Marrying a treacherous official

As early as the beginning of May, there were rumors in the court that Cui Zemin was going to be transferred from Xijing back to Shengjing.

Yunji waited with high hopes, but all her expectations were in vain, and the matter was eventually dropped.

Then rumors began to circulate that Cui Zemin was about to return to Beijing, but she no longer took them seriously.

As the north wind began to rise, the world was covered in frost and white snow.

Finally, definite news came from the palace: on the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, Cui Zemin would lead the generals of the Xuanjia Army back to the capital in triumph.

"Madam, I have found out everything."

Covered in snow and wind, Xi Kui entered the main room. Before she could even catch her breath, she eagerly reported upwards:

"On the fifth day, the eldest master will lead his soldiers into the city through the Vermilion Bird Gate, walk along the Imperial Street to the palace to meet the emperor, and return to the Marquis's mansion around noon. He will first pay his respects to the Marquis and the old lady, and then return to Qinghui Courtyard to see the eldest lady and the young master."

"Um."

Yun Ji responded softly, a hint of joy in her eyes.

Granny Kong added some silver charcoal to the hot water bottle and hurriedly brought it inside to warm the First Madam's hands.

Seeing Xi Kui standing inside the house covered in snow, she immediately scolded her.

"You're already a head maid in this mansion, how can you still be so reckless?"

Despite saying that, Granny Kong still took out a silk handkerchief from her bosom and vigorously patted the snowflakes onto Xi Kui's body.

"How many times have I told you not to bring the cold into the house? The young master is still young; what if he catches a cold because of this?"

"Nanny is talking nonsense. The young master is very healthy and won't catch a cold."

"What happened when Young Master Huo vomited milk last time?"

Granny Kong said quite reasonably:

"It's all because the wet nurse didn't take good care of him and passed the cold to Young Master Huo. I took Physician Li to check the wet nurse's pulse. She was suffering from a cold but was still feeding Young Master Huo. Isn't that harming him?"

Yunji asked with concern, "Did the wet nurse resign?"

Granny Kong agreed, "This old servant will dismiss the person immediately. Physician Li has checked the new wet nurse's pulse and she is in good health. The wet nurse is also a meticulous and attentive person. With her helping Madam Huo take care of Young Master Huo, Madam can rest assured."

Hua Chao sincerely said:

"In my humble opinion, it is better to feed him personally. The First Madam does not need a wet nurse and can raise the young master to be chubby and healthy all by herself. When the Master returns to the capital and sees the young master like this, he will be overjoyed."

Granny Kong said with a touch of pride, "Not everyone is as fortunate as the young master, who has never had to worry about food or drink since birth."

Xi Kui chimed in crisply, "Exactly!"

As Yunji listened to their various ways of praising her voluptuous figure, she couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

On the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Marquis's residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

After coaxing Lin'er to sleep, Yunji sat down in front of her dressing table early to do her hair and get ready.

Knowing that Cui Zemin wouldn't return to the manor until noon, she had plenty of time, so she had Hua Chao put her hair up in an elaborate updo and slowly applied her makeup while sitting in front of the mirror.

When it was time to change, Xi Kui pushed open the door and hurriedly reported:

"Madam, Master has returned home!"

"How could it be so fast?"

Yunji hurriedly stretched out his arms, letting Huachao put on his gorgeous clothes. "Shouldn't Master be in the palace at this time?"

"I heard from the guards at the gate that the master galloped across the Imperial Street on his horse, which prompted other generals to follow suit and ride towards the palace gate. The procession was abruptly interrupted, and the people were frightened and moved aside."

Xi Kui took a breath and then continued:

"This matter alarmed the commander of the Palace Guard, who personally came to the East Gate to investigate the situation. The planned half-hour parade was forced to be canceled, and the time was naturally moved forward."

Yunji was at a loss for words when it came to what to say about Cui Zeming.

As the commander of the Xuanjia Army, every word and action must set an example for the soldiers. How can he act so arbitrarily and not even be able to wait half an hour?

"Logically speaking, at this time, the master should be in the palace discussing matters with the emperor."

"This servant has no idea."

Xi Kui cleverly said, "Master didn't even care about the tour in order to come back to see the First Madam as soon as possible. Even when he was going to the palace to see the Emperor, he would do something like leaving the palace early."

"Don't drag me into everything."

Yunji tried her best to distance herself, saying, "My master has become increasingly unruly since he lost control in Xijing. Where is he now?"

"Paying respects to the Marquis and the Old Madam at Cishou Hall."

Xi Kui said confidently, "Don't worry, Madam, Master won't be able to come in for at least fifteen minutes."

Yunji took the smoky purple brocade hibiscus-patterned jacket from Huachao's hand, put it on as she hurried out, leaving Huachao and Xikui far behind.

As she stepped out into the outer courtyard, across the brightly lit courtyard, she bumped right into Cui Zemin, who was striding in.

The two of them unconsciously slowed their pace and slowly walked up to each other and stood still.

Yun Ji, dressed elegantly, greeted Cui Zeming.

"Greetings, sir."

"Where are the things that welcomed me in?"

Cui Zemin looked at her leisurely, his eyes full of warm smiles. "Madam, you haven't forgotten, have you?"

Granny Kong mistakenly thought that the young master wanted to see the young master, and smiled warmly:

"The young master is still asleep in the warm room. The wind and snow are raging outside. If we take him out, he might catch a cold. It would be better for you to go inside and check on him, sir."

"Bring the brazier out."

Yunji saw the mischievous glint in his eyes. "Also, find the jade bottle in the accounting room, pour some water into it, and bring it to me."

Cui Zemin corrected her, saying, "It's the nectar I prayed for from the Bodhisattva."

Yunji had no further words to refute him.

The unskilled old woman quickly brought over the brazier and respectfully placed it on the ground.

Cui Zemin stepped over the brazier and came to Yunji again, letting her dip a branch in water and wipe the water off his court robes.

Just as she was about to stop, he leaned down and pressed his forehead against her fingertips.

The two looked at each other and laughed without saying a word.

Yunji turned and walked straight to the backyard. As soon as she entered the main room, she was spun around by a force and fell into a thick embrace.

Cui Zemin greedily inhaled her scent and said:

"I missed my wife so much in Xi'an that I was driven mad with longing."

Yunji didn't say anything, turned away from his embrace, and was then kissed on the lips by him in a frenzy.

The two kissed passionately, pouring out their hearts to each other, until a loud cry broke the tender atmosphere in the warm room.

Cui Zemin ordered Granny Kong to bring the child over.

He watched as the chubby little boy kicked and thrashed his chubby legs with abandon, clearly desperate for food and drink, and couldn't help but yell at him:

"You little brat, who gave you permission to be so insolent in front of me?"

"I spoil her."

Yunji held Lin'er in her arms and walked straight into the tent. She gently coaxed and fed him until his crying stopped.

Cui Zemin watched over the mother and son outside the tent, his smile never fading.

"How did you manage to feed him so well, Madam?"

"What's wrong? It's not what the old man expected?"

When Yun Ji asked this question so eloquently, Cui Zeming immediately found himself speechless and at a loss for words.

She continued slowly and deliberately:

"What did Lin'er do to offend the master that he's even shortchanging him on food and drink?"

"With the lady protecting him so much, no wonder he cried with such confidence."

Cui Zemin lifted the curtain and went inside. He looked at the well-fed child lying happily in Yunji's arms and felt an indescribable tenderness in his heart.

"Everyone who has seen Lin'er says he looks like his master and has the same temperament."

Yunji teased him, saying, "So what does his dramatic crying have to do with me?"

Cui Zemin sat on the bed and leaned closer to look at the chubby little face, but he couldn't recognize his own reflection at all.

"How does it resemble me?"

"Where does it resemble me?"

The two looked at each other and laughed silently once again.

Yunji placed Lin'er in the cradle, nestled in Cui Zeming's arms, and lay down, inhaling his scent.

"Keep a close eye on him and don't let him cry out loud."

Cui Zemin pulled her into his arms, gently rocking the cradle in his hands, and said, "This little rascal is quite sturdy. He kicks his arms and legs wildly in the air and can have a lot of fun all by himself."

Yunji smiled gently in his arms, and unknowingly fell into a bizarre dream.

She returned to Qianzhou once again, back to the journey she had taken with her father through mountains and rivers.

She happened to see the rubbings of famous calligraphers left on the mountain wall. She stood there for a long time, found a flat rock, took out paper from her bundle, spread it out, and began to copy the rubbings.

Cui Zemin had just finished discussing important matters with Gu Huaiming when he saw her copying something. He took a moment to walk over and take a look.

"What is Young Master Gu looking at?"

"Inscriptions and rubbings".

"What is there for Young Master Gu to imitate from mere stone inscriptions?"

"What I'm copying isn't rubbings of ancient inscriptions, but the spirit and character of scholars."

Cui Zemin was slightly taken aback by her resolute gaze and mocked her, saying:

"Where does this integrity come from?"

"This inscription, though seemingly hastily written, is a poignant testament to the unwavering resolve of the soldiers who defended the city."

Yunji spoke eloquently:

"The more agitated the writer is, the more dry the brush will be, the more illegible the handwriting will be, and the more frequently the brush will be erased. It is precisely because of this that the writer's heart-wrenching pain can be seen through the tension of the brushstrokes, as if the pain is penetrating to the bone."

After her guidance, Cui Zemin immediately recognized the beauty of the inscription.

He was very tempted and asked, "Young Master Gu, why don't you make another copy of the rubbing for me?"

Yun Ji glanced at him sideways, gave him a bright smile, and then took all the manuscripts from the rocks, leaving none behind.

Cui Zemin watched her walk out without any mercy, a knowing smile appearing in his eyes. He thought to himself that if she didn't give it to him, he would have no choice but to shamelessly pester her.

(End of the article)