Marrying a treacherous official

Yunji offered her help this time for no other reason than that she deeply understood the difficulties women faced in surviving in the inner quarters of the household.

After the Cui family fell from grace in her previous life, Cui Shulan was married off by the Marquis to a high-ranking official as a concubine. What difference was there between such a "high-ranking marriage" and pushing her into a fire pit?

If she hadn't competed with Lady Hou and taken away some of the power in managing the inner quarters, Aunt Du wouldn't have come knocking on her door. Since it was the result of her own actions, how could she ignore it?

Moreover, bringing Cui Shuhua into the palace was just a small favor for her, but it could infuriate the Lady of the Marquis.

Du Yinniang's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She pulled Cui Shuhua aside and said happily, "What are you still standing here for? Why don't you kowtow and thank your elder sister-in-law?"

Cui Shuhua bent her knees to kneel on the ground, but Yun Ji helped her up steadily with both hands.

"It's my own daughter, why be so polite?"

Aunt Du couldn't accept such kindness for nothing, so she repeatedly pleaded:

"Although we are as close as sisters-in-law, Hua'er cannot accept the Madam's kindness for nothing. Please accept this small gift, so that I can feel at ease."

"Since that's what my aunt said, I'll agree."

Yunji said this, but she gestured for Huachao to return the brocade box to Aunt Du.

"This is my early dowry gift for the second young lady. Please go back and do more hair ornaments and prepare some beautiful clothes for her so that she can wear them to the flower viewing banquet after spring."

Aunt Du was originally a maidservant of the Marquis. After gaining his favor, she was promoted to a concubine by the old lady. If she hadn't come from a humble background, Madam You would never have tolerated her.

This thousand-tael silver note was her savings accumulated over many years. She had no intention of taking it back after giving it away, but when the First Madam mentioned adding to Hua'er's dowry, she softened.

She led Cui Shuhua behind her, and solemnly stood up to thank the First Madam.

On the day of the banquet at the palace, the front hall was packed with servants from various courtyards.

Cui Tingyan and Cui Zemin waited on horseback in the outer courtyard. Madam You also arrived slowly with Cui Lizhu and Cui Gongchuo. Only Yunji was still nowhere to be seen.

Cui Zemin rode up to Huo Xi and said sternly, "Go and call him—"

Before he could finish speaking, Yunji emerged gracefully from around the corner of the corridor.

Her hair was adorned with kingfisher feather and jeweled phoenix hairpins, and she wore a honey-colored phoenix-threaded gold-trimmed skirt that flowed gracefully over her body. As she walked swiftly, she resembled a lotus flower swaying in the wind. Her eyebrows were like reflections of mountains, and her eyes were like autumn waters. She was truly a noble and elegant woman with a bright and refined appearance.

Yunji walked to the front yard, greeted them gracefully, and called out apologetically, "I've kept Father, Mother, and Husband waiting."

Cui Shuhua followed closely behind her, bowing gracefully in greeting.

Madam You's gaze turned cold and harsh as she looked at Cui Shuhua, who was dressed in a pink and gold brocade dress and looked dazzlingly beautiful, and she said reproachfully:

"Why has the Second Miss come over?"

"His Majesty is benevolent and respectful to his officials, and has permitted them to bring their families to the court banquet."

Yunji smiled kindly, "I was worried that Mother would be taking the eldest daughter and the third young master into the palace in the same carriage, and that the carriage would be crowded and disturb Mother's peace, so I asked the second young lady to ride with me in another carriage. I apologize for the delay, Mother."

His words were so appropriate that no one could find fault with them.

Lady You couldn't bear to see Cui Shuhua enter the palace banquet with that alluring face, standing in front of the official's wife and completely outshining Cui Lizhu.

However, in front of the Marquis, she couldn't bring herself to say that she wouldn't allow her illegitimate daughter to enter the palace, so she had no choice but to put on a stern face and make the unpleasant point clear upfront.

"The palace has strict rules. This is the second young lady's first time entering the palace. She has never learned manners under the care of a governess before. After entering the palace, you must stay by her side at all times and never be disrespectful in front of the palace, lest you bring shame to the Marquis's family. Don't blame me for being merciless towards you."

"Hua'er will heed her mother's teachings."

Cui Shuhua replied in a humble tone.

Yunji silently stepped aside, and after Madam You and her entourage boarded the carriage, she then took Cui Shuhua and boarded another carriage.

In her previous life, she also accompanied Lady You to the palace for the imperial court banquet.

However, the glory of Cui Zemin's high official position was all taken by Madam You. She was just one of the many followers of Madam You, and what she said was insignificant. The official's wife did not take her seriously at all.

This time, entering the palace should be her glory, something that Lady You couldn't take away even if she wanted to.

It was Cui Shuhua's first time entering the palace, and after hearing the threat from the Lady of the Marquis, she sat in the carriage feeling uneasy.

"Elder sister-in-law, I'm afraid my words and actions might bring you trouble."

"Second Miss, don't panic. Once you enter the palace, just stick close to me and don't worry about anything else."

"I'll listen to my elder sister-in-law."

Cui Shuhua held her in high esteem and believed everything she said.

In the inner quarters, only her eldest sister-in-law could rival the Lady of the Marquis, and she always came out on top. With her eldest sister-in-law's support, she inexplicably gained more courage.

The court banquet was held in Chonghua Garden. Across the five-zhang-wide Yangchun Lake, the West Garden was where noble ladies strolled and admired the flowers, while the East Garden was where court officials and noblemen drank and talked. They looked at each other across the river, laughing and chatting, creating a lively and festive scene.

Yunji followed Madam You to Chonghua Garden, where she saw Madam Gu standing at the foot of the stone arch bridge, waiting for her. When the noble lady from the high-ranking family approached Madam You, she seized the opportunity to say:

"Mother, I saw my aunt, went over and said a few words to her, and then came back."

Madam You calmly replied, "Go."

Cui Shuhua followed Yunji and thanked Madam You before leaving.

Upon seeing this, Cui Lizhu whispered her complaint, "Mother, that slut left with my elder sister-in-law."

Madam You: "You're not leaving? Are you going to leave her here to steal your marriage partner?"

Choi Yeo-joo muttered under her breath, "You little whore, don't think you can climb the social ladder just because you've infiltrated the palace. She's not worthy of it."

Madam You gave a low growl, "Shut up."

Choi Yeo-joo immediately put on a gentle smile and greeted the noble lady who approached her with proper etiquette.

Yunji and Madam Gu met by the stone arch bridge. After exchanging a few words, the wife of the Minister came to speak with them.

After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them chatted amiably.

The Minister's wife smiled and asked Cui Shulan and Gu Yunshan behind her, "How come your daughters are so beautiful? Are they betrothed?"

Seeing the two of them lower their heads shyly, Yunji replied:

"It's quite a coincidence, isn't it? They are both the second daughters of the household. One is my sister from my maternal family, and the other is my sister from my husband's family. What's even more coincidental is that they are both coming of age next year, and the household is still looking for suitable husbands for them."

"Madam Cui, would you like to take a look at my young master?"

The Minister's wife, who was interested in arranging a marriage, said, "I have a nephew and a grandnephew who have both passed the imperial examinations and are waiting to achieve success and marry a new bride."

Yunji and Madam Gu exchanged a glance and smiled, saying, "This matter will have to wait until the second young ladies come of age and the family decides."