Marrying a treacherous official

Only two maids in Qinghui Courtyard knew that Yunji was confined to the inner courtyard: Xikui and Chiying.

"The First Madam sent all the maids and servants in the courtyard to Xiangguo Temple to distribute porridge."

Chi Ying reported truthfully to Yu Shi:

"After she returned from the temple, she dismissed the guards in the outer courtyard and went into the study alone. No one knew what she and the master had argued about in the room. After the door was opened, the master confined her to the inner courtyard."

With a beaming smile, Granny Tong said, "Since the master dislikes the first wife so much, it won't be long before he sends her out of the mansion with a letter of divorce, thus relieving the Marquis's greatest worry."

"Husbands and wives should not hold grudges overnight; it's too early to be happy now."

Madam You looked at the obedient-looking Chi Ying and asked directly:

Do you know what they were arguing about?

"The First Madam is on guard at all times, and this servant has been unable to find out any news from inside the courtyard."

Chi Ying said hesitantly:

"However, I saw with my own eyes that the maid carried three vermilion chests out. The next day, the First Madam distributed porridge and famine relief at Xiangguo Temple in the name of the Master. I suppose the First Madam took the Master's money for disaster relief without permission, which is why the Master was so unhappy."

Granny Tong offered a suggestion, saying, "What Chi Ying said makes sense. As long as it can be proven that the First Madam embezzled a huge sum of money, the Marquis's wife can divorce the First Madam in accordance with the ancestral family law."

Upon hearing this, a gentle smile appeared in Madam You's eyes.

"That's easy to handle. Just send someone to find out."

"Whom does Lady Hou intend to send to Qinghui Courtyard to gather information?"

"In the entire Cui family clan, whoever is the most meddlesome, the most easily provoked, and the most likely to act like an elder and make a scene, is the one we send to stir up trouble."

Granny Tong immediately accepted the order, saying, "This old servant will go and fetch Aunt Zheng right away."

Seeing that Chi Ying stood respectfully below the hall, reluctant to leave for a long time, Madam You guessed that she must have something to say, so she took the initiative to speak:

"The First Madam's condition has changed, so as to the Master's plan to take you as a concubine, it seems it will have to be postponed."

"Madam Hou is overthinking it."

Chi Ying looked up at Madam You and said with deep concern:

"Master has already taken a fancy to the First Madam, and he is currently very interested. I'm afraid he won't divorce her anytime soon. I was thinking, why don't we find an opportunity to drug the First Madam so that she can be disgraced and kicked out of the Marquis's mansion?"

She witnessed the master embracing the first wife and whispering sweet nothings in her ear, saying they would have dinner together when he returned from his shift. No one knew how much she resented the first wife at that moment.

Madam You underestimated Chi Ying; she never expected her to be so ruthless.

"You originally planned to frame the First Madam for drugging the Master, so you could use that opportunity to climb into his bed and take his place. Now you're doing the opposite; haven't you missed a golden opportunity?"

"As long as we can get rid of the First Madam, it's not too late for me to climb into her bed later."

Chi Ying's ambition could no longer be concealed and was revealed.

Lady You promised her, "I will give you time to consider this matter."

Yunji was confined to the inner courtyard, which felt like returning to the days when she lived with her maternal grandparents.

A secluded courtyard, a desolate atmosphere where no one cares, and a deep mansion from which one cannot escape.

She felt trapped in this courtyard again, watching the dense snow falling like cotton wool from above. This time, she gambled that she could get out.

The eldest wife of the Cui family cannot be reduced to an abandoned woman trapped and dying in the backyard.

The Marquis wouldn't allow it, the Old Madam of the Cui family wouldn't allow it, and even the clan elders would never allow it. No matter how unwilling Cui Zemin was to divorce, this matter was not up to him to decide.

As long as she insists on not giving in and endures a little longer, she will be able to completely break free from the Marquis's mansion.

The swirling snow swept in under the eaves.

Yunji stepped back, which aggravated the wound on her knee, and she stood in the corridor, too painful to move.

"Madam—"

Xi Kui called out from in front of the moon gate, "This servant has come to bring food to the First Madam."

Yunji longed to walk straight through the courtyard to the other side to collect her food, but no one was sweeping the snow in the central courtyard. The snow that had accumulated over the days was now knee-deep, so she could only walk around the long corridor, step by step, with heavy hearts.

The two cruelest things Cui Zemin did to her were: first, he dismissed the maids and servants who served her, leaving her isolated and helpless; second, he injured her legs, leaving her unable to support herself.

As Xi Kui lay on the swords of the guards who were blocking her way, she watched the First Madam walk slowly towards her, and her eyes immediately filled with tears.

She knew that the First Madam must be feeling incredibly lonely, trapped alone in this desolate courtyard. Only by talking to her could she alleviate her loneliness.

"The food box contains oven-roasted chicken, sea cucumber, and spun meat rolls, as well as a bowl of sweet soup with eight-treasure pears. I have heated them all up, and the First Madam carefully poured them out while carrying them in her hand."

"It's cold outside, be careful not to catch a cold, go back inside quickly."

Yunji picked up the food box and turned to walk back.

Xi Kui hurriedly took two steps forward, but was immediately blocked by the guards at the gate with their swords drawn.

How could she be willing to leave after only exchanging two words with the lady? She chased after the lady and asked:

"What will the First Madam have for breakfast tomorrow? This servant will bring it to her."

"Let's proceed as usual."

"Madam, Madam, is there enough charcoal in the room? Shall I bring you some more?"

"Yuhi--"

Yunji calmly said to her, "You will be staying in the manor for a long time to come, so you must learn to avoid suspicion."

As Xi Kui watched the First Madam's figure disappear into the snow, tears streamed down her face.

There was nothing she could do but keep the First Madam company and talk to her a few more times, but the First Madam, thinking of her well-being, would never say another word.

A soft sigh came from behind.

Xi Kui turned around with teary eyes and saw Li Xiuji standing outside the moon gate. She pleaded in a sobbing voice:

"Lieutenant Li, your wife has injured her leg and can't be left alone. Could you please let me sneak in to take care of her?"

"cannot."

"I'll sneak in at night, and I'll make sure no one else knows."

"Say that again, and I will take you before the general to be questioned."

Li Xiuji gently threatened her, and she timidly lowered her eyes, daring not to say another word.

The general always kept his word, and anyone who dared to cross that line was courting death. Even so, the general left a way out for the first wife.

"Instead of thinking about how to risk your life to sneak in and serve the First Madam, you should think about how to rescue her."

"How can we save him?"

Xi Kui looked at him, her tears still wet with tears.

Li Xiuji incited her, saying, "If you can persuade the First Madam to submit to the General, she can come out."

Xi Kui asked again, "How should we persuade them?"

Li Xiuji called her to his side and explained the solution to her in detail.