Chapter 1556 Extra: Little Cui, Middle Cui, Big Cui, Old Cui (Part 2)
Cui Long stared in disbelief as his grandfather occupied the Imperial Censor's residence, and then, with a sense of entitlement, ordered the servants of the Gu family to fetch his belongings from the corridor of the government office: "Prepare a carriage and horses as well, I need to go out."
It took the steward of the Gu family a long time to process all this information.
His facial features were almost contorted in confusion, and he had no choice but to agree.
Cui Long was terrified the entire time.
She was terrified that her grandfather's actions would completely enrage the Censor-in-Chief—whose reputation was mixed, and Cui Long had heard many opinions about him from scholars he knew—the only certainty was that Gu Chi was indeed vindictive.
However, Cui Long did not stop his grandfather in front of outsiders.
Once the grandfather and grandson were on the carriage and heading towards the Cui residence, she said, "The Gu residence is not your own home, and it might be inconvenient for you to stay here, Grandfather. You and I are not used to living here together. I also have an empty house under my name, which is close to the royal court, only a quarter of an hour away by horseback. Would you like to stay there for a while, Grandfather?"
My commute to work is only 15 minutes, which is indeed very close.
Choi Hyo-ji refused outright: "No."
Only by staying at Gu Chi's house can he vent his anger at being tricked.
After the reign title was changed, Cui Zhi had no interest in officialdom and declined several appointments, only accepting nominal positions. He spent his days traveling and enjoying nature with his wife, Cui Hui, so the couple spent half the year away from the capital. The two elders of the Cui family originally lived in their old house in the southwest, where they were initially content. However, as the Cui family's focus shifted to the capital, Huangting, the old house became extremely deserted, and they began to miss their grandchildren.
Not long after, they also moved to the capital and settled there.
Cui Hui and Cui Zhi spent most of their time traveling and didn't interact much with the Cui family elders, which made things difficult for Cui Xiong and Cui Mi. The reason Cui Long wasn't there was naturally because she had been adopted by Cui Xiao, so the Cui family elders couldn't discipline her much even if they wanted to.
Cui Xiao sneered: "To be old and not die is to be a thief."
He looked down on those two old men.
Cui Long ate the dried fruit in the carriage, sighing and feeling a little pity: "...I think Da Xiong is going to reach his limit. Because of the interference of his maternal grandparents, Luan Gong has made things difficult for Da Xiong several times, and even Miao Nujun has become much colder towards Da Xiong."
Cui Xiong still hasn't been able to get Miao Ne to agree to marriage.
The two elders of the Cui family made "great contributions".
The young couple had a deep affection for each other in their early years. No matter how clingy Cui Xiong was, Miao Nujun never rejected him, letting him follow her wherever he went. The latter was devoted to public service and wanted to stabilize her position in the court before considering personal matters, which Cui Xiong also agreed to.
It has been very stable over the years.
Until the Cui family elders moved to Huangting.
Miao Nujun disliked him after only a few encounters.
For Miao Ne, she was always Miao Ne, no matter where she went. There was no need for her to change her relationship with Cui Xiong from "Miao Ne and Cui Xiong who liked Miao Ne" to "Cui Xiong, the son of the Cui family, and his future matriarch".
She has a name and a surname.
There is no need for a vague label to encompass her as a person.
The Cui elders didn't see anything wrong with their attitude. Even if Miao Ne was a rising star in the court, she was still the woman their grandson loved, and the future matriarch of the Cui family. Was there anything wrong with being respectful to their elderly elders? How could someone who didn't even uphold basic filial piety be a good official?
After listening, Cui Xiaoan said, "So that's how it is. I was wondering why Luan Gongyi treated me so coldly, as if I had offended him."
His relationship with Luan Xin was acceptable.
His near-death experience in perfecting the Way of the Scholar also contributed one percent to Luan Xin's progress. If one day he were to advance from Perfection to Supreme, that would be one-ninth of his progress, which is of great value. Unless there are special circumstances, there's no need to be cold towards him.
Clearly, this situation is quite special.
Luan Xin may not say it, but he is very protective of his own people through his actions.
The relationship between teachers and students is as close as that between parents and children. Miao Ne was unhappy because of the Cui family elders, and naturally, Luan Gongyi was also unhappy. And when Luan Gongyi was unhappy, others naturally became unhappy as well. Having sorted out the whole story, he clapped his hands with his fan.
The commentator remarked, "Big Bear is really unhappy about this."
Hesitation leads to trouble.
Cui Long hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Of all her family members, she spent the most time with her two younger brothers. Contrary to outsiders' opinions, she felt that Cui Xiong was the most cunning and calculating person in the family. He was shrewd and calculating. The older he got, the better he concealed his true thoughts.
As they were talking, the carriage stopped in front of the Cui residence.
The grandfather and grandson immediately sensed something was off as soon as they entered.
Cui Hui and Cui Zhi remained calm, while the two elders of the Cui family, with their heads full of silver hair and pale faces, observed that Cui Mi was fiddling with the beads on his bracelet, while Cui Xiong remained indifferent, seemingly unconcerned. When a servant announced their arrival, Cui Xiao arrived with Cui Long, and the elders' expressions grew even more peculiar.
Relying on his seniority, Cui Xiao took the seat of honor directly: "Today's family banquet should be a joyous occasion, so why does Master Cui look so troubled?"
The two elders of the Cui family both became a little more rapid in their breathing.
Even though he was annoyed that Cui Xiao, an outsider, had come to the family banquet and caused trouble, he dared not say a word. Besides the Cui brothers, several other members of the Cui family held official positions in various places, and there were even more relatives by marriage who held official posts. If he offended Cui Xiao, and Cui Xiao turned around and punished these people, it would be too late for regrets. Not only could he not show them any displeasure, but he also had to greet them with a smile.
"Nothing much, just that I'm not used to the changing season."
"Oh? Then you'd better be careful."
Cui Hui and his wife bowed and greeted him, and the atmosphere became much more harmonious.
Cui Xiao winked at his daughter.
He was curious about what had happened before he arrived.
A family dinner is supposed to be an occasion for relatives to connect, but this time the meal was eaten without any flavor, especially by the Cui elders, who found it utterly tasteless. They barely touched their food, looking completely fed up with their anger. They hastily made an excuse to leave, appearing rather disheveled.
Cui Xiaocai spoke only after the outsiders had left.
What just happened?
Cui Xiong replied calmly, "Nothing much. It's just that my grandparents heard that my cousin had fallen off his horse and was crippled, and they suspected that it was a setup."
Cui Xiao shook his head: "This makes no sense."
Cui Xiong: "It really doesn't make sense, but it's understandable. My cousins were raised by my grandparents, so their bond is naturally stronger. It's understandable that they might get flustered because of their concern. They're getting old, so it's better for them to vent their anger than to bottle it up and get hurt by it."
"How many cousins...?"
"Yes, they had arranged to go hunting in the mountains. Their horses encountered a mountain tiger that roared and became frightened and out of control. They were caught off guard and thrown off their horses, and were injured by the horses' hooves... Fortunately, their lives were not in danger."
Cui Xiao: "..."
His years of professional experience told him there was something wrong.
Looking directly into Cui Xiong's eyes, the latter remained completely calm.
He asked, "Where is the injury?"
"Hmm, this injury... but fortunately, my cousin has many children, so it's not a big deal." A good-for-nothing who has no right to inherit the main branch, no official position, and only managed to create a famous scholar title through boasting and marketing, is only of value to the Cui family for bearing children.
I've had enough children, I don't ask for anything more.
Cui Xiao: "...They're all injured in the same spot?"
Cui Xiong laughed and said, "How could that be? There are injuries elsewhere too. Broken hands and feet are minor injuries, and a physician from the medical field can take care of them. It's also lucky. If the horse's hoof had been a little off course and stepped on the throat, heart, or head, even a physician from the medical field would have been powerless to save it."
Cui Xiao: "Is this related to you?"
Cui Xiong shook his head: "My maternal grandfather was the Vice Minister of the Censorate, with connections to the highest levels of government. How could I, his grandson, dare to break the law and disregard human life?"
The nerves in Cui Xiao's brain were stimulated.
He saw provocation in his grandson.
It wasn't a provocation against him alone, but against those who were holding him accountable. Cui Xiao finally understood why the Cui elders looked so grim.
Cui Xiong also informed them of something.
He will be transferred to another region in two months, and can return in five years.
Cui Xiao: "..."
If I remember correctly, Luan Gongyi of the Ministry of Personnel arranged for Miao Ne to go to a local post? Cui Xiong also said he would be away for five years, so it seems these two are going the same way. Just as Cui Xiao was about to inform everyone that he would be staying in the capital for the next two years, Cui Hui and his wife dropped a bombshell.
The three children are getting ready to become older brothers and sisters.
Cui Xiao suddenly turned to look at his daughter.
"you--"
Cui Hui: "It should have been on the way back."
Cui Xiao glared at Cui Zhi, and faced with his father-in-law's fierce look, Cui Zhi could only bite the bullet and say, "Father-in-law..."
This is outrageous.
Cui Hui was well past fifty, nearing sixty. Although his martial arts prowess protected his appearance and prevented him from showing signs of aging, his age was undeniable. In the years after their reconciliation, when they were both still relatively young, there had been no pregnancy, but now she was pregnant.
Cui Zhi was worried about how to start the conversation the whole way.
He prayed that his father-in-law was not there.
Who would have thought that he would run into trouble as soon as he returned?
The group of people surnamed Cui present: "..."
Cui Xiong asked in astonishment, "Really? Really?"
Cui Hui nodded: "Yes."
Cui Mi was not surprised at all, but looked at his mother's belly with some worry and said, "Mother, this pregnancy is twins."
Cui Xiao couldn't sit still: "Did you see something? Is Ke Wu in danger? If it's because of this child, why not take the pregnancy before it becomes obvious? It's better than a difficult birth of twins, resulting in the deaths of three lives."
He really didn't want his daughter to have more children.
Even though Cui Hui is no ordinary person now.
Even the smallest risk of childbirth is still a risk; who can guarantee 100% safety? Thinking of this, I felt utterly disgusted with Cui Zhiyue.
Cui Mi quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no. The delivery definitely went smoothly, it's just that these two children..."
The future looks rather alarming.
So horrified that Cui Mi didn't know whether he should say it or not.
all in all--
"Grandpa probably wouldn't want to know."
"I really want to know." Inside the royal palace, young Shen De rested his chin on his hand, looking at a few leaves on the ground, and asked in confusion, "The High Priest has been staring at these leaves for so long. Is this divination really that difficult?"
"It's not difficult to calculate, it's just that Your Highness wants to ask..."
"What's wrong with what I asked? I just wanted to know where the chosen one is now!" Fourteen-year-old Shen De was already of adult size, but his features still had a touch of childishness. "That blockhead Xingning has a goddess in his dreams, longing for her day and night, can't I be curious too? Is that person male or female? Beautiful or ugly? How old? Where is she from? Since fate has already decided, I might as well bring her back and raise her as soon as possible, and feelings will develop over time..."
Ji Moqiu: "Your Highness, you are still young."
Shen De: "High Priest, I'm not young anymore."
In a few days, she'll be able to accompany Lord Xun on official business. She started her studies at ten and entered the court to assist in governance at eleven. She regularly attended the Imperial Academy and was frequently pulled aside by her mother to review memorials. She managed to balance her studies and political affairs; she was already quite mature for her age.
Gongxi Chou, who was basking in the sun on a tree, also swayed his snake tail.
"If Ru Gui wants to know, then just tell me, brother. There aren't many reliable men in the secular world, and domesticated men are definitely more reliable than wild ones." Although he felt that Ru Gui's aptitude for cultivation was not good enough, and that she needed to remain chaste and a virgin, she was born into royalty, and there was a throne to inherit in her family. She couldn't be alone forever. Even if a man were to bear her royal heir, it would still have to be a man.
In Jimo, autumn harvest is underway, and fallen leaves are being gathered from the ground.
He sighed and said, "I told you, I'm still young."
Gong Xichou and Shen De immediately understood that "still young" referred to their destined one. Working in perfect unison, one with a snake's head and the other with a human head, they flanked Ji Moqiu, trapping him in the middle.
"How small is 'small'?"
"Very small."
"The Upper Intermediate People's Court?"
Shake head.
"Go up to the small courtyard?"
Shake head.
Shen De's curiosity subsided a bit: "He's not even old enough to attend the small courtyard? Doesn't that mean he's at least eight years younger than me?"
Gong Xichou: "Five years old?"
Shake head.
"Four years old?"
Shake head.
The human and the snake descended further, counting the ages as follows: three years old, two years old, one year old, eleven months old... They guessed all the way down to just one month old and less than one month old.
Shen De's expression was strange: "Not even a month old yet?"
Gong Xichou: "Just born?"
However, a fourteen-year age gap isn't entirely unacceptable. There are plenty of older men marrying younger women, and some even dream of marrying someone much younger—like the ambitious Xingning. Yan Siye treats him like a brother, always looking after him, yet he actually wants to be Yan Siye's stepfather. It's utterly outrageous! When Yan Siye learned the truth, his face contorted with rage, exclaiming that he'd let a wolf into the house.
I treat you like a younger brother, but you treat me like a daughter?
Damn it, this is utterly ingratitude!
This incident occurred during the winter break study tour of the Imperial Academy, and Shen De also participated. The scene was extremely chaotic and explosive.
Enraged, Yan Miaohua nearly drew her sword and attacked someone.
Unexpectedly, Ji Moqiu shook his head again.
Gong Xichou and Shen De both fell silent: "Really not born?"
Ji Moqiu sighed, "She just got pregnant not long ago."
The red line is still very, very faint.
Shen De pressed the veins on his forehead, turned to Gong Xichou and said, "Uncle Qiu, I've made up my mind. I'll learn the Boy's Kung Fu from you. This chosen one can be whoever wants him. If the Red Phoenix Star really moves in the future, Uncle Qiu will definitely help me bind it."
Gong Xichou: "Leave it to your uncle."
Neither of them heard Ji Moqiu's next sentence.
"Pfft—who do you think Ru Gui's 'Red Phoenix Star' is connected to?"
Shen Tang, whose brain was throbbing from reviewing government documents, was nearly choked by the shocking news. She wasn't surprised that Ru Gui's love star was linked to someone else, and she could even accept it if it was linked to two people. But what surprised her was that the person linked to her was pregnant and in mortal danger.
The other parents considered hitting the child.
Ji Moqiu repeated: "They are the twin grandsons of Lord Cui."
"...As the crown prince, Ru Gui cannot knowingly break the law."
The country had just declared that it would adopt a monogamous system, and then the Crown Princess had a pair of twins from a minister's family. Wasn't that a slap in the face?
Ji Moqiu explained, "No law has been broken."
Shen Tang closed her eyes, feeling a headache coming on.
"Good heavens, they didn't give him any official status."
Cui Zhi couldn't stand not receiving either of them.
At the family dinner, Cui Zhi was so angry that he clutched his chest.
"I can't stand this!"
|ω`)
(End of this chapter)
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