The most dissolute couple in the capital

After seeing off the people from the Bureau of Clothing and Appearance, Cui Qingyi had just taken a sip of tea to moisten her throat when Su Xin came to report—

"Miss, Madam requests your presence."

Cui Qingyi put down her teacup, and roughly guessed what it was about.

Sure enough, when she arrived at Li's main room, her stepmother was sitting at the kang table looking through a booklet. When she saw her, she gave her a gentle smile and beckoned her to sit opposite her.

"Yi'er is here, please have a seat."

"Mother." Cui Qingyi bowed and sat down obediently.

Madam Li closed the booklet, pushed it aside, considered her words carefully, and then asked, "Has the Imperial Dress Bureau arranged everything regarding the wedding dress?"

"Yes, Zhou Shangyi said it would take about a month to complete."

"That's good." Madam Li nodded. "Since the palace is taking care of the wedding dress, we don't need to worry about that anymore. I called you here today to discuss another matter—your dowry help."

Cui Qingyi understood, but on the surface she pretended to listen attentively.

Madam Li continued, "Right now, you only have Suxin as your personal attendant, along with a few maids and servants. You're going to be a princess, and the palace is such a large place; I'm afraid this number of people won't be enough."

"Mother is right."

"So I was thinking of taking advantage of this month to add a few more capable people to your team." Madam Li paused, a hint of probing in her eyes, "What do you think... we should choose a few with outstanding looks?"

In wealthy families, the presence of a beautiful maid in the dowry served two purposes: first, to support the mistress of the house, and second... to prepare her to become a concubine for her husband.

When she married into the Zheng family in her previous life, the old lady of the Zheng family saw that she brought few people with her and said, "I will pick a few clever maids to serve you."

As a result, those "clever girls" became even more clever than the last, so clever that they climbed into her husband's bed.

Of course, Li's starting point was completely different from that of the old lady of the Zheng family.

Lady Li was genuinely afraid that her daughter would suffer after marrying into the royal family. Placing a few beautiful maids in her husband's quarters was a standard practice for a "virtuous and generous" principal wife. Especially since there were rumors that Prince Liang had difficulty conceiving, Lady Li probably thought: if she needed a concubine in the future, her own people would be better than concubines from elsewhere. At least she could hold the other party's indenture and wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

However, Cui Qingyi had no interest in this; if the maidservants she brought along had other thoughts, their performance would be greatly compromised.

As for concubines... she wasn't worried about them.

It's not that King Liang was infertile; if he couldn't have children, what trouble could one concubine possibly cause?

She smiled and said, "I appreciate Mother's kindness. However, as for His Highness Prince Liang..."

A perfectly measured blush appeared on her face: "Granny He told me that His Highness has never had any concubines, and the Empress Dowager has never arranged any either. If I were to bring a few beautiful maids with me, it might arouse suspicion and make people think that our Cui family has some ulterior motives."

Upon hearing this, Li immediately understood.

If she were marrying into an ordinary noble family, bringing a few beautiful maids would be perfectly normal. But marrying the emperor's own brother changes everything—what are you trying to achieve by bringing beauties? To curry favor? Or to use a honey trap to control Prince Liang?

No one can accept this label.

"You're right, I didn't think it through." Madam Li patted her forehead, somewhat annoyed. "Then, in your opinion, who should we bring?"

This is exactly what Cui Qingyi was waiting for.

"Suxin has been with me for so many years, so naturally I should take her with me. As for the maids and servants, Mother, just help me pick a few honest and reliable ones." As she said this, her tone softened as if she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, there's one more person I'd like to take with me."

"Who?"

"Mother Xiao".

Li was taken aback for a moment.

Xiao was part of the dowry of Cui Qingyi's birth mother. After her birth mother remarried, Xiao became Cui Qingyi's wet nurse.

After her birth mother passed away, Xiao stayed in the Cui family. Over the years, she worked as a minor steward in the backyard of the mansion. She was not considered important, but no one made things difficult for her.

In her previous life, when Cui Qingyi married into the Zheng family, she did not take Xiao Shi with her.

At that time, her dowry was not generous, and she brought few people with her. Xiao was also getting older, so she thought it would be more stable for her to stay in the Cui family and didn't say anything.

Later, when she became pregnant with her first child, the Zheng family arranged for an experienced nanny to take care of her. The nanny appeared kind and caring, but in reality, she was someone planted by the second branch of the Zheng family, who was determined to send their distant niece to the family as a concubine.

Cui Qingyi suffered from severe morning sickness, vomiting everything she ate. Not only did the old nanny not take good care of her, she also intentionally or unintentionally interfered with her diet and daily life—of course, these were all minor tricks that were not fatal but enough to make the pregnant woman feel even worse.

She endured it for three whole months, but she couldn't take it anymore and wrote back to her parents' home for help.

Without saying a word, Li sent Xiao's mother over that very day.

As soon as Xiao Mama arrived, she uncovered all of the nanny's little tricks within three days and reported them directly to Old Madam Zheng. The nanny was sent away, and Cui Qingyi was finally able to give birth to her eldest son in peace.

"Aunt Xiao?" Madam Li asked, somewhat surprised. "A few years ago, she told me that she was getting old and her health wasn't what it used to be, and that she wanted to stay in the manor and find her an easy job so she could enjoy a comfortable retirement in the Cui family. Why have you changed your mind now?"

Cui Qingyi smiled helplessly: "After serving me for so long, I always hope that she can have a few days of peace. Now, Su Xin is my only close confidante. Although she is loyal, she is still young and hasn't seen much of the world. If something happens, I'm afraid she won't be able to handle it."

Her voice was calm and unhurried, "After much thought, I realized that I really need someone I know well who can help me make decisions. Aunt Xiao is the wet nurse my mother personally chose, and she is the person I trust the most. With her by my side, I can feel at ease."

When she said the word "mother," she meant her birth mother.

Hearing this, Madam Li sighed in deep agreement: "You're right. The royal family is not like ordinary families. I can't rest easy if you don't have a mature and prudent person by your side. Alright, tomorrow I'll have Yu Mama tell Xiao Mama to pack her things and come with you."

Cui Qingyi stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your consideration, Mother."

Mrs. Li waved her hand: "What are you thanking me for? I watched you grow up, and even after you get married, I still hope you'll be well."

These words were spoken sincerely, and Cui Qingyi's heart stirred slightly upon hearing them.

Li Shi was not exactly a good person. It was only natural that she favored her own daughter, Cui Qinghui, and Cui Qingyi never forced her to. But it was also impossible to call her a great villain.

Since marrying into the Cui family, Li has not had a legitimate son, and she feels somewhat guilty in the inner quarters.

Fortunately, Cui Zhiyuan was not a foolish man who favored his concubine over his wife. He entrusted his illegitimate son to her to raise. Although the son was still young, it gave Li Shi some hope.

In both her past and present lives, Li Shi never swallowed a single thread left by her birth mother. Although her dowry wasn't lavish when she got married in her previous life, it was because the Cui family wasn't wealthy to begin with, and the public funds only had so much available. Li Shi had already done her best to gather enough for her within the bounds of propriety.

She married the Prince of Liang, and royal gifts poured in like water. More than half of the sixty-four tiers of dowry were made in the palace. Although Li added only a limited amount, every item was genuine and of high quality, without any inferior substitutes or secret deductions.

As for Cui Qinghui, she was her own daughter, and a mother's protectiveness is understandable to Cui Qingyi.

Li had already slapped Cui Qinghui in front of everyone, confined her to her quarters, and even offered to use her private property as an apology. This was quite a bold move for the time.

There's no need to make things difficult for someone who isn't inherently bad.

After thinking it through, Cui Qingyi's tone softened even more: "Mother, you've worked so hard these past few days preparing my dowry. Once I'm settled in after my marriage, I'll definitely come back to visit you often."

Li's eyes welled up with tears at her words, and she quickly turned her head away, pretending to tidy up the booklets on the table.

"Alright, alright, go back and rest. The people from the Bureau of Imperial Clothing will be coming to deliver flower patterns tomorrow. Don't oversleep again."

Cui Qingyi smiled and responded, then withdrew with Su Xin.