Marrying a treacherous official

Yun Ji gave a cold sneer.

Old Master He kept mentioning Cui Zeming, seemingly trying to pressure him, but in reality, it was his own selfish desire to hand over the hoarded grain.

She had witnessed the mercenary nature of merchants in the past and was already used to their profit-driven nature.

"If I hadn't spoken up before the affair came to light, and if the three employers hadn't spoken up either, how would my husband have known about it?"

The three owners exchanged subtle glances.

After gaining power, Old Master Liu lost his previous obsequiousness and his voice became louder.

"Since Madam Cui has spoken, we have no reason to refuse. Why don't we each take a step back and agree on a price of three hundred cash per dou of rice if Madam wants to buy it?"

Old Master Zheng chimed in, "That way, if General Cui pursues the matter later, we can easily deny it. Why would we refuse a deal that's been made at a fair price?"

Only Old Master He remained silent, gazing at Yun Ji across the screen, as if trying to discern her true intentions behind those words.

"If things get out, even if I don't say anything, one of the three masters will surely tell my husband about it."

Yunji unleashed her second trump card.

"The three vermilion chests that the three masters delivered to the mansion must have been counted one by one, and they must have a good idea of ​​the contents. Let me check the accounts with you masters."

She took the account book that Hua Chao handed her and casually read it aloud:

"Old Liu's vermilion chest contained 7,000 taels of silver and 19,000 taels of silver notes, the money came from Changsheng Trading Company; Old Zheng's vermilion chest contained 6,000 taels of silver and 20,000 taels of silver notes, the money came from Qinghe Trading Company; Old He's vermilion chest contained 8,000 taels of silver and 18,000 taels of silver notes, the money came from Jingtai Trading Company."

When the three employers heard her report the bottom line, cold sweat broke out on their brows.

Even after she exposed his past, Old Master He remained calm and advised her:

"Madam Cui, let's talk this out calmly and not ruin the harmony."

"Mr. He, you flatter me. I was just reconciling accounts with the various employers."

Yunji resolutely refused to allow them to threaten her. "The three vermilion chests are hidden in the private treasury, and I hold the key to them."

She didn't utter a single harsh word, but the words that followed were all capable of killing them.

"If my husband finds out about this and confronts me, I will never be able to bear such humiliation. I will only hand over the details to the Ministry of Personnel so that they can thoroughly investigate the matter and clear my name."

Grandpa Liu and Grandpa Zheng were so frightened they were practically begging for mercy.

Yunji continued reciting slowly:

"Do the three of you think my husband will stand with me and report the three major merchant groups for bribing government officials, or will he stand with you and accuse me of slandering his innocence?"

"Madam Cui—"

Old Master He stood up, bowed to her, and apologized:

"Please forgive my rudeness and offense to the First Madam. I beg the First Madam to show mercy and spare me this time. I swear on my life that I will never tell General Cui about this matter."

Grandpa Liu and Grandpa Zheng also stood up to apologize.

"I swear that I will not reveal a single word of what happened today."

"I also promised the lady that if she were to reveal this matter, I would suffer a terrible death."

Yunji never believed in oaths; she only believed in the leverage she held firmly in her hands.

She rose from the rosewood armchair and curtsied slightly in return.

Old Master He watched through the screen as the graceful figure slowly walked out, and suddenly spoke:

"May I ask, Madam, why did you do this?"

"The question that Elder He should ask most is: why did my grandfather and father die for their outspoken remonstrances at the Hall of Diligent Governance that year?"

"Your Excellency's righteousness is truly admirable; I am deeply ashamed."

With Old Master He bowing as he saw him off, Yunji left the top pavilion.

Upon reaching the stairwell, perhaps due to the auspicious snowfall, the sky suddenly darkened, and the taverns and teahouses gradually lit up, bathing the Imperial Street in a hazy glow.

Yunji stepped out onto the viewing platform and gazed at the bustling city from the railing.

She had done everything she could; all that was left was to wait for the right opportunity.

Hua Chao watched as the wind whipped her clothes around her, making them flutter loudly, and couldn't help but feel sorry for her, saying:

"Would you like to come inside to avoid the wind and snow, Madam?"

"I'm not avoiding it anymore."

Yunji gazed at the bustling Imperial Street, teeming with people and carriages, lost in the rich atmosphere of everyday life, and stared in a daze for a long time.

"But this servant feels sorry for Madam."

Hua Chao had no idea what the lady was plotting until this detailed discussion at the top of the pavilion. Just thinking about what would happen to the lady if the matter were exposed made her burst into tears.

"What will Madam do if the master finds out about this?"

"I'd rather become a discarded wife and divorce her and leave the mansion."

Yunji looked at the street vendors hawking their wares, knowing full well that Cui Zemin wouldn't let her go, yet a faint hope still arose in her eyes.

"How about we open a shop on this street and make a living on a meager profit? Would you be willing?"

"This servant is happy to."

Hua Chao wiped away her tears, not daring to upset her mistress any further.

Yunji watched as Yinxiang slowly drove the carriage to a stop outside the Helelou gate, and watched as Chunxuan jumped off the carriage and walked straight upstairs.

She snapped out of her reverie and murmured to herself, "Then it's settled."

On the eighth day of the New Year, civil and military officials rose early to attend court before the palace gates opened.

Cui Zemin got up at dawn to wash up, and when he came out of the bathroom, he saw Yun Ji standing in the room.

"The two hospitals are so far apart, even my morning washing up wakes up Madam, huh?"

His voice trailed off softly, clearly indicating that he was pleasantly surprised to have bumped into her after waking up.

Yunji took the cloth that Chi Ying handed her and wiped the water droplets off his face.

"Today we will be distributing porridge to Xiangguo Temple to relieve famine. Granny Kong will lead the maids and servants from the courtyard to go ahead and set up two large pots in the temple to cook porridge."

She gently rubbed his brow bone through the cloth, "I lagged behind and came over to pay my respects to my husband."

Cui Zemin stretched out his arms, waiting for her to come forward to change her clothes.

Yunji slipped his black and white cross-collar undergarment through the cuffs, fastened it at his waist, and then put on a shirt over it, straightening the collar and folding it neatly.

Finally, he gathered the purple court robe with the mythical creature and unicorn motif, wrapped it around his waist, and slowly tightened the white jade leather belt.

Cui Zemin looked down at her gentle, brows furrowed, and gently pulled her into his arms, embracing her with a sweet fragrance.

"Let's have a meal together when I get back from my shift."

He loosened his grip on her waist, turned, and walked outside.

Yunji turned her head and saw that outside the lattice door, the swirling snow and wind gradually carried that upright figure away until he disappeared from sight.