Marrying a treacherous official

Yunji's words made Cui Lizhu pale in comparison.

Although she did not directly answer Mrs. Li's question, Mrs. Li's tactful statement made it clear how much donation should be raised at least, and how much should be raised ideally.

Yunji took the lead in writing down her promise to donate one thousand taels of silver in the register, which surprised the ladies of the officials present and raised the bar for silver donations.

Seeing this, the ladies who intended to donate fifty or sixty taels of silver, no matter how reluctant they were, had to raise the amount to one hundred taels for the sake of appearances.

Madam Gu put her arm around Yunji's and whispered in her ear, "How about I offer two hundred taels of silver?"

Yunji said frankly, "One hundred taels is enough for Aunt."

"The Gu family is your maternal family, and we can't let them hold you back."

"My second uncle is merely a sixth-rank official, a mere court attendant."

Yun Jigu glanced at the whispering wives of officials around her and advised her, "The guests here are all wives of officials of the fourth rank or above. If you donate too much, it will make the other ladies look bad."

After hearing what she said, Madam Gu immediately realized what was going on.

Yunji's donation of one thousand taels of silver raised the fundraising level significantly, while her donation of one hundred taels of silver maintained the minimum acceptable level.

No wonder she couldn't understand why she was "exceptionally" invited to the Cui family banquet before she came; now she knows the reason.

Under Yunji's strict "control," the banquet raised approximately seven thousand taels of silver. Among them, Lady You, out of consideration for her reputation, was forced to donate one thousand two hundred taels of silver, thus taking the lead.

After the banquet, Abbess Xuanzhen requested to pay her respects to the First Madam.

"The First Madam has the common people in her heart and has given generously. She is truly a protector of the Dharma. Her merits are not high in the court, but she cares about the people. This humble nun is deeply grateful. The Madam's great virtue will surely bring her lasting blessings."

"You flatter me, Master."

Yunji felt ashamed and could not accept the bow. She put her hands together and bowed deeply to the nun in return.

After all, it was a grand banquet organized by Madam You, and Madam You donated the most silver. She couldn't take all the credit, so she had to be humble on the surface.

"This is not my achievement alone. It was the nun's compassionate heart that moved my mother and the wives of officials, which led to this act of kindness."

Master Xuanzhen gazed silently into her eyes and said meaningfully:

"Even the smallest act of kindness is not in vain. This matter arose because of you, Madam, and you have reaped the good results. On behalf of all beings, I thank you for your kindness, Madam."

Yunji didn't know why the nun would mention "all living beings." The thought flashed through her mind, and before she could ask any further questions, she put it out of her mind.

After exchanging a few polite words with Madam You, Abbess Xuanzhen hurriedly left the Marquis's residence without saying a single word to Cui Lizhu alone.

Choi Yeo-joo gazed at the departing figure of the nun, her eyes filled with resentment.

Hua Chao arranged a carriage to go to Helelou. Under the pretext that the First Madam was going to inspect the estate in Xialiangqu, she had Yinxiang drive the carriage to the manor.

Xi Kui went out to the outer courtyard and scolded her brother in front of him, fearing that he would ruin her bright future.

"I recommended you to Sister Huachao. The Madam instructed you to ask as few questions as possible, think as little as possible, and speak as little as possible. Just do as she says. If anyone asks, pretend you're deaf and dumb. Do you understand?"

"I heard you."

Yinxiang raised his hand and touched her twin buns, saying to her, "You're so young but so clever. Now that you're working at the Marquis's mansion, you're even scolding me."

"Behave yourself, lest Granny Kong sees you, or you'll get another beating."

As Xi Kui spoke, her eyes darted around, as if afraid of being seen.

"Now I am a maid in the First Madam's room, but in the future I will become the head maid in the First Madam's room. You must not mess up the First Madam's job. Our family is counting on me to be successful."

"Alright, that's enough. The Madam is coming."

Yinxiang saw the three approaching from afar. After reminding Xikui, the brother and sister stood respectfully by the carriage and waited.

Yunji led Chunxuan and Huachao out to the outer courtyard. Just as they were about to lift the curtain and board the carriage, Li Xiuji and his guards hurriedly arrived.

"Your subordinate pays respects to the First Madam."

Li Xiuji bowed in greeting, then laughed heartily, "The General has ordered that the First Madam must accompany you on your travels. May I ask where the First Madam is headed this time?"

Hua Chao stepped forward and refused, saying, "The First Madam is going to the estate in Xialiangqu. It's only ten miles away and it's inside Zhuqing Gate. There's no need for Vice General Li to accompany her with such a large entourage."

Li Xiuji looked at her with a smile, but his words were still persistent:

"The First Madam does not wish for guards to escort her. To ensure her safety, I am willing to serve as her groom and escort her to the estate."

Upon hearing this, Xi Kui anxiously glanced at the lady's face. The job she had painstakingly recommended for her brother had been snatched away by someone else. How could she not be anxious?

Yun Ji didn't even glance at Li Xiuji, and said in a distant and indifferent tone:

"Who do you think you are, to presume to drive my carriage?"

Li Xiuji had never been so humiliated before. He smiled sheepishly and said:

"I was originally a military judge in the Tiger Wing Army. I was sent back to my post because of Deputy General Huo's dereliction of duty. I have come here to fill his vacancy and vow to protect the First Madam with my life."

"The old man has never mentioned you to me."

Yunji stood on the horse stool and glanced at him from his elevated position. "I do trust Vice General Huo deeply. If he were to accompany me, I would gladly agree. But if it were you—"

She suddenly stopped talking, deliberately shifting the focus to her dissatisfaction with Cui Zeming's personnel arrangements, and said sarcastically:

"Without my trust, you'd better not mention the matter of accompanying someone on a trip."

Xi Kui was grateful to the First Madam for standing up for her, and she raised her hand to lift the carriage curtain for the Madam.

Yunji bent down and sat in the carriage.

Hua Chao lagged behind and said to Li Xiuji, "I advise Vice General Li to not even think about following behind the Madam's carriage."

Li Xiuji, having his thoughts read by her, forced a smile and didn't take it seriously at all.

After watching the carriage leave the mansion, he was about to call the guards to bring the horse over when he caught a glimpse of the little maid standing beside him, staring intently at him.

"Are you a maidservant at Qinghui Courtyard?"

"This servant is a maid in the First Madam's room."

Xi Kui smiled, her eyes crinkling, and emphasized her identity to him.

Li Xiuji suddenly had a bad feeling. "Why didn't you go to the manor with the First Madam's carriage?"

"Since the Madam didn't let me go, I'll just stay in this courtyard."

Xi Kui took out the wooden whistle hanging around her neck, put it in her mouth, and said, "Deputy General Li, do you know what this whistle is for?"

Li Xiuji felt a headache coming on. He was known for his shrewdness, but he never expected to make such a mistake.

"What do you do?"

"To report on one's credit."

Xi Kui teased him, saying, "My whistle can be heard for miles around. How about I blow one for Vice General Li?"

Li Xiuji politely declined her offer: "No, you should just stay here quietly and not spread rumors."

If that whistle gets out, not only will the First Madam never trust him again, but the General might even send him back to the Tiger Wing Army. In that case, he'll be laughed at by that scoundrel Huo Xi for the rest of his life.