The most dissolute couple in the capital

A few days later, the Empress Dowager issued an imperial edict summoning the three Cui sisters to an audience.

This is what the Empress Dowager meant by wanting to meet someone.

How many rounds of interviews does it take for someone to get their dream job offer?

It's hard to say, but today should be the final interview.

Su Xin helped her style her hair into a dignified and elegant updo, and adorned it with a white jade hairpin inlaid with pearls. She chose a moon-white brocade jacket with a dark pattern, and covered it with a light blue shawl. It looked elegant and proper, neither ostentatious nor shabby.

Cui Qingyi examined herself in the bronze mirror for a while and nodded in satisfaction.

What kind of younger generation do elders like?

It shouldn't be too flashy, that's considered frivolous; it shouldn't be too plain, that's considered shabby; the best is an outfit that immediately suggests a noble background and good upbringing, but without overshadowing the host.

Cui Lingyi sent someone early in the morning to tell them that she would be waiting for them at the palace gate.

As the carriage left Cui Family Alley, Cui Qingyi lifted the curtain and glanced outside. The morning light was just right, and there were already some pedestrians on the streets of Chang'an.

Sitting opposite her was Cui Qinghui, who was wearing a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and a pair of small pearl earrings. She looked like a newly blooming forsythia, delicate and charming.

But those eyes kept glancing at Cui Qingyi.

Cui Qingyi noticed it, but couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

In her past life, her relationship with this half-sister was neither good nor bad. Cui Qinghui grew up with Li Shi from a young age, so she wouldn't do anything outrageous. However, the things Li Shi instilled in her—such as the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and the order of seniority—made this young girl live a conflicted life.

"Sister," Cui Qinghui said softly, "when we enter the palace today... what will the Empress Dowager ask us?"

Cui Qingyi smiled slightly: "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is kind and gentle, you don't need to be nervous, just answer normally."

Cui Qinghui nodded, then lowered her head, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers.

Cui Qingyi sighed inwardly.

Little girl, why are you so nervous? The Empress Dowager isn't here to find you a husband.

The carriage stopped at the palace gate, where Cui Lingyi was already waiting.

Today she wore an apricot-colored dress and a red-gold phoenix hairpin with pearls in her hair, exuding a dignified and elegant air with the noble bearing of a daughter of a prominent family. Seeing Cui Qingyi get out of the carriage, she quickly came forward, took Cui Qingyi's hand, and glanced at her from head to toe.

"This outfit looks good," Cui Lingyi said in a low voice, "The Empress Dowager will surely be pleased."

Led by a palace attendant, the three of them walked through layers of palace gates for about a quarter of an hour before arriving at the Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided.

The furnishings in Cining Palace are not luxurious, but they exude a dignified and noble air. On a long table made of rosewood, there is a pot of clivia in full bloom, next to which is a set of Jian kiln temmoku tea cups, with the aroma of tea wafting through the air.

The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat, well-maintained, with a kind face and bright eyes.

Those were eyes that had seen it all.

Cui Qingyi hadn't met the Empress Dowager many times in her previous life, but she had heard a lot about her reputation. During the late emperor's reign, the harem was in chaos, and the Empress Dowager was no ordinary woman; she was able to fight her way out from among the concubines and ensure that her son, the emperor, could successfully ascend the throne.

The three men stepped forward one by one to pay their respects.

"Your humble servant, Cui Lingyi, pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

"Your humble servant, Cui Qingyi, greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

"Your humble servant, Cui Qinghui, pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager smiled and raised her hand: "Rise, all of you. It's not a grand court assembly; there's no need to be so formal. Come, sit down and let's talk."

A palace maid brought out tea and snacks, and the Empress Dowager's gaze swept over the three faces one by one.

Cui Lingyi was poised and confident, Cui Qinghui was demure and shy, while Cui Qingyi—

The Empress Dowager's gaze lingered on her for a couple of moments longer.

This girl is indeed beautiful; her features are delicate but not flamboyant, the kind of face that grows on you the more you look at her.

But what's most attractive about her isn't her appearance, but rather her composed demeanor.

The fifteen-year-old girl sat in the Cining Palace, facing the most honored old lady in the world, and showed no sign of panic.

The Empress Dowager nodded secretly.

Cui Qingyi nodded inwardly.

Yes, the tea at Cining Palace is quite good.

This snack is delicious too.

The Empress Dowager first chatted with Cui Lingyi for a few minutes, inquiring about the Cui family's recent situation and Cui Wenhan's health. Cui Lingyi answered fluently and appropriately, and the Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction, praising, "The Cui family's daughter is indeed well-mannered."

Then she turned to Cui Qinghui and asked her what books she read and what needlework she did. Cui Qinghui's voice trembled with nervousness, but fortunately she answered properly, and the Empress Dowager kindly encouraged her.

Then, the Empress Dowager's gaze fell on Cui Qingyi.

"Qingyi," the Empress Dowager called her name, her tone more affectionate than before, "I've heard about what happened at the flower-viewing banquet."

Cui Qingyi immediately stood up, bowed slightly, and looked somewhat fearful and uneasy: "Your Majesty, I was rash at the time, and acted hastily..."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, interrupting her: "Sit down and talk. You saved someone, how can you call that reckless? If everyone was worried about this and that, and just watched someone sinking in the water without doing anything, then they would truly deserve to be punished."

Cui Qingyi sat down as instructed, her eyes lowered, her hands placed neatly on her knees.

The Empress Dowager scrutinized her closely.

As a renowned talented woman of the Cui family of Qinghe, Cui Qingyi's name was known even to the Empress Dowager deep within the palace. It is said that this girl could compose poetry at the age of seven and debate with the Confucian scholars of the Secretariat at the age of ten. At the Qujiang Poetry Gathering a few years ago, her unconventional poem "Linjiang Xian" amazed half of the literati in the capital.

The Empress Dowager has always favored intelligent people.

"How old are you this year?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"Your Majesty, I am sixteen years old."

"I've heard you're an avid reader?" The Empress Dowager took a sip of the tribute tea from her Jian ware Tianmu teacup, her eyes brightening slightly. "I've heard of your talent even in the deep palace. Today, I'd like to test you; what books do you usually read?"

Careless.

In her past life, she studied late into the night to maintain this damned image of the most talented woman. After marrying into the Zheng family, she spent every day composing poems and couplets with those self-proclaimed refined literati, and even while pregnant, she was copying rare ancient books for Zheng Wenyuan.

Despite the turmoil within her, Cui Qingyi slowly rose, bowed slightly, and replied:

"Your Majesty flatters me. My humble reputation is nothing more than gossip in the streets and alleys, which is truly laughable. When I was young, I did indeed read a few more pages of books because of my father's connections. Back then, when I was young, I always liked to delve into grand strategies and the classics of sages."

The Empress Dowager noncommittally twirled the sandalwood prayer beads on her wrist: "Oh? So what are you studying these days?"

Cui Qingyi slightly curved the corners of her mouth:

"Your Majesty, what I love to read most now is Zhuangzi's 'Discourse on the Equality of Things,' as well as Shennong's Materia Medica and the Calendar of Seasons. I believe that all knowledge in the world leads to the same goal. Reading the books of sages is to understand principles, and only after understanding principles can one know that 'each fulfilling its own duty and conforming to the way of Heaven' is the greatest knowledge."

She paused.

"In the imperial court, there is the emperor who makes the decisions, and there are ministers who are like the pillars of the state. That is the 'great court' that stabilizes the country and brings peace. But for women, the inner courtyard is the 'small world'."

"If I, your humble servant, can use the principles of herbal medicine to harmonize the diet within the household, ensuring that everyone is free from illness and disaster; and manage the household affairs according to the calendar and solar terms, keeping the entire household in order, then I am applying the principles of 'governing the world' from the classics to the smallest details. As Zhuangzi said, 'Follow the natural course of things without selfishness,' each person should be content with their place, so that the imperial family has fewer worries. This is what I believe is the best way to study."

Sitting next to her, Cui Lingyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, while Cui Qinghui looked up in surprise.

The Empress Dowager's expression shifted slightly after hearing this brilliant argument.

"‘Following the natural course of things without favoritism’—that's a beautifully phrased saying." The Empress Dowager's voice was calm, devoid of emotion, yet carrying a heavy, authoritative weight. "However, I would like to ask, since you are well-versed in the *Discourse on the Equality of Things*, Zhuangzi once said in the text, 'Great eloquence is silent.' Does your self-defense before me today count as a poor choice?"

Cui Qingyi took a deep breath and lowered her head slightly:

"Your Majesty, Zhuangzi did indeed say, 'Great eloquence is silent,' but the next line is, 'Great benevolence is not benevolent, great integrity is not presumptuous.' The sage's 'silence' does not mean keeping one's mouth shut, but rather not engaging in pointless verbal disputes for personal gain. Today, I am not 'arguing' before Your Majesty to display my talent, but merely because Your Majesty has inquired of me, and I dare not conceal anything, thus truthfully telling you my thoughts. This is 'truth,' not 'argument.' If I were to deliberately conceal my cleverness and deceive Your Majesty to avoid 'great eloquence is silent,' that would truly be a lowly act."

Her words were not only logically sound, but they also directly followed the Empress Dowager's question, seamlessly connecting to the next sentence of the original chapter of "On the Equality of Things".

The Empress Dowager loosened her grip on the Buddhist prayer beads. If Li Chengjing were to marry a talented woman who read "Admonitions for Women" every day, the Prince's mansion would surely be in constant turmoil.

She raised her hand, gesturing for Eunuch Zhao to bring over a plate of palace-style pastries, and affectionately pushed it towards Cui Qingyi:

"Listen, Your Majesty, your temperament is quite to my liking. Try this jade belt cake from the palace. If you like it, take some back with you later."

The gift and tone seemed ordinary, but those familiar with the Empress Dowager knew that she rarely bestowed food upon a noblewoman upon her first meeting; this was already an extremely high compliment.

The Empress Dowager then asked some casual questions, such as what she usually did for leisure, what flowers she liked, and whether she could do needlework. Cui Qingyi answered them one by one, neither humble nor arrogant, and occasionally even said something that made the Empress Dowager smile knowingly.

After about half a cup of tea's time, the Empress Dowager seemed quite satisfied and turned to her head maid, saying, "Afu, take Miss Cui for a stroll in the Imperial Garden. The spring flowers are in full bloom these days; let her relax and clear her mind."

After saying that, he smiled at Cui Lingyi and Cui Qinghui and said, "You two stay and chat with me. I have some connection with your Cui family."

Cui Qingyi understood.

She stood up and bowed respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded.