Marrying a treacherous official

Zheng was quick to speak her mind, and would seize any opportunity to hurl insults at anyone who was wrong, just to feel good.

But those who try to cheat are afraid of running into someone who acts tough.

Especially after hearing that Cui Zemin had charged into Minghe Hall with a knife, Zheng Shi's old eyes widened in surprise when she saw the long sword in his hand.

It's said that Cui Zemin dislikes this First Madam, so all those rumors are false!

Before leaving, Yunji bowed to Madam You and Madam Zheng.

Cui Zemin waited until she was close before sheathing his sword and tossing it into Huo Xi's arms.

"Why are you wasting your breath arguing with that old hag? Is she a reasonable person?"

"My husband seems to have forgotten what the Gu family's ancestors did three generations ago."

Yunji proudly raised her head, waiting with a sense of honor for him to continue asking questions.

At this crucial moment, Cui Zeming shut up.

He knew she was about to flaunt her family's glory, but he wouldn't let her have her way. He stopped talking and refused to continue asking questions.

"Not just a historian, but also an imperial censor."

Yunji believed he had inherited his ancestors' spirit and had never lost in debates on classics and doctrines. "In verbal disputes, I have never been inferior."

Cui Zemin scoffed, "No matter how sharp your tongue is, can it compare to the edge of my sword?"

"This is different."

When Yunji looked over, she returned his mockery.

"If my husband's sword strikes and kills someone, he will pay with his life. But no matter how sharp and sarcastic my words are, even if I anger someone to death, I will not pay with my life."

Huo Xi almost chuckled when he saw the general choked with anger and unable to speak for the first time.

After taking his seat, Yunji frequently poured himself water and drank tea.

Cui Zemin sat idly to the side watching her. "Madam, are you arguing with someone until your voice is hoarse?"

Yunji ignored him, not even giving him a glance, and continued to sip her drink slowly.

Cui Zemin took the silver pot and kindly poured water for her.

"When I fight, I waste my knife; when my wife argues, she wastes her voice. That old hag didn't die of anger, but my wife became speechless."

Yunji left the cup of tea on the banquet table, refusing to drink it even if she were dying of thirst.

The reunion banquet began, with a continuous stream of dishes being served. After several rounds of toasts, the lively laughter and chatter filled the air.

Madam Cui sat firmly in her rosewood armchair, listening to the old nanny recount the squabbles that had occurred in the main courtyard, which only strengthened her resolve.

She asked the third great-grandfather, whose temples were now streaked with gray, who was also the current patriarch of the Cui family clan:

"What do you think, Third Brother? How about entrusting such a large Marquis's mansion to the First Madam?"

"There are few people in the clan who dare to challenge the old lady. In my opinion, only the first wife can make her lose face."

Third Master took a sip of Nianchuntang wine from his cup, stroking his long beard as he spoke slowly.

Lady Hou instigated Madam Zheng to reprimand Gu Yunji, while she herself hid behind the scenes and reaped the benefits.

Such cunning might fool the young women in the clan, but it couldn't fool the elders who were half-buried in the ground.

Madam Cui increasingly despised the despicable nature of the Lady Hou.

If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too. If the Marquis's mansion is handed over to such a person, how can we expect her to raise the children to be decent? How can we allow the Marquis's mansion's century-old foundation to be ruined in her hands?

"While I still have a breath left, there are some things that should be done sooner rather than later."

"The First Madam has no children."

Third Master hits the nail on the head:

"Whether it's the land or the property of the Marquis's family, it will ultimately be safer if it falls into the hands of the Cui family. Even if the Marquis's wife has done something terrible, she has at least given birth to the second master, the third master, and the eldest daughter for the Cui family."

No matter how virtuous and kind Gu Yunji was, without children and with an unstable foundation, she would find it difficult to establish herself in the Cui family, let alone manage the household affairs.

Madam Cui could only lament that Heaven had been so cruel to her.

"My health is deteriorating day by day, and I may not live to see that day."

"Second sister-in-law, don't say such discouraging things."

"If things turn out as my third brother wishes in the future, but I am no longer here, I would like to ask my third brother to help the first wife. If I do, I will die without regrets."

Upon hearing this weighty request, Third Master silently put down the Nian Tang Chun he was about to utter, and said with deep reverence:

"Second sister-in-law, even if it costs me my old bones, I will not let you die with regrets."

After the banquet was cleared away, the opera troupe took to the stage to perform, and their acrobatic act of throwing a water jar won a standing ovation.

Yunji looked at the various performances on stage but couldn't utter a single word of praise.

"What's so interesting about three people juggling three jars?"

"Three people?"

Cui Zemin watched as the actor on stage tossed three porcelain jars into the air and then caught them steadily in his hands one after another. It was clearly a one-person juggling act, so why did she see it as a triple performance?

Yunji blinked and said with absolute certainty, "It was three actors playing around with the vat; I saw it all."

Cui Zemin reached out and took the white porcelain bowl in front of her. He took a small sip of the soup inside and confirmed that it was indeed fruit wine.

Yunji stared at the acrobatic performance on stage, then suddenly couldn't believe her eyes and exclaimed in surprise:

"How did that actor grow three heads and six arms? He swung twelve porcelain jars around in the air, making them whirl around. Where did I put my silver? There will be a generous reward—"

Before she could even utter the word "reward," she was pulled into a hug behind her and her mouth was tightly covered.

Cui Zemin couldn't bear the humiliation, so he glared at her, threatening her to stay silent.

"What happened to the First Madam? She was sitting perfectly fine, how did she suddenly fall onto the Master?"

Madam You raised her hand to stop the opera singing on stage. Her sudden concern drew the attention of the Cui family members, who all looked at the two of them.

Cui Zemin couldn't help but suspect that the maid who served the dishes had secretly tampered with Yunji's fruit tea, so that she had unknowingly drunk the fruit wine without realizing it.

If she reveals her ugly side when drunk, it will be a slap in his face.

He covered her mouth with one hand, then tore off his outer robe and draped it over her body, covering her completely.

"Don't worry about it, Aunt. Madam just accidentally spilled some wine and her clothes are all wet. I'll send someone to take her home right away."

"It's a rare occasion for all the relatives and clansmen to gather together for this reunion banquet. The performance on stage was only halfway through when the First Madam suddenly left?"

How could Madam You let Yunji leave so easily? "What are you still standing there for, Granny Kong? Go back and fetch your mistress some clothes."

Granny Kong stood still, looking at Cui Zeming with respectful eyes, waiting for his instructions.

Cui Zemin would never allow Yun Ji to stay at the banquet for long.

His cool, aloof gaze was lowered, as if listening to her words, and he began to act on his own.

"Madam, you're being too delicate again. It's just a spilled drink; what's there to be ashamed of? Why are you hiding away like this? Are you afraid your aunt will scold you?"