Chapter 81 Revenge
After more than a month of busy work outside, Cui Junji returned home near the Lunar New Year. Late at night, he took off his cold outer robe and tiptoed into the bedroom, only to find Wen Youqing still awake, sitting under the lamp reading a book.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" He walked over and tried to take the book away, but found it was just a storybook, so he let her go. He reached out to touch her cheek, but she gently avoided him.
"Are the rumors outside true?" Wen Youqing looked up at him, her eyes filled with worry. "Did you really... kill so many people?"
Cui Junji's face darkened. "They obstructed the new policy and they deserved it."
"Your method is too radical and will definitely cause dissatisfaction." Wen Youqing didn't care about the many deaths, but whether the Cui family would be attacked by everyone. By then, Cui Junji would be deserted by everyone, and the plan would not be able to move forward at all.
"Cui Mingyuan is corrupt and perverts justice in Sining County, allowing his sons to oppress the people. He's just a county magistrate, yet they dare to do this." Cui Junji said coldly, "Starting with him, the officials will know my determination, and most people will not dare to oppose me."
Wen Youqing looked at his stern profile and sighed, "It's good that you can handle this properly. The baby is due in four months, so don't cause any trouble."
Cui Junji's gaze fell on Wen Youqing's belly, his eyes soft. "This abscess will burst sooner or later. After it bursts, my daughter will be able to see the Qingming Festival as soon as she is born. How wonderful."
Wen Youqing gently held his hand: "I understand. But... you have to be careful."
Cui Junji held her hand in return: "Aqing, I have already embarked on this path, and there is no turning back. Treating the family is like scraping the bone to heal a wound, but if I don't bleed, the family will fester from the inside sooner or later."
In the days that followed, the government and the people were in a state of panic. Officials were investigated and prosecuted daily, and noble families were raided. Cui Junji's methods became increasingly ruthless, not only investigating corruption but also taking the opportunity to eliminate all opposition to the new policies.
Meanwhile, at the Cui family's old house, the atmosphere had become extremely tense.
That day, Cui Wangshi personally came to the main courtyard of Cui Mansion. She did not bring any followers with her, but stood alone in front of the mansion gate, her face so gloomy that it could drip water.
"Mother?" Wen Youqing rushed over after hearing the news, and was startled when he saw his mother standing in the cold wind.
Cui Wangshi looked straight at Wen Youqing: "I have something to say to you alone."
Wen Youqing was shocked, but still respectfully invited Cui Wangshi into the inner room.
As soon as the door closed, Cui Wang turned around, her eyes sharp as a knife: "Do you know that Zihe's recent actions have made the Cui family the target of public criticism?"
Wen Youqing lowered his head and said, "My daughter-in-law has heard a little about it."
"Have you heard anything?" Mrs. Cui sneered. "He's already investigated and prosecuted seven direct descendants of the Cui family, and countless relatives and old friends. Now the entire aristocratic family is cursing the Cui family for having produced a traitorous son, turning on their own family. Do you know what this means?"
Wen Youqing remained silent.
"This means the Cui family's centuries-long foundation could be destroyed in an instant!" Mrs. Cui Wang slammed the table, "And you, as his wife, not only did you not dissuade him, but you actually condoned his misdeeds!"
"Mother, my husband..."
"Shut up!" Cui Wangshi interrupted her harshly, "I came here today to ask you only one question: do you want to stand on the Cui family's side, or on his side?"
Wen Youqing raised her head and looked directly into the old lady's sharp gaze. "Mother, your daughter-in-law is both the daughter-in-law of the Cui family and the wife of Jun Ji. The two should not be in conflict."
"But now they are in opposition!" The old lady pressed on. "His new policy is to uproot the aristocratic families! If you still consider yourself the daughter-in-law of the Cui family, you should find a way to make him stop!"
Wen Youqing stroked her swollen belly and whispered, "Mother-in-law, do you think the current official selection system is really fair?"
Cui Wang was stunned.
"Children of aristocratic families can enter the government regardless of their talent and virtue, but talented people from humbler backgrounds have no chance to serve their country. If this continues, how many pillars of the nation will be lost? This is just the surface. Deep down, with the proliferation of cliques and factions, it will be difficult to implement any government orders at all levels. The aristocratic families will eventually suffer the consequences." Wen Youqing's tone was calm, but every word was powerful. "He implemented the new policy for the aristocratic families! And for the people of the country!"
"What a shrewd thing to do, for the sake of the aristocratic families, for the sake of the empire!" The old lady laughed in anger. "So you really had a hand in this! Just because you've read a few books, you dare to criticize state affairs? You dare to overturn the laws of our ancestors? Let me tell you, the aristocratic families have maintained the stability of the court for hundreds of years. How can you change it just by saying so? Let alone a young boy who appeared today? The aristocratic families can push him to a high position, and then tear him down and trample him into the mud."
She walked up to the seated Wen Youqing and looked down at her: "I'll give you one last chance. Either convince him to stop, or... don't blame the Cui family for not recognizing you as their daughter-in-law!"
After saying that, the old lady turned away.
Wen Youqing stood alone in the room, feeling bored. Cui Wangshi's words hung like a sword over her head. She knew they were no empty threats.
But what's the use of threatening her? Cui Junji just won't listen to her.
That night, she told Cui Junji the purpose of Cui Wang's visit.
After hearing this, Cui Junji remained silent for a long time. The candlelight cast bright and dark shadows on his face, making it difficult to see his expression.
"What do you think?" he finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
Wen Youqing walked over to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "When you serve as an official, you should benefit the people. Since you've chosen this path, don't look back. And as long as you can hold on, in a few decades, they will understand your hard work."
With such an understanding wife, Cui Junji put his arm around her shoulders, saying firmly, "Youqing, I might not be able to give you and your child a stable life."
"What we want is never stability," Wen Youqing whispered in his ear, "What we want is a clear conscience."
—
Half a month later, the most tragic scene took place in the capital.
Twelve aristocratic families, led by Xie Yun, united in rebellion, refusing to implement the new policies and even secretly planning a mutiny. Cui Junji preemptively imprisoned all twelve family heads for treason.
On the day of the rebellion, Wen Youqing was drawing the blueprint of a new repeating crossbow in the villa, drinking tea leisurely while waiting for today's feedback.
On the day of the execution, the streets of Luoyang were deserted. More than a hundred heads fell, and the blood dyed the ground red.
When the news came, Wen Youqing was sewing clothes for her unborn child. The needle pierced her fingertip, and a drop of blood fell on the white satin, slowly spreading.
She put down her needlework and walked to the window. The sky was overcast, and a heavy snow was about to come. She raised the corners of her mouth slightly.
"Madam, the young master is back." The maid announced softly outside the door.
Wen Youqing gathered herself together and walked out of the room. Cui Junji stood in the courtyard, his official uniform still reeking of blood from the execution ground. His face was pale, but his eyes were remarkably firm.
"It's over," he said.
Wen Youqing walked forward and held his cold hand: "Are you cold?"
Cui Junji didn't answer, but simply held her in his arms, so tightly that she almost suffocated. He buried his face in her neck for a long time, and Wen Youqing felt warm liquid falling on her skin.
The man who didn't even blink at the execution ground was now crying silently in her arms.
"There are my classmates and comrades in there..." His voice choked, "I..."
Wen Youqing patted his back gently, as if comforting a wounded child: "They were at fault first. It's okay, it's okay."
She knew that most of those executed in the capital were his old friends; behind every order was his sleepless struggle late at night.
Moreover, everyone in the Cui family residence was safe and sound. She knew very well that even if he had a bad relationship with them, he was still reluctant to touch the people closest to him.
It's not that he doesn't feel pain, he just can't show it.
This drastic purge finally cleared the way for the implementation of the new policy. However, the conflict between Cui Junji and the aristocratic families had become so deep that it could not be resolved.
In early spring, a letter arrived from the Cui family's old house. It was short, with only one sentence:
"Cui Junji has disobeyed the clan rules. He must return to the old house to receive instruction the next day. Otherwise, he will be expelled from the Cui clan and will never be recorded in the family tree."
Cui Junji finished reading the letter and threw it into the brazier with an expressionless face. The dancing flames reflected on his face, flickering.
Wen Youqing stood behind him and whispered, "Do you regret it?"
He turned around, looked at her bulging belly, and reached out to stroke it gently: "If I don't do it, the family will be finished sooner or later. Moreover, I have kept the people who really do things in each family. I don't regret it."
Outside the window, spring flowers fell in large numbers, covering the streets and alleys of the capital.
On that day, an expected uninvited guest came to the Cui Mansion - the old housekeeper of the Cui family. He was an old man who watched Cui Junji grow up and had an extraordinary status in the family.
"Master, Madam would like you and... Young Madam to return to the old house." The old housekeeper bowed respectfully, but his tone brooked no refusal. "It's an appointment."
Wen Youqing and Cui Junji looked at each other, and both had an ominous premonition in their hearts, but they suppressed it and got on the carriage back to the old house.
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