The news that the Emperor had granted Xu Yuehuai permission to enter the palace quickly reached the Duke of Zhenguo's residence. Xu Yuehuai was not flustered upon hearing this, after all, Consort Jia's Anfu Palace did not even have its own small kitchen, which would inevitably be very inconvenient in the future.
If she were to be manipulated by those cooks every day, she couldn't afford it, so she naturally had to prepare more things.
On the contrary, the Duchess of Zhenguo was somewhat impatient.
"Ah Yue, if you have any shortages, you can send someone to tell me after you enter the palace. You should hurry up and go to the palace today." She was anxious and even took the time to pull Xu Yuehuai's hand.
Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai couldn't help but frown: "Mother, why are you in such a hurry? Has something happened?"
"No...no..." The Duchess of Zhenguo originally intended to evade the question, but after thinking for a while, she sighed and said, "Cui Zige is waiting to see you in the front hall. The master is trying to get rid of him, but he won't be able to hold out for long. Ayue, you have to go to the palace as soon as possible, otherwise he won't make a move on you."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai was surprised, but still shook her head with a light smile, her face showing a bit of helplessness: "Mother, the fact that he took the initiative to come to our door means that the Cui family must have said something to him. He certainly won't give up easily. Rather than waiting for him to make a scene, I'd better go ahead and greet him in a bit, so that he won't make things difficult for you."
"But..." The Duchess of Zhenguo hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
She knew her daughter's abilities, but she didn't want her to be targeted by the Cui family like this.
Her A-Yue deserves the best man in the world. Even though the Cui family is considered a good match, they despise her for using such coercive methods. Moreover, Cui Zige is not a good person by nature.
Xu Yuehuai quickly took the other person's arm and chuckled, "Alright, Mother, let's not talk about that. Right now, I really do have something I need to ask you for a favor."
She changed the subject.
"What is it?" the Duchess of Zhenguo asked hurriedly.
“I need a maid,” Xu Yuehuai said quickly. “I can enter the palace on my own, but I am representing the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion, so I can’t disgrace the mansion. Besides, I can’t let them think of me as just a cook.”
She originally didn't care about these identities, but since she was going to investigate the case, she had to put on a good show first; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to move an inch.
The Duchess of Zhenguo had already considered this point.
She quickly smiled and said, "I've already prepared it for you—"
"Silver pot, golden cup—"
She called out, and two well-dressed maids came forward and bowed gracefully to Xu Yuehuai.
"This servant, Yinhu, greets Princess Heyue."
Yin Hu was tall and slender, with a calm demeanor and a mature air about him.
Xu Yuehuai recognized this person; she was a first-class maidservant serving the Duchess of Zhenguo, known for her diligence, prudence, and familiarity with the rules of the place. The fact that the Duchess of Zhenguo had released this maidservant showed how much she cared for her.
"This servant, Jinzhan, greets Princess Heyue."
Jinzhan's voice was like a silver bell, and it also revealed a bit of liveliness, which made people feel happy.
Xu Yuehuai was unfamiliar with her and couldn't help but cast a questioning glance at the Duchess of Zhenguo.
Lady Zhenguo quickly explained with a smile, "Yinhu is an old servant who has been by my side for a long time. You have met her. With her by your side, I feel very at ease. Jinzhan is her younger sister, and she is the most protective of her master. From the moment I saw you, I wanted to choose her for you. Now is the opportunity."
"Thank you, Mother." Xu Yuehuai couldn't help but shed tears.
She also felt that she had caused a lot of trouble for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion these days. She was just an adopted daughter, but the couple had taken her too seriously, leaving Xu Yuehuai at a loss.
After everything was resolved, Xu Yuehuai could only leave in a hurry, but she still went to the front hall to meet Cui Zige.
...
At that time, Cui Zige was being pulled by the Duke of Zhenguo to drink tea when he saw Xu Yuehuai from afar and rushed over.
“Princess Heyue—” he shouted loudly.
Xu Yuehuai looked him up and down, and clearly noticed the enthusiasm on the man's face and the smile that didn't reach his eyes.
She forced a smile: "Young Master Cui."
“Ah Yue, I’ve taken a day off today to go out with you and clear your head. How about it? I heard from my aunt, the Empress, that you’re not feeling well, so she’s found a medicinal spring. If we go there, it’ll surely help you get better soon.” Cui Zige’s face was full of warmth, and she even took the other woman’s hand.
The moment his hand touched Xu Yuehuai, Xu Yuehuai immediately snapped his fingers.
"Ouch, ouch!" Cui Zige immediately grimaced.
Xu Yuehuai still had a smile on her face and kindly reminded him, "This is the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and I am the Princess Heyue, personally appointed by His Majesty. Young Master Cui, please don't be so handsy again, or next time it won't be as simple as just cracking your knuckles."
Cui Zige's face darkened immediately. However, since he was the one who had harbored wicked intentions, he naturally couldn't argue with him anymore. Instead, he prepared to continue trying to please him.
After all, only by preserving the Cui family's wealth and status could he do whatever he wanted in the future.
"If His Majesty intends to summon me to the palace by Consort Jia, then I won't be able to accompany Young Master Cui on his excursion. Please, Young Master Cui, return as soon as possible." As soon as Xu Yuehuai finished speaking, the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold expression.
She quickly left the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, not giving Cui Zige a chance to pester her.
...
Cui Zige spent half a day drinking tea with the old man at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and in the end, after only meeting him once, he still had to go to the palace.
He could no longer sit still, and from what had just happened, he realized that the Duke of Zhenguo had no intention of letting him see Xu Yuehuai at all.
Cui Zige turned his head and stretched out his leg, instantly revealing his thuggish and rogue-like appearance: "Old man, I think you just don't want me to see Xu Yuehuai, do you?"
He started going crazy, even throwing things from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion onto the ground.
In the time it would have taken to drink tea, he could have already gotten the women from Furong Tower into bed. Now, not only has he failed to achieve his goal, but he has also had his hand broken. No matter what, he cannot be benevolent.
"Cui Zige, this is the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Watch your words!" The Duke of Zhenguo slammed his fist on the table and roared.
"Bah!" Cui Zige saw that the Duke of Zhenguo was angry, but he was not afraid at all. He even started to act like a rogue. "I came to see my little wife. You have been making excuses for me. Do you think I don't know?"
As he spoke, he knocked over the teacup beside him.
Although the Duke of Zhenguo knew what kind of person he was, he was somewhat at a loss when it came to a face-to-face confrontation. After all, he was a scholar, and he was not capable of dealing with such a scoundrel.
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