Yongjia and Li Yijin, she was even less inclined to put up with their antics.
Just then, Buyan, standing beside her, spoke up. "Second Miss Cui, why don't we head back too?"
Seeing that it was already the start of the unhour, and the emperor would not be summoning her until nightfall anyway, she decided there was no harm in leaving.
Back when the national mourning period was in effect, Cui Lanyin had left Grayfeather at the Prince's Mansion, but now that the period was over, she could bring the parrot with her into the palace.
She called for Qi An and Leping, and the whole group, one person short of a full procession, set out from the mansion with Grayfeather in tow.
As they passed the main gate, some of the male guests were also heading out. Seeing Cui Su seeing them off, they were presumably his colleagues and superiors.
She let Princess Yongjia and Li Yijin's carriage go first, and her own carriage paused briefly before moving on. No sooner had they exited Yongjia Alley than the horse neighed sharply and the carriage jolted to an abrupt stop. If Chiyun and Chiyue hadn't reacted in time to steady her, Cui Lanyin would have slammed straight into the window frame.
From outside, Buyu reported, "Second Miss Cui, it's Cui Chang who's blocked the carriage path."
Right on the heels of that came Cui Chang's voice. "Little sister, Yin, I was a fool before. I've realized my mistake now, so please forgive me just this once.
We're siblings bound by the same blood. Our two branches of the Cui clan have never had many people, and you're a woman—there are so many things you can't do openly. Jian is still little, Brother Su hasn't managed to make his way in official circles yet, and Fu and the others only know how to bury their noses in books, they're no good at handling external affairs. Let me do the legwork for you.
Just give me a try. If I still turn out to be useless, you can kick me out whenever you want, and I'll leave without a single word of complaint."
Cui Lanyin could only find it absurd. Did he really think she was so easy to fool? Cui Jian was absolutely right—of all the Cui boys of this generation, Cui Chang was the most unimpressive one. He had grand ambitions but no real talent, and his wits were nothing to write home about.
She didn't even bother wasting words on him, and simply ordered, "Tell him to get lost!"
When Buyan called for him to step aside, Cui Chang still tried to push his way forward. Chiyun and Chiyue were just about to step down and drag him away, when two riders who had been passing by turned back. The leading one shouted at Cui Chang, "Commander Cui, you're blocking Second Miss Cui's carriage. If His Majesty finds out and blames me for your misconduct, do you want to drag me down with you? Get out of here now!"
Recognizing who he was, and well aware of his notoriously strict methods in leading troops, Cui Chang dared not resist even though he was seething with resentment. He could only reply "Yes" with a bow, then scurried away.
The man then stepped forward and bowed to the carriage. "I am Meng Huaizong. My subordinate has disturbed Second Miss Cui on my watch. I offer my sincerest apologies."
Meng Huaizong? She never thought she would run into him face to face like this.
Outside the carriage, Qi An had already come over from the following carriage, but there was no need for him to step in. Buyan and Buyu both came forward and said, "Thank you so much, Commander Meng, for helping our Second Miss out."
These eunuchs were all trusted aides serving either the emperor or Grand Empress Dowager Chen, so Meng Huaizong returned their greeting respectfully, stepped aside, and motioned for Cui Lanyin's carriage to pass.
Cui Lanyin had already been to the painted pleasure boats before, and with people like Liu Heipi who were used to running all sorts of errands for her, she had long forgotten what it was like to be a sheltered young lady who never stepped over her own threshold. Through the half-raised carriage curtain, she caught sight of him.
Meng Huaizong noticed her looking over, and smiled as he gave her another bow.
No wonder Lady Min and Lady Luo carried themselves with such pride when they spoke of Meng Huaizong—he truly had the capital to be proud. His valiant, striking good looks were rare even among military men. At only twenty-three he was already a fourth-rank official, and now that he was stationed in Yingcheng, the threshold to the Meng family's residence must be getting worn down by all the families coming to propose marriage.
Somehow, Cui Lanyin found herself thinking back to what Princess Yongjia had said before, about Lady Luo staring at her and how marrying a military officer was a much more practical choice. Meng Huaizong was certainly brave and skilled in battle, but could he possibly hold a candle to the emperor, who could leap over walls and roofs as easily as walking on flat ground?
The moment she realized what absurd thoughts she was having, she gave her own head a frustrated little pat. Not wanting Chiyun and Chiyue to notice anything odd, she closed her eyes and pretended to doze off.
The journey from the Prince's Mansion to the imperial palace was very short, and she had barely drifted into a light doze when the carriage arrived at the palace gate. She got off at the dismounting bridge, and the whole group headed for the Funing Palace.
Buyan went back to the Benyuan Palace, while Qi An and Sangzhi stayed behind to oversee the other eunuchs carrying all the items Cui Lanyin had brought from the Prince's Mansion. Cui Lanyin, with Grayfeather perched on her shoulder, walked slowly towards the Funing Palace with Buyu.
Just as they turned a corner, they came face to face with two eunuchs.
The leading one had a pale, narrow, long-eyed face that looked oddly familiar. After a moment of thought, she remembered—this was Xing Kun, the chief eunuch serving Empress Dowager Li, whom she had seen in the Benyuan Palace the night Emperor Xuanning passed away.
"Greetings to Second Miss Cui. Our Grand Empress Dowager has long wanted to find a chance to chat with you, but never got the opportunity. I never expected to run into you here. Why don't you come over to the Fu'an Palace for a little visit?" Though there was a smile on Xing Kun's face, it was a cold, forced smile that made people feel deeply uncomfortable.
His words might have sounded like an invitation, but his tone left no room for refusal, and his eyes looked down on her from a high place.
Cui Lanyin's temper flared up instantly. She had already shared the emperor's bed. If any random nobody could still come and put on airs in front of her, then she would be far too useless.
She was no soft steamed bun that anyone could come along and pinch a dent into.
She straightened her back, and struck an even more haughty pose. "I don't have time for a visit. I have nothing to talk about with Grand Empress Dowager Li." With that, she walked right past him and kept going.
Xing Kun had never expected her to be so bold and insolent. A vicious look flashed across his face. "How dare you show disrespect to Grand Empress Dowager Li?"
Cui Lanyin was not the least bit scared. "Go ahead and tattle on me to my uncle the Emperor!" She then strode off without a second glance, not caring at all what Xing Kun or any other passing eunuch thought or felt.
That evening, when the emperor came to see her, she grabbed him first to complain. "I've offended Grand Empress Dowager Li. Maybe I should just move out of the palace and go back to the mansion?"
The emperor pulled her into his arms. "Offend her all you want. There's no need for you to tiptoe around her. If I made you live your life looking at other people's faces, then what's the point of me being emperor at all?"
Cui Lanyin pressed further. "So if Grand Empress Dowager Li picks a fight with me, I can fight back any way I want?"
"Of course."
"I also think Grand Empress Dowager Chen is still holding a grudge from what happened before. I want to help her get even. If Grand Empress Dowager Li comes to complain to you then, you'll be on our side, right..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the emperor pulled her close and kissed her.
The story was so engrossing to write that Qiqi can only pop in for a quick little note now [kiss emoji]
