Marrying a treacherous official

Seeing that he didn't respond for a long time, and hearing the sound of dripping water coming from behind the screen, Yunji straightened up and continued:

"I heard that the Palace Guard has sealed off the palace gates, and with heavy troops guarding them, no news can get out."

Her heart settled, and her voice was filled with worry:

"Not to mention that Second Uncle is the emperor's close historian, in charge of compiling the daily records of the emperor's life. In addition to recording the emperor's words and deeds, he also foresees major policies of the court. In this turbulent situation, Second Uncle could be implicated and punished if he is not careful. His current situation is extremely dangerous."

Cui Zemin leaned against the bathtub and gave a cold laugh.

"He's just a lowly sixth-rank court attendant. Even if the city gates catch fire, he's just a fish in the mud. Why are you worrying about this?"

"My husband seems to have forgotten how my father and grandfather died."

Through the misty ink-wash screen, Yunji gazed at that upright figure from afar and intentionally brought up the matter.

Upon hearing her words, Cui Zeming recalled that long-buried old story.

In the twenty-second year of the Qiyuan era, the emperor issued a decree to the world, under the pretext of compiling books, to collect thousands of rare copies of classics and historical texts from previous dynasties from the common people, and insisted on burning them, which was met with strong opposition from civil officials led by the crown prince.

Gu Yan was serving as the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief and Imperial Diarist at the time. He spoke frankly and offered advice, and even after being flogged, he remained steadfast in his convictions. He wrote down the facts in court and was subsequently ordered by the emperor to be beaten to death in the palace.

Gu Huaiming continued to write down the decree verbatim, recording it without alteration, and was also ordered to be beaten to death.

The emperor forced two historians to commit suicide in succession, causing shockwaves throughout the court and the country, and public resentment boiled over. In order to quell the matter, the emperor had to rescind the decree to burn rare books from the previous dynasty. However, the emperor turned his anger on the crown prince and imprisoned him in the Eastern Palace to demonstrate his imperial power.

Yunji wanted to use Cui Zemin's words to tell the crown prince in the palace who was about to ascend the throne that, in consideration of the old friendship between his grandfather and father who had written truthfully in the past, he should be lenient towards his second uncle.

Now, the Gu family is old and young, and they rely on their second uncle as the pillar to support them. If he falls, the family will collapse and the Gu family will have no place in Shengjing.

"If my husband goes to the palace, please pass on a message to my second uncle."

After a moment's hesitation, she said in a softer voice:

"The Gu family has been compiling history books since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizong. The reason why it has never been interrupted for more than a hundred years is that it follows the family tradition of the ancestors. Contemporary people only compile the history of the past and do not care about the rights and wrongs of the present."

A coup had occurred in the palace. With no crown prince yet appointed, Second Uncle, as the emperor's personal attendant, should keep his mouth shut and keep the secret of the succession to himself, no matter what had happened.

Only in this way can my second uncle survive.

Only in this way can the truth not be buried by power and be passed on.

When the next generation takes up their pens, they will record this palace coup truthfully in the history books.

Yunji knew that her second uncle was stubborn and feared that he would be driven mad like in her previous life and spend the rest of his life trapped in the palace. Therefore, she had no choice but to humble herself and come to beg him.

Whether Gu Huaizhang lives or dies depends entirely on his ability to speak.

Cui Zemin got out of the bath, picked up the herbal bath water next to him and poured it over himself. "If he doesn't know what's good for him, even a god can't save him."

Yunji secretly pondered his meaning.

His words were ambiguous and didn't give a definite answer, so it's unclear whether he should or shouldn't have said them.

However, given his decisive style, he would have rejected her outright if he didn't want to, and would have ridiculed her with sarcasm and mockery. Why would he waste his breath and chatter with her about these trivial matters?

As she thought this, her worries eased a little. When she looked up, she saw this guy walking towards her completely naked. She could feel the sweltering heat even through the screen. How could he be so reckless!

The silk screen depicts a graceful magnolia tree with two sparrows chirping on its branches. In the remaining blank space, the outline of a man with a broad back, strong waist, and mantis legs is clearly visible.

"What are you looking at?"

Cui Zemin gave her a low stern rebuke, "Why aren't you bringing over your undergarments?"

Yunji had already turned her head away to avoid looking at him, not even glancing at him once. She was being accused by him for no reason, and she had no way to reason with him.

She glanced around the bathroom and found his underpants on top of the wardrobe. Through the screen, she turned her face away and handed the clothes inside.

Cui Zemin took the clothes from her hands and saw that she stood with her head down behind the screen, not moving at all. It was obvious that she had never served anyone while they changed clothes before. He said coldly:

"Your eyes are wandering aimlessly; where is the master's court robe?"

Yunji clenched her fingers inside the pipa sleeve. If she didn't need his help, she wouldn't be so obedient to his orders.

She took the scarlet court robe embroidered with pheasants and tigers from the clothes rack, walked around the painted screen, and presented it to him with an air of composure.

Cui Zemin stretched out his arms, waiting for her to help him change his clothes.

Yunji shook the black and white cross-collar undergarment in his hand, slipped it through the cuffs, fastened it at his waist, put on a shirt, and then put on a dark-patterned round-necked court robe. He straightened the collar and piled it neatly.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, tightening the white jade belt. Her submissive demeanor, with her lowered eyes and humbled expression, was incredibly pleasing to him.

"The leather strap is tightened."

Cui Zemin coldly retorted, "Does Madam not know how to serve others, or does she simply not want to serve me?"

Yunji listened to those harsh words, and endured them for a long time before loosening her leather belt, wrapping it around his waist, and then tying it back on for him.

"How does my husband feel about Chi Ying's service?"

"What's wrong?"

"I can't serve Chi Ying as well as my husband, because he doesn't let me serve him closely every day."

Yunji took an outer cloak from the shelf and draped it over him, her slender fingers deftly tying a knot in the rope.

Even if I serve you better than Chi Ying, my husband shouldn't treat me like a maid. After all, there is a difference in rank, and my husband should treat me better.

Cui Zemin saw that her mouth was still as sharp and unforgiving as ever, so no matter what he said about her, she was wrong.

"Is this how you ask for favors, Madam?"

Startled by these chilling words, Yunji loosened the knot, and the rope slipped from her hand.

Cui Zemin grabbed the rope, hastily tied a knot, and began to berate her lightly:

"Stepping over the fire basin, sprinkling sweet dew, washing oneself with fragrant water—instead of resorting to these useless tricks, Madam, you might as well weep with tears streaming down your face. Perhaps that would be more effective in begging me."

Yunji stepped back and silently stood to the side.

She watched him walk out of the washroom and lead a group of guards away from Qinghui Courtyard. Thinking that he had returned to bathe and change clothes and was so particular about etiquette, she knew that he must have gone to the palace to see the Crown Prince that very night.

The thought of his words filled her with shame and indignation.

Although these were some underhanded tricks, he had accepted her "kindness" and had to get things done, otherwise he shouldn't blame her for pestering him relentlessly in the future.