The most dissolute couple in the capital

The Cui residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

When Cui Qingyi arrived, Cui Lingyi's boudoir was already crowded with women who had come to help with her makeup.

In the capital, the custom of giving a dowry is both a gift-giving activity and a way to outdo others. If someone's dowry is too meager, they will be the subject of gossip.

When Cui Qingyi entered, everyone's eyes fell on the sandalwood box that Su Xin was holding with both hands behind her.

The iconic sandalwood box of Chenxiang Pavilion is still stamped with the gold lacquer mark of Chenxiang Pavilion, and it is obviously not an ordinary item.

"Qingyi is here." Cui Lingyi, already made up and dressed in a bright red wedding gown, sat gracefully on the edge of the bed. Upon seeing Cui Qingyi, her eyes lit up, and she revealed a reserved yet joyful smile.

"Great news, cousin." Cui Qingyi smiled and walked over, gesturing for Suxin to place the box on the dressing table before opening it herself.

When the box was opened, the room was filled with astonishment.

Twelve glass bottles were neatly arranged on the pale yellow Shu brocade. The bottles were crystal clear, and the ointments inside were of different colors, shimmering with a warm luster under the candlelight.

"This is the complete, top-quality set from Chenxiang Pavilion? I asked someone to queue for ages last month, but I still couldn't buy it!"

"The princess is certainly generous." Another noblewoman smiled sourly. "But then again, Chenxiang Pavilion is the princess's shop, so naturally she can have as much as she wants."

Cui Qingyi's smile remained unchanged. She ignored the sour-tongued noblewoman and said to Cui Lingyi, "The Prince specially prepared this. There is an instruction sheet inside. Just follow the instructions on it, cousin."

Cui Lingyi opened the small note, read two lines, and couldn't help but smile.

"This is written in such great detail."

The ladies around her craned their necks to see, but Cui Lingyi calmly tucked the note into her sleeve and gave Cui Qingyi a slight smile.

After the people who had helped with the makeup left, Cui Lingyi signaled her personal maid to close the door, leaving only her and Cui Qingyi in the room.

"Qingyi, do you know what happened to the Wang family after that incident?"

Cui Qingyi raised her eyebrows.

"I heard some things from my mother." Cui Lingyi's mother was from the direct line of the Wang family of Taiyuan, so she was well-informed. "That Wang family girl, the one who caused the rumors before, has now been sent to a separate courtyard in the clan by her father, supposedly to recuperate, but in reality, she is under house arrest."

Cui Qingyi nodded; this result was within her expectations.

Although Lady Wang got her revenge, the Second Prince also suffered a great setback because of it. His Majesty publicly reprimanded the Second Prince, but who knows what he was thinking in private.

Regardless of the situation, the Wang family had to hide the person first to quell the storm.

After a farce, one noblewoman was forced to leave the capital to avoid the storm, while another noblewoman had to marry someone who harbored deep resentment towards her, wasting her entire life.

The two exchanged a glance and both understood the sorrow in each other's eyes.

"But things aren't that simple," Cui Lingyi continued. "The Wang family has been in turmoil because of this. The second branch wants to use this opportunity to distance themselves from the second prince, while the main branch wants to leave themselves an escape route. The two sides are arguing fiercely, and I heard they couldn't even get together for their New Year's Eve dinner."

Cui Qingyi's mind raced.

She had heard about the internal divisions within the Wang clan of Taiyuan in her previous life.

It's just that it was triggered by something else in my previous life, but it happened earlier in this life.

"My mother has been invited back for discussion." Cui Lingyi glanced at Cui Qingyi. "As you know, although my mother married into the Cui family, she still carries some weight with the Wang family's main branch."

"My dear sister, just say it," Cui Qingyi said with a smile.

Cui Lingyi smiled and said, "You married the Prince of Liang, and the Chenxiang Pavilion business is so large. It seems like the Wang family's affairs have nothing to do with you. But Wang Chengyuan is a close friend of the Prince of Liang. If the Taiyuan Wang family really splits, I'm afraid many people will be involved. The second branch of the Wang family has never followed the rules. If they make any moves in the future, you should be careful."

"Thank you, cousin." Cui Qingyi nodded slightly. "I'll remember that."

Cui Lingyi nodded, then suddenly reached out and squeezed Cui Qingyi's hand, her voice softening: "Qingyi, I'm truly happy for you that you're doing well now. The Prince of Liang treats you well, and that's more important than anything else. Don't worry about what others say."

Cui Qingyi grasped her hand in return, smiling sincerely.

"My cousin is the same," Cui Qingyi said earnestly. "If you have any unpleasantness after you marry into the family, just send someone to find me. I may not have any other skills, but I'm best at getting the prince to go and annoy people in the other family."

Cui Lingyi couldn't help but chuckle, and reached out to tap her forehead: "You."

-

The wedding procession left the Cui residence in a grand procession, accompanied by music and fanfare, and headed towards the Xiao residence in the east of the city.

Cui Qingyi stood at the door watching the bright red sedan chair gradually disappear into the distance, and suddenly became lost in thought.

In her past life, her wedding was just as lively and festive.

"Your Highness, what are you thinking about?" Li Chengjing walked up to her without her noticing, holding a bowl of steaming osmanthus wine.

"It's nothing," Cui Qingyi said, coming back to her senses. "I just feel a bit sentimental about my cousin getting married."

"What are you lamenting about?" Li Chengjing said matter-of-factly. "Your cousin married so well. I've met that Xiao family boy; he's alright, but not as handsome as me. But it doesn't matter; people as handsome as me are rare."

Cui Qingyi: "..."

"Alright, let's go." Li Chengjing took her hand. "Didn't you say you were going back to your parents' house today? It's on our way."

Cui Qingyi was taken aback: "You're going too?"

"Of course." Li Chengjing gave him a look that said, "What nonsense are you talking about?" "It would be ridiculous if I didn't accompany you when you went back to your parents' home. Besides, I prepared some nice things for my mother-in-law, so I have to deliver them to her personally."

As he spoke, he waved to Liu Lu behind him.

Liu Lu immediately presented a brocade box, also from the Agarwood Pavilion, but its design was more understated than the set given to Cui Lingyi. It contained two exquisite items, four superior items, and six boxes of common and fashionable cosmetics, arranged in a pleasingly irregular manner.

There were two top-quality items, four rare items, and six good items in total.

It wasn't that Li Chengjing was unwilling to part with good things; it was just that Cui's father held the rank of sixth grade official and had always maintained a clean and upright demeanor.

If the gift is too extravagant or ostentatious, it will not only easily arouse jealousy among the other branches of the clan and cause trouble within the household, but may also lead to impeachment by the censors for the father-in-law. This kind of combination, which is both generous and frugal, is the most appropriate.

-

The two had sent word long ago that they would be returning to the Cui residence today.

As soon as the prince's carriage came to a stop in front of the Cui family's gate, the gatekeeper perked up and dashed into the courtyard to deliver the message.

The gatekeeper saw the carriage bearing the Liang Prince's Mansion insignia and rushed inside to report the news.

"His Highness Prince Liang and his consort have arrived! Quickly inform the lady!"

When Cui Qingyi and Li Chengjing stepped into the main hall, their stepmother, Madam Li, was already waiting inside with several servants.

When Cui Qingyi and Li Chengjing entered the main hall, Madam Li was already waiting there with her servants.

Upon seeing the two enter, Madam Li hurriedly stepped forward and bowed according to custom: "Greetings to His Highness Prince Liang, and greetings to the Princess Consort."

"Mother-in-law, there's no need for such formalities." Li Chengjing was very sweet-talking, stepping forward to help her up. "We're all family, why be so polite?"

Li's expression relaxed slightly.

Speaking of which, aside from the necessary visits after the wedding and during holidays, this was the first time Cui Qingyi had made a special trip back to the mansion on an ordinary day. It wasn't that she held a grudge about the minor disagreements before her marriage; it was mainly because everyone was tired.

When her stepdaughter suddenly became a princess, Li, the stepmother, had to maintain the dignity of an elder while also not losing her composure in terms of rank. No matter how she tried to balance it, she felt awkward.

"Mother, please sit down." Cui Qingyi took the initiative to pull Li Shi down to sit, and then had Su Xin present the brocade box. "This is something the Prince specially prepared for you. It contains several new items from Chenxiang Pavilion, arranged in three grades: 'exquisite, rare, and fine.' Please take a look and see if they suit your taste."

When Li opened the brocade box, several glass bottles inside shimmered slightly in the light.

"Your Highness and Princess are too kind." Madam Li closed the brocade box, her smile now warmer, and accepted the gift with grace. "Items from Chenxiang Pavilion are now extremely rare in the capital. As an elder, I am truly honored to have received such a gift from you today."

"We're family, no need for formalities," Li Chengjing said casually. "It's all homemade. Mother-in-law, please feel free to use it. If you like it, I'll have more sent next time!"

Watching the young couple's easygoing interaction, Ms. Li couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

Qingyi has finally married the right person.

After seeing the two off, Madam Li took half of the cosmetics and instructed the servants to deliver them to the second young lady, Cui Qinghui.