Chapter 23 The chess game is unclear, the people are confused, and the Cui family will never produce another emperor...
The Cui family already has a princess who has married into the family, and a Cui woman has also become the empress and given birth to a crown prince. The Cui family's power is already at its zenith.
The sage would never allow the Cui family to produce another empress.
The Cui family understands this principle, and Cui Fuyu understands it, so why can't Empress Cui Yishu see it?
"On the day of the palace banquet, Mother will have a good talk with the Empress." Cui Fuyu said, getting up from the recliner and sitting on the stone bench next to Zhao Ying.
Zhao Ying fed Cui Fuyu some tea and fruit, and said with a soft smile, "It seems it's time to arrange a marriage for you. After your birthday, I'll have your father keep an eye out for a good young man!"
Zhao Ying's teasing remark made Cui Fuyu choke on the tea and fruit in his mouth. He coughed a few times and barely managed to swallow it. He felt much better after drinking the tea.
Her face flushed red: "No, I want to stay with my parents for a few more years!"
Cui Fuyu has no intention of getting married right now. Marriage is not a good thing at all, and the thought of leaving the Cui family makes her unhappy.
Besides, she already has Chi Yanzhou, why is she in such a hurry to get married?
If all else fails, it would be great to find a son-in-law to live with the Cui family.
Cui Fuyu snuggled into Zhao Ying's arms, acting coquettishly, "Are you and Father really willing to marry off your daughter?"
Zhao Ying and Cui Shihai were certainly reluctant; how could they bear to let their beautiful and lovable daughter, whom they had raised so lovingly, marry off?!
Cui Fuyu had this advantage over the two of them.
The mother and daughter's conversation naturally shifted from the palace banquet to everyday life.
The two sat under the lush tree, enjoying tea and snacks, their laughter creating a peaceful and warm scene.
Cui Fuyu hadn't seen her brother in a long time, and was talking with Zhao Ying about where the family would go for a good trip when he returned.
Zhao Ying laughed and said that anywhere was fine.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it's June 10th, and the palace banquet is here.
Empress Choi Yi-sook scheduled a banquet for dinner, with the afternoon for the wives of various clans to stroll in the garden and enjoy the flowers.
Therefore, the wives of the imperial clan would all travel to the palace in their own carriages at three quarters past noon, and those who lived further away would have to set off even earlier.
The main road to the palace was lined with carriages belonging to various families, moving in an orderly fashion. Occasionally, when they encountered a familiar lady, she would lift the curtain and greet her.
Each family's carriage would display a badge symbolizing their family's identity to help them identify their vehicles and avoid getting lost.
Inside the carriage at the Cui residence, Zhao Ying was dressed in a dignified blue-purple outfit, her headdress exuding elegance and status. Cui Fuyu, on the other hand, had changed her usual attire, dressed in a simple, elegant light pink pleated skirt with butterfly flowers, and her hair styled in the flowing cloud bun that Juning was known for.
Following behind in a slightly simpler carriage were Zhu Jin, Juning, Zhao Ying's personal mother Qian Mama, and her head maid Shuangliu.
Sure enough, the Cui family's carriage had only been gone a short while when the carriage behind caught up, lifted the curtain, and called out to Zhao Ying.
Zhao Ying lifted the carriage curtain and saw that it was Bai Lan, her childhood best friend and now the wife of General Qi Heng, who was leading a pair of women into the palace.
Zhao Ying teased her, "I thought you weren't going to attend this time, that you were going to stay home and outwit your favorite concubine."
Upon seeing Bai Lan, Cui Fuyu bowed to her and smiled, saying, "Hello, Aunt Bai."
Bai Lan, who had watched Cui Fuyu grow up, smiled and said, "Good, good, Fuyu has become even more beautiful in just over a month."
Bai Lan and Qi Heng's marriage was arranged between their families, and there was no affection between them. However, Qi Heng was a decent person and was loyal and devoted to Bai Lan. He raised two daughters with her, and although he had concubines, they never overstepped the bounds of the household as the mistress of the house. However, Qi Heng did dote on his concubines to some extent.
Meanwhile, Qi Heng's concubines have become increasingly unruly in the past two years, taking advantage of his favor.
Bai Lan didn't take the concubine seriously at all. "She thinks she's worthy of my attention? Hey, I heard the Empress is interested in your Fuyu?"
"Don't talk nonsense." Zhao Ying said evasively, "My Fuyu will stay for a few more years. Besides, the Crown Prince is an outstanding person. Given Fuyu's reputation and character, he is not qualified to be the future Crown Princess."
Zhao Ying's words were not intended to belittle Cui Fuyu, but the rumor came at such a convenient time that she had to say it nicely.
Zhao Ying cursed Cui Shihai in her heart again. Cui Shihai, who was still working, suddenly stopped writing, covered his face with his sleeve, and sneezed.
Bai Lan joked, "I'm not exaggerating, it's all over the capital. Your Fuyu is really lucky, first Prince Gong asked for her hand in marriage, and now the Crown Prince is asking for her hand in marriage. Why don't you let my rascal marry Fuyu and solve your immediate problem?"
However, Bai Lan's youngest son, Qi Yusen, is four years younger than Cui Fuyu, and her daughter, Qi Yuning, is one year younger than Cui Fuyu. The two are only nodding acquaintances.
Qi Yusen immediately retorted, "Mother, you're talking nonsense again."
After hearing this, Cui Fuyu sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation. Was she some kind of hot commodity?
If you meet the Crown Prince later, you must explain the pros and cons to him and ask him to persuade the Empress's aunt as well, so that the rumors will not reach the ears of the Emperor's uncle.
No one took Bai Lan's joke seriously. The two talked for a while and agreed to walk together later before parting ways to make way for each other.
The carriage swayed and rocked its way to the palace gate.
Zhao Ying got off the carriage first, followed closely by Cui Fuyu, with Bai Lan and their two children behind them.
Cui Fuyu was dignified and graceful. She nodded to each of the women who came forward to greet her mother, her manners impeccable.
Although Cui Fuyu has a bad reputation, her family background is top-notch.
Cui Fuyu suddenly saw Su Zhiyao waving at her from ahead. She greeted Zhao Ying and said, "Mother, I'm going to say hello to my friend and I'll be right back."
Zhao Ying naturally noticed Su Zhiyao as well. "Go quickly and come back soon. You need to go to the Empress's palace to meet her later."
Knowing the importance of the matter, Cui Fuyu nodded in agreement before moving towards Su Zhiyao.
She approached Su Zhiyao with a charming smile: "Would you like to admire the flowers together sometime later?"
Cui Fuyu took the initiative to invite Su Zhiyao, and Su Zhiyao nodded as she looked at the pink-haired Cui Fuyu: "Okay, see you later."
Not far away, Zhao Ying had already sent Juning over to remind her to go back.
After the palace gates opened, palace maids were assigned to guide the women of the various clans, but the person who guided Zhao Ying and Cui Fuyu was Xi Mama, the empress's personal maid.
After Xi Mama bowed meticulously, she said, "This old servant greets Princess Changning and Princess Jia'en. Her Majesty has prepared tea for you both in the Empress's Palace."
Zhao Ying stepped forward to help Granny Xi up, patted her hand, and asked, "How has Your Highness been in the palace these days?"
Xi Mama walked behind the two. The Empress said that she was sent to lead the way, but Zhao Ying had lived in the palace for many years and knew the routes of each palace. Sending Xi Mama was just a sign of the Empress's respect for Zhao Ying and Cui Fuyu.
She replied, "Everything is fine, but Your Majesty is worried about the Cui family."
Zhao Ying walked ahead at a leisurely pace, saying, "The Cui residence is as usual; it is thanks to Your Highness's concern that we are here."
Granny Xi dared not speak carelessly, and replied, "Yes."
They remained silent the rest of the way, and the palace maids and eunuchs they encountered all bowed and gave way. The red walls and yellow tiles made them feel extremely oppressed.
After passing one palace after another, the three of them finally stopped at the entrance of Kunning Palace.
Stepping into Kunning Palace, Cui Fuyu felt a sense of quiet oppression; the entire palace seemed devoid of life.
Cui Fuyu followed Zhao Ying into the hall, where Empress Cui Yishu was already seated on a high seat, waiting for them.
Choi Yi-sook, dressed in empress's attire, was dignified and graceful, with a gentle smile and kind eyes.
Zhao Ying and Cui Fuyu knelt on the ground and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Cui Yishu looked up at the person kneeling on the ground and said, "No need for formalities, Ying-meimei, please sit down with Fuyu."
Cui Yishu's eyes darted over Cui Fuyu. She had set up this palace banquet for the princes to meet the daughters of their respective families. She also had her own choices for the Crown Princess and the two concubines. If everything went smoothly, the Cui family's daughter should be the Crown Princess, and the two concubines would be Ming Ran, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family, and Li Qingxue, the second eldest daughter of the General of the North.
They were all people who could help the Crown Prince. As the three princes grew up and came into contact with the government, they secretly and openly helped the Crown Prince.
The Empress then considered arranging a marriage for the Crown Prince and began looking for daughters from various families. Apart from her political enemies, the daughters of the Ming and Li families were good choices. However, the only one that gave Cui Yishu a headache was Cui Fuyu, whose reputation was not good and who was spoiled.
Cui Yishu was worried that after Cui Fuyu married into the Eastern Palace, she would become domineering and cause unrest in the Eastern Palace.
After the two sat down, she slowly said, "Fuyu will be seventeen this year, right?"
Zhao Ying nodded, "Your Majesty has a good memory; the birthday banquet is on the 29th of June, and it's only seventeen days later."
Zhao Ying smiled, and Cui Yishu asked again, "You've grown up so much in the blink of an eye. Does Fuyu have someone he likes?"
Cui Yishu stared intently at Cui Fuyu, her smile not reaching her eyes. They both knew the purpose of this trip, but no one pointed it out; they were both pretending.
After much deliberation, Cui Fuyu finally said that she had no one in mind. Immediately afterward, Cui Yishu said, "Is that so? Then how about Aunt betrothing Fuyu to her cousin, the Crown Prince?"
After much back and forth, Choi Yi-sook finally brought it up.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. It is truly unworthy of Fuyu to be a suitable match for the Crown Prince." Zhao Ying immediately refused, then lowered her voice, "Even the Emperor would not approve of this matter. If Your Majesty truly cares for the Crown Prince, you should choose another Crown Princess. Moreover, the Crown Prince already holds absolute power in the court. There is no need for a close relative to help the Crown Prince. Your Majesty would be better off choosing a lady of good character, with a respectable family background and a sense of propriety as the Crown Princess."
Now that the Sage is in his prime, the court is divided into three factions: some people side with the Crown Prince, most people are loyal to the Sage, and a small number are neutral.
The crown prince is too prominent; he may be easily brought down.
Even the merit of following the emperor is hard to come by, which everyone desires.
Zhao Ying tried her best to persuade Cui Yishu to see the situation clearly, but Cui Yishu, who was determined, was not the kind of person who would give up her idea with just a few words.
"How dare you! I am doing this for the good of the Cui family. If the future Empress is still a member of the Cui family, wouldn't that bring more glory and ensure the Cui family's survival?" Cui Yishu rebuked, her brows furrowed and her face full of displeasure. She had actually been rejected; where was her dignity as Empress?
"Sister Ying, you should think this through carefully."
Choi Yi-sook decided to give Zhao Ying another chance, allowing her to become the Crown Princess and eventually the Empress—an honor many people desire.
Because of the other party's status as a princess and her husband's younger sister, Cui Yishu held back her anger, maintaining a haughty tone as if bestowing a favor.
Zhao Ying was also annoyed by her attitude: "Why doesn't the Empress go and beg my brother herself? If he agrees, the Cui family will definitely marry Fuyu into the Eastern Palace."
At the same time, Zhao Ying couldn't help but say, "Cui Yishu, have you been in the position of empress for too long and have lost sight of your place?"
She was only giving Empress Choi Yi-sook face just now. If she really angered her, Choi Yi-sook wouldn't have an easy time either. If she really thought that she was afraid of the Empress's authority and wouldn't listen to reason, then there's nothing more to say.
Choi Yi-sook was so angry that her face turned red.
She shouted for a long time: "You, you...you, Zhao Ying, do you even respect me, the Empress? Guards, Lady Cui has behaved improperly in front of the Emperor, punish her by slapping her."
Cui Yishu shouted aggressively, while Zhao Ying calmly drank her tea without any hurry.
Cui Fuyu coldly watched the two fight, making no attempt to intervene or act as a peacemaker; her mother was fighting for her sake.
When the palace servants outside came in and saw that it was Princess Changning, they did not dare to take action without authorization.
One is the emperor's own sister, and the other is the empress; they cannot afford to offend either of them.
In an instant, the palace servants knelt on the ground, their heads bowed low, not daring to raise them.
The hall fell into a deathly silence. Seeing this, Cui Yishu was even more furious, her face darkening and terrifying.
After giving a cold laugh, Zhao Ying casually picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea.
She wanted to see if Cui Yishu dared to do it.
A moment later, Crown Prince Zhao Chengrui arrived in time and stopped the farce.
After he entered the main hall, he said, "Step back. Today, I will pretend that you heard and saw nothing. Don't let me hear a word of it."
The palace servants quickly kowtowed to Zhao Chengrui, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."
As soon as the Crown Prince spoke, everyone quickly withdrew, not wanting to get involved.
When Cui Yishu saw that it was the Crown Prince, her expression improved, but she was still angry, so she kept a stern face.
Zhao Chengrui first apologized to Zhao Ying, saying sincerely, "Aunt, please forgive me. My mother was just confused and said something reckless. Please don't take it seriously. I apologize to you on behalf of my mother. Please don't take it to heart and hurt the harmony of our family."
Seeing this, Zhao Ying didn't put on airs and nodded in agreement: "Good nephew, your aunt is not a stingy person."
Zhao Ying wouldn't take today's events to heart. She pitied Cui Yishu, who had been trapped in the harem for so long that she had become mentally impaired and couldn't even distinguish between right and wrong.
Zhao Chengrui apologized to Cui Fuyu again: "Cousin, it was my mother's fault. I will handle the rumors in the capital."
He was the first son of a sage, and was carefully taught for decades. His character was indeed noble, and he was able to be both steadfast and flexible.
Cui Fuyu bowed to him and said, "Then thank you very much, cousin."
He added, “Aunt, cousin, the flower banquet in the garden is very beautiful. Why don’t you take my cousin to see it first? I’ll talk to Mother and then we’ll go over later.”
Zhao Ying nodded knowingly, took Cui Fuyu's hand, and left, leaving behind a casual remark.
“Choi Yi-sook, you don’t see the situation as clearly as your son.”
This single sentence reignited Cui Yishu's anger, and she rushed down from her high position, intending to grab Zhao Ying and demand an explanation.
Zhao Chengrui pulled her back, preventing her from going any further.
"Mother, how far are you going to make this a scene?"
Cui Yishu stared at Zhao Chengrui in disbelief, then slapped him angrily, "Zhao Chengrui."
Zhao Chengrui looked at his mother, who was acting like a madwoman. His face, which had been slapped, was instantly red and swollen. He said in a deep voice, "Mother, stop fooling around."
He was disappointed in his mother. How could she not understand her father's meaning and insist on being willful and unreasonable?
The mother and daughter, who had just left the palace, heard the commotion behind them, looked at each other in bewilderment, and quickly left the scene of trouble.
A note from the author:
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It's a bit late, but I still wish everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival! [rainbow fart] Just a couple more chapters of the plot, and we're almost at the 2.0 version of the synopsis! The little sister is going to imprison the poor male lead! [doge]
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