Marrying a treacherous official

Cui Zemin waved his hand, knocking down the willow branch that was draped over his brow, and said fiercely:

"When did you begin practicing vegetarianism and reciting Buddhist scriptures, Madam?"

"I became a Buddhist after praying for my husband's health and well-being."

Yunji's eyes were as clear as glass as she looked at him, and her words were so sincere that even she almost believed them.

The courtyard fell into a long, deathly silence.

Seeing that the old man was staring intently at the brazier at his feet, Hua Chao, fearing that he might kick the burning charcoal at the servant, hurriedly tried to appease him:

"During the time that the master was away from the mansion, the lady often stayed in the Buddhist hall, either chanting sutras or copying scriptures, all in order to pray for the master's safe return."

"It's so kind of you, Madam, to be so thoughtful."

Cui Zemin coldly uttered these words, stepped over the brazier, and led the guards behind him toward Qinghui Courtyard.

Yunji watched his departing figure, her eyes as cold as ice.

Qinghui Courtyard is located in the southeast corner of the Cui residence. It is an exquisite two-courtyard house.

From the day of his wedding, Cui Zemin moved to the outer study and never set foot in the main room of the inner courtyard again.

Over time, the servants in the courtyard reached a consensus.

With the inner gate as the boundary, the lady's residence is inside, and the master's residence is outside. They keep to themselves and their respective areas, which is how this mansion can enjoy lasting peace.

Therefore, when Yunji suggested going to the outer study to visit Cui Zeming, Chunxuan immediately stood up to dissuade her.

"Last time Madam went to talk to Master, they started arguing after only a few words. Master even went berserk and smashed a pair of Ru ware Yuhuchun vases. The shards of porcelain almost hit Madam's face. Has Madam forgotten about this?"

How could I forget the books in the cloud?

Cui Zemin's temperament has always been unpredictable. She couldn't fathom his sinister thoughts, and even if she didn't offend him in her words or actions, she would still inexplicably provoke his scolding.

At best, they would scold and berate the servants, smashing the porcelain ornaments in the house; at worst, they would whip the servants until blood was drawn.

Therefore, everyone in the mansion, from the Marquis and his wife to the stable boy and maid, kept their distance from him.

"The old man returned to his residence covered in blood. It is only right and proper that I go over and pay my respects to him."

"Judging from the way the master rode his horse, he didn't seem to be injured anywhere."

Chunxuan pouted, still trying to persuade her, "Besides, even if Madam means well, Master might not appreciate it. Why should Madam go and invite trouble?"

Unlike Chunxuan's fiery temper and loud voice, Huachao is much more clever and shrewd in dealing with people.

"It is only right that Madam cares about Master, but there is no need to go to the front courtyard. Just send a maid to deliver a bowl of calming soup there."

That makes perfect sense.

Chunxuan gave Huachao a wink, indicating that her idea was good.

Yun Ji shook her head, unmoved.

"Sir, you've accepted my kindness, and this is the time to be easy to talk to. Why would you be so temperamental? Tell a maid to bring the prepared herbal bath water, and I'll take it to you."

Seeing that his wife had spoken, Chunxuan knew not to say anything more.

But there was one thing she didn't understand. Before leaving, she grabbed Hua Chao's arm, pulled her behind the screen to hide, and whispered:

"When did the lady begin to fawn over the master?"

"Step over the fire basin, and receive the sweet dew."

Hua Chao whispered in her ear.

Through the hazy screen, Chunxuan watched Yunji pick up her skirt and walk out, her swaying waist trembling, and she was immediately filled with regret.

If she had told the lady earlier how much the master had suppressed his displeasure when he stepped over the brazier, perhaps the lady wouldn't have dared to visit him.

Yunji led her maids and servants to the outer study, where Chi Yingfu, who was standing guard outside the door, bowed and greeted her.

"Greetings to Madam. Master is taking a bath in the restroom and is not available to see you at the moment."

"If it's inconvenient for me to go in, then who is?"

Yunji coldly observed Fang Shu's bright and beautiful face, which did indeed possess a certain alluring charm.

In her past life, she never paid attention to the women around Cui Zemin.

I later noticed Chi Ying when I overheard the maids gossiping that no one in Qinghui Courtyard could control the master, not even the madam. Apart from the head maid Chi Ying, the master only listened to her advice.

She didn't remember how she felt when she heard those words that year. Only when she discovered during the house raid that Chi Ying had already run away with the indenture, gold, silver, and silk, she laughed sarcastically, feeling indescribably miserable.

Chi Ying sensed the taunt in his words and said with difficulty, "Master instructed me not to let anyone in, and I dared not disobey."

Yun Ji asked her with a light laugh, "Then can you go in?"

Chi Ying, with her sharp eyes, noticed the bath tub being carried by the maid and said, avoiding the main point, "If Madam has any urgent matters, this servant can relay a message to Master."

Upon hearing this, Chunxuan's almond-shaped eyes widened in anger, and she was about to blurt out: "You wretched servant! How dare you relay the words of the Madam? I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Before she could finish speaking, Hua Chao suddenly pulled her backward and dragged her behind him.

Hua Chao winked, signaling her to look at the composed lady.

"You don't need to relay the message, just send the things in."

As soon as Yunji said this, the maidservant carried a full bucket of herbal water and carelessly handed it to Chi Ying.

Chi Ying dared not delay and immediately carried the wooden bucket into the room. She was not used to doing rough work, and the veins on her hands were bulging from the tightness of the bucket, but she had to grit her teeth and endure it all the way to carry the water into the washroom.

After the others left, Yunji gently pushed open the lattice door and stepped into the outer study.

Chunxuan and Huachao stood guard on either side of the door.

Just moments before, they were furious at the unruly servant blocking the door, but now they were uneasy because of the lady's abrupt entry, worried about what they would do if a quarrel broke out inside.

Cui Zemin leaned against the bathtub, soaking in the bath.

He stared intently as Chi Ying brought in a bucket of hot spring water, the refreshing scent of herbs and wood wafting through the air.

"What were you bringing in?"

"A bath in fragrant herbs and water."

Through a magnolia and sparrow painted ebony screen, Yunji replied with a smile before Chi Ying could speak.

Chi Ying never expected that the lady would push open the door and follow her in after she left.

She tried to explain herself, but when she met Cui Zemin's reproachful gaze, she hesitated for a moment, then swallowed the words that were on her lips. "This servant knows her crime."

Yunji bowed gracefully towards the room from behind the screen. "I have something important to discuss with my husband. Chi Ying was soft-hearted and let me in. This is not her fault. Please be lenient with me, my husband."

On the surface, these words seemed to plead for Chi Ying, but in reality, they sowed discord between the master and servant. No wonder Cui Zemin became angry and dismissed the man.

"go out."

"Yes, ma'am."

Yunji watched as Chi Ying, her eyes red, left the washroom. Through the screen, she heard Cui Zeming raise his voice and ask:

"What brings you here, Madam?"

"To be honest, my husband, the Gu family sent someone to say that my second uncle went to the palace to guard the living quarters the day before yesterday and has not returned since. He and all the officials are trapped in the palace and there has been no news of him since."

Yunji said in a low voice, "Now that only my husband can enter the palace, I wanted to come and ask when my second uncle can return to the manor?"

Cui Zemin had never seen her yield before. This time, she brought in a hot bath for no apparent reason. She must have something to ask of him. That must be it.