Marrying a treacherous official

Yun Ji watched Cui Zemin walk up the stone steps, lowering her eyes to hide the panic in them.

He possessed a calm madness about him, and the way he looked at her was as if he wanted to tear her to shreds.

Since things have come to this point, and death is inevitable anyway, I might as well die a quick and painless death.

She looked at him and gave him a graceful curtsy.

Cui Zemin gave a cold, mocking laugh:

"The wind and frost outside are biting, why are you standing outside the temple gate, Madam? Why don't you come inside with me to avoid the wind and snow?"

"I have to watch the old women distribute the porridge."

Yunji refused, saying, "If there are too many refugees queuing up, we'll have to set up another big pot. If the heavy snow blocks the mountain, we'll have to distribute the food. These little things can't be done without me."

She absolutely could not go with him into the temple, where they would have a quarrel in this serene Buddhist sanctuary.

Cui Zeming glanced at the three owners behind him, and Old Master Liu immediately smiled and stepped forward:

"Madam, please feel free to go with General Cui to the back hall to rest. We will keep an eye on things here, and nothing will go wrong."

"Distributing porridge is not something that can be done in a day. The health of the First Madam is of utmost importance. She must not fall ill at this time, as the refugees are all relying on her to distribute porridge."

Grandpa Zheng also tried to persuade her, but only Grandpa He saw Yunji's concerns and stepped in to help her out of the predicament.

"In my opinion, this blizzard will only get heavier and heavier, and it's only a matter of time before the mountains are blocked by heavy snow. We might as well distribute the grain, and while the mountain roads are still open, the First Madam can go back to the mansion with General Cui."

Upon hearing this, both Grandpa Liu and Grandpa Zheng nodded in agreement.

Yunji felt utterly powerless, her hands and feet bound.

She had long anticipated that, given the character of the three owners, they would certainly not go to such lengths to continue distributing porridge after she left.

They talked about distributing food, but only their consciences knew how much actually reached the displaced people.

As long as she stands here, the refugees can be served a full bowl of thick porridge and a mixed grain steamed bun, two meals a day, and they will certainly not starve to death.

"I am determined to stay here, and the three owners need not try to persuade me any further."

Cui Zemin took this as a rebuke to his dignity and roared angrily, his voice shaking the heavens:

"Granny Kong—!"

Such a thunderous rage silenced everyone outside the temple, who dared not move.

Granny Kong rushed over, trembling all the way, and knelt down in the snow. Although she didn't know what had happened, she still begged for mercy.

"This old servant deserves to die. Please, sir, calm your anger."

"I'll persuade your wife to come back to the manor with me."

Cui Zemin stared intently at Yun Ji, his words now unusually gentle, unlike his previous fury.

However, when Yunji heard this, she felt a chill run down her spine.

With tears in her eyes, Granny Kong looked at Yunji, thinking that the master was once again throwing a tantrum for no reason, and earnestly pleaded with her:

"The wind and snow are heavy outside, and the First Madam is in poor health. She should come back to the manor with the Master. This old servant will keep an eye on things here, and there will definitely be no trouble."

Yunji closed her eyes, suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes.

After she returned with Cui Zemin, she was unsure if she would be able to leave the Marquis's residence again, so she had to explain the situation to her family.

"The old woman is keeping an eye on these three big pots. If the porridge gets too watery, I will definitely hold her accountable. I will instruct Huachao to take full control of the accounts, inspect every cart of grain delivered by the merchant guild, and register them all. I will also order Chunxuan to maintain order outside the temple. If anyone causes trouble, they will be taken directly to the government office."

Granny Kong replied, "This old servant obeys."

Yunji gave the final instructions, "The porridge distribution will continue as long as possible. The three of you must not return to the manor for even a day. I have Xikui to take care of you, so you don't need to worry, Granny."

Hua Chao and Chunxuan stood at the foot of the mountain gate, only able to watch their mistress depart from afar.

Li Xiuji drove the carriage over, set down the stool, and bowed, saying, "Madam, please get into the carriage."

Yunji still remembered the harsh and hurtful things he had said last time in order to get rid of his companion.

"Lieutenant Li, you've gone to a lot of trouble. If you want to hold me accountable, the fault lies entirely with me; this matter has nothing to do with you."

"Madam, may I be your groom this time?"

Li Xiuji looked at her and laughed heartily, still with a cheerful and open demeanor.

Yunji recalled the joking remark about trust from before and nodded slightly, "Thank you for your trouble, Vice General Li."

Cui Zemin spurred his horse and galloped down the mountain, returning to his residence first.

As soon as Yunji entered Qinghui Courtyard, he instructed Li Xiuji, "Withdraw the guards from the outer courtyard. No one is allowed to enter the courtyard without the master's order."

Li Xiuji nodded in agreement, and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed all the guards.

Yunji stepped across the threshold, her skirt fluttering, and saw Chi Ying waiting quietly in the outer study. She scolded her, "Get out."

Chi Ying greeted her with utter humiliation, and as she passed by, she heard her coldly command, "Go outside Qinghui Courtyard and stand there."

She thought to herself that the First Madam was so shrewish, something must be about to happen, so she lowered her head, bowed, and retreated.

After Chi Ying left, Yun Ji turned around and looked at Xi Kui and Li Xiuji behind her, saying, "You two go outside and keep watch."

Xi Kui felt the biting cold before the snowstorm arrived. She knew that the master was about to get angry, and her heart was filled with worry for the madam.

"Don't worry, Madam, I'm the best at guarding the gate."

She was implying to the lady that if anything dangerous happened inside, she would rush in to protect her.

Yunji, however, ordered her, "Stand back and guard the gate."

The lattice doors were tightly shut from the outside, leaving the room in a deep, gloomy atmosphere.

Yunji took down the tumbler from the lamp stand and lit the celadon lamps in the study one by one.

The moment the jade-gilded lotus lamp on the desk lit up, it illuminated the deep, narrow eyes of the man sitting on the ebony chair.

Cui Zemin sat in the dimly lit study for so long that his figure blended into the boundless night.

"If I hadn't gone to Xiangguo Temple to bring Madam back, how long did she intend to stay in the incense room?"

"Until the porridge distribution ends."

Yunji blew out the embers on the tinderbox and spoke frankly to him.

Cui Zemin even had the urge to strangle her, but the more he was driven by the impulse, the more he had to suppress the pleasure of breaking free.

"Doesn't Madam have anything she wants to say to me?"

"The woman my husband wanted to marry back then was the most famous noblewoman in the capital."

Yunji tried to calm him down and said gently, "I am unworthy of such praise, but I have married into the Marquis's mansion by some twist of fate. I know that what my husband cares about is his reputation. Whether it is repaying the silver or providing disaster relief, I am trying to restore my husband's reputation."

"What kind of reputation do I want?"

Cui Zemin looked at her with a sinister gaze. "What does a ruthless madwoman like you care about her reputation?"

Yunji looked at him quietly and said firmly, "My husband is not crazy. Those who try to drive him crazy are the ones who truly deserve to die."