The most dissolute couple in the capital

At that moment, the butler's voice came from the front yard.

"Master! Madam! Someone from Princess Yongning's residence has arrived!"

Cui Zhiyuan and Madam Li exchanged a glance, their expressions softening slightly. This was within their expectations. After all, the incident occurred at the Princess's banquet, and it was only right and proper that the Princess's residence be the first to send someone to comfort them.

This statement at least indicates that the Cui family will not be held responsible for this matter.

Entering the room was a respectable headmistress, followed by two maids carrying a vermilion-lacquered and gold-painted gift box.

She curtsied and spoke earnestly: "Greetings to Secretary Cui. Her Highness the Princess was deeply saddened to hear that your daughter was frightened at the banquet today. The Princess said that Miss Cui's courageous act of bravery in the cold pond is truly exemplary. She has specially ordered this old servant to bring you a set of gold jewelry inlaid with rubies to soothe your nerves, along with a letter from the Princess herself, requesting that you visit her residence another day."

As she spoke, the maid presented the gift box and letter.

The headdress shimmered under the light, the huge rubies almost dazzling the eyes, and it was clear at a glance that it was very valuable.

Cui Zhiyuan was still a little dazed, and subconsciously bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am humbled and do not deserve such kindness from Your Highness."

Before they could even process the princess's generous gift, another commotion erupted in the front courtyard, and the emperor scrambled back in astonishment:

"My lord! People from the palace...people from the palace have arrived!"

Cui Zhiyuan and Li Shi hurriedly went out to greet him, only to see a middle-aged eunuch dressed in a dark blue round-necked robe with a silver fish-shaped pouch at his waist standing in the courtyard, followed by a large group of seven or eight palace servants carrying rewards, making the procession several times larger than before.

"Secretary Cui, there's no need for such formalities." The eunuch had a warm smile on his face and a clear voice. "I am here on the orders of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty to deliver a decree."

Cui Zhiyuan and Li Shi's hearts jumped into their throats instantly.

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's decree!" the eunuch announced loudly. "It has come to light that Cui Qingyi, daughter of Secretary Cui, rescued someone in danger at the flower-viewing banquet. Her righteous act is commendable. Therefore, she is hereby bestowed with a pair of white jade ruyi scepters and ten bolts of Shu brocade to recognize her virtue!"

Immediately afterwards, he took out a bright yellow silk scroll and read aloud: "His Majesty the Emperor decrees: The daughter of the Cui family, undaunted by hardship, extended a helping hand, which greatly pleases me. Secretary Cui has done a good job in educating his daughter, which is evident in her family's character. Her loyalty and righteousness are commendable. He hereby bestows upon her fifty taels of gold, twenty bolts of silk and satin, and six boxes of palace-made pastries as a token of his commendation."

"Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, I bring my daughter to express our deepest gratitude for the Empress Dowager's and Your Majesty's grace!"

From the time Prince Liang fell into the water until now, only a little over an hour has passed. Yet, the Emperor and Empress Dowager have already jointly bestowed rewards, which is enough to show that Prince Liang's importance in their hearts is a hundred times greater than what is rumored outside!

Palace servants filed in, displaying the gifts one by one. The white jade ruyi and various brocades complemented the ruby ​​headdress sent by the Princess's residence, while the glittering gold illuminated the simple hall as bright as day.

Cui Zhiyuan stood in the middle of the main room, looking at the rewards filling the room, feeling as helpless as a newly appointed minor official.

Li silently did some calculations.

The combined rewards from the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and Princess Yongning amounted to more silver than Cui Zhiyuan's salary for five years.

She had been married into the Cui family for twelve years, managing everything inside and outside the home, and living frugally every month. As a result, Cui Qingyi jumped into the water and struggled for a quarter of an hour, and got such a big ruby ​​headdress.

It would be easy to surpass the dowry she had saved for her own daughter over the years.

She subconsciously rubbed the jade bracelet on her wrist. It was part of her dowry, worn for many years, and still gleaming. But this bracelet, which she used to consider quite respectable, seemed so insignificant against the backdrop of the room filled with precious light.

I can't say anymore, or my heart will break.

Cui Qingyi stood behind the side door of the main hall and could see everything clearly through the crack in the door.

She watched as Cui Zhiyuan's expression shifted from shock to confusion, from confusion to contemplation, and finally to a subtle, complex look that mingled with embarrassment and a hint of pride.

Great.

Cui Zhiyuan is a good person, truly a good person. He is honest and upright, and his family has strict traditions. But he is also a pragmatic person; he knows how to weigh things.

As expected, Cui Zhiyuan remained silent for a long time before turning to Li Shi and saying, "This matter... I'm afraid it can't be done as originally planned."

Madam Li pursed her lips: "What does Master mean?"

"Three imperial gifts at once, this is too much of a commotion." Cui Zhiyuan frowned. "If we send Qingyi to the estate to 'recuperate' at this time, wouldn't it be considered ungrateful? The Empress Dowager and the Emperor have bestowed so many gifts, what does it mean to hide her away? Is it because you think the gifts aren't enough? Or do you have some kind of grievance against the palace?"

Li was taken aback for a moment, then her expression changed—she hadn't expected this.

"But reputation..."

"Let's put our reputation aside for now." Cui Zhiyuan shook his head. "The most important thing right now is not to let the palace think we don't know our place. Qingyi... she should stay at home for now and not go anywhere. As for the marriage, we'll see about that later."

Li wanted to say something, but after glancing at the abundance of gifts in the room, she ultimately remained silent.

She has the final say in many things within the family, but when it comes to matters concerning the royal family, she knows she doesn't have the final say.

---

Cui Qingyi returned to her room, closed the door, and revealed a genuine smile.

The palace's rewards came faster than she had expected. In her previous life, the Prince of Liang had died after two months of struggling in the water, and by the time the news reached her, it was already old news. But in this life, she had rescued him in time, and the palace's reaction was so swift and grand that it could only mean one thing.

In the hearts of the Emperor and Empress Dowager, the life of the Prince of Liang was more important than they had imagined.

Even better.

Her retirement pension is secure.

Lady Li ordered all the rewards to be moved into her courtyard.

In this respect, Li's actions have always been impeccable. Since the reward is given to Cui Qingyi, she will not act like a petty person again.

Soon, Cui Qingyi's small courtyard was filled to the brim with various gilded lacquer boxes and brocade fabrics. The head housekeeper, along with several servants, carefully inventoried and stored everything away.

Cui Qingyi didn't rush to check, but instead instructed Suxin, "Go and select a few bolts of Shu brocade with subdued patterns and send them to Father's study. Also, select a few bolts of brightly colored silk and send them to Madam. And those palace-made pastries, let my younger siblings have a taste as well. Just say it's a little filial piety from your daughter."

Su Xin replied crisply, "Yes, this servant will take care of it right away!"

After everyone had left and the courtyard had returned to quiet, Su Xin approached Cui Qingyi, looking at the room full of gifts that hadn't yet been stored away, her voice trembling with excitement:

"Miss, those gold ingots... I just peeked at them, and the box is almost overflowing!" she whispered, gesturing as she spoke. "I've never seen so much gold in my entire life."

Cui Qingyi was holding the letter written by Princess Yongning. Upon hearing this, she simply smiled faintly, folded the letter, and put it away: "You'll see her more often in the future. You'll get used to it."

This little bit of stuff is nothing compared to the social obligations and holiday gifts she handled when she was in charge of the Minister's Mansion in her previous life.

Su Xin wanted to ask more questions, but then she heard soft footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.

The curtain was lifted a crack, and a round face peeked in.

It was Cui Qinghui.

Cui Qingyi's half-sister, born to Li, is eleven years old this year.

"Sister." Cui Qinghui's voice was sweet and soft, like a sticky rice ball dipped in honey. "Are you alright? I heard you fell into the water, and I was so scared."

Cui Qingyi glanced at her.

Cui Qinghui resembled Li Shi in appearance, with regular features and a fair complexion. She wore a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and looked sweet and charming. Standing at the door, her eyes first glanced at Cui Qingyi, and then—quickly swept over the low couch behind Cui Qingyi.

On it was the set of red gold headdresses sent by Princess Yongning, the rubies refracting a delicate brilliance under the light.

Cui Qinghui's gaze lingered on the headpiece for a moment before quickly shifting away to look at Cui Qingyi again, his expression still full of concern.

Cui Qingyi silently thought, "Oh."

In her past life, she didn't have much of an impression of this younger sister. The two were four years apart in age; Cui Qingyi was engaged at sixteen and married at seventeen, so the sisters didn't have much time together. But at this moment, Cui Qingyi saw clearly the quick yet restrained look in Cui Qinghui's eyes.

There was no malice intended.

It was just a young girl who saw something wonderful she had never seen before, and her heart was stirred a little.

Human nature.

"It's nothing." Cui Qingyi smiled at her. "I just drank some water and changed my clothes."

Cui Qinghui walked in, sat down beside her, and secretly glanced at the set of jewelry again, asking softly, "Sister, those things...were they really gifts from the palace?"

"Um."

"Wow, so many things!" Cui Qinghui's voice was filled with undisguised amazement. "That white jade ruyi, I saw it in my mother's picture book before. It was said to be made by the Imperial Workshop and couldn't be bought outside."

Cui Qingyi looked at her with a smile.

"Sister," Cui Qinghui hesitated for a moment before finally asking the question that had been lingering in her heart, "What does the Prince Liang you saved look like?"

After thinking for a moment, Cui Qingyi answered truthfully: "His lips were blue, his face was deathly pale, and his hair was smeared all over his face."

Cui Qinghui: "..."

"But her facial features are quite good," Cui Qingyi added.

Cui Qinghui's expression became somewhat subtle. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but then she heard Li Shi calling her from the main hall. She stood up and curtsied to Cui Qingyi, saying, "Then, sister, please rest well. I'll go over first."

He then quickly walked out.

Cui Qingyi watched her figure disappear behind the curtain and smiled slightly.

A twelve-year-old girl, still a child.

In her previous life, Cui Qinghui married quite well; she was a cousin from the Li family, of moderate social standing, and lived a peaceful life. Compared to herself, her younger sister's life could only be described as "a life of tranquility and contentment."

Cui Qingyi harbored no hostility towards her.

As long as they don't get in the way of her retirement.