Chapter 87
Although the emperor had allowed her to leave a year later, that did not mean he could accept her beginning to choose a husband now. The emperor would never permit her to eat what was in her bowl while eyeing what was in the pot. Yue Bianliɡё
Besides, whether in looks or martial prowess, Meng Huaizong fell far short of the emperor.
Cui Lanyin had to admit that the emperor had raised her standards. When it came to Meng Huaizong, he had not stirred even the slightest ripple in her heart. She flatly refused Princess Yongjia’s suggestion.
At present, her mind was filled with worry over how to face her family and Grand Empress Dowager Chen, and she could not think of any excuse that would work.
Princess Yongjia asked her to stay for a performance of singing and dancing, but Cui Lanyin was in no mood for it. After taking her leave, she wondered whether to return home or hide in the emperor’s former residence for a day.
She knew that hiding from the first day would not help her avoid the fifteenth. Sooner or later, she would have to face them, and she might as well get it over with. Thus, she had Geng Dayou drive her home.
As expected, good news stayed indoors while bad news traveled a thousand miles. Once she arrived home and saw the hesitant expressions on Lady Jiang and Lady Chang’s faces, she knew without asking that they had already heard.
Cui Lanting’s eyes were full of curiosity and scrutiny, as though she no longer recognized her.
Cui Lanyin thought it might be better to be frank about it. She planned to wait until Lady Jiang had finished with Cui Lanzhi, then take her to the front hall and speak openly.
But Granny Sun came over first. “Geng Dayou says there’s something that requires Second Miss’s attention.”
It turned out that the Jiutong Trading House fleet had arrived. Fang Dai had sent word to Liu Heipi, asking the Qilin Hall to collect its share for the past six months.
Previously, Jiutong Trading House had discussed the matter with Liu Heipi. Though they had the Qilin Hall’s protection and did not need to fear bandits, one hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver weighed a full eight or nine thousand jin. At one hundred jin per load, it would take eighty or ninety trips to carry it all. Loading and unloading so much silver would be extremely time-consuming and laborious. They had therefore wondered whether they could pay in banknotes or convert part of it into gold.
Cui Lanyin required the payment to be made in sixty thousand taels’ worth of banknotes and six thousand taels of gold.
Cui Lanyin returned to the former residence and had Geng Dayou go with Liu Heipi to the Dongshui Pass wharf.
This time, Geng Dayou did not disguise himself. By now, there were few people in the capital who did not recognize him. Fang Dai had been living in the city for over a month and had become familiar with the faces of all its important figures. Thus, the moment Geng Dayou and Liu Heipi arrived at the wharf, Fang Dai recognized Geng Dayou as the trusted man at Second Miss Cui’s side. Whenever Second Miss Cui went out in the capital, he was almost always with her.
After disembarking from the pleasure boat that day, Fang Dai had sent people everywhere to make inquiries. He had even taken lavish gifts to Xue Cong’s residence, but Xue Cong, who was frightened nearly out of his wits, had refused to see him.
The same was true of Steward Lu at Prince Ping’s residence. After returning to the Prince Ping estate, he had not shown his face again.
The only person who could make two men like that avoid him as though fleeing a plague, and who could be called “Second Miss,” was none other than Second Miss Cui, known as Cui the Second Fierce One.
Fang Dai found it hard to believe. How could a noble lady who could enter and leave the palace freely lower herself to personally negotiate with Jiutong Trading House?
Fang Dai was not certain whether that woman was Second Miss Cui herself, but he could be certain that she had powerful backing. The mere fact that she could force Xue Cong and Steward Lu to retreat made her a connection Jiutong Trading House had long wished to cultivate but could never reach. For that alone, she was worth twenty percent of their shares.
Therefore, after communicating with Guangzhou, they dismissed Ji Sheng, their chief manager, while Fang Dai remained in the capital. He wanted to investigate the woman’s background more thoroughly and see whether he could secure even more advantages for Jiutong Trading House.
It was easy to say, but difficult to accomplish. The waters in the capital ran deep, and how could people like them uncover the affairs of the powerful and influential? After half a month, all Fang Dai knew was what everyone in the capital already knew.
Then, half a month ago, Lord Liu of the Qilin Hall summoned him and told him directly that the power behind the Qilin Hall was Second Miss Cui. From now on, Jiutong Trading House need not pay tribute at any other wharf. It should collect those shares back and hand them over to the Qilin Hall instead. So long as its business was legitimate, Second Miss Cui would ensure that Jiutong Trading House could travel freely wherever it went.
If Second Miss Cui truly stood behind them, they could dispense with every other connection. But she had to truly be Second Miss Cui!
This was not something he could believe lightly. Fang Dai replied that he needed to discuss it with Guangzhou first, using that as an excuse to delay the matter.
But now, upon seeing Geng Dayou arrive, Fang Dai no longer had any doubts. The power behind the Qilin Hall truly was Second Miss Cui.
He still could not be certain whether the woman who had boarded the pleasure boat that day had been Second Miss Cui herself.
Fang Dai stepped forward and greeted them with even greater respect than before. He did not pretend ignorance, saying to Geng Dayou, “Master Geng, Master Liu, Guangzhou happened to send me a reply. The shares Jiutong Trading House has promised elsewhere add up to another ten percent. That amount can now all be transferred to the Qilin Hall. When we settle the shares for the latter half of the year, we will make up that additional ten percent.”
Geng Dayou stepped aside and let Liu Heipi come forward. Liu Heipi smiled and cupped his hands. “Master Fang is a straightforward man. If anything comes up in the future, just come to our Qilin Hall.”
Fang Dai kept a close eye on the Qilin Hall’s movements. He naturally knew that, during this period, the Qilin Hall had been collecting shares from major merchants in various places. He said, “I’ll notify the merchants I’m acquainted with. Guangzhou will help spread the word as well. With Jiutong Trading House setting the example, once everyone believes that the Qilin Hall truly has access to Second Miss Cui, Master Liu won’t even need to trouble himself. Those merchants will come bearing their shares on their own.”
Jiutong Trading House truly knew how to read a situation and act accordingly. This was exactly what Liu Heipi needed.
After receiving Cui Lanyin’s instructions half a month ago, Liu Heipi had drawn up a list of the major merchants in the southern regions. He had used Second Miss Cui’s name to collect their shares. Although none of them had refused, they had not taken any concrete action either.
He knew that they still did not believe the Qilin Hall could truly reach Second Miss Cui. They were waiting to verify the truth.
He had hesitated over whether to report this to Cui Lanyin and have Geng Dayou show his face alongside the Qilin Hall’s people.
But Second Miss Cui’s status was now exceptionally noble. Geng Dayou was not someone just anyone could meet or befriend. Sending him out as a signboard would damage Second Miss Cui’s dignity.
If Jiutong Trading House stood forward as the signboard instead, it would be ideal.
Remembering the guidance Chief Aide Song had given him, Geng Dayou said to Fang Dai, “Master Fang, you must not let your guard down. Once Jiutong Trading House takes back the shares it has given to others, you may have unforeseen trouble coming to your door. Later, I’ll give you several calling cards from our Chief Aide Song. But let me make one thing clear first: if we find out that Jiutong Trading House is using those cards for anything else, then you should know what our Second Miss’s temper is like.”
Fang Dai was so excited that he could barely speak coherently. “Master Geng, rest assured. Ji... Jiutong Trading House would never dare misuse Second Miss Cui’s name.”
One ten-percent share from Jiutong Trading House went to the Guangzhou Provincial Administration Commissioner, while another ten percent was passed upward through the Guangzhou official. Fang Dai knew that reclaiming those shares would inevitably cause considerable trouble. Yet after handing over those twenty percent, Jiutong Trading House had gained little in return. Whenever trouble arose, they still had to spend additional money to smooth things over. Some matters were clearly manufactured by those people solely to extort money.
Over the past two years, their demands for money had grown increasingly frequent, and Jiutong Trading House could no longer bear the burden. That was why Fang Dai had come to the capital, hoping to attach himself to a still more powerful noble so that those people might show some restraint.
Now that he had the calling cards of the chief aide from the emperor’s former residence, he possessed tangible proof that Jiutong Trading House had climbed into Second Miss Cui’s circle.
After profusely thanking him, Fang Dai hurriedly handed the sixty thousand taels in banknotes to Liu Heipi, then personally led the men in carrying the six thousand taels of gold onto the three carriages that had come from Qilin Hall.
Since the Chief Aide would be staying for a while longer, Cui Lanyin entrusted the original hundred-odd thousand taels of silver, along with the banknotes and gold this time, to him for accounting. She had them placed in the treasury of the hidden residence and instructed him that, if she was unable to leave the palace, all the money collected by Qilin Hall was to be kept and entered into the treasury by him.
More than two hundred thousand taels of silver had been handed over to him just like that. It showed how much she valued and trusted him, and the Chief Aide was once again filled with energy.
He had also heard the rumors circulating outside about Cui Lanyin. He did not think there was anything wrong with it. If princesses and commandery princesses could keep lovers, then surely Cui Lanyin could do the same.
There was only one thing he could not figure out. After leaving the palace, Cui Lanyin had spent nearly all her time going back and forth between the Cui family’s main household and the hidden residence. When had she found the time—and a place—to meet her lover?
Thinking of Princess Yongjia, who had recently grown close to Cui Lanyin, the Chief Aide knew that the princess had two lovers herself. It seemed that Princess Yongjia must have made the introduction.
Once everything was taken care of, the entire day had passed.
Judging by the time, Cui Sheng should be home by now, so Cui Lanyin decided to return and give her family an explanation.
When she arrived, Hong Ji was in the back room accompanying Cui Lanzhi. Cui Su had been assigned night duty and had not returned. Only Cui Sheng, Lady Jiang, and Cui Jian were in the room.
Cui Lanyin sent Cui Jian outside, then sat down and said to her parents, “I can’t go back to living in the inner household anymore. My uncle has also found work for me, and I’ll need to spend a lot of time outside. After seeing the world beyond these walls, I truly have no desire to marry and raise children.”
She stepped forward and hooked one arm around Cui Sheng’s and one around Lady Jiang’s, grinning as she said, “There’s nothing to be done about it. You two will just have to think of me as your son. From now on, I’ll honor and care for you just as my two younger brothers do.”
Lady Jiang still tried to persuade her. “You can still go out after you’re married.”
Cui Sheng, however, shook his head. “In times like these, any family willing to let her move about freely would surely have some ulterior motive. The moment His Majesty no longer favors Lanyin, everything they once allowed her to do will become evidence against her. How would she be able to remain there then?”
“My father really does see things clearly.” Cui Lanyin sighed. “Mother, think about it. Because of the rumors that I wouldn’t be able to bear children, my marriage prospects were so difficult before. It hasn’t even been half a year. I’m still the same person I was, and my headaches haven’t improved either. So how did I suddenly become such a sought-after prize?”
Lady Jiang had nothing to say. She looked between father and daughter and asked, “So I can stop dreaming about having a newly minted jinshi as my son-in-law next year?”
Cui Sheng smiled and patted her hand. “A son-in-law is only half a son. We’ve gained an entire son instead. We’ve still come out ahead.”
Lady Jiang laughed at that. “I took Cai Lian’s advice to heart as well. Since Lanyin is so capable, and my own understanding is limited, I’ll simply listen to whatever you two say.”
Even so, the couple still felt guilty toward Cui Lanyin. Cui Sheng said, “All these years, your father has muddled through life without accomplishing much. You’ve been the one supporting us both inside and outside the home. We truly have no right to dictate what you should do. Just follow your heart. No matter when or where, your family will always stand behind you.”
Knowing that even Hong Ji had accepted the matter without objection, Cui Lanyin felt deeply comforted.
“Father, Mother, you’ve got it wrong. You’re the best parents in the world. No one else can compare to you.”
Lady Jiang wanted to ask what sort of man he was. But remembering what Hong Ji had said—that Princess Yongjia already had two lovers by her side, and would surely add more whenever she met someone who caught her eye—Lady Jiang was afraid that Cui Lanyin might be following the same path. She could not digest that possibility just yet, so she swallowed the question.
The family hurdle had been cleared with ease. Only Grand Empress Dowager Chen remained.
Cui Lanyin had originally planned to spend a few days recovering her strength outside before returning to face her.
On the fourteenth, after Little Hongfen’s third-day bathing ceremony, Gufeng arrived at the hidden residence first thing on the fifteenth morning to escort her back to the palace.
She had already agreed with the emperor that she would stay out for several more days. It had only been three days, so Cui Lanyin asked Gufeng, “Has something happened?”
Gufeng did not dare tell her the truth, but he did not dare conceal it from her either. In the end, he could only say, “You’ll know once you return, Second Miss.”
Cui Lanyin understood his predicament and did not press him further. After gathering her things, she and the others returned to the palace.
As they entered through the palace gates and walked from Xiamaqiao toward Funing Palace, she heard whispers following her wherever she went. Cui Lanyin immediately knew that everyone was discussing her little scandal.
For the past two days, she had been focused solely on figuring out how to explain herself to Grand Empress Dowager Chen and had not paid attention to what was being said outside.
She asked Buyu, “What are people saying about me now?”
Buyu had finally been given the chance to answer, and once she started, she could hardly stop.
“Countless young masters and gentlemen outside are hoping to show themselves before you, Second Miss, in the hope of winning your favor. If the hidden residence’s gates weren’t so strictly guarded, and if Eldest Master Su weren’t keeping watch over the family, there would be no end of handsome young men for you to choose from.”
“Huh?” Cui Lanyin stared blankly for a moment. “How did it come to that?”
Before she could ask further, they had already reached Funing Palace. With no time to inquire, Cui Lanyin lowered her head and entered with an expression of sincere repentance.
Qi An greeted her beneath the corridor and teased, “Second Miss has returned. Why do you look so dispirited?”
Seeing that Cui Lanyin refused to raise her head, he lowered his voice and said, “It’s hardly a major matter. Don’t worry.”
Cui Lanyin entered the main hall with half-believing, half-doubting feelings. There, she was met by Grand Empress Dowager Chen’s radiant smile, bright as the summer sun, and the sight left her utterly astonished.
“Grand Empress Dowager…”
Grand Empress Dowager Chen patted the seat beside her. “Good girl, Lanyin, come sit here.”
“You’re not angry with me?”
“Why would I be angry over something that has made me hold my head so high?” Empress Dowager Chen threw back her head and laughed heartily.
Cui Lanyin still could not believe it. “You really know what I did?”
“Didn’t you, like Princess Yongjia, take a lover? I hear that every handsome young man in Yingcheng wants to catch your eye. They’re all trying to find out what sort of man you like so they can replace him.” Grand Empress Dowager Chen clapped her hands and laughed. “This is what it means to truly understand how to live. Good girl, don’t pay any attention to anyone else. With me here, no one will dare say anything about you. Just follow your heart and enjoy yourself.”
“Although, how could you have failed to choose more carefully the first time? You actually picked someone old and strange. He’s certainly not presentable. Hurry up and replace him.”
Cui Lanyin’s relief, which had only just settled, shot straight back up. “This… This has already spread everywhere?”
Could it be that even the emperor had heard about it?
An early update today [kiss kiss]
