Marrying a treacherous official

More and more wives of officials gathered in Chonghua Garden to chat with Yunji.

They talked about their noble relatives and their amusing stories from the inner quarters, their laughter echoing throughout the house, so much so that even the East Garden across Yangchun Lake could hear their merriment.

Cui Zemin gazed at Yunji, who was surrounded by people. Compared to her, the waterside pavilion where he was located was isolated from outsiders and seemed particularly cold and deserted.

He heard the approaching footsteps stop and suddenly asked:

"Did that person go to the palace?"

"Yes, General."

"Did you come empty-handed, or did you present the Emperor with some kind of gift?"

"King Qian".

Huo Xi reported the information he had gathered to his superiors truthfully.

Cui Zemin gazed at Yun Ji, who was thriving among the officials' wives, and asked with an ambiguous expression, "What do you think that person would ask the Emperor for after presenting Prince Qian as a token of loyalty?"

Huo Xi could not fathom such a cunning scheme, and only dared to say, "Whatever the general says, goes."

Cui Zemin was completely speechless with him.

Before the celebratory banquet began, the officials' wives dispersed one after another.

Yunji pulled Madam Gu to the willow tree by the lake and quietly asked her some private questions.

"Has the He family come to propose marriage to Shan'er?"

"It was mentioned, and Madam He even came to the door with the matchmaker. If I hadn't stopped her, your second uncle would definitely have agreed to the marriage."

After listening to Yunji's advice that day, Madam Gu asked someone to inquire about the situation of the daughters of officials who had married military generals.

Without asking around, one wouldn't know that most military officers developed many bad habits while in the army. They were rough in their behavior, not only did they not care about their wives and daughters, but they were also competitive and belligerent. There were even absurd incidents of groups of three or five gathering together to patronize prostitutes.

She absolutely could not let Shan'er marry into such a family.

"After all, the second son of the He family is a military officer. Putting aside his family background, I still need to ask someone to inquire about his appearance. The Gu family is a family of scholars and poets. No matter how you look at it, they are not a good match for the He family, which is a family of loyal and military men."

"I asked someone to inquire for my aunt."

Yunji patiently explained to her how to see through the He family's scheme. She said that it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. Only if she becomes shrewd and capable and supports the Gu family's backyard on her own can the entire Gu family prosper.

"I just don't know if Auntie has the final say in Shan'er's marriage."

"Shan'er is someone I raised myself. No matter how much your second uncle favors the He family, it still depends on my approval."

Madam Gu gave her a reassuring look, stroked her hand and said, "The more I think about it, the more I realize you're right. It's not too late to meet again after the results of the imperial examinations are announced."

During this banquet, she saw that Yunji was highly regarded among the wives of officials, and Shan'er was repeatedly asked about her in-laws. Now that the Gu family's status has risen, it's time for her to broaden her horizons.

When Yunji entered Chonghua Hall for the banquet, Cui Zemin was already seated.

She slowly moved over, curtsied, and sat down beside him. She picked up a silver teapot and poured him a cup of Phoenix Ball Sparrow Tongue Tea.

"My lord, please have some tea."

Seeing how virtuous she was, Cui Zemin, in front of all the court officials and their wives, abandoned his usual sharp and mean-spirited manner and became extremely attentive to him.

He looked at the cup of tea with cold disdain and refused to drink it.

The seats in Chonghua Hall were arranged according to rank and status. Apart from the imperial family, among the officials, the Cui family's seat was placed next to the Prime Minister's.

Before Yunji's divorce, she still needed to rely on his power to act, so she had to say it with tenderness and gentleness:

"My lord holds a high position and wields great power. He should set an example for all officials. If he does not drink this cup of tea, all the officials will see it."

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

"The Zhenwu military governor sitting opposite is glancing at my husband."

Yun Ji leaned closer and whispered in his ear:

"According to the wife of the Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard, this Zhenwu Military Governor surnamed Yang came from the military. In his early years, he married a farmer in his hometown. Later, he rose through the ranks in the army and tried to divorce his wife several times to remarry. His farmer wife threatened to kill herself, and the matter was eventually left unresolved."

Without making a sound, she picked up the cup of hot tea and offered it to him.

"On the main hall, only this Military Governor Yang came to the banquet, becoming the laughing stock among the officials' wives. Husband and wife are supposed to be one, so such discord only invites ridicule from all the officials."

Cui Zemin was lifted to a high place by her and looked down at the cup of tea.

Yunji moved her teacup closer and whispered again, "Husband, the Deputy Privy Councilor and the Military Governor of the Three Garrisons are also looking this way."

He knew perfectly well that she was "taking advantage of the situation" and putting on a show of marital bliss.

He didn't want to go through all that formality with her, but he was also worried about her persistent nature, fearing she might "offer" the tea to his lips. In the end, he took the cup of Phoenix Ball Sparrow Tongue Tea and moistened his throat.

Yunji then settled down.

Emperor Chenghe, accompanied by the Empress and a group of concubines, arrived at Chonghua Hall. After taking his seat on the dragon throne, the officials paid their respects. He waved his hand and laughed heartily:

"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities. I've hosted this banquet to reward my ministers and show respect to all officials. Please be seated. Are all the officials from the Ministry of Rites, both civil and military, present?"

"Your Majesty, Pei Yun, the deputy commander of the Northwest Xuanjia Army, has come to the capital to pay homage to you and is currently waiting outside the palace gates."

The officials of the Ministry of Rites arranged the seats according to regulations. However, because Pei Yun arrived in the capital in a hurry, he was not on the list of attendees for this banquet. Not daring to make a decision on his own, he requested an imperial decree from the emperor.

"Summon him in and offer him a seat."

Emperor Chenghe turned to look at the dignified Empress beside him and whispered, "Your cousin has arrived quite quickly, a full two days earlier than expected."

The Empress smiled gently and said, "General Pei was so eager to see the Emperor that he rode at breakneck speed from his post in the Northwest back to Shengjing. How could he not be quick?"

Emperor Chenghe said "good" with a pleasant expression.

Pei Yun followed the eunuch into the main hall, knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "This humble general, Pei Yun, deputy commander of the Northwest Xuanjia Army, pays his respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."

"I have long heard of General Pei's bravery and skill in battle. Today I have finally met him. He is truly a young talent."

Emperor Chenghe praised him lavishly, saying, "Lord Pei has guarded the nation's gates with great merit and hard work. How is your health now?"

Pei Yun replied sincerely, "My father is in good health. Before coming to the capital, he repeatedly instructed me to report an important matter to the Emperor."

"What is so urgent?"

"The Prince of Qian fled to his post in the northwest and hid among the former members of the Xuanjia Army. He has been detained and brought to the capital."

Pei Yun surrendered himself to the emperor, saying:

"At first, my father was unaware that Prince Qian was hiding in the army. Only after hearing a report from a trusted confidant did my father learn that Prince Qian had embezzled one million taels of salt and tea tax money and fled into the army. My father then arrested him and imprisoned him. He specifically ordered me to escort Prince Qian to the capital to plead guilty to the Emperor!"

The entire hall erupted in uproar.

Emperor Chenghe gazed intently at Pei Yun, who was kneeling on the ground, and asked inscrutable questions:

Where is Prince Qian now?

"This humble general has escorted the man to the Dali Temple to await His Majesty's judgment."

"Lord Pei has been deceived by his former subordinates. Ignorance is no excuse. Guards, bring a seat to General Pei."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

Cui Zemin watched the farcical scene of bestowing favors come to an end with little interest. Seeing Yun Ji still engrossed in the celadon jade cup with dragon design on the banquet table, he suddenly spoke with interest:

"Does Madam know General Pei?"

"What do you mean by that, my husband?"

Yun Ji looked up at him with a determined gaze.

Cui Zemin, holding a teacup, gestured towards Pei Yun's seat, "Otherwise, why would General Pei stare at Madam so intently after taking his seat?"